When they arrived at Yu's new home, Nainai fell silent, her eyes scanning the massive house in front of them. This was no ordinary home—it was something straight out of a dream. She stepped out of the car, shaking her head in awe.
"Come out with your right foot first, Yu," she instructed. "May this house bring you peace and happiness. Marriage is a journey of patience, my dear. We've all been through it, and by the grace of heaven, we brought you here safe and sound. May your home be filled with blessings, and may it always be yours alone."
Zhan watched her, his expression unreadable. Nainai grinned at him before turning back to admire the mansion. "Well, Zhan, don't you have anything to say to your sister? Or are you just going to stand there gawking? This house is even bigger than yours, I swear!"
Zhan crossed his arms. "You already gave her advice back home, Nainai. I did the same."
Yu, overwhelmed, began to cry. Nainai scowled. "Oh, for heaven's sake! Open your eyes and look at this house! Stop that useless crying already."
Zhan stepped closer to Yu and gently said, "Be the best wife you can be, lil sis. Wishing you a peaceful married life."
Yu threw her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. Meanwhile, Yibo stood off to the side, laughing so hard he had to clutch his stomach. Zhan shot him a glare, but Yibo only laughed harder before dashing inside the house.
Shaking her head in frustration, Nainai muttered, "Honestly, I'm starting to think Quentin's son has a few screws loose. How else do you explain this? We're bringing his own cousin sister to her new home, she's crying, and instead of offering comfort, he's standing there laughing like a fool. May heaven guide us before he drives us all mad."
She pulled Yu inside and added, "Come on, child. If you must cry, do it properly in the privacy of your home. Zhan, come pick me up at eight o'clock. If I decide to stay the night, then so be it."
With that, she led Yu inside, while Zhan shook his head, got into his car, and drove off.
By seven o'clock, Nainai had seen off all of Yichen's friends who had accompanied the bride. Zihan and Yuting had already left earlier. Now, standing at the doorway, her patience wearing thin, she snapped at the remaining guests.
"This is ridiculous! Do you all not have husbands in your homes? No sense of responsibility? The bride has settled in, she's stopped crying, and everything is fine. So why are you all still here? What, are you planning to stay until next year when she has a baby? Show some dignity and leave! Even I, her grandmother, haven't decided if I'm staying the night, but at least I have a reason—I gave birth to her father, Zong! But you all? I don't even know where you crawled out from, and now you're crowding the girl's house like squatters. Did Yichen ask you to sleep here? Because I certainly didn't hear it!"
Some guests ignored her, pretending not to hear, while others, embarrassed, hurried to leave.
Fuming, Nainai huffed, "I've never seen such nonsense in my entire life! Sitting around in the bride's home like it's a vacation spot! Let her be—only her closest friends should stay a little longer, and then they should leave too."
As Yibo tried to slip past her, Nainai narrowed her eyes at him. "And where do you think you're going? Let me guess—off to waste money on something useless, aren't you?"
Yibo pouted and said, "I'm just stepping out for a bit."
Nainai warned, "Don't go too far. Zhan will be here any minute now, and I don't want Quentin scolding me if you're not back in time."
Yibo didn't respond and simply walked outside. As soon as he saw the bright headlights illuminating the street, he immediately recognized the car. When it pulled up, Sen Wen stepped out, glancing around before his eyes landed on Yibo.
"Good evening," Yibo greeted, lowering his gaze slightly.
Sen Wen smiled. "Evening, Yibo. Is this your sister's house?"
Yibo nodded.
"Ah, very nice. May their marriage be blessed with peace and happiness," Sen Wen said.
"Amen," Yibo murmured.
"But you're not staying here for the night, are you?" Sen Wen asked, raising a brow.
Yibo's eyes widened. "Stay here? Why would I?"
Sen Wen chuckled, crossing his arms. "I was just checking. If you stayed over, you'd be inconveniencing the newlyweds."
Yibo pouted. "As if I'd do that."
Sen Wen laughed. "Fair enough. When are you heading back home?"
"We're waiting for Gege. He'll be driving me, Meiling, and our grandma home."
"Oh, your older brother?" Sen Wen asked.
Yibo nodded again.
"If he takes too long, I can drop you all off," Sen Wen offered.
Yibo quickly shook his head. "No need, he's already on his way. He was the one who brought us here, after all."
"Alright then..." Sen Wen trailed off.
Yibo didn't say anything more, and for a moment, there was only silence between them. Then, in a quieter voice, Sen Wen said, "You look cute tonight."
