Chapter 23

Zhan frowned. "What claim? I have no idea what you're talking about."

Yi Bo smirked. "Let me show you." He leaned in close, burying his face in Zhan's neck and inhaling deeply. Zhan shuddered, his body trembling as his heart raced wildly. When Yi Bo gently bit his earlobe, Zhan yelped and leapt away, a strange discomfort spreading through him from head to toe.

Yi Bo casually returned to his side of the bed, sitting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, his expression calm and unaffected. "Alright, take your torchlight and leave."

Zhan's heart pounded in his chest. Slowly, he approached the edge of the bed again, casting cautious glances at Yi Bo. Without looking at him, Yi Bo repeated, "Take it and leave."

Zhan carefully placed his feet on the ground, eyeing Yi Bo's small phone by the pillow. Yi Bo shot him a sharp glance. "Is there something else you're after?"

Zhan pouted slightly. "I just need a torchlight, that's all." Yi Bo glanced at the phone Zhan was pointing to and then said, "Okay." He picked up the phone and extended it toward Zhan, watching him closely. Zhan hesitantly reached out to take it.

But Yi Bo quickly slapped his hand away with the phone. Zhan gasped, pulling back and staring at Yi Bo in disbelief, rubbing his hand where it had been hit. Yi Bo stood up, pulled on his shirt, and strode toward the door, opening it firmly. His face was stern as he said, "Get out now, or you'll regret stepping into my room tonight."

Zhan burst into exaggerated tears. "So, you had to hit me with your phone, huh? As if you don't sneak into my room while I'm asleep too!" Yi Bo's voice was harsh as he repeated, "I said, get out."

Realizing Yi Bo wasn't joking, Zhan got up, tears welling in his eyes. As he exited the room, he turned and snapped, "I won't forgive you for hitting my hand with that stupid phone! You only got away with it because I needed the torchlight from it!"

Yi Bo made a sudden movement as though to chase after him, and Zhan bolted to his room, slamming the door behind him and locking it. His breathing was heavy, his heart pounding. Meanwhile, Yi Bo locked his own door, staring down at the Thing....between his thighs, fighting the urge to grab Zhan and pin him to the bed.

The next afternoon, Yi Bo prepared to inform Zhan about their upcoming trip, but he found it difficult to face him. He left the house early to avoid him, and though he'd been home for an hour, there was no sound from Zhan's room. He hadn't bothered to check. Finally, he dialed Lu Jie's number. When she answered, they exchanged greetings, and Yi Bo asked, "Are you back?"

"No, I'll be delayed for another two days," she replied.

Yi Bo rubbed his forehead. "Please tell your brother to pack three outfits. We're going to my hometown. Just let him know."

Lu Jie responded softly, "Can't you tell him yourself?"

"No," Yi Bo answered bluntly.

She sighed. "Alright, pass him the phone."

"I'll take it to him now," Yi Bo said, getting up and heading to Zhan's room.

When Yi Bo opened the door, he found Zhan standing by the window, looking troubled. His face was drawn, showing signs of exhaustion from crying. Since the morning, he'd only been drinking water, too tired of ramen, with no other food in the house. He was starving.

Hearing the door open, Zhan spun around angrily. "Hey! Stop barging into my room like you own the place! If you need something, knock and wait for me to come out. And for the record, I don't want to talk to you in this house again!"

Yi Bo remained silent, staring at him. Zhan huffed and turned back to the window. Without a word, Yi Bo put the phone on speaker and said, "Here. Talk to him."

Lu Jie's voice echoed through the speaker. "Hello, Zhan."

Zhan scowled, "What is it?"

Lu Jie said, "Paa told me to tell you to pack your bags; you're going to the house." Zhan's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" he asked eagerly. "Yes," Lu Jie confirmed. A wave of joy swept over Zhan, and he responded excitedly, "My bags are already packed; I never even unpacked them!" Before Lu Jie could say more, Yi Bo hung up the phone, turned around, and left.

