It wasn't until Zhan realized they had completely left his neighborhood that reality hit him fully.
His chest tightened as the truth sank in....what Yiming intended to do.
A wave of helplessness washed over him. He leaned his head against the car seat, hot tears streaming down his face, unable to say a word. Beside him, Yiming continued driving in silence, not even sparing him a glance.
Zhan turned slightly, wanting to speak...anything, even to plead...but fear held him back. The memory of the slap still burned. There was no softness in Yiming's expression, no sign of mercy.
He covered his face, tears falling endlessly, his body trembling from fear and shock. His heartbeat pounded so violently it felt like it might burst out of his chest.
After about thirty minutes, the car came to a sudden stop.
Zhan quickly lowered his hands, his heart racing as he looked around. They had stopped in front of a large restaurant. People moved in and out, the place busy and alive.
He turned to look at Yiming, tears still falling, but Yiming had already stepped out of the car without a word and locked it.
Zhan watched him walk into the restaurant.
The moment he disappeared inside, Zhan broke down completely.
Panic took over.
He looked around desperately, then started hitting the car window with his hands...but no one noticed.
Breathing unevenly, he searched the car frantically and spotted a bunch of keys. Grabbing them, he began striking the window harder, the sharp sound finally drawing attention.
A man nearby, about to enter his own car, paused and looked toward Zhan.
Zhan cried harder, his voice breaking as he begged for help, though it was unclear if the man could hear him through the tinted glass.
The man stepped closer, trying to see inside. Zhan kept pleading, not caring whether he was understood or not...he just needed help.
Soon, the man returned with a security guard.
Another passerby joined them.
Within moments, more people gathered around the car, shining lights inside, trying to understand what was happening. The crowd grew quickly, murmurs spreading, tension rising.
Zhan didn't stop crying. His voice grew hoarse, his body shaking as he clung to hope.
To anyone watching, it looked like a clear case of abduction.
After a few minutes, Yiming emerged from the restaurant, holding a bag.
He stopped abruptly when he saw the crowd surrounding his car.
A security guard pointed him out.
"That's the owner of the car."
Yiming walked closer, his expression controlled.
"What happened?"
One of the men said firmly,
"Open the car."
Yiming frowned slightly.
"I don't understand. That's my car. The person inside is my partner."
"Just open it," the man insisted. "Let him come out."
Voices rose from the crowd, urging him to unlock the car.
Without arguing further, Yiming pressed the key.
The lock clicked.
The moment Zhan heard it, he pushed the door open and stumbled out, crying uncontrollably.
One of the men turned to him and pointed at Yiming.
"Do you know him?"
Zhan's voice shook violently.
"I… I don't know him."
The words shocked everyone.
Yiming stared at him, stunned, his eyes fixed on Zhan without blinking.
The crowd erupted into noise.
The man asked again,
"You don't know him? Then how did you end up in his car?"
Through sobs, Zhan replied,
"He took me forcefully from my area… I don't know him…"
That was enough.
Anger spread instantly through the crowd. Some young men surged forward, shouting, ready to attack Yiming.
The situation escalated quickly.
Phones came out. People started recording.
Only the quick intervention of security and a few responsible bystanders prevented things from turning violent.
Yiming was quickly pulled aside and taken into another vehicle for safety.
In that moment of chaos, Zhan saw his chance.
While everyone's attention was on Yiming, he slipped quietly into the crowd.
No one noticed.
He crossed the road without looking back and disappeared into a nearby street.
He kept walking.
Fast. Unsteady.
He didn't know where he was going.
He just kept moving.
Tears blurred his vision as he wandered for nearly forty minutes, his head pounding, dizziness threatening to bring him down.
Finally, unable to go further, he stopped in front of a house and sank to the ground, curling into himself, quietly sobbing.
After some time, a man who had been watching from a distance approached him.
"Are you okay?"
Zhan shook his head weakly, wiping his tears.