Yibo turned away slightly, smiling to himself. But Sen Wen didn't stop staring at him.
"You didn't wear your glasses today," Yibo pointed out softly.
Sen Wen widened his eyes slightly. "I lost them… Maybe you should buy me a new pair," he teased.
Yibo glanced at him. "Are you serious?"
Sen Wen's signature charming smile appeared. "Yeah."
Yibo lowered his head, then murmured, "You're just saying that..."
"So, will you get me one or not?" Sen Wen asked.
Yibo sighed. "Fine, I will."
"When can I come pick them up?"
"When I actually buy them."
"Then I'll come tomorrow evening. I can't go without them," Sen Wen said dramatically.
Yibo turned to look at him sharply, then looked away with a small smile. "We'll see."
"I'll drop by in the evening," Sen Wen insisted.
Yibo shook his head. "No, just wait until the day after tomorrow."
Sen Wen didn't respond immediately, instead looking past Yibo. After a few moments, he finally said, "Oh, is that your brother?"
Yibo turned quickly and saw Zhan pulling into the driveway. He nodded at Sen Wen.
Zhan had parked a little distance away but was already watching them.
Sen Wen said, "Since he saw us, I might as well go say hello."
Yibo hesitated before finally asking, "Is that necessary?"
Sen Wen smirked. "Why? Don't want your family to know about me?"
Yibo opened his mouth as if to argue but then sighed. "Fine, go greet him. I'll head inside and get Meiling and grandma."
"Alright," Sen Wen said.
As Yibo made his way toward the gate, he could feel Zhan's eyes following his every step, making his heart race. Meanwhile, Sen Wen walked toward Zhan's car.
Zhan rolled down the window before stepping out, locking eyes with Sen Wen.
Sen Wen extended his hand. "Good evening."
For a brief five seconds, Zhan just stared at him before finally shaking his hand with the smallest hint of a smile.
In a cool, confident tone, Sen Wen said, "I'm Dr. Sen Wen."
Zhan gave him a slight nod, seeming indifferent at first. But then he spoke. "Xiao Zhan."
Sen Wen smiled. "Ah, it's nice to meet you."
"Same," Zhan replied curtly.
"Alright, I'll be heading off now. Have a good night," Sen Wen said.
"Okay," Zhan replied. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Did you say goodbye to him?"
Sen Wen chuckled. "Of course."
With that, he walked back to his car, got in, and drove away.
Nainai didn't leave the living room until she had sent everyone else away, making Zhan impatient as he waited in the car. Finally, she stepped outside through the gate with Meiling and Yibo, heading toward the car. As she slid into the backseat, she muttered, "Zhan, you should've seen those freeloaders. I swear they wanted to spend the night at the house! If I hadn't given them a stern warning, they wouldn't have left. But I'm not responsible for them."
Meiling opened the front passenger door and got in, while Yibo took his seat beside Nainai in the back. Zhan didn't respond, just reversed the car and pulled out.
Nainai continued, "Honestly, for Yibo and Meiling's weddings, I'll have to carefully choose who accompanies them. I'm even thinking of sitting in the back with them, so we all go together on the same day. Zhan, you'll drive us to their new homes and then take me back. No need for any extra people tagging along."
Zhan focused on the road, occasionally glancing at Yibo through the rearview mirror. Yibo stubbornly refused to look toward the front of the car.
Nainai huffed. "Zhan, did you see your mother's friends? They're like a flock of vultures! It took real effort to chase them away. They completely exhausted me. And where on earth did she even find them? Some of them look like oversized hippopotamuses!"
"Yichen, you're seriously insane."
Zhan suddenly hit the brakes, ensuring there were no cars behind him before pulling over.
Nainai gasped. "What's wrong, Zhan? What happened to the car?"
Zhan stepped out, opened her door, and stared at her. "Did you just call my mother crazy?"
Nainai's mouth hung open in shock before she turned to Yibo and said, "Go grab a tree branch, break it, and hand it to him, Yibo...maybe he will beat me to dead because I called his mother insane"
Yibo burst into quiet laughter, pressing his head against his knees to hide it.
Frustrated, Nainai shot Zhan a glare. "I meant she's crazy for surrounding herself with those awful women! With her intelligence, how did she end up with those loud, heavyset friends? If they sat too long on her couch, I swear she'd pass out from their suffocating presence."
Zhan's expression darkened. "Get out of my car. Find another ride home, Ma'am."
Nainai didn't need to be told twice—she got out immediately, then turned to Yibo and said, "If this car doesn't belong to Quentin, then get out too."
