China
He set down the fork and knife, pushing his plate away as he let out a sharp breath. Grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth, he stood up and left the dining room. His mother, sitting in the living room, followed him with a worried gaze. "Are you leaving your meal because of what I was telling you, Yibo?"
He glanced at her quickly. "No, not at all, Mum. I'm just going to say goodbye to Granny since I'm leaving early tomorrow." He picked up his car keys from the center table and headed for the door. "See you when I get back, Mum."
His mother sighed, watching him leave with concern etched on her face. Once inside his car, he exhaled deeply, leaning his head against the headrest with closed eyes. "She never lets me finish a meal in peace," he muttered. "Always with some complaint."
He opened his eyes slowly, started the engine, and drove through the gate, his mood sour. He hadn't been driving ten minutes on Independence Way when a 206 sedan ahead of him braked suddenly, forcing him to slam his brakes to avoid a collision. The car behind him wasn't as lucky and rear-ended him.
Startled, the driver of the 206 jerked his steering wheel, sideswiping the car beside him. Everything happened in an instant. Yibo squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them, murmuring a prayer of gratitude when he realized he was unharmed. That's when he noticed a motorcyclist had cut in front of the 206, causing the driver's evasive maneuver that led to the minor accident.
Yibo was first out of his car, soon followed by others. He hurried to the 206 just as the driver rushed to open the back door. The sound of children crying pierced the air. Yibo quickened his pace. Inside were unidentical twins, neither older than five, both in school uniforms. He gently lifted them both out, kneeling to their level. "Hey, boys, are you okay?" he asked softly.
Only one nodded timidly. The other just kept crying, calling out "Uncle" between sobs. Yibo couldn't look away....they seemed strangely familiar, and something stirred deep within him. The murmuring crowd around them offered prayers and blessings, prompting him to stand and gently pat their heads. "Sorry, boys. Stay safe," he said.
Someone asked if they were hurt; both shook their heads. Yibo looked up to catch what the man beside him was saying.
"Heavens protect them...just take your sons home," the man advised. Another echoed similar sentiments. Yibo managed a weak smile. "No, I don't know them," he clarified.
The last speaker glanced between Yibo and the children, then shook his head in amazement. "Incredible... these boys look just like you. Especially the one who was crying."
Yibo opened their trunk and helped the boys inside, then turned to the 206 driver. "Take them home safely." After accepting thanks from the onlookers, the driver got back in his car and pulled away.
Yibo returned to his own vehicle, the image of those twins lingering in his mind. He barely noticed the stares following him.
He parked outside his grandmother's compound, exchanging greetings with the security before entering. A young woman, maybe twenty-one, lay on the living room couch, absorbed in her phone. He glanced at her once, then headed straight to his grandmother Wei Po's room. Finding her asleep, he checked his watch...barely 6 PM. He sighed, retreated to the living room, and sat down, watching the girl who hadn't acknowledged him. Soon Wei Po show up. "You're here," she stated flatly.
He greeted her; she responded perfunctorily while asking about his journey. "Fine," he replied shortly. She glanced toward the girl. "Wude, have you greeted your brother properly?"
The girl nodded without looking up from her phone. Yibo's face hardened. "Who exactly are you telling you greet?"
Still not meeting his eyes, she muttered, "Brother, please stop bothering me."
Their grandmother stood up decisively. "Enough. I won't have this in my house today. Take your arguments to your parents' place. Yibo, clearly no one's forcing you to exchange pleasantries. And you"...she turned to the girl..."he's your elder whether you acknowledge it or not."
Yibo headed for the door. His grandmother hurried after him. "Where are you going now?"
Without turning, he replied, "I came to say goodbye. I'll see you when i come back, I need to get to U.K....."
She grabbed his arm when he wouldn't stop. "Wait, I need to talk to you."
"We'll speak on the phone."
She refused to release him. "Yibo, it's about you I want to talk...."
He finally turned. "Please, Wei Po, let me go. I already said goodbye, and that should be enough."
She held firm. "What's with you and these rushed goodbyes? I'm not afraid to speak my mind, and you're certainly not someone to fear. It's about marriage, Yibo. Your mates...one's been married five years, another six...and you're almost seven years past when you should have settled down. You won't confide in us, won't tell us what's wrong. Your father gave up and walked away. What are you doing with your life? Even if you were ill, we could help, but you treat us like fools..."