"I'm not feeling well… I need to go home."
"Where is your home?"
Without thinking, he answered,
"Mariri street."
The man looked surprised, then nodded.
"Alright. Let me get you a ride."
Zhan nodded faintly.
After about ten minutes, the man returned with a small vehicle.
He helped Zhan inside, then offered his phone.
"Save your number so I can check if you get home safely."
Zhan shook his head gently.
"I don't have a phone right now."
The man paused, then nodded in understanding.
"I see. Take care of yourself."
He had already paid the fare.
Zhan whispered,
"Thank you."
The ride passed in silence.
When they reached Chongqing, Zhan barely noticed until the driver alerted him.
He asked to be dropped near Nainai Gaxi's house.
Stepping out, he thanked the driver and walked inside.
The moment he entered the courtyard, his strength gave out.
He collapsed, crying as if his heart would break.
Nainai Gaxi rushed toward him in shock.
"Zhan? What happened? Where are you coming from like this?"
It took a long time before he could calm down enough to speak.
When he finally told her everything, her face changed instantly.
"We are in serious trouble…"
Her voice trembled.
"Does that mean Yiming has been taken by the authorities?"
Zhan shook his head weakly.
"I don't know…"
Nainai Gaxi looked around anxiously.
"No… you can't stay here. He knows this is where you would come. If he comes here and sees you… he might think I helped you escape."
Fear filled her eyes.
"That would bring trouble to me too…"
She turned back to him, her voice urgent.
"You have to leave before he finds you."
Through tears, Zhan said, "What am I supposed to do now, Nainai Gaxi?"
Nainai Gaxi stood up immediately, pulling her scarf from the line. "Get up. Let's go."
Zhan's body trembled as he rose and followed her out. They walked on foot to the house of Fu's Mama, a close acquaintance of Aunt Fin. As soon as they entered, Nainai Gaxi explained everything that had happened.
Fu's Mama held her cheek in shock the entire time, unable to say a word until the story ended.
"So," Nainai Gaxi said, "please help us keep this quiet. Let Zhan stay here for the night. By tomorrow, we'll see what can be done."
Fu's Mama let out a long breath and turned to look at Zhan. Her eyes widened when she saw the blood pooled in his eye.
"What happened to your eye?" she asked.
Softly, Zhan replied, "He slap me."
"Slap you?" she exclaimed. "To the point your eye is filled with blood? And your lip is split too? No… that man is terrible."
Nainai Gaxi held her head, staring at Zhan's face, then burst into tears. "And this is supposed to be a husband? If not for Xiao Aiyin putting you in this situation… look at the mark of his hand on your face!"
Fu's Mama shook her head. "At this rate, even if he isn't addicted to something, there's clearly something wrong with him. This marriage must be ended, no matter what. We have to save him before things get worse. I'll call Fin right now...."
Quickly, Nainai Gaxi covered her mouth. "Call her and say what? Keep this quiet. No one must know he's here. I'm sure by now Yiming has already been taken to the station. He'll definitely take them to Zhan's house to prove he's his spouse. And once that happens, they'll start searching everywhere for him."
Fu's Mama paused, then sighed. "Alright… you should go back. Let him stay here. If they come to your place and don't find you, it will raise suspicion."
Nainai Gaxi stood up quickly. "Please, if you have hot water, let him bathe."
"Don't worry," Fu's Mama said gently.
And just like that, Nainai Gaxi left.
:
:
That night felt no different from the one before. Zhan lay there in pain...his head aching, his eye throbbing, fever burning through his body. He didn't even know who to talk to anymore.
The next morning around nine, Nainai Gaxi returned.
From the doorway, she began speaking hurriedly to Fu's Mama. "They came looking for Zhan at my place around ten last night....Yiming himself came with Police. I was shaking the whole time. I just came from his house… his mother is in distress, she didn't sleep all night, just crying. His father is furious too, accusing Zhan's mother of helping him escape. Yiming made a huge scene yesterday. This is bad… very bad. I'm honestly scared. If they find out he's here, I'll be in serious trouble. That's why I came...to tell him to prepare himself and go back home. Whatever happens… happens."
