By midday, Zhan finally arrived in Chongqing. He stepped out of the vehicle slowly, his eyes wandering across the crowded park as if nothing around him felt real. A wave of dizziness hit him, and
a deep chill settled into his bones.
He walked aimlessly, ignoring the riders and drivers who kept asking where he was headed. Tears gathered quietly in his eyes, but he said nothing....just kept moving.
He didn't know how long he had been walking before his strength began to fail. Spotting a tree ahead, its base littered with sugarcane peels, he dragged himself there and sat down, breathing heavily. He tucked the envelope safely inside his jacket, and almost instantly, sleep overtook him....carried by the soft rustling of leaves above.
He didn't know how long he slept. The noise of passing children woke him. Startled, he adjusted himself and quickly checked for the envelope in his hand. Still there.
With effort, he stood and continued walking, though his body resisted every step. Hunger didn't come....only exhaustion.
After a long stretch, he found a temple. Near it, he spotted a container filled with water. He sat quietly, washed his face, then returned the container before continuing his slow, wandering steps.
By evening, darkness began to fall, yet Zhan kept walking. He eventually reached a market, moving through it like a ghost. Gradually, the stalls closed, and the place emptied.
With nowhere else to go, he spread his jacket on the ground in front of a closed shop and leaned against the table outside. Tears slipped down his cheeks as the cold wrapped around him.
Despite the chill and the fever creeping into his body, exhaustion claimed him again. He fell into a deep sleep right there.
At dawn, the cold woke him. He looked around slowly, disoriented. With great difficulty, he stood and began walking again, weak as if a gust of wind could knock him down.
His chest ached deeply, a sharp, constant pain. His heart felt heavy....filled with nothing but pressure and silent torment.
Only then did hunger begin to gnaw at him.
He searched for another temple nearby, wandering for a long time but finding none. Eventually, he sat down somewhere quiet, hugging his knees, crying softly in exhaustion.
Morning came, and people began their day. Summoning what little strength he had left, he stood by the roadside, waiting for a ride.
A car stopped.
He got in slowly.
"Can you take me to the nearest temple?" he asked weakly.
The driver nodded and drove off.
It wasn't a long journey before they arrived at a large temple. Zhan paid with trembling hands. When the driver mentioned he had no change, Zhan simply said, "It's fine," and stepped out.
Inside, he found a quiet corner and sat.
Time seemed frozen.
After a while, he got up and silently joined others sweeping the temple grounds. When they finished, he took what little money he had left and bought some simple food and water.
He returned, sat at the entrance, and tried to eat.
But the moment the food touched his lips, his stomach churned violently.
He rushed to a tap nearby and began vomiting uncontrollably, as though he might collapse.
Barely able to stand afterward, he dragged himself back inside and lay down without touching the food again. He curled into himself as the cold deepened, his fever rising rapidly.
That night, he slept there in the temple.
The next morning, an elderly woman sweeping the grounds approached him. Her voice was firm.
"This isn't a place to sleep," she said. "You need to find somewhere else."
Zhan lowered his head silently, saying nothing.
By eleven, he left.
Anyone who saw him would feel pity....his body weak, his face pale, his frame thinner than before. Hunger and fever were consuming him.
Still, he kept walking.
He didn't know where he was going.
Eventually, his legs could no longer carry him. He stood by the roadside, waiting again for a ride...squatting whenever he felt too weak, then forcing himself up again.
Then suddenly....
He looked up.
A woman was crossing the road.
A speeding car came out of nowhere and struck her violently, sending her flying before she crashed onto the ground.
Even though the accident happened at a distance, Zhan let out a piercing scream...as if he had been the one hit.
And then...
Everything went dark.
⏭ ⏭ ⏭
When he finally opened his eyes, they felt heavy.
He was lying in a room that looked like a hospital. An IV line was attached to his hand.
His heart pounded painfully as he slowly looked around, trying to remember what had happened...but his mind refused to cooperate.