Yibo frowned. "He wasn't even talking about me, Nainai."
But the look Zhan gave him was enough to make him jump out without protest. It had been a long time since Zhan had given him such an intimidating glare.
Nainai then turned to Meiling. "And you—if this car isn't Zihan's, step out."
With a sigh, Meiling unbuckled and got out.
Nainai dramatically wiped at her eyes. "Find me a taxi."
Zhan didn't acknowledge her. He simply shut the back door, got into the driver's seat, and sped off without another word.
Nainai watched the car disappear down the road and muttered, "This won't end here. Zong will have to intervene tonight. Zhan had the nerve to abandon me on the street because of Yichen."
Yibo quickly hailed a rickshaw and explained their destination to the driver.
The driver frowned. "I don't go that way."
Before he could even finish speaking, Nainai climbed inside and settled herself in.
Yibo and Meiling stood there, mouths slightly open.
The driver turned in his seat and gave her an incredulous look. "Lao shi, I just told you I don't go that way."
Nainai snapped, "Just drive, young man! Can't you see it's late? My own grandson just threw me out on the street moments ago—after I merely gave his mother some well-needed advice! Do you think I belong here, stranded like some common beggar? My son's owns more than five cars! When we arrive, you'll understand who I am. Or do you expect me to just stand here all night like some lost soul?"
The driver remained silent, saying nothing. Nainai glanced at Yibo and Meiling before turning back to him. "Boy, if they're not getting in, just take me home. They can figure out their own way. Let's go."
The rickshaw driver chuckled, and Yibo pouted before finally getting in, followed by Meiling. Nainai huffed, "See? If you had waited any longer for another taxi, you would've spent the night out here."
When they arrived home, Nainai got out first, adjusting her clothes as she headed toward the gate. Meiling glanced at Yibo, who was still laughing, then rolled her eyes, pulled some money from her purse, paid the driver, collected her change, and followed Nainai inside.
By the time they entered, Nainai had already made herself towards Zong's living room. Yibo headed toward his own section of the house, while Meiling followed Nainai inside.
Not seeing anyone in the living room, Nainai frowned and turned toward the people she had passed earlier. "Is Zong not home?"
A voice called out from the kitchen. "He hasn't come in yet, A-Yi. Did you all get back safely?" Zihan replies.
Nainai didn't respond. Instead, she walked out of the living room, heading straight for Yibo's section of the house.
The moment she stepped in, she took a deep breath, inhaling the pleasant scent lingering in the air. Raising her voice, she called out, "Is no one here?"
Yibo peeked out from his bedroom door. "What is it, Nainai?"
"Where's Quentin?"
Just then, Quentin stepped out of his room. "You're back already, A-Yi?"
Without even bothering to take off her shoes, Nainai marched to the couch and sat down, dabbing at the tears forming in her eyes.
From her bedroom, Yuting had heard Nainai's raised voice and immediately knew something was wrong. But assuming it was just another one of Yibo's usual antics, she decided not to interfere.
Yibo, who had already changed into his casual clothes, sighed and rushed back out.
Quentin watched Nainai carefully before asking, "What's wrong, A-Yi?"
She snapped, "What do you mean, what's wrong? That wretched nephew of yours, Zhan, abandoned me on the center of the road and just drove off—all because I corrected Yichen!"
Quentin stared at her in shock.
Nainai burst into tears. "I swear, Quentin, if I don't get justice for this, we're all spending the night at the police station. I'd rather file a formal complaint than let this slide. With my age, my status, and my dignity—how dare Zhan dump me in the middle of the street and drive away?! This is serious!"
Quentin let out a long sigh. "What's gotten into Zhan now?"
Nainai immediately stopped crying and said, "Why are you asking me? Pick up your phone and call him. And don't let him know I'm here. Just tell him you need him for an errand right now. Then we'll see what's wrong with him—who knows, maybe he's even started using drugs, and we have no idea!"
Quentin sighed again.
Nainai scowled. "Why do you keep sighing, Quentin? Are you afraid of him? Do I have to deal with this myself?"
Quentin chuckled lightly and reached for his phone.
Nainai's frown deepened. "Oh, so you're just going to laugh it off? The same way he disrespected his mother, you're going to let him do the same to yours? And remember—if you don't tell him you need him for something, he won't come. And if he doesn't show up, we're heading straight to the police station, because I won't let this go!"
Quentin didn't say a word as he dialed Zhan's number. It didn't take long before the call was answered.
"Zhan, are you nearby?" Quentin asked.
From the other end, Zhan replied, "Yes, Shushu."
