The next morning, after Zhan finished dressing in the expensive clothes Momy had given him, she prepared his tea and placed it in a cup.
"Come and eat your breakfast before it gets cold, my son."
Zhan said nothing. He walked over and sat on the soft small cushion where his breakfast had been arranged. Momy smiled.
"If the pepper soup isn't enough, you can open the warmer and take more. There are also extra potatoes in there if you want."
Zhan only nodded, slowly stirring his tea with the spoon, his heartbeat uneasy. Momy sat back in her chair, watching him closely.
"I noticed yesterday you didn't really eat much of what I gave you. Should I get you something to boost your appetite, my son?"
Zhan forced a faint smile but didn't respond. He lifted the tea and stared into it, wondering if the tea bag had somehow burst inside. He took a small sip, set it down, and began eating the potatoes instead.
Momy kept observing him quietly.
Suddenly, the door opened. Momy turned and saw Yiming.
"So, you're just waking up?" she said.
He didn't reply. He walked in and sat down on a chair. Zhan glanced at him briefly and noticed he was already staring at him. He lowered his gaze and greeted softly.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Yiming replied curtly, looking away.
"Go and have your breakfast," Momy told him.
"Momy, we're going to shopping. He didn't come with any clothes," Yiming said.
Momy looked at him. "The ones he's wearing now—did you buy them?"
Yiming fell silent.
"I already sent money to Mei-Mei so she and Quo can go get things for him, since you clearly can't handle it."
Without another word, Yiming stood up and walked out of the room. Momy watched him from the corner of her eye.
Once Zhan finished eating what he could, Momy stood up and called the maid to clear the remaining food. After the maid left, Momy went behind the curtain, took out a medium jar, and brought it to Zhan.
"This is a special herbal mixture to boost strength, my son. I want you to finish it before nightfall."
Zhan stared at the jar silently.
"You heard me, right?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yes, Momy."
She took it back and placed it behind the curtain again.
"If you want to watch something, turn on the TV. Let me go check on my visitor—I don't know if she has arrived."
"Okay," Zhan replied quietly.
Momy left the room, locked the door behind her, and went downstairs with the door key. Her friend had called to say she was on her way.
As she entered the sitting room, she saw Yiming sitting at the dining area with the leftover breakfast Zhan hadn't finished in front of him.
She immediately raised her voice.
"Don't you have your own food in the kitchen? What are you doing with leftovers? Don't tell me you've already eaten it!"
Yiming looked at her calmly. "I haven't. But what if I did?"
Momy called the maid sharply. When the maid rushed in, Momy lashed out at her angrily.
"Didn't I tell you to clear the leftovers? Are you looking for trouble? Why are you so careless? I'm tired of repeating myself!"
Yiming interrupted, "I'm the one who asked her to bring it. And what's wrong with the food that I can't eat it?"
Momy snapped at the maid again, "Take it away and get out!"
The maid hurriedly picked up the plate, trembling, and rushed back to the kitchen.
Yiming stared at his mother. "I want to understand...what's wrong with that food?"
Momy answered bluntly, "It's part of what's used to prepare a bride. Or are you the one being prepared?"
Without waiting for his response, she walked into the kitchen. Yiming watched her silently.
She poured the tea into the sink and dumped the remaining food together.
"Take this to the dogs. And if your greed makes you eat it instead, that's on you."
The maid bowed slightly. "Okay, ma'am."
Momy waited until the maid returned from feeding the dogs, then picked up Yiming's own breakfast and placed it neatly on the dining table.
"Here's yours."
Without another word, she turned and left.
Just then, her friend arrived. Momy greeted her warmly, all smiles.
Yiming looked away as if he hadn't seen her. He had always disliked the woman and never bothered to greet her.
Momy, still smiling, led her upstairs.
"Come, let me show you my son-in-law so you can meet him."
Yiming's eyes followed them as they went upstairs.
When Momy reached her room, she unlocked the door and entered with her friend. Zhan, who had been arranging the bed, stood up immediately and looked at them.
Smiling, Momy turned to her friend. "There he is."
Her friend's face lit up. "Wow… he's truly something. Honestly, he looks like he was crafted perfectly. Welcome, groom...what's your name?"
Momy smiled. "He goes by Zhan."
Zhan lowered himself slightly, avoiding eye contact as he greeted her politely.
The woman walked over, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently guided him to sit beside her on the bed.
"You look well, my dear. How are you settling in?"
Zhan said nothing, his gaze still lowered.
Momy watched him closely. "Did you take the herbal mixture I gave you?"
Zhan nodded. "Yes."
"Good," Momy said with satisfaction. "Take another dose later today."
"Okay," he replied softly.
After a few minutes, Momy and her friend left the room. Momy locked the door again and led her into another room upstairs. Once inside, she shut the door and turned to her friend with a pleased smile.
