Chapter 47

Zhan avoided making eye contact, while YiBo kept staring at him, clearly nervous. YiBo reached out to take his hand to speak, but the door opened, and Lily stepped out of her room. YiBo quickly moved away from Zhan and sat on the couch. Lily looked from YiBo to Zhan, but Zhan kept his head down. She asked, "How's your headache? Did you take your medicine?" Zhan still didn't lift his head and replied, "I took it." Lily nodded, "Alright, get well soon. Just go lie down and rest."

Zhan got up and left the room. Once he was gone, Lily turned to YiBo with a stern face and said, "I don't understand why you're so attached to that boy, Ai Bo." YiBo looked surprised and sat down again. "Mom, attached? I just saw that he was sick and..."

Lily interrupted him angrily, "If he's sick, don't you think I can take care of him? And who even told you he's sick? I don't see any reason why you should be going into his room in the first place. What does it mean? Honestly, I don't like it. Don't ever do that again. If something's wrong with him, he'll come and tell me. I don't want you getting close to him like this."

YiBo stood up, "Mom, you've never seen me..."

She cut him off again, "I don't want to hear anything. I've told you what I needed to say." YiBo looked at her but couldn't respond, and Lily turned and went back into her room.

YiBo sat back down, leaned his head against the couch, and closed his eyes. His mind had never been so tangled as it was now. He realized it wasn't going to be easy, and it didn't seem like Mom would make things easier before talking to Dad. For the first time, he wished he hadn't hidden everything from Aunty Bella when they first came back. Maybe she would have understood him. But now he knew it was too late....even she wouldn't understand now. It was just too late.

After some time, Lily came out of her room without even looking at YiBo and headed for the door. It had been a while since YiBo had seen her this upset, and it made him feel uneasy. He didn't think she would ever support him. As Lily reached for the living room door, it opened before she could touch it, and she found herself face-to-face with Leo. Smiling, she said, "Oh, Leo, when did you get back?" He replied, "Not too long ago, Aunty."

YiBo frowned while pretending to look at his phone. Lily returned to her seat and said, "Welcome back. I didn't know you were back." Leo sat on the couch and replied, "How are you, Aunty?" She smiled warmly, "I'm fine, and you? You're back safely?" Leo nodded, "Yes, safely." She added, "You've been away for a long time this time." He smiled slightly and said, "I came by just to greet you."

"Thank you, Leo," Lily said. "I'll come downstairs later. You're welcome, dear." Leo stood up and left. Once he was gone, Lily turned to YiBo with concern and asked, "Why didn't you speak to him, Ai Bo?" YiBo, as if waiting for this question, quickly replied, "Why should I speak to him, Mom?"

Lily shook her head, "No... I don't like this. He came all the way here to greet me. What's wrong with greeting him? Make peace with him."

YiBo retorted, "Am I his peer that I should greet him, Mom? Has he ever greeted me before, except to be hypocritical? Look, Mom, I'm begging you, stop forcing me to do what's unnecessary. I have nothing to do with them."

Lily sighed, "No, Ai Bo. Why do you always take things so seriously in life? Whether you like it or not, he's still your cousin brother."

YiBo stood up, frustrated, "He's not my cousin brother. I have nothing to do with him."

Lily's face hardened, "Say that again... he's not your brother?"

"I'd like to excuse myself now," YiBo said, looking at her.

Lily stared at him and said, "Okay then."

YiBo stormed out of the living room. Lily sighed, troubled by YiBo's attitude. He was always causing problems for himself. He liked to think he feared no one, even his father, whom everyone else was careful around, had no hold over him. That's why, when his father told him to leave the house, he didn't last ten minutes before disappearing. After a few minutes, Lily shook her head and left the living room to head to Zhan's room to tell him to pack his things.

YiBo stood stiffly by Zhan's door just as his mom arrived. She stared at him without blinking, unable to say anything. Confidently, YiBo said, "I left my phone in here, so I came to get it." Without waiting for her reply, he left her standing at the door, watching him as he walked away. Then she entered the room.

