They greeted each other warmly before Zhai, Yang-Yang said, "So you're back in China now?"
Taichen replied, "Not really. I only came about a week ago to put a few things in order. I think I'll be leaving again the day after tomorrow."
"Oh, that means we might not get to see each other," Zhai said. "How are your children?"
"They're fine. Jammu, is in Beijing."
"That's good to hear," Zhai said with a smile. "I'm really glad you called. Are you in Shanghai now?"
Taichen laughed lightly. "You don't even know the real reason I called. I just saw Yang-Yang....that's why I contacted you."
"Really?" Yang-Yang's mother responded in surprise.
"Yes. It turns out he's back at his own place. I was heading out to the mall when I saw him in his car."
Yang-Yang's mother sighed. "I don't even understand why he suddenly moved to Shanghai. Sometimes a whole month passes without seeing him. Whenever I ask, he just says it's work."
Taichen paused briefly, then asked carefully, "Has he gotten married Zhai?"
"Not at all," Yang-Yang's mother replied. "Didn't I tell you what happened with that girl he was courting, Zizi? Her family returned everything to him. You know his father's personality....he didn't even react much. Instead, he said Yang-Yang wasn't ready for marriage yet. To me, if he ever deceived that girl, he'll face the consequences someday."
Taichen exhaled slowly. "That's surprising… because I saw him with a man and two babies in the car. When I asked if he was married, he told me they belonged to a friend and that he was just dropping them off. But honestly, it didn't make sense. Why would someone take a friend's family to his own house? And the way he answered… it felt suspicious."
She continued, "Since his house isn't far from mine, I actually walked there myself. I knocked, and a young woman....probably a nanny....opened the gate. When I asked about him, she said he had just left with his family. That's what made me wonder… could it be that he secretly married in Abuja without telling you? The babies look only a few months old."
Yang-Yang's mother listened in stunned silence. After a while, she let out a deep breath and wiped her face slowly.
"When did you say you're leaving?" she asked.
"Tuesday."
"Then I'll come to Shanghai first thing tomorrow morning," Yang-Yang's mother said firmly. "I'll call you as soon as I arrive."
Taichen shook her head gently. "There's no need to rush. Let me handle it first....I'll speak to him myself. What if it's not what we think? It could really be a friend's family."
But Yang-Yang's mother refused. "No, I have to come. It's been almost a year since Yang-Yang started acting differently....ever since before he left Chongqing. Don't say anything to him yet. Let me come first. Whether it's true or not, we'll find out. Thank you so much."
She ended the call, her mind racing. A man… and children? Where did they come from?
A faint, unreadable smile crossed her face as she stepped out of the room.
:
:
At the mall, Yang-Yang bought everything the twins needed....cereal, biscuits, oats, chocolates, sweets, diapers, even baby lotion and fragrances.
Meanwhile, Zhan held Rouxue, who kept crying and reaching out toward Yang-Yang, refusing to stay in Zhan's arms. The other baby Roulan clung tightly to Yang-Yang as if afraid of being taken away too.
Rouxue's cries echoed across the mall.
Yang-Yang frowned slightly. "What's the point of this? Your child doesn't even want you to carry him, Meixuan."
Zhan said nothing.
"Meixuan," he continued, his tone firmer, "do you think we're going to stay together forever? Of course not. These children are your responsibility now....they're your world. You need to show them love."
He handed him the shopping cart and took Rouxue without hesitation. The baby instantly quieted, peeking curiously at Zhan from Yang-Yang's shoulder.
No matter how much Yang-Yang tried, Zhan refused to pick anything for himself at the mall. Eventually, Yang-Yang bought ice cream for them before they headed home.
Back at the house, the nanny came out and carried both babies inside.
Just as Zhan opened the car door to step out, Yang-Yang stopped him.
"Wait."
He moved into the back seat and closed the door, facing him.
Zhan sat there, knees drawn up, quietly sobbing.
Yang-Yang gently lifted his chin.
"Did I do something wrong by telling you the truth, Meixuan?"
Tears slid down his face as his voice trembled.
"So… am I the one who told them to be afraid of me?"
Yang-Yang smiled faintly, watching his eyes.
"Of course it's you. You don't love them. Look at them… you never even fed them yourself. Did you think they'd forget?"
Zhan pouted and turned away.
"But you remember… I fed them once."
He chuckled softly, studying his face before his expression softened. Taking Zhan's hand gently, he closed his eyes.
"If you care about what I say… if I mean anything to you, then from today, start loving those children."
Zhan lowered his head, saying nothing. Feeling Yang-Yang grip tighten slightly, he pulled his hand away and shifted to the other side, opening the car door and stepping out.