"He used everything I gave him without any resistance. Only the last part is left now."
Her friend sat on the edge of the bed. "Good. And Yiming...did you do everything you were told for him too?"
"Of course," Momy replied.
Her friend smiled and opened her handbag, bringing out a dark charm-like object decorated with a small carved figure. She handed it over.
"This is the final step. You need to hide it somewhere in the house where no one will ever find it."
Momy took it, smiling. "I've hidden things like this many times in this house. This is nothing new to me."
Her friend leaned closer. "Once you've done that, just let the boy stay with him. Give it a little time. If things go as planned, he won't last long in Yiming's life."
Momy's smile faded slightly. "That long? I was thought it would be much quicker."
Her friend shook her head. "You don't fully understand your son. Whatever is around him is… difficult to influence. It's surprising this even worked on him at all."
Momy sighed. "I've heard something like that before. That chams affecting him isn't easy."
Her friend nodded. "That's why extra effort was needed. This wasn't simple at all."
Momy looked uneasy. "What if I hand the boy over to Yiming and nothing changes? What if everything backfires?"
Her friend waved it off. "Do you think this is guesswork? If it wasn't working, you'd already know. At most, it would just take a little longer or require adjustment. But once the boy's part is complete, everything else will follow."
Momy relaxed slightly. "That's what I was told too."
"Exactly," her friend said. "So by tomorrow, just let them be together. Then we wait and see the results. I promise you....you'll be surprised."
Momy smiled again, calmer now. "Alright. Thank you so much. I'll send the remaining payment later today."
⏭ ⏭
That evening, after Momy noticed that Yiming had left the house, she quickly sent the maid to the market so she could take advantage of the moment. She went out to the garden and began digging a hole, carefully burying the charm that Godiya had given her.
Once the maid left, Momy moved around the garden until she found a suitable spot. Using a knife, she dug deep enough, dropped the charm inside, then covered it carefully. She placed a stone over the spot so it wouldn't look disturbed. After that, she turned on the tap and washed her hands and the knife she had used.
Meanwhile, Zhan walked over to the window in Momy's room after hearing the sound of running water. Whenever he got tired of sitting inside, he would stand by the window and look outside. From there, he watched Momy washing her hands and the knife. When she finished, she returned briefly to adjust the stone, making sure the ground looked untouched, then began picking spinach from the garden. She also cut some pumpkin leaves with the knife before leaving the garden with the vegetables in her hands.
Zhan didn't think much of it...he simply assumed she had gone to pick vegetables.
As soon as Momy brought the vegetables into the kitchen, Mei-Mei and Quo returned from the shopping trip she had sent them on.
Momy burst into laughter in the sitting room when she saw what they had bought for Zhan...cheap, poorly made clothes, low-quality trousers, and even the innerwear was of very poor quality. Nothing among the items suggested any real value.
Still laughing, Momy said,
"Just put everything back into the bags. I'll let it go this time, but honestly, you children have no shame."
Aunty Quo laughed as she packed the clothes back into the bag.
"They suit someone poor perfectly, Momy. What did you expect...expensive outfits? Mei-Mei even suggested we go for second-hand clothes."
Momy continued laughing, but Mei-Mei remained quiet, focused on her phone. Anything related to Zhan didn't amuse her at all. She was only waiting for the moment Yiming would finally get rid of him—that was all she cared about now.
:
:
Around 8:30 p.m., Momy sat in the sitting room with Yiming, chatting endlessly. He barely responded, completely absorbed in his phone as if he wasn't even listening.
Momy called out to the maid.
The maid rushed in. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Go to the kitchen, bring the watermelon I cut, and take it upstairs to Zhan."
"Alright, ma'am."
The maid went to the kitchen, returned with the bowl of watermelon, but paused respectfully.
"Ma'am, the room is locked."
Momy replied casually,
"No, it's open. Just go and give it to him."
The maid nodded and left again. After delivering the watermelon, she returned to the kitchen to continue her work.
Momy picked up her phone and said,
"Let me call Yoel. I saw his missed call earlier while I was in the kitchen."
Yiming said nothing. He simply watched her as she walked into a room downstairs.
After about two minutes, he stood up and headed straight for the stairs, going directly to Momy's part.
He opened the door to Zhan's room.
Zhan, who had been sitting quietly on the carpet, turned toward the door. The moment their eyes met, his heart dropped.
Yiming walked in without expression and said flatly,
"Get up. We're going to shopping…"
Zhan's heart was pounding as he pointed to the bag that Momy had brought him earlier, even though he hadn't looked inside. In a quiet voice, he said, "Momy already had shopping done for me. You can see it over there."
Yiming said impatiently, "You... get up, I said. I'm not asking for your opinion."