In no time, Zhan had zipped up his trolleys and dragged them to the living room, feeling as if he were in a dream. He was finally going home, and the thought filled him with joy. Yi Bo simply watched as Zhan struggled with the heavy bags, dragging them out to the car. Afterward, Zhan returned to retrieve his backpack, but as he was leaving, Yi Bo, who had been silently observing, asked, "Where do you think you're taking all these bags?"

Zhan shot him a sharp look. "Oh, what? Do you want me to leave some for you to sell and pocket the money? Not happening!" Without waiting for a response, he walked outside and stood by the car, waiting for Yi Bo. A few minutes later, Yi Bo came out. "Open the trunk for me, man," Zhan said smugly.

Without a word, Yi Bo opened the trunk, and Zhan strained to lift his bags inside. After putting them away, he climbed into the backseat and sat down, finally at peace. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, relieved to be heading home at last.

But as time passed and Yi Bo didn't start the car, Zhan chose not to press him. He was already getting what he wanted, after all. Eventually, Yi Bo got out, opened the gate, and drove them out of the compound. From the rearview mirror, Zhan could see the joy radiating from his own face.

They soon pulled up to a small eatery, and Yi Bo turned to Zhan. "Get down and eat something before we leave. You look like you're starving."

Zhan opened his eyes and glared at him. "I'll eat at home. Why would I want outside food?" Yi Bo didn't argue and went inside the eatery. A few minutes later, he returned with two bags of food. Placing one next to Zhan and keeping the other for himself, he started the car and they drove on.

At first, Zhan thought they were taking a different route to avoid traffic. But soon, it became clear they were heading somewhere that definitely wasn't his house. Trying to stay calm, he finally asked, "Hey, did you forget the way to my house, or are you drunk? The road is back there."

Yi Bo said nothing. Growing frustrated, Zhan raised his voice, "I know you can hear me! How is this road supposed to lead us home?" But Yi Bo remained silent. Zhan stared out the window in disbelief, wondering where they were going.

Eventually, hunger got the best of him. Glancing at the bag beside him, he reluctantly opened it, finding a can of Coca-Cola and a sandwich. He glared at them but, unable to resist, began eating. Yi Bo silently smiled to himself from the front seat.

After about 2 hours 40 minutes, they entered a small town that looked more like a village. Zhan was stunned into silence as they drove deeper into the countryside. Yi Bo parked near a house surrounded by a low mud wall. The car, now covered in red dirt, was quickly surrounded by children excited to see a vehicle.

Yi Bo opened the passenger door and looked at Zhan. "Get down."

Zhan's eyes widened in fear. "Get down and do what? I'm not getting down!"

Though amused by Zhan's terror, Yi Bo kept a straight face. "You're not getting down?" Nearly in tears, Zhan replied, "No! Where have you brought me?"

"This is my village," Yi Bo said calmly. "Now get down and greet my parents. And just so you know, the number of clothes you brought equals the number of days we'll be staying."

Zhan's face crumpled as he burst into tears. "I'm doomed! I'm finished!" But Yi Bo ignored him and began unloading the bags from the car, carrying them toward the house. Zhan watched in shock, crying in despair. He had only seen places like this on TV....he couldn't believe this was his reality now.

Soon after, an elderly woman appeared, barefoot and grinning widely as she approached. "Welcome, welcome," she greeted warmly. Zhan stared at her in fear. As she got closer, she repeated, "Welcome, welcome." Struggling to respond, Zhan stammered, "Good afternoon?"

Standing beside the woman, Yi Bo gave a curt order. "Get down."

Reluctantly, Zhan stepped out of the car, his terror clear to anyone watching. The woman smiled warmly again. "Come inside," she said. Zhan, dragging his feet, followed her into the house, while Yi Bo watched him with a sly smile.

Zhan had to duck under the doorway as they entered the house. Inside, he was greeted by a small courtyard surrounded by four huts. The sight made his skin crawl, and he began to feel cold, like he was coming down with a fever. The elderly woman led him to one of the huts and called out, "Come inside."

