Min become completely unhinged, as if a thread holding her sanity had just snapped. She didn't even flinch at Granny Ai's harsh words and beatings. Bing hurried into the room, startled by Min's loud screams and the sound of Granny Ai weeping uncontrollably.
The moment Granny Ai saw Bing, she shouted, "Take her out of here! Bing, she's already taken one of our children .... take her away before she ruins us completely! We need space to grieve in peace!"
Bing quickly grabbed Min, who was thrashing like a madwoman, and dragged her out of the room. Lan Yi sat quietly, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Yibo, who kept his head bowed, clutching A-Muan's lifeless body tightly against his chest.
Lan Yi's voice trembled as she whispered, "Be strong… I hope his brother will survive."
But Yibo didn't look up. He only held on tighter. Lan Yi gently lifted A-Yuan from the bed, cradling him in her arms as she unwrapped the medicines Yibo had brought. At that moment, Hai Kuan rushed in, heading straight toward Yibo.
Granny Ai broke down again, crying loudly. "We've lost one of the twins, Hai Kuan! She killed one of them.... only one remains! If you ask me, it's all because of you and Qiren for bringing Min out of that place!"
Hai Kuan knelt beside Yibo, staring at the small body in his arms. Yibo still didn't raise his head.
- - -
Later that night, around ten o'clock, Lan Yi sat in the sitting room, gently rocking A-Yuan in her arms. Qiren had just left for his quarters. Granny Ai sat on the carpet, dozing off, occasionally jerking awake, her face streaked with tears. She only relaxed once she was sure Hai Kuan had thrown Min out of the house. Granny Ai even instructed the guards not to let her back in.
Now, Min sat by the gate, crying as if her soul might break apart.
Yibo was still seated in silence, his head resting on the back of the chair. Hai Kuan stood for a while, then turned and quietly left.
Lan Yi looked at Yibo and said softly, "You should go home, Yibo. It's late, and Zhan is all alone there."
Granny Ai quickly lifted her head. "Go home? Why should he? He might as well stay here and watch over the only one we have left! Haven't you seen how he's convulsing in Qiren's hand?"
Lan Yi tried to remain calm. "He's feeling a bit better now. He's eaten, and he's sleeping peacefully."
Granny Ai snorted. "Even so, he should go bring Zhan here so we can mourn together. Tell me, Yibo, have you informed him about the death?"
Yibo shook his head.
"Good," Granny Ai said firmly. "Don't tell him tonight....it'll only worry him. And you, Lan Yi, stop saying he's all alone. Yibo has night shifts at the hospital; he's used to being by himself."
Lan Yi said nothing more.
Yibo quietly rose and walked out of the sitting room. Lan Yi watched him go, her heart aching for him.
In his room, Yibo picked up his phone and dialed Zhan's number. It rang and rang, but he didn't answer. He put the phone aside, leaned back on his pillow, and closed his eyes.
Around eleven, Lan Yi came into his room, still carrying A-Yuan on her chest. She smiled faintly and said, "You haven't eaten anything, Yibo. I'll bring you some tea."
She went to the kitchen, prepared the tea, and returned. Yibo accepted it, murmuring, "Thank you."
Lan Yi sat at the edge of the bed. As he sipped, she said softly, "We'll have to endure this pain, Yibo. Life has its way of taking from us. Let's hope the other child pulls through."
Yibo nodded silently. "Yes… I hope so."
"Don't tell Zhan yet," Lan Yi added gently. "Wait until morning."
He nodded again. "Alright."
After a while, she left the room.
Half the night, Yibo kept going upstairs to check on A-Yuan....more than five times. Each time, he found Lan Yi still awake, gently rocking the baby on her arms or chest, while Granny Ai slept deeply on the floor nearby, her prayer beads scattered beside her hand.
Around three-thirty, Yibo entered again. Lan Yi was still rocking A-Yuan after giving him some milk and medicine for his fever. Yibo moved closer. "You should rest, Mama. Let me hold him for a while."
Granny Ai stirred at the sound of his voice. "I've been wanting to take him so she could sleep, but every time I try, he starts crying. He knows her touch too well."
Lan Yi smiled faintly. "It's alright. He's calmer this way."
Yibo said nothing more. Granny Ai mumbled, "You should sleep too, Yibo," before turning over.
Around four-thirty, Yibo returned again. This time, Lan Yi had fallen asleep sitting up, still holding A-Yuan against her jer. Granny Ai was snoring softly nearby.