Zhan lay in bed, his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Lily watched him for a few seconds, then walked closer to the bed. Zhan quickly opened his eyes and sat up, rubbing them. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked. Zhan nodded, "Yes." Lily stood silently for almost a minute, looking at him before turning and leaving the room.

Back in his bedroom, YiBo noticed a few missed calls from Zhuo. He sat on the edge of the bed and called back. When Zhuo answered, they exchanged greetings before Zhuo said, "I think Lu Jie will be going to Beijing for the weekend. She called me earlier. Do you think she can come here to Shanghai?"

YiBo responded quickly, "Sure, no problem. That might actually be better." Zhuo agreed, "Alright then." After a few more words, they ended the call.

***

Later, when Ru returned home from school, Lily came into her room. Ru, drying off with a towel, greeted her, "Mom, good afternoon." Lily replied, "Afternoon, dear. Are you listening to me?" Ru glanced at her mother and nodded, "Yes, Mom." Lily said, "You and Zhan will go to Nia's house and stay there for two days."

Surprised, Ru asked, "Why, Mom? What's going on?"

"Nothing, but you need to do as I say."

Ru gave in, "Okay." Lily added, "After you rest and eat, make sure Zhan packs his things, and you should pack yours too." Ru nodded, "Alright."

Zhan, sitting on the bed next to Ru, asked, "Where are we going?" Ru widened her eyes, "Somewhere... Mom's sister's house." Zhan felt somewhat relieved hearing that, as he was tired of being in this house, and deep down, he didn't want to see YiBo. The thought of what YiBo had done to him made him feel anxious, and tears welled up in his eyes. Zhan still believed that YiBo had done something terrible to him.

Ru gently asked, "But tell me, why are you always so sad? Your eyes are always swollen, and you're always quiet. Don't you like our home?" Zhan lowered his eyes and didn't respond. Ru continued, "Or is it that you're not comfortable here? Have I been unkind to you? You haven't even seen my cousins since they don't come to this part of the house, so you hardly meet them. And if you get to know Tin, you'll see she's nice too. You just misunderstood her at first."

Zhan couldn't say a word, wishing he could tell her what YiBo had done to him and ease the pain in his heart. Sighing, Ru added, "For now, just pack your things. I'm sure you won't get bored where we're going since they aren't as strict as they are here. We'll have the freedom to go wherever we want. I'll take you to lots of places in Shanghai."

Zhan nodded slowly, "Okay, thank you." With that, he got up to pack his things, and Ru watched him. Seeing how he walked, she asked, "Are you hurt?" Zhan quickly looked at her and replied, "I'm getting better now." Ru nodded, "Okay."

She added, "The twins have been looking for you...they've really missed you. But Mom said we shouldn't bring them over here because she thinks you're not feeling well." Zhan turned quickly to look at her and, for the first time since yesterday, he smiled. "Why? I've missed them too! I was wondering where they were—did their parents take them?"

Ru laughed, "Oh no, their mother passed away, and their father… well, he has his own issues now and doesn't care to be with them. They never really knew him anyway...we just show them pictures to remind them of their dad."

