As they entered the living room, Zhan sat on one of the chairs. Rahel gently placed Roulan down and smiled.
"Do they not talk?" she asked.
Zhan wasn't entirely sure himself. He had only heard from the nanny that they spoke when they felt like it. He gave a small smile.
"Not really… they're still learning."
Rouxue got up and came closer to him, and Roulan followed his twin, climbing down from the chair.
Yulan chuckled.
"So they only recognize their brother, huh?"
Rahel smiled. "Of course."
Yulan walked off toward a room, while Rahel went to the fridge, brought out drinks and water, arranged them neatly on a tray with three cups, and returned.
"I don't even know your name," she said.
"My name is Zhan."
"I'm Rahel."
Zhan smiled. "It's nice meeting you, Rahel."
"You too."
She went back to the kitchen and returned with food in a warmer, along with plates and spoons.
"Oh, we already ate before coming,"
Zhan said quickly.
Rahel frowned slightly. "But I cooked for you."
Zhan smiled apologetically. "You didn't have to stress yourself… and they don't really eat much. Mostly cereal or Noddle's."
"Then I'll prepare Noddle's for them. You should eat this."
Zhan shook his head. "They already had something before we came. They won't eat again, honestly."
Rahel went quiet for a moment, then said, "So you won't eat?"
Zhan smiled gently. "I will."
"Good," she said, brightening.
She picked up the twins. "Come on, let's leave him to eat. We'll go greet my Aunt."
Zhan looked up. "Your Aunty is here?"
Rahel smiled. "Yes. After you eat, I'll take you to meet her."
She left with the boys, heading to her room.
As soon as she entered, she said excitedly, "Aunt, look at these beautiful children."
An average older woman sitting on a soft carpet looked up. "So your guests have arrived?"
"Yes, and his younger brothers too. Stay with them, I'll go serve him food."
She left the room.
Zhan ate a little of the meal Rahel had prepared, but his mind wasn't there. He was too focused on his children...he couldn't see or hear them. Eventually, he stood up, took the dishes to the kitchen, washed them, and returned to sit in the living room.
Rahel came out shortly after.
"You're done already? Or did you barely eat?"
Zhan forced a smile. "I ate… are they asleep?"
Even he felt a bit awkward asking.
"No, they're with my Aunt. Let's go, you should greet her too."
Zhan stood. "Alright."
He followed Rahel to the room. At the doorway, Rahel said, "Aunt, he's here to greet you," then stepped aside.
Zhan walked in slowly.
The moment his eyes fell on the woman sitting on the carpet with Roulan beside her, everything inside him froze. His body refused to move.
With great effort, his voice came out in a whisper....
"Mommy…"
The woman turned sharply at the sound of that voice....a voice she had longed to hear again.
"Zhan…?"
Rahel's eyes widened. "Wait… Aunt, you know him?"
Zhan turned abruptly, tears already streaming down his face, and rushed out.
Within moments, he had reached the gate and ran out of the house. Tears fell uncontrollably as he reached the roadside and got into a passing taxi. He could hear Rahel calling after him, but he didn't look back.
"Please, just go," he told the driver.
He cried all the way home, his chest aching. Even he didn't understand why the pain felt so overwhelming. The driver, thinking something terrible had happened, tried to comfort him and didn't even collect payment.
Zhan rushed inside and collapsed in the living room, breaking down completely.
The nanny ran out in panic. "What happened? Where are the boys?"
Only then did Zhan remember, he left them there.
The nanny froze, then rushed out and back in again, frantic.
"Zhan, I'm asking you...where are the children? What happened to them?"
Zhan leaned against the chair, his voice shaking.
"I saw her…My Mommy."
The nanny stared at him in shock.
"Your mother? Where did you see her?"
"At the house we went to…"
"What did she say? Didn't she recognize you?"
Before she could say more, Rahel entered the living room quietly.
The moment Zhan saw her, he bent forward again, crying weakly.
Rahel walked closer and knelt beside him.
"So… you're the Zhan my Aunt has been talking about all these years?" she said softly. "The one she kept going back to Shanghai to look for?"
