Yibo quickly turned his head and leaned against the car, feeling his legs weaken and his heart pounding at the sight of the person his eyes had just landed on. Ever since Zhan and Sen Wen locked eyes, Zhan had looked away and closed the car door. Yibo kept watching Sen Wen as he walked toward the entrance of the eatery.
Zhan turned to him and said, "Let's go."
Yibo didn't look at him, only shook his head.
Zhan asked, "What? Why the face?" His tone was tight, clearly reacting to the way Yibo had been staring after Sen Wen.
Yibo opened the car door, not wanting Zhan to see the tears forming in his eyes. He stepped in and said quietly, "I'll wait here."
Zhan didn't reply. He just walked into the eatery.
When Sen Wen and Zhan made eye contact again inside, Sen Wen gave a small smile and approached Zhan. Through his glasses, he looked him over and extended a hand in greeting, his voice calm and friendly. Zhan shook it, returning the smile briefly, and they exchanged polite words. Then Sen Wen returned to where he'd been standing. After getting his burger packed up, he left the eatery.
Zhan watched him walk out. As Sen Wen reached his car, he and Yibo locked eyes again. Yibo quickly turned away, heart racing. Sen Wen got into his car and drove off. Tears began to fall down Yibo's cheeks....he didn't know why. He leaned his head back against the seat, wondering if letting himself cry would make him feel any better.
Soon after, Zhan came back. He gave Yibo one look, then averted his gaze, started the car, and drove them home in silence. Not a single word was exchanged. Once they arrived, Zhan parked, opened the car door, grabbed the bag of food he had bought, and stepped out. Yibo just watched him, silently wiping away more tears. Zhan returned after a moment and opened the door for Yibo, but Yibo refused to come out. Zhan turned and walked away.
Slowly, Yibo stepped out of the car, shut the door gently, and walked inside, quiet and withdrawn. Yibo lay on the couch in the sitting room, feeling a strange emptiness. Nothing felt right.
About thirty minutes later, Zhan came downstairs, turned on the TV, and sat in the sitting room. Yibo had his back to him and frowned slightly, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye before looking away again.
By 2 PM, Yibo still hadn't spoken to Zhan. Zhan lay stretched on the couch, turned away. Twice he told Yibo to come take his ice cream before it melted, but Yibo ignored him both times. Zhan said nothing further.
After Zhan left the house for a bit, Yibo got up and went to his room. He saw that Zhan had already changed the bedsheets and tidied the room. Yibo went to the bathroom to wash his face, then headed to the kitchen. He took out two large packs of instant noodles, washed a pot, lit the stove, and boiled some water.
After cooking, he poured the noodles into a large bowl and returned to the sitting room. Zhan was there, watching him. Yibo frowned and walked upstairs without a word. He ate all the noodles and quickly fell asleep afterward.
🔹▫️▪️🔸
Even though he was very hungry, Yibo didn't come downstairs all evening. After he took a bath, he returned to the room and saw a bag of food had been left there. He put on his pajamas, dried off, and sat down to open the bag. Inside were two takeaway of shrimp jollof rice, each with a large piece of chicken, along with a drink and bottled water.
Yibo almost finished both takeout boxes. Then, with effort, he got up, went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, sprayed on some perfume, turned off the lights, and lay down with his eyes closed.
About an hour later, the door creaked open. Zhan entered. Yibo heard him but didn't turn or open his eyes. Zhan came to the edge of the bed and sat down beside him, his voice low.
"Yibo."
Silence. Yibo said nothing.
Zhan lay beside him and softly said, "Tell me what's wrong with you, please."
After a moment, Yibo replied coldly, "There's nothing wrong with me, please."
Zhan turned him to face each other, and Yibo suddenly burst into tears.