"Then come to my sitting room right now," Quentin instructed.
Zhan hesitated for a moment before responding, "Alright, Shushu."
"Don't keep me waiting," Quentin added. "I noticed you hesitated—are you sure you're close?"
"I'm here," Zhan confirmed.
"Then I'm sitting here waiting for you," Quentin said before ending the call.
Nainai, who had been listening the whole time, huffed. "I swear, Quentin, if that boy doesn't come, you're sleeping outside tonight."
Quentin remained silent.
Zhan sighed, knowing full well that if it weren't for the fact that it was Quentin calling, he wouldn't have gone. He was certain Nainai was there waiting for him, and if it had been his father summoning him instead, he might not have gone at all. Reluctantly, he threw on a shirt and left his room.
Nainai sat tapping her foot impatiently, her irritation obvious.
After a slight knock, Zhan entered the sitting room. Without looking at either Quentin or Nainai, he walked over and sat on the plush carpet. "Good evening, Shushu," he greeted.
Quentin's expression was serious. "What happened between you and your grandmother just now?"
Zhan lifted his head slightly, glancing at Nainai, who sat stiffly, glaring at him. He quickly looked away.
Pointing at Yibo, who was lying on the couch watching them, Nainai snapped, "If you think I'm making this up, ask your son. He was right there when Zhan dumped us in the middle of the road!"
Quentin turned to Yibo.
Before he could say anything, Nainai, irritated, barked, "Sit up and tell him exactly what happened! Didn't Zhan leave us stranded in the middle of the road? Quentin looks like he's doubting me!"
Yibo sat up, rubbing his eyes lazily. "No, it wasn't exactly the middle of the road, Nainai. It was the side of the road…"
Nainai's face darkened. "Oh, so this brat wants to play smart! So now there's a difference between the side of the road and the middle of the road? You're just as sneaky as he is!"
Yibo rolled his eyes and pouted before lying back down.
Nainai turned to Quentin. "Quentin, he abandoned us on the side of the road. And before he even dropped off, do you know what he said to me?" ask Yibo.
Before she could continue, Yibo quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Nope, don't drag me into this! I don't know anything!"
Nainai gaped at him in disbelief.
Quentin sighed. "Alright, Nainai, just leave us alone. Let me talk to him."
She scoffed. "Oh, so you want me to leave so you can apologize to him and let him off the hook?"
Shaking her head, she stood up. "Honestly, I don't even know why I came to you, Quentin. Wherever his father went, he should be back by now!" With that, she stormed out of the sitting room, her face tight with anger.
Once she was gone, Quentin turned to Zhan, his expression dark. "You abandoned them on the roadside because you lack basic decency?"
Zhan lowered his head, remaining silent.
Quentin continued, "Do you think that was the right thing to do? If this had been your own mother, would you have done the same to her?"
Zhan sighed. "I'm sorry, Shushu."
Quentin shook his head. "Come on, Zhan. I'm highly disappointed in you. This was rude and utterly irresponsible. She is our mother, no matter how she behaves, and we cannot change that."
Zhan had nothing to say.
"Get up and go apologize to her—right now," Quentin ordered.
"Alright. I'm sorry, Shushu," Zhan mumbled.
Quentin looked at Yibo and said, "And you! I've warned you countless times to stop talking to her like that, but you never listen. If you don't change your naughty attitude, I'll start dealing with you soon. Would you dare talk to your mother that way?"
Yibo sat up, looking like he was about to cry.
Zhan stood up and said, "I'll go find Nainai now, Shushu." With that, he left the sitting room.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-:-*
The next morning, it took Yibo a lot of effort to get up, take a shower, and have the breakfast Yuting had prepared for him at the dining table.
"If you're done, take your medicine," Yuting reminded him. "I don't want to have to tell you again. And you slept with the air conditioner on, didn't you?"
Yibo widened his eyes. "No, Mu Qin, I didn't!"
Yuting raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you sound like you're catching a cold?"
Yibo slumped his shoulders. "Last night, we came home in a rickshaw, and I was freezing the whole way."
Yuting sighed and pulled out a large bottle of fresh milk from the fridge. It was ice cold. She placed it on the dining table. "Here. Take this to your Nainai. Tell her your father buy it for her. And make sure you wipe the table properly if you leave any stains."
Yibo pouted. "Mu Qin, my legs are aching…"
Yuting shot him a sharp look before walking away to her room.
Once Yibo finished breakfast, he reluctantly grabbed the bottle of milk and went to deliver it to Nainai.
