Yichen walked into the sitting room, followed by Xinyi, Mengxi, and Meiling, who all took their seats. Nainai glanced at Yichen, then at the suitcases being carried in.
"What's going on, Yichen?" she asked.
Yichen sat down on the plush rug and greeted her. "Good evening, Mother."
"I asked what all this is. Where is it from?" Nainai demanded.
Fang and Xulin, who had been standing at the door, stepped inside and greeted her as well.
Nainai, clearly irritated, sat down and let out a frustrated sigh. "Oh, so now that I'm not feeling well, you all suddenly remember I exist? What are all these suitcases doing in my sitting room?"
Fang answered, "They are wedding gifts to be sent over."
Nainai's eyes widened. "Whose wedding?"
Xulin, arms crossed, replied casually, "The one Zhan is getting married in."
Nainai frowned. "Which Zhan?"
Silence filled the room. No one dared to answer.
Nainai scoffed and muttered a few words under her breath, then suddenly raised her voice. "So now Zhan is getting married, and I had to find out by seeing these suitcases being dragged in? Yichen, have you forgotten that I'm the one who gave birth to Zhan's father? Incredible. Truly, the world is full of wonders."
She picked up her phone and thrust it toward Yichen. "Call my son."
Yichen, keeping her expression neutral, took the phone and dialed Zong's number, then handed it back.
As soon as Zong answered, Nainai said, "Ah, Zong, so you didn't even think to mention my name before arranging this?
"Well, isn't it convenient? Even if I died you did say, 'Oh, poor mother, if only she were still alive, she would have given her blessings.' But I am alive, Zong! And yet, the first I hear about my own grandson's wedding is when your wife walks in here with suitcases, telling me the gifts are ready to be sent!
"Tell me, Zong, the boy I raised from infancy, the child I sacrificed for...was I not even worth a conversation?"
She didn't wait for a response. She ended the call and tossed the phone onto the couch. Then, her voice broke as she muttered, "People truly have no shame these days…"
Xulin sighed. "Lao Shi, it's not like that. The gifts aren't even being sent today. Everything has just been prepared, and we thought we'd bring them here first to show you. We haven't even taken them to the bride's parents yet."
Nainai lifted her gaze and gave her a sharp look. "Oh, so Yichen isn't to blame, right? If i were her own mother, would she have treated me like this? If she had any respect for me, the moment these gifts were being arranged, she would have come to see me and said, 'Mother, here's what's happening.'
"But she didn't. Because she doesn't care. And that's fine. Everyone will get what they deserve."
She stood up, continue her dusting. "And when Zong gets here, I'll ask him myself whether he intended to keep this from me until everything was settled."
Yichen stood up, looking visibly annoyed. Turning to Xinyi, Mengxi, and Meiling, she said, "Carry the boxes Let's go."
Nainai turned sharply. "Go with what? You're not taking anything from here.
"You weren't the one who raised Zhan. You only gave birth to him. I was the one who cared for him, sacrificed for him, did everything for him. So leave those bags right where they are. If anything gets moved from this spot, you'll all have to deal with me."
Yichen clenched her fists, her anger barely contained. Fang and Xulin, realizing the situation was escalating, quietly slipped out of the sitting room, followed by Xinyi and the others.
Nainai turned to Yichen and pointed at the door. "Now, get out. I need to clean up the mess you just brought into my sitting room, Yichen."
Yichen turned and walked out. She found her friends waiting for her outside. Xulin sighed and said, "Honestly, Yichen, you're really putting up with a lot. You're still living with that troublesome old woman after all these years? Haven't you figured out what to do with her yet?"
Yichen let out a deep sigh. "Just leave it be. If I respond to her, she'll only come up with something new to hold against me to her son. And knowing him, no matter how patient he is, if you dare touch his mother, there will be no peace that day. That's why I just keep quiet."
Fang shook her head. "And you're just going to let it go like that?"
Yichen exhaled sharply. "How many times have I tried? It's pointless. Only fate can change things now. Just let her be."
Xulin smirked. "No, you just haven't handled her the right way. My mother-in-law used to be just like that, but not anymore. And trust me, hers wasn't even as bad as this one. Now, I run the whole house. No one dares go against me. Why would I stress myself?"