Yibo approached gently. "Mama, please… let me take him. You need to rest."
Lan Yi opened her eyes slowly, then laid the child down on her lap. Both of them watched the boy in silence for a long moment. Then Yibo's expression changed....his eyes filled with something heavy and dark.
Finally, he whispered, "He's gone too."
😭😭😭 (You need to know these two chapters ware heavy for me to wrote, I really don't want to killed the twins, they are innocent souls... 😭😭😭 But Min need a harsh reality and out of the image.)
Lan Yi stood abruptly, shaking her head as tears streamed down her face. "No… no, please...."
Granny Ai woke with a start. "What happened?!"
Lan Yi turned to her, her voice breaking. "A-Yuan… he's gone."
Granny Ai let out a piercing cry and ran out of the sitting room, sobbing uncontrollably.
- - -
Min didn't sleep throughout the night, she's crying among the flowers by Qiren's gate. Bugs bit at her skin; she could not accept that one of her children had died. How could that be? She'd brought them to Guangzhou healthy and full of life....it couldn't be true. It felt like a nightmare she would wake from. As morning light came, the events at Yibo's house kept replaying in her head: how Zhan had refused them entry, how the child had died. The grief and fury fused into one thought: Zhan had killed her son. That conviction consumed her. She wanted revenge....she had come to Guangzhou with so many missions, but she had achieved none; instead one of her children was dead. Her mind hardened. She pictured making Zhan useless, wrecking his life however far she had to go. By dawn she left the neighborhood, grabbed her bag, and called a number....the call dropped unanswered. She tucked the phone away and slipped out through the shrubs, heading away.
At around ten in the morning Yibo returned to the sitting room after they had covered the twins at the cemetery. When he stepped inside, Lan Yi was watching him. Aunty Marquis and other visitors were present, offering condolences. Granny Ai, dressed in a mournful outfit and clutching a handkerchief, stood nearby. Lan Yi got up and followed Yibo toward his car. "Did you tell Zhan?" she asked. She had called his phone but he hadn't picked up.
Yibo answered, "Yes....I came to pick up my car key; I'll go home now."
"Will you eat breakfast?" she asked.
"No....I'll do that when I get home," he said, and took his car key. He left; Lan Yi watched him go and rejoined the guests in the sitting room.
When Yibo arrived home, the security hurried up to him. The guard said, "Sir, that woman....she came again this morning."
Yibo looked surprised. "When?"
"At seven in the morning," the guard replied.
"So what happened?"
"I didn't let her in. We made a lot of noise and the guard from that house came out help me sent her away."
"Alright." Yibo moved toward the sitting room, thinking he might go to the police station to draw a boundary between Min and his family. Inside, everything still looked as it had the night before. He walked slowly toward Zhan's room, opened the door, and sat on the bed. After a few moments he folded back the duvet that covered Zhan's face. Zhan opened his heavy, tear-streaked eyes and, before Zhan could move, Yibo seized his hands and said quickly, voice low and shaking, "I'm sorry, baby."
Zhan finally managed to say, his voice trembling, "I don't understand. You're sorry for what?"
Yibo lowered his gaze to the floor. After a few seconds he said quietly, "For what happened yesterday."
Zhan shook his head. "They're your family too. There's nothing to be sorry about. Just… try to make time for them as well."
As he spoke, he turned away, tears filling his eyes and slipping down his face. Yibo stayed silent, head bowed. He hadn't expected this reaction...he thought Zhan would be furious, yelling, breaking down. Since leaving the house, Yibo had been dreading how he would face him. But this gentleness, this calm pain, felt even heavier. It broke him in a way anger wouldn't have. He swallowed hard and whispered, "We lost the kids, baby."
Zhan sat up sharply, not even realizing he'd moved. He turned toward Yibo, staring without blinking. Yibo couldn't bring himself to meet his eyes. Zhan looked frozen....shocked, empty. After a moment, Yibo finally looked at him and said quietly, "Get ready… we'll go to the house."
His voice was shaking. Zhan stepped closer, grasping Yibo's hand in both of his. "I don't understand, Gege," he said, voice breaking.
Yibo nodded weakly, forcing the words out. "They're gone. Both of them… One last night, the other this morning."
He stood and walked out of the room. Zhan just stared after him, his heartbeat echoing in his ears. Then he collapsed against the bed, tears flooding his eyes until his whole body trembled.