Zhan lifted his tear-filled eyes to her.
Rahel shook her head gently. "I heard about you long before I got married and came here. After you disappeared, my Aunt changed completely. She went from place to place searching for you. Because of that, her health hasn't been the same."
She continued softly, "Even this trip… when she arrived in Shanghai, she first went to Hangzhou, Beijing searching....hoping she might find you. She had already planned to leave again tomorrow."
Just then, Xixue entered the living room.
Her face was tear-streaked.
She walked slowly and sat beside Zhan.
Zhan couldn't even look at her.
In a trembling voice, she said,
"Even if you don't want to listen… I'm begging you, forgive me. I wronged you in a way no mother should ever wrong her child. When I told you to leave… I didn't truly mean it from my heart. But you left, and it broke me."
She slid down from the chair and knelt beside him, crying.
"Please forgive me… please…"
Zhan broke down completely, resting his head on her lap.
"You didn't do anything wrong… please forgive me too. I know I failed you… but it wasn't my fault. I was never reckless… I was hurt…"
Xixue quickly pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly as she struggled to control her own tears.
"I already suspected… I judged you in anger and pain. I trusted how I raised you. Whoever did that to you will face the consequences."
The nanny, overwhelmed with emotion, wiped her tears, grateful that Zhan had finally found his mother again.
Rahel, too, stood quietly, deeply moved by the reunion between her Aunt and her stepson after three long years.
She stepped outside to bring Rouxue and Roulan from Yulan, who was still in the car.
"Because of you," she said gently, "my Aunt can finally be happy again."
Yulan gave a small smile. "That's good… but I'm still confused. I knew Zhan's Uncle's house was just a few houses from ours… I didn't know he had any connection to your Aunt."
Rahel smiled softly. "It's a long story. I'll tell you everything when we get home, dear."
:
:
Later that night, Yulan came to pick Rahel up.
Zhan refused to let Xixue follow them....deep down, he was afraid that if she left, he might never see her again.
Around 1 a.m., they were seated on the bed. Rouxue and Roulan were asleep beside Xixue, curled up against her. Zhan sat close, telling her everything about his life after he left home.
From the beginning to the very end…
Xixue wept.
Her whole body felt weak as she listened, knowing that, in one way or another, she had caused everything Zhan went through.
When Zhan finished, silence filled the room.
In a trembling voice, he said, "Mommy… he never came back. I will never forget him in my life…"
Xixue pulled him into her arms.
"He will come back someday… he will find his way back to you and the twins."
Zhan nodded quietly, though deep in his heart, he only prayed he would be lucky enough to see that day, the day Yang-Yang will return to them.
After a moment, Xixue spoke again.
"The day you left, I searched everywhere for you. I walked until I couldn't anymore, then I started using transport. I came back home late at night, still hoping you had returned… but you hadn't."
Her voice broke.
"I went through a pain I never want to feel again. I knew you had no one… and before I even got back, those people in the house had already informed my husband what happened. When I arrived, he handed me divorce papers...like he had been waiting."
Zhan looked up slightly.
"I told you to leave… but I never meant it from my heart. Yet, he used it against me. He humiliated me, told me to pack and leave his house by the next morning. I didn't even wait for dawn...I sold my furniture and left that same day. With that money… I returned to Ethiopia."
Zhan's chest tightened.
"I don't like remembering those days," she continued. "Just forgive me… everything that happened to you, I feel responsible. If I hadn't taken you to Yakumbo's house, none of this would have happened."
She paused briefly.
"As for Yakumbo… there's nothing more to say about her now. She has passed away."
Zhan's head snapped up. "She's gone?"
"Yes. It's been almost two years now. It was an accident… electricity."
Zhan fell silent, his body going cold. After a while, he murmured,
"I hope she rests in peace."
"Amen… I mean, I hope so," Xixue replied softly.
Zhan looked at her again. "Please… forgive me too."
They didn't sleep until around 3 a.m.
The next morning, Xixue bathed Rouxue and Roulan herself before bringing them to the living room. The nanny, who had just finished preparing breakfast, came out and greeted her.
