Yiming turned and walked out of the kitchen without saying a word. He grabbed his phone and headed straight to his room.
Zhan watched him leave, wiping the tears streaming down his face until he disappeared from sight. He leaned against the kitchen door, pressing a hand to his cheek where Mei-Mei had slapped him...it was only then the pain truly set in.
He broke down, crying helplessly before finally pulling himself together. Slowly, he walked out to the living room and sank into a single-seater chair, still wiping his tears. His mind kept replaying what Yiming had done to Mei-Mei, and it left him shaken. He couldn't bring himself to believe that Yiming would treat his own elder sister that way—harassing her and even throwing her out. Or… could it have been Anna they were referring to when they mentioned Mei-Mei? They looked so much alike with Yiming.
After a while, Yiming came out of his room.
Zhan lowered his head, nervously fidgeting with his fingers.
"Have you had breakfast?" Yiming asked in an authoritative tone.
The question startled him. Like someone caught off guard, Zhan quickly shook his head, fear evident on his face. He hurried to the kitchen, and Yiming watched him go.
Zhan prepared half a cup of tea and placed a small portion of fried Irish on a plate. His appetite was gone due to the tension, but then he remembered he hadn't served Yiming anything either. For the past three days, he had been taking Yiming's breakfast to his bedroom as instructed.
Now, he hesitated at the kitchen doorway, wanting to ask if he should bring it to the living room...but he couldn't. He was afraid of how Yiming might react.
Yiming was busy on his phone, unaware of his presence.
Zhan quietly returned to the kitchen, prepared his breakfast, and brought it out. Standing beside the chair, he said softly,
"Here is your breakfast."
Yiming looked up at him. Zhan's heart pounded as he quickly lowered his gaze. When Yiming said nothing, he stepped closer, knelt slightly, and placed the tray in front of him.
"Where is yours?" Yiming asked.
"In the kitchen," Zhan replied without meeting his eyes.
"Bring it."
Zhan obeyed. He returned with his plate and stood there uncertainly.
"Sit. And eat here."
He didn't argue. Sitting where Yiming indicated, he began nibbling at the Irish, forcing himself to eat while stealing glances at Yiming.
Suddenly, Yiming pulled him closer.
Zhan's heart dropped sharply.
"I'm a monster to you, right?" Yiming said calmly.
Zhan shook his head quickly, his heart racing.
"There it is," Yiming continued. "You've turned me into your monster."
Tears filled Zhan's eyes before he even realized it.
Lowering his voice, Yiming removed Zhan's cap and said,
"Now tell me what you want from me… tell me what's on your mind. But before that, understand this...I will never leave you. I love you, Zhan. Leaving you is the last thing I would ever do, no matter what."
Zhan shut his eyes tightly, feeling as if each word pierced his chest.
"I've loved you from the beginning," Yiming continued softly. "I gave you everything I could. I loved you even before you became who you are today… back when you were just a fifteen-year-old boy. I know I have flaws—but loving you is what matters. Maybe… you can change me."
Zhan felt like breaking apart.
Yiming rested his forehead against his and whispered,
"Why won't you give me a chance? Why won't you forgive me?"
Tears streamed down Zhan's face. Deep down, he didn't want to hear any of it.
"I know I've hurt you," Yiming went on. "But don't forget....I love you. There are many people out there, but I chose you."
At that moment, Zhan's thoughts drifted to his housemate. He couldn't hold it in anymore...he broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yiming pulled him into his arms, gently patting his back as he cried. He said nothing, just held him until the storm of emotions passed.
Eventually, Zhan quieted down, breathing unevenly.
Yiming lifted his chin, but Zhan avoided his gaze. He placed the food back in front of him, and Zhan slowly began to eat, lost in his thoughts.
Then Yiming's voice came again, low and unsettling:
"When will your period be over?"
Zhan's heart dropped sharply. He set the cup of tea down without looking at Yiming and said quietly,
"I just started not long ago."
Yiming replied, "It's been four days already."
