From that day on, Zhan's condition worsened drastically....so much that it felt like he might not survive it.
Yang-Yang pitied him deeply, more than he was willing to admit. Zhan had lost a lot of weight, and the constant complaints of chest pain made everything worse. Anyone who saw how much Yang-Yang worried would think they had known each other for years.
Despite everything, Yang-Yang tried his best to make sure his mother didn't suspect anything...his late returns, his early departures, his constant absence from home.
In truth, almost all of his time was spent taking care of Zhan.
He had even stopped taking on new cases for over two days straight. He was always by Zhan's side. In fact, there was only one night he didn't sleep at his own place. Most nights, he stayed until around eleven, leaving only after Zhan fell asleep. Then, early in the morning, before going anywhere else, he would return just to check on him again.
Dr. Yun visited almost every day...morning and evening....administering medication, injections, and treatment. Yang-Yang paid for everything without hesitation.
:
:
And so, two full weeks passed with Zhan confined in that house.
One morning, around eleven, Yang-Yang went to the clinic to see Dr. Yun.
After exchanging greetings, the doctor asked about Zhan's condition.
Yang-Yang rubbed his head tiredly. "He's… still the same. I'm exhausted, Yun. Why can't you just help me terminate the pregnancy? This is the third time I'm asking you. Please...I'll pay whatever you want."
Dr. Yun shook his head calmly. "My answer won't change. I don't do that, and I won't. Take him somewhere else if you must."
Yang-Yang sighed, his voice softening as he tried again. "I know you don't… but this case is different. He was assaulted… and he's too young for this. Look at him....he's suffering every day. Can't you at least help out of compassion?"
Without looking up from his writing, Dr. Yun replied dryly, "Since when did you become this emotional, Counselor?"
Yang-Yang frowned slightly.
"How do you expect him to raise a child like this?" he continued. "Where does he even start? He won't stay with me forever....I'm already thinking about how to help him rebuild his life, but not like this… not when he's this sick every day."
He paused, then added in frustration,
"And Aunt Mary already suspects something. She thinks I'm hiding things. If I go ahead with the marriage, where do I even keep Zhan? It doesn't make sense to rent another place when I already have a house. My mom would definitely start asking questions… she'd be suspicious."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping.
"Please, Yun… help me solve this quietly. Let him move on with his life."
Dr. Yun clicked his tongue. "Are you done?"
Yang-Yang fell silent.
Dr. Yun finally put down his pen and looked at him.
"If you insist that much, I can write something for you. Go to the pharmacy, get it, and administer it yourself. I assume you're capable."
Yang-Yang glared at him.
"Yes," Dr. Yun added casually. "Or just buy regular medication and let things be. But I won't do it myself."
Yang-Yang exhaled slowly, struggling to control his anger. "Write it."
Dr. Yun scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it over. Yang-Yang snatched it and walked out without another word.
On his way back, he stopped by the garage to pick up something his mother had asked for earlier.
When he got home, he found his mother sitting in the living room.
The moment he entered, she fixed her gaze on him, noticing how much weight he had lost.
He walked over and sat on the floor beside her.
"Good afternoon, Mom."
"Afternoon," she replied. "Welcome back."
He placed the package beside her. "This is what you asked for."
She didn't respond.
He looked up at her, confused.
"Yang," she began slowly, "I don't understand you."
Her tone was calm....but firm.
"You stopped the delivery of those wedding boxes I prepared. Your father asked me to sit you down and ask clearly....have you cancelled the wedding?"
Yang-Yang said nothing.
"This isn't proper behavior," she continued. "It makes us look unserious. If there's a problem, you should say it. No one forced you into this...you chose the girl yourself."
Her eyes stayed fixed on him.
"So explain to me… what exactly do you mean by stopping everything?"
Yang-Yang, already looking worn out, ran a hand through his hair before speaking softly.