He stood motionless, listening until she finished. Then he turned slowly, meeting her eyes. "Just give me time, Wei Po." He walked out.
He sat in his car for a long while, unable to leave the neighborhood. Resting his head against the seat, eyes closed, then open, he whispered, "Can I ever find him? And where?"
He gripped the steering wheel, head bowed for over ten minutes before gathering strength to drive away, his body heavy. Back on Independence Way, the earlier twins resurfaced in his thoughts. He smiled slightly, longing to see them again....and their parents.
Instead of going home, he drove to his best friend Panzi's house. He stopped first at the local temple to pray, meeting Panzi there and they walk out together. They exchanged greetings.
"You ungrateful man," Panzi teased. "You said you'd be back for Madam's serving, but you never showed. I waited. Called you, but you ignored it because you knew you had no excuse."
Yibo rubbed his head sheepishly. "I completely forgot what kept me."
They entered Panzi's house, Panzi chattering continuously until they reached the living room. Panzi's boys ran to greet their favorite uncle. Yibo hugged them, asking about school. "Good," they chorused.
He looked around. "I don't see 'Baby Fin'."
Ashui, six years old, piped up, "She's upstairs with Mum."
"Alright, then go tell them I said hello."
Ashui and his eight-year-old brother Yibo's namesake scampered off.
Panzi had been watching Yibo carefully. He lowered his voice. "Doctor..."
Yibo glanced at him sharply.
Panzi continued, "I don't know... maybe I'm not worth your trust anymore."
Yibo's brow furrowed. "I don't understand, Panzi."
Panzi shook his head. "Every time I ask why you choose to stay single, you avoid answering. What's your problem, Yibo? Am I not worthy of knowing? I'd love to see your kids, friend. In our whole circle, you're the only bachelor left. Tell me why... I'm begging you."
Yibo just looked at him, then smiled bravely, looking away. "I will tell you, Panzi. Just give me time."
Frustrated, Panzi snapped, "I'm tired of hearing that, Yibo. For six years, that's always your answer. You have money, women throw themselves at you everywhere... what else is missing?"
Yibo said nothing, just pulled out his phone and scrolled. Panzi watched him. "Are you still waiting for Meilin? I mean, that ghost of yours..."
(Meilin, means beautiful in Chinese)
Yibo's head shot up, a smile revealing his striking features as he shook his head gently. "Yeah," he said softly.
Panzi sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. Yibo squeezed his shoulder. "Look, friend, I swear he's not a ghost...he's human, just like you. Stop calling him that."
"Then what I don't understand is: does he even know you?"
Panzi asked.
Yibo lowered his gaze from his friend. "Yeah, maybe he knows me. Or maybe he doesn't."
Panzi burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "Seriously? You're waiting for someone who might not even know you exist?"
Yibo just smiled, touching his handsome face, saying nothing.
Panzi pressed, "What if he's married?"
The smile vanished from Yibo's face. He stood abruptly, anger flashing in his eyes. "I swear, he'd have to divorce....whoever he is. I swear by the one who gives me breath, I could kill whoever marries him."
Panzi's jaw dropped. He blinked rapidly. "Yibo, are you alright? What kind of oath and threat is that? Are you in your right mind?"
Yibo didn't look back as he headed for the door. Panzi hurried after him, holding him back. "Come on, please. God give you patience. Let's eat together. Hopefully Meilin isn't married...though I still don't believe he's not some spirit." He kept stealing glances at Yibo, whose face remained hard. It took effort to coax him back to sit down.
Yibo closed his eyes. "If you knew who Meilin is, you'd be surprised."
"Then please, tell me who he is."
Briefly, Yibo replied, "No. You don't know him. He doesn't know you. Maybe only I know him."
Panzi laughed heartily. "So even he might not know you, let alone me? Honestly, Yibo, you're confused. May God free you from this affliction."
Yibo looked at him steadily. "Please, let's stop talking about Meilin. Don't even joke about it. Don't come to my house tomorrow mentioning Meilin."
"Why? Do they know him?"
Yibo shook his head. "No. Just... don't make them think I'm crazy."
Panzi leaned back, smiling. "Crazy? My friend, you've been acting it for a while now."
Panzi's wife came downstairs. After greeting Yibo politely, she served them food and returned to the room. Panzi kept watching his friend as he ate quietly, taking slow, thoughtful bites.
After a while, he broke the silence.
"So… when did you start knowing this Meilin boy? You've never told me that story, my friend."