Struggling to steady himself, Zhan said, "No… three. The first day doesn't really count…"
"How many days left?"
His chest pounded hard. Lowering his head, forcing courage into his voice, Zhan answered,
"Maybe three… or four more days."
When Yiming didn't respond, Zhan slowly raised his eyes, a little afraid. Yiming was staring at him without blinking.
Zhan quickly looked away, fidgeting with the small spoon in his mug.
Yiming moved the tea aside. Then Zhan saw his hand reach toward his shoulder, about to pull down the sleeve of his shirt. Panic rose sharply inside him, but he said nothing—his heart kept racing.
Yiming pulled the shirt down completely, his gaze fixed on Zhan's bare chest.
Tears filled Zhan's eyes, but he refused to meet his gaze. After a moment, he forced himself to speak, his voice trembling:
"You haven't had your tea… it'll get cold."
Yiming lowered his voice and replied,
"I'll have this instead…" he gesture Zhan's nipples.
***
Momy stood in the living room, watching as Mei-Mei sobbed uncontrollably like a child, her trolley beside her.
Anger was written all over Momy's face...her eyes narrowed as she paced slightly.
The housemaid entered carrying a bowl of pepper soup she had prepared.
Bowing slightly, she said politely,
"Ma'am, the soup is ready."
Furious, Momy grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at her.
"Get out! Take that nonsense with you! Can't you see I'm in the middle of something? You just walk into the living room like that...so uncivilized!"
Startled, the maid quickly turned and rushed back into the kitchen, shutting the door behind her.
Momy scoffed angrily.
"I'm really getting tired of these useless maids. I sent the last one away for barging in when your dad's relatives visited, and now this new one hasn't even stayed two days before showing the same behavior."
Mei-Mei continued crying, wiping her nose with a handkerchief. Her eyes were swollen from the intensity of it.
Momy narrowed her eyes further and asked,
"Was it Yiming who did this to you?"
Mei-Mei swallowed hard, her voice thick with emotion.
"If you had seen how he insulted me over that boy… just forget it. What Yiming did to me...no one deserves that. After all the insults, he actually threw me out of his house… humiliated me completely."
Momy sank into a chair in disbelief. Despite the air conditioner running, sweat covered her skin.
"Did he take something? Is he even in his right mind?" she asked.
"No," Mei-Mei replied, her voice shaking. "He was perfectly fine. He picked me up from the airport, we were talking normally. I even helped track that boy with someone I know… but suddenly he turned on me like that...over him. It's only been four days since the boy got there, and yet he lashed out at me and kicked me out like this."
Momy let out a bitter laugh, shaking her leg.
"Now you see what I've been warning you about, don't you? What an elder sees while sitting, a child won't see even standing on a hill. If he can act like this after just a few days, imagine what's coming. I tried everything to stop this situation, but you refused to listen. You even went as far as supporting him...following all kinds of useless advice...just to make sure that boy ended up with him. Well, now he's there, and you can see the result."
She paused, her expression darkening.
"One day, Yiming might even deny knowing us because of that boy. I gave birth to him...I know exactly what he's capable of."
Mei-Mei stared at her without blinking. Only now was she beginning to understand why Yiming had treated her so harshly over that boy he claimed he would "teach a lesson" once he got hold of him. So he got intimate with him?
A faint, bitter smile appeared on her face.
"Well then… just as I worked hard to get that boy into his hands, I'll work just as hard to make sure he leaves him soon. And this time, it won't take long."
Momy called out sharply for the new housemaid. The woman rushed in so quickly that her wet feet slipped on the tiled floor...she crashed down hard.
Furious, Momy snapped,
"If you damage my tiles, I'll deduct it from your salary! Every time I call you, you come and ruin my floor because of your carelessness. What kind of woman did Adama bring me as a maid?"
The maid quickly dropped to her knees, apologizing repeatedly.
"Give me my phone and get out!" Momy barked. "Useless girl."