Xixue smiled warmly and thanked her sincerely for taking care of Zhan and the boys all this time.
After spending a week with them, Xixue told Zhan she had to return to her country...but promised she would come back.
Zhan immediately broke into tears. "You want to leave me again?"
"No," she said gently. "I will return. Let me go and settle things first, then I'll come back so we can live together forever."
She paused, then added,
"But we won't stay in this house. We'll rent a place in Beijing. You can keep this one close for the twins."
"Beijing…?" Zhan repeated softly.
"Yes. Leave the past behind, Zhan. Life moves on. You can't stay tied to one place forever."
Zhan lowered his gaze and nodded.
That decision marked the beginning of their move to Beijing.
They left the house in Shanghai...the one that Yang-Yang had secured for the twins...and started a new life.
Life in Beijing was smooth… but Zhan couldn't find peace.
No matter how hard he tried, the memories from three years ago kept returning. Even in the new house Xixue rented, his past haunted him.
Sometimes, the pain became so overwhelming that he had to be hospitalized.
Xixue grew increasingly worried and began considering moving again, as she didn't want to return to Shanghai either.
***
After six months, Zhan slowly began to adjust.
Xixue threw herself into business. She traveled frequently...even to foreign countries...and in a short time, her wealth grew significantly.
The love she showed the twins was something Zhan himself had never experienced. It was as if she was trying to make up for everything by pouring all her affection into them.
The boys adored her just as much. They were always clinging to her, following her everywhere.
In the neighborhood, no one even knew they were Zhan's children...everyone believed Xixue was their mother.
The nanny still lived with them and had become like part of the family.
Now that Rouxue and Roulan had grown more expressive, they no longer avoided Zhan. Still, in their little world, Zhan was like an older brother… and Xixue was their mother.
Eventually, Xixue did everything she could to secure Zhan admission into the University of Cambridge in the UK.
At first, Zhan wasn't happy...he had been placed in Pharmacy, which wasn't the dream Yang-Yang once had for him.
But Xixue convinced him.
And so, he went.
At the beginning, Xixue, the nanny, and the twins stayed with him for a week before returning. After that, Zhan focused entirely on his studies, determined to become a qualified pharmacist.
And then…
Yunxi appeared in his life.
As if that wasn't enough, he ran into the one person he never wanted to see again for the rest of his life.
✴✴✴
Present....
A heavy silence filled the living room for almost three minutes.
Finally, Yunxi slowly lifted his head and looked at Zhan, who was still curled up with his head buried in his knees. He could hear the faint, broken sounds of his crying...and yet, he couldn't find the right words to say.
He leaned back against the chair for a moment, then stood up and walked toward him. Kneeling in front of Zhan, he gently lifted his face.
Zhan's eyes were red and swollen. He quickly looked away, but fresh tears slipped down.
Yunxi just stared at him for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.
"Forget about Yang-Yang… he did what he did out of kindness. Erase him from your mind."
Zhan immediately looked up at him.
Yunxi stood and returned to his seat. "Yes. Forget you ever knew him."
Zhan stared at him, then asked quietly, "Why?"
Yunxi replied flatly, "What...are you trying to repay him? If that's what you want, you can help others too. There's no reason to spend six years thinking about one person. Besides, he needs nothing from you. What he did… he did willingly out of humanity."
Zhan's expression hardened. He stood up, glaring at him.
"I regret telling you who I am," he said coldly. "Out of everything I told you… that's the only part you focused on? That's the only thing you remember?"
He wiped his tears angrily.
"I just wasted the time I should've used to sleep."
With that, he turned and walked into his room.
Yunxi watched him leave without blinking.
After a while, he leaned back and closed his eyes. A deep, unsettling sympathy stirred within him.
"Yang-Yang…" he murmured under his breath.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes again.
After standing there for a moment, he glanced at the clock...it was almost 3 a.m....then headed toward Zhan's room.
He found him sitting on the floor again, head buried in his knees.
For a moment, Yunxi said nothing. Then he knelt in front of him.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "You misunderstood me."
