Quitely, Yibo said, "Bobo, I know if we leave, Gege might scold me on the way."
Zhan glanced at him but said nothing. Zong replied, "Let him scold you if he dare." Zhan simply smiled and left the sitting room. Zong added, "Hurry up, you two, or you'll be late."
Yibo followed Zhan, wiping his eyes as they left. As Zhan walked out of the main sitting room, his heart sank when he saw Yichen sitting there, her face stern. He cautiously approached her, while Yichen stared him down without a word. Yibo headed straight for the door, but Zhan lowered his voice and said, "Mum, actually, Papa..."
Yichen cut him off sharply. "I don't want to hear anything. I'm telling you right now, Zhan, you are not stepping out of this house unless I give you permission. I don't care what happens today."
Zhan froze, staring at her without responding. Just then, Zihan came out of the kitchen holding a plate of breakfast. She chuckled and said, "Big family drama as always..."
Yichen turned to her, cutting her off sharply. "You, mind your own business and stay out of this! Don't interfere in my matters. Just focus on whatever keeps you busy in this house."
Zihan rolled her eyes and muttered, "Honestly, is there anyone more controlling than someone who meddles in their child's life endlessly? If you ask me, the real busybody is someone who insists on dictating every single decision their child makes."
Furious, Yichen stood and snapped, "Who's the child here, you or me? Since you think you know everything, why don't you take control of your own life and stop meddling in mine? And stop acting like you're competing with me over Zhan."
Zihan smirked. "I don't have time to argue with someone stuck in childish tantrums. But let me give you a little advice-just because you're Zhan's mother doesn't mean you're the only one with authority over him. You've pushed him so hard, always forcing him to follow your will, that you're using his loyalty to your advantage."
Yichen raised her voice angrily. "And who asked for your so-called advice? If you want to stay in this house, keep your nose out of my business!"
At that moment, Zong entered the sitting room, hearing the commotion. He looked at Zhan, who was standing silently, and then at Seth, who had been watching from the stairs. Turning back to Yichen and Zihan, he asked, "What's going on here?"
Still upset, Yichen pointed at Zihan. "You need to warn your sister, Zong. She's interfering in my business, and if she doesn't stop, things will get out of hand between us in this house."
Zong interrupted her firmly. "I asked what happened, Yichen, not for you to start issuing warnings."
Zihan smiled and said, "It's because of Zhan. She's refusing to let him go because of her pride and stubbornness. And I'm not going to keep quiet about it."
Zong turned to Zhan, who still hadn't lifted his head. He held out his hand and said, "Give me the car keys."
Reluctantly, Zhan looked at him, then glanced at Yichen, who shot him a sharp glare, signaling him to obey. Slowly, Zhan said, "Papa, I didn't say I wouldn't go."
Zong replied calmly, "Yes you didn't, but give me the keys anyway."
Zhan hesitated before handing over the keys. Zong turned to Seth and said, "Here, take the car and drop Yibo at school."
Seth descended the stairs, took the keys, and walked out. Zong, without another word, turned and headed back to his sitting room. Zhan quietly made his way upstairs, his steps heavy. Zihan rolled her eyes and followed suit, heading upstairs as well.
Yichen let out a deep sigh of relief and sat back down, her mood noticeably lighter.
After they left the house, Yibo glanced at Seth and said, "Seth ge, Shengjie didn't want Gege to take me, right?"
Seth, who was driving, smiled and replied, "Well, how could he take you? You know how it goes—he'd give you a little smack, and you'd come back crying and complaining to us."
Yibo's eyes widened as he stared at him, but Seth refused to look back and just kept smiling. Yibo frowned and said, "What? If someone gets hit, aren't they allowed to cry?"
Seth chuckled. "Oh, they're allowed to cry. Cry all they want."
Yibo pouted but said nothing more, and Seth didn't press the conversation either. When they arrived at the school, Seth stopped at the gate and said, "You're pretty late, you know."
Yibo replied, "Well, they'll see my face and assume I'm not feeling well. I'll just tell them I'm sick anyway." With that, he opened the car door, got out, and waved at Seth before walking into the school. Seth smiled and drove away.
:-*:-*:-*:-*
The next day, Sunday at noon, Yibo returned from lessons and started preparing to visit Wei Po, Yuting's mother. When Yibo came out of his room, Yuting, who was sitting in the main sitting room, looked at him curiously and asked, "Where are you going?"
