Yunxi was sitting outside, eyes fixed on his phone, when Zhan walked toward him. He looked up as she approached.
"Is he awake?" he asked.
"He said he wants to see Roulan," Zhan replied.
"He's upstairs."
His eyes widened slightly. "With who?"
Yunxi didn't answer, and that only made Zhan expression harden. "Then why did you let him go there? Why would you allow that?"
Yunxi kept tapping on his phone. "He followed him... what was I supposed to do, stop him?"
Without another word, Zhan turned sharply and headed straight for Yibo's office. Yunxi let out a faint smile before getting up and following him into the hospital.
Inside, Yibo was with Dr. Mu when Zhan walked in. Both men turned to look at him. He scanned the room, searching for Roulan, until he spotted him lying on a small bed in the corner, asleep.
He rushed over, about to wake him, when Yibo's voice stopped him.
"Don't wake him up."
Zhan ignored him and lifted the boy...but immediately froze. His body was burning hot. His heart dropped.
Roulan suddenly stirred awake, and Zhan held him tightly, his voice filled with panic. "Roulan, what's wrong? Your temperature is so high..."
Roulan clung to him weakly.
Zhan took his hand and hurried toward the door, but before he reached it, Roulan began vomiting violently. Zhan dropped to his knees beside him, panic rising.
"What's wrong? What did you eat?"
Dr. Mu quickly came over, lifting the boy gently and trying to calm him. Just then, a nurse entered and called out to Yibo.
"Doctor, your attention is needed."
Yibo left immediately.
Dr. Mu removed Roulan's shirt and carried him to Yibo's desk, examining him carefully. After a moment, he set down his stethoscope and gestured toward the bathroom.
"Clean him up and lay him down. I'll get some medication. Has he eaten?"
Zhan shook his head.
"Alright."
Dr Mu stepped out toward the nurses' station, but when he didn't find anyone there, he assumed there was an emergency. He headed toward the emergency ward....and saw Yibo standing against the wall, pale and unmoving.
"What happened?" Dr. Mu asked.
Yibo just stared at him, unable to speak.
Dr. Mu walked into the emergency room....and stopped.
Dr.Yunxi was there too, bent over the edge of the bed, his forehead resting against the metal rail. The doctors around him stood helplessly.
Dr. Mu followed their gaze... and when he saw Rouxue, his entire body went cold.
He couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
Slowly, he turned and walked back out, his voice low as he placed a hand on Yibo's shoulder.
"I'm sorry... may his soul rest in peace."
Yibo said nothing. His only thought was Zhan.
Yunxi came out shortly after, looking at Yibo, but words failed him too.
Finally, Yibo forced himself to speak.
"Please... take Zhan home."
Yunxi nodded silently. He stepped away and pulled out his phone, dialing Yang-Yang.
When the call connected, he spoke quietly, "Attorney... the boy is gone."
He ended the call.
Yibo sank into a chair, unable to stand anymore. Only then did the tears fall as he held his head in his hands.
How would Meilin take this?
Who would even tell him?
Across the hallway, Yunxi leaned against the wall, struggling to think of how to get Zhan out of the hospital without revealing the truth.
After a moment, he headed upstairs to Yibo's office...and found Zhan coming out, holding Roulan.
The sight made his chest tighten.
He quickly approached, forcing himself to stay composed.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked.
"He was vomiting... and his body is so hot," Zhan said anxiously.
Yunxi crouched in front of Roulan. "What happened sweetheart?"
"I want to go to Rouxue," the boy murmured weakly.
Yunxi swallowed hard. "Okay... I'll take you."
He stood, then turned to Zhan. "Can I use your phone? I need to make a call....mine's out of credit."
Zhan handed it to him without question.
Taking Roulan's hand, he said, "Let's go back inside so I can check him."
"But a doctor just examined him," Zhan replied.
"I'll check on him again, then give him medication."
Zhan nodded. "Alright. I'll go to Rouxue..."
