Yiming gave him hard slap that reset Zhan back to default.... No matter how hard he pressed him down and the amount of hard slaps, Zhan was still struggling fiercely to free himself from underneath him. Zhan felt like his breath was arguing with him. At this moment, he knew that nothing but a miracle could save him from Yiming's hands.
He was so weak and in severe pain, but that didn't stop him from struggling. Crying, he said, "For the sake of decency, leave me alone, Yiming. Truly, I will die...I can't take it. It's so painful..."
Yiming landed another slap on his face because he was seriously trying to find his way by any means. All at once, Yiming reverted to how he had been before ever being with a woman. He became like an amateur who had forgotten where to go. Every trick he tried was futile. He was really frustrated and vexed.
Seeing how helpless Zhan was, with his breath seeming about to leave him, Yiming hugged him close to his body, looking at his face. He placed the palm of his hand on the spot where he had slapped him.
Yiming closed his eyes and breathed like someone who had been running. He felt Zhan's tears falling onto his chest. He closed his eyes, his heart pounding. After almost a minute, he spoke in a low, strained voice, stroking Zhan's long hair. "I am sorry, Zhan. I am really sorry."
Zhan just kept crying, letting out deep sighs, feeling an intense pain between his legs. They stayed like this for almost five minutes. Yiming released him and moved to the far end of the bed, holding his head which was throbbing.
He was feeling an agonizing, inexplicable pain in his abdomen. With difficulty, he stood up, leaned against the wall for a moment, then headed to the door and left the room. Zhan curled up inside the duvet, sighing deeply, more tears following from his eyes. He didn't know when restless sleep overtook him like that.
:
:
At noon, he felt a hand on his forehead. He opened his swollen eyes slowly, because his head felt very heavy. Their eyes met, and he looked away. Calmly, Yiming said, "Get ready. We're going to shopping."
With difficulty, Zhan sat up, wrapping himself tighter in the duvet. Then he started pulling at the towel that Yiming had removed earlier.
Yiming didn't say anything, just watched him. Deep down, Yiming felt bad seeing the marks of his fingers on Zhan's face.
Awkwardly, Zhan tied the towel around himself, then stood up. Immediately, he sank back down to the floor, closing his eyes. Yiming looked at him. "What?"
Instantly, tears filled Zhan's eyes. In a trembling voice, he said, "I can't. I'm in so much pain."
Yiming frowned. "Pain from what?"
Zhan couldn't look at him; tears kept falling. Yiming said, "What did I do to you that would cause you pain?"
Zhan didn't lift his head; his face was falling. Yiming stood up and left the room. Zhan watched him go. After a while, Zhan heard Yiming's car leave the house. Zhan struggled to go to the bathroom. Only after taking a very long sit bath did he feel some relief. He bathed and came out.
Around two o'clock, Zhan was walking slowly, limping, as he came out to the living room. He saw the bag of items that Momy had given him, lying in the there. He went over, opened the bag, and saw the kind of things that Mei-Mei had bought for him. Quietly, he tied the bag back up, took it, and walked slowly to his room, where he set it down. Then he returned to the living room and went to the kitchen to prepare a meal.
***
Momy, sitting in the living room, looked at Mei-Mei with a certain expression. "So you said he was sleeping, Mei-Mei?"
Mei-Mei removed the shawl from her body. "Yes, Momy."
Momy said, "Well, who sleeps at eleven o'clock in the morning?"
Mei-Mei said, "If you ask me, who will i ask then?"
Momy adjusted her sitting position. "So you didn't go to the room to check?"
Mei-Mei said, "If he is well, you know he would have come out to greet me. Not to mention that I told Yiming you sent a message to him, but he didn't respond. Then he tell me he took medicine and is sleeping."
Mei-Mei smiled. "You know, Momy, it's my body that told me from the beginning that this kind of charmed won't necessarily work immediately. I'm not saying it won't work at all, but Yiming has to finish what he's after first. You see, if he gets pregnant before separation then, we'll be ruined. Uniting a noble with a commoner is certain."
Angrily, Momy said, "In your entire life, have you ever uttered anything good, only evil? You're telling me that a charmed worth nearly two millions might not work? Are you insane?"
Mei-Mei said, "No, I didn't say it won't work, Momy. I said..."