Yichen shook her head. "Let's go inside. We'll figure out what to do. I'm exhausted. She's my biggest problem in this house."
Fang nodded. "What about the wedding gifts she refused to let out of the sitting room?"
Yichen scoffed. "Those gifts will come back to me, trust me. Zhan is the only one who can take them out of that sitting room. Not even his father has the power to do that. And I'll make sure he's the one to get them. I'll just wait for him to return."
Xulin asked, "So when are you going to visit the bride's family?"
Yichen smiled. "His father insisted he will wait until his eldest brother returns from Shanghai. But I've already made it clear that I'm in charge. Whatever I say goes."
They all burst into laughter as they entered the house.
🔹▫️🔸
Later in the evening, Yibo went to bring dinner to Nainai. As he set the tray down, his eyes kept drifting to the neatly stacked boxes in the sitting room. He couldn't help but ask, "Nainai, what's with all these boxes?"
Nainai scoffed. "Earlier today, that woman, Yichen, and her friends barged in with them. Turns out Zhan is getting married, and no one thought to inform me. I was just sitting here, completely in the dark."
Yibo's heart skipped a beat. His expression shifted as he asked, "Zhan-ge is getting married, Nainai!?"
Nainai sighed. "That's what I'm waiting for Zong to come back and explain. Seems I've become invisible in this household."
Yibo's eyes remained locked on the boxes, his chest tightening. "Wow… these gifts look expensive. So, they're being sent to Li Na Jie's family?"
Nainai nodded. "Who else would they be for? Her family may not be wealthy, but the girl is well-mannered. I don't think she'll ever get tired of me when I move into Zhan's house. We'll live peacefully together. As for you, make sure to visit every week—until your own time comes with Sen Wen."
Yibo forced a chuckle and sat down, but his heart was still pounding. Nainai smiled knowingly and said, "Come on, let's see what's inside. Open one of them."
Yibo hesitated but obeyed, kneeling to unlock one of the larger trolley. Inside, luxurious clothing lay neatly folded. Nainai picked up a garment, inspecting the fabric with a critical eye. "Hmph. Yichen always loves showing off. These are expensive, no doubt. I bet she'd even make Zhan steal just to boost her reputation. Well, no problem. We'll just take out a share for ourselves."
Yibo simply smiled, unsure how to respond. He opened another trolley filled with delicate lace fabrics. Nainai clicked her tongue. "Hah! Yichen is such a liar. She'll bankrupt my grandson with all this nonsense. Well, I'll take one of these and have a nice long dress made for myself. If there's any leftover fabric, I'll give you some for a shirt."
Yibo's jaw tightened slightly. "Nainai?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What? I'll take out some for you, don't worry."
Nainai moved to the trolley filled with designer shoes and bags. She picked up an elegant unisex pair, turning it over in her hands. "Try these on. Let's see how they fit."
Yibo's eyes widened. "Nainai?"
She frowned. "Oh, come on! Just try them on. They're made for both men and women."
Yibo sighed but stood up to slip on the shoes. Just as he did, the door swung open...and there stood Zhan.
Zhan kept staring at them, while Yibo lowered his head, refusing to put on the shoes. Annoyed, Nainai snapped, "What kind of attitude is this? Didn't I tell you to try them on?"
Yibo frowned and muttered, "Are they even mine for me to try them on?"
Nainai clicked her tongue in frustration. "Oh my, I've seen trouble today! What does it matter whose they are? If they don't fit me, shouldn't I give them to you instead? Just try them on, for goodness' sake!"
Yibo said nothing and sat down. Nainai placed the shoes beside her and turned her sharp gaze to Zhan. "So, Zhan, you couldn't even tell me you were getting married? Instead, you let me hear it from others while they ripped my heart apart? Fine, don't worry. No one will ever change my name, and I have done enough for you. May heaven reward me for it. But don't forget—there is always a day of reckoning."
Zhan remained silent, leaning back into his chair. After a moment, he asked, "Is there any hot water?"
Nainai scoffed. "The one Yichen brought along with the suitcases? Should I serve you that too?"
Yibo stood up abruptly. "Good night, Nainai."
