I-Bo walked over to where A-Bo was standing.
"I think we can take our leave now. By Friday, we'll hand over the keys to the new house. Let's just hope he agrees to it."
A-Bo didn't respond. In fact, it seemed like he hadn't even heard a word.
I-Bo studied him for a moment. "Hey, bro… are you alright?"
Still no answer.
His gaze dropped to the phone in A-Bo's hand...it was still vibrating.
"Who's calling you?"
A-Bo glanced at the screen again, then finally picked up just before the call could cut.
He lifted the phone to his ear, silent, listening.
A soft voice came through...it was Zhan.
"Good evening… please, can I speak to my housemate?"
For a second, A-Bo said nothing. Then flatly,
"About what?"
Zhan lowered his voice. "It's nothing… I just wanted to talk to him."
I-Bo stood there, watching, unaware of who was on the line.
A-Bo cut in shortly, "Don't you have his number?"
He didn't wait for a reply. He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Who was that?" I-Bo asked.
A-Bo ignored him completely, opened the driver's door, and got into the car, his face tense. He started the engine immediately.
I-Bo raised a brow slightly but said nothing more. He walked around and got into the passenger seat.
Moments later, the car pulled away, their escort vehicle following behind.
:
:
That night, Xiao Aiyin sat in the courtyard with Nenne, his wives, and all the children of the house gathered around.
Only Nenne sat on a chair; everyone else sat on mats, waiting to hear why they had been called together.
Lina sat quietly near the entrance of her room, with Meilin and Meiqin close to her.
Nenne cleared her throat.
"First of all, I am deeply relieved that my son has returned home safely again. I truly hope this is the last of his suffering… and the last time he ever sees a prison cell."
She paused, then continued,
"As for those young men who stood by us and helped secure his release… I am grateful to them. At first, I thought they were just empty talkers seeking attention. But regardless of how it happened, we owe them thanks."
Her tone shifted, becoming firm.
"My decision is this...we should all move back to the village for some time. Just a few years, until everything settles down. It's safer for us. Those people will not leave us in peace, no matter what the court says. We don't know what they might do next."
She looked around at them.
"We can't ignore the danger. It's better we leave quietly while we still can."
Zubei Mama and Antu Mama exchanged stunned looks.
"The village?" they said almost at the same time.
"Yes...the village," Nenne replied sharply. "That's where we're from. I'm tired of running around in the boats risking my life just to seek help for him. It's time we go back."
Zubei Mama shook her head immediately. "No, that won't work for me. I'll stay here and continue my business. I won't suffer because of problems caused by someone else's child."
Antu Mama quickly agreed. "Exactly. If anyone wants to go, let it be Lina and her children. We didn't bring this trouble...we shouldn't be the ones to leave."
Nenne's expression darkened.
"When did you start providing for yourselves?" she snapped. "Wasn't it after you drained him of everything he had? You're the reason his fortune collapsed."
Her voice rose, sharp and unforgiving.
"I was even told that if he separated from you two, his life would improve again. Lina is the only one among you said to bring any good into his life."
The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence.
Xiao Aiyin said nothing, sitting quietly with his head lowered. Deep down, he had already been considering returning to the village himself...uncertain of what new trouble might come.
Nenne turned toward Lina.
"And you...you haven't said anything. Why aren't you opposing my decision like the others?"
Before Lina could speak, Antu Mama cut in harshly,
"Oh please. She knows exactly where her child is. We're the only ones being kept in the dark."
Zubei Mama nodded. "Of course she knows where Zhan is."
All eyes turned to Lina.
She didn't even look at them.
Nenne studied her closely before speaking slowly,
"Maybe you're right… because the Lina I know would have been crying day and night, completely broken. But for weeks now, she's been moving around like nothing happened."
She leaned back slightly, her gaze steady.
"I'm starting to believe it too… she knows exactly where Zhan is."
Xiao Aiyin adjusted his sitting position and looked at Lina with a pleading expression.
