That night, Yuting was standing by the dining table, scooping some congee into a bowl for Yibo. Just then, the door to the sitting room opened. She quickly covered the bowl and looked toward the door as Zong walked in, followed closely by Zhan. Zong sat down on the couch and said, "Good evening, Yuting."
Yuting walked over to the sitting room with a smile. "Good evening, Zong."
Zong asked, "How's our patient? Is he any better?"
Yuting replied, "He's improving. Thank goodness."
"May he recover fully," Zong said.
"Amen," Yuting responded.
Zhan stood quietly behind, his head lowered. He didn't meet Yuting's eyes but said, "Good evening, Mother."
She replied, "Good evening. How was work?"
"Fine, thank you. And how is he?" he asked.
Yuting answered, "Better. He's in the bedroom."
Zong stood up. "Is he asleep?"
"No, I think his eyes are open."
Zong headed to Yibo's bedroom. Zhan followed without saying another word or looking at Yuting. When they entered, Yibo's eyes were closed and his entire body was wrapped in a duvet. Zong stood at the door watching him for a moment, then said, "Looks like he's drifted back to sleep."
Zhan stood silently, just watching. Zong shook his head and said, "May he get better. I'll check on him again tomorrow." With that, he turned and left the room.
Zhan watched him go before walking over and sitting beside Yibo. He gently pulled the duvet down from his face and touched his forehead.
"Yibo," he said softly.
Yibo opened his eyes and looked at him. Zhan gave him a gentle smile.
Yibo reached for his hand and said quietly, "Gege…"
Zhan lifted him slightly and sat beside him. "Little bro," he said.
Yibo didn't say anything, just stared at him.
Zhan asked, "Are you in pain anywhere?"
Leaning against the bed, Yibo replied, "I feel feverish and nauseous… and my leg aches."
"I'll bring your medicine soon," Zhan said, "but what would you like to eat, little brother?"
Yibo hesitated, then said, "I feel like throwing up."
Zhan frowned with concern. "No, no throwing up, sweetheart. Just tell me what you want to eat and I'll get it right away."
Yibo paused for a while, thinking. Then he whispered, "Spicy Dumplings."
Zhan's eyes widened. "You? Wanting spicy dumplings, baby?"
Yibo pouted and replied, "I just want to eat them today."
Zhan chuckled and gently rubbed Yibo's stomach. "So our baby wants spicy dumpling, huh?"
Yibo stared at him.
Zhan tugged his nose and said, "Isn't that right?"
Yibo frowned. "What baby? I just feel like eating dumplings, that's all."
Zhan winked and said, "Our baby, of course, sweetheart."
Yibo pouted again like he was about to cry. Zhan tugged his nose again, smiling.
"You're going to give me a baby with all this pouting, aren't you?"
Yibo covered his face with a pillow laughing shyly. Zhan stood up, still smiling.
"I'll be back in a bit," he said.
Yibo didn't say anything, but after Zhan left the room, he slowly lifted the pillow and watched him go.
Back in the dining area, Yuting was still standing there with the bowl of congee, waiting for Zhan to come out. He wanted to tell her he'd be back soon, but he couldn't find the words. In the end, he just walked out and quietly shut the door behind him. Only then did Yuting go into the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Zong had headed over to Nainai's part of the house. He walked into the sitting room and, hearing her in the kitchen, sat down. She soon came out and said, "Zong, it's you."
"Yes, it's me. Good evening, AYi."
"Evening. I was busy in the kitchen....you didn't hear the clatter behind me? I need to rest, honestly."
Zong gave a small smile. "What are you cooking this late, mother? Didn't they already bring you food?"
"What am I cooking?" she said, annoyed. "That boy with the weak stomach...I'm making him porridge. He told me earlier he felt nauseous, and I told him if he was going to throw up, he should go outside. I don't want this house becoming a mess just because the bathroom is inside the room. I tried to make him understand."
Zong stayed quiet as she continued.
"Then, out of nowhere, that woman Yuting just stormed in and took him away like I was the enemy! No respect, no decency! I stood there, speechless. Honestly, I was shocked. She grabbed the boy and left without a word. Can you imagine? I felt chilled to my bones. Just a little talk and she pulls him out like that. Women! You'd better be careful with them. I didn't even argue..... I just kept quiet. But don't expect me to keep silent if she keeps treating my grandchild like that…"
Zong said, "You really did well. May you be rewarded for your kindness."
Nainai responded, "Thank you. But honestly, if it were because of Yuting, I wouldn't have done it... she has no manners at all. I don't want to speak up because if I do, Quentin will turn against me. And look at Yibo, by some twist of fate, right after the wedding... he's already expecting. Can you imagine, Zong? I'm truly happy. I'm thankful. I've prayed for a safe delivery. One day, Yibo will fill his father's sitting room with grandchildren."
"And if he doesn't end up having a daughter, it'll be a surprise, because people say no matter what, a girl.... Will always run back to her father's house, even through fire. His mother had to wait nearly ten years before having him, and look at him....barely married and already expecting."
Zong just smiled, then eventually said, "Well, may everything go smoothly."
Nainai added, "Yes, may it all go well. I'm just worried it's one of those really harsh pregnancies....like his mother had. I'm afraid it could be risky for him. He's not exactly the strongest."
Zong stood up. "Let me get going, mother. You can get back to what you were doing."
"Alright, thank you, Zong. But just to avoid any drama, I'd rather stay out of it and let Yuting do what she wants with her child. I'll just keep checking in on him quietly, like I always do, right, Zong?"
Zong said, "No, don't worry.....he'll come back to you soon. I'm heading over there now…"
But Nainai quickly interrupted, "No, no.....please don't, Zong! Just leave him there. Only I know what Yuting is really like. Let her have her child and do what she wants with him. She thinks I'm not capable of taking care of him. Let them stay over there. I'm an elder.....I won't let myself get dragged into chaos with her."