Momy cut her off, her mind not present. "I don't want you to put your evil mouth on my matter again. Get up and leave me alone, or truly, I will curse you badly."
Mei-Mei stood up, pursing her lips. "That Yiming...the one whose eyes we know are always on women...do you think he will let this boy stay in the same house overnight without anything happening between them?"
Momy threw her an insult. "Will you leave me alone or not? You only bring evil news. Didn't you bring this disaster upon us?"
Mei-Mei clicked her tongue and went upstairs. Momy stood up and began pacing the parlor, feeling sweat dripping from her despite the air conditioner being on. Then she took her phone and hurried upstairs.
.
.
.
Around 4:30 p.m., Yiming returned home. Zhan was sitting there when he came into the room and set down the shopping bags in his hands. Zhan stood up slowly, looking at him. "Welcome back."
Yiming said, "Check if there's anything i didn't buy."
Zhan looked at the bags, went over to where he had set them down, and began inspecting the abundance of colorful items Yiming had bought for him...expensive shoes, bags, all of the same quality that Yiming used to buy for him before. Anything he might need, Yiming had bought for him. There were also many types of perfumes, hair creams, and lotions.
Seeing the lubricant that he had pulled out from the shopping, which he had initially thought was face cream, Zhan's face fell. He glanced briefly at Yiming and saw him watching. Quickly, he looked away and continued pulling out the remaining items Yiming had bought.
Yiming reached out his hand to him, signaling for him to hand over the lubricant. Zhan handed it to him without letting their eyes meet. Yiming turned, took the bag of items that Mei-Mei had brought earlier, and carried it out of the room.
Quietly, Zhan sat on the edge of the bed. Immediately, tears filled his eyes. He didn't know when he burst into intense crying, remembering the agony he had suffered earlier.
✴✴✴
Around 8:30 p.m., Zhan finished preparing the tea Yiming had asked for. From the moment Yiming returned until now, Zhan hadn't felt at ease in the house. He walked quietly into Yiming's room, knelt, and placed the cup of tea beside him.
As he tried to stand, Yiming suddenly pulled him closer. He kissed his forehead and began trying to undress him, eventually removing his shirt.
Zhan's body started trembling as he tried to pull away, but Yiming held him firmly, not letting go. At first, Zhan thought it might stop, since Yiming was still seated...but before he realized what was happening, they were already on the bed, and Yiming had stripped him completely.
Zhan cried out, struggling and pleading, but Yiming didn't stop. Even after trying for a while, nothing worked the way he intended.
Eventually, he let go of Zhan and said coldly,
"Leave."
Zhan quickly got off the bed, grabbed his clothes, and rushed out of the room, his whole body shaking. Yiming remained seated at the edge of the bed, holding his head as a heavy abdominal ache throbbed through him.
***
The next day, Yiming didn't bother Zhan at all. Zhan greeted him in the morning, and he responded flatly, without emotion. He didn't eat the breakfast Zhan made, nor did he touch lunch.
Zhan felt a deep sense of guilt mixed with fear. By mid-afternoon, unable to bear it any longer, he went to the sitting room where Yiming was and knelt beside him.
"Please... Yiming, forgive me if I did something wrong."
He paused, realizing how foolish it sounded.
Yiming replied calmly, "Wrong? What exactly did you do?"
Zhan lowered his head, unable to answer.
"Oh... so you know what you're doing?" Yiming said.
Zhan shook his head quickly.
Yiming studied him for a moment. For some reason, he felt detached...very different from before, when even the smallest things about Zhan stirred something in him. Now, he simply felt nothing... almost as if he didn't even want to see him.
"Get up. Leave," he said calmly.
Zhan stood slowly and walked away.
That night, Yiming lay in the sitting room, listening to something on his phone. When Zhan passed by on his way to the kitchen, Yiming watched him. Zhan returned with food and went straight to his room, still Yiming stare at him.
After about an hour, Yiming got up and went to Zhan's room. Zhan, who had been sitting quietly, was startled when he saw him. He immediately lowered his gaze.
"Make me a cup of tea," Yiming said.
"Okay," Zhan replied softly.
He went to prepare it and brought it back. Yiming's gaze made him uneasy, but he said nothing, placed the cup down, and left. Back in his room, Zhan turned off the light, lay down, and covered himself with the duvet, his heart pounding.