Zhan lowered his eyes and stood up with difficulty, then picked up the carpet and began folding it. His anxiety spiked. In his heart, he prayed that Momy would come to the room immediately.
Seeing that Zhan was taking an eternity to fold the carpet, Yiming snatched it from his hands, placed it on the chair, then grabbed Zhan's hand. They headed for the door, Yiming's face firm, and left the room. Zhan just followed him, terrified. They went downstairs, Yiming still holding his hand. No one was in the living room except a maid wiping things down in the dining area.
Yiming picked up his car keys, which he had left on the center table. Zhan hesitated, then said in a trembling voice, "Yiming, Momy doesn't know about this. What if she goes to her room and sees I'm not there? That won't be good."
The look Yiming gave him made Zhan fall silent, his heart racing. He didn't dare say another word until they left the living room and reached the parking space. Tears filled Zhan's eyes after Yiming made him get into the car and then took the driver's seat. He opened the gate, and they drove out of the compound.
Momy came into the living room, looked at the maid, and said, "I thought I heard a car leaving. Who went out?"
The maid said, "Master Yiming went out." Momy said, "With whom?" The maid said, "With his spouse." Momy fell silent because she hadn't expected him to take Zhan away today. She had wanted to see how they would handle things, which was why she had even hinted that her room door was open. She had thought Yiming would either come to her room or take Zhan to his own room.
She let out a sigh. Seeing the maid staring at her, she said impatiently, "Why are you looking at me like that, you hypocrite?"
The maid quickly turned and left. Momy turned and went back to her room, but her heart couldn't settle at all. She had a feeling that Yiming might actually be intimate with Zhan. Although her work had never failed before or shown bad results, in this case, she kept worrying that something might go wrong. Just then, she remembered Godiya...who said this was difficult work. If she got involved, she would be ruined. She dialed Godiya's number and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to pick up.
***
Zhan was crying as he made the tea that Yiming had ordered him to prepare in the kitchen. He had already given up for the day because he had no other choice left but to submit, afraid that upsetting Yiming would get him beaten. He would just accept his fate with good faith. It was better to just accept Yiming as his husband since Heaven had so decreed for him.
He wiped his tears, walked slowly, and went to take the Lipton tea to Yiming's room. As he opened the door, Yiming put down his phone and looked at him. Zhan kept his head down, walked to where Yiming was, knelt, and placed the black tea down. He stood up to leave, but Yiming pulled him back and made him sit beside him, staring at him.
Zhan didn't let their eyes meet; his heart was beating wildly. Yiming lifted his chin so they looked at each other. Slowly, he removed Zhan's nightwear, watching him without blinking. Zhan bowed his head again, his heartbeat intensifying.
He felt and saw Yiming remove everything he was wearing, carefully surveying every part of his body. Zhan didn't let their eyes meet again.
Slowly, Yiming laid him down. Zhan quickly shut his eyes, his body trembling as he saw where Yiming was trying to put his lips.
After a few seconds, Zhan slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yiming, realizing he hadn't done what he intended. He saw Yiming staring off somewhere else without blinking. After a few more seconds, Zhan saw him stand up, head to the door, and open it. With a firm expression, Yiming looked at him without praise or criticism and said, "I need my privacy..."
Zhan sat up with difficulty, watching him. Suddenly, his body went cold. He pulled on the jacket that Yiming had removed when they first arrived at the house, gathered his nightclothes, and headed for the door. He didn't let their eyes meet as he left the room. He heard Yiming lock the door behind him. Zhan turned and stared at the door...
***
Early Morning
Zhan was sitting on the bed, holding his head which felt very heavy. Since 3:30 a.m., sleep had abandoned him. He sat on the bed, thinking about his life. In three weeks, they would be resuming school—their final year—but unfortunately, he knew he wouldn't be going back. He hadn't even hoped to return to John Hopkins anyway, but it was still hurtful. After all the years he'd spent in school, it would all be for nothing.
He wiped the tears that had fallen, then got down from the bed. He had to lean against the wall because he felt dizzy. Since waking up, his body didn't feel like his own. He couldn't even understand what he was feeling. He went back and sat for a few minutes, then stood up and walked slowly to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and came out.
By 7:00 a.m., Zhan was still sitting. He thought about this and that until finally, he stood up, walked slowly to the door, opened it, and left the room. He hadn't reached the living room when he stopped, looking at Yiming, who was lying on the 3-seater sofa with his eyes closed, listening to something on his phone beside him.
Zhan thought he was asleep, seeing his closed eyes. Just as he was about to turn back to his room, Yiming opened his eyes and looked at him. Zhan lowered his gaze and continued into the room, walking slowly. He sat down near him and said softly, "Good morning."
Yiming said, "Morning."