Something like this 😄😄😄

Bending down once again, Zhan entered the dimly lit space. The smell of fresh raw milk hit him instantly, and his eyes widened as he took in the sight of the bare earthen floor. A simple wooden bed with a tattered sheet sat in the corner, and beside it were about ten calabashes lined up neatly. The woman pointed to the bed. "Sit," she said.

Summoning the courage to obey, Zhan sat down on the wooden bed, fighting the urge to cry. The woman left the hut, telling him she'd bring some water. Once she was gone, Zhan whispered under his breath, "I'm finished, I'm ruined." He quickly wiped his eyes when he noticed a group of women standing by the doorway, all dressed in traditional Niú zhǔ (牛主) Cowherd attire and smiling at him warmly.

"Welcome," they said in unison. Zhan, struggling to compose himself, forced a smile and replied, "Thank you." As soon as that group left, another entered to greet him, and then another. Each time, Zhan offered a forced smile, barely holding it together. Finally, the elderly woman returned with a rusty bowl of water, which she placed on the ground beside him.

Zhan glanced at the water, noticing tiny particles floating in it. He had never seen anything like it in his life. Moments later, another woman entered, carrying a calabash of boil fresh milk and a smaller one filled with millet porridge. She placed them beside Zhan and said, "Eat as much as you want. If you need more sugar for the porridge, let us know."

This is Millet Porridge with fresh milk

Zhan could only nod, unable to speak. The women left him alone in the hut, the buzzing of flies filling the silence. Tears welled up in Zhan's eyes once again as he looked around the small room, wondering what he had done to deserve this.

Yi Bo entered the hut, glancing at Zhan, who was quietly crying. "Please," Zhan begged through his tears, "have mercy and take me home. I swear I won't ever do anything to you again—just take me back." Before Yi Bo could respond, a group of kids appeared, dragging Zhan's bags into the hut.

Zhan's eyes widened in disbelief as the children carried his luggage inside. Yi Bo thanked the kids, then began unpacking Zhan's bags and neatly stacking them in a corner. Zhan let out another wail. "I'm finished! What did I do to you? Please, forgive me!"

Ignoring him, Yi Bo turned his attention to the porridge and milk. "You probably don't even know how to eat this," he said matter-of-factly. "Let me mix it for you." He spread out a small mat on the ground, sat down, and began mixing the porridge and milk in a calabash.

Zhan, still sniffling, pleaded again. "Please, take me home. I can't stay here." Without looking up, Yi Bo replied, "Not until you wear every piece of clothing in your bags. And remember, this is my family's house, so you'll stay here. The number of days we stay depends on the number of outfits you packed."

Zhan buried his face in his hands, crying into the wooden bed. When Yi Bo finished mixing the porridge, he handed the calabash to Zhan. "Here you go," he said.

Zhan looked up, trembling. "I swear I can't stay here. Please, take me back home."

"You'll be fine after a couple of days," Yi Bo said calmly. "You'll get used to the village." Zhan broke into fresh sobs, wailing, "I'm finished! Oh, my father!"