Then his gaze fell on a man sitting not far away.
The man was focused on his phone, his posture calm yet commanding. Even seated, his tall frame was obvious. From the side, Zhan could see his sharp features, his straight nose, and the thick hair falling across his forehead.
Zhan struggled to sit up, clutching his chest as pain shot through him. Tears filled his eyes.
That was when the man finally looked up.
He stood immediately and walked over.
"Hello…" he said gently.
"How are you feeling now?"
Zhan couldn't take his eyes off the man's lips...strikingly red in a way he had never seen before.
The man suddenly lifted his sharp gaze. "Hey… are you there?"
Zhan remained silent, still staring, as if lost somewhere else entirely.
Without another word, the man turned and stepped out. A few moments later, he returned with a doctor behind him.
The doctor stood beside the bed. "Hi… how are you feeling, mister?"
Feeling their eyes on him, Zhan slowly lowered his gaze. "I'm… fine," he said softly.
The doctor smiled. "Good. Any pain?"
Zhan shook his head slightly, though his chest still throbbed.
"Alright," the doctor said, then turned and left.
Now alone with the man, Zhan finally gathered the courage to speak.
"What am I doing here?" he asked quietly.
The man looked at him. "Don't worry. You'll be discharged soon. Before then, give me your family's number so we can call them. They must be worried… you passed out this morning."
Zhan quickly glanced at the clock on the wall. "Seven… in the morning?"
The man shook his head. "No. Night."
Zhan fell silent again.
Then suddenly, memory rushed back.
His eyes widened, and he broke into tears. "That woman… did she die?"
The man frowned slightly. "No. She was taken to the hospital too. She'll be fine."
Relief and fear mixed in Zhan's eyes.
"I'll be back," the man said, then left again.
Not long after, a nurse came in with some medication in a small bag. She placed it beside the bed.
"Eat something first," she said kindly. "I'll come back to show you how to take these."
Then she left.
A moment later, the man returned....this time carrying takeaway food. He placed it gently on the table beside Zhan.
"Eat before you take the medicine," he said. Then he handed Zhan his phone. "Call your family."
Zhan took the phone silently.
The man told him the hospital's name and stepped out again.
As soon as he left, tears filled Zhan's eyes. He let out a quiet sob, overwhelmed by everything.
About ten minutes later, the man came back. His gaze moved from Zhan to the untouched food.
He frowned slightly, then opened it, picked up a spoon, and handed it to him.
"Eat."
Zhan accepted it quietly, staring at the rice and meat.
"Did you call them?" the man asked.
Zhan nodded.
"They're coming?"
Another nod.
"Alright," the man said. "The nurse will be back to show you the dosage. I've paid your bill… take care."
Zhan lowered his head slightly. "Thank you…"
The man paused, his expression unreadable. "No need."
He turned to leave.
Then Zhan noticed something. "Your phone…"
The man stopped, turned quickly. "Oh...thanks. I forgot."
He took it and left.
Zhan set the food aside, unable to eat. He buried his face in his knees, tears falling freely.
After a while, the nurse returned.
"Did you eat?" she asked.
"Yes," Zhan lied softly.
She explained the dosage and said, "You've been discharged. Your family is on the way, right?"
Zhan nodded again.
"Good," she said, then left.
But no one came.
Twenty minutes passed.
The nurse returned, this time with suspicion in her eyes. "Your family still isn't here?"
Zhan only shook his head weakly.
She clicked her tongue and walked out.
Soon after, she came back with the doctor.
The doctor looked at him sharply. "Where are your relatives coming from? Why aren't they here yet? Or are you lying?"
Tears filled Zhan's eyes. His voice trembled. "Yes…"
The doctor removed his glasses, staring at him. "You're lying?"
Zhan broke down completely. "I don't have anyone… I don't know anyone… I don't know where to go…"
The doctor's expression hardened.
"You must be joking. Get out. This is a hospital, not a shelter. Take your things and leave now, or I'll call security."
