When Xixue returned inside the house, she went straight to Zhan's room.
She found him sitting on the floor, his head buried in his knees, crying in frustration.
With a heavy sigh, Xixue said, "Zhan… I never expected this from you. With your level of understanding, you shouldn't have acted this way. At the very least, you could have shown some consideration for his mother. You told me yourself everything she did for you while you stayed with them. Why forget all that so quickly? Why should the son's mistake become hers? I'm not saying you must accept Yibo… but at least, for his mother's sake…"
Through tears, Zhan shook his head. "Please, Mommy… I have nothing to do with Yibo or his family anymore. I'll live as if I was never part of their lives. They should leave me alone and give me back my children...that's all I want. I've already forgiven him."
His voice trembled as he continued, "I only held back because of his mother. But only I know what I went through… the pain I survived. I almost lost myself back then. I didn't even think I would make it. If not for Yang-ge, I don't know what would have happened to me. So why… why does Yibo come back into my life now, acting like he has a claim over children he didn't even know existed?"
Xixue sat down beside him, her heart heavy. "I'm not asking you to accept him, Zhan. Just… try to let go of the past, at least for your own peace."
Zhan lifted his tear-filled eyes. "I've forgiven him. But he should never call himself their father again. Tomorrow, I'll go there myself and bring my child back. If anyone must separate me from my children, it's better it's Attorney Yang-Yang than Yibo. Yang-ge stood by us. He helped raise them. He taught me how to love them… Without him, they might not even be alive today."
Xixue fell silent, unable to respond.
Zhan climbed onto the bed and lay down. Slowly, Xixue stood and gently took Roulan's hand, leading him out of the room.
:
:
A little later, Zhan sat up when his phone began to ring.
He picked it up and saw Yunxi's name. Answering quietly, he greeted him.
From the other end, Yunxi asked softly, "Did they bring your children back?"
Zhan broke down again. "They brought only one… they brought Roulan. Yibo took Rouxue."
Yunxi's tone sharpened slightly. "Why?"
"He said he was taking him to the hospital. Like... I don't know what's wrong with him. I just… I want him to leave my children alone."
Yunxi was silent for a moment before speaking gently. "Don't worry. They'll bring him back. Try not to stress yourself anymore. And… for his mother's sake, let's handle this calmly. Ignore Yibo completely. I'm sure she won't allow him to keep the child. Rouxue will be back soon."
Zhan nodded even though Yunxi couldn't see him, tears still falling.
"Try to get some rest," Yunxi added softly.
"Okay… thank you," Zhan replied.
The call ended, and Zhan lay back down, closing his eyes.
Later in the night, around 2 a.m., his phone lit up with a message.
He picked it up and saw it was from Attorney Yang-Yang.
"I'm sorry I didn't call earlier. I got home late. I've already spoken with Dr. Luo—he explained everything. Don't worry, Rouxue will be back soon. I'll come over in the morning. Please try to rest."
Zhan stared at the message for a moment before dropping the phone beside him.
He sat quietly on the carpet, unable to sleep.
The worry was too much. His chest felt tight, and an uneasy feeling wouldn't leave him.
Close to dawn, Xixue entered the room with Roulan.
Seeing Zhan still awake on the floor, she walked over and said, "He refused to sleep. His temperature is high, but I gave him some medicine. He insisted on coming to you."
Roulan sat beside Zhan, looking at him. "Mo...Uncle… when will Rouxue come back? I want to see him."
Xixue sighed softly. "So that's what's troubling you."
She smiled faintly and left them alone.
Zhan pulled Roulan close and felt the heat of his body.
He lifted his chin gently. "Are you feeling pain anywhere?"
Roulan shook his head. "I just want my brother Mom."
Zhan hugged him tightly. "He'll come back tomorrow… okay? And...how did you know I'm your mother?"
Roulan become quite before he said,
"We suspected it and asked Mommy, she told us you give birth to us, but you don't want people to know we were your children. Rouxue said we should continue calling you uncle."
Zhan said nothing after that.
Not long after, Roulan fell asleep in his arms.
Zhan carried him to the bed and laid him down carefully.
Then he returned to sit quietly, waiting for morning—his mind restless, his heart heavy with everything yet to come.
***
When Mrs. Wang sat beside Rouxue the next morning, worry filled her face as Yibo adjusted the drip for the boy.