Yi Bo stood up, placed the calabash beside Zhan, and left the hut without another word. Zhan cried until he couldn't anymore, exhaustion taking over. Every time someone came in, he quickly wiped his eyes and put on a fake smile. The people were so kind and hospitable, trying their best to make him feel welcome. But no matter how hard they tried, Zhan felt like he was in a nightmare he couldn't escape.

~~~~~

Zhan didn't feel like getting up, even though it was already late in the evening. He hadn't seen Yi Bo since earlier, and the thought of spending the night in the hut was weighing heavily on him. A young girl entered and lit a small lamp, but the light barely made a difference. After she left, the overwhelming reality of his situation hit him again, and Zhan started crying quietly.

An older woman soon entered with a bowl of Tufo mixed with red oil, the pungent smell of which made Zhan's stomach churn. He leaned his head against the wooden bed, tears filling his eyes. He couldn't imagine eating tufo back home, let alone this one that smelled so awful. But he was starving, and the thought of having to force this meal down made him feel even more miserable.

As the night wore on, Zhan's anxiety grew. By 8 p.m., there was still no sign of Yi Bo, and Zhan's patience ran out. Seeing the old woman pass by, he hurried to the doorway and quietly asked, "Granny, did he go out? I haven't seen him come back."

Before the woman could respond, Yi Bo appeared. "Well, here he is now," she said with a smile. Yi Bo greeted her, "Good evening, Granny." She chuckled, "Your wife has been asking for you."

Yi Bo glanced at the Hut door where Zhan was standing, frowning. Zhan retreated back inside as Yi Bo scratched his head, walking in behind him. Taking out his phone, Yi Bo shone the light on the bowl of tufo. "Have you eaten?" he asked.

Zhan's voice trembled as he responded, "How could I possibly eat that?"

"The same way you eat at home....just wash your hands and start," Yi Bo said flatly.

Tears welled up in Zhan's eyes. "I swear, I can't eat this!" he sobbed.

"Oh, then I guess you're not really hungry," Yi Bo replied nonchalantly, noticing Zhan hadn't touched the porridge either. He shrugged and turned to leave, but Zhan quickly pleaded, "Please, don't leave me alone." His voice quivered with desperation.

Yi Bo raised an eyebrow. "Now you don't want me to leave you alone?" he muttered, but he stepped back inside the hut for a moment before leaving again. Zhan watched him go with tear-filled eyes, feeling utterly abandoned.

By 10 p.m., Zhan still hadn't moved, his body now covered in mosquito bites. Another woman entered with a mosquito net and a folded blanket. "It'll get cold later, so use this," she said, setting up the net over the bed. Zhan quietly thanked her, watching as she moved the food aside and set up the sleeping area. After she left, he slumped against the wooden bed, exhausted.

Yi Bo returned later, waking Zhan from his half-asleep state. He shone his light toward the bed. "Aren't you going to sleep?" he asked.

Zhan, his voice shaky, replied, "I'm hungry." Yi Bo retrieved the calabash of porridge he had prepared earlier and placed it in front of him.

Starving, Zhan reluctantly picked up the ladle and began eating, but the porridge tasted so bad, he could barely swallow it. After just a few spoonfuls, he pushed it away, scrunching his face in disgust.

"Get inside the net and sleep," Yi Bo instructed, shining the light toward the bed.

Zhan looked up at him, pitiful. "Where are you going to sleep?" he asked hesitantly.

Yi Bo frowned. "What business is that of yours?" Without further comment, Zhan crawled into the mosquito net, lying on the hard bed that felt more like concrete. He touched the surface in disbelief, while Yi Bo suppressed a chuckle.

As Zhan struggled to get comfortable, Yi Bo sat on the mat, ignoring his iphone vibrating in his pocket. Around midnight, Yi Bo stood up, shining the light on Zhan's face. Zhan had finally fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion. Yi Bo paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before lifting the mosquito net and lying down beside Zhan, letting the net fall back in place.

At around 1:30 a.m., Zhan began tossing and turning. Unable to sleep, he sat up and, feeling around, realized Yi Bo was beside him. "Please," Zhan whispered, shaking him, "I don't know where to go to relieve myself."

Yi Bo groaned. "Just go outside," he muttered, lifting the net and getting up. Zhan followed him out, glancing nervously around in the dark. "It's too dark," he complained.

Yi Bo switched on his phone's light and led the way to the outdoor toilet, a small enclosure made from wooden planks. Zhan hesitated, peeking inside with wide eyes. "Am I really supposed to use this?" he asked in disbelief.