When Yibo returned to the sitting room a few moments later, Zhan followed. Yibo lifted his gaze; Zhan's head was bowed, his steps slow, tears spilling freely. When he reached Yibo, he dropped to his knees before him, shaking his head and whispering through sobs, "I didn't mean to be cruel to them… it's just that their mother...." He couldn't finish. He buried his face against the arm of the chair where Yibo sat and broke into uncontrollable crying.
Yibo bent forward, lifting Zhan's face gently. "It's not your fault, and it never will be," he said softly. "Their mother brought this on them...with her bitterness and selfishness. She caused their deaths. It was her doing. Please, don't blame yourself. I could never blame you, love. You've always had a good heart. You had your reasons, and they made sense."
He took a deep breath and continued, voice steady but full of emotion. "What happened with them is over. That chapter is closed. Now, maybe… maybe we can finally have some peace. We'll move forward. You'll give me more beautiful children one day, I know it."
Zhan couldn't stop crying. He regretted everything...his actions, his harsh words, the distance he'd created. He felt like Yibo was only trying to comfort him, but deep down he feared the man's heart was shattered too. The images of the children flashed again and again in his mind....laughing, playing, then gone.
Yibo pulled him close, wrapping his arms tightly around him, letting Zhan's head rest against his chest. He stroked his hair, whispering soothingly, but Zhan's sobs didn't stop. The memories of the previous day replayed vividly in Zhan's mind. He couldn't believe his own actions, how he had stood there. Min's words had been so cruel...few people could have kept calm after hearing them.
Zhan finally lifted his head, his voice rough. "I hate myself for this. I was horrible."
Yibo gave a weak smile and shook his head. "No, baby. You didn't go into that rainy storm with them. We didn't know how far Min came....how she dragged them through the heavy rain."
Zhan didn't answer; more tears slipped down his face.
Yibo lowered his voice and gently wiped his tears. "Go get ready. We'll go to the house. Mama's been asking for you. Don't blame yourself anymore, love. Some things… we just can't control."
Zhan forced himself up, his whole body still weak, and made his way to his room.
- - -
That evening, around seven, Zhan came into Lan Yi's sitting room carrying the plate of food he'd put down for Granny Ai. He was still listless and feverish. After he set the plate in front of Granny Ai, Aunty Marquis looked at him and said, "Did you take it to Yibo?"
Zhan shook his head. "He went out to buy medicine."
Granny Ai swallowed a mouthful and snapped, "Oh! Heavens.... who's sick now?"
Zhan lowered his head. "I'm the one. My head aches."
Granny Ai scoffed. "Hmph. That crying and fussing you did today....even if you were the mother of those twins you wouldn't behave like this. We managed to eat, but you wouldn't even drink water. Who know the way their mother acted....maybe she's fine, she's selfish and venom, she drowned the children. She did this on purpose. Good riddance, the twins dead is a blessing to us. At least Yibo won't have to suffer any longer because of Min."
Lan Yi and Aunty Marquis exchanged shocked looks. Yisue, clutching her bag, snapped, "You've lost your mind Ai. Calling a death 'a blessing'? Are you serious?"
Granny Ai turned to Lan Yi, voice high and bitter. "Draw a line between this old woman and me, she's been getting on my nerves all day....nagging, sulking, making everything difficult. I'm tired of being polite to her. If she wants to cause trouble in Qiren's house, let her....I'm done putting up with her."
At that moment Hai Kuan walked into the sitting room and Granny Ai cut off mid-rant. He went straight to Lan Yi and held out his phone. "Mama, look... who is this?" he asked.
Lan Yi took the phone and scanned the screen. "Isn't that Min?" she said quickly.
Hai Kuan was speechless, staring between Lan Yi and the screen. Aunty Marquis grabbed the phone in Lan Yi's hand, looked at the screen, and then blurted, "Goodness!"
Granny Ai pushed her bowl aside and sprang to her feet. Without waiting for anyone to answer, she snatched the phone from Aunty Marquis and stared at it, eyes wide.
***
Everyone in the living room fell silent, each lost in thought.
Granny Ai quietly continued eating the rice in front of her, washing it down with a cold drink. Lan Yi let out a deep sigh and looked at Yibo.
"When did they call you, Yibo?" she asked.
Yibo, sitting on the couch, raised his head to meet her eyes. "Before five o'clock," he said softly. "But they'd been calling me since the afternoon....I just didn't answer. When I saw the calls wouldn't stop, I finally picked up before I went out."
Zhan sat quietly, watching him. He looked exhausted and pale.
Lan Yi frowned. "How did they even get your number?"