She turned to him, surprised. "Good night? But we haven't even finished looking through the clothes!"
Yibo didn't answer and headed toward the door. Zhan followed him with his gaze before finally getting up and going after him.
Nainai sighed, resting her chin in her palm. "I've had enough of this nonsense. That son of Zong is nothing but trouble. And I can see that Yibo has completely distanced himself from you in this house, Zhan. The moment he sees you, he either leaves or ignores you entirely. You've turned into a monster in his eyes. And I know it bothers you because you can no longer torment him like before. But what do you think following him outside will do, when he's clearly avoiding you? Honestly, it's better if this wedding happens quickly so you can move on, and my grandson can finally have some peace—so can I, for that matter. You've been nothing but trouble, and all because of Yichen's mother's influence. She's just as much of a troublemaker as you are!"
Yibo slowed his pace when he heard footsteps behind him. His heart pounded as he turned and saw Zhan following him. His pulse quickened, but instead of running, he simply quickened his steps.
Zhan, however, suddenly spun him around, nearly making Yibo stumble. He yanked his arm free, his heart racing. Frustrated, he snapped, "What the hell, Gege?"
Zhan just stared at him, his expression unreadable. Yibo bit his lip, feeling like he might cry. "Let me go."
Calmly, Zhan asked, "Why do you always run when you see me?"
Yibo refused to answer, his discomfort obvious. It was nothing like before—back then, he wouldn't hesitate to throw himself at Zhan, whining and demanding attention.
"Yibo."
He still didn't look at him, so Zhan gently tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze. Yibo pouted, and Zhan found himself unable to look away.
Somehow, all the tension, the frustration, and the unanswered questions plaguing him seemed to melt away.
"Now answer me," Zhan said softly. "Why do you run whenever you see me?"
Yibo lowered his gaze and said calmly, "Nothing…"
Zhan remained silent for a few seconds before speaking in his usual cool voice. "Is it because I took your phone?"
Yibo looked up at him. Before he could respond, Zhan pulled the phone from his pocket and extended it toward him. "Take it."
Without realizing it, Yibo smiled slightly and tilted his head. "Fu Qin said he'll buy me a new one soon."
Zhan's expression remained unreadable. "Take it now."
Yibo shrugged. "I don't want it anymore."
Zhan's tone hardened. "Take it before I knock you."
Yibo hesitated, his lips pressing together as if he might cry, before finally taking the phone.
Zhan watched him carefully. "That's it?"
"Yes," Yibo replied softly.
Zhan exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. A brief silence settled between them before Yibo asked, "Are the clothes being sent to Li Na Jie?"
Without a word, Zhan glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Then, in one swift motion, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Yibo's lips before pulling away. Without another glance, he turned and walked back toward Nainai's quarters.
Yibo stood frozen, watching him leave, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Clutching his phone tightly, he turned and hurried to his own room. As soon as he shut the door behind him, he collapsed onto his bed and finally let the tears fall.
Meanwhile, Zhan returned to find Nainai sorting through the suitcases. He sat down, watching her in silence.
"I didn't even know they had started packing everything," he admitted. "Mom only told me about it earlier today."
Nainai didn't look at him as she replied, "That's not my concern. You all should learn to be more considerate. Just because I was informed doesn't mean I was given a choice…"
She lifted an expensive pair of unisex shoes, examining them before glancing at Zhan. "These should fit Yibo, right?"
Zhan didn't answer, just stared at her. Taking his silence as agreement, she set them aside and continued unpacking. She picked up the pair of shoes she had given Yibo earlier and gestured toward Zhan. "These should fit too, don't you think?"
Again, he said nothing. She placed them beside her and pulled out two bottles of body spray. "Yibo can take one, and I'll keep the other."
Zhan smiled faintly but didn't say a word.
Next, Nainai opened a jewelry box, sifting through earrings and elegant necklaces. She selected two designs and held them up. "Which one looks better?"
Zhan still didn't respond. She sighed, setting both aside. "Meiling can choose one, and we'll return the other."
She then opened a pack of lipsticks, pulling out three shades. "Not that they even wear makeup, but Mengxi can give one to Xinyi and keep the other two."