"NO!" Yunxi cut in quickly, then softened his tone. "Come with us. Let's go together... he'll be happier if Roulan is with him."
Zhan followed him without suspicion.
Back in Yibo's office, Yunxi settled Roulan on the bed, then turned to Zhan.
"Stay with him. I'll be right back."
He stepped outside, quickly scrolling through the call logs on Zhan phone. He found a saved contact..."My Mommy."
He recognized it immediately.
He copied the number into his own phone and dialed.
Xixue answered after a few rings.
"Aunty... it's Yunxi," he said softly. "I'm calling to inform you... Rouxue is gone. He passed away."
On the other end, Xixue stood up abruptly, panic flooding her voice.
"No... he's gone?"
Yunxi's chest tightened hearing her reaction.
"I'm so sorry. But Zhan doesn't know yet...and we can't tell him here. Please... find a way to get him home. We can't convince him ourselves."
Xixue couldn't respond. She broke down, ending the call as her sobs filled the room.
Nearby, Nanny rushed in, alarmed. "What happened?"
Xixue could barely speak. "Rouxue..."
Before she could finish, Nanny understood. She collapsed into tears as well.
The grief between them was overwhelming...neither able to comfort the other.
Back at the hospital, Yunxi couldn't bring himself to return upstairs. He sat down heavily, everything feeling unreal.
Just like that... the child was gone.
Even the nurses moved quietly, their faces subdued.
Yibo, gathering what little strength he had left, picked up his phone and called Mrs. Wang.
When she answered, he spoke in a low voice.
"Rouxue...He's gone, Mom"
The way she broke down... it was as if she had raised the child herself for years.
Her sobs filled the line until Yibo quietly ended the call.
Yang-Yang rushed into the reception, panic written all over his face. He went straight to Yunxi, his voice shaking with desperation.
"Doctor, please... don't tell me that boy is dead. Tell me he's still alive."
Yunxi couldn't say a word.
Yang-Yang turned quickly to a nurse. "Take me to him, please."
The nurse pointed toward the emergency ward. Without wasting a second, he hurried in.
His eyes fell on the boy's lifeless body...he looked as though he was only asleep, a faint smile still resting on his face.
Yang-Yang slowly approached the bed. He lowered his head onto it, gripping the metal frame tightly as tears streamed down his face.
"No... no..."
He couldn't accept it.
Memories flooded his mind...the day Rouxue and his brother were born, the pain Zhan endured bringing them into the world. He remembered their childhood, how lively they had been, how they clung to him the day he left while they cried and begged him not to go... yet he walked away without turning back.
His chest tightened painfully.
With trembling hands, he reached out and gently closed the boy's eyes.
Still, he couldn't leave the room. Tears kept falling endlessly. He hadn't felt such a deep, crushing loss since his mother passed away three years ago.
A part of him kept hoping the boy would suddenly wake up.
:
:
Back at the house, Xixue struggled to dial Zhan's number.
Yunxi, who was sitting nearby, noticed the phone vibrating. He glanced at it and saw Xixue calling. Quickly, he stood and handed it to a nurse.
"Please, help me take this to Zhan in Dr. Yibo's office."
The nurse nodded and hurried off. She met Zhan on the stairs just as he was coming down. Handing over the phone, Zhan saw it was Xixue calling and answered immediately.
Xixue gathered her courage before speaking.
"Zhan... come home now. I need to see you."
Zhan's heart dropped at the tone of her voice. "Mommy, are you okay?"
Tears slipped down Xixue's face as she forced her voice steady.
"I'm not feeling well... just come home now, please."
Zhan froze for a moment, fear gripping his chest. Then he hurried downstairs.
Yunxi saw him and stood up immediately. Zhan walked toward him, worry written all over her face.
"Doctor, it's my mommy... she said she's not well."
Yunxi frowned slightly. "She's sick?"
Zhan nodded, his eyes already filled with tears.
"I'll drive you home," Yunxi said quickly.
"Okay... but Roulan is still vomiting, though another doctor is with him."