Yi Bo ignored him, standing aside as Zhan reluctantly went in. When Zhan finished, he quickly rushed back to the hut, sticking close to Yi Bo. Once inside, Zhan sat down on the mat, his eyes welling up again. "I'm hungry... I can't sleep like this," he whimpered.

The bag Yi Bo had brought earlier was still sitting nearby. He rummaged through it and pulled out some bread, handing it to Zhan. Zhan stared at the bread for a moment before taking it, leaning against the wooden bed frame as he slowly nibbled on it. He barely ate and reluctantly sipped some water. Yi Bo sat silently, not even glancing in Zhan's direction. Zhan quietly got up, entered the mosquito net, and lay down at the far end. A few minutes later, Yi Bo joined him, letting the net fall closed behind him. Zhan eventually drifted off to sleep, and by 2:30 a.m., Yi Bo had also fallen asleep.

As dawn approached, the air turned chilly, and the fragrance of Zhan's hair disturbed Yi Bo, causing him to wake up. Zhan had curled up, clearly cold. Yi Bo frowned and turned away from him, but when Zhan moved closer, he shifted slightly and gave him a sideways glance. After a moment's hesitation, Yi Bo got up, left the net, and spread the blanket the woman had brought for Zhan on the mat. He lay down on it but couldn't sleep until the morning.

When Zhan woke up, he was surprised to see daylight streaming into the hut. He looked around but didn't see Yi Bo anywhere. Quickly, he went outside, exchanged greetings with a few villagers, and returned to the hut, weighed down by his thoughts.

He glanced at his luggage, remembering what Yi Bo had said about wearing all his clothes before they could leave the village. Slowly, villagers began coming to greet him, and each time they did, Zhan opened his suitcase and handed out three sets of clothes. Piece by piece, he gave away nearly all his belongings, even to neighbors, until only one set of clothes remained.

The villagers thanked him profusely, offering prayers in return, and gave him a thin porridge and the same meal he had refused the day before. Zhan sat there, trying hard to hold back his tears.

At around 8 a.m., someone brought water for him to bathe. He hurriedly rinsed himself and returned to the hut to dress. When Yi Bo finally entered, the old woman outside told him all about Zhan's generosity. Yi Bo entered the room and noticed Zhan's belongings were gone.

"Where are your clothes?" Yi Bo asked.

"I gave them away," Zhan replied simply. "Didn't you see what they wear here?"

Yi Bo sighed. "So, now you're just going to keep wearing the same set of clothes?"

Zhan broke down in tears. "What's wrong with giving them my clothes? Let's just go home, pick up more, and come back."

"Really?" Yi Bo asked, his tone skeptical.

"Yes, of course," Zhan insisted, wiping his tears. "We can even bring water and biscuits when we return."

Yi Bo simply replied, "Alright, we'll go back, get all your clothes, and come right back."

But as noon passed, Yi Bo hadn't returned. Zhan's stomach growled with hunger, but the beans cooked with oil didn't appeal to him, especially since he disliked beans. By 4 p.m., still with no sign of Yi Bo, Zhan forced himself to eat some porridge. As the hours dragged on, his frustration only grew. By 6 p.m., Zhan broke down in tears again.

At 8 p.m., tired of asking the old woman who kept assuring him Yi Bo would return soon, Zhan gave up. He crawled into the mosquito net, sobbing quietly without touching the food that had been brought for him.

Around 10:50 p.m., Zhan smelled Yi Bo's perfume and heard him talking to people outside. A short while later, Yi Bo entered the hut. Though Zhan heard him, he didn't open his eyes. Yi Bo switched off the light and lay down on the bed. Zhan moved closer, crying softly. "You said once I finished wearing all my clothes, we'd go home. Now I don't even have any clothes left for tomorrow," he whimpered.

Yi Bo responded gently, "Then just wear the same clothes as today." Zhan's tears flowed harder. For the first time since they arrived, Yi Bo felt pity for him. He pulled Zhan into a side hug as they lay together.

Zhan continued crying for almost an hour. When Yi Bo finally turned on his torchlight to check if he had fallen asleep, he noticed Zhan had dozed off, exhausted. By dawn, Yi Bo woke up feeling uncomfortable. Zhan had sprawled across him, using his body as a mattress. Zhan's face was nestled between Yi Bo's shoulder and neck, which didn't bother Yi Bo much—until he realized Zhan was sucking on his Adam's apple.

Startled, Yi Bo gently tried to move him, but Zhan whined, mumbling, "Lee - Gege, my lollipop... I won't give it to you. I'm hungry." Yi Bo's eyes widened, and when he touched Zhan's forehead, he realized Zhan was burning up with a fever...

Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