Zhan felt a mix of sadness and confusion all at once...sad for their mother's passing and confused about their father. Before he could ask more, Ru got up, saying, "I should go pack my things too." She didn't wait for his response and left the room.

~~~~~

Aunty Bing was arranging her clothes, which Sheng, the laundryman, had brought earlier when the door to her room opened. She looked up at the door and saw Lian. "Is everything alright?" Aunty Bing asked.

Lian replied, "Aunty, Young Master Zhang is back."

Aunty Bing quickly set aside her clothes and said excitedly, "Oh my! Welcome, welcome!" She hurried out of the room and headed to Zhan's Mom wing, entering Zhang's room. She found him lying down with Ren sitting beside him.

Filled with joy, Aunty Bing exclaimed, "Welcome back, my dear! It's so good to see you, welcome!" Then, noticing him lying down, she asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhang shook his head and said, "No, I'm fine." Ren chimed in, "That's exactly what I asked him. I think it's just travel fatigue."

Aunty Bing said, "Alright, come on, I made your favorite meal." Zhang replied, "Mom, I'm not hungry right now, maybe later."

Aunty Bing protested, "Oh, come on, look at how thin you've gotten! It's like you're not eating at school at all. This school has worn me out—good thing it's your last year so we can all finally rest."

Ren added, "Go ahead, Zhang. You should eat something."

Zhang reluctantly got up from the bed and followed Aunty Bing out of the room, with Ren watching them leave. Sometimes, just seeing Zhang made Ren forget all her worries; he always eased her longing for Zhan. Deep down, Zhang reminded her of her son, and after Zhuo had called to inform her that he had visited Zhan in Shanghai, Ren had finally found some peace of mind. Even though Zhuo promised to give her more details when he got to Beijing, she was at least reassured that Zhan was safe and comfortable.

Aunty Bing had laid out a full meal in front of Zhang. He just sat there, resting his chin on his knees, staring at the food. Aunty Bing sat down and urged, "Go on, take a bite." Slowly, Zhang pulled his plate closer and began serving himself. Aunty Bing kept her eyes on him, noticing how thin he had gotten. This wasn't the lively Zhang she knew.

"Zhang," she called softly, and he immediately looked up at her. With concern, she asked, "Is something wrong?"

He quickly shook his head. "No, Mom, I'm okay."

Aunty Bing wasn't convinced. "You seem off, like something's bothering you, my dear."

Zhang just shook his head again, quietly continuing to eat. After a pause, Aunty Bing asked, "Are you still thinking about Zhan?"

Immediately, Zhang's eyes welled up with tears, and Aunty Bing's heart sank. She stood up, knowing that Zhang's tears and distress were her greatest worry. "Why are you crying now? If it's about Zhan, I'll send people to find him, wherever he is. If you need to go spend a few days with him, we can arrange that. If that's what will ease your mind, Zhang, we'll do it."

He couldn't say anything, only wiping away the tears that wouldn't stop. Aunty Bing continued comforting him, feeling his pain deeply in her heart.

Later in the evening, Aunty Bing grabbed her car keys and headed to Ms. Tu's house. After exchanging greetings, Aunty Bing said, "Tu, do you think we can go back to the spiritual healer and ask him to ease the situation a bit?"

Surprised, Ms. Tu asked, "Why now?"

With concern, Aunty Bing explained, "It's about Zhang. I still can't understand what's going on with him. He's completely changed. You know how close he was to his cousin Zhan. Earlier, when I saw his test results, I was devastated. Zhang has never failed in school before, and now, in his final year, of all times... No, we must ease the situation, Tu."

Ms. Tu asked, "Do you mean break the spiritual pact?"

Aunty Bing quickly replied, "No, no! I just want to ease it, so that Mr. Xiao allows Zhan back into the house without any attention, and Zhan doesn't get any of the inheritance or even the driver. I just want my son to have peace of mind and focus on his studies."

Ms. Tu said, "But isn't it strange? He didn't seem this troubled right after the incident... only now?"

Aunty Bing sighed. "Yes, it is odd. At first, he wasn't like this. Sure, he was upset, but manageable. It's only after he went back to school that things got worse. He barely answers calls, and he's been so down, like all the life has been drained out of him. I'm worried. I know it's because of his cousin. Even Mr. Xiao is drawing him closer, especially since Zhan isn't around anymore. The other day, he even said he would replace his laptop. It's worrying."

Ms. Tu nodded. "Alright, we'll go back tomorrow."

Relieved, Aunty Bing smiled. "Thank you, Tu." She didn't stay long after that, quickly bidding farewell and heading back home.