"That's fine, let's go."
Zhan turned, heading toward the ward where Rouxue had been before being taken to emergency.
"Let me check on Rouxue before I go, please...."
Yunxi didn't let him finish. He quickly pulled him back, almost causing him to fall into him. Zhan stared at him in shock.
"We'll go to your mommy first," Yunxi said firmly. "You can check on him when we come back. He's sleeping...I just came from there."
Unable to argue, Zhan followed him as Yunxi held his hand and led him out.
From a distance, Yibo watched everything silently. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears.
He still couldn't believe it... that bright, beautiful child... gone forever.
His phone rang....it was his father. He knew his Mom must have already told him.
Slowly, he stood up and answered the call.
The entire ride home, Yunxi said nothing.
He could see how withdrawn Zhan had become, how his energy had drained away. A heavy ache settled in his chest for him.
When they arrived, Zhan stepped out weakly and walked inside, dread filling his heart.
Xixue sat in her room, exhausted from crying. The nanny had also been in tears...she had raised the twins since they were babies.
The moment they saw Zhan, they forced themselves to stop crying.
Zhan rushed forward and collapsed in front of Xixue, his heart pounding violently.
"Mommy, what happened? Why are you crying? Please..."
Xixue pulled him into a tight embrace and broke down again.
Zhan panicked, tears spilling from his own eyes.
"Mommy, please tell me...what happened? Who died?"
The nanny couldn't bear it anymore and left the room, crying even harder.
⏭ ⏭
Back at the hospital, Yunxi had already returned.
Yang-Yang had just stepped out of the emergency ward, while Dr. Mu came downstairs holding Roulan.
The moment Roulan saw Yunxi, he ran toward him.
Yunxi knelt down, forcing a gentle smile.
"How are you feeling now?"
"I want to see my brother, please..."
Yunxi froze.
After a moment, he forced out a response. "He's sleeping now."
Roulan burst into tears. "No! I want to sleep with him too!"
He tried to run toward the ward, but Yunxi quickly pulled him back.
"He's sick. Don't you want him to get better? If you disturb him, he won't recover quickly."
With a trembling voice, the boy whispered, "Then... don't let him leave me..."
Yunxi's chest tightened painfully.
"Where would he go?"
"Home..."
Yunxi stood up slowly, holding his hand, his entire body heavy with grief.
Meanwhile, Yibo sat quietly as his colleagues asked what should be done with Rouxue's body...whether to keep it or move it.
With difficulty, he stood.
"I'll take him home now."
Just then, Yang-Yang approached, his expression cold and rigid.
"The body will be taken to his mother's house."
Yibo looked at him silently.
Yang-Yang's voice hardened.
"You'll be the one to tell him."
Yibo frowned slightly. "Why me?"
Yang-Yang's eyes darkened.
"Because you killed him."
The words landed like a blade.
"You're the one who killed him, Yibo."
Without waiting for a response, Yang-Yang turned, carried the body, and walked out toward his car.
Yibo stood there, watching him leave...his gaze filled with pain, shock... and something far deeper.
***
They arrived at the house almost at the same time. Yunxi stepped out first, then helped Roulan down from the car, his eyes briefly flickering toward Rouxue....whose still body lay in another vehicle.
He quickly looked away and walked inside, holding Roulan's hand.
Yibo followed, stepping out of his car with two doctors behind him. He couldn't bring himself to go in immediately. Instead, he leaned against the car, his thoughts heavy....wondering how Zhan would survive the news of his son's death.
He shut his eyes, and tears slipped down his face.
Nanny opened the gate for them. Yunxi asked her to spread a mat on the balcony. His heart pounded with dread...his only worry was Zhan.
Inside, Xixue had finally stopped crying after telling Zhan that someone had passed away. Zhan had cried too, but he didn't even know who it was...Xixue hadn't told him.
Zhan sat quietly, watching her, confused.
Xixue adjusted her scarf and walked out slowly without saying another word.