Zhan didn't say anything else. His head was down. After a few seconds, he stood up to leave. Calmly, Yiming said, "I need breakfast. I didn't eat last night."
Zhan looked up at him, then said, "Okay..." He turned and headed to the kitchen to see what he could cook. He decided on boiled potato and scramble eggs, since those were available in the kitchen. Around 8:00 a.m., he finished everything and brought it to Yiming in the living room. He knelt down and set it before him. Seeing bread on the dining table, he stood up, got it, and returned, placing it in front of him. Looking at Yiming softly, he said, "Here, I'm done. Should I make you tea?"
Without looking at him, still pressing his phone while lying down, Yiming said, "Okay."
Zhan made the tea. After finishing, he moved to the side and looked at Yiming softly. "I'm done."
Yiming put down his phone and sat up from the sofa. He picked up the tea and drank. Without looking at Zhan, he said, "Where is your tea?"
Zhan was silent. Feeling the silence, Yiming looked up at him. Zhan bowed his head, then stood up and went to the kitchen. Soon, he returned with a cup and a teaspoon. He knelt down and began making his own tea. Yiming looked at the amount of milk Zhan poured into his tea, then took it and added more milk for him. Zhan didn't let their eyes meet. Yiming served himself food from one plate and began eating. Zhan just stirred his tea slowly.
After a few minutes, seeing that Zhan hadn't started eating, Yiming looked up at him. "Or do you want to be fed?"
Zhan gave a small, forced smile, picked up a fork, and began to eat slowly. Whenever he looked up, their eyes would meet. You could see that Zhan was not comfortable there, because Yiming had already instilled fear in his heart. Finally, Zhan put the fork down on the tray. Yiming looked up at him. Softly, Zhan said, "I'm full."
Yiming didn't say anything. Zhan moved to the side and drank his tea slowly. After a while, Yiming stood up and went back to the sofa. Zhan got up, took the remaining food, and went to the kitchen. Only after washing the utensils did he come out of the kitchen. He wanted to say something to Yiming but was afraid. Yiming looked at him, and Zhan quickly bowed his head like a coward, playing with his fingers. Yiming said, "What's wrong?"
Zhan came and sat down near him. Softly, he said, "Actually, please, I want to speak with Yu-Bin. Can you help me call him from your phone?"
Yiming said curtly, "I won't call him. Is Yu-Bin your mother's brother?"
Zhan's body went cold. He bowed his head, silent. Yiming said, "Go, leave me alone."
Quietly, Zhan stood up and went to his room. He wiped the tears that had gathered in his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed. After a while, he wiped the tears that wouldn't stop, stood up, removed the jacket from his body, folded it, and put it down. Then he went into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and bathed.
Seeing hair products in the bathroom, he washed his hair and wrapped it with a small towel. Then he took another towel, tied it around himself, and came out.
Standing in front of the mirror, applying hair cream, he heard the bedroom door open. Quickly, he turned around, and his face fell completely upon seeing Yiming. You could tell he had just come from the bathroom too. Awkwardly, Zhan adjusted the towel tied around him, his heart pounding. He continued oiling his hair.
Yiming came over to where he was standing, stopping behind him, watching him through the mirror. Zhan couldn't lift his eyes; he could feel Yiming's breath on his back. He put the oil down slowly because his hands were trembling.
Yiming stood close behind him, watching him in the mirror. He reached out to loosen the towel around his waist. Zhan tried to turn quickly, as if about to cry, because he couldn't bear to see himself in the mirror the way Yiming was seeing him. Yiming wouldn't let him turn, so Zhan closed his eyes, his heart pounding.
Yiming didn't stop watching him in the mirror until he removed the towel from Zhan's body and tossed it onto the bed. He kept his eyes glued to Zhan because he just couldn't stop admiring Zhan's bare body any time he set his eyes on him.
Zhan completely refused to open his eyes. Before he knew it, he felt himself on the bed. He didn't know when he opened his eyes, tears start falling, pushing away in fear. That moment, Yiming wanted to go straight for it, giving him no time. Zhan himself didn't know where he found the courage to push Yiming back so hard, despite the fear he had.
Yiming looked at him in surprise, breathing heavily. Seeing that Zhan was trying to get off the bed while crying, Yiming said in a harsh voice, "I will give you a dirty slap."
Yiming held him down so firmly that Zhan couldn't even move, let alone get off the bed.
Zhan screamed at him, trying to free himself, because he had never been so terrified and shocked before. No matter how much Yiming wanted to achieve his goal in that moment, it failed. He remembered that Zhan was not like the women he usually dealt with. He couldn't have his way no matter how hard he tried. He was so confused about how intact Zhan was, even though he knew Zhan's a virgin. That made him start romancing him roughly to make his way slicker, because he was determined to fulfill his mission today.
💚💙❤🖤