***

5:30 p.m., Zhan finished getting ready and stood in front of the mirror, putting on his face mask. Just then, Ru walked in, already dressed. She frowned and said, "Come on, where are you going with this mask? We're not going to school, you know." Without waiting for Zhan's response, she snatched the mask from him. Zhan turned to look at her, thinking that YiBo had suggested he wear it. He hadn't intended to, but in the end, he decided to go along with it.

Ru shook her head, saying, "Please, let's go. We're not going to school, and besides, it's the evening." Zhan responded, "I feel more comfortable with the mask, Ru." Ru stayed quiet, watching him. Zhan smiled, took the mask back from her, and began putting it on again. With a shrug, Ru left the room and headed to the living room where her mom was. Seeing YiBo seated in the living room, she said, "Hey big brother, can you take us to the house since you're here? I don't want anyone else to escort us."

YiBo looked at her, then lowered his voice, "Tell Mom first." Ru quickly ran to her mom's room, saying, "Mom, since brother is here, can he take us to the house?" Her mom, Lily, responded, "Okay." Ru smiled and left, closing the door behind her. She then turned to YiBo and said, "She said okay." With that, she exited the living room.

Ru and Zhan descended the stairs as one of Lily's maids took their luggage outside. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Zhan froze by the rail, his eyes fixed on someone sitting in the living room. It was Leo, sitting with three of his friends, laughing and chatting with beers, chicken, and snacks in front of them.

Noticing Zhan's shock, Ru asked, "What's wrong, Zhan?" Zhan quickly turned his back to the living room as if he wanted to go back upstairs, his eyes wide. Surprised, Ru grabbed his hand and asked, "Are you okay?" Zhan couldn't speak, his heart racing. Ru squeezed his hand, "Zhan?"

Startled, Zhan looked at her. Confused, Ru repeated, "What's going on?" Zhan managed to compose himself and said, "Nothing, nothing." Ru held his hand, and they continued down the stairs. Zhan avoided looking in Leo's direction, clinging to Ru as if he might collapse at any moment. Ru was bewildered. She glanced at Leo and his friends, who were staring at them, and said, "See you later, Ge."

Leo, still watching them, replied, "Okay." Ru and Zhan left the living room, with Ru locking the door behind them. She looked at Zhan and asked, "Do you know someone in there?" Zhan swallowed hard and shook his head, unable to look at her. Ru studied him closely. Zhan, gathering his strength, asked, "Who's the guy in white?"

Ru replied, "That's my cousin. Do you know him?" Zhan still couldn't answer, his gaze fixed on her, unmoving. Suddenly, everything felt surreal to him, and dizziness began to overwhelm him. The word "cousin" echoed in his mind repeatedly.

Finally, Zhan asked, "Can I know his name, please?" Ru replied, "His name is Leo Yunxu. He's the brother of Xia and Fen." Zhan nodded slowly, but still couldn't say a word. Ru pressed on, "But please, tell me, do you know him? You reacted like you've seen him before."

Zhan quickly shook his head, still silent. After a few seconds, he gathered the courage to ask, "What's his relationship with your brother?" Ru answered, "They're cousins, of course. My brother is Wang Hong YiBo, and he's Leo Yunxu. His mom is Aunty Yu. You know her, right?"

Zhan was stunned, his heart pounding. "Wang Hong?" he repeated in disbelief. Ru looked at him with wide eyes, "You mean you didn't know whose house you were staying in all this time?" Zhan lowered his head slowly, feeling like the ground was being pulled from under him. Ru kept watching him, but then smiled gently and led him outside.

As they reached the car, Zhan dragged his feet, feeling like everything was happening in a dream. In his mind, he repeated Leo Yunxu's name at least ten times. For the first time, he realized how cruel life had been to him. He had been deceived by so many—Aunty Bing, his friends, and now Leo. Nothing had gone in his favor in the past. In just a few days, he had encountered things he never imagined, at times he never expected. He now understood that not everything is as it seems, and he felt utterly foolish. He regretted so many decisions in his life, wishing he could fix everything, but how?

Ru watched him closely as she opened the car door for him. When he didn't get in, she realized he was lost in his thoughts, unaware that they had even reached the parking lot. Gently, she touched his shoulder, startling him back to reality. Ru pointed to the car, and Zhan quickly got in, doing his best to keep the tears welling in his eyes from spilling over. Why me? he thought.

"Why is all this happening to him?"