Yunxi looked at her, tears slipping down his face again.
Yibo avoided her gaze and said softly, voice heavy, "May he rest in peace..."
Zhan heard Yibo's voice and rushed out of the room.
He stopped at the doorway, scanning everyone. Then he walked forward quickly, his heart pounding.
"Doctor... where is Rouxue?" he asked Yunxi.
Yunxi couldn't look at him. He had no words.
At that moment, Yang-Yang entered the house. He had left Rouxue's body on the mat outside on the balcony, unable to bring himself to carry him in just yet. When his eyes met Zhan's, he quickly lowered his head.
Zhan turned slowly, looking at Xixue, who was wiping fresh tears... then at Nanny, who leaned against the wall, crying silently.
Panic surged through him.
He rushed to Yibo and dropped to his knees in front of him, his voice shaking violently.
"Yibo...don't tell me something happened to my Rouxue... please, just tell me..."
Yibo couldn't speak. He couldn't even look at him. Tears filled his eyes.
Yunxi suddenly stood up and headed toward the door...he couldn't bear it anymore.
Zhan followed him like someone losing his mind.
They reached the balcony.
Yunxi froze when he saw the covered body on the mat...he hadn't realized Yang-Yang had already brought Rouxue in.
Slowly, he turned to Zhan.
Zhan was staring at the small covered figure.
His whole body trembled.
He grabbed Yunxi's hand, his voice breaking. "Doctor... what is that...?"
Yunxi pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him firmly as tears gathered in his eyes.
"Don't forget, Zhan... the one who gave him to you loves him more than you do," he said softly. "It wasn't your power or your effort that brought him into your life... and now he has been taken back."
His voice trembled.
"All Rouxue needs from you now... is your prayers. Hold on to the hope that you will see him again someday..."
Zhan went completely silent.
Yunxi lifted his face gently....and felt his body go limp.
Zhan had fainted in his arms.
***
After a long while, Zhan slowly opened his eyes.
He was lying on a bed.
The room was filled with people, all watching him quietly.
One of Xixue's friends moved closer and helped him sit up.
"What... is happening?" he asked weakly.
Xixue gathered her strength and sat beside him. "How are you feeling?"
Zhan didn't answer. He just stared at her.
Then suddenly...
he screamed.
Jumping up, he ran out of the room.
Everyone rushed after him.
In the compound, Yibo was the first to notice him. Yunxi sat nearby, holding Roulan who had fallen asleep, watching helplessly. Yang-Yang stood frozen.
Zhan ran straight to Yibo, grabbing his hand, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Yibo, i dream of you carrying Rouxue and bury him... please don't tell me Rouxue is dead. You told me he would be fine... please don't say he's gone...How could you bury that little kid and leave him all alone."
Yibo couldn't respond.
Zhan clung to him, crying like his soul was tearing apart.
"Tell me he's not dead, Yibo... I love him... please don't let him leave me..."
Yibo gently pulled him away and led him to a quieter corner, away from the others. He made him sit down, then knelt in front of him.
His voice was low... careful.
"Zhan... do you know God will gave him to you?"
Zhan shook his head, tears streaming endlessly.
"No..."
Yibo closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly.
"Don't be ungrateful, Zhan," he said quietly. "You didn't know that God would give him to you, but He did. And now... all your little boy needs from you is prayer, not tears. If you keep going like this, what about his twin?"
His voice grew firmer, though still gentle.
"Roulan already going to suffer from losing his other half. And that pain could affect him deeply... Do you want something to happen to him too? For his sake, please... calm yourself. If not, you might lose him as well. The grief he will carry could be even heavier than yours."
Zhan grabbed his hand, his voice trembling. "Please... don't let Roulan leave me too."
"Then steady yourself," Yibo replied softly. "Accept what has happened."
Tears streamed down Zhan's face. "Okay..."
"Promise me you won't cry again," Yibo said. "Pray for him instead, a lot of prayers he need it now."
Zhan couldn't respond.