Piece by piece, she set aside a selection of items she thought would suit Yibo, before finally closing the suitcases and stacking them neatly.
She turned to Zhan, hands on her hips. "Have I done well, or not?"
Zhan said nothing, just watched her.
Satisfied, Nainai carried the remaining clothes to her room before returning. "By the way, shouldn't Li Na have come to greet me before we send the gifts over? I haven't seen her in days."
Zhan's voice was quiet as he finally spoke. "The clothes aren't going to Li Na…"
Nainai widened her eyes in shock. "Who are the gifts going to?"
Zhan hesitated for a moment before replying, "Someone else."
Nainai sat down on the couch, clapping her hands dramatically. "Unbelievable! So, you've become a full-fledged heartbreaker now, Zhan? You led that poor girl on without ever intending to marry her? She even spent her own money to buy me perfume—even if it wasn't expensive, the thought counts! Zhan, do you really think you'll have a peaceful life treating people this way? What did she ever do wrong? She's a beautiful, tall girl, too."
Zhan kept his gaze down, saying nothing. Seeing how determined she was to call him a deceiver, he finally looked up at her and said, "Mom didn't approve of me marrying her. She arranged for me to marry her friend's daughter instead."
Nainai gasped. "Are you telling me Yichen was the one who stopped you from marrying her? Well, then, these suitcases aren't leaving this house unless they're going to Li Na's home. That girl is intelligent, well-mannered, and carries herself with grace. Ever since I saw how much she cared for Yibo, I started to like her even more."
Zhan quickly interjected, "No, her parents already arranged her marriage. They've even set a date."
Nainai's mouth fell open as she stared at him. After a moment, she shook her head. "Then who is this new girl you're bringing into our lives?"
Zhan forced a weak smile. "You'll see her when the wedding happens."
Nainai folded her arms. "She better come and greet me first. But honestly, you and Li Na deceived each other, didn't you? Now she's getting married to someone else, and you—well, people really have no fear of consequences these days. Zhan, I raised you myself. It's hard to believe you have no conscience. If you had taken after me, maybe you'd have some sense. But no, you're just like your mother, Yichen!
"Just look at Zong—my son! He fears doing wrong. Same with Quentin! Neither of them would ever do something as reckless as this. But you? Running after a girl, sweet-talking her, and then walking away like nothing happened?"
Zhan moved closer to her, lowering his voice. "Nainai, I don't love this girl either. Mom is forcing me to marry her. Please, if the engagement happens, do whatever you can to stop it. There's someone else I love—I just need time. Nainai, if they ask me, I'll be forced to say I agree, but I'll be lying. Please, I don't want to argue with Mom, so I'm letting her plan whatever she wants. But I need your help."
Nainai gave him a long, hard stare before sighing. "And what can you even do against Yichen? You know she won't listen to you. That woman doesn't plan to leave this world peacefully."
Zhan remained silent, watching her.
Just then, the door opened, and Zong walked in. Nainai's expression darkened immediately, while Zhan glanced at him.
Zong sat down, looking at her. "How are you?"
She huffed. "Oh, so now I'm finally being told that Zhan is giving a wedding gifts? How wonderful."
Zong shook his head. "I wasn't informed in advance either."
Nainai scoffed. "Of course, you just sit there in the house, oblivious to everything. Otherwise, how could they have hidden an entire wedding arrangement from you?"
Zhan stood up and glanced at her. "Good night."
She called after him, "So when will you bring the girl to meet me?"
He replied, "Yes, she'll be brought here soon." With that, he bid her farewell and left.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
The next day, Thursday, Yibo returned from school, took a bath, ate, and then dressed up before heading to Nainai's quarters. She was outside by the water pump but followed him inside, saying, "I've taken all your things and hidden them."
Yibo's eyes widened. "I have nothing to do with this, Nainai."
She shot him a pointed look and sat on the couch. "Well, i do, and I'd like to see who dares to challenge me about it."
Yibo pursed his lips and sat down, while Nainai continued, "Earlier, Sen Wen called me, and we had a little chat. Honestly, since the day I was born, I've never met a young man as respectful and well-mannered as he is."
Yibo just smiled without saying anything.