Zhan, who had been listening, broke into uncontrollable sobs.
"Please… don't tell them I'm here, Nainai Gaxi," he begged. "He'll hurt me again, I know he will."
Fu's Mama stood frozen, cloth in her hands, unable to speak. Fear gripped her too...what if they found out Zhan was hiding in her house? How would she explain it?
"What do you want me to do?" Nainai Gaxi said helplessly. "Yiming has turned this into something serious. He says you humiliated him in public, that you got him taken to the station. You have no one to stand for you in this matter… Xiao Aiyin is already furious, and he's pressuring your Ayi to bring you out."
Zhan curled into himself, crying.
Nainai Gaxi slapped her own thigh in frustration and sat down heavily. "I don't even know how to help you anymore. I'm poor....if Yiming gets me arrested, who will save me? The way he looked at me yesterday… it's like he already suspects me."
Zhan lifted his head weakly, tears still falling.
"I'm sure he's already had people watching my movements," Nainai Gaxi continued anxiously. "I had to take a long route just to get here."
In a quiet, trembling voice, Zhan said, "Please… do me one favor. Go to my house and bring my bag."
"Which bag?" Nainai Gaxi asked sharply.
"My small bag," Zhan said. "My phone is inside. I need it."
Nainai Gaxi shook her head immediately. "How can I go and take a bag in broad daylight? People will see me!"
"It's small… you can hide it in your clothes," Zhan pleaded. "Please… help me. There's money inside too. You'll find it near my suitcase, beside Ayi's mat."
Fu's Mama listened silently, hoping this meant Zhan would leave soon.
"Where are you planning to go?" she finally asked.
Zhan wiped his tears slowly. "Once I have my bag… I'll figure it out."
Fu's Mama let out a quiet sigh of relief.
After much hesitation...and persuasion from Fu's Mama...Nainai Gaxi finally agreed. Nearly an hour later, she returned, the bag hidden beneath her armpit.
Zhan took it immediately, opened it, and pulled out I-Bo's phone. The money was still inside.
He checked the call log, then looked at Fu's Mama. "Please… can I borrow your phone? Mine has no SIM card."
Fu's Mama shook her head. "Better to use Nainai Gaxi's phone. I'll send someone to buy you a SIM card."
It was a precaution...she didn't want her own phone traced.
Soon, the SIM was brought. Zhan inserted it and dialed I-Bo's number.
Once. Twice. Five times.
Nothing.
The calls didn't go through.
Tears welled up again. Slowly, he scrolled through the call log… until he saw A-Bo's number.
He hesitated… then dialed.
The phone rang.
And rang.
Just before it cut off, it was answered.
"Hello?"
Zhan's voice trembled. "Good afternoon…"
Silence.
"Who is this?"
"It's… me."
"You who?"
"I… I need to speak to you, please..."
His voice broke completely, and he burst into tears.
There was silence on the other end for several seconds.
Then, quietly: "What happened?"
"I need to talk to you… please…"
Another pause.
"Where are you?"
"Chongqing."
A brief silence.
"Send the address."
Zhan quickly ended the call, asked for the address, and sent it.
"Who did you call?" Nainai Gaxi asked.
Zhan didn't answer.
About thirty-five minutes later, the phone rang.
It was A-Bo.
Zhan answered quickly.
"I'm outside."
He ended the call, turned to Fu's Mama. "Do you have facemask I can use to cover my face?"
"No… I don't," she replied.
Zhan didn't wait. Holding his bag and I-Bo's phone, he stepped out.
Not far from the house, a car was parked.
A-Bo stood beside it, arms folded, looking away.
Zhan walked toward him slowly.