The maid hurried to the center table, picked up the phone, and handed it over. Momy snatched it from her hand as the maid rushed out of the living room.
Turning to Mei-Mei, she said,
"Find Gideon's number for me. My glasses are in the room."
Mei-Mei scrolled through the phone, found the contact, and dialed before handing it back. The call didn't go through.
"She must be busy," Momy said. "I'll try again later."
Mei-Mei, still overwhelmed, muttered,
"I've made a huge mistake… a terrible one. When I got there, he was even in the kitchen cooking wearing stupid sexy clothes like an old escorts."
Momy said nothing, just tapping her foot in frustration. After a moment, she spoke again,
"Go and bring my handbag. You've dragged me into expenses I never planned for. I warned you, but you refused to listen. Now look at this mess. There's no way I'm allowing that boy to remain with him. After everything that's happened, he must leave him."
Mei-Mei got up and went to fetch the handbag. Meanwhile, it had been her all along arranging things behind the scenes to ensure Zhan ended up with Yiming...while Momy had stayed out of it, never supporting the situation from the start.
As soon as Momy left the house with her driver, Mei-Mei went into her room and dialed the number of the man who had helped her set everything up.
:
:
Zhan shut his eyes tightly after hearing everything Yiming said. Yiming held him on the bed as if he never wanted to let go. It was already past 8 p.m.
When Zhan remained silent, Yiming called softly,
"Zhan…"
Zhan opened his eyes, tears slipping down his face.
"Mm…"
"Say something."
He stayed quiet, tears falling endlessly. At this point, he didn't even know what to say.
Yiming lifted his chin gently.
"Please… say something."
With great effort, Zhan whispered,
"I don't know what to say."
"Anything."
Zhan broke into soft sobs, his chest aching. What could he possibly say? Yiming had already made it clear he would never let him go. Whether he wanted it or not, this was his reality now.
After struggling to steady himself, he finally said,
"There's just one thing I want to ask from you…"
"Say it," Yiming replied quietly.
Zhan gathered his courage.
"I don't want you to hurt anyone because of me…"
His voice broke as he continued crying.
Yiming watched him carefully. He knew exactly who Zhan meant.
"You mean your bodyguards? The ones who sued me?" he said calmly.
Zhan didn't respond...he just cried.
Yiming gave a faint smile.
"I don't think I'll let them go that easily. They started this. They interfered in something that wasn't their business. Didn't they tell you one of their friend was shot? Sanxing…"
Zhan's head snapped up in shock, fear flooding his face. He remembered when Aunt Fin had mentioned that someone close to them had been shot in Chongqing.
Yiming continued, a cold smile on his lips,
"They're being targeted too. But… if you want me to stop, I'll do it...under two conditions."
Zhan froze, his entire body tense.
"The first condition," Yiming said,
"is that you call them and tell them you're staying with your husband. They should back off. And they must withdraw the case they filed, regarding forcing you to marry me"
Zhan broke down completely, sobbing harder than before.
"You won't do it?" Yiming asked, still watching him.
Through tears, Zhan managed to say,
"I didn't say I wouldn't…"
Yiming picked up his phone and handed it to him.
"I don't have their number…" Zhan said weakly.
"Your aunt does. Call her and ask for it."
Zhan shook his head, overwhelmed.
"I don't have her number memorized…"
"I do," Yiming replied. "I'll call her now. Just ask for the number...and don't say anything else."
Zhan cried harder.
"Why are you doing this… please Yiming…"
Yiming's expression hardened.
"If I said I'll take revenge. Nothing will stop me. The one who was shot survived… let's see if the others do too."
"No… please…" Zhan cried desperately.
Ignoring him, Yiming dialed Aunt Fin's number. As the phone began to ring, he placed it into Zhan's trembling hands, watching him closely.
Zhan's chest tightened sharply. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the phone in his trembling hands. He couldn't bring himself to take it at first, even as Yiming extended it toward him.
When Aunt Fin finally answered the call, Zhan still hesitated...until Yiming's expression darkened into something dangerous. Without another choice, Zhan snatched the phone, his fingers shaking.
