Chapter 35

Two Months Later

2:30 PM

The phone lying on the bed vibrated with an incoming call. It rang persistently, but by the time the call ended, no one had answered.

At that exact moment, Yibo stepped out of the bathroom, fresh from a shower, drying himself with a small towel. His neatly folded clothes rested on the bed, waiting for him.

He walked over to his bag, pulled out a bottle of lotion, and was about to sit down when the bedroom door opened. Guang entered, carrying his daughter in his arms.

The little girl's eyes lit up the moment she spotted Yibo, and she immediately stretched out her hands, reaching for him.

"I don't get it. What is she trying to do?" Guang asked in their Contonese dialect. "How does she even know you this well?"

Yibo chuckled as he stood up and took the child into his arms. "What's there to be confused about? She likes me more than her own father. Maybe you should work on your parenting skills."

Guang shook his head. "No worries. It's not like we live in the same city. She won't be seeing you often."

Yibo let out a loud laugh. "Wow, jealous much? You act like you're the first person to have a child!"

As if she understood their conversation, the little girl burst into laughter, giggling uncontrollably.

Guang pointed at her. "Oh, you'll come back, alright. You and I are stuck together forever."

Both Yibo and the child continued laughing when the phone that had rung earlier vibrated again.

"Hey, isn't that your call?" Guang asked.

Yibo glanced at the phone and saw the caller ID. It was Qian, saved under "Aunty." He slid his finger across the screen and answered.

"Hello, good afternoon. Should I call you the groom now, or are you still caught up in the wedding celebrations?"

"No, Aunty," Yibo replied, smiling. "The phone was just lying there. I didn't even realize you called."

"I only called once," she said. "I just wanted to wish you well again. Today is a special day, after all."

Hearing that, Yibo felt an unexpected wave of shyness. "Come on, Aunty. With all the prayers I've received, I think I'm covered."

"There's no such thing as too many prayers, Yibo. And right now, I don't have anything more valuable to give you than my blessings."

He understood exactly what she meant. She didn't need to explain or remind him. Over the past two months, he had become their anchor.

Since that day at the hospital when Shan Tunan tell him the truth—that Shi Lei, the man he had known, was actually Zhan's uncle and the reason he had been separated from his mother as a baby—Yibo hadn't been shocked in the slightest.

After spending time with Shi Lei and understanding the kind of man he was, Yibo knew that for someone like him, nothing was off-limits if money was involved.

But at that moment, his only concern was Shi Lei's family—especially Qian, who was already struggling with the loss of Peng, and now had to face the reality of their situation.

So, after leaving Zhao Min's house, once he had ensured that Zhan and the others were settled, Yibo had immediately returned to Beijing.

But in the end, fate always takes precedence over any plans we make.

Before Yibo could even reach Beijing, Shi Lei passed away due to a sudden heart attack. The circumstances surrounding his death only reinforced Yibo's suspicions about Peng's demise. The medical report he found described Shi Lei's heart failure in the exact same manner as the one documented for Peng.

From that moment on, Yibo took full responsibility for handling everything related to Shi Lei's funeral and mourning period. He spent several weeks in Beijing with Qian, uncertain of where he truly stood in Zhan's life at that point.

Once the truth about Zhan's past and his mother was fully uncovered, Yibo personally sat down with Shan Tunan and explained how he had met Zhan and what had led to their current marital status. Zhan, in turn, shared everything with Zhao Min. However, Yibo was unaware of how exactly Zhan had framed the story, because Zhao Min became adamant that Yibo should end things with Zhan, just as they had originally planned. She wanted to give Zhan a fresh start, a new life with her.

Yibo didn't understand why that unsettled him so much. He had always known this was the plan, that this was how things were meant to play out. He had prepared himself for it. And yet, when it finally came down to it, he found himself at a complete loss. He didn't know what to say or what to do—he just froze.

It was Shan Tunan who stepped in and firmly stated that this wasn't a decision Zhao Min could make for them. The choice belonged to Yibo and Zhan alone.

Yibo couldn't be sure of Zhao Min's true feelings on the matter, but he did know that she never openly opposed her husband. So, she didn't argue.

By then, Yibo had already gone through every possible scenario in his mind. He had come to a realization—he didn't want to leave Zhan. He couldn't. It felt like Zhan had become the very essence of his existence, the anchor holding him steady. The mere thought of their separation left him feeling completely lost, with no direction, no purpose.

To him, there was no one else in the world who could possibly fit beside him the way Zhan did. Not just because of their connection, but because of the familiarity Yibo saw in him—the resemblance, the warmth, the feeling of home.