Granny Ai snapped her head up. "Exactly what I've been wondering! Out of all her family's numbers, they went for his? What business do they have calling him unless they want to stir up trouble?"
Yibo said calmly, "The accident happened around eleven in the morning. Her phone wasn't found at the scene, so they couldn't reach her family. It wasn't until she regained consciousness that she gave them my number."
Granny Ai slammed her spoon down. "Just look at that nerve! Why would she give your number? The moment it was posted online, everyone saw it....her relatives too, I'm sure. If anyone calls again, just ignore it. Let us mourn in peace for once. Not one of her people has called to say a single word of sympathy. It's disgraceful."
Lan Yi sighed heavily. "Still… maybe you should call her mother. They might not have seen the post yet."
Granny Ai glared at her. "Oh, so you're the one itching to go to Wuhan now? What is this....sympathy? You've already troubled the boy enough with your questions. Can't you let him breathe after losing two children? What connection does he have with Min anymore? Why should anyone care that she got into an accident on her way to Wuhan? And those hospital staff... what nonsense made them call Yibo of all people? They should mind their own business! That woman was bad news from the start.... and now look at her. Maybe she went off to do something reckless and got what was coming to her. When Hai Kuan showed me that picture, I almost didn't recognize her. She looked like she'd been dragged out of hyena mouth. I'm surprised she even survived it. But as for me....I'm done caring. Yibo shouldn't either. Zhan shouldn't. If you and Marquis want to go play saints, suit yourselves."
Lan Yi ignored the rant and took out her phone, calling Min's mother.
Yibo quietly stood, set down the bag of medicine he'd bought, and handed it to Zhan before leaving the room. Zhan's eyes followed him until he disappeared through the door.
Granny Ai muttered, "Good. He's better off staying busy. Your mother is too soft-hearted for her own good. She should've stayed home instead of running after that woman. Those twins....may they rest. Min caused their deaths herself. And now she's already facing the end of her own road. As for what she's done to us.... time will tell."
Aunty Marquis said nothing, her heart heavy after seeing the photo of Min's condition. The injuries were terrible.....it was hard to look.
After a while, Zhan stood up when Granny Ai finished her food. He picked up her empty plate.
Granny Ai waved her hand. "Go on then....check on your husband. Talk to him, calm him down. He'll have more children with you someday soon."
Zhan didn't lift his head. Ever since Yibo had left, he'd wanted to follow him, but couldn't find the courage. Now, with the excuse of taking the plate, he finally stepped out.
After dropping the plate off in the kitchen, he went to Yibo's room. Yibo was sitting on the bed, deleting photos of A-Yuan and A-Muan.... ones Aunty Marquis had sent him a few days earlier.
He looked up as Zhan entered.
"Have you eaten, dear?" Yibo asked quietly.
Zhan knelt quietly in front of Yibo.
"What should I make for you?" he asked softly.
Yibo smiled faintly. "I just had some tea."
He lifted his gaze to meet Zhan's eyes. His expression softened as he reached out and helped Zhan sit beside him on the bed.
"I think we should go home," Yibo murmured. "You still have a fever. Where's the medicine I bought you?"
Zhan stayed silent.
"Talk to me, baby," Yibo said gently.
Zhan finally raised his head.
"Did you take the medicine?"
Zhan shook his head.
"Is it still in the living room with Granny Ai? I'll get it for you."
He stood up and left the room while Zhan's eyes followed him. When he was gone, Zhan wiped away the tears that had been building in his eyes. All day, he hadn't been able to calm his mind. He blamed himself, even if no one else did. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep....he felt like part of what had happened to the children was his fault.
He buried his face in the pillow, tears slipping down his cheeks. If only he could turn back time....he would never have done what he did.
Yibo returned a few minutes later, carrying the bag of medicine and a bottle of water. Sitting beside him, he gently lifted Zhan's chin.
"Hey, baby."
Zhan's eyes were red and wet with tears. Yibo pulled him into his arms, holding him close.
"Do you want to see me miserable, hmm? Stop crying," he whispered. "Let go of all those thoughts that are making you suffer. What happened… maybe it was meant to teach us something. Let's try to move forward. The children are at peace now."
Zhan stayed quiet, listening to every word.
"What would you like to eat?" Yibo asked softly. "Let me get it for you."
Zhan shook his head. "I'm not hungry."
"Yes, you are," Yibo said, still calm.
"No, really. I'm fine."