"Aunt…" he said faintly.
"Zhan?" Aunt Fin's voice came through, anxious and confused. "Zhan, can you hear me? Please say something… hello? Zhan!"
Zhan lowered his gaze, unable to respond. Hot tears slid down his cheeks, his throat tightening painfully. He was on the verge of breaking down completely...
....but suddenly, Yiming yanked the phone from his hand and cut the call.
His eyes burned with anger as he glared at Zhan. "Are you daring me?"
Zhan shook his head quickly, sobbing harder now.
"Fine," Yiming snapped coldly. "Since that's what you've chosen for them, I'll make sure it happens...and soon. And when I'm done, I'll let you know. I don't tolerate anyone interfering in my affairs. I don't mind sending them to an early grave. And trust me… I'll deal with them in a way they'll never interfere again...even in another life. If you think I'm bluffing, just wait and see. I don't have a conscience."
Zhan's whole body trembled, but he forced himself to speak. "You don't have to hurt anyone… I'll do what you said."
He took the phone back, switched off the flight mode, and dialed again.
This time, Aunt Fin picked up immediately. "Zhan! Can you hear me? Zhan, where are you?"
Zhan glanced up briefly at Yiming...his face cold, watching him like a predator...then lowered his head again. Fresh tears slipped down as he spoke softly:
"Aunt… please send me Yibo's number. Right now."
Aunt Fin sounded confused. "Yibo? Which Yibo among them? Zhan, where are you?"
Zhan's voice dropped even lower. "Please… send me A-Bo's number."
There was a pause, then urgency. "Alright, I'll send it now."
The call ended. Moments later, the number came through.
Yiming took the phone, staring at the screen for a few seconds before smirking and handing it back. "Call him. Tell him exactly what I instructed."
It took Zhan nearly half a minute to gather the courage to dial. His fingers trembled uncontrollably under Yiming's intense gaze...the same look that always came before violence.
"Don't you dare change your tone," Yiming warned quietly. "The moment he picks up, go straight to the point. No hesitation. No extra words. Tell him you're staying with your husband. Understood?"
Zhan didn't respond. Tears kept falling.
Just before the call disconnected, A-Bo finally answered.
"Hello, good evening…"
The moment he heard Zhan's voice, A-Bo shot to his feet.
Zhan didn't give him time to react.
"I just wanted to say… I've decided to stay with my husband," he said quietly, forcing the words out. "And I appreciate everything you and I-Bo have done for me. Thank you so much."
A-Bo turned sharply toward I-Bo, who had just walked into the room.
"Come again?" A-Bo said, putting the call on speaker as he moved closer to I-Bo.
Zhan glanced once at Yiming, then lowered his head again. "I said… I've decided. I'll stay with my husband. Thank you… for everything."
Tears streamed freely down his face now.
Before anything else could be said, Yiming snatched the phone and ended the call...then switched the phone off completely.
Across the line, A-Bo stared at the dead screen. I-Bo stood frozen, equally shocked.
After a moment, A-Bo tossed the phone onto the bed, his expression hardening.
"I regret wasting my time on him," he said quietly.
I-Bo didn't know what else to say. Walking slowly, he reached the window of the room and looked at A-Bo, who was boiling with anger inside. Gently, he said, "Look, A-Bo, I think those words are not coming from his heart. For the sake of it, please let's excuse him. He's being forced to say all of this. We don't know the situation he's in. Let's consider that, please."
A-Bo shot him a glare. "I swear, I'm done with his matter. I mean it, I-Bo. I have nothing to do with his case again. After all, I was only doing it for you and for the sake of humanity, not because of him. Even if he were dying, should he talk to us like that? For us to be taken for granted? Besides, he spoke confidently, meaning he's fine with what he was saying. I'm leaving this city first thing tomorrow morning. Such a waste of my time on that brat. He saw us stooping so low, that's why he took us for granted."
