I-Bo arrived in the neighborhood where Yu-Bin lived, but he couldn't remember the exact apartment Zhan had told him. So he called the phone he had with him.
Zhan was sitting on the bed, still playing a game on the phone.
Suddenly, his heart skipped as he saw I-Bo name and picture appear on the screen. For a moment, it felt as though he was standing right in front of him. The call ended before he realized he hadn't answered. His eyes widened when it hit him that he had missed it. A few seconds later, I-Bo called again.
This time, he picked up and switched on the hands-free, remaining quiet.
"Sean," he called.
"Yes," he replied.
"I think I forgot the apartment you told me."
Zhan gave him the directions again.
"Thank you," he said before ending the call and continuing to drive.
He parked right in front of the apartment since Yiming's car wasn't there. Walking up to the door, he knocked gently. After about a minute, the living room door opened.
Yu-Bin stepped back, staring at him in surprise from head to toe.
I-Bo gave a slight smile.
"Hi, Yu-Bin."
Yu-Bin eyes widened as he glanced toward his car, thinking he might have come with Zhan. Seeing no one inside, he said, "Hi, good afternoon."
"How are you doing, Yu-Bin?" he asked.
Almost immediately, he responded with concern, "Is Zhan unwell?"
"Yes, he's not feeling well," I-Bo replied.
"Honestly, I just finished getting ready to eat before heading over. I saw his missed call from yesterday and have been trying to reach him since then, but his phone hasn't been going through. I've been worried."
"That's why I came to pick you up, if you don't mind, so you can be with him. He's sick, and maybe if you talk to him, he'll eat and take his medicine."
"Of course, let me grab my phone," Yu-Bin said quickly before hurrying inside.
I-Bo returned to his car.
Peng, who had been sitting in the living room, had overheard their conversation, but Yu-Bin didn't even glance in his direction as he rushed into his room, grabbed his bag and phone, and came back out.
Seeing I-Bo waiting in the car, he opened the front door and got in.
"Has he been sick since yesterday? And why is his phone off?" he asked.
"He said it fell into water," I-Bo replied.
"Oh, okay."
After they had been driving for a while, I-Bo added, "He's at our place. That's where we're going now."
Yu-Bin turned sharply to him in surprise. "Your place? Why? What happened?"
"Before that, we'll stop by his apartment so you can pack some of his things. We left yesterday with nothing."
Yu-Bin didn't respond, his mind racing with questions. What happened? How did Zhan...who he knew to be so stubborn...agree to go to his housemate house? Was his condition that serious?
Lost in thought, they arrived at the apartment. They went inside together. I-Bo stayed in the living room while Yu-Bin went straight to Zhan's room.
A few minutes later, he came out and asked, "Should I just pack one set of clothes for him or more?"
I-Bo stood up. "No, three to four will be fine."
Though confused, Yu-Bin said nothing and returned to the room. He packed a suitcase with Zhan's clothes and everything he might need.
When he came out, I-Bo asked, "Did you pack everything he'll need?"
He nodded.
They left together, Yu-Bin eagerness to see Zhan growing by the second. The journey was silent until they arrived at the house.
After parking, I-Bo stepped out, and Yu-Bin followed. He took the suitcase, and they headed inside. There was no sign of A-Bo's car, so he was likely out.
As they went upstairs, I-Bo led him to the room where Zhan was and knocked. He handed the suitcase to Yu-Bin.
"You can go in."
"Okay," he said, taking it.
He opened the door. Zhan kept staring at him until he walked in.
Yu-Bin dropped the suitcase and rushed toward him.
"What happened to you, Zhan?"
Zhan lowered his gaze slowly, unable to say a word. He didn't even know where to begin. Tears began to fall.
:
:
Yu-Bin stood by the window after Zhan finished telling him everything that had happened. The story had shaken him so deeply that he couldn't sit still.
For almost two minutes, he remained silent, pacing slightly, his foot tapping against the floor. Zhan, on the other hand, could only wipe the tears streaming down his face.
Finally, Yu-Bin let out a heavy sigh filled with frustration.
"When I told you before that Yiming was dangerous, didn't you take it lightly? In all my life, I've never seen someone as reckless as him. Just because you couldn't reach anyone, he thought he could ruin your life without a single ounce of conscience? He spent so much money just to come all the way here with such intentions?"
He shook his head in anger.