Yibo sat down beside her and replied, "To Wei Po's house, of course, Mu Qin."
Yuting gave him a sharp look. "Did you inform your father?"
Yibo, trying to sound convincing, said, "Fu Qin wouldn't stop me, I'm sure."
Yuting frowned and said, "You're not leaving this house without his permission. Don't involve me in this."
Yibo stood up, looking as if he might cry, and went back to his room. He picked up his phone and dialed Quentin number. After a while, Quentin answered.
Yibo greeted him politely, and Quentin replied, "How are you, Yibo?"
"I'm fine, Fu Qin. How's work?" Yibo asked.
"All good. Did you finish your lesson?"
"Yes, Fu Qin. I was hoping to visit Wei Po, but Mu Qin said I need to inform you first."
"You've got lessons later this afternoon," Quentin reminded him.
Looking upset, Yibo said, "I'll be back before four o'clock, I promise."
Quentin was silent for a moment before asking, "How are you getting there?"
"I'll go by myself, Fu Qin. I know the way," Yibo replied confidently.
"Let me talk to your Mum," Quentin said.
Yibo left his room and handed the phone to Yuting. She took the call and held it to her ear. "Yes?"
"Why don't you drop him off? I don't want him going alone," Quentin said.
Yuting sighed. "He's not a ten-year-old child, honey. He can go by himself."
He insisted, "How long would it take you to drop him off and come back?"
Yuting replied, "For the last two months, I haven't even been in that car. Let's just wait until next week when we can go together. I have work to do right now. I went there yesterday, I'll go tomorrow too, but today you want me to take Yibo?"
He sighed. "Give the phone back to Yibo."
Yuting handed the phone to Yibo, and Quentin said, "Yibo, wait until next week and go with your Mum, okay?"
Tears filled Yibo's eyes as he said, "But I'm already ready, Fu Qin. I know the way, and it's not like this is my first time going alone."
Quentin was silent for a moment before relenting. "Fine, you can go. But wear your mask and take your inhaler. Be careful on the road."
Wiping his eyes, Yibo replied softly, "Thank you, Fu Qin."
Yuting, now in the kitchen, handed Yibo some dumplings she had prepared for Wei Po and said, "Take these to her and tell her I'll visit tomorrow."
Yibo nodded, accepted the snack, and took the 2000 yuan Yuting handed him before leaving the house.
Yibo took a rickshaw to the house, and after arriving, he paid the fare and entered through the gate. It was a large house that Yuting and her siblings had purchased for their mother, Wei Po. Yuting was the second child after their eldest brother Shan, followed by two other brothers and one sister, E-Jia. All of them were married with children. E-Jia's second daughter, Xia, was currently living with Wei Po, and her wedding was fast approaching.
Wei Po was overjoyed to see Yibo. Among all her grandchildren, though she never showed it openly, Yibo was her favorite. Yibo hugged her warmly, equally delighted to see her. Wei Po smiled and said, "You've been avoiding me, Yibo."
Yibo grinned and replied, "Come on, Wei Po. I have school in the mornings, and when I return in the evenings, I head straight to lessons. On Saturdays, I have lessons both in the morning and evening. I only came today because I had a little time, but I'll have to leave soon for my lessons."
Wei Po patted his shoulder and said, "May you succeed in your studies. How is your Mu Qin?"
Yibo handed her a small bag and replied, "She sends her regards and asked me to bring you this."
Wei Po smiled. "Thank you. May blessings follow her. I hope everyone at home is doing well."
"Everyone is fine," Yibo assured her.
Wei Po sighed. "Zhan stopped visiting entirely? Is he even in the country?"
Yibo replied, "He's still around."
Wei Po shook her head in disbelief. "Unbelievable. And what about the other one, that quiet one Seth? He doesn't greet people much anyway."
Yibo chuckled. "He's doing fine too."
Wei Po smiled. "Well, may blessings follow you all. What about your drama grandmother, is she healthy, I know she sends her regards."
Yibo pouted. "She's fine."
Wei Po added, "May we all remain in good health. Go get a drink from the fridge."
As Yibo settled in more comfortably, he asked, "Is Xia Jie not around?"
"She went to deliver some fabric for the wedding party outfits," Wei Po replied.
Yibo grumbled, "No one gave me any fabric for the men's attire."