Zhan's body trembled as he picked up the food, feeling dizzy. Tears streamed down his face as he moved toward the door.
The nurse hesitated. "Doctor… what about the man who brought him? Shouldn't you call him?"
The doctor scoffed. "What will he do? He doesn't even know him. He just helped when he collapsed on the road."
Zhan reached the door....
"Wait," the doctor suddenly said.
Zhan froze and turned back, fear written all over his face.
The doctor pulled out his phone and dialed. After a few rings, the call connected.
"Yang-Yang," he said, "the patient you brought refuses to leave."
On the other end, Yang-Yang's voice came, confused. "What do you mean?"
The doctor sighed impatiently. "He says he has no family, nowhere to go. Please come and take him away."
There was a pause, then irritation. "Why are you calling me? I told you I don't know him. Just discharge him."
The doctor shot Zhan an angry look.
Zhan stood there silently, tears falling.
After a moment, Yang-Yang spoke again, his tone calmer. "Fine… it's already night. Let him stay till morning. I'll cover the cost. But send him away first thing tomorrow."
The doctor exhaled. "Alright."
The call ended.
Without even looking at Zhan, the doctor said coldly, "Move."
Zhan stepped aside quickly as he walked out.
The nurse came closer, her voice softer now. "Why did you lie?"
Zhan shook his head, unable to answer.
She sighed. "Go and rest."
Zhan returned to the bed and lay down, wiping his tears.
Around midnight, hunger forced him to sit up. He opened the food again.
But the moment he tried to eat, nausea hit him violently.
He rushed to the bathroom and began vomiting uncontrollably, as if his insides would come out.
Weak and shaking, he returned to the bed and lay down, curling into himself.
The cold crept into his body again.
Soon, exhaustion pulled him into another restless sleep.
****
Zhan did not get up early the next morning. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him after everything he had been through. When he heard the ward door open, he slowly opened his eyes and noticed that daylight had already filled the room.
The doctor and the man from the previous night...Yang-Yang...walked in together. From the doorway, Yang-Yang fixed him with a sharp, unreadable gaze.
He stepped closer to the bed and asked,
"Yesterday, when I gave you my phone… who did I tell you to call?"
Zhan struggled to sit up. Seeing the tension in Yang-Yang's face, he trembled slightly and replied,
"My family…"
Yang-Yang's frown deepened.
"Then why didn't you call them?"
Zhan's voice shook.
"I don't have anyone to call… I'm alone. My father is gone… and so is my mother. My stepmother...."
His words broke off as tears spilled down his face.
Yang-Yang cut him off coldly.
"You're lying. Stop talking."
The doctor stood aside, arms folded, watching with a faint, amused smile.
Zhan lowered his head, crying quietly.
"Please… believe me. I'm not lying. I made a mistake, and my stepmother told me to leave. She raised me like her own after my father passed… but because of what happened, she sent me away. I don't know anyone in this city… I've never even been here before. Please… help me. Take me somewhere safe… anywhere, orphanage. I can work, I can take care of others....just please don't send me out."
The doctor suddenly snapped, his voice sharp enough to startle Zhan.
"Are you trying to fool us? Me...or him?"
Zhan froze, staring at him helplessly.
The doctor stepped closer, studying him carefully...his eyes, his fingers...before glancing at Yang-Yang. Then he turned away.
"I have more important patients to attend to," he said casually, and walked out.
Silence filled the room.
Zhan slowly lifted his gaze to Yang-Yang, who stood there with his arms folded, watching him intently. Their eyes met briefly before Zhan looked away again.
Yang-Yang's voice came low and firm.
"What exactly did you do? And where are you from? If I find out you're lying… I'll hand you over to the authorities."
Tears slid down Zhan's face as he answered quietly,
"I'm from another city."
"So you travel around like this often?" Yang-Yang asked.
Zhan shook his head quickly.
"No…"
"Then what mistake did you make?"