"Mom… I'm not calling it off. There's just… a problem. I want you to do me a favor....please ask them to postpone it. Even if it's until next year. And if they can't wait… then I'll step back completely. She deserve someone better than me right now."
His Mom studied him carefully.
"Postpone? For what reason?"
He couldn't meet her eyes.
"Please, Mom… just help me with this. I need time to figure things out. You know marriage isn't something you rush...it's for life. I don't want to make a mistake. I want to do it right."
She sighed.
"Alright. I'll talk to your father."
A small, relieved smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you, Mom."
But she wasn't done watching him.
"These days… you're always rushing out early and coming back late. What's going on with you?"
He looked up calmly.
"It's just a case. A complicated one. I'm investigating."
She held his gaze for a long moment, then shook her head slightly.
"I can always tell when you're lying… but I won't push you. Just take care of yourself. You don't look well."
He nodded quietly and left.
On his way back, Yang-Yang stopped at a pharmacy to pick up the medications prescribed by Dr. Yun, along with some fruits.
Even as he parked outside, his chest tightened.
He hated seeing Zhan in pain.
Inside, Zhan lay on the bed as usual, eyes closed....but not asleep.
"Meixuan…" Yang-Yang called gently.
Zhan slowly opened his eyes.
"How are you feeling?"
A faint nod.
Yang-Yang peeled an apple and held it out.
"Here."
"Later…" Zhan murmured.
Yang-Yang paused, then straightened.
"Fine. Then take these drugs...you'll feel better."
Zhan's expression faltered.
"I'll throw up… I prefer injections."
Yang-Yang stared at him for a moment before replying firmly,
"You won't. It's just three tablets."
He handed them over with water.
Reluctantly, Zhan took them… or at least pretended to.
The moment Yang-Yang turned to answer a call, Zhan quickly slipped the pills behind him and swallowed only the water.
When Yang-Yang turned back....
"Did you take them?"
Zhan handed him the empty cup, face scrunched.
Yang-Yang exhaled, relieved.
"Good."
The second he stepped outside, Zhan gathered the hidden pills and tossed them away.
Hours passed.
Nothing happened.
Yang-Yang grew uneasy. By evening, he called Dr. Yun again.
"It's been hours. Nothing's happening."
A pause.
"Then he didn't take them," Dr. Yun replied simply.
Yang-Yang frowned.
"I watched him take the drugs."
Silence.
Irritated, Yang-Yang ended the call.
⏭ ⏭
The next day....still nothing.
Frustration built inside him.
When Dr. Yun came over that evening, he handed Yang-Yang another dose.
"Give it to him again."
Zhan looked at them both, eyes already filling with tears.
"I don't like it… it makes me feel worse…"
Yang-Yang's voice turned firm.
"Take it."
Slowly, Zhan accepted the pills, tears slipping down his face.
Both men watched closely.
Zhan lifted his hand, pretending to swallow them....then quickly drank water, making a face as if struggling.
Yang-Yang leaned forward immediately.
"Don't throw up."
Zhan curled into himself, acting it out perfectly.
After a moment, Dr. Yun turned and left without a word.
Outside, he said quietly,
"Then stay and watch him."
That night, Yang-Yang stayed.
Nothing.
No change.
No reaction.
Doubt crept in.
The next day, he stormed into Dr. Yun's place.
"What exactly did you give him?"
Dr. Yun, lying lazily on his bed, didn't even look concerned.
"Take the prescription to another doctor and ask if you don't trust me."
Two days later, Yang-Yang returned again....more unsettled than ever.
"I don't have peace of mind. What if my Mom finds out? I'm leaving for the UK soon… what am I supposed to do with him?"
Dr. Yun laughed lightly.
"If you want to help him so much, take him with you."
Yang-Yang shot him a look.
"Even if he were my husband, I wouldn't handle this situation like this....let alone someone like him."
Dr. Yun straightened, his tone turning serious.
"Then listen to me. Leave the pregnancy alone."