Besides, Yibo had never been the kind of man to chase after multiple partners. If he lost Zhan now, with the emptiness his life already carried, he wasn't sure where he would even begin to find another companion. Because he knew, eventually, he couldn't remain alone forever.

So, he made his way to Zhao Min's house once again. By then, Zhan had already settled into his new reality, fully integrating himself into Zhao Min's family. But Yibo was relentless—he fought for Zhan's acceptance, for his love.

Face to face, Yibo sat down and told Zhan everything. He laid out his entire life story, making him see why this wasn't just about them but about finally embracing a new beginning together.

Because Yibo had long given up hope of ever finding his own family. He had searched for years—through school, through work—but had never found anyone.

And if he said that waiting for Zhan's answer had been one of the hardest moments of his life, it wouldn't be an exaggeration. The uncertainty stretched on endlessly.

But when Zhan finally accepted him, it came with one condition—one that Zhao Min herself insisted on. Yibo had to allow Zhan to continue his education.

Not once did Yibo hesitate. He didn't even need to think it over. Even if she hadn't asked, he would have made sure of it himself.

🔹▫️🔸

Zhao Min made it clear from the start—she was going to organize a grand wedding, a celebration for all to see, regardless of the fact that Zhan and Yibo were already married. For the past three days, the house had been filled with wedding preparations, and Yibo could barely keep track of everything that was happening.

The only thing he knew for sure was that once all the festivities were over, Zhan would officially be handed over to him, and they would leave for Beijing. There, Yibo had already secured a beautiful and expensive house...not that the cost mattered to him in the slightest. At this point, he felt like he would give up everything he owned just to have Zhan by his side.

Just as Zhao Min had promised, she and her relatives spared no effort in decorating the house. Before leaving for Guangzhou, Yibo had insisted that Guang will not accompany him. Guang had been adamant about attending Yibo's wedding, refusing to let him go through it alone.

Initially, Yibo hadn't even planned on going to the house himself, but Zhao Min had insisted. She made Zhan call him, telling him there was a family dinner where all the relatives would finally meet him, so he had no choice but to go. He left with Guang and, surprisingly, felt an unexpected sense of warmth knowing that at least one person from his side would be there for him.

The night before, Yibo had overheard Guang talking to his mother—the wife of the doctor who had taken Yibo in. Guang had been updating her on all the wedding events. She had sent her well wishes, but Yibo wasn't sure if she truly meant them.

After all the years he had spent in her household, their relationship had never gone beyond that of a stray cat and its indifferent owner. He had been tolerated, fed when necessary, but never truly acknowledged. And it wasn't just him—she treated all the other children the doctor had taken in the same way. If you weren't her biological child, you were nothing more than an outsider.

The only real bond Yibo had formed in that house was with Guang. The only other exception was Xu Liang, Guang was Xu Liang's younger half-brother, who had left Beijing to study and ended up staying in Guangzhou with their mother.

Xu Liang. Yibo repeated the name in his mind, recalling what Guang had told him about the family's latest scandal.

A huge dispute had erupted when it was discovered that the Xu Liang three children... the ones he had proudly claimed as his own... weren't biologically his. They had all been fathered by another man.

Yibo had originally planned to visit the his house after the wedding, if only to talk to Wu Jing again. He had wanted to guide her, to convince her to make peace with her husband and children, to move forward.

But after learning about the scandal with Xu Liang, he realized there was no point. Wu Jing had crossed far beyond any boundaries he had imagined. There was nothing left for him to say. So, he kept the knowledge to himself and didn't even share it with Guang.

:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*

At precisely eight o'clock, Yibo and Guang finished getting ready. Yibo stood in front of the mirror, taking a long look at himself. Zhao Min had given them plenty of time before the event, so he had managed to get a new outfit tailored...something he hadn't originally planned on wearing for the wedding, but now that he needed formal attire for his new life, he figured he might as well.

The tailor had done an exceptional job. The outfit fit so well that even Yibo was surprised at how good it looked on him.

"Wow, look at you!" Guang teased. "I have to admit, you really do look like the groom now."

Yibo turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "So, what exactly are you calling me? A gentleman or a show-off?"

Guang grinned. "Honestly? I have no idea where you fit anymore. You don't seem to have a set identity right now."

"What do you mean by that?" Yibo scoffed. "I'm a married man with a spouse. How is that lacking identity?"

Guang burst into laughter. "Alright then, tell me....after this wedding, what's next? If someone asks you what your profession is, what are you going to say?"

Yibo moved to the edge of the bed, unzipping his bag.

"Alright, fine. I'll admit defeat this time. But I swear, I'll get back at you. You know there's no way I'd struggle with work, right?"