Yibo called his name gently.
Zhan lifted his head...and the moment their eyes met, his composure shattered again.
"He's gone... Rouxue left me..." he cried. "He told me to call Roulan... he wanted to say sorry to him... Was it because he knew he was going to die? He didn't want to die in front of me..."
His words broke into sobs as he hugged himself, shaking.
"Mom, tell Roulan to come... I want to tell him I'm sorry..."
The memory echoed painfully in his mind, and he cried harder, like something inside him was being torn apart.
Yibo felt helpless, his chest tightening at the sight.
Zhan clutched his clothes, shaking his head in panic. "So I'll never see him again? Why did he leave me with Roulan..."
Yibo swallowed the weight in his throat. "Please... stop crying. If both of them were taken away from you, what would you do then? You don't know why he was taken so soon. Be strong... please."
Zhan went silent at that...'both of them.'
He wiped his tears slowly, fear creeping into his chest at the thought.
Yibo lowered his voice. "Make the promise now. No more crying... only prayers."
Zhan nodded weakly, trying to hold himself together. "I promise..."
"Add 'I swear' to it," Yibo said.
"I swe...." he stopped himself, then corrected softly, "I swear."
Yibo gave a faint nod. "Good."
He stood up and helped Zhan to his feet.
"Go inside. And remember your promise."
"Okay..."
Zhan turned to leave, but after a few steps, he stopped and came back, anxiety rising again.
"Where is Roulan... please?"
Yibo hesitated. "He's here with us."
Zhan swallowed hard. "Bring him to me... please."
"There are too many people around right now. He'll be brought to you later."
Zhan didn't argue. He turned away slowly, but after a few steps, he came back again, his eyes already filling with tears.
"What... is he doing now?"
Yibo sighed lightly. "You're about to start crying again."
Zhan quickly shook his head, wiping his eyes.
"He's just sitting quietly," Yibo said.
Zhan nodded faintly and walked away, unsteady, as if the wind itself could knock him down.
Yibo watched him go, then slowly leaned back against the wall and sank down, the weight of everything pressing heavily on him.
From the moment Zhan stepped back into the compound, Yunxi's eyes followed him until he disappeared into the house. Only then did Attorney Yang-Yang look away as well.
Zhan walked straight to the bedroom, while everyone in the living room watched him with silent sympathy.
Xixue was still seated, her whole body heavy with grief. She followed Zhan with her eyes as he sat down on the mat and leaned against the wall.
Tears filled her eyes again...she hadn't expected this kind of strength from him. He fainted twice during the whole burial, Yunxi and Yang-Yang have to carry him back home living Yibo with the rest.
One of her friends came closer and spoke gently, "Stay strong, Zhan... may his soul rest in peace."
Zhan responded softly, "Amen."
Xixue felt a small sense of relief...at least he had stopped crying.
She stood up and went to the kitchen herself, prepared some tea, and brought it back.
But Zhan couldn't drink.
He still couldn't accept that his beloved Rouxue was gone forever.
He wanted to cry...so badly...but the promise he made to Yibo held him back. And that restraint only made the pain inside his chest worse.
Anyone who looked at him could feel it.
Xixue kept watching him, amazed and worried at the same time.
Time passed like that... until around four in the afternoon.
She served him some food and sat beside him, her voice full of concern.
"Please... at least eat a little, Zhan. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday."
Zhan fell silent, unable to say a word. After a while, he slowly lifted his head and looked at her.
"So... that's it? Rouxue is really gone?"
Xixue pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly as she struggled to keep her own tears from falling. Her voice was soft, trembling slightly.
"Pray for him, my child... wherever he is now, may it be a better place. Let your thoughts for him be peaceful."
Zhan's voice shook as he whispered, "I hope so..."
Xixue gently pulled back and looked at him. "Please, eat something... even a little."
Zhan shook his head weakly. "I can't..."
"Just a few bites," she urged softly.
At that moment, Nanny entered the room, her eyes swollen from crying. She sit beside them.