Zhan wiped his tears slowly, gathering what little strength he had left.
"If I tell you… will you believe me?"
Yang-Yang didn't respond, but he didn't stop him either.
Taking that as permission, Zhan began.
He told everything...his childhood, losing his parents, being raised by his stepmother, being sent away, everything that led him here. He held nothing back. His voice trembled, broke, and rose again as he spoke.
When he finished, tears streamed freely down his face.
"That's the truth… everything," he whispered. "Please believe me."
Yang-Yang said nothing for a long moment.
Then, slowly, almost in disbelief, he asked,
"You mean… you're pregnant?"
Zhan nodded weakly.
"That's what the doctor said… to me and my stepmother."
Yang-Yang leaned back against the wall, staring at the ceiling in silence. For several long moments, he didn't move.
The door opened again, and the doctor Yun...walked in.
"So?" Dr Yun said with a smirk. "Finished listening to his stories?"
Yang-Yang didn't answer.
Dr Yun stepped closer to Zhan, studying him again.
"Are you married?"
Zhan remained silent.
Dr Yun chuckled and glanced at Yang-Yang.
Yang-Yang closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a decision already made.
"Yes," he said calmly. "You can terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible."
Zhan froze.
Dr Yun looked at him, slightly surprised.
Yang-Yang continued, his tone practical, detached.
"He told me about it. It's early. Just take care of it. I'll cover the cost."
Zhan stared at him in disbelief, his lips trembling. Then he broke down completely.
"No… please," he cried. "I can't do that… I won't."
Yang-Yang's expression hardened instantly. He stepped closer, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Are you serious right now? Do you even understand your situation?"
Zhan shook his head, tears falling faster.
"It wasn't planned… but it doesn't deserve to be destroyed. It's not its fault… I can't..."
Both men fell silent.
Dr Yun folded his arms again, watching him with a different kind of curiosity now.
Yang-Yang, however, looked at him in a way Zhan couldn't quite understand...part disbelief, part irritation… and something else, buried deeper.
Then, after a pause, Yang-Yang spoke again, his voice lower this time...but sharper.
"Then tell me this… why not go back to that Yibo's house and create more problems for him? Or isn't that your plan?"
Zhan remained silent, tears streaming down his face as he looked at him.
Yang-Yang held his gaze, waiting.
Slowly, Zhan lowered his eyes.
"So… what am I supposed to tell them?"
Yang-Yang replied firmly,
"Tell them exactly what the doctor told you and your mother."
Zhan wiped his tears weakly.
"But… I don't even have money to travel."
"I'll give you," Yang-Yang said without hesitation.
He turned and walked out with Dr Yun. Just before leaving completely, he paused, looked back at Zhan, and added,
"Meet me at the reception."
Then he was gone.
Zhan slowly climbed down from the bed, holding onto it for support. His body trembled...not just from weakness, but from fear. Step by step, he made his way to the reception and sat down when he got there. Yang-Yang wasn't there yet.
Inside Dr Yun's office, Yang-Yang walked in.
Dr Yun looked up immediately.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Yang-Yang rubbed his forehead and sat on the edge of the table.
"I don't know… I really don't. But I listened carefully...there was no lie in what he said."
Dr Yun scoffed.
"So your legal instincts failed you today? Look at you. How many cases like this have we seen? Someone gets pregnant, runs away, comes up with a tragic story… and now you're believing everything?"
Yang-Yang shook his head.
"No. That's exactly why I know he's telling the truth."
Dr Yun folded his arms.
"Fine. Let's say he is. What now?"
Yang-Yang fell silent, clearly conflicted. Then he exhaled deeply.
"I don't know. I've never been this confused before… He's just a kid, Yun. He can't be older than my younger cousin. If I had known… I wouldn't have stopped yesterday."
Dr Yun raised a brow.
"So what...are you taking him home?"
Yang-Yang shot up instantly.
"To whose house?"
Dr Yun laughed.
"To your mother's."