"I'm even upset that your housemate's brother didn't beat him unconscious before sending him back to the airport. Honestly, I'm glad things turned out this way. Hopefully, this is the end of him in your life."
Zhan broke down in tears. "Bin, I don't know what he might do when he gets back to China. I'm so restless."
"Do?" Yu-Bin snapped. "What can he possibly do? Go back and tell his parents why he came here? If you don't stop these tears, I won't feel sorry for you. He failed to ruin your life, and that's what matters. Or are you upset that he didn't succeed?"
His tone hardened.
"Honestly, if I had answered your call, the police would have gotten there before I did. I would have reported him immediately. It's pure madness...weren't all the people around him enough? He had to come after you too?"
He exhaled sharply, then continued more firmly:
"You should be grateful to your housemate and his brother. They're the reason things didn't turn out worse. If not for them, this would be a completely different story. What happened could have been far more devastating."
Zhan didn't say anything further. He just kept wiping the tears that refused to stop.
Yu-Bin rested his hand against his cheek, still in disbelief over Yiming. After a moment, he muttered, "If he had tried that with someone else, he would have been beaten senseless. Just a shameless prostitute."
Despite everything Zhan was going through, he couldn't help but laugh a little. He had never heard a man being called that before...until now, hearing it from Bin.
Yu-Bin continued, "Look at this big room you've been given. Stay here and focus on your exams in peace. As for me, whenever I get the chance, I'll come stay with you until evening before going back. There's no way I'd ask you to return to my place. I'm not even safe around Hailong-ge husband myself, and he doesn't provide properly for me. If he had left me alone, I would have moved out and stayed close to you. At least here, we won't lack food or basic needs. This place is more than enough for us."
He paused, then added more calmly, "Zhan, this was meant to happen. It was already written that Yiming would be the reason you came here and met the right people. No one can change that. Whether he wanted to or not, he still led you to people who would stand by you. That was his role in your life....nothing more. And whatever reward comes from that isn't ours to give."
Zhan shook his head quietly. "I won't stay here, Bin."
Yu-Bin looked at him sharply. "Oh? So you want to go back to your apartment and hand yourself over to Yiming again?"
Zhan lowered his gaze, his voice trembling. "I can't take the exams, Bin. I just want to go home… I want to go back to my mother."
Yu-Bin was about to respond when there was a knock on the door. He answered, and I-Bo stepped in.
He looked at Zhan. "Have you taken your medicine?"
Zhan nodded without looking at him.
Yu-Bin turned to I-Bo, concern written all over his face. "So this is what really happened yesterday? May everything ahead be safe. And thank you for everything you've done for my friend. He has no one here except me....and you. He's not safe in this state. Yiming can be very dangerous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still around, watching. Who knows how many times he has already gone back to that apartment and found it empty?"
I-Bo gave a faint smile. "He'll stay here until he finishes his exams."
Zhan looked at him and shook his head softly. "I can't write the exams. I want to go back to China."
Yu-Bin shot him a look, clearly frustrated, but said nothing.
I-Bo spoke gently, "Why can't you take your exams, Zhan? Please stop saying that. You'll be fine. Finish your exams, and then you can go back."
Yu-Bin added, "Exactly. You're about to enter your final year, and now you want to throw everything away because of someone like him?"
Zhan lowered his head again, tears slipping down his face. He knew they didn't fully understand what he was feeling.
I-Bo sighed softly. "Try to calm him down, Yu-Bin. He hasn't really eaten since yesterday. I wasn't sure what kind of food he prefers, so I had the ingredients brought in. Maybe you can cook something for him, if that's ok with you?"
"That's fine," Yu-Bin replied. "I'll cook for him."
"Alright."
They both left the room. Zhan watched them go, tears silently trailing down his face.
As soon as they entered the kitchen, Yu-Bin looked around in amazement. It was spacious and fully equipped...modern in every sense.
After I-Bo left, the house cook showed him where the rice and other ingredients were kept before stepping out as well. Yu-Bin immediately got to work.
By around five o'clock, Yu-Bin was back in the room with Zhan, chatting casually as if nothing had happened, trying to lift his mood. Zhan remained quiet, barely paying attention.
Then Yu-Bin's phone rang. He reached into his bag and pulled it out. Seeing Hailong calling, his expression changed slightly before he answered and switched on the hands-free.
"Good afternoon."
Hailong didn't return the greeting. "Who was the man that came to pick you up?"