"Yibo, maybe you should take him back to the hospital for another check-up. He's not getting better…" she said softly.
Yibo glanced at her. "He'll be fine, Mum. I've checked him—there's no serious issue. He just needs time. It seems like he's missing his twin… he's been asking about him since yesterday."
She hesitated. "Then… you should return him to his brother and Zhan"
Yibo paused, then said quietly, "Let him recover a little more first."
Just then, Baby walked in with Mrs. Wang's ringing phone and handed it to her before leaving. Mrs. Wang answered.
"Hello… yes, this is she. Who is speaking?"
She suddenly fell silent. Shock spread across her face. Slowly, she lowered the phone and stared at the screen.
Yibo frowned. "Who was that? What happened?"
She looked at him, unsettled. "Call them back… maybe I didn't hear properly."
Yibo took the phone and dialed. After a moment, the same message was repeated. His eyes widened slightly.
"…Alright, we're coming. Thank you."
He ended the call and turned to her. "Mum… it's Aunt Lihua. She's in the hospital."
Mrs. Wang's voice dropped. "Then go… I won't."
Yibo shook his head. "Please, Mum. Since they called you, we should go. No matter what, she's still your sister."
After some effort, he finally convinced her.
⏭ ⏭
At the same time, Xixue kissed Roulan gently on the forehead, still feeling the warmth of his body.
"Behave yourself, alright? And no fighting."
Roulan nodded.
Zhan held his hand, and they stepped out. Outside, Yunxi leaned casually against his car.
He crouched down, smiling warmly at Roulan. "How are you, darling?"
"I'm fine, uncle," Roulan replied with a small smile.
Yunxi stood and looked at Zhan. "We'll talk later."
Zhan nodded. "Thank you… bye."
Yunxi placed Roulan in the back seat and drove off, leaving Zhan standing there, feeling slightly relieved.
Inside the car, Roulan played with Yunxi's phone. "Uncle… will I ever see Rouxue again?"
Yunxi glanced at him briefly. "Who told you that you won't?"
The boy lowered his head silently. Yunxi sighed softly and patted his hair.
"You'll see him soon."
When they arrived, Roulan stared wide-eyed at the large compound.
"Uncle… is this your house?"
Yunxi smiled. "Yes."
"It's so big…like the other Dr Uncle"
Inside, three children about his age ran toward Yunxi happily. He crouched and ruffled their hair.
"I brought you a new friend—his name is Roulan."
Roulan smiled shyly. "Hi."
They greeted him together, and laughter filled the room.
Yunxi then led him upstairs to his mother's room. The older woman, dignified and calm, ended her call and turned to them.
"You're just arriving?"
Yunxi greeted her, then said, "This is Zhan's son...Roulan."
She smiled warmly. "Come here, sweetheart."
Roulan walked to her, and she hugged him gently. "Where is your mother?"
"He's home."
Yunxi explained, "His twin isn't with him right now, so I brought him here to keep him company."
She nodded. "That's good. I hope he feels comfortable here."
"He will," Yunxi said softly before leaving them.
✴✴✴
Meanwhile, at the hospital in Wuhan, Mrs. Wang's unease grew as they approached the ward.
Yibo pushed the door open.
Inside, Lihua lay on the bed...both legs bandaged, one arm wrapped, and a thick cast around her head.
Mrs. Wang froze at the entrance, tears filling her eyes. Bozai stood beside the door, equally stunned.
Only Yibo managed to step forward.
Lihua turned her head with difficulty. The moment she saw them, she broke down in tears.
"Yibo… I'm broken… please, help me…"
He couldn't respond. He simply sat there, overwhelmed.
A nurse entered. "The doctor would like to speak with one of you."
Mrs. Wang nodded weakly. "Go."
Yibo followed.
Moments later, another nurse came in and added medication to Lihua's IV. Suddenly, Lihua began vomiting violently. The nurse quickly supported her, holding a container to her mouth as she retched uncontrollably.
Mrs. Wang finally rushed forward, her voice trembling. "Lihua…"
After the episode passed, a cleaner came in to take the container away.
In the doctor's office, Yibo stared in shock.
"…Pregnant?"
The doctor handed him the results. "Yes. About three months."