Wei Po laughed. "She said she'll bring yours to your house."
Yibo beamed. "Alright then." He got up, fetched a can of soft drink from the fridge, and returned to his seat, snacking on the dumplings he had brought for Wei Po.
Wei Po watched him closely and said, "Your Mu Qin told me that your condition is improving."
"Yes, I'm feeling much better," Yibo replied.
With a concerned expression, Wei Po said, "May the heavens heal you completely. We're all praying for you."
Yibo smiled faintly. "Wei Po, does Lin Bo ge still visit you?"
Wei Po sighed. "Oh, speaking of him, your older cousin Jun Bin came by recently to complain that you don't greet people."
Yibo frowned, putting down his dumpling. "He always says I don't greet him, but where do I even see him to greet him?"
Wei Po chuckled. "Well, there's always the phone. You could call him."
Yibo pouted again. "But he doesn't bother with me either."
Wei Po's tone grew serious. "Listen, Yibo, family ties are important. Look at how your elders maintain them. You have no closer relatives than your family. Your uncles and their families are watching over you all, but it's up to you to make an effort. When your cousins visit me, they always ask about you—Qi Rong, Jun Bin, Lin Bo, even their wives. And yet, you can go months without visiting here or seeing them. It's not entirely your fault, but your Mu Qin should have guided you better. Regardless, you must take it upon yourself to maintain these bonds."
Yibo sat quietly, munching on dumplings and sipping his drink when there was a knock at the door. Wei Po responded, and Jun Bin entered with his friend. Wei Po smiled and said, "Welcome. We were just talking about you, Jun Bin."
Jun Bin chuckled, glancing at Yibo, who deliberately avoided eye contact, and said, "So this troublemaker decided to show up, huh?"
Wei Po laughed, turning to his friend. "Welcome, Sen Wen. It's been a while since you visited me."
Sen Wen smiled, removed his glasses, and walked closer. He knelt beside Wei Po and greeted her warmly, "Hello, Grandma. How are you today?"
Yibo paused mid-bite, the voice sounding oddly familiar.
Wei Po replied, "I'm fine, Sen Wen. How's your family? How's work and the hustle of life treating you?"
He lowered his gaze respectfully and replied, "We're doing well, Grandma. Thank you for asking."
Wei Po smiled kindly. "May you always be blessed and protected from harm."
"Amen," he replied softly, his eyes drifting to Yibo, who looked visibly uncomfortable.
Jun Bin broke the silence with a teasing tone, "How are you, Uncle Yibo?"
Yibo hid his face behind his chair, refusing to respond.
Jun Bin smile. "Ah, you've grown up now and stopped acknowledging people. Have you forgotten the days when you cried and begged to be carried around the neighborhood?"
Yibo, on the verge of tears, snapped, "Jun Bin ge, stop it! I never did that."
Jun Bin burst into laughter. "Oh, so now that you're all grown up, you've forgotten, huh? And you've stopped greeting people, too."
Yibo muttered, clearly upset, "You don't talk to me either. I haven't been well, you can ask Mu Qin about it. Besides, I haven't been on WhatsApp for ages. I barely use my phone anymore."
Jun Bin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean you haven't been well?"
Wei Po interjected, "Jun Bin, don't pretend you don't know. You should pray for him instead of teasing him."
Jun Bin relented. "Alright. I hope you recover quickly, Yibo. Are you at least taking your medication?"
Yibo nodded but kept his head down, murmuring, "Yes."
Jun Bin softened and said, "Feel better, little brother."
Yibo pouted slightly, still avoiding eye contact, and mumbled, "Thank you."
Jun Bin teased again, "What's with hiding your face? Are you feeling shy because of my friend?" He nudged Sen Wen, who was watching Yibo intently.
Yibo refused to look up or say anything, while Sen Wen continued to observe him. Wei Po laughed and said, "Yibo, you're something else. Alright, go inside now."
Yibo immediately stood and rushed to Wei Po's room, clearly eager to escape the situation.
Jun Bin chuckled and said, "Yibo, the drama king."
Wei Po got up, fetched a drink, water and some dumplings for Sen Wen, and placed them in front of him.
"You didn't have to, Grandma. I came straight from home," Sen Wen said politely.
"Nonsense," Wei Po replied. "If you don't want me to get upset, eat and drink. Yibo just brought these dumplings for me."