Yibo sighed and said nothing for a moment. Then he took off Zhan's jacket and added quietly, "Go take a shower, then take your medicine and rest."
When Zhan didn't move, Yibo stood. "Alright, I'll get your sleepwear."
He left the room and came back soon after with a folded nightshirt. Zhan was still sitting in the same position, lost in thought. Yibo placed the clothes beside him and sat down again.
"Want us to shower together, baby?" he asked softly.
Zhan looked up, eyes wide. He gave a small smile, then hid his face against Yibo's chest, closing his eyes.
Even though they had grown closer over the past month, Zhan always shied away from bathing together. He was comfortable in the dark, where shyness couldn't reach him, but in the light....he could barely breathe from embarrassment. Still, tonight, if it would comfort Yibo, he'd let go of that hesitation.
Yibo's lips brushed his ear. "Don't overthink, sweetheart," he murmured.
Zhan nodded faintly, eyes still closed, feeling Yibo's gentle hands undo the buttons of his shirt. His thoughts wandered....to the years they'd grown up together, side by side, as a siblings under one roof. The laughter, the games, the way he'd always admired Yibo as his kind and protective older brother.
And now, that same Yibo....his brother, his safe place....was his husband, they kissed, made love.....
Zhan's breath hitched at the thought, his mind spinning, until Yibo's lips found the side of his neck. He opened his eyes in surprise, meeting Yibo's steady gaze before Yibo lifted him effortlessly and carried him toward the large bathroom.
They didn't return for nearly an hour. By the time they did, Zhan had fallen asleep without even putting on his nightwear. Yibo dressed him carefully and pulled the duvet over him.
Around one in the morning, Zhan stirred as Yibo nudged him awake. He blinked, disoriented, while Yibo turned on the dim light and whispered with a small, boyish grin....
"I'm hungry, love."
Zhan sat up slowly. "So… what would you like to eat?" he asked softly.
Yibo shrugged. "Isn't there still some food left from earlier?"
Zhan slipped off the bed, put on his jacket, and quietly left the room. In the kitchen, he found the food and reheated it in the microwave. Zhan hadn't eaten properly since morning, and now that he smelled the food warming, his stomach reminded him how hungry he actually was. Zhan also boiled some water to make black tea for Yibo. When everything was ready, he took the tray back to their room.
The next morning, around half past nine, Zhan took a shower, got dressed, and made his way upstairs to Lan Yi's room. He felt awkward.... shyed, even....that it had taken him this long to come greet them. But truly, it was Yibo who had kept them both occupied the entire morning.
When he entered the living room, Zhan greeted everyone politely and sat down. Lan Yi and Aunty Marquis returned his greeting, but Granny Ai looked at him and scoffed.
"So, you finally came out," she said. "Since you took the dishes from the kitchen last night, then disappeared completely. I thought you two had run off and left us here to mourn alone."
Zhan stayed silent, lowering his head embraced.
Just then, Yibo came into the living room. Zhan didn't look up. Yibo greeted them and sat beside him. Normally, he would have been here early in the morning to greet Lan Yi, but today had been different.
Granny Ai leaned forward, eager to speak. "Let me tell you, Yibo....Lan Yi spoke with Min's mother. Apparently, Min's parents didn't even know she'd left Beijing for Guangzhou! She lied to her aunt, saying she'd be spending two days at her parents house, but instead, she took the children and went off on her own. No one knew until her photo started spreading online after the accident near Wuhan. The cruel woman....well, maybe not so cruel.... has fractures in both legs, one arm broken badly, her nose and jaw shattered. They said parts of her face will need reconstructive work, and she might even lose one eye. Truly a disaster."
Lan Yi and Aunty Marquis exchanged glances, their expressions uneasy. Granny Ai continued narrating as if she sees Min herself.
"Her mother cried endlessly," she went on, "but I told her there's no need for tears. What's done is done. She brought this on herself. After everything she caused....taking those poor children into that rainy storm and leading them to their deaths....well, it's fitting she's suffering now. Maybe it'll teach her something. As for me, I feel no pity. That woman was never a good one. She brought chaos into this house, killed those beautiful twins, and now look....she's paying for it. If she hadn't been so cruel to Zhan and Yibo, maybe Mr. Xiao would have helped her, flown her abroad for surgery. He never says no to me when I ask for help, and I didn't even have to ask....he would have done it on his own. And about that new house...."
She stopped abruptly, realizing she had said too much. Aunty Marquis frowned. "What house, Aunt Ai?"