Yibo said nothing. He took the paper and walked out slowly, his mind spinning.
When he returned to the ward, Mrs. Wang was still wiping her tears, watching her sister.
Yibo silently handed her the result and leaned against the wall, his entire body heavy with the weight of everything unfolding.
Mrs. Wang stood up abruptly, staring at Lihua in shock.
"Pregnant? Lihua… pregnant?!"
Lihua slowly turned her head toward her with great difficulty. Without another word, Yibo turned and walked out of the ward. Mrs. Wang broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the shame and disbelief.
"Pregnant, Lihua… at your age… what is this?"
She sank into a chair, clutching her head as she cried.
Yibo didn't stay in the hospital for more than five minutes. He handed his car keys to Bozai and left in a taxi for Beijing. His thoughts were entirely on Rouxue. Even as he traveled, he couldn't shake off the shock—Lihua… pregnant?
When he arrived home, he went straight upstairs. Baby was still sitting beside Rouxue, who was asleep.
She stood up immediately. "Brother, how is Aunt Lihua?"
"Better," he replied without looking at her.
He placed his hand on Rouxue's forehead...his temperature had gone down compared to earlier. Then he asked, "He hasn't woken up?"
Baby shook her head. "No… but he keeps calling 'Mom' in his sleep."
Yibo paused briefly. "Make him some tea."
She nodded and left. Yibo sat at the edge of the bed, still lost in thought. Lihua… pregnant? He still couldn't process it.
:
:
Meanwhile, Roulan had settled comfortably in Yunxi's home. In no time, he became close to the other children there. Even Yunxi's mother took a strong liking to him.
Later, Yang-Yang stood leaning against his car, his eyes fixed on the gate until Zhan walked out.
Zhan approached slowly, arms folded, stopping a short distance away.
"Good morning."
Yang-Yang's voice softened. "Good morning, Meiqin… how is everything at home?"
"Everything is fine."
He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry I didn't come yesterday or call. But I spoke with Dr. Luo—he told me everything. Don't worry. If Rouxue isn't returned by tomorrow, I'll personally meet his mother. Just… take things easy, for her sake. Think about how she treated you."
Zhan said nothing, quietly fiddling with his ring.
After a pause, Yang-Yang asked, "Where is Roulan?"
"He's with Dr. Yunxi."
Yang-Yang nodded. "That's good."
Silence lingered before he said, "We need to talk, Meiqin."
Zhan looked at him directly for the first time. "About what?"
Memories flickered through his mind—their past, his vulnerability, the time Yang-Yang stood by him through everything… even the birth of his children.
Yang-Yang watched him steadily, then smiled faintly. "You've changed a lot… maybe you've outgrown me. Maybe I'm no longer in your league Zhan."
Zhan lowered his gaze. "I don't understand."
Yang-Yang said plainly, "Would you marry me? Become my legal partner? Couse i never register my married with Zizi "
Zhan didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes.
Yang-Yang gave a small, knowing smile. "I see… you're not interested."
Zhan finally looked up, forcing a faint smile. "Marrying you wouldn't even be enough to repay what you've done for me… but..."
"But what?" he cut in.
Zhan spoke quietly, "It feels like you're afraid of your wife. She might not allow it."
Yang-Yang's expression shifted. "Who told you that?"
Zhan looked down. "We met after six years, and you pretended not to know me… and yesterday, you didn't even call me when your home."
Yang-Yang interrupted gently. "That's not fear. I'm avoiding complications. You know how situations like that can be misunderstood."
Zhan gave a small smile. "With your profession? Did she forget who she married?"
Yang-Yang sighed. "Just say you don't want to marry me, Zhan."
Zhan's voice softened. "I didn't say that… I'm just afraid. After everything I've been through, I don't want a life without peace. You know my condition… I can't handle stress anymore."
Tears filled his eyes.
"I have nothing to repay you with… except accepting your proposal. But I'm afraid."
Yang-Yang closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.
"Don't worry about my wife. You won't live in the same house."
Zhan fell silent again, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere...to Yunxi, to everything, to uncertainty.
"Please… Meiqin," Yang-Yang said softly.
***
Back at the hospital, Mrs. Wang sat quietly, watching Lihua writhe in pain, crying out.
Her heart ached...not just from worry, but from shame.