Zhan didn't respond.
"Your story… it's heartbreaking. You've been through too much at such a young age. But you're strong… stronger than most."
Still no response.
Yunxi gently lifted his face again. Their eyes met briefly before Zhan closed his.
Yunxi gave a faint smile. "Those boys… they're really adorable."
He paused, then added,
"You're not leaving the UK. If anything, Yibo will be the one to leave...not you. I promise you that. You'll stay and finish your studies."
Zhan slowly opened his eyes. "He already knows my school… he'll keep looking for me."
Tears filled his eyes again.
"I don't even know what he want from me…"
Yunxi smiled slightly. "He'll stop… soon."
Zhan wanted to look at him, but something in Yunxi eyes held him back.
Yunxi stood. "Alright… life goes on. Calm down...no one will take your peace away here. Go take a shower, then rest."
Zhan hesitated. "But… I want to visit my Mommy…"
"When?"
"Maybe tomorrow."
Yunxi was silent for a moment. "Alright… we'll go."
He stood there for a while, watching him. When Zhan finally looked up, he quickly looked away.
"Good night," Yunxi said softly before leaving.
After he stepped out, he locked the door behind him.
For some reason, Zhan suddenly felt lighter...like a weight had been lifted from his chest. He slowly got up, did as Yunxi suggested, and eventually fell into a deep sleep around 3:30 a.m.
✴✴✴
From the moment Yibo stepped out, Aunt Marry had been watching him.
He walked into the kitchen… came out… went back in again… and repeated the same restless movement several times.
"Yibo," she called.
He turned quickly, as if startled...he hadn't even realized she was there. He walked over and sat beside her.
"Yes, Aunt?"
She looked at him with concern. "What's wrong with you? Look at yourself...you're not okay. You keep walking in and out like you're lost. Tell me what's going on."
He lowered his gaze, silent.
That only made her more worried. She moved closer.
"Talk to me, Yibo. You never know, I might be able to help. Or do you not trust me like your mother?"
When she saw the tears in his eyes, she panicked.
"Yibo… why are you crying? Please, tell me what's wrong. Did something happen?"
He shook his head slowly.
"Just… keep praying for me. And… I'll be traveling to China tomorrow. I won't stay long."
Then he stood up and walked away, leaving her staring after him in shock.
She quickly went to her room and called Mrs. Wang.
After greeting her, she said anxiously,
"Please, can you talk to Yibo? I don't understand him anymore. He's so troubled… he barely eats, he's losing weight, and now he's even crying."
Mrs. Wang sighed. "He's always been like that… you just didn't notice before. Even I don't understand him. Maybe… it's about the marriage his father is arranging for him."
Aunt Marry froze. "Marriage? When?"
"They're already preparing. When he returns, he'll take his wife along with him. But don't tell him yet."
"What? He just told me he's traveling to China tomorrow."
"That's perfect," Mrs. Wang replied. "The wedding is tomorrow. Just let things be."
Aunt Marry felt uneasy. Something about it didn't sit right with her.
⏭ ⏭
The next day, Zhan stepped out of his apartment holding a small bag.
Yunxi stood nearby, arms folded, watching him through his dark glasses.
He wore them because of Zhan said he didn't like to looked at his eyes.
Zhan was dressed in a black outfit with a matching shoes, looking elegant and distant.
As he approached, Yunxi turned and started walking outside. He stopped a taxi for them since his car wasn't available.
They got in.
"Did you call home?" he asked. "Did you tell them you're coming?"
Zhan shook his head.
"Why?"
"Mommy might tell me not to come…"
Yunxi frowned. "Then what's the point of going? You should've told me earlier."
Zhan shot him an annoyed look but said nothing.
Yunxi blinked behind his glasses. "Did you just....glare at me?"
Zhan glared again. "You saw it. And I didn't ask you to escort me...you can go back if you want."
Yunxi removed his glasses, their eyes meeting briefly before Zhan quickly looked away, hiding his face.
"I don't like this," he muttered.