Yang-Yang stared at him.
"She would kill me. She'd think I got him pregnant myself. I already have enough trouble...why would I bring this home?"
Dr Yun chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant.
Yang-Yang clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Why do I always end up in situations like this?"
"Then take him where he asked," Dr Yun said. "Somewhere safe."
Yang-Yang shook his head.
"And risk whoever did this finding him again? No."
Dr Yun shrugged.
"Then figure it out."
Yang-Yang headed for the door.
"Come on."
At the reception, without even looking at Zhan, Yang-Yang said,
"Let's go."
Zhan stood up slowly and followed him.
They walked to the car. Yang-Yang got in without a word. Zhan hesitated.
Dr Yun glanced at him.
"Get in."
Zhan obeyed quietly.
"I'll call you later," Yang-Yang told Dr Yun.
"Alright," Yun replied.
Then they drove off.
The car ride was completely silent.
After about fifteen minutes, they entered an upscale neighborhood. A short distance from a large house, Yang-Yang parked.
"I'll be back," he said, stepping out.
His walk was calm, controlled...almost commanding. He passed several houses before reaching his family home.
Inside, his mother was seated with a visitor. He greeted them politely.
The visitor smiled.
"With that beard, you look like you've just come from overseas."
Yang-Yang forced a small smile.
"It's just a style."
His mother cut in sharply, her expression firm.
"That 'style' won't stay in my house. Make sure it's gone before evening."
He lowered his head.
"Okay."
Without arguing, he went to his room, picked up a key, and left shortly after.
Back in the car, he found Zhan half-asleep.
Without saying anything, he started the engine and drove off again.
After another fifteen minutes, they arrived at a quieter neighborhood. He parked in front of a newly built house, got out, unlocked the gate, drove inside, and secured it behind them.
Zhan looked around silently.
"Get down," Yang-Yang said.
Zhan obeyed and followed him inside.
He opened the door and walked straight in. Zhan hesitated at the entrance, peeking inside. When Yang-Yang turned and looked at him, his eyes were filled with uncertainty.
Without a word, Yang-Yang walked further in.
Zhan followed slowly.
Yang-Yang entered a room, leaving Zhan in the living area.
After a moment, he came back out.
"Go take a shower. I'll be back."
Then he left again.
Zhan entered the room. Everything he needed was already prepared...towel, soap, even warm water.
After bathing, he felt slightly better.
Instead of resting, he began cleaning the house...sweeping, mopping, wiping surfaces...despite how weak he still felt.
By the time Yang-Yang returned, Zhan was scrubbing the floor.
Yang-Yang dropped the bags in his hand.
"I didn't ask you to do any of this. Go change. I brought clothes."
Zhan stood up quickly.
"Okay… thank you."
Inside the bag were clothes, undergarments, and basic essentials.
He changed and returned.
Yang-Yang was sitting, deep in thought.
Zhan knelt slightly.
"I've changed."
Yang-Yang pointed to another bag.
"Eat."
Zhan opened it...fried potatoes, eggs, plantain, and sauce.
"The kitchen's there," Yang-Yang added. "Make tea if you want."
Zhan nodded and went to prepare it.
When he came back, he tried to eat...but the moment the food touched his mouth, his stomach churned violently.
He rushed to the bathroom and vomited.
Yang-Yang followed, stopping at the doorway.
Zhan leaned weakly against the wall, completely drained.
For a brief moment, something softened in Yang-Yang's eyes.
"…Sorry," he muttered quietly.
He helped him rinse his mouth and clean up.
Zhan staggered back to the bed and collapsed onto it.
Yang-Yang stood beside him.
"So… what can you even eat?"
Zhan only shook his head weakly.
Yang-Yang watched him for a long moment, then turned and went back to the living room, sitting down in silence.
His mind was elsewhere...already calculating distance, time, and decisions.
He exhaled slowly.
If they were going to Beijing… it was going to be a long journey.
💚💙❤🖤