Yang-Yang followed behind him quietly.
That night, Yang-Yang couldn't sleep.
Restlessness filled him, though he couldn't explain why.
Around 2 a.m., he stepped out of his room.
Inside Zhan's own room, he was awake too. The moment he heard movement, he quickly slid the paper in his hand under his pillow. When no one entered, he got off the bed and stepped outside.
He went downstairs.
Yang-Yang stood in the middle of the living room.
Hearing footsteps, he turned sharply.
Their eyes met as Zhan approached.
"Why are you awake at this hour?" he asked.
Zhan only shook his head and sat on the floor near him. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"At the mall… you said we won't be together forever. Why?"
His voice trembled at the end.
Yang-Yang stared at him. Tears began to fall from Zhan's eyes.
"Why are you crying?" he said quickly. "I didn't mean it like that… what I meant is...."
He stopped.
Zhan leaned his head against the chair, crying quietly.
"Please… don't say you'll leave me someday. I have no one. Just you. You're the only one I have now. If you leave me… what will I do? Who will take care of the boys?"
His words hit Yang-Yang hard. He knelt down in front of him, lifting his face gently.
"I didn't say I'll leave you. What I meant is… life isn't certain. Things happen."
Zhan's eyes widened, unblinking....then he broke down even harder.
"You're going to die and leave me?"
Yang-Yang couldn't help but laugh softly.
"I didn't say I'm going to die. But when someone does… it's just their time."
Zhan grabbed his hand tightly, tears streaming down.
"You won't die."
Yang-Yang smiled faintly.
"And you won't leave me either… not you, not the boys."
Zhan fell silent, then murmured under his breath,
"It would be better if the boys dies…"
Yang-Yang's expression changed instantly.
"What is wrong with you?" he said, shocked.
Zhan lowered his head. "I'm sorry."
Yang-Yang exhaled, unable to find the right words.
"Go to bed," he said finally.
"What about you?"
"I'm not sleepy."
"Me neither."
His tone hardened. "I said go."
Zhan's eyes filled again. "Then you go too."
Yang-Yang sighed, then stood up. He followed suit.
"Alright. Let's go."
Zhan walked ahead; Yang-Yang followed behind. At the hallway, he waited until Yang-Yang entered his room, then went into his own.
He waved lightly before closing the door.
Yang-Yang smiled and shut his.
Lying on his bed, Yang-Yang stared at the ceiling.
He couldn't stop thinking.
Do I… love him?
He closed his eyes, pushing the thought away. Sleep eventually took him.
Morning came with an uneasy feeling in his chest.
He lay awake for hours, staring blankly....until something struck him.
He sat up suddenly.
Yesterday evening… Aunt Taichen.
His expression darkened.
What if she already told his mother she saw him with a man and children?
He rubbed his head, thinking fast.
No… maybe not. But it's better to be careful.
He dragged himself out of bed and went to the twins' room.
The nanny was already there, feeding them while they sat in their small chairs. The moment they saw him, they stretched their hands toward him, one even starting to cry.
He walked over, picking them both up with a small smile. He knew they'd cry if he left them behind.
He carried them back to his room.
Around late morning, he planned to step out....but the twins refused to sleep.
Then the doorbell rang downstairs.
For no clear reason, his heart dropped.
He stood to go, but the babies started crying again. He picked them up and stepped out.
From the stairs, he saw Zhan standing at the door, about to open it.
Something about that moment felt… wrong.
He froze.
The door opened.
And there she was....
His mother—walking into the living room.
Behind her, Taichen followed.
For the first time in a long while…
Yang-Yang felt real fear.
Yang-Yang's mother stared at him, her expression tight with disbelief.
"Yang-Yang…? Is this really the life you chose for yourself? Is this the upbringing I gave you?"
Yang-Yang lowered his gaze immediately, his whole body going cold as he slowly walked downstairs, still holding the twins.
"No, Mom… I didn't choose this life...."
She cut him off sharply.
"Then tell me....who is that boy? Who is he? What exactly is your relationship with him?"
He swallowed hard, struggling to speak.
"Mom… you might not believe me, but if you call Dr Yun, he can explain everything. Maybe you'll believe him."
Her eyes flashed with anger.
"Call Yun? Why....are you both hiding something from me? I don't have time for this! So this is what you came to do here? Bringing a teenage boy into your house and living with him like this… unbelievable!"
Taichen quickly stepped in, raising a calming hand.
"Please, let him speak first."
Then she turned to Yang-Yang.
"Go on. Tell us...who is he?"
Yang-Yang glanced at Zhan, who stood with his head lowered, tears silently falling. His chest tightened, and for a moment, he couldn't find the words.