When he arrived at the sitting room, he placed the milk down and glanced at Nainai, who was busy sorting through some dried herbs in a plastic bag. Just then, Yichen walked into the room.
Nainai barely looked up and continued with what she was doing.
Yichen rested her hand on the back of a chair. "Good morning, Mother."
"Morning," Nainai replied flatly.
"How was the gathering yesterday?" Yichen asked.
"I'm not one to get exhausted," Nainai said. "Unlike some people who fall into bed after the slightest bit of effort."
Yichen smiled. "That's good. May you be rewarded for your kindness and blessed with good health."
"Amen," Nainai replied.
Yichen walked closer, setting down the bag she was holding. "I brought this for you. It's not much, but I hope you'll accept it."
Nainai glanced at the bag before turning to Yibo. "Come here and open this."
Yibo, who had been sitting nearby, stood up and approached. As he knelt down to open the bag, Yichen shot him a sideways glance.
He pulled out two packs of expensive bath soap and a luxurious perfume.
Nainai picked up one of the soap packs, examining it closely. "Is this designer?"
"Yes," Yichen confirmed.
Nainai clicked her tongue. "Well, if it were truly from your own heart, I'd say may you be blessed for your thoughtfulness. But I know Zong is the one who made you bring this. May he be blessed and protected wherever he goes. May he and his brother, Quentin, continue to live in harmony and raise their children well. As for you, thank you for delivering the message."
Yichen stared at her, not blinking.
Yibo struggled to hold in his laughter.
Nainai continued sorting through her herbs, unfazed.
Yichen finally said, "See you later, then mother."
Nainai responded, "Let's hope it's much later."
With that, Yichen turned and walked toward the door.
Nainai looked at Yibo and said, "You better be careful. Yesterday, Zhan told me he was going to break your bones and give you a good beating. He saw you standing outside Yu's house with someone in a car."
She let out a small laugh. "If Zhan ever dared to lay a hand on you, he wouldn't live to repeat it. If Quentin didn't take him straight to the police station, I would've had Seth throw him over his shoulder and drag him to a mental hospital first—just to confirm he's actually sane—before handing him over to the authorities."
"But that's not even the main issue. Yibo, where did you find this mystery driver you've been secretly meeting? And why are you hiding it from me, huh? You really think you can keep secrets from me, I, Shuyi?"
Yichen, who had just reached the doorway, paused when she overheard Nainai's words.
Yibo pouted. "And this is exactly why I should leave before Gege shows up. So, have you and Zhan ge finally made up, Nainai?"
Nainai scoffed. "Why are you acting like some delicate little girl? What has Zhan ever done to me that I wouldn't forgive him? Did he kill someone from my family that I should hold a grudge? All because I called Yichen a lunatic? Please."
"And what did she ever do to me that I should have called her that? I was just stating the obvious! I was the one who agreed to let Zong marry her. You should've seen her back then—so skinny that even a gust of wind could've knocked her over. And her parents? They had nothing. No wealth, no savings. The only thing her father owned was a tiny little house. But I didn't let that bother me because I have a good heart, so I allowed Zong to marry her as she was. Do you know how much effort I put into taking care of her?"
"It wasn't easy. She didn't know how to do anything—not even cook! I had to guide her step by step, teaching her everything. The neighbors were annoyed because I was so protective of her; I wouldn't even let a fly land on her. And then she got pregnant with that boy, Zhan. Do you know how much trouble I went through because of her endless morning sickness?"
"But none of that matters because I know my reward is with fate. So now that Yichen has become whatever she is today, why should I care?"
"Besides, I still have Yuting following me around like a lost puppy, and Zihan too. As for Zhan, he's getting married soon, and his mother will just have to deal with her daughter in-law, whether she likes it or not.
Whatever you sow, you reap.
And I will personally make sure Yichen learns exactly what it means to be a disrespectful daughter-in-law. Mark my words, Yibo—they'll be coming to pick me up for mediation in a car soon enough..."
Yibo, who had been lying on the couch, was laughing silently, his shoulders shaking.
Meanwhile, Yichen, still standing near the doorway, quietly slipped outside, put on her shoes, and left.
Nainai clicked her tongue and said, "Zhan was on his knees, begging me for forgiveness before I even had the chance to report him to his father. I could tell he truly regretted it. He has never abandoned me in the middle of the street before. I'm sure he acted that way because he saw you with someone else, maybe he was envy of you or jealous or just being dramatic."
Yibo burst into laughter and, still pouting, said, "Well, he did leave you stranded yesterday!"
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