Yu-Bin frowned. "So that's what Peng told you? Then he forgot to mention I wasn't picked up in a car but airplane."
Hailong snapped angrily, "I'm asking you a question, and you're giving me nonsense? Are you okay?"
Yu-Bin rolled his eyes. "I'm not just roaming around without reason. I came out because I had to. Or have you forgotten our exams start the day after tomorrow?"
Hailong ended the call abruptly.
Yu-Bin scoffed. "Peng really has nothing better to do."
He muttered under his breath, his tone hardening, "Before we finish our exams and leave this country, I'll make sure Peng remembers me. And I'm definitely not telling Hailong what happened to you...otherwise he'll start acting like he cares and try to drag you back to his place."
Zhan remained silent, saying nothing as Yu-Bin stood up, picked up his bag, and adjusted it.
"I'll come back tomorrow, by God's grace. And don't sit here starving yourself while crying over someone like that. I've saved my number in that phone...if you need anything at all, just call me."
With that, he left the room.
Zhan lowered his gaze again.
Downstairs, Yu-Bin ran into A-Bo, who had just arrived. He greeted him with a slight smile.
A-Bo paused, responding while still focused on his phone. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. How's your studies?" Yu-Bin asked.
"Fine. And yours?"
"We're managing," Yu-Bin replied.
Then he added sincerely, "Thank you for everything you've done for my friend. May you be rewarded for it."
That was when A-Bo finally looked up at him, surprised by the gratitude. Yu-Bin continued thanking him earnestly.
"It was nothing," A-Bo said.
"Is housemate-Gege out? I'm heading home now."
Just then, I-Bo walked into the living room from outside. Seeing him, he said, "Oh, you're leaving already, Yu-Bin?"
"Yes, it's getting late. I'll come back tomorrow morning."
"Alright, let me drop you off."
A-Bo had already gone upstairs as Yu-Bin followed I-Bo out of the living room. As they walked, Yu-Bin looked around, noticing the absence of the house dog he hadn't seen all day.
Once they were on the road, Yu-Bin spoke, "Housemate-Gege…"
I-Bo laughed before he could finish. "I'm Yibo, Yu-Bin...or you can call me I-Bo"
"Alright, please do something for me....take the phone you gave Zhan. Don't let him call home and get himself more upset. We don't even know if Yiming is still in the country or already back in China. If he hears something disturbing now, it could affect his exams."
I-Bo fell silent for a moment, considering his words.
"You're right," he finally said. "I'll tell him not to contact anyone for now. But I don't think taking his phone completely is the right move."
"Then at least finish the credit inside and uninstall any messaging apps. That way, he won't be able to reach anyone. It's just for a few weeks...we're almost done with exams."
"Alright, I'll handle it."
They arrived at Yu-Bin's place. He stepped out of the car and thanked him.
"Send my greetings to everyone at home," I-Bo said.
"I will."
I-Bo drove off, hoping Zhan hadn't already contacted anyone back in China.
****
The next morning, I-Bo booked a medical appointment for Zhan. He hadn't slept the entire night, and although they might not see the doctor immediately, I-Bo was doing his best to help him manage with the available medication.
When Yu-Bin arrived, Zhan seemed to feel slightly better...his fever had subsided. It was mostly stress and loneliness weighing on him.
On Monday morning, I-Bo drove Zhan to school for his first exam. He stayed back the entire time so they could return home together. He simply didn't want to leave him alone.
I-Bo was doing everything he could to help Zhan relax and focus on his studies. Yu-Bin also supported him constantly, encouraging him, and gradually, it began to help. Zhan started to regain some composure and was able to study.
As for A-Bo, since the day he saw Zhan sitting in the room, even after three exams, Zhan hadn't seen him again. He wasn't even sure whether A-Bo was at home or not.
Zhan stayed in his room almost all the time. Even meals were brought upstairs by the house cook. The cook would knock, hand him the tray, and later return to collect it.
⏭ ⏭ ⏭
Two weeks into their exams, during a break, Yu-Bin came over in the evening. He brought food for Zhan.
Zhan was genuinely happy to see it...it was Chinese food, something he had been craving since the previous day.
"I won't stay long," Yu-Bin said. "I'll leave before that man starts calling me again. It's like he has nothing else to do but monitor me."
"Can't you stay a little longer?" Zhan asked.
"Honestly, Hailong-ge will start calling soon. He doesn't even know I came out. I already ordered a ride, and it should be here any moment. Come walk me to the gate."