Zhan said nothing, just looked at him. After a few seconds, he spoke quietly. "You still don't want to be with me, do you, Yibo? Alright. Our deal still stands then. Give me five kids that look like you, and we'll part ways. You can go back to the man you saw today....the one who made you ignore me. But listen to me, I won't tolerate being treated with silence just because you ran into your ex. I didn't stop you from marrying him, did I? I was already planning to disappear from your life that very day. But you came to where I was, made a scene just so I'd marry you…"
Yibo sat up abruptly, tears in his eyes. "Yes, it's true....I came to you and begged you to marry me. But don't forget, you begged me too. You begged me to leave Sen Wen and marry you. And I know....even if I die....I'll never find someone who truly loves me like he did. I'll never find anyone who loved me the way Sen Wen did. I know those memories we shared won't fade easily from my heart. I will never forget our...."
Zhan grabbed him and yelled, "Are you out of your mind, Yibo?! You're saying this with my ring on your finger? You're telling me you'll never forget Sen Wen?! Have you lost it completely?!"
He was trembling with anger as he finished his words.
Yibo burst into tears and said, "Why would I forget someone who used to tell me he loved me with such innocence....anytime, anywhere? Why would I forget someone who never hesitated to say I love you, not I care about you? I pray I can move on, but deep down I know I may never find a love like the one Sen Wen gave me in this life…"
Zhan remained silent, staring at him with eyes darkened by emotion. Yibo wiped his eyes, turned away, and lay down, sobbing softly.
Zhan leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes. After a while, he opened them again, watching Yibo. He moved closer slowly, lay beside him, and gently pulled him into his arms. In a soft voice, he whispered, "Yibo… are you still pretending you don't know how much I love you?"
Yibo didn't respond. Eyes still closed, Zhan continued quietly, "I've loved you since before you even knew who you were… a love I can't even describe. From the beginning, I dreamed of building a life with you....of you being the father of my children, of us growing old together. Yibo, I know you know I love you. A love that, besides your parents, no one else could give you. It's unfair for you to act like you don't see it. I know you do. You're just toying with my feelings, thinking you can make me suffer like you've convinced yourself to suffer.
"Have you ever really sat and wondered why, out of all my siblings, I care the most about you? Why you've always been my favorite? You know the answer, Yibo. Two years ago, it was Mom who stood between us, and I distanced myself from you....not because I wanted to....but because I had no choice. Yet even then, you never left my heart. Every day I didn't see you, I felt like I was losing my mind.
"Do you think I used to visit Nainai's part of the house just for her? I went because I needed to see you. To make sure you were okay. I've loved you since before you even understood what love was, Yibo. The only love that could possibly compete with mine is your mom's. If I'd lost you back then, I don't know what would've become of me....though at the time, I'd already given up hope.
"The night I opened up to you, told you everything that was in my heart, I thought you'd understand… but you brushed it off, made me feel like a fool. Like I was crazy. You pretended not to get it, though I know you did. You've always been good at pretending....even as a child. You're a master at it…"
When Zhan noticed Yibo still wasn't speaking, he leaned in and looked at his face. To his surprise, Yibo was smiling.
They locked eyes in the dim light, and Yibo quickly buried his face, pouting like a child. "I don't like it, Gege."
Zhan smiled softly and hugged him tightly with joy. "Then tell me.... why did you keep messing with my head? Why keep pretending all this time?"
Yibo answered in a low voice, "Because you were pretending too. And your pride… you're too proud to say you love me directly. But I knew you did, right from the start."
Zhan widened his eyes and laughed. "So if I had told you I loved you, you would've ignored me? Is everything I say invalid because I'm your older brother?"
Yibo cuddled into him and said, "Then promise me.... from now on, you'll tell me you love me every day."
Zhan chuckled, placing a hand gently over Yibo's belly. "Well, just look at this. We even got results…"
Yibo pouted. "Leave me alone. You tricked me and gave me a baby as a wedding gift."
Zhan grinned. "You want wedding gifts too, Yibo? That baby you're carrying is more precious than any gift. We'll raise him with love... and the others that come after."
Yibo replied, "I don't care what Nainai says. I love my Gege too much to worry about material things. And I didn't give you any wedding gifts either, so we're even."
Zhan closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of Yibo's hair. After