"Please, for my sake… you and your son should protect my dignity the same way yours has been protected. Wherever he is, call him back. Let him return and accept his marriage properly. This was already decided long ago...Zhan is meant to be with Yiming. Who are we to change that? Please… just help me save face. I'm still living in fear. I don't know what Mr. Wu Yeol and his son might do next. The only way to calm things down is to hand Zhan over to them. If anything happens to me, then so be it… my life doesn't hold much value anymore. Ever since I was taken away, my health has been terrible. Right now, it feels like there's a heavy weight on my chest. Please… have mercy on me."
His voice trembled as if he might break down.
Nenne, wiping imaginary tears, added sharply,
"If anything happens to you, I'll hold Lina and her son responsible. They're the ones pushing you toward destruction."
Lina's eyes filled with tears as she replied quietly,
"How would I even know where he is? I don't have a phone. Have you ever seen me going anywhere outside this room? How do you expect me to contact him?"
Zubei Mama scoffed.
"I swear, you know exactly where your cunning son is. Don't try to fool us. Everything that has happened to our husband...we've endured it because of you and your children. And now this? Zhan even has the audacity to say he doesn't want to marry Yiming? After everything Yiming has done for him? The money he spent? The life he gave him? And now he rejects him? Where has that ever happened? He's only this bold because no one has put him in his place."
Lina stood up calmly.
"If you're so certain I know where he is, then you should be able to find him yourselves too. Go ahead...bring him back and take him to Yiming."
With that, she turned and walked into her room.
Antu Mama lowered her voice.
"I swear, she knows where he is. If she didn't, she would still be crying day and night. I even suspect he's with her sister in Shanghai. Otherwise, Fin would have been here by now. It's been almost three weeks and she hasn't shown up...that's suspicious."
Zubei Mama nodded.
"Exactly. We're not fools."
Nenne added thoughtfully,
"I agree. It's strange that Fin hasn't come. Even if Lina had a simple cough, she would rush here immediately. But now that Zhan has been missing for weeks, she's silent? That raises questions."
Xiao Aiyin wiped sweat from his forehead despite the cool fresh air.
"So… what do we do now? Should I go to Shanghai to bring him back myself?"
Inside her room, Lina heard everything. Her heart pounded.
Zubei Mama whispered,
"I don't even trust Lina staying quietly in there. She might find a way to send a message… though she doesn't have a phone. Maybe we should inform..."
Antu Mama nudged her sharply, signaling her to stop. They both fell silent.
Nenne stood up.
"Let's step aside and discuss this properly."
She and Xiao Aiyin walked toward the far end of the compound.
Antu Mama gestured to Zubei Mama, and they both went into a room.
Once inside, Antu Mama spoke in a low voice,
"Do you want this marriage to completely fall apart? Or should Yiming just marry Lubei or Lanbei instead? Why would you suggest going to Shanghai?"
Zubei Mama sighed.
"I wasn't thinking clearly. You brought up Zhan first. We shouldn't have said anything at all. Now we've directed their attention straight to Shanghai. If Aiyin goes there, everything will collapse."
Antu Mama frowned deeply.
"If he goes, he'll bring Zhan back and hand him over to Yiming. Then everything we've done will be for nothing. Yiming still wants him...he'll accept him immediately and start the marriage."
Zubei Mama said quickly,
"Then I'll call Fin myself and warn her. If Zhan is there, they should leave immediately. Aiyin might come with Yiming."
Antu Mama shook her head.
"No, I'll tell Lina instead. Nenne and Aiyin are busy discussing something...we don't know what they're planning."
She walked straight to Lina's room.
Lina sat at the edge of her bed, overwhelmed. She had no phone. If she tried to leave and borrow one, they would immediately suspect her. That morning, she had spoken with Aunt Fin using a neighbor's phone...she had already told her that they planned to leave for Mongolia with Zhan in two days.
Antu Mama lowered her voice as she entered.