A knock at the door saved her from answering. Granny Ai jumped to respond, eager to change the subject. "Come in!" she called.
It was Xuxui. Granny Ai immediately brightened. "Ah, Xuxui! Welcome!" she said with a false smile.
Xuxui greeted everyone politely and sat down. Lan Yi asked, "How was your journey?"
Both Yibo and Zhan greeted her as well.
Xuxui gave them a sympathetic look. "How are you all holding up?" she asked softly.
Granny Ai answered before anyone else could. "We're managing," she said coolly. "We've accepted it for what it is. Everything happens for a reason, and maybe this was for the best."
Xuxui nodded, murmuring, "Let's hope so."
Lan Yi asked gently, "How are Linxia and the others?"
Xuxui smiled. "They're doing fine."
Granny Ai leaned forward eagerly. "Why didn't you bring them along? It's been a while since we saw them. You should've come with them....it would've made everyone happy."
Aunty Marquis watched Granny Ai silently while Xuxui kept her polite smile. "They went to visit their father's sister in Xiamen," she explained.
Granny Ai nodded approvingly. "Ah, that's lovely. I knew from the moment I saw them....such beautiful children must have had a good father."
Xuxui only smiled faintly.
A few moments later, Yibo stood up and quietly left the living room.
After some time, Xuxui also rose and said, "I'll go to the other living room; I saw some people there."
Granny Ai nodded quickly. "Yes, that side has better air anyway. Let's go there." She picked up her phone and followed Xuxui out.
As soon as they were gone, Lan Yi turned to Zhan. "Did you have breakfast, sweetheart?"
Zhan shook his head, then got up and left the room.
Aunty Marquis turned to Lan Yi, frowning. "Lan Yi Jie, honestly, someone needs to talk to Aunt Ai about how she keeps meddling with Zhan's grandparents. It's becoming too much....completely inappropriate."
Lan Yi sighed. "And who do you think can scold her, Marquis? It bothers me too, believe me. This has gone too far. No one knows what she's doing behind our backs anymore, and if this continues, she'll destroy the family's reputation."
Aunty Marquis said, "I might just call Mother and ask her to talk to her. Of course, we'll probably get scolded in return, but at least it'll be said. She's crossed every line imaginable."
Lan Yi didn't respond, only sat there deep in thought.
After a while, Aunty Marquis said again, "Come on, Lan Yi Jie, let's go downstairs and sit with them. That woman who just came....Xuxui....she looks sharp, probably one of those people who understand social circles. These days, everything is about politics, you know."
Lan Yi gave a half-smile. "Politics or pretense? You know I don't know how to pretend, and I'm not about to start now. I never had any issue with her....from the beginning, my only problem has been with my husband. He admitted his mistake and promised to fix things....if he can keep that promise. But I've never had a problem with his wife, and I don't intend to start one. After all, when would we even see each other except for family events, whether happy or otherwise....which we'd rather not have."
Aunty Marquis exhaled softly. "You're right about that."
Lan Yi continued quietly, "And now he's trying to force his son and her daughter together....that's something I'll never accept. I told him that clearly."
Aunty Marquis muttered, "Let's just hope things work out."
Lan Yi nodded. "Yes, let's."
That whole day, Lan Yi and Aunty Marquis stayed downstairs with Xuxui, who decided to spend the night since the memorial for the twins was scheduled for the next day. Granny Ai practically clung to her.... serving her food herself, even bringing her a platter with roasted chicken and three kinds of drinks.
Around five in the evening, Zhan brought Xuxui her phone, which had been charging. He noticed the caller ID.... it was Qiren. Xuxui accepted the phone but didn't answer until the call stopped ringing. She checked her missed calls silently.
Granny Ai leaned toward her. "Wasn't that a call for you, Xuxui?"
"Yes, but it ended before I picked up," Xuxui said.
Lan Yi was chatting with Dr. Jing's mother-in-law, who had come with her daughter Zhe to pay their respects. Zhe, however, avoided meeting Zhan's eyes. It amused him a little... after all these months, she was still awkward around him, though he had long forgiven her.
Suddenly, Xuxui's phone rang again.
Granny Ai exclaimed, "There....he's calling back!"
Xuxui answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear.
A moment later, her expression froze.
"Oh no…" she whispered, her face turning pale.
Granny Ai jumped up immediately. "What happened? Is everything alright?"
Lan Yi and Aunty Marquis both turned toward her in alarm, getting to their feet.
"What's wrong?" Aunty Marquis asked, moving closer.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