He had just begun to drift into sleep when he felt the duvet being pulled away. Startled, he sat up, looking at Yiming with fear as the dim light filled the room.
"So now you're being clever, going to bed early?" Yiming said.
Zhan lowered his head, saying nothing.
Yiming sat beside him and gently pulled him closer.
"Don't forget...you are my husband legally, Zhan. Why are you making everything so difficult for both of us?"
Zhan began to cry.
Yiming spoke in a low, almost whispering tone,
"Just stay calm... relax. I promise I won't hurt you. Yesterday... you were too tense. That's why it didn't work."
Zhan could only cry in distress, unable to say a word. His eyes fell on the lubricant placed on the bed, and his fear only deepened. Yiming gently laid him down, trying to be softer this time, just as he had said.
Zhan had already told himself he would endure it, that he would simply let things happen. But the moment Yiming try to find his way inside him..., he broke down again, crying harder and resisting instinctively. No matter how much he tried to stay still, his body refused to cooperate.
Yiming, however, remained patient. He kept trying to calm him, speaking softly, pleading with him to relax. His only goal was to make things work this time...to finally make Zhan his in every sense. But despite all his effort, even with the help of lubricant, it still felt impossible.
Frustration began to take over. He started begging Zhan, almost desperately, as if his life depended on it. To him, it seemed like Zhan was simply refusing to cooperate. But Zhan, overwhelmed by pain and fear, could only cry and struggle, pushing him away with whatever strength he had left.
Suddenly, Yiming lost his temper. He slapped him and choked him tightly, breathing heavily.
"Is this part of your plan?" he demanded.
Zhan couldn't even respond...his throat tightened under Yiming's grip. He was shoved hard, falling to the floor. Yiming followed, his anger rising.
"You think you can take me for granted?" he snapped.
Crying, Zhan kept moving backward, shaking his head.
"Please... I'm begging you... it's not intentional. I don't even understand why this is happening..."
Yiming pulled him up roughly, his eyes red with frustration.
"So because you don't want this marriage, you won't give me what's mine?"
Zhan shook his head quickly, trembling.
"No... please... that's not it..."
Yiming shoved him again, sending him crashing into the wall. Then he turned and stormed out of the room.
Zhan remained where he was, unable to move, the entire room spinning around him. About ten minutes later, he heard the sound of Yiming's car leaving the house.
He broke down completely, crying as pain spread through his body. He lay there for over an hour, unable to get up.
Eventually, he forced himself to crawl to the bathroom. After cleaning himself up, he returned and lay on the floor again, tears still falling as a dull headache throbbed in his head.
Leaning weakly against the bed, he tried to think.
What exactly was wrong?
He had already accepted Yiming as his husband. So why was this happening? Was there something physically wrong with him that he didn't know about? Otherwise, everything should have worked. Maybe he should suggest going to the hospital...at least then Yiming would stop thinking he was doing it on purpose.
Tears streamed down his face.
He just wished Yiming would listen to him... understand that none of this was intentional.
Around 1:30 a.m., he heard Yiming's car return. His heart immediately started pounding again. He stayed on the floor, listening as Yiming went into his room.
Slowly, with great effort, Zhan stood up, put on his clothes, and limped out of his room. He stopped in front of Yiming's door, staring at it, his heart racing. He didn't know what Yiming would do if he went inside.
After a moment, he gathered the courage and gently opened the door.
He could hear water running...Yiming was in the bathroom.
Zhan's eyes wandered around the room. He saw Yiming's watch, his phones, and prophylactic left on the bedside table. His gaze lingered there, and his body went cold.
Tears filled his eyes again.
After a few seconds, he quietly turned and left the room. Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks as he returned to his own room, lay on the bed, and cried softly into the silence.
***
Around seven o'clock, Zhan stepped out of his room, moving slowly. Despite the fever he had woken up with, he forced himself to come out.
The moment he saw Yiming lying on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his heart sank. Lowering his gaze, he walked over and knelt beside him, greeting him softly.
Yiming didn't even look in his direction, let alone respond. His face was tense, his attention fixed entirely on his phone. After nearly a minute, Zhan slowly stood up, his body heavy, and turned toward the kitchen. Tears filled his eyes; he quickly wiped them away and began preparing breakfast.