Ru paced around to the front of the car. Just then, Zhan raised his head, making eye contact with YiBo through the mirror. His heart sank. For the first time, Zhan felt real shame for everything he had done to YiBo. In the past, he had only felt guilt, but today it went beyond that. He vividly recalled the day YiBo had taken him to the mall to see Leo, and how he had grabbed YiBo by the collar, hurling insults at him.

Zhan didn't realize when he lowered his head to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Things weren't as they seemed... he had truly deceived himself all along.

YiBo started the car, and they drove away from the house. After driving for a while, YiBo glanced at Ru and asked, "Do you need anything?"

Ru opened her eyes slightly and responded, "As long as the expenses are on you."

YiBo chuckled softly. "Alright, where are we going now?"

She suggested a shopping destination, and YiBo followed the directions. Once they arrived, he parked the car, pulled out his ATM card, and handed it to her. She took it and said, "I thought we were going in together?"

YiBo shook his head. "No, you'll go alone. I've done my part by giving you my card."

Ru asked, "Can I shop for two?"

He nodded in agreement. She locked the car and went inside.

As soon as she disappeared into the store, YiBo got out of the car and moved to the back seat.

Since he hadn't entered through the main living room earlier, he was unaware that Leo and the others were in there. Zhan, already emotional, began to cry again when he noticed YiBo enter the back seat. YiBo looked at him calmly and asked, "Now, tell me what's bothering you."

Zhan couldn't bring himself to look at him, sobbing uncontrollably. He wished he had been kinder to everyone back then. He hadn't known that Aunty Bing disliked him until Aunty Bella had pointed it out. Aunty Bing had encouraged him to be cruel to others.

YiBo gently removed the mask from Zhan's face, studying him carefully. Zhan quickly hid his face, unable to meet YiBo's eyes. YiBo pulled him closer into a soft embrace, resting his hand on Zhan's back, then asked gently, "Does it still hurt?"

Zhan's eyes widened in shock as he quickly grabbed YiBo's hand, closing his legs tightly, and responded, "No."

"Then what is it?" YiBo asked softly.

Zhan remained silent, letting out a deep sigh as he leaned against YiBo, feeling a slight sense of relief. He could hear YiBo's calm breathing on his face, and YiBo whispered, "Do you need the phone?"

Zhan, with his eyes still closed, didn't respond and remained nestled in his embrace. YiBo also said nothing further, his own eyes closed, breathing steadily. Zhan gathered the courage to finally ask, "Why did you come to my house?"

YiBo, still with his eyes closed, lightly touched Zhan's leg and replied, "We should ask Ling about that."

Startled, Zhan quickly raised his head to look at YiBo. Just as quickly, YiBo released him when he noticed Ru returning from the store, carrying only a small bag. He got out of the car and moved back to the front seat.

When Ru approached and got into the car, she placed the bag down with a smile, saying, "Just two perfumes."

YiBo raised an eyebrow. "You're not serious."

She laughed, and he started the car, driving away.

The whole time they were heading back to Nia's neighborhood, Zhan couldn't stop thinking about what YiBo had said. "We should ask Ling." How did he know Ling? The sky had already turned dark by the time they reached Nia's house. After YiBo parked the car, both Ru and Zhan got out, Ru holding the bag with the perfumes she had bought for herself and Zhan.

Ru said, "Let me call the housekeeper to help us with the luggage," and went inside. Zhan watched her for a moment before turning to YiBo, who was looking at him. Embarrassed, Zhan lowered his gaze and started to walk away.

YiBo grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back against the car, staring at his lips. Zhan panicked, especially since the security guard was sitting nearby by the gate. He tried to push YiBo away, but just then, Ru and Nia came out of the house. YiBo quickly let go and pretended to be checking something in the front seat....

Spoilers :

YiBo then stepped outside, looking around the parking area. But when he turned back, Zhan was nowhere to be found. Shocked, he searched the compound but couldn't find him anywhere. A few seconds later, YiBo rushed to the gate and asked the security guard urgently, "Did any boy leave the house just now?"

The guard nodded. "Yes, someone left just a moment ago."

YiBo's eyes widened in disbelief. Without saying another word, he hurried out the gate, unsure of where to go as the area had many different paths. He instinctively headed toward the main road. In just a few minutes, he reached it despite the distance, but there was no sign of Zhan. He looked around desperately, his heart pounding, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as his legs grew heavy with worry...

Evening chapter. 😜

Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