Yang-Yang said nothing.
"There's something unusual here," Dr. Yun continued.
"He's taken those drugs twice, yet nothing happened. That's not normal. Bring him in for a scan tomorrow."
The next day, they did.
And when the scan done....
Yang-Yang felt his entire body go cold.
Inside the office, it was just him and Dr. Yun. Zhan waited outside.
Dr. Yun spoke quietly,
"You see now? You were about to destroy two lives."
Yang-Yang couldn't respond.
After that, everything changed.
He stopped trying to force anything.
Instead, he focused entirely on taking care of Zhan...making sure he had everything he needed.
But one thing never changed:
Zhan's sadness.
Whenever Yang-Yang asked what was wrong, the answer was always the same...
"I have no one."
And each time, it hit harder than before.
With his trip approaching, Yang-Yang began planning ahead.
He couldn't leave Zhan alone.
So he arranged for an older woman to stay with him...a quiet, kind caretaker who quickly assumed Zhan was Yang-Yang's partner.
She agreed to stay full-time.
One afternoon, Zhan sat on the carpet, slowly sipping a drink the woman had prepared.
A knock sounded.
The caretaker opened the door warmly as Yang-Yang stepped in.
He greeted her politely before she excused herself.
Yang-Yang walked into the room and stopped.
Zhan looked… different.
Healthier. Softer. There was a subtle glow to him now. His lips had taken on a natural pink tint.
Yang-Yang quickly looked away and sat on the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better…" Zhan replied softly.
A short silence passed before Yang-Yang said,
"I'm traveling, Meixuan."
Zhan looked up immediately.
"Tomorrow."
Zhan lowered his gaze.
"You're leaving me…?"
Yang-Yang smiled faintly.
"I'm going for work. I'll come back when I'm done."
"When?"
"I don't know yet."
Tears gathered in Zhan's eyes.
Yang-Yang added gently,
"You'll be fine. She'll take care of you. I'll leave money....anything you need."
Then, after a pause:
"Just promise me… you won't keep worrying."
"I promise…" Zhan whispered.
"But when will you come back?"
Yang-Yang let out a soft laugh.
"When you're fully better. When you're eating well… and not crying anymore."
Zhan blinked at him...then slowly smiled.
A real smile.
Yang-Yang looked away immediately.
He handed Zhan a phone.
"I'll call you."
Zhan nodded, holding it carefully.
"Walk me out," Yang-Yang said.
Zhan followed him quietly.
At the door, Yang-Yang gave final instructions to the caretaker before turning back to Zhan.
"Take care of yourself."
They walked to the car together.
Zhan kept his head down....until he couldn't hold it anymore.
Tears fell.
Yang-Yang's chest tightened.
"Hey… I won't be gone long. Don't cry."
Zhan nodded faintly.
"Safe trip…"
Yang-Yang watched him for a moment longer....then left.
Strangely, after he left, Zhan began to recover faster.
The caretaker took good care of him, attending to his every need.
The weight he had lost slowly returned.
Only one thing remained....
His growing belly.
Every day, Yang-Yang called.
Five times, sometimes more.
Just to hear his voice.
And on the days he didn't...Zhan would quietly wait…
feeling that familiar emptiness return.
And just like that....
Months passed.
✴✴✴
Five months later…
From the moment Zhan woke up that morning, something felt different. A quiet excitement bubbled inside him, though he couldn't explain why. He talked more than usual, even laughed...a rare, soft sound that seemed to surprise even himself.
Suwei Mama, who had been watching him closely these past days, noticed immediately.
"This happiness is too much today," she said, folding her arms with a knowing smile. "Is your husband coming back today?"
Zhan, who was busy preparing a bowl of fruit salad, paused. He lifted his head and looked at her, but said nothing. The truth was....Yang-Yang had told him the night before that he would be back today.
A shy smile tugged at his lips as he lowered his gaze again and continued what he was doing.