Zhan shook his head. "You can go. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
Yu-Bin frowned. "Aren't you tired of staying alone in this room? Come on, walk with me...at least stretch your legs a bit."
Zhan hesitated before speaking quietly, "You won't understand, Bin. I'm not comfortable in this house. I just want us to finish these exams so I can go back to China."
Yu-Bin sighed. "The other day, I heard you told I-Bo you wanted to go back to your apartment. I told him you must have lost your mind. It's a good thing Yiming hasn't come back there again."
He laughed lightly, then softened his tone.
"Just be patient. In a few weeks, we'll be done. Try to relax, please. Now come on...walk me out."
Slowly, Zhan got off the bed, and they left the room together.
As they went downstairs, they found A-Bo and I-Bo in the living room.
Zhan lowered his head immediately...it had been almost two weeks since he last saw A-Bo. He had even assumed he wasn't around.
I-Bo looked at Yu-Bin. "You're leaving now?"
"Yes, my ride is on the way...it's almost here."
"Alright. Send my greetings to your family."
"I will."
Yu-Bin greeted A-Bo, who responded, and then he took Zhan's hand as they walked outside.
They stood at the entrance waiting when another car drove in. The driver stepped out and opened the gate.
Lowering his voice, Yu-Bin said, "Do you see that kind of ride? Only wealthy people deal with cars like that here. If you look closely, they're all connected to influential families."
Zhan said nothing.
After about three minutes, Yu-Bin's ride arrived. He got into the back seat, smiling at Zhan.
"I'll see you at school. Study well."
Zhan nodded silently as the car drove off.
He turned back toward the house, walking cautiously across the large compound. Even now, he still couldn't relax in this place. Everything about it made him uneasy.
When he entered the living room, he noticed two unfamiliar guests sitting with I-Bo. They seemed to be his friends.
Zhan lowered his head and greeted them politely. They responded warmly, but he quietly made his way toward the stairs.
As he walked away, he heard one of them say, "You have a guest staying here?"
A-Bo, who was eating fruit salad, replied casually, "Yes. A friend's son from China...he came for exams."
I-Bo stared at him, surprised at how calmly he said it, but A-Bo remained unfazed, continuing to eat.
Zhan paused for a brief moment, glancing back at him, before heading upstairs.
One of the friends adjusted his seat and said jokingly, "Wow, looks like your friend got married early and is already had a son like that. Meanwhile, the rest of us are still struggling."
A-Bo continued eating his fruit salad and replied, "He's lucky. If we had married early too, we might already have someone like him by now."
That night, Zhan sat with his laptop, going through the course they would have the next day. He missed his mother deeply...he knew she must have been trying to reach him on WeChat and getting no response. He silently prayed everything was alright back home in China.
Whenever those thoughts came, he found it impossible to concentrate. He just stared at the laptop screen without really reading anything.
A knock came at the door.
He stood up slowly and went to open it, already certain it was I-Bo. Most times, I-Bo would just knock and speak from the doorway without stepping inside.
As soon as Zhan opened the door, I-Bo looked at him and asked, "Are you sure you're studying for your next course, Sean?"
Zhan nodded, looking at him.
I-Bo leaned slightly against the wall. "Um… sorry about what A-Bo said earlier. That's exactly why I usually leave him alone in the house...he can be a real nuisance. Just ignore him, alright?"
Zhan smiled faintly, playing with the edge of his top before replying, "I didn't even know he was that old until today."
I-Bo burst out laughing.
"I'm serious," Zhan added, lifting his gaze. "Anyone old enough to be my father is definitely old."
Right then, A-Bo, who had just stepped out from upstairs, heard him. He stopped and stared at Zhan.
The moment their eyes met, Zhan quickly shut the door.
A-Bo turned to look at I-Bo, who was still laughing, then walked away without a word.
I-Bo watched him go, still amused. Deep down, he was genuinely pleased by what Zhan had said.
Around 10:30 p.m., I-Bo was in his room working on his laptop when A-Bo walked in.
I-Bo glanced at him briefly, then returned to what he was doing.
"That boy is not staying in this house any longer," A-Bo said coldly. "Find somewhere else for him. Otherwise, I'll call home and tell them you brought a stranger to live here."
I-Bo looked up at him calmly. "I thought you had already called them. And since it's not your house alone, you don't get to decide whether he stays or not...at least not until he finishes his exams."