With that, he left the room as if he would fly away. I-Bo closed his eyes and opened them, not knowing what else to say that would make him listen. And since he had sworn, the matter was over. He had withdrawn his hand, meaning nothing would make him involve himself again.
I-Bo sat on the edge of the bed and held his head, which felt heavy, while letting out a sigh. Zhan's words kept coming back to him. He felt truly disappointed in him too, but deep down, pity for Zhan had taken over, and he forgave him. He didn't know what had gotten into him at that moment. Finally, with difficulty, he stood up and left the room, walking slowly.
⏭ ⏭
That night, Zhan didn't get two full hours of sleep. Sleep would steal him away, and he'd wake up in fright. He had never felt anything weigh on his mind the way what Yiming had made him do to his roommate weighed on him. Not even a single tear came out of his eyes. His heart was just heavy. But did he have a choice? If he hadn't done it, and Yiming had done something terrible to his roommate, he would never have forgiven himself.
Since Yiming claimed to have no conscience, there was nothing he wouldn't do, and he knew very well he could do it. He thought about the new life he was trying to step into. Is he going to survive this at all? Isn't this going to be his end? In his heart, he felt that perhaps his time of death was catching up with him. Only then did hot tears—for the first time—fill his eyes.
He reached up gently, wiping them, and turned to look at Yiming, who was sleeping peacefully. Just then, his phone alarm went off. Zhan turned quickly, his back to him, wiping the tears that had begun to flow heavily. After a few seconds, he felt him stir. He kept crying. Only after he heard Yiming leave the room did he sit up and cry quietly.
✴✴✴
Nanne opened her arms and looked at Aunt Fin calmly. "Well, you see, we won't enter what is not our concern. Is there anyone here with such sharp eyes that they would get involved? Only the heavens knows why Zhan was handed over to his husband without any struggle. So why would we get involved in what isn't our business? No, not me. I know what destiny is, and only He knows the wisdom behind it. If heavens knew Zhan would be hurt by Yiming's hand, and that he wouldn't start something he couldn't finish...because we don't know more than they does. At the very least, my son will find peace and continue his new life like any other human being. We accept destiny, whether bad or good, because we are sensible people. And everything heavens does, we would be fools to ask why. So I say: may heaven's grant him peace with his husband. May they correct Yiming bad behavior and make him stop. No one goes through life without touching something bad. When they return to Chongqing, we will go to their home and bless it. Whenever he allows Zhan to come and greet us, he may come. And may his child's suffering end in this world."
Aunt Fin looked at Nanne with a certain look, her heart breaking. Lina kept her head bowed and said nothing, but she alone knew what she felt in her heart.
Zubei Mama said, "But Nanne, his situation should be followed up. Someone was picked up like that at dawn, bundled into a car, and no one knew if it was Yiming or not, and no one followed up on it. This is something to look into. Since, until now, Yiming hasn't told us that he took Zhan."
Nanne said, "Well, sorry to say, it was him who picked him up, no one else. You can follow your intention. And it was legally right for him to pick him up, no one else. Whoever dares to give advice on this matter again—if I don't let my child divorce her, then may my parents be disgraced. You clearly don't want ease for my son in this life. Your only wish is for chaos to kill Aiyin so you can rest, and for me to be the third party. The mother who squatted and gave birth to that child has no voice...only you, with a mouth like a octopus?"
Zubei Mama stood up and went into her room. Antu Mama pursed her lips. "Well, may it be well. If he returns his dead body to us, then we will sit and mourn, and that's it."
Nanne said, "Then you will see the corpse of your daughter, but not Zhan. And it will be the envy you cannot hide that will kill you and Zubei."
Lina stood up, her eyes full of tears, and went into her room. Nanne pursed her lips, stood up, and looked at Aunt Fin. "When my son Aiyin returns, tell him I said he should come and get the food I will keep for him. Truly, I will spend a whole month cooking for him until he is satisfied." With that, she left the house. Aunt Fin sat down in despair, her eyes full of tears.
💚💙❤🖤