Nainai went on, "I even said to him, my iron doesn't work properly nowadays."
Yibo's eyes widened. "You actually said that to him, Nainai?"
She nodded. "Why wouldn't I? I've been asking Quentin and Zong for ages to buy new for me, and they always 'forget.' But if it were Seth? I just have to mention it once, and he gets it done immediately. As for Zhan, I don't even bother asking—if he does buy anything, it goes straight to that imposing woman he calls his mother... Wait, I wonder if Seth is still in this house."
Yibo held out his hands in surrender, indicating he had no answer.
Nainai sighed. "Unbelievable. And he didn't even tell me he was leaving? Something is definitely off. I should go to their side of the house and find out what's going on. If it were Zhan, I wouldn't even be concerned, but Seth? This isn't like him."
She stood up. "Come with me."
Yibo hesitated before getting up. "It's been almost ten days since I last saw Seth. I hope he's not unwell."
As they reached sitting room, Nainai locked the door behind them.
Yibo frowned. "Nainai, why are you locking the door?"
She gave him a look. "Why wouldn't I? I don't want dust getting in. Or worse, if that nosy lizard hears silence, he might walk right in, and then I'll be doomed."
Yibo walked ahead while Nainai followed behind him, nagging, "Please, Yibo, eat more. You do realize Sen Wen comes from a family of influence, right? Do you want the groom to look like a grilled stick next to them? Spare me the embarrassment, I beg you."
Yibo ignored her grumbling until they reached Zong's side of the house.
Nainai stepped into the sitting room and looked at Xinyi. "Is Seth here?"
She didn't wait for a response before heading upstairs, glancing at the staircase. "Zong's wife is such a slob. Look at this mess—haven't they cleaned today?"
She pushed open Zihan's door. Zihan stood up upon seeing her and greeted her warmly, "Welcome, AYi."
Nainai sat down with a huff. "I haven't seen Seth in days. Did you stop him from visiting me?"
Zihan chuckled. "Me? How could I? I didn't even know he hadn't been coming. He's not home at the moment."
Nainai waved a hand dismissively. "Fine. When he returns, tell him I want to see him."
Zihan nodded. "Alright."
Yibo greeted Zihan, and she responded with a warm smile. Just then, Yichen peeked from behind a door, and upon spotting Nainai, she quickly withdrew and shut it.
Nainai turned with a smirk. "Ah, I see the little mother in-law to-be is still busy arranging wedding gifts. Well, I won't bother her." With that, she made her way downstairs, Yibo following behind.
🔸▫️🔹
At 7 p.m., Yibo was in Nainai's sitting room when Zhan walked in. He sat down and greeted her as she ate.
Nainai sighed, "Zhan, I still haven't seen Seth. I don't know what's going on."
Zhan's eyes drifted to the neatly stacked boxes. "Nainai, these need to be sent back home."
She set down her spoon and frowned. "And why is that?"
"They haven't finished packing everything yet."
Nainai scoffed. "Then they can come here and finish. Let me tell you something... if those boxes leave my sitting room, it's because we're taking them straight to the bride's house. No one makes things difficult for me, Zhan. Not even Zong, whom I gave birth to. And Yichen needs to learn to mind her own business in this house and stay out of things that don't concern her."
Zhan didn't respond, just exchanged glances with Yibo. Yibo, sensing the tension, stood up and stretched. "Good night, Nainai."
Without waiting for a reply, he left the sitting room.
Zhan didn't linger much longer either. He soon got up and left, heading straight to Yibo's quarters. Upon arriving at the balcony, he pressed the doorbell before pushing the door open.
Yuting, who had been sitting in the sitting room, watched him silently as he walked in. He avoided her gaze, keeping his head slightly lowered as he took a seat on the couch.
"Good evening, Aunty," he greeted.
Yuting nodded. "Good evening. How's work?"
"All good, thank you."
"Good to hear."
Zhan fidgeted slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "Aunty… actually…" He trailed off.
Yuting raised an eyebrow. "Actually, what?"
After a brief hesitation, he finally said, "I wanted to ask if Yibo could accompany me somewhere."
She looked at him in surprise. "Where exactly?"
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