A-Bo smirked. "We'll see."
Then he walked out.
I-Bo clicked his tongue in annoyance and went back to his work.
:
:
The next day, after their exam, I-Bo drove Zhan and Yu-Bin back home. He didn't enter the compound; he stopped outside instead.
"I'll be heading out now. I'll be back later," he said.
Zhan stepped out of the car, watching him. Whenever I-Bo wasn't around, the house felt empty and uncomfortable. Even when he was home, he mostly stayed in his room, only coming to Zhan's door if needed...but Zhan still preferred knowing he was there.
Whenever I-Bo left, loneliness crept in, sometimes even anxiety.
Before leaving, I-Bo looked at him and said, "You'll cook today, right? Since your friend is here, he can help you."
Zhan lowered his gaze. "Okay."
"Alright. Take care."
Zhan nodded, and I-Bo drove off.
He and Yu-Bin entered the house.
Yu-Bin said with a smile, "It's been a while since I've seen someone as kind as him. He's genuinely a good person… I just hope I'm not mistaken."
Zhan glanced at him, but Yu-Bin only grinned wider.
"Can you believe we're almost done? Just two courses left," Yu-Bin continued excitedly. "I can't wait for us to go back home."
As they entered the living room, they saw A-Bo sitting with a dog beside him.
Zhan's heart skipped. Since arriving, he had never seen the dog up close....only heard about it...and something about it made him uneasy.
The dog stood up, staring at them, but A-Bo gave a command, and it sat back down.
Zhan quickly walked past and headed upstairs.
Yu-Bin stayed behind, greeting A-Bo warmly. "How was your day?"
"How was your exam?" A-Bo asked.
"Good. Just two more left. The breaks in between are the only long part."
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
Then Yu-Bin went upstairs.
He entered Zhan's room and sat on the bed, staring at him.
"I don't understand you," Yu-Bin said. "How can you walk past someone in their own house without greeting them? Why do you act like that?"
Zhan removed his jacket without looking at him. "Because you didn't hear what he said yesterday. When his friends came over, he told them I was their a friend's son who came for exams."
Yu-Bin burst into laughter.
"And what's wrong with that?" he said, still laughing. "Would you rather they think you're living there for no reason? He actually protected your dignity. Now they'll assume your father personally brought you here to stay."
Zhan gave him a look and walked into the bathroom.
Yu-Bin sat on the bed, still laughing. "Honestly, how old are you? Of course he wouldn't say you're anything else. I don't see any problem."
After things settled, Yu-Bin said, "Come on, let's go cook before that man starts calling me again."
Zhan hesitated. "I don't feel like going downstairs. I don't even want to cook."
"But at least do it for I-Bo," Yu-Bin replied. "Maybe he wants something like rice and vegetable soup."
Zhan sighed softly. "I'm not comfortable… I've never even been in that kitchen before."
Yu-Bin stood up. "Let's go. I've been there before...I'll guide you."
Reluctantly, Zhan followed him downstairs. If not for Yu-Bin insisting...and mentioning I-Bo...he wouldn't have agreed at all.
A-Bo was still in the living room, this time without the dog. He remained focused on his phone and didn't even glance at them.
Yu-Bin led Zhan straight into the kitchen.
After a while, they finished cooking. Yu-Bin packed some food to take home, then looked at Zhan.
"Aren't you going to eat now? You haven't even served yourself."
Zhan shook his head. "I'll eat later."
Yu-Bin clicked his tongue. "Alright then, let's go. I just hope Hailong-ge hasn't started calling me."
As they stepped into the main living room, they found it empty and went upstairs. Just before they reached Zhan's room, the door of another bedroom opened.
A young man...no older than twenty-three...stepped out. He was dressed in a simple Western style, but his features clearly showed he was Chinese. He was strikingly handsome.
He looked at them with mild surprise.
Yu-Bin smiled warmly. "Hi."
"Hello," the young man replied with a smile.
Zhan, however, looked away and followed Yu-Bin into his room.
As soon as they entered, Yu-Bin shut the door and placed his hands on his head.
"I'm in trouble with you," he said. "Why do you act like this? Someone comes out of a room in a house you're staying in, and instead of greeting him, you just stare like you don't understand what's going on?"
Zhan replied innocently, "But we don't know him."
Yu-Bin's expression tightened. "I'm honestly tired of this behavior. Everywhere we go, you make us look uncultured. You saw a decent, well-mannered person...you should have acted the same way I did and greeted him. What's the point of education if you can't relate to people?"