As he approached, A-Bo turned at the sound of footsteps. Their eyes met.
A-Bo's gaze fixed on Zhan's injured face...unblinking.
Zhan tried to hold himself together.
He really tried.
But the moment he reached the car, he broke.
Leaning against it, he began to cry...deep, shaking sobs he could no longer hold back.
A-Bo didn't say a word to him at first. He just stood there, watching as Zhan cried until his strength ran out and the sobbing slowly faded into silence.
Zhan wiped his tears and lifted his head slightly....only to find A-Bo still looking at him, his gaze steady, unreadable.
Calmly, A-Bo asked, "He did all this to you?"
Zhan nodded, fresh tears gathering in his eyes.
A-Bo went quiet for a moment, as if thinking deeply. Then he asked, "He's from this city?"
Zhan nodded again.
"Where exactly?"
Zhan's voice trembled. "I… I don't really know."
Just as A-Bo was about to say something else, Nainai Gaxi suddenly peeked out from the gate, her eyes wide and alert.
When A-Bo noticed her, he slightly lowered his head in greeting.
She hurried over, glancing around cautiously before speaking in a rush.
"This child is in serious trouble," she said, pointing at Zhan. "He has no one to rely on. He just came back from abroad and found out he had been forced into a marriage with that useless boy. We've always known he's trouble, but what can we do? No one listens to us."
She continued, her voice rising with emotion, "He didn't even consult him! He went straight to his parents and had the marriage arranged without his knowledge. If Zhan says he doesn't want it, then any reasonable person should let him go...there are so many people in the world, why force this?"
She gestured angrily. "Look at what he did to his face! Just because he refused to go with him. Right now, he's even sent people around searching for him. You should have seen the scene he caused last night at his father's house...everyone is afraid."
A-Bo watched her the entire time without blinking, surprise clearly written across his face.
Then he turned to Zhan, who had started crying again from everything Nainai Gaxi was saying.
"A marriage?" A-Bo repeated slowly.
Nainai Gaxi nodded firmly. "Yes. It's already been done."
She sniffed, wiping her tears. "He has no one but himself. His parents can't speak up, and I'm just a poor neighbor. Please… if you can help him, take him to people who can protect him. Let him report this and get his rights back."
A-Bo remained silent for a moment longer.
Then, without another word, he opened the passenger door of his car.
Nainai Gaxi immediately nudged Zhan forward. "Go on, get in. Let him take you somewhere safe. Even if they keep you there for protection, stay until this is sorted out. But don't mention me....don't involve me at all."
Zhan, still crying, got into the car.
Nainai Gaxi quickly shut the door and stepped back. "Go, go quickly."
A-Bo walked around and got into the driver's seat.
As they drove off, Nainai Gaxi hurried back toward Fu's Mama's gate, pretending she had never been near the car, watching them until they disappeared.
Inside the car, silence filled the space.
A-Bo kept his eyes on the road, his expression distant, almost stunned. Since that first glance, he hadn't looked at Zhan again.
Zhan covered his face, both from the sunlight hurting his injured eye and from fear...fear they might run into Yiming again. His shoulders still shook as quiet sobs escaped him.
After about twenty minutes of driving, A-Bo's phone began to vibrate.
He glanced at it.
I-Bo.
A-Bo slowed down, pulled over to the side of the road, and answered the call, bringing the phone to his ear.
" I-Bo."
At the sound of that name, Zhan immediately lowered his hand from his face and turned to look at him.
Calmly, A-Bo said, "I'm fine."
A pause.
Then I-Bo's voice came through from the other end, asking if he had already left.
A-Bo replied, "I'm still in Chongqing. When are you leaving Maryland?"
After a few seconds, A-Bo said, "Alright, we'll talk later," and ended the call. He placed the phone aside and leaned back against the driver's seat, staring straight ahead for almost two minutes, his mind clearly working through something heavy.
