Rejected gift

The shy rays of the sun sneaked through the curtains, heralding the start of a new day. Zhang Zihao woke up in a strange room, the walls adorned with traditional paintings and wooden furniture reflecting the elegant Eastern style. He sat on the bed, waking up slowly, trying to gather his scattered thoughts. He found slippers in front of the bed, put them on, and left the room.

Luo Yong was cooking in the open kitchen, where the scent of ginger and garlic filled the air, and the sounds of frying mixed with the tones of calm music. Luo Yong noticed him immediately and greeted him with a warm smile.

"Sit down, I've prepared breakfast," said Luo Yong, pointing to a table filled with dishes.

Zhang Zihao sat down, only to hear a lively cry, "Uncle Zi!" He looked to find a three-year-old child, wearing a shirt adorned with cartoon characters, barely able to balance his movements as he ran towards him to embrace him. Zhang looked in surprise at the child he was meeting for only the second time and held him in his lap.

"Hello, little one," said Zhang tenderly, patting the small child's back.

He saw shining eyes looking at him, then looked at his friend in surprise. " I've told him a lot about you, so he feels familiar. You'll get used to it soon," said Luo Yong, laughing, ignoring the mess the child had made with his toys scattered on the floor.

"Did your father tell you about me?" Zhang asked the child curiously.

The child nodded vigorously and said innocently, pointing to a painting on the wall, "He told me that you wet yourself in the nursery." The child said, with a twinkle of innocence in his eyes.

Zhang Zihao looked in shock at his friend, who felt embarrassed by his child's endless talk. "I can't believe you told him that!" said Zhang Zihao, trying to hide his smile.

Luo Yong quickly placed the foreign dishes on the table, trying to change the subject. "I didn't know where to take you last night, you didn't tell us your new address, and I didn't feel you were in a suitable state to take you to your father's house, so I brought you here. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't, thank you," thanked Zhang in a low voice, grateful that he hadn't been taken there.

"So, where is your wife?" asked Zhang in surprise, as he had taken over Luo Yong's bed and hadn't seen her.

"She's not here," Luo Yong replied simply, while putting some vegetables and meat on his plate. "Eat before it gets cold."

Zhang Zihao nodded to enjoy food he hadn't tasted from Luo Yong's cooking for a while, and it seemed to have become much tastier, or perhaps he felt this way because he missed it. He finished some casual conversations before going to take a shower.

Luo Yong lent him some clothes, and Zhang took them gratefully. In the past, he had some clothes at Luo Yong's house for such situations, but things had changed now.

He came out of the bathroom drying his hair to find that Luo Yong was already ready and holding his car keys in his hand. "Come on, I'll drop you off on my way," said Luo Yong.

Zhang nodded his head. "Please send me to my father's house."

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The morning still gently covered the city streets when Chen Yu stood in front of the faded blue door, holding a box wrapped in brown paper adorned with a red ribbon. He knocked on the door three times, each knock carrying the weight of hope and anticipation.

The door opened violently, and a woman with sharp features appeared, her eyes glowing with anger. Without warning, she threw the bucket of water she was holding in her hand, and the water poured over Chen Yu, leaving dark spots on his white shirt.

"Mrs. Wei, this is too much!" shouted the secretary from behind Chen Yu, but Chen Yu raised his hand quickly, stopping him.

"It's okay, let her do as she pleases," said Chen Yu in a steady voice, looking at Mrs. Wei with steady eyes. "Please, accept this gift. Wei Ming took a long time choosing it,"

"If you mention Wei Ming one more time, believe me, you'll only have yourself to blame!" screamed Mrs. Wei, and slammed the door shut, leaving Chen Yu standing outside, holding the box that now seemed much heavier.

Chen Yu remained in front of the door for a while, silence enveloping him like a blanket. The secretary came to him, expressing his concern. "Sir, you're wet. You need to change your clothes before the midday meeting." Chen Yu nodded at him, and the secretary pulled his wheelchair.