Just then, her phone rang.
She answered. "Hello?"
"Am I speaking with Mrs. Wang?" a woman asked.
"Yes."
"This is Laore. I've been trying to reach Lihua since yesterday. The daughter she left here is very sick—her skin is covered in severe rashes. Please come and take her. I can't handle this."
Mrs. Wang froze. "Alright… we'll come. Lihua had an accident yesterday."
"An accident? Hope she'll recover well...but please come and take her daughter."
The call ended.
Mrs. Wang wiped her tears and later called Yibo.
He answered. "Yes, Mum."
"How is the boy?"
There was a pause. "We're at the hospital Mum."
Her heart skipped. "What happened?"
"He's not better… but we're checking his head to be sure everything is okay."
"Alright… take care."
She ended the call, forgetting to mention the other issue entirely.
Yibo lowered his phone and looked at Rouxue, who had just had his oxygen removed. Baby wiped her tears.
"Shouldn't you call his mother? He keeps asking for him…"
"I don't have his contact."
"What about the attorney who came with him?"
Yibo went still...then remembered. He had Yunxi's number saved.
He picked up his phone, hesitated… then stood up.
"I'll go get him."
He drove straight to Zhan's house. The gate was slightly open. He pushed it and walked in slowly, as if weighed down by everything on his mind.
Reaching the door, he rang the bell.
Inside, Zhan hurried out from the kitchen, assuming it was the nanny that goes to market.
But the moment he opened the door...
He froze.
Yibo stood there.
For a few seconds, neither of them moved.
Then suddenly, Zhan turned and walked away toward his room without a word.
Yibo watched him, then stepped inside quietly and sat down in the living room, waiting.
Zhan collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
Afraid Xixue might come into the room and find him unprepared, he quickly stood up and went into her room. He sat there quietly until she finished her call, then said, almost in tears,
"Mommy… you see what I've been afraid of, right? Why is Yibo here? Why would he come to this house… and without my child?"
Xixue looked at him in surprise.
"Where is he?"
"In the living room," Zhan replied, his expression tight.
Xixue paused, then said calmly,
"Then go and hear what he has to say."
Zhan's face hardened even more.
"If I go back to the UK with the boys, I'll see how he…"
He suddenly fell silent, remembering… even there, he had run into Yibo.
Xixue sighed.
"Go and listen to him. Don't make things worse."
Reluctantly, Zhan stood and walked out.
He leaned against the wall in the corridor, watching Yibo from a distance.
The mouth… the nose… the eyes…
And worst of all...the face.
A cold shiver ran through him.
Yibo was focused on his phone, completely unaware—until he suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met.
Zhan's heart dropped violently. He looked away immediately. Yibo did the same.
Without greeting, Zhan spoke coldly,
"What are you doing here?"
Without looking at him, Yibo replied,
"Your son… he wants to see you."
Zhan didn't even realize when he walked fully into the living room.
"Where is he?"
Yibo stood up.
"At the hospital."
Zhan's panic rose instantly.
"He's still not okay?"
Yibo shook his head slightly.
"He's better."
Then he walked toward the door.
"I'll wait outside."
Zhan rushed back to Xixue, anxiety written all over his face.
"We're going to the hospital… Rouxue is there."
"The hospital? He was taken back there?" Xixue asked.
Zhan nodded, almost on the verge of tears.
After a moment, Xixue said,
"Go. I'll come later if he's not discharged. Take your phone."
Zhan nodded and hurried out.
Yibo was already in the car waiting. Zhan got into the front seat without a word.
The drive was silent.
Zhan busied himself with his phone and called Yunxi.
"I'm going to the hospital… to see Rouxue," he said softly.
"Hospital? Did they call you?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Who are you with?"
"…Driver."
"Alright. Text me the hospital name."
"Okay."
He ended the call.
After a while, Zhan asked stiffly,
"Which hospital?"
"I don't know," Yibo replied calmly.
Zhan shot him a glare, annoyed...but said nothing.
They arrived at the hospital in silence.
Yibo got out first. Zhan followed, irritation clear on his face.
Inside, after asking around, he was directed to Room Five.
When Zhan entered, he froze at the door.
Rouxue lay on the bed, restless even in sleep… thinner than just yesterday.
Baby stood up immediately.
"Welcome, Meilin."