Zong simply smiled and walked out. Nainai headed back to the kitchen, muttering under her breath, "All this throwing up I'm seeing… how do they expect me to clean it up? I don't run an antis or detergent company. I'm no housemaid. Honestly, his mother is still alive after all…"
After finishing the porridge, Nainai poured it into a food container and stepped out to take it to Yibo. As she reached the balcony, she bumped into Zhan, who had a food warmer in one hand and a plastic bag in the other. As soon as she saw him, she frowned. He smiled at her.
"So, you cooked for your grandson?" he asked.
She walked past him without a glance and said, "I don't care. I wish his suffering end through you instead. And may the reward go to him..... not you. As for the wedding gift, even if I die, I won't forgive you for it. Period."
Zhan followed her, laughing. "My wish is the sickness to end with you instead."
Yuting stood up as soon as Nainai entered the room, but Nainai didn't even look at her. She went straight to where Yibo was lying down.
"Sorry, Yibo," she said gently. "I made you some clean porridge. It'll help settle your stomach. Sit up so I can serve you."
With that, she turned back toward the kitchen to get a plate and spoon. Zhan was sitting in the sitting room, waiting. Nainai returned with the plate, went back into the room, opened the container, and scooped out the porridge.... it was rich with ingredients and plenty of milk.
She turned to Yibo and said, "Sit up."
Yibo sat up, eyeing the plate warily. With difficulty, he asked, "What's this?"
"It's porridge, of course," Nainai replied.
Yibo took the plate, trying to steady his breathing, but after a moment, he set it down and looked away. Nainai clicked her tongue and said, "Hey now, I'm not wasteful, and I don't throw away money. That's five hundred worth of ingredients in there....this will only help your stomach and mouth, nothing else."
Yuting stood silently nearby.
Yibo slowly picked up the spoon and took a bite. The porridge was sour but surprisingly comforting.
Nainai sat at the edge of the bed. "Do you think I'd make this for just anyone? Even Beiting and Zihan haven't had this treatment. But since you wouldn't listen to me, someone probably just got you pregnant and left you with the burden."
Yuting turned and quietly walked out of the room.
Yibo kept eating slowly, savoring the odd but pleasant tang of the porridge. He managed to finish about half the bowl before setting it aside.
"How was it?" Nainai asked.
"I'm full," he replied with a nod.
"Alright, then you can eat the rest later," she said, getting up. "See, you've even regained a bit of color. But they just left you like that....probably haven't given you anything since morning. Anyway, I'll be back, even if it's late at night. I'll check on you."
She left the room.
Zhan watched her enter the sitting room and said, "So, what about my porridge?"
Nainai headed for the door and replied, "The one your father's sister Zihan...cooked for you."
He chuckled, "Right, that one."
She didn't respond and walked out. Zhan got up, grabbed the food warmer and the bag of medicine he had bought, and went to the Yibo's bedroom.
Yibo, who had buried his face in a pillow, looked up when he entered. Seeing the sulk on his face, Zhan walked in fully.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Yibo looked like he might cry. "Nausea…"
Zhan put the items down and sat beside him. "Sorry, sweetheart. You won't throw up. You'll be fine." He rubbed his back gently.
Yibo leaned against him, closing his eyes.
After a while, Zhan lifted his head and asked, "Are you okay now?"
Yibo nodded.
"Should I bring you the dumplings now?" Zhan asked.
Yibo quickly shook his head. "I'm full."
"Alright, but here's your medicine. Take it."
"No… If I take it now, I'll vomit," Yibo said, nearly in tears.
"Then your Mu Qin will bring it for you later. I have to head out for a bit," Zhan said, laying him back down and kissing his forehead. "Take care, sweetheart."
Yibo closed his eyes. Zhan pulled the duvet over him and stood. "I'll come back in the morning."
Yibo nodded, and Zhan left the room.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-
Yibo continued staying in their part of the house, still dealing with the nausea. His mother, Yuting, cared for him diligently... even helping him bathe when things got too difficult. She stayed close to ensure he was alright, doing everything she could to meet his needs.
Zihan also visited about four times a day to check on him. Sometimes she brought traditional dishes for Yibo. Every dawn, Nainai would show up at the door with a loud knocking and a bowl of her millet porridge. She will never left unless Yibo had thrown up...as she often declared. Then, she'd huff and leave, muttering with a scowl.
Despite Zhan's desire to be near his husband constantly, he couldn't bring himself to enter the house freely because of Yuting. Her presence made him feel nervous and unsure. So instead, he'd head to work each morning thinking of Yibo the whole time. Even there, half his focus was always on his partner.
He ignored the fact that Yibo couldn't answer his calls....his phone was always on silent because Yibo didn't like the ringing. Still, Zhan never failed to provide. Every week, he brought supplies....tea and snacks....even though Yuting had told Meiling (who helped with deliveries) that Yibo wasn't eating much. That didn't stop him. He also kept track of his medications, buying and sending new ones before they ran out. Sometimes, when Zong was planning a night visit, Zhan would go along so he could see Yibo briefly.
Every Saturday, Seth stopped by to check on Yibo, staying in the room to chat with him. Yibo would just lie there quietly, smiling at his words.
By the fourth month, the nausea had eased a little. Yibo looked radiant, even more handsome than before. Zhan was more than ready to take his husband back home, but Zong still hadn't said anything about it.
That Saturday evening, as usual, Nainai was at her tap, washing her buckets and humming to herself, when she heard footsteps. She looked up and squinted toward the figure approaching. Then, just as quickly, she looked away and returned to what she was doing…
NB
Two chapters remaining. 😁
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