"Welcome to the labor market, man!" Guang chuckled. "You'll soon understand what we're dealing with. It's not like your job, where even if you don't get a contract, you still collect a salary for months without doing anything."

Yibo didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out a photograph—a picture of his sister and mother. He stared at Liu's eyes before shifting his mind to Zhan's face.

"You still have that?" Guang asked from behind him.

Yibo turned slightly and glanced at him. "Where else would I put it?" Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Let me ask you something. Does Zhan resemble her?"

He placed his finger over Liu's face in the photo. Guang took the picture from him, studying it closely.

"There's a resemblance, but not an exact match."

Yibo narrowed his eyes. "Not an exact match? What do you mean?"

"I mean, their eyes are similar, but they don't look too much alike overall," Guang clarified.

Yibo took the photo back, once again examining Liu's features and comparing them to Zhan's in his mind. Was it just him? Had he been the only one to see the similarity all this time? He had never asked anyone about it, never brought it up in conversation.

But wait—hadn't Ping also said he noticed the resemblance? Could it be that only those who truly knew Liu could see it?

"You're sure?" Yibo asked, gripping the photo tightly.

Before Guang could respond, his phone rang—the familiar ringtone of his wife, who had been calling repeatedly, urging them to hurry up and come downstairs.

"They're waiting for us," Guang said. "We can talk about this later when we get back."

With that, he walked out, leaving Yibo sitting there, still holding the photo, his eyes fixed on Liu's face as his thoughts raced.

🔸▫️🔹

Lightning flashed across the dark sky, followed by a cool gust of wind that rustled anything light enough to be carried away.

Among the things caught in the breeze was Zhan's scarf, fluttering gently at the side of his face.

From where he sat, by the window of his mother's family house on the second floor, Zhan could see everything happening below as if he were watching a dream—bright lights, music, people laughing, and trays of food being carried around with ease and joy, their happiness evident on every face in the courtyard.

Zhan parted his lips slightly before closing his eyes for a brief moment, then refocused on the mirror in front of him. His hair—freshly braided for the wedding. His wedding.

The thought still swirled inside him, ungraspable, as if he weren't truly standing in his own reality. Everything was happening one step after another, seamlessly, just as those who had planned it had intended.

Slowly, he swallowed against the tightness in his throat and examined the braids again. They looked good—better than he had expected. Yet, deep inside, he still felt as though they didn't quite belong to him, much like everything else that had happened ever since he reunited with his mother.

It was Zhan himself who had asked Guri to redo his hair, all because of a fleeting moment days ago. The first time she had braided it casually, Yibo had walked into the kitchen that morning in Shenzhen, and a single glance had been enough. Zhan had caught the look on his face—subtle but unmistakable. Yibo had liked it. And from that moment, Zhan had silently promised himself that if they continued on this path together, he would have his hair braided again just for Yibo.

The wind picked up once more, tugging at his scarf, sending a chill through his hair and down his spine—a fresh reminder that all of this was real.

He had survived so much, walked through countless trials, and now, here he was. In his mind, He Jun's face flashed yet again, over and over. How he wished he could see him now, show him how his kindness had not only transformed Zhan's life but had also brought immeasurable good to his entire family.

Because now, Mama and the others had no more worries. The money Shan Tunan had given them had been enough for Kai to start a solid business at the market, securing their home and livelihood. Hao had also settled well in Shenzhen, working at a steel manufacturing company, earning a good salary. He was even considering marriage soon, his wedding set to be held just two months after Ning's.

Everything had changed. And for the first time in his life, Zhan wasn't just watching from the sidelines—he was a part of it.

Life had changed in every way—so much so that even the relationship between Mama and Ma Jing no longer felt the same as before.

Zhan was genuinely surprised when they told him they were all coming to Guangzhou from Beijing. He still wasn't used to it—wasn't used to being the kind of person others would go out of their way for.

"Zhan..."

Guri's voice called from the doorway as she peeked inside. "So this is where you've been hiding while we finished getting ready?" she said, stepping into the room.

"I've been here the whole time. Ever since the makeup artist left, I haven't moved," Zhan replied.

"Wow... Let me get a good look at you!" Guri said, studying his face. She hadn't even noticed when they started doing his makeup, having been too busy running around handling the endless tasks Zhao Min had assigned her. And when she finally got back, she had to rush to get ready herself.

"You're making me jealous now," she teased. "I never thought my wedding wouldn't be the next one in this house."

Zhan laughed. "I'm sorry, Aunty Guri."

"But why are you sitting here all alone?"

"I was with Min and the others earlier, even Nalan, but they all left to get dressed."

"Well, you better get up now. Your mother just called, asking why we still haven't come downstairs. The guests have already started filling up the place."