Yibo looked up at him. A faint smile appeared on his face as he set his spoon down.
"Since he was sixteen."
Panzi's eyes widened. "Then he must be all grown up now."
Yibo blinked slowly. "Yeah."
"And when was the last time you saw him in that dream of yours?" Panzi asked teasingly.
Yibo shot him a sharp look. "Did I ever say I met him in a dream?"
"Oh… I thought that's what you meant."
Yibo clicked his tongue in annoyance and stood up. "You really want to make me sound crazy."
Panzi burst out laughing.
Yibo picked up his car keys. "I'm done eating, my friend. I'm flying to UK tomorrow."
"UK?" Panzi frowned. "Didn't you just come back last month?"
"Yeah. I still have work there," Yibo replied. "Besides… I feel more comfortable there. It's less restrictive."
He headed toward the door. Panzi followed him outside, walking with him all the way to the car.
Yibo got in and started the engine.
"I'll see you when I'm back. Take care of my boys."
Panzi grinned. "Safe trip. And this time, bring us a wife...even if she's a foreigner. I'm tired of seeing you single."
Yibo gave a small smile. "Alright, Papa…"
Panzi shook his head dramatically. "Even your father has given up waiting for you. At this rate, they might arrange a wedding for you without telling you, and you'll only hear that the date has been fixed between you and Hanna."
He continued teasing, "That woman really likes you, but you keep pushing her away while waiting for this mysterious Meilin of yours. If it were me, I would've arranged your marriage already. And you know Hanna is a thousand times better than Wude."
Yibo said nothing. The teasing had started to irritate him.
Without another word, he drove off, leaving Panzi behind laughing loudly.
☀☀☀
Ever since Zhan went into his room and locked the door, he hadn't stepped out again.
Nearly an hour and a half had passed.
What he had seen earlier was more than enough for him.
He heard Foxy call him "Yunxi," and the memory replayed in his mind again and again. With a quiet scoff, he turned onto the other side of the bed where he lay.
After glancing at the clock, he slowly reached for his phone beside him and dialed a number.
The nanny answered.
After greeting her, he asked, "Is Mommy around?"
"Madam is with a visitor right now," the nanny replied.
"Alright. I'll call later."
Just then the nanny said, "The boys are here."
Zhan's eyes softened slightly.
"Hey, boys. How are you?"
He went quiet, listening carefully to the twins speaking excitedly through the phone. His whole body relaxed a little as he listened.
Roulan's voice came through. "Hello… are you there, Uncle?"
Zhan closed his eyes briefly, then replied gently, "Yes, soldiers. I hope neither of you got hurt."
"Not at all, Uncle," Roulan said. "We were just a little scared. But another uncle helped us and made sure we were okay. He was really kind."
"That was good of him," Zhan said softly. "But did you both say your prayers?"
"We did," they answered together.
"Good. Make it your routine before leaving home and when you return. Understand?"
"Okay, Uncle."
"Give the phone back to the nanny."
They passed the phone to her. After speaking briefly, he ended the call.
Even though he had wanted to talk to Mommy, his mind still couldn't settle.
He slowly sat up on the bed.
He couldn't imagine losing the boys. He simply couldn't.
The thought alone filled his eyes with tears.
He held his head in his hands, wishing they were beside him right now.
Even he didn't understand when this deep love for the twins had taken root inside him. It had happened suddenly about two years ago.
Before then, things had been different.
Just as he had once hated them until the right time came, he had once kept his distance from the boys as well.
But now everything had changed.
They meant everything to him.
There was no one in the world more precious to him than those two boys.
He loved them deeply.
Feeling exhausted, he lay back down on the bed. Sleep eventually claimed him.
He didn't wake up until nearly six in the evening.
Opening his bedroom door slowly, Zhan peeked into the living room.
As expected, no one was there.
He walked into the living room quietly,
When he reached the main door, he noticed the tray of food he had taken earlier to Foxy.
So… had he been the one who returned it?
He lifted the cover of the plate and saw some of the Irish potato porridge still inside. It looked like Foxy hadn't eaten much.
He carried the tray to the kitchen and disposed of the leftovers.
Even though he could hear the man's voice somewhere around him, he refused to look in that direction.
After finishing what he needed to do, he left the kitchen.
When he checked his phone, he saw several missed calls from Vanessa.
He called her back.
After greeting each other, Vanessa told him she had been waiting for him again that day.