Then he picked up his phone again and checked for available flights to Beijing that day. There was one at three o'clock, with only a few seats left. Zhan identification card and passport were still in the car from when they had returned from the U.S....their driver in Shanghai had taken them earlier to help book a ticket to Chongqing.
Without hesitation, A-Bo booked a ticket immediately.
Zhan turned toward him weakly, holding his head, his voice trembling as he pleaded,
"My aunt is in Shanghai… please, I want to go to her… please help me."
A-Bo studied him quietly for a moment, then asked, "Where in Shanghai?"
"I… I can call and ask… but I don't have her number."
He watched Zhan carefully, noticing how disoriented and frightened he was.
"How will you call her if you don't have her number?"
Without wasting a second, Zhan grabbed his phone and went into the call log, searching for Nainai Gaxi's number. He dialed quickly. As soon as it connected, he said in a rush,
"Nainai Gaxi, please check for Aunt Fin's number on your phone and send it to this line."
"Have you reached the rights place already?" the older woman asked.
"Just send it, please… now…"
After ending the call, Zhan leaned back against the seat, breathing unevenly. His vision blurred from exhaustion and crying.
A-Bo glanced at the time...almost two. His thoughts were racing. He started the car again and drove toward a nearby eatery.
As soon as the car stopped and he stepped out, Zhan's body stiffened.
The memory hit him instantly.
The same kind of place.
The same movement.
The same moment.
His breathing quickened, his hands trembling violently. It felt as though the past was replaying itself right in front of him.
By the time A-Bo returned with a small bag of food, Zhan was already on the verge of panic.
"What happened?" he asked sharply.
Zhan looked up at him, tears streaming uncontrollably, then grabbed A-Bo hand tightly.
"I just want to leave here… please… let's go… please…"
His entire body was shaking now.
A-Bo immediately scanned the surroundings, his eyes sharp, checking if Yiming was anywhere nearby. Seeing nothing, he turned back to him and said calmly,
"Look at me… stay calm. You're safe."
He adjusted Zhan's seat gently so he could lean back. He stayed still, watching his breathing, waiting. After about ten minutes, Zhan gradually settled, his breaths becoming slower, softer.
Soon, exhaustion pulled him under, and he drifted into a light sleep.
A-Bo didn't waste any more time.
Starting the engine again, he drove off, stopping briefly at a pharmacy to buy medication. He didn't even turn off the engine, making sure Zhan wouldn't wake.
When he returned, Zhan was still asleep.
He drove straight to the airport.
By the time they arrived, there were only fifteen minutes left before boarding. A-Bo gently tapped the seat.
Zhan woke up with a start, panic flashing across his face....until he saw A-Bo. Then he slowly calmed down.
A-Bo opened the food bag and handed him a takeaway container.
"Take a little before your flight."
Zhan accepted it quietly, his eyes fixed on him.
"Am I going to Shanghai?"
"You'll see when you get there."
Zhan managed only a few spoonfuls, swallowing with difficulty. A-Bo handed him the medication and water; he took them obediently.
Without looking at him, A-Bo stretched his phone toward him.
"Put his number."
Zhan's eyes widened.
"You want to call him?"
"I said, put the number."
His hands trembling, Zhan entered Yiming's number. A-Bo glanced at it briefly, then set the phone aside.
"Was this marriage promised long ago?"
Zhan lowered his gaze.
"…Yes. About four years ago."
A-Bo went quiet again.
Then he picked up the eye drops he had bought and handed them to Zhan. Zhan hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes.
Without waiting, A-Bo took it back and applied it himself.
Zhan flinched instantly, tears spilling again from the sting.
By then, A-Bo had already stepped out of the car, giving him space.
After a moment, Zhan got out slowly, holding his eyes. A-Bo handed him his second phone....the one containing his ticket.
Without another word, Zhan walked toward the airport entrance, clutching his bag and the phone, glancing around like someone expecting danger at any second.