"Well then," Suwei Mama continued, "we should start preparing something special for him. Tell me what he likes to eat so I can go to the market now."
Zhan fell silent again.
The truth was… he didn't know.
Even after all these months, he knew almost nothing about Yang-Yang's preferences...what he liked, what he didn't. That realization made his chest tighten slightly.
Over the past five months, Zhan had changed a lot. His body had grown stronger, fuller. He ate almost everything now...even foods he used to avoid. Beans, pasta, even heavy traditional meals...he could eat them all.
And he had become… beautiful.
There was a soft glow to his skin, a natural radiance that made him look almost unreal. His lips carried a faint pink hue, and his body had softened with life.
His pregnancy was now very visible. At seven months, his belly stood out clearly, making every movement slower, heavier. Anyone who saw him would think he could give birth at any moment.
Suwei Mama often worried about him. He was still so young… could he even handle childbirth?
That was why she never returned from the market without herbal remedies and traditional medicines meant for pregnant women. Every Thursday, she took him to see Dr. Yun for regular antenatal checkups....just as Yang-Yang had instructed.
Yet despite everything, Zhan's biggest worry wasn't his body.
It was his past.
He tried hard to forget where he came from, to erase every memory of that house, that life… but whenever the baby moved inside him, he would remember Yibo.
And strangely....despite everything he had gone through....he didn't hate Yibo.
Not even once.
Maybe it was because he was still young… or maybe because deep down, he had already forgiven him.
By evening, Zhan grew restless.
Yang-Yang had said he would arrive today. But the sun was already setting, and there was no sign of him.
His heart sank.
Slowly, he walked back into the room and lay down, staring at nothing.
Meanwhile, Suwei Mama refused to give up. She continued cooking in the kitchen, preparing dish after dish.
At that same time, Yang-Yang stepped out of a taxi in front of his family house.
He carried one of his three travel bags, while the driver dropped the rest by the gate.
One look at him and anyone could tell...he had just returned from abroad.
There was a certain sharpness to his appearance now. A refined glow. But he had also lost weight...his cheekbones more defined, his eyes deeper, his hair slightly trimmed.
He smiled as he greeted the security guard, exchanging warm words before instructing him to bring in the remaining luggage.
The moment he stepped inside, his younger siblings rushed him, throwing their arms around him in excitement after months apart.
In the living room, his Mom and Aunt Mary watched with smiles.
But the moment Yang-Yang's eyes landed on the boxes, sitting quietly in the corner, his smile faded slightly.
Still, he composed himself.
He walked forward, knelt respectfully before his mother, and greeted her.
"Welcome back," His Mom said warmly. "How was your trip?"
"Good," he replied softly. "I hope everyone's been well."
They exchanged greetings with Aunt Mary.
His sisters moved to carry his bags, but he stopped them.
"No, leave those. I'll be going out again shortly."
His Mom frowned. "You just got back. Where are you going with your bags?"
He lowered his gaze slightly. "I need to drop something off for a friend."
She studied him for a moment, then sighed. "At least eat and rest first."
"I won't be long," he replied.
Without waiting further, he left again.
The moment he got into his car and drove out, he pulled out his phone and called Zhan.
Inside the house, Zhan...who had been lying down...sat up immediately at the sound of his phone ringing, as if he had been waiting for it.
He saw the name and quickly answered.
"Meixuan," Yang-Yang's voice came softly.
Zhan pouted slightly. "Hmm."
"How are you?"
"I'm fine… but you haven't come back."
Yang-Yang smiled faintly. "I postponed the trip. I'll be coming next month instead."
The words hit Zhan like a blow.
His chest tightened painfully, and tears welled up in his eyes almost instantly.
"Hello? Are you there?" Yang-Yang asked.
Zhan couldn't answer.
His throat closed up as tears began to fall. He ended the call abruptly and buried his face into the bed, crying quietly.
Yang-Yang called again.
And again.
