As they exited the airport, Zhan stretched his arms and yawned, feeling a bit more awake after the long flight. "Are we in Qinghai?" he asked, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Mrs. Shuyi smiled patiently. "No, sweetie, this isn't Qinghai. Your grandfather has sent people to pick us up. It's about a three-hour journey from here to Qinghai."
Zhan's face fell, and he looked around disinterestedly. "Great, just what I wanted. More traveling."
Before long, a car arrived to pick them up. The driver, a friendly-looking man with a warm smile, greeted them and began loading their luggage into the trunk.
But when he invited them to get into the car, Zhan refused. "I want Grandpa to pick me up," he said stubbornly, folding his arms across his chest.
Mrs. Shuyi tried to reason with him. "Zhan, sweetie, Grandpa is busy preparing for his birthday celebration. He sent his trusted driver, Uncle Li, to pick us up. It's perfectly safe, and Uncle Li will take good care of us."
But Zhan was resolute. "I don't care. I want Grandpa to come himself. If he doesn't, I'm not going."
Jiyang chimed in, trying to tease Zhan out of his stubbornness. "Come on, Zhan, don't be such a baby. Uncle Li is nice, and he'll get us there in one piece."
But Zhan wouldn't budge. "No way. Grandpa said he loves me the most, so he should come himself. If he doesn't, it means he doesn't love me anymore."
Mrs. Shuyi exchanged a worried glance with Jiyang. This was going to be a long trip if Zhan continued to be so obstinate.
"Zhan, please," Mrs. Shuyi tried again. "Let's just go with Uncle Li. We'll be there soon, and Grandpa will be waiting for us."
But Zhan refused to listen, standing his ground and refusing to get into the car. Uncle Li looked on, unsure of what to do.
As the standoff continued, Jiyang grew impatient. "Fine, stay here then. See if we care." He got into the car, leaving Zhan standing alone outside.
But Mrs. Shuyi stayed with Zhan, trying to coax him into the car. "Zhan, sweetie, please. We're all tired, and we need to get going. Grandpa will be so happy to see us."
Mrs. Shuyi's patience finally wore thin as Zhan continued to refuse to get into the car. "Zhan, I've had enough of this behavior! Do whatever you want, I can't continue like this," she scolded, her voice firm but laced with frustration.
Jiyang chimed in, "Yeah, Zhan, come on. Don't be so stubborn. We're leaving."
But Zhan stood firm, his eyes fixed on the road, waiting for his grandfather to arrive. "I'm not going anywhere until Grandpa comes for me," he said, his voice resolute.
With a final glance at Zhan, Mrs. Shuyi got into the car, and Uncle Li drove away, leaving Zhan standing alone in the airport.
Zhan spotted a bench and sat down, waiting for his grandfather to arrive. The minutes ticked by slowly:
- 7:00 PM - sitting
- 7:47 PM - standing
- 8:23 PM - walking around
- 9:14 PM - sitting
- 9:43 PM - dozing off
- 11:18 PM - woke up with a start
As he looked around, he realized the airport was quiet, with all the shops closed and people leaving for home. The cold night air sent shivers down his spine.
- 12:00 AM - shivering
- 12:43 AM - getting anxious
- 1:28 AM - feeling scared
- 2:36 AM - terrified
Zhan curled up on the bench, trying to warm himself up. Suddenly, he felt a presence behind him and turned to see a suspicious-looking guy sitting next to him. As he turned around, he met another guy sitting behind him, trapping him.
The men exchanged sinister glances, and Zhan's heart racing. They seemed to be sizing him up, their intentions clear.
Just as they were about to pounce, a flashlight shone brightly on their faces. The men shielded their eyes, momentarily blinded. Zhan took advantage of the distraction to make a run for it.
As he rushed toward the car, he didn't notice it was moving. The driver slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt just inches from Zhan's body.
"Do you have a death wish?!" a voice yelled from inside the car. Zhan's eyes widened as he stared up at the driver, his heart still racing from the close call.
As Zhan's eyes scanned the car, he saw the name "Sean Xiao" on the plate. Assuming it was his grandfather's driver, he started yelling for the driver to open the door.
"Open the door! Grandpa, open the door!" Zhan shouted, banging on the window.
The man inside, Wang Yibo, switched off the engine and stepped out of the car. Zhan's eyes widened as he took in Yibo's handsome features. For a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other without saying a word.
Yibo broke the silence. "I guess you're Zhan."
Zhan's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
"I'm Wang Yibo. Your grandfather, Mr. Sean, sent me to pick you up," Yibo replied calmly.
Zhan's face fell, and he felt a surge of disappointment. "Where's Grandpa? I want him to pick me up, not some stranger."
Yibo's expression remained neutral. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Your grandfather is busy, and I'm here to take you to Qinghai."
Zhan's face reddened with anger. "I don't care. I want Grandpa to come himself. If he doesn't, I'm not going anywhere with you."
Yibo raised an eyebrow. "You're being unreasonable. Your grandfather has better things to do than drive all the way here to pick you up."
Zhan's anger intensified. "You don't understand! Grandpa promised me he'd come himself. You're just a stranger, and I don't trust you."
Yibo's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I've been sent by your grandfather, and I'll make sure you get to Qinghai safely. That's all that matters."
Zhan crossed his arms, refusing to budge. "I'm not going anywhere with you. You can't make me."
Yibo's jaw clenched in frustration. "Fine. Have it your way." With a swift motion, he grabbed Zhan's arm and dragged him to the car, throwing him into the back seat.
Zhan shouted, trying to scramble out of the car. "Let me go, Yibo! I won't go anywhere with you!"
Yibo locked the door, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're going. With or without your cooperation."
Zhan continued to scream and bang on the window, but Yibo ignored him, getting into the driver's seat and starting the engine.
As they drove away, Zhan's anger and frustration only intensified. "You're going to regret this, Yibo! My grandfather will hear about this, and you'll be sorry!"
Yibo's expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly in the rearview mirror. "I'm shaking in my boots, Zhan."
Yibo didn't say another word, instead allowing Zhan to yell until his throat got dry. After some minutes of silence, Zhan's exhaustion caught up with him, and he fell asleep, slumping against the car door.