Anyone could see it clearly....he was shaken, deeply frightened, barely holding himself together.
A-Bo remained by his car, watching until Zhan disappeared inside.
Only then did he return to the driver's seat.
He pulled out his phone, checked Yiming's full name through a caller ID app, then dialed another number.
"I'll send you a number now," he said. "Track his location in Chongqing. I want updates."
He ended the call and leaned back, waiting silently for nearly twenty minutes...just to make sure Zhan didn't miss the flight.
Only then did he finally leave.
Inside the plane, Zhan looked around restlessly, his eyes filled with unease.
Then the announcement came:
They were departing for Beijing.
Beijing?
His heart dropped.
He didn't know anyone there.
Tears filled his eyes again as he looked around in confusion.
Why… had A-Bo sent him there instead?
****
Zhan sat quietly in the arrival hall, where passengers waited for their luggage. Even though he had nothing to collect, he remained seated, his eyes moving from one person to another. His mind was blank...he didn't even know where to go.
About fifteen minutes earlier, their flight had landed in Beijing.
Fatigue weighed heavily on him. Sleep tugged at his eyes, but he forced himself to stay awake.
Suddenly, his bag vibrated in his lap...his phone was ringing.
Slowly, he opened the bag and brought out the phone A-Bo had given him. He stared at the screen. The call rang out before he could decide whether to answer. The number wasn't saved.
The phone started ringing again… and again.
Finally, he picked up.
He didn't speak at first, just listened. A male voice greeted him politely, then introduced himself as the one sent to pick him up from the airport.
Zhan swallowed lightly.
"…Okay."
He stood up slowly and walked out of the arrival area, scanning the surroundings just as the man had instructed.
Moments later, the man approached him, recognizing him immediately.
"Welcome sir," he said politely. "No luggage?"
Zhan simply shook his head.
"This way. The car is parked over there."
Zhan followed him silently. When they reached the car, the driver opened the back door for him. He got in, and the door was shut before the driver moved to the front seat.
The journey passed in a blur.
Zhan didn't even know how long they drove...sleep had completely taken over him.
When he finally woke, the car had already stopped inside a large compound.
He adjusted himself slowly, looking around in confusion.
The driver opened the door.
"We've arrived."
Zhan stepped out gently.
"Thank you."
The house was large...modern, elegant, almost intimidating.
He followed the driver to the entrance. The man rang the bell, and within seconds, the door opened.
A young man stood there.
The driver spoke politely, "This is the guest I picked up from the airport."
He smiled softly and stepped aside.
"Welcome… please come in."
Zhan entered. He closed the door behind him and gestured for him to sit.
After he sat down, he looked at him and said,
"I'm Zhang."
Zhan raised his eyes slightly.
"My name is Zhan."
"Welcome, Zhan. Let me call my mother."
he left the room.
After a short while, he returned with a woman in her mid-fifties.
Zhan immediately moved to kneel in greeting, but the woman quickly stopped him with a warm smile.
"No, no… sit comfortably."
He returned to the chair.
"Welcome," she said kindly. "How was your journey?"
"It was fine… thank you."
"How is your family?"
"They are well."
"I thought you would come with the crown prince… I didn't expect you alone."
Zhan lowered his gaze, saying nothing, his fingers lightly playing with the edge of his sleeve.
The woman turned to Zhang.
"Take him to your room so he can rest."
"Okay."
Zhan followed Zhang quietly, while the older woman watched them leave.
By around eight that evening, Zhan was sitting in the room with Zhang, who had turned on the television. He slowly ate the fruit salad in front of him.
Ever since he arrived, he had noticed something...
Whenever he accidentally looked at Zhang, he was already looking at him.
And when their eyes met, Zhang would simply smile.
Zhan didn't mind. He had experienced this before. Back then, someone had looked at him the same way....always watching, always smiling....until they had become close.
Softly, Zhang said,
"You're very beautiful, Zhan."