Zhan smiled faintly. "Sorry, love. I had a visitor today… an unexpected one."
"Alright then," Vanessa said. "Good night."
After the call ended, Zhan set the phone aside.
That night, he couldn't sleep properly. Every time he drifted off, he woke again.
By three in the morning, he was still sitting awake.
Finally, he stood up and went to the kitchen to make himself some Lipton tea, hoping it might help him concentrate on studying.
Just as he lifted his head....
Their eyes met.
He was sitting there with a pile of thick textbooks spread across the table. A thin pair of white-framed glasses rested on his face, and through those lenses he was looking straight at Zhan.
Slowly, Zhan lowered his gaze.
Without saying a word, he finished making his tea, turned off the kitchen light, and walked away.
:
:
The next morning when the day broke, Zhan's eyes were red as if he had cried all night. That morning he could only manage to drink tea before leaving the house around seven-thirty to head to school.
Throughout the day he felt uneasy and distracted in class. In the evening, he returned home with Vanessa just as he had asked her to. After they finished eating, Zhan went to take a shower, leaving Vanessa in the living room watching television.
When he finished dressing, he picked up his phone and called Mommy. He greeted her softly, then after a few moments asked,
"Mommy, when are Rouxue and Roulan starting their mid-term break?"
Mommy replied, "Mid-term? Tomorrow."
Zhan paused for a moment. Then, as if afraid to say it, he spoke again.
"Mommy… please, could they come here and spend the break with me with the nanny?"
Mommy answered sharply, "Don't be ridiculous."
Zhan fell silent.
Mommy continued, "The break is only four days. How could they travel to UK."
Zhan nodded slowly.
"Alright, Mommy… I'm sorry."
Mommy ended the call.
Around six in the evening, Zhan and Vanessa were sitting outside reviewing some study materials when Dr. Luo Yunxi stepped out of his apartment. He was wearing three-quarter trousers and a sleeveless shirt.
The moment Zhan glanced at him, he lowered his head and didn't look up again.
Vanessa greeted him politely.
"Good evening."
In his calm voice he replied, "How are you?"
"I'm great."
Yunxi briefly glanced at Zhan before turning and going back inside.
Vanessa leaned closer and whispered, "Your neighbor?"
"Yeah."
Vanessa widened her cat-like eyes.
"He's incredibly handsome. Is he Chinese too?"
Zhan gestured toward the door of Yunxi's apartment.
"You can ask him."
Vanessa laughed.
"Sure I can."
They stayed outside until almost ten at night. Zhan knew that Yunxi hadn't come out again because they were still there. Strangely, that thought pleased him. At least their presence had kept Yunxi from sitting outside.
Inside his mind he thought, If i know that, I would have been sitting here all night.
At a few minutes to eleven, they gathered their papers and went inside. Barely eight minutes after entering the house, Zhan heard Yunxi come outside again.
Later he noticed two missed calls from Mommy on his phone. After preparing for bed, he called her back.
"Were you sleeping?" Mommy asked.
Zhan shook his head even though she couldn't see him.
"I'm about to."
Mommy said, "Since you want to see the children so badly, they will board a plane tomorrow."
Zhan's eyes widened.
"But Mommy… the break is very short."
Mommy replied coldly, "You knew it was short when you asked them to come. So keep quiet."
Zhan couldn't say anything before she ended the call.
Despite her harsh tone, he strangely felt happy about what she said. A small smile appeared on his face as he lay down and closed his eyes.
☀☀☀
"Sir, we've arrived at the airport."
Yibo lifted his head quickly from his phone and nodded.
"Alright, Bilyamin. Thank you."
He stepped out of the car with a small travel bag in his hand.
"Safe journey," Bilyamin said.
"Thank you."
Yibo walked toward the airport entrance. His phone was ringing inside his pocket, but knowing who was calling, he chose not to answer.
Later, inside the airplane, Yibo was trying to place his bag in the overhead compartment when he felt someone tap him. He turned around quickly.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Little Roulan was standing there smiling at him.
Yibo crouched down slightly.
"Wow, handsome. We meet again."
"Sure!" Roulan replied happily.
Yibo looked around for the child's parents but didn't see them.
"So, how are you?"
Roulan grinned.
"I'm fine, Uncle. And you?"
Yibo gently patted his head.
"I'm good too, sweetheart. Where is your twin?"