"Lina… Nenne and Aiyin are planning to leave for Shanghai early tomorrow morning. If Zhan is with Fin, call her immediately and tell her to leave. Put aside whatever differences we have...no one deserves to be forced into something like this. We all know Yiming isn't a good man. And in this day and age, no one should be forced into marriage. We weren't forced, so we shouldn't do that to our children."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Lina stood up, her heart racing. She peeked outside and saw Nenne and Xiao Aiyin speaking in hushed tones across the compound.
***
I-Bo walked out of the kitchen, holding a mug of tea and stirring it slowly.
A-Bo's stepmother sat elegantly in the living room, dressed in luxury. She had just returned from Beijing with her palace maid, who was now in the dining area slicing fruit.
I-Bo paused, watching quietly. She hadn't noticed him.
Her eyes followed A-Bo, who was heading upstairs with his laptop, her gaze filled with cold disdain.
After a moment, I-Bo continued stirring his tea. Hearing the faint clink of the spoon, she quickly turned, forcing a polite smile as she changed the TV channel.
I-Bo walked past her without a word.
Her maid approached respectfully, placing the sliced fruit before her.
With an air of superiority, she picked up an apple and began eating. Then she glanced at I-Bo.
"Your father will be arriving tomorrow for a meeting," she said.
"We've already spoken to him," I-Bo replied calmly before heading upstairs.
She clicked her tongue and watched him leave.
Her maid leaned closer and whispered respectfully,
"Your Highness… I heard something after we arrived. I believe it's news you'll find very interesting."
The woman's attention sharpened instantly.
"What kind of news?"
The maid lowered her voice further.
"It's about the Young Master."
🔅🔅🔅
Mr. Wu Yeol finished his furious outburst in the living room, yet Yiming's mother who they called Momy said nothing. She simply sat there with her arms folded, legs crossed, her face cold and expressionless.
Mei-Mei, Yiming sister seated nearby, also remained silent, her face tight with irritation.
Mr. Wu turned to leave in anger, but suddenly stopped, spun around, and snapped,
"Where is that fool, Yiming? Where is he? Let him come and see the disaster his recklessness has brought upon me!"
Momy scoffed bitterly.
"He hasn't been home for three days now. His phone is off...we can't reach him."
Mr. Wu's anger flared even more.
"This is all his fault! Who told him to get involved with someone beneath his level? You don't build alliances with people like that. From the beginning, I never approved of that family he insisted on connecting with. I only tolerated it because of him!"
Momy straightened, her frustration boiling over.
"I've said this over and over...you don't mix wealth with poverty. Someone who started with nothing will return to nothing. And now look...he's dragged us into huge financial losses, even court penalties! Imagine that...we were wronged, yet we're the ones paying fines? Yiming has disgraced us. He ignored me completely as his mother. I warned him countless times about that boy...that he wasn't his class...but he refused to listen. Just because of his beauty! Beauty like a snake. I even introduced him to my best friend's daughter, but he refused. And now we're paying the price."
Mei-Mei leaned forward slightly.
"That's not even my main concern. I want to know...who are those people backing him? Who turned the case around in court? They're even trying to forcefully dissolve the marriage legally. That means we're left with nothing. And there's no doubt...they're the ones hiding Zhan. Who exactly are they?"
Mr. Wu paced the room restlessly.
"Just because the court dismissed the case doesn't mean I'm done. That man who cost me my money...I won't let him go. We'll see how this ends."
With that, he stormed out.
Momy let out a deep, frustrated sigh.
"Yiming has humiliated us. Imagine...a poor family defeating us in court. That's a slap to our face. And where is he now, turning off his phone? I don't even know what bothers me more...the fine or the disgrace. Try calling him again."
Mei-Mei shook her head.
"You won't reach him. You know how he is...once he sets his mind on something, nothing stops him. It's better you just accept it."
Momy narrowed her eyes.
"So… you know where he is?"
Mei-Mei smirked faintly.