Zhan's stomach tightened. A heavy weight settled in his chest as the reality of it all hit him again. He had heard about the number of people expected, had been told over and over, but it wasn't until now—when they were all gathered in one place, for him—that it truly sank in.

At that moment, the other young women in the house returned, including Min. Despite all the smiles she had been forcing since their arrival, Zhan could tell she had changed. She was no longer the same Min he had left behind. Whatever had happened to her had left its mark, and though she tried to hide it, he could sense there was something she wasn't telling anyone.

"Your groom is already outside. They're waiting for you downstairs," said one of the women name Nanming.

Zhan repeated the word groom in his mind, his thoughts drifting to Yibo. He still had no idea what kind of life awaited him with this man. The only thing he was certain of was Yibo's kindness and the immense help he had given him. Maybe that was why he agreed to go through with this marriage—because walking away would feel like an injustice, even to himself.

With laughter and playful teasing, Guri and the others led Zhan down the stairs. The house had fallen quiet now, as most of the guests had moved to the dinner venue. They stepped outside into the spacious courtyard where the family's cars were parked—that's where they said Yibo would be waiting.

And that was the moment everything changed.

That single moment became the catalyst for everything that would unfold from then on.

Zhan's gaze landed on Yibo. He stood beside his car, talking to Guang. Guang's wife, Aunty Lucy, stood nearby, but Zhan barely noticed her. His eyes were fixed solely on Yibo.

Someone once told him that love at first sight was real. At the time, Zhan had dismissed it as nothing more than words. He never believed in it—not even a little. He had always thought that love required time, that the heart needed a chance to study, to analyze, to understand what it truly wanted.

But now…

Now he understood that sometimes, time wasn't necessary.

Because in that instant, as he looked at Yibo, he felt something shift inside him. It was as if his heart had split in two—one half remained within him, while the other had left, drifting toward this man in a way that no effort, no logic, no force in the world could ever undo.

As Yibo spoke with Guang, his eyes caught sight of Zhan standing still, gazing in their direction. No, he wasn't just looking at them—he was looking directly at Yibo with those bright, expressive eyes.

But what truly captured Yibo's attention from afar was Zhan's neatly braided hair. Without responding to Guang, he began walking toward him, closing the distance between them with long, purposeful strides. It took only a few steps before he stopped directly in front of Zhan.

Without hesitation, Yibo spoke, his gaze fixed on Zhan's face.

"I still can't convince myself that you agreed to this marriage wholeheartedly," he said. "It feels like you only accepted because you think you owe me something. But Zhan, please, you don't owe me anything. I did everything out of kindness. Don't make any compromises for that reason."

He took a step back, exhaling before kneeling on one knee. As if from nowhere, a velvet box appeared in his hand. He opened it, revealing a set of matching rings.

"Xiao Zhan," Yibo said, his voice steady. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me again?"

A slow smile spread across Zhan's face. Then, without hesitation, he dropped to both knees in front of Yibo, pulling out a small black box of his own. Inside were two uniquely designed silver rings.

"You ruined my plans, Gege," Zhan chuckled. "I was going to ask you this after dinner. But yes—if you accept this ring, I, Zhan, will marry you."

A burst of applause and cheers erupted around them, startling them both. In truth, they had completely forgotten about the presence of others.

After sliding the rings onto each other's fingers, they rose to their feet. Yibo reached out, running his fingers through Zhan's hair. He had wanted to do this for so long, to feel its softness in his hands.

"I love you, Zhan," he murmured. "I love you so much, I don't even know what to do with it all. Don't take out this braid until tomorrow. Don't even wash your hair, or it'll come undone."

Zhan chuckled, nodding in agreement. Yibo leaned in, pressing a kiss to Zhan's hair before trailing his lips to his temple. Then, without another word, he pulled Zhan into his arms, holding him close as he let out a deep sigh.

Zhan didn't hesitate to return the embrace, wrapping his arms around Yibo's waist.

The onlookers, who had yet to leave for the dinner, smiled at the scene, whispering well-wishes as they quietly dispersed, leaving the couple to their moment.

From the sitting room, Zhao Min let the curtain fall back into place, turning to face Shan Tunan.

Brushing away the tears of happiness in her eyes, she asked softly, "Do you think Yibo will always keep Zhan this happy?"

Shan Tunan smiled. "You still don't fully understand Yibo, do you? He's not like other men. Right now, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—he wants more in this world than Zhan and his happiness. Trust me, Zhan couldn't have found a better partner."

He pulled her close, smirking. "Enough about them. Now come here and let me hold my wife properly. This whole fuss has kept me from enjoying you these past few days."

Zhao Min laughed, resting her head against his chest. "You never get tired of being romantic, do you?"

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