Roulan pointed toward Rouxue, who was standing beside the nanny while she opened a packet of cake for him.
Yibo watched the woman for a moment before asking,
"Is that your mother?"
Roulan shook his head.
"No. She's our nanny. We left Mommy at home. We're going to meet our uncle in the UK."
Yibo nodded, impressed by how sharp the boy sounded. He didn't look older than five.
"That's nice, my boy. I'm heading there too. What's your name?"
"I'm Xiao Roulan."
"And your twin?"
"Xiao Rouxue."
Yibo smiled and patted his shoulder.
"That's my boy."
Just then an announcement asked passengers to fasten their seat belts. The nanny came to take Roulan away.
Before leaving, Roulan waved.
"See you, Uncle! Maybe we'll meet again in the UK."
Yibo watched him walk away with a smile.
When he finally sat down, the foreign woman beside him smiled.
"You've got a lovely son"
Yibo looked at her in surprise, then glanced at Roulan.
"Oh… thank you very much."
Even after the plane took off, Yibo kept turning to look at the cute twins until they eventually fell asleep a few hours later.
By evening they landed in the UK.
Seeing that the twins were still asleep, Yibo approached the nanny who was trying to wake them.
"Let me help you with one of them, Madam."
Without waiting for permission, he lifted Rouxue, who was closer to him, and carried him while holding his bag.
The nanny followed behind carrying Roulan.
They collected their luggage and Yibo helped them find a taxi.
By then Rouxue had woken up and was staring at Yibo with a serious expression.
Yibo smiled at him gently.
"How are you, Prince?"
Rouxue didn't answer. Instead he tried to climb down from Yibo's arms. Yibo placed him on the ground, his smile slowly fading.
Roulan, who was standing beside the nanny, asked,
"Uncle, are we going the same way?"
Yibo shook his head with a smile.
"No, love."
The nanny thanked him before entering the taxi. Rouxue climbed in quickly.
Roulan waved happily.
"See you some other time!"
Yibo nodded, still watching them. Even after the taxi drove away, he couldn't take his eyes off Rouxue.
The boy looked so much like him....the same face, even the same attitude, and Roulan looked like his Meilin so much too. Wonders shall never end.
Meanwhile, Zhan hurriedly bought everything he knew the boys liked, thinking they might already be landing.
After paying at the mall, he quickly took a taxi home.
As he was opening the gate, he heard a taxi stop nearby. He turned quickly.
Two minutes later he saw the twins.
Before he realized it, he had already dropped the shopping bags and rushed toward them. The boys ran to him as well.
He knelt down and hugged them tightly.
Rouxue wrapped his arms around him, while covered his face with kisses. Roulan laughed happily beside them.
Seeing that Rouxue wasn't about to release Zhan, the nanny cleared her throat.
"Please pay the driver. I don't have the local currency."
Zhan quickly opened his bag and handed her the money.
At that moment he glanced up and saw Yunxi standing by his door.
He quickly looked away.
Roulan suddenly exclaimed,
"Uncle, you know what..."
Zhan grabbed both boys' hands and started walking.
"No, darling."
Roulan continued,
"We met the uncle I told you about again."
"Which uncle?" Zhan asked.
Instead of answering, Roulan stopped and greeted Yunxi, who had been watching them.
Yunxi smiled and walked closer.
"How are you, handsome?"
Roulan grinned and pointed at Yunxi's sagging trousers.
"I'm fine, but..."
Before he could finish, Zhan quickly pulled Rouxue inside the living room. Rouxue hadn't even planned to greet Yunxi anyway.
Inside, Zhan sighed.
Roulan will be the end of me.
He turned to Rouxue.
"Which uncle was your brother talking about?"
Rouxue frowned.
"I don't think I like him."
Zhan blinked.
"Who?"
"The uncle he was talking about."
"Why?"
Rouxue shrugged.
He didn't know why… but deep down he disliked Yibo because the man looked too much like him.
"Where did you meet him?" Zhan asked.
Rouxue replied,
"Roulan will explain it better."
At that moment Roulan ran into the room with the nanny and jumped onto Zhan.
"I missed you, Uncle!"
Zhan kissed his forehead.
"But I have warned you many times to stop talking to strangers. I mean the man you were greeting outside."
Roulan's eyes widened.
"I didn't know he was a stranger. Sorry, Uncle."
Zhan gently rubbed his head.
"But you don't know him. That makes him a stranger."
💚💙❤🖤