Smiling, Sen Wen opened the bottle water and took a sip.
Jun Bin looked around and asked, "By the way, where's the bride of the house?"
Wei Po said, "She went to deliver the fabric; I'm sure she's on her way back now."
Jun Bin chuckled. "Looks like Xia was in a hurry to leave you behind, Grandma."
Wei Po frowned. "Just because she's not here doesn't mean you should make such accusations. Wait until she gets back!"
Jun Bin laughed. "Alright, alright, I'm just joking. Don't take it seriously, Grandma."
Sen Wen simply smiled as he scrolled through his phone. They all continued chatting in the sitting room until almost 4 p.m.
Jun Bin finally stood up and said, "Grandma, we're heading out now. We'll be back soon."
Wei Po nodded. "Alright, take care."
Jun Bin got up along with Sen Wen, and they headed to the door. Meanwhile, Wei Po walked toward Yibo in her room to wake him up since he'd fallen asleep there.
As they stepped into the compound, Sen Wen turned to Jun Bin and asked, "Who is that young man, Jun Bin?"
Jun Bin widened his eyes in surprise. "Why? Are you interested, Sen Wen?"
Sen Wen smile. "I know him. That's why I'm asking."
Still surprised, Jun Bin said, "Really? But he didn't seem to recognize you at all."
Sen Wen chuckled, stroking his beard. "Didn't I act like I didn't know him when I walked in?"
Jun Bin shrugged. "Well, where do you know Yibo from?"
Sen Wen asked, "How is he related to you?"
Jun Bin replied, "He's my cousin. His mom is my dad's immediate sister."
Sen Wen looked at him in surprise. "You mean you're that closely related?"
Jun Bin nodded. "Of course."
Sen Wen smiled. "That's interesting. He's a school friend of Mian Mian's. That's how I know him."
Jun Bin asked, "But he didn't seem to recognize you, right?"
Sen Wen adjusted his glasses and smiled knowingly. "Oh, he recognized me perfectly well. That's why he looked so uncomfortable."
Jun Bin laughed. "Ah, I see! So, is there something going on between you two?"
Sen Wen shook his head, smirking. "Not yet, but I'd like there to be."
With that, they left the house.
Later, when Yibo noticed that Jun Bin and Sen Wen weren't around, he told Wei Po he had to leave for his lesson.
Wei Po asked, "You're not staying for the food? It's rice."
Yibo replied, "I'm not hungry, Grandma."
Wei Po sighed. "Alright, then."
Just as Yibo was about to leave, the sitting room door opened, and Jun Bin walked in with Sen Wen.
Jun Bin teased, "Oh, you're already up and running."
Yibo smiled faintly. "Yes, I need to go to my lesson."
Jun Bin replied, "We're heading out now, too."
Wei Po said, "Please make sure you drop him home, so he doesn't cause trouble on his way home."
Jun Bin laughed. "Who said Yibo's one of those wild types?"
Yibo turned away, hiding his face in embarrassment.
Sen Wen smiled politely and said, "Alright, Grandma, we'll be on our way now. I'll visit again soon."
Wei Po nodded, smiling warmly. "Thank you for coming to see me, Sen Wen."
Sen Wen just smiled back.
Yibo left the house with Jun Bin, Sen Wen had already stepped outside. As they reached the car, Sen Wen opened the driver seat and got in, while Jun Bin slid into the front passenger seat.
With Yibo now at the back seat, they drove off, leaving the neighborhood.
They chatted casually in the car, but Yibo mostly kept to himself, busy with his phone. However, whenever his eyes met with Sen Wen through the rearview mirror, Yibo would quickly look away. After about fifteen minutes of driving, Jun Bin said, "Drop me off here."
Sen Wen parked the car, and as Jun Bin stepped out, he turned to Yibo and said, "Alright, little bro, we'll talk later. Make sure to greet Aunt Yuting for me. My friend here will drop you off at home."
Yibo's eyes widened in surprise. "But, Jun Bin ge, I was planning to get off here too."
Jun Bin shook his head firmly. "No way. Wei Po specifically asked us to ensure you get home safely. I can't risk anything happening to you. I have something to take care of here, otherwise, I'd have gone with you."
Yibo looked at him as though he was about to protest, his face almost on the verge of tears. Jun Bin raised a hand, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Don't worry. Sen Wen will take good care of you. We'll talk later."