Taichen sighed.
"Fine. Give me Dr Yun's number. I'll call him myself."
She handed him her phone. Yang-Yang entered the number, and as it began to ring, she took it back. But the moment Dr Yun picked up, Yang-Yang's mother snatched the phone from her.
"Yun, can you hear me?"
There was a brief pause on the other end, then his voice came, cautious.
"Yes… Aunt, good day...."
She didn't respond to the greeting.
"Yun, tell me....who is the boy Yang is keeping in his house? And those children....who are they?"
Dr Yun hesitated, his heart pounding. He stood up instinctively, then slowly sat back down.
"Aunt… it's not what you think. He was only helping him. He's… he's an orphan....."
Her expression hardened instantly.
"An orphan? So he doesn't know where an orphanage is? And why didn't you help him instead? He brings a man who isn't related to him into his house and you call that 'help'? Have you ever heard of something like that in your life? And the children....who do they belong to?"
Yusuf's voice dropped.
"They're his, the boy."
The line went dead.
Yang-Yang's mother lowered the phone slowly, her eyes filling with tears as she turned to Taichen.
"Do you see this now? You can give birth to a child, but you can't give birth to their character. I've been noticing his behavior for a long time… Is this how he plans to shame us? Is this the result of how his father and I raised him?"
Zhan suddenly dropped to his knees, crying.
"Please… forgive him. I'm begging you…"
"Be quiet!" Yang-Yang's mother snapped, her voice sharp.
"So this is how your parents raised you? To live shamelessly in a man's house like this?"
Zhan's voice trembled.
"My parents are gone… I have no one. That's why he helped me. Please… don't ask him to send us away…"
Yang-Yang, whose legs felt too weak to hold him, sank into a chair. The twins clung tightly to him.
"Mom… please," he said quietly. "It's not the way you think. I just...."
She cut him off again, her tone filled with frustration.
"Not the way I think? Then how is it, Yang-Yang?"
He forced himself to look up, and the sight of tears in his mother's eyes broke him completely. Gently setting the children down, he walked over and knelt before her.
"Please… don't cry because of me," he said, his voice shaking.
"I promise....I'll stop everything from today. Just forgive me… please, Mother."
He was completely shaken.
She looked at him through her tears.
"And even if I forgive you… what about your conscience? What kind of 'help' is this, done without your family even knowing? Living together like husband and wife… If I didn't know you better, would I even believe those children aren't yours?"
His eyes flickered with pain.
"I only did it to help him… but I'll stop now. I promise. Please forgive me… I know I've done wrong to you."
She took a deep breath, then said firmly:
"Pack your things and return to Chongqing today. Not tomorrow....today. And I want the keys to this house. Bring them to me at Taichen's place."
With that, she turned and walked out.
Anyone could see how deeply she loved her son....her anger came from hurt.
Taichen looked at Yang-Yang and sighed.
"You heard your mother. Do as she said immediately. And as for him…" she glanced briefly toward Zhan, "if he says he has no parents, he must still have relatives somewhere. He should go to them."
Yang-Yang remained silent.
Taichen turned and walked out as well.
Yang-Yang held his head, which felt unbearably heavy. His thoughts were completely scattered, and Zhan's crying pierced deep into his chest. Even the twins had started crying.
His eyes flickered, and suddenly he stood up from where he had been kneeling.
Without saying a word, he went to his room, grabbed his car keys, and walked out of the house.
The nanny, who had witnessed everything, rushed to Zhan, who was crying uncontrollably. She gently touched his shoulder and asked softly,
"So… he's not your husband? The father of the twins?"
Zhan looked up at her, tears streaming down his face, and shook his head.
"He only helped me… even before I gave birth to them. I have no one… only him."
The nanny's eyes filled with tears.
"What about your relatives?"
Zhan's voice trembled.
"I don't know my mother's family… and my father's relatives won't accept me. My stepmother left… I don't even know where she is."
At that point, he broke down completely.
"I don't know what I'm going to do with my children…"
The nanny's heart sank. She pulled him into a gentle embrace.
"Please… be patient. There will always be a way forward. Don't cry anymore, please."
She then got up and went to attend to Roulan and his brother, who were crying because Yang-Yang had left.
⏭ ⏭
Nearly three hours later, the nanny was exhausted from trying to comfort Zhan, who refused to stop crying. By then, the twins had fallen asleep.
Not long after, Yang-Yang returned.
Zhan stared at him as he walked in and sat down. Slowly, he moved toward him and knelt beside him.
"I'm sorry… I caused all of this. Please forgive me…"
Tears filled his eyes as he spoke.
He forced a small smile.
"It's nothing, Meixuan. Go upstairs and pack all your things."