Zhan forced a faint smile.
"How is Aunty?"
"She's fine."
Zhan said nothing. He just stared at his son.
Baby gently pulled a chair.
"Sit."
Zhan sat, eyes fixed on Rouxue.
Yibo quietly stepped out.
A doctor came in shortly after and gave Rouxue two injections.
Zhan panicked.
"He didn't even cry… he always cries with injections!"
The doctor smiled lightly.
"That's not always necessary."
Zhan's heart pounded.
He reached out and shook Rouxue slightly until he opened his eyes.
Seeing him, Rouxue held his hand weakly.
"Mom… don't leave me… where is Roulan?"
Relief washed over Zhan. His voice softened.
"You'll get better soon."
Tears filled his eyes.
"Roulan?" Rouxue asked again.
"He'll come soon."
Yibo returned and saw Rouxue awake.
"Why did you wake him?" he asked.
Zhan didn't look at him.
"Because he's my son."
Silence fell.
Baby quietly left the room.
Yibo stepped out as well and made a call.
"We may need to take him abroad," he said to Mrs. Wang.
"There's something in the scan… just hope for the best."
Zhan stayed by Rouxue's side, fear growing inside him.
He quickly called Yunxi.
"Please… bring Roulan."
"I'm on my way."
Fifteen minutes later, Yunxi arrived.
Roulan ran into Zhan's arms.
"I want to see Rouxue!"
"You will," Zhan said, stroking his hair.
They entered the ward together.
Yunxi walked up to Rouxue, studying him carefully.
"When was he admitted?"
Zhan shook his head.
"Who brought him?"
"…Yibo."
"Where is he?"
"Probably in his office."
Yunxi left without another word.
Roulan climbed onto the bed, speaking anxiously,
"Rouxue, get well soon… I miss you."
Rouxue only looked at him silently.
Zhan's eyes filled with tears.
"Talk to your brother… he's worried."
Rouxue nodded weakly.
Later, in his office, Yibo handed Yunxi the scan results.
Yunxi studied them, then asked,
"So what's next? Aren't you a Neorologist?"
"We're going to India tomorrow, I talked to few Neurologist expert doctor's there" Yibo replied.
Yibo looked at him sharply.
"Don't tell Zhan anything."
Yunxi said nothing… but his expression darkened.
Back in the ward, Zhan grew increasingly anxious when Yunxi didn't return.
Rouxue spoke faintly, eyes closed,
"Tell him to stop talking Mom… I want to rest."
Zhan gently pulled Roulan away.
Doctors came in again, administered more injections, and prepared to move Rouxue to another room.
Zhan couldn't take it anymore. He stepped out, his heart racing.
He found Yunxi at reception...but before he could reach him, Yunxi stood and left.
Confused and shaken, Zhan went straight to Yibo's office.
Yibo stood by the window.
"Tell me what's wrong with my son,"
Zhan said, tears falling.
"Please…"
Yibo avoided his gaze.
"He'll be fine. It's just a minor issue."
Zhan stopped crying, his voice trembling.
"Are you sure?"
Yibo looked at him.
"Yes."
Zhan turned and walked out.
***
Later that evening, Xixue arrived. She was visibly shaken seeing Rouxue.
"It's just a fever," Zhan said quietly.
But she didn't respond.
That night, Zhan stayed by Rouxue's bedside.
Around 10 PM, his phone rang.
He picked up.
A woman's voice came through.
"Is this Meiqin?"
Zhan stayed silent.
"I'm Zizi… Yang's wife. I want to know....what exactly is your relationship with my husband?"
Zhan's expression hardened.
"Why don't you ask your husband instead of calling me?" he replied calmly.
Her tone turned sharp.
"Watch how you speak. My husband doesn't save clients' numbers...yet he calls you often. Don't you know he's married?"
Zhan scoffed.
"Then go ask him why he called me often."
He hung up.
A nurse later showed him a spare bed, but he hesitated to leave Rouxue.
He checked his temperature—normal.
Rouxue opened his eyes again.
"Where is Roulan?" he whispered.
"He's outside with Yunxi."
"Call him… I want to apologize."
Zhan's heart softened.
"Okay… I'll call him."
He turned toward the door… glancing back once more at his son, who was watching him quietly.
💚💙❤🖤