"Ma'am... there are visitors in the living room. They came to see him. Should I ask him to come out?"
Xixue replied, "No, let them come in here."
Nanny stood and left. Moments later, she returned with Mrs. Wang, Baby, Siya, and another young woman.
Xixue stood up to welcome them, spreading a soft carpet for them to sit. Zhan quietly watched Mrs. Wang as she settled down.
Softly, he said, "Welcome..."
Mrs. Wang's eyes were still red, clearly from crying. "Zhan... I'm so sorry. Stay strong."
Zhan couldn't respond. He lowered his head again, his chest tightening.
The others greeted him quietly, their voices filled with sympathy. Only then did Zhan raise his head again, forcing himself to stay composed, fighting back tears.
His gaze shifted to the young woman sitting beside Baby. She was also staring at him, curious and unsure.
Zhan gathered himself and said, "Mian-Mian... welcome."
Mian-Mian nodded gently. "So it was your son... I'm really sorry. May he rest peacefully."
Zhan replied softly, "Thank you..."
But inside, he was confused. He recognized her...she was related to Yibo. They had attended the same school in the UK, though they had never been close. There had always been something distant between them... something he couldn't explain.
Mrs. Wang and the others stayed for about fifteen minutes. The pain in her eyes showed how deeply she understood the loss of a child. She didn't even have the strength to ask about Roulan.
After a while, she stood to leave.
"We should go now."
Xixue nodded. "Thank you for coming."
Mrs. Wang sighed softly. "We couldn't come earlier... my younger sister has been in the hospital after an accident."
Xixue's expression softened. "I hope she recovers soon."
"Thank you," Mrs. Wang replied.
After offering more words of comfort, they left, and Xixue escorted them out before returning inside.
Not long after, Zhan slowly walked into the living room. He sat down quietly, his movements heavy and drained.
Attorney Yang-Yang was already there.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Zhan lowered his head, memories flooding back....how they had once argued over what name to give Rouxue... how small and full of life he had been.
"Zhan..." Yang-Yang called gently.
Zhan lifted his head.
"Keep praying for him," Yang-Yang said softly. "Wherever he is now, let it be a place of peace. Life... continues. You didn't know you would have him, yet you did. Now... you have to let him go. What remains between you and him now... is memory."
Zhan nodded slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.
"I've stopped crying," he said quietly. "I just... hope I'll see him again someday."
Yang-Yang nodded. "You will. Stay strong."
"Amen..." Zhan whispered faintly.
"Give my regards to Aunty," Yang-Yang said as he stood.
"I will," Zhan replied.
Zhan went inside to call her. Shortly after, Xixue came out, exchanged greetings, and saw Yang-Yang off.
As he left, Zhan watched him thoughtfully. There was something about him...something kind and steady. He knew he would never forget what he had done for them... and he didn't know how to repay it.
:
:
Later that night, around nine, Yibo arrived.
Xixue was still in the living room. They greeted each other quietly.
"Thank you for everything," she said softly. "Mrs. Wang came earlier too."
Yibo nodded, but said nothing.
For a brief moment, as she looked at him, she saw Rouxue... and her heart tightened painfully.
After a pause, Yibo asked, "Is Zhan inside?"
"Yes, he's resting. Should I call him?"
Yibo shook his head slightly. "No... I'll come back tomorrow."
Xixue nodded. "Alright. Take care."
As he turned to leave, she hesitated before asking, "Yibo... where is Roulan?"
He stopped briefly. "He's been taken home."
"To your place?"
He shook his head.
Xixue didn't ask further. "Alright... take care."
Yibo left quietly.
Xixue stood there for a moment, then sighed softly. She knew Yunxi must have taken Roulan.
She returned to Zhan's room, gently covering him with a blanket.
Nanny, who was still inside, said softly, "Ma'am, you should rest here tonight. Your room is occupied."
Xixue shook her head. "No... stay with him. That's what matters."
With that, she turned and left the room.
💚💙❤🖤