Yunxi smiled faintly but said nothing, putting his glasses back on.
They remained silent until they reached the airport.
Yunxi handled everything...tickets, check-in...while Zhan sat quietly.
When he returned and handed him the ticket, Zhan widened his eyes.
"No… give me your account details."
Yunxi gave him a look. "Alright, sir."
Zhan fell silent.
Zhan took out his phone to text Vanessa, but suddenly glanced sideways...
And froze.
Not far from them, Yibo was seated, scrolling through his phone.
Zhan's heart dropped.
The only thing that came to his mind was his children...their faces flashing before him. His chest tightened.
He quickly looked away, silently praying they wouldn't be on the same flight.
Yunxi noticed how Zhan had unconsciously moved closer to him.
"What?" he asked.
Zhan shook his head quickly, still unable to look up.
He didn't move away either.
Yunxi scanned the area but saw nothing unusual...just travelers moving about.
Then he called softly, "Zhan…"
Zhan looked up immediately.
"What happened?"
Zhan shook his head quickly, his voice trembling.
"I don't know why… but I'm scared."
Yunxi frowned slightly. "Scared? Of what?"
Zhan stretched his hands toward him helplessly, as if on the verge of tears.
There was a brief silence.
Then Yunxi said softly, "Alright… should I come with you to China?"
Zhan looked up at him. He could only see his sharp nose and lips...the dark glasses still hid his eyes. Slowly, he nodded.
"Okay then," Yunxi replied.
He stood up, and Zhan followed him with eyes, stealing a quick glance toward Yibo's direction. This time, Yibo wasn't on his phone. He was leaning back, watching a group of foreign children walking with their mother.
Zhan quickly looked away.
Even after boarding the plane, Zhan stayed close to Yunxi. Luckily, his seat was right beside him.
From time to time, he subtly scanned the cabin...but there was no sign of Yibo.
Eventually, sleep took over. He covered part of his face with his face mask and drifted off.
Yunxi kept glancing at him, unable to understand the strange sympathy he felt toward Zhan. It was deep… and unexplainable.
Slowly, Zhan leaned his head on Yunxi's shoulder.
Yunxi pulled him closer to his chest without hesitation and closed his eyes.
After several hours, Zhan woke up and quickly pulled away from him.
Yunxi opened his eyes. "Are you hungry?"
Zhan shook his head.
Just then, as if drawn by instinct, he glanced to the side...
And froze.
Yibo was there.
Seated not too far away, eyes closed, earphones in.
Zhan immediately buried his face against Yunxi, his body trembling.
Yunxi held him, confused. "Are you okay?"
Zhan shook his head again, unable to speak.
Yunxi followed his gaze...and then he saw him.
Yibo.
For some reason, his chest tightened. He stared for a moment, studying him closely. There was something about him… something familiar.
He looked away.
Zhan refused to lift his head again.
For the rest of the journey, both of them were tense. Yunxi found himself glancing toward Yibo more than once, while Zhan avoided looking in that direction entirely.
A few hours before landing in Shanghai, Zhan risked another glance.
At that exact moment, Yibo turned.
Their eyes met.
Zhan's face was still partially covered, but it felt like something pierced straight through his chest. He quickly looked away.
Yibo kept watching him for a while before finally looking elsewhere.
After landing, Zhan didn't turn even once.
Yunxi waited for most passengers to leave before standing up. Zhan followed closely, almost clinging to him as they walked down the stairs.
Then...
Zhan saw him.
Yibo was standing not far from the aircraft, watching them.
Zhan legs nearly gave out. He felt certain… Yibo had recognized him.
Yunxi didn't notice at first...he was distracted by greeting a foreign friend.
But Yibo had already started walking toward them.
His eyes were fixed on Zhan.
Step by step… he came closer.
Then suddenly...
He stopped right in front of Zhan.
Without warning, he grabbed Zhan's face mask and pulled it off.
Zhan froze, completely shaken.
Yunxi turned sharply at the movement...And immediately grabbed Yibo by the collar, his expression turning cold.
"How dare you?" he snapped.
💚💙❤🖤