Finally, Zhan answered...but said nothing.
"Meixuan…" Yang-Yang's voice softened.
Zhan broke down, crying into the phone.
Yang-Yang's eyes widened slightly, then he smiled.
"So you're even crying?" he teased gently.
"Alright then… if you want to see me that badly, go outside to the gate. I'll fly in from the UK right now and land right in front of you."
Zhan immediately sat up. "Please… just come back."
"I'm serious. Go wait outside....you'll see me."
The call ended.
Without wasting a second, Zhan grabbed his long outerwear and hurried out of the room.
Suwei Mama, who had just stepped out of the kitchen, raised a brow. "Has he arrived already?"
Zhan forced a small smile but said nothing as he walked past.
Step by step, slowly, he made his way to the gate, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.
And then....
He saw the car.
Right there.
Their eyes met.
Yang-Yang stepped out, smiling.
Zhan froze.
Happiness filled his chest so suddenly, so overwhelmingly, that he couldn't even speak.
If Yang-Yang had been his husband, he would have run straight into his arms without thinking.
Yang-Yang raised a brow at the way Zhan stared.
"What? Should I go back since you're just going to stand there and look at me?"
Zhan finally moved, stepping closer before stopping right in front of him, head lowered, a shy smile forming.
Yang-Yang smiled too.
"How are you, Meixuan?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine… welcome back."
"Thanks," he replied. Then his eyes dropped briefly to Zhan's stomach. "And how are our babies?"
Zhan's head snapped up in surprise.
Then quickly, he turned away, embarrassed.
Yang-Yang laughed quietly.
"Let's go inside."
Zhan nodded, still smiling, and walked ahead...his steps lighter than they had been in months...while Yang-Yang followed behind him.
Yang-Yang sat down in the living room, exchanging greetings with Suwei Mama, who warmly welcomed him back. Zhan sat quietly on the floor, his eyes fixed on Yang-Yang without even blinking.
After a while, Suwei Mama excused herself and returned to the kitchen.
The moment she left, Yang-Yang shifted his gaze back to Zhan.
Zhan immediately lowered his eyes.
"Are you happy now?" he asked.
A soft smile spread across Zhan's face as he nodded gently.
Yang-Yang smiled too, watching him closely.
Just then, Suwei Mama called from the kitchen. Zhan stood up and walked toward her, while Yang-Yang followed him with his eyes until he disappeared.
In the kitchen, Suwei Mama said,
"So this is how you behave? Go and prepare his bath water. And if he wants to eat first, take the food to his room."
Zhan smiled faintly but said nothing.
"Well?" she pressed.
"I'll go ask him," Zhan replied softly before turning back.
When he returned to the living room, Yang-Yang was busy on his phone.
Zhan knelt beside him.
Yang-Yang looked up immediately.
"Sit on the chair. You're stressing yourself....and the babies."
Zhan lowered his gaze again.
"Mama Suwei asked me to check… if you'd like your food brought to your room."
Yang-Yang was silent for a moment before saying,
"She's thinking something else… and my Mom already cook for me at home, but… alright. Bring it."
Zhan nodded and went back to the kitchen.
Soon, he returned carrying a tray and headed straight to the bedroom.
Yang-Yang followed behind him.
He took the tray from Zhan and placed it on the rug before sitting down.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"I ate earlier."
"Earlier is different. Now is different. Sit...we'll eat together."
Zhan moved to sit on the floor beside the bed, but Yang-Yang stopped him.
"No. Sit on the bed."
Zhan obeyed, sitting carefully at the edge.
Yang-Yang served some food into a plate, added a spoon, and handed it to him.
"Thank you," Zhan said softly.
Yang-Yang was about to serve himself when his phone rang.
He checked the screen....it was his Mom.
He answered immediately.
"Where did you go right after coming back?" she asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm on my way home now. Sorry."
She ended the call.
Yang-Yang stared at the food for a moment… but suddenly, he lost his appetite.