He glanced at him briefly, then gave a faint smile.
"Very beautiful," Zhang repeated.
"And you too," Zhan replied gently.
Zhang laughed.
"No… not like you. But… I'd like us to be friends, if you don't mind."
Zhan nodded slightly.
"Prince said you'll be leaving for Shanghai tomorrow morning," he continued. "Please give me your number before you go… I'd like us to stay in touch."
At that moment, Zhan felt a quiet wave of relief.
He had been holding himself together all this time...but hearing he would leave tomorrow eased something inside him.
His thoughts had never left his aunt.
"I misplaced my phone," he said softly. "But I'll get your number before I leave."
"Alright. Will you stay long in Shanghai?"
Zhang asked.
"Just a few days… maybe." Zhan replied.
"My sister lives there. If she doesn't come home for the New Year, I might visit… then I'll come see you."
Zhan smiled faintly.
"Alright… I'll be waiting."
Zhang stood up, went to the wardrobe, and brought out sleepwear for him.
"You can wear this after your shower. I'll come back later."
"Thank you."
After he left, Zhan slowly walked into the bathroom.
The moment he remembered the forced marriage to Yiming, the weight returned....stronger, heavier.
He broke down.
Only after crying for a long time did he finally wash up.
When he came out and began tying his hair, Zhang returned.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Wow… is all that your hair?"
Zhan gave a small, tired smile, continuing to tie it.
"Wait, let me get you a hair band."
He handed it to him.
"Thank you," Zhan said softly.
:
:
The next morning, around 9:30 a.m., Zhan was ready, waiting for the driver.
He wore Zhang's clothes...they fit him well enough that no one would notice.
Even though he was fully dressed, he felt cold.
Very cold.
His body trembled slightly.
Since dawn, he had known something wasn't right.
He had barely managed to drink tea for breakfast. He couldn't eat anything else.
Still, he forced himself to look normal...he couldn't afford to miss this trip.
A housemaid knocked and informed him the driver was waiting.
Zhan picked up his bag and walked out slowly.
In the living room, he found Zhang's mother seated.
He approached respectfully, thanking her sincerely for her kindness.
Soon after, Zhang insisted on accompanying him to the airport.
Somehow, he had grown attached to him.
Even Zhan, despite everything he was going through, felt grateful for his care.
At the airport, they parted like old friends.
Zhan entered, collected his boarding pass....A-Bo had already sent his ticket via email along with a photo of his ID.
Then, quietly, he made his way to the departure lounge.
Zhan arrived in Shanghai just before noon.
He stepped out of the plane with the help of a woman beside him. The fever had worsened, his body weak and heavy, but he still forced himself to appear normal.
They walked out through the arrival area together. The woman glanced at him with concern.
"Is someone coming to pick you up, or will you take a taxi?"
Before Zhan could respond, his eyes caught a familiar figure standing beside a car not too far away...head lowered, scrolling through his phone.
For a moment, Zhan blinked, unsure if exhaustion was playing tricks on him.
But no…
It was him.
A-Bo.
He turned slightly to the woman and said softly, "My brother is here to pick me."
They parted ways, and Zhan walked toward him, each step slower than the last.
As he approached, A-Bo lifted his head and looked at him.
Zhan lowered his gaze.
"Good afternoon…"
A-Bo's expression didn't change.
"Where is the phone I gave you?"
Zhan pointed weakly at his bag. "It's inside… I put it on silent."
Without another word, A-Bo opened the driver's door and got in, then unlocked the passenger side.
Zhan walked around and entered the car, leaning his head back immediately, closing his eyes.
The car started.
They drove in silence.
About forty-five minutes later, Zhan slowly began to recognize parts of the surroundings...but everything still felt unfamiliar, distant, almost unreal.
His body was burning.
His mind drifting.
He turned slightly to look at A-Bo, who remained focused on the road, guided only by the navigation system.