He didn't stop there.
"You even complain about your housemate's brother, but you're the one who doesn't know how to interact properly. Look at me...he talks to me, even asks about my exams. You really need to change, Zhan. At least learn a few things from me."
Zhan said nothing.
"You're embarrassing me," Yu-Bin added. "Now he'll think we're from some remote place."
He picked up his bag and checked his phone, noticing missed calls from Hailong-ge.
"I knew it," he muttered, then started arranging a ride back home.
A-Bo opened his door after hearing a knock. He stayed where he was, not bothering to come closer.
The young man stood outside, a bit hesitant. "A-Bo-Ge, I saw some people in the house… are you having guests?"
A-Bo straightened slightly. "How many?"
"Two."
He nodded. "Good. Did you see the fair, slim one...the one with a light complexion?"
"Yes."
A-Bo's expression darkened slightly. "That's your boyfriend's new lover. Out of nowhere, he brought him here, and now they're living together. When I said I would report him back home, he threatened me."
The young man froze, completely stunned. "His… boyfriend?"
"Do I look like I'm joking with you?" A-Bo replied coldly.
The young man fell silent, lowering his gaze.
"He's been here for three weeks now," A-Bo continued. "I-Bo takes him to school and brings him back."
The young man slowly looked up again, confusion written all over his face. A-Bo simply shrugged and shut his door.
The young man turned and walked away quietly.
Yu-Bin insisted Zhan walk him out, so they went downstairs together. They waited until the taxi arrived before Yu-Bin got in.
"See you at school," Yu-Bin said with a smile.
Zhan waved lightly, then turned and went back inside.
In the living room, he saw the same young man sitting there. As their eyes met, Zhan lowered his head. He hesitated, then finally said, "Hi… I'm Zhan."
The young man only stared at him...no response, no expression.
Zhan felt a chill run through him. Without saying anything else, he turned and hurried upstairs, entering his room and locking the door.
A-Bo stepped out of his room, heading downstairs, when I-Bo came up, he grabbed A-Bo his expression sharp with anger.
"Have you lost your mind, Yibo? What did you just do?" I-Bo demanded.
A-Bo frowned. "I don't understand what you're talking about. Tian came and asked about the boy he saw in the house. You expect me to lie for you? I'm not afraid of you. When I told you to find another place for that boy, you ignored me."
Before I-Bo could respond, another door opened.
Tian stepped out with his bag.
I-Bo released his grip on A-Bo and turned to him. "Tian..."
But Tian didn't even look back. He walked past and headed downstairs.
I-Bo followed after him. "Listen, Tian. If you even think of telling people back home something like this, I won't take it lightly. That will be the end between us...you didn't even give me a chance to explain."
Tian stopped and turned, his expression cold.
"And so what?" he shot back. "Is this why you've had no time for me all these days, Yibo-ge? I'm not surprised."
With that, he walked away toward the exit.
I-Bo stood still for a moment, then turned back to look at A-Bo, who only shrugged, completely unbothered.
☀☀☀
I-Bo didn't seem bothered at all, as if nothing had happened. But he completely cut A-Bo off in the house...he wouldn't even look in his direction. He went as far as changing the passcode to his room so A-Bo couldn't enter anymore.
He knew Tian most likely wouldn't report anything back home...he wouldn't even dare...but still, I-Bo refused to call him. Tian had always been the one who reached out first.
Tian was studying at Oxford and hadn't even told him he was coming to Maryland...he had just shown up unannounced.
As for Zhan, he had no idea what was going on in the house. But what Tian had done still lingered in his mind.
By Friday, Zhan had written his second-to-last exam. The final one was on Tuesday. He was already restless, eager to finish and leave the country. His thoughts were entirely on home...he just wanted to go back.
Even though he knew his housemate would insist on buying him a flight ticket, Zhan felt like a burden. For weeks now, I-Bo had done nothing but take care of him...driving him to school, waiting for him after exams, sometimes even timing his return just to pick him up.
He had truly gone out of his way for him.
Zhan didn't even know where to begin in thanking him and Yu-Bin. They had stood by him through everything. Without them, he doubted he would have even made it through the exams.
That morning, he felt strange...restless and distracted. He lay on the bed, lost in thought, almost wishing Monday would come faster so it could all be over.