From behind the window, Mrs. Wei watched. When she saw Chen Yu leave, surrounded by silence and loneliness, she felt something break inside her. She collapsed to the floor, while her heart pounded hard, under the weight of memories and pain she had tried to bury.

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Zhang Zihao stood outside the old house, watching the car as it moved away, carrying Luo Yong and the child who was waving at him with his little hand from the window. After the car disappeared from the horizon, he gathered his courage and pressed the doorbell.

Moments later, the door opened to reveal a beautiful and elegant lady, looking at him in surprise before embracing him warmly. "Xiao Zi, I've missed you so much!" she said in a loud voice, filled with joy.

Zhang Zihao nodded his head calmly as he entered the house. He looked around the place thoughtfully; he thought he had missed these walls, but when he returned, he didn't feel any special emotions. It was as if he had exhausted all his feelings for this family.

He found his father in the living room, waiting for him with an angry look. "Father," said Zhang Zihao as he bowed respectfully, but his father ignored him and continued reading the newspaper. Zhang Zihao smiled sarcastically, wondering what he had really expected when he decided to return to this house.

"I'm going to see Nanny Zhu," announced Zhang Zihao, and Mrs. Zhang nodded quickly. "When you're done, come to the dining room. I've prepared the food you like."

Father Zhang looked at her and said, "Look what your pampering has done to him." She smiled weakly in defense, "Zhao Zi hasn't come for a long time, don't scare him with thatfrown."

In the kitchen, he found Nanny Zhu, a middle-aged woman with gentle wrinkles adorning her face. Zhang Zihao sneaked up behind her and hugged her. "Mrs. Zhu, have you missed me?" he said playfully.

She was shocked for a moment before she realized and screamed with happiness, "Young Master Zi, when did you return?" and she began to examine him with concern. "Oh my God, you've lost so much weight. What have you been eating outside?"

Zihao laughed and said, "I'm fine, Mrs. Zhu." But she hit him lightly, insisting that he take better care of himself.

Heading to the dining room, Zhang Zihao looked at the dishes with sarcasm. There wasn't a single dish from his favorites. "Thanks for breakfast, I had it before coming here."

His father slammed the table angrily, "You ungrateful child, your mother woke up early just to prepare this for you!" Mrs. Zhang gently placed her hand on his, trying to calm the atmosphere.

"It's okay, dear," she said in a sad voice.

Zihao looked at the drama unfolding before him with sarcasm, then looked at his watch. "If there's nothing else, I'll go."

The two of them exchanged looks, and his father's features softened a little, and he looked back at him. "Go up to the office, I need you for a matter."

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The night air was cold and pure, carrying with it the scent of night flowers from the garden below. Chen Yu, after asking the secretary to take a break, pushed his wheelchair steadily towards the elevator. The only sounds in the lobby were from the wheels of his chair making a slight squeak and from the elevator as it reached the second floor.

He gently opened the door and entered the room where the lights were dim, except for the balcony where Wei Ming stood, looking at the star-studded sky. There was a serenity in his stance, as if he was part of the night itself.

"The stars look beautiful tonight," Chen Yu said, as he pushed his chair next to Wei Ming.

"They are always beautiful," replied Wei Ming, turning to smile tenderly at Chen Yu. It was that smile that brought warmth even on the coldest nights.

But his smile faded slightly when he noticed the pallor of Chen Yu's face. "Did she refuse the gift again?" he asked quietly, as if he already knew the answer.

Chen Yu nodded his head, confirming the reality he had hoped not to face. Wei Ming crouched beside him, embracing his hand between his warm ones, then placed it on his face. "It's okay, you tried," said Wei Ming, trying to offer consolation.

Chen Yu ran his hand over Wei Ming's face with a faint smile. "Next time I'll make sure to give it to her."

Wei Ming laughed at Chen Yu's great determination, one of the things he loved about him. He sat in Chen Yu's lap, embracing him while looking at him sadly. "I think it's time for you to give up, Chen Yu."

But Chen Yu hugged him even tighter, as if he wanted to protect him from the entire world. "No, I don't want to give up."

And so, under the bright starlight, the two remained in a warm embrace, sharing the silence.