With that, Sen Wen started the car and pulled onto the main road.
Yibo played with his fingers nervously, occasionally sneaking glances at Sen Wen through the mirror. Each time their eyes met, he quickly looked away, his cheeks flushing slightly. Sen Wen noticed and smirked. "Are you afraid I'll kidnap you?"
Yibo remained silent, refusing to respond. After a brief pause, Sen Wen spoke again, his tone calm and composed. "I'm Sen Wen. I was born and raised here in Beijing. I'm the eldest son in my family. I completed my kindergarten and high school education here before heading to the UK for my degree and master's. I'm a medical practitioner."
Yibo glanced at him through the mirror, curiosity evident in his eyes. Sen Wen smiled. "Mian Mian is my stepsister. Altogether, I have six siblings. The last time you visited my house, you were in my stepmom's section. Our part of the house is farther inside the compound. So, now you know almost everything about me. Oh, and yes, I'm still single and looking."
He chuckled softly before continuing, "Do you mind telling me a bit about yourself?"
Yibo hesitated at first, then said quietly, "My name is Wang Yibo, but everyone calls me Yibo."
Sen Wen nodded as he drove at a steady pace, the road relatively empty. Encouraged, Yibo continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm the only child of my parents."
Sen Wen looked at him in surprise through the mirror, and Yibo quickly lowered his gaze, as if unsure of how to continue. After a moment, he added, "I'm in the same class as Mian Mian, both at school and in our lessons. I live with my father, my mother, my paternal grandmother, and my uncle's family—my father's older brother."
Sen Wen nodded with a smile, his attention divided between the road and Yibo. "It sounds like you have a close-knit family," he said warmly. Yibo simply nodded, his fingers still fiddling nervously in his lap.
Sen Wen nodded slowly and said, "That's nice. I know you'll become the pride of your parents."
Yibo smiled faintly and replied in a soft voice, "hmm."
Seeing that they kept driving, Yibo widened his eyes and said, "But you don't even know where to drop me off!"
Sen Wen glanced at him through the rearview mirror and smile. "Did you forget the day my aunt asked me to drop you home?"
Yibo's eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, right, I remember."
Sen Wen smiled slightly. As they neared Yibo's home, he casually asked, "So, you haven't told me—how many boyfriends or girlfriends do you have?"
Yibo's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. "Boyfriends?!"
Sen Wen laughed. "Yeah."
Yibo scoffed. "I don't have anyone from either of the genders you just mentioned."
"So, just friends then?" Sen Wen teased.
Yibo pouted in response, causing Sen Wen to chuckle as he glanced at him.
Yibo finally said, "At school, I don't have any male friends. Same at the lessons. Only at home."
"Who are they?" Sen Wen asked curiously.
"My cousins," Yibo replied.
"Really?"
Yibo nodded.
"Can I know who they are?"
Yibo smiled slightly. "There's Seth ge… oh, it's just Seth ge now. I'm not on good terms with Gege anymore."
"Can I know about Seth?" Sen Wen asked.
"Yeah, he's my cousin. He's an engineer working here in Beijing, sometimes in Shanghai, and occasionally in Chengdu," Yibo explained.
As Sen Wen parked in front of Yibo's house, he asked, "What about the Gege?"
"Gege?" Yibo hesitated before continuing. "He's sometimes in Chongqing and sometimes here. He's here now."
Sen Wen nodded. "That's interesting. So, why aren't you on good terms with the Gege anymore?"
Yibo sighed. "He's become so mean lately. He doesn't treat me the same way he used to."
As he spoke, Yibo opened the car door and added, "Thanks for the ride."
Sen Wen, however, seemed deep in thought. Suddenly, he said, "Wait, can I borrow your phone for a second? I think Jun Bin might've taken mine by mistake because I can't find it."
Yibo hesitated but sat back down and handed over his phone. Sen Wen quickly tapped on it, and soon enough, his own phone started ringing. Returning Yibo's phone, he smiled and said, "Oh, here it is. Thanks."
Yibo stepped out of the car again. "Thanks," he said softly.
Sen Wen flashed a smile, his dimples showing. "You're welcome."
As Yibo turned toward the house, he noticed Zhan sitting on a bench near the gate, watching him. His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly looked away and hurried inside, shutting the gate behind him.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