About forty minutes later, he came out of the kitchen, intending to ask if he should serve the meal, despite the nervous weight in his chest...but Yiming was no longer in the sitting room. Quietly, Zhan went back, carried the food to the dining table, and set it down. Just as he was about to return to his room, Yiming stepped out, already dressed as if he had just finished bathing.
Zhan looked at him cautiously. "I've finished preparing breakfast."
Yiming ignored him and walked past without a word. Zhan watched him go, then quietly returned to his room, tears gathering again. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he wiped them away before collapsing onto the pillow, muffling his sobs.
His thoughts spiraled. What was happening to him? Was something wrong with his body? Who could he even talk to about this?
More tears slipped down his face.
How could he explain to Yiming that none of this was intentional? How could he make him understand?
He lay there for over an hour, lost in his thoughts. Eventually, he heard the sound of a car leaving the compound. With effort, he stood and made his way slowly to the sitting room. At the dining area, he saw the untouched breakfast still exactly where he had left it. His chest tightened. He turned back to the sitting room, sat down, and leaned his head against the couch, tears falling silently.
After a while, he forced himself up and began cleaning the house. He later made some tea and returned to sit, but couldn't bring himself to drink it. In the end, he simply went back to his room.
Around three in the afternoon, he heard Yiming return. Zhan stayed in his room, not coming out. After a few minutes, the door opened. Yiming glanced at him briefly and said, "You have visitors," before turning and leaving.
Zhan sat still for a moment, wondering who it could be. Then he stood and walked slowly to the sitting room. The moment he stepped in and saw Aunt Fin, Nenne, and his stepmothers seated there, his eyes widened. He rushed forward and threw himself into Aunt Fin's arms, hugging her tightly, overwhelmed with relief.
Nenne, however, sat stiffly, her expression hard, watching the television without warmth.
Aunt Fin gently lifted Zhan's face, noticing how much weight he had lost. "How are you, Zhan?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine, Aunt," he replied quietly, lowering his eyes. "How is Ayi? Why didn't you bring Meilin?"
Aunt Fin lowered her voice. "You haven't greeted Nenne and the others."
Only then did Zhan remember the others. He slowly turned toward Nenne. "Good afternoon, Nenne."
Nenne scoffed sharply. "And why would you greet me? Me, who is worthless in your eyes? You've already attached yourself to Fin as if she's the only one who matters. If people had listened to her, this marriage wouldn't have been forced to stand. If Fin and Lina had their way, would you even still be in this house? But no...now you act like you don't even see me or your father's wives. Fine. It means nothing."
Zhan stiffened, then turned to greet Antu Mama and Zubei Mama. They responded flatly, studying him with unreadable expressions.
Nenne adjusted her seat, irritation clear in her voice. "If your father's wives hadn't insisted on finding out where you are and seeing how you're living, do you think anyone would have come? I had to get Yiming's new number from Fin and call him repeatedly before he agreed to bring us here. Fin was eager to return to Shanghai to her cooking business, and your own mother didn't even notice your condition, let alone make arrangements to visit you. But I insisted...I had to see you for myself."
She paused, scanning him from head to toe. "And look at you...glowing, even. You seem comfortable, at peace with your husband. Yet here you are acting like you don't know us anymore. Just because you've entered wealth."
Zubei Mama added lightly, "At least show us around the house so we can bless it, since we weren't there for the groom welcoming."
Nenne immediately cut in, her tone sharp. "We didn't come here to wander around like idle gossips. As long as the boy is living in peace, that's enough for us. No one is going anywhere inside this house. And if anyone suggested that for some hidden agenda, it won't happen. I don't trust this insistence on visiting Zhan's home. I'm not a child. Besides, Aiyin already said we shouldn't stay longer than fifteen minutes. Once we've seen him, we leave. We are not irresponsible elders."
Zhan stood up and went to the kitchen. He opened the fridge, took out water and some drinks, arranged them neatly on a tray, and carried them back to the sitting room, placing them in front of the guests.
Aunt Fin kept watching him closely; it was obvious from his face that something was wrong. She wanted badly to speak to him alone, but she feared the tension Nenne might cause.
Nenne glanced at Aunt Fin and asked, "What time is it?"
"Ten past three," Aunt Fin replied.
Adjusting her scarf, Nenne turned to Zhan. "So, will you take me to the kitchen so we can talk? Once we're done, you can tell him we're leaving. We didn't come here to stay."