"Just trust that he's working toward what he wants. But that boy… sooner or later, he'll end up here. There's no escaping it."
Momy sighed again.
"I honestly wish he would just forget about him. Mixing with people like that only drags us down."
Mei-Mei replied coolly,
"Don't worry, I won't let that happen. Let him come....we'll handle him. In the meantime, start looking for a proper match for brother. Someone worthy of his status."
Momy nodded slowly.
"I hope he listens."
"I'll make sure he does," Mei-Mei said confidently.
:
:
At dawn, Xiao Aiyin stepped out of the house with a small travel bag, wrapped tightly against the cold.
He knocked on each of his wives' doors.
Zubei Mama and Antu Mama came out, surprised.
"What's going on?"
"Are you traveling to the village?" Zubei Mama asked.
He ignored them and focused on cleaning his dusty shoes.
Lina stepped out last, her eyes tired. She already knew his intention. She hadn't slept all night.
Nenne entered just then, hurriedly adjusting her wrapper.
"Don't delay...just leave early. You can sort things out when you get there. I packed some food for you."
"Where is he going?" Antu Mama asked.
"That's none of your concern," Nenne replied sharply. "Just wish him a safe trip."
Xiao Aiyin took the food and looked at them briefly.
"I'll be back."
Without another word, he left.
Nenne pointed at Lina coldly.
"This will not end well for you and your son. No one will destroy my son's life before his time."
She hurried after Xiao Aiyin.
That same morning…
I-Bo entered His Majesty's living room, still looking sleepy from being summoned early.
The moment he saw the serious expression on their Dad's face, he knew something important was about to be discussed.
A-Bo was already seated there. The stepmother sat quietly nearby.
I-Bo sat beside A-Bo on the soft carpet.
Mr. Wang remained silent for a while, studying them as usual before speaking.
Finally, he said calmly,
"First… why are you both still here? Why haven't you returned to the US?"
Silence.
"Take your time," he added. "But make sure you return before your leave ends. Second… the matter I discussed with you in Maryland....I've received no response. The time I gave you has passed."
Still silence.
He waited patiently.
A-Bo finally raised his head.
"We haven't forgotten. We're working on it."
"Is that so?" Mr. Wang replied, clearly unconvinced.
A-Bo lowered his gaze.
"Please… give us a little more time."
At that point, the stepmother spoke after receiving permission.
"If I understand correctly, this is about arranging marriages for them. This isn't a new discussion...it's been ongoing for years with no progress. But I believe we should take action now."
She continued smoothly,
"As for Yibo...I-Bo, there's already a potential match with Tian. It's a suitable alliance that strengthens family ties. For the crown Prince, I suggest we arrange a marriage with a noble family from a neighboring region. That would suit his nature better. Leave everything to me."
A-Bo lifted his head to object, but his Dad stopped him.
"You may leave," Mr. Wang said calmly.
I-Bo looked stunned.
A-Bo had already walked out, his expression dark.
I-Bo followed slowly, his mind unsettled.
He had never realized how much he disliked the idea of marrying Tian...until now. And he knew his Uncle would likely go through with it.
His chest felt tight.
He entered his room, locked the door, and leaned against it, eyes closed, heart pounding.
A-Bo also locked himself in his room, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his head.
This wasn't the first time his stepmother had interfered in his life...and his father never questioned her decisions.
For a moment, he felt completely powerless.
Then his phone began to vibrate.
Aunt Fin.
He checked the time...6:05 AM.
He remembered Zhan's request from the previous day. He didn't answer.
The call came again.
And again.
Five times.
Finally, he picked up.
He listened silently.
Then suddenly stood up...his heartbeat rising fast.
He rushed out, knocked hard on I-Bo's door until it opened.
"What is it?" I-Bo asked.
A-Bo ran a hand through his hair, his voice tense.
"He tracked him… to Shanghai."
I-Bo froze.
A-Bo took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Book us tickets to Shanghai."
And without another word, he walked out.
💚💙❤🖤