Finally, they entered a quiet residential area.
A-Bo parked and picked up his phone, dialing a number.
Zhan heard the voice on the other end...and instantly, something inside him loosened.
Aunt Fin.
Relief flooded him so suddenly it almost hurt.
A few minutes later, she came out through the gate.
Even from a distance, the resemblance was unmistakable.
A-Bo drove closer and stopped right in front of the house.
Before the car fully settled, Zhan pushed the door open and stepped out, using what little strength he had left.
He stumbled forward....
and collapsed straight into her arms.
"Zhan!"
Aunt Fin caught him just in time, panic in her voice.
A neighbor rushed over, helping support him, and together they carried him inside.
A-Bo remained outside.
Watching.
Silent.
Only after they disappeared inside did he lean back against his car, his gaze drifting toward children playing a few houses away.
His phone rang.
He answered.
"How is it going?"
The voice on the other end replied,
"He turned his phone back on not long ago. We tracked the location....he's currently in Chongqing."
A-Bo paused.
"…Alright. I'll get back to you."
He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Just then, Aunt Fin stepped outside.
He lowered his head slightly in greeting.
"Thank you for everything," she said softly. "Please, come inside."
He followed her in.
Inside, the house was modest but comfortable, divided into separate living spaces.
A-Bo stopped near the entrance at first, but after she called him again, he removed his shoes and stepped into the living room.
Zhan lay on the couch, turned away, an IV line already attached to his hand.
His condition was worse than before.
Aunt Fin returned with water and placed it beside A-Bo before sitting down.
"You've done more than enough… thank you," she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
A-Bo looked up.
"Yiming doesn't know you live here, right?"
She shook her head.
"No. He only knows my old place. I moved here months ago. No one knows this address."
A-Bo nodded slightly.
"…His fever is high."
"Yes," she replied. "A nurse neighbor checked him. She said I should get some medication."
"I'll go get everything."
"You haven't even had water..."
"I'll be back."
He stood and left again.
⏭ ⏭ ⏭
Meanwhile, far away in Chongqing, tension simmered inside a luxurious home.
A middle-aged woman sat in authority while a maid worked at her feet.
Her voice was sharp, filled with anger.
"I warned you from the beginning. That boy is not your class. You lowered yourself for nothing."
Across from her, a woman in her late thirties....Meima....sat upright.
"So you're saying he should just let him go?"
"Of course! What is there to keep? After everything that happened?"
Meima shook her head firmly.
"No. If he lets him go now, that boy and his family win. After everything he invested? No way."
Her tone hardened.
"He will bring him back. And this time, he won't be kind."
⏭ ⏭
Back in Shanghai, by evening, Zhan lay weakly on the couch, a bowl of soup in his hands.
He couldn't even finish it.
Everything tasted like medicine.
His body burned, his head throbbed, and exhaustion clung to him like a weight he couldn't shake.
Aunt Fin watched him closely.
"Try a little more… or should I make something lighter?"
He shook his head.
A knock came at the door.
She stood and opened it.
A-Bo entered.
And behind him....
I-Bo.
Zhan froze.
For a moment, it didn't feel real.
Like a dream.
I-Bo stepped forward slowly, his eyes locked on Zhan.
Then he crouched in front of him.
"Are you feeling better… housemate?"
Zhan nodded quickly, tears filling his eyes.
And strangely....
he did feel better.
Just seeing I-Bo.
"I'm sorry," I-Bo said quietly. "Everything will be okay soon. I promise."
Zhan nodded again, holding onto those words like they were the only thing keeping him together.
I-Bo glanced at the bowl in his hands.
"Finish your soup."
This time, Zhan obeyed.
Slowly.
Silently.
Aunt Fin wiped her eyes discreetly.
A-Bo sat nearby, watching everything without a word.
After a moment, Aunt Fin spoke, her voice low and heavy:
"We never wanted any of this… no parent would willingly give their child to someone like that."