Aunt Fin quickly stood up. "Before that, let me speak with him for a moment, Nenne."
Nenne shot her a sharp look. "We didn't come here to ruin a marriage, Fin. If you can't say what you want in front of all of us, then keep it to yourself. You won't drag him aside and start planting ideas that could destroy his home."
Aunt Fin fell silent under her gaze.
Nenne stood, picking up her large handbag, then looked at Zhan. "Take me to the kitchen."
Zhan felt a sting in his chest...he almost wanted to cry. With Aunt Fin prevented from speaking to him, he quietly turned and led the way, Nenne following behind. As they walked, Nenne leaned toward Aunt Fin and warned her not to let Zubei Mama or Antu Mama wander around the house.
The two women merely exchanged knowing looks.
Once inside, Nenne pushed the kitchen door shut behind them. She scanned the space with interest. "Impressive... this kitchen is big enough to pass for three rooms combined. And all this space just for cooking?"
Zhan said nothing.
Nenne sat down directly on the tiled floor and placed her bag in front of her. Looking up at him, she said, "Don't just stand there. Come here."
Zhan knelt in front of her.
Slowly, Nenne began pulling out small wrapped bundles...five in total. One by one, she carefully unwrapped them, lowering her voice as if afraid of being overheard.
"Look at this," she said.
Zhan simply watched the items in silence.
Speaking in a hushed tone, Nenne continued, "This one....you'll mix a little into your bathwater. Anything harmful directed at you will turn back on its source and be destroyed. This one...you'll add to a drink and take it yourself. This one is for cooking...you and Yiming will both eat it. It's not harmful; it's for peace and harmony between you, so no one can come between you two. You'll find yourselves growing closer, calmer with each other."
She picked up another. "This one is for burning....smoke. It drives away negativity and sends it back where it came from. It wasn't easy getting these, I tell you. And this last one....you'll use both in bathing and drinking. After your bath, mix a little into tea or any drink."
Zhan remained quiet, watching her as she explained each item with deliberate care.
Nenne straightened, her expression turning stern. "If you waste my time and the money I spent getting these things from distant villages, and you refuse to use them, don't blame me for what happens. I've done my part. Your mother should have done all this for you, but she didn't. I already know you and her never take these things seriously....but sometimes your problems come from ignoring help."
Her tone hardened further. "Yiming's family isn't easy....we all know that. They won't necessarily let you live peacefully in this house, especially with the resentment they already hold against your father. I've gone through all this trouble because of him. The rest is up to you."
Zhan finally spoke, his voice low. "If Yiming sees these things... what should I tell him they are?"
Nenne stared at him, stunned, then snapped, "Are you out of your mind? Who told you to use them in front of him? What kind of thinking is that? Even without schooling, I have more sense than this. Do everything quietly...before he comes back!"
Zhan frowned slightly and looked away.
Lowering her voice again, Nenne added, "You hide them somewhere safe...where he'll never find them."
Zhan hesitated. "But he'll notice the smell from the smoke... and I don't even have anything to burn it with."
Nenne clicked her tongue. "That's because he rushed things and brought you here without letting us prepare you properly. Fine. When he takes us back, I have proper incense containers and burner ready for you. I'll make him buy charcoal on the way....just a few bags will do. You'll burn it, and with the air conditioning on, the scent will spread quickly."
Zhan didn't even realize when he started laughing.
Nenne frowned. "So now you think I'm mad for trying to help your life?"
"I understand," Zhan replied quietly.
"Good," Nenne said. "Now take these and hide them somewhere he will never find them."
Zhan nodded and carefully found a place in the kitchen to conceal the items.
"Exactly," Nenne said with satisfaction. "Now go tell him we're leaving. We didn't come here to sit around. I've been calling him for three days straight before he finally came to bring us."
Zhan stood and walked out of the kitchen, Nenne following closely behind. Under her breath, she muttered, "We didn't even drink a drop of water in his house...before in the future he aske to pay him back."
Zhan headed to Yiming's room and knocked softly. After a moment, Yiming opened the door. Without lifting his eyes, Zhan said, "They're leaving."
Yiming turned and walked back inside without a word.
Zhan returned to the sitting room.
"Did you tell him?" Nenne asked.