Meanwhile, A-Bo sat in the reading nook in the living room, working on his laptop. Textbooks were scattered all around him as he tried to piece together references.
I-Bo had gone through everything he sent A-Bo on WeChat and deleted it...anything related to their PhD work, anything he knew A-Bo might need.
A-Bo hadn't shown any reaction, but that was why he had been studying intensely since early morning.
Suddenly, he lifted his head, catching a strong unfamiliar scent filling the room.
He looked up...and froze.
Someone had entered, accompanied by two others.
For a moment, he was stunned.
Then he quickly stood up, lowered his head slightly, and said, "Welcome, Dad."
His father responded, "How is your studies? Where is the other Yibo?"
"He's upstairs," A-Bo replied. "This is a surprise visit."
His father sat down, calmly responding to the greetings from the house staff before saying, "I just stopped by to check on both of you. We were in England for an event."
A-Bo lowered his head slightly.
Soon, a well-dressed woman...elegant and refined, likely in her fifties...entered with a teenage girl, about sixteen years old.
A-Bo ran a hand over his head, almost amused by the situation. He greeted the woman politely, and she responded.
The girl ran up to him and hugged him. "A-Bo-ge, you've gotten bigger! Have you been going to the gym?"
The woman chuckled. "At least he's focusing on his studies."
A-Bo shot her a brief sideways glance before heading upstairs.
He went straight to I-Bo's room just as I-Bo stepped out.
A-Bo grinned. "Dad and Aunt are in the living room."
I-Bo stared at him, unblinking. "Dad and Aunt?"
A-Bo couldn't stop laughing.
I-Bo leaned slightly to look downstairs...and froze when he realized it was true. He turned back, staring at A-Bo, who was still laughing uncontrollably.
I-Bo exhaled deeply and pulled him aside. "Look bro… let's talk, please, A-Bo..."
"Talk about what?" A-Bo cut in. "You didn't listen to me before. Now figure out what to do with that boy. I didn't even report you...they came on their own. Now they'll see for themselves the kind of life you've chosen here."
I-Bo just stared at him.
A-Bo shrugged and walked downstairs with a smile.
I-Bo stood there for over two minutes, thinking.
Then he finally made a decision.
He headed toward A-Bo's side of the house and pushed the door open...only to find it unlocked. He paused, then turned and went to Zhan's room instead, knocking.
Zhan wasn't asleep, but his eyes were closed. When he opened them, he saw I-Bo entering.
"Were you sleeping, Sean?" I-Bo asked calmly.
Zhan shook his head. "No."
I-Bo studied him. "You don't look well. Are you sick?"
Zhan shook his head again, remaining quiet.
"Tell me the truth," I-Bo said gently. "Are you just thinking too much?"
Zhan gave a faint smile. "No."
"Good," I-Bo said. "We have visitors in the house today. I'll move you to another room where no one will come in until they leave. They probably won't stay more than two days."
Zhan said nothing, just watching him.
I-Bo smiled reassuringly. "Alright, let's go."
Zhan got off the bed and picked up his long coat.
"I'll bring everything you need to the room later," I-Bo added.
He led the way, and Zhan followed.
They went straight to A-Bo's section of the house. I-Bo opened the door and gestured inside.
"Here."
Zhan looked into the room...it carried a distinct, refined scent...then stepped inside. He had no idea it was A-Bo's room.
"I'll be back soon, Sean," I-Bo said.
Zhan nodded.
I-Bo closed the door behind him, though he couldn't lock it since he didn't know the new code.
As he walked away, a quiet laugh escaped him. He had no idea how he was going to deal with A-Bo now...but at this point, he had already crossed the line.
Still, A-Bo's section was the only place Zhan could stay without being discovered. No one ever went there.
Back upstairs, Zhan slowly looked around the room. Everything was spotless...pure white, almost glowing from how neat it was.
It felt like the room of someone important.
He walked over and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
Yet, for some reason, he couldn't relax.
I-Bo sat in the living room, but his attention was entirely on A-Bo, who was casually eating fruit as if he had no concerns at all.
Meanwhile, Aunt was in their Dad's room downstairs, helping him settle in.
When A-Bo stood up to go upstairs, I-Bo immediately followed him.
"Hey bro, let's talk," I-Bo said.
A-Bo looked at him, then let out a mocking laugh. "Talk about what? Fix your own mess. Stop dragging me into whatever this is...you did it alone."
I-Bo almost laughed, not even knowing where to begin explaining to him.
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