"Meixuan, I have to go," he said quietly. "My Mom is waiting. Finish yours, and you can eat mine too."
Zhan didn't respond. He only played with the spoon in his hand.
Yang-Yang stood up.
"I might come tomorrow morning. Take care of yourself."
And just like that, he left.
The moment he stepped out, Zhan's eyes filled with tears.
He didn't even know why.
The food in front of him suddenly felt heavy. He couldn't eat. He pushed it aside, wiping the tears that kept falling.
Outside, Yang-Yang paused.
He had forgotten to bring in the things he bought for Zhan from the UK.
For a moment, he considered going back… but decided against it. He would bring them tomorrow.
:
:
Back at home, Yang-Yang sat with his Mom, eating the meal she prepared.
But his mind wasn't there.
It was with Zhan.
He kept wondering… did he eat the food? Or did he leave it untouched?
After he finished, his Mom looked at him.
"Did you call Lu to tell her you'd be back today?"
Yang-Yang shook his head.
"We haven't spoken in two days. She's still upset with me."
His Mom sighed.
"It's been almost six months since you postponed the wedding. What's the plan now?"
Yang-Yang avoided her gaze, pretending to arrange the food containers.
"I'm talking to you, Yang-Yang."
He finally looked up.
"We can set the wedding in a month or two."
She frowned.
"Why wait that long?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll be going back to the UK soon, and I might stay longer this time. It makes sense to have the wedding then and take her with me."
His Mom nodded slowly.
"Alright. I'll inform your father."
"Thank you."
With that, he excused himself and went to his room.
As soon as he entered, he called Zhan.
Zhan answered quickly.
"Have you finished eating?" Yang-Yang asked.
Zhan pouted slightly.
"I'm full."
"So you didn't eat?"
Silence.
"What are you doing now?"
"I'm lying down."
"Get up and go eat. If you don't, you won't see me for many days."
Zhan sat up immediately.
"I didn't say I won't eat."
"Then go."
"…Okay."
"When you're done, call me."
He ended the call.
Zhan forced himself to eat.
Not just his portion....but also Yang-Yang's.
When he finished, he called him back.
Yang-Yang picked up just before the call disconnected.
"Were you sleeping?" Zhan asked softly.
"Yeah… did you finish eating?"
"I ate everything."
"Good."
Zhan smiled faintly.
"Then sleep well… bye."
Yang-Yang smiled too before ending the call.
Later that night, Dr. Yun came over.
After greeting Yang-Yang's Mom, he went to Yang-Yang's room.
"You look thinner," he said. "Did something happen in the UK?"
After chatting for a while, they both stepped outside.
Inside the car, Dr. Yun glanced at him.
"Did you go check on your pregnant teenager?"
Yang-Yang frowned.
"My pregnant teenager?"
Dr. Yun laughed.
"You're almost like the father of those babies. Actually, more than the real one."
Yang-Yang clicked his tongue but said nothing.
"But seriously," Dr. Yun continued, "if you ever meet the real father… what will you do?"
Yang-Yang smirked slightly.
"I wouldn't even look at him. The children Zhan'll give birth to are enough for him."
"What if he shows up one day, claiming them?"
Yang-Yang turned to him, eyes sharp.
Then he laughed lightly.
"I'll sue him. I'll make sure he spends years in prison."
Dr. Yun widened his eyes.
"So… that means the children are yours now?"
He burst into laughter.
Yang-Yang ignored him.
"Why don't you just marry him after he gives birth?" Dr. Yun added casually.
Yang-Yang turned slowly, giving him a look.
"Why would I do that?"
Dr. Yun smiled.
"Because you already act like everything to him. You take care of him, protect him… You're his support system."
He paused, then added teasingly,
"At this rate, just stay. Be his everything for the rest of his life. Who knows… in a couple of years, he might even have your own children too."
Yang-Yang didn't respond.
💚💙❤🖤