Zhan froze, his heart sinking, staring at him. He nodded reassuringly.
Weakly, he stood and went upstairs.
He turned to the nanny.
"Pack the children's things… and yours too."
She nodded and went upstairs.
Soon, bags began coming down. The nanny carried twin's things outside to the car. Yang-Yang remained seated, lost in deep thought.
His phone rang. He picked it up quickly.
"Muzuan, are you here?"
"I'm outside."
Yang-Yang stepped out to meet him.
"You mean you're selling this house?"
Muzuan asked in disbelief.
"Yes."
"This house is better than the one you're buying! And you're even adding money on top? They really got a good deal from you."
"Just give me the documents for the other house. And don't forget....it's almost furnished."
Muzuan handed him an envelope.
Yang-Yang took it.
"Everything in this house belongs to me anyway."
Then Yang-Yang went back inside, brought out his own documents, and handed them over.
"Everything here will be moved out before night. Please handle the explanation."
Muzuan, still confused, nodded and left.
Back inside, Yang-Yang told the nanny to bring the twins into the car.
When Zhan didn't come out, he went upstairs, opened his door, and simply said,
"I'm waiting for you, Meixuan."
Then he turned and left.
Zhan wiped his tears and followed.
After about twenty minutes of driving, they arrived at another neighborhood. It was nice....but clearly not as luxurious as the previous one.
Yang-Yang parked in front of a large bungalow, got out, opened the gate, and drove in.
The house was beautiful....three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, plus a kitchen, dining area, and a spacious living room already furnished.
But it still didn't compare to his own house.
Zhan remained standing until he gestured for him to sit. Slowly, he obeyed.
Yang-Yang picked up little Rouxue., who was reaching for him, then turned to the nanny.
"I have a favor to ask… stay with them. Even if it's just for a few years. For the sake of the twins. I'll pay you."
The nanny, already emotional, nodded.
"I will."
He immediately wrote her a check.
Then he walked over to Zhan and gently placed an envelope on his lap.
"This is for my boys. I bought this house in their names....it belongs to them."
Zhan said nothing, just stared at him.
Yang-Yang knelt in front of him, his voice soft and fragile.
"I always wanted the best for you… I wanted to send you abroad to study, to become a doctor. That was always my dream for you. But because of the children… I had to delay it."
He paused.
"I'm sorry I couldn't fulfill it. But you still can. Promise me… even if I'm not here, you'll continue your education and become someone great."
Still, Zhan said nothing.
Yang-Yang held his hand gently and gave him another check.
"I'm leaving, Meixuan. This is twenty million¥. It's everything I can give you for now, all i have. Use it to build a better life for yourself and the boys."
His voice broke.
"I wish I had found your stepmother for you… I wish I had helped you reclaim your rights from your father's family… but I couldn't."
He paused again, struggling.
"As for the twins…"
He couldn't finish.
After a moment, he continued softly:
"I will always love them… like they're my own. Please don't let them feel my absence. Love them the way I do. You are all they have now."
(Ya! Allah, I'm really crying. 😭😭😭)
He stood up slowly.
"If you ever meet someone good… someone you trust, you can marry. Just be honest about who you are."
Then quietly:
"If I've ever wronged you in any way… please forgive me."
He lowered his head.
"Goodbye, Meixuan… I'm grateful I met you."
As he tried to leave, Zhan suddenly hugged him and collapsed, crying uncontrollably.
"Please don't leave me! You're all I have! You said you would never leave me...please don't do this to me! What will I do without you?"
He clung to him, sobbing.
"I have no one… please don't leave me alone with the children… I don't even know where my stepmother is…"
The nanny began crying too.
Yang-Yang tried to hold back his tears....but failed.
He gently lifted him and hug.
"Life will go on… with or without me. You'll survive. Just manage what I've given you."
He swallowed hard.
"You'll find your stepmother someday… and your family."
Then quietly:
"I have to go… for my mother. I can't go against her."
He looked at him one last time.
"Take care of the boys. Don't hate them… they're all you have."
He turned to the twins, knelt, and picked them up.
They smiled at him, reaching out.
He kissed them deeply and whispered,
"Live long… my boys. Be the light of your mother's life."
Then he stood and walked toward the door crying silently.
Through his tears, Zhan said softly,
"Thank you… for everything. You became the light of my life when everything was dark. You will always be my light."
He didn't turn back, he can't.
The twins began crying as he left.
He walked out, removed his SIM card, threw it into the garden, and got into his car.
And just like that....
Yang-Yang left Zhan and his twins behind.
NB
Sorry short chapter, i can't continue for now, really emotional, i am crying can't see screen clearly.
💚💙❤🖤