Zhan nodded and went to sit beside Aunt Fin. Antu Mama and Zubei Mama sat stiffly, their expressions clearly showing displeasure and resentment.
After a few minutes, Yiming stepped out of his room with a faint smile. "You're leaving already, Grandma?"
"Yes," Nenne replied. "We didn't come to stay. I'm just glad to see my grandson living in peace...that's all we want."
Yiming said nothing.
"So now, you'll take us home," Nenne added.
"I see he didn't even serve you food," Yiming said lightly.
"We refused," Nenne replied. "We're full. If you noticed, we didn't even drink water."
Yiming only smiled.
Soon, everyone began heading out. Zhan followed behind quietly, his body heavy with emotion. Aunt Fin was the last to leave. She leaned closer to him and whispered, "You'll find something I left for you behind the throw pillow where I was sitting. Don't worry...I'll come to see you alone before I return to Shanghai."
Zhan simply nodded.
Yiming unlocked the car and looked at him. "Come, we'll drop them off and come back."
Nenne paused mid-step. "There's no space in the car. Where exactly will you put him?"
"He can sit in front," Aunt Fin suggested. "I'll go to the back."
Nenne scoffed. "Not me. With how crowded the back already is, how will we all fit? Or do you expect someone to sit on another's lap?"
Yiming only smiled faintly.
"I'll sit in the back with all of you," Zhan offered quietly.
Nenne snapped, "Must you follow us like a bride's entourage? Should I go home with body pain just because I came to your house? I don't even sit in tight spaces."
Yiming glanced at Zhan. "Don't worry. Go back inside."
Tears filled Zhan's eyes as he looked at him.
Aunt Fin gave Nenne a look and got into the front seat anyway. Nenne clicked her tongue and got into the back, glaring as Zubei Mama and Antu Mama followed.
"Fine," Nenne muttered. "Everyone get down. Let Zhan come sit beside me first...we'll see how much space is left."
They all stepped out again without argument.
"There's no need to cry," Nenne said to Zhan. "Come sit here. If there's no space, someone else can find another car."
Zhan wiped his eyes and got into the car, sitting close to her. There was still enough space for the others.
Nenne muttered under her breath, complaining about the cramped space and the way his stepmother's smells, especially Zubei Mama, but no one responded.
Eventually, they set off.
It was almost five when they reached Zhan's neighborhood. Yiming parked in front of the house. Nenne and the others got down, thanking him before heading inside.
Adjusting her scarf, Nenne said, "Thank you, Yiming. But I need to hurry home....there's something of Zhan's I have to bring for him."
"Alright," Yiming replied from the driver's seat.
"Come," Nenne said to Zhan.
Zhan followed her silently. After walking some distance, Nenne muttered, "Did you see? He didn't even think to drop us at my house. No respect."
Zhan pretended not to hear.
At Nenne's house, Zhan greeted the neighbors along the way.
"They're surprised to see you," Nenne said. "They all thought you disappeared into the world, and only later heard you were with your husband."
Zhan forced a small smile.
Inside, Nenne packed the incense items into a large bag along with two clay burners. They returned to the car, and she placed the bag in the back seat.
"There," she said. "It's just incense. You can go now...don't let it get too late."
"Alright," Yiming replied.
Zhan looked at him. "I'll go in and greet Ayi."
Without waiting for a response, he went inside. Yiming watched him.
But before long, Nenne appeared at the doorway. "This isn't the time for that. Come out...he's waiting."
Zhan looked up at her.
"Don't make us look foolish," Nenne added. "Come on."
Lina nodded gently. "Go, Zhan. It's getting late."
With a tight expression, Zhan stood and followed her out.
Back at the car, he got into the front seat. Yiming greeted Nenne and drove off.
The ride back was silent.
When they arrived, Yiming went straight to the kitchen. Zhan paused, remembering Aunt Fin's words. He went to the couch, lifted the throw pillow, and found what had been left for him....money and two phones.
He picked up the thousand dollars...the one I-Bo had given him before he come to China...and held the two phones, one from A-Bo and one from I-Bo.
His body went cold. Tears filled his eyes when he remember his housemate.
Then Yiming's voice came from behind him.
"What's that?"
Startled, Zhan quickly hid his hands behind his back, looking at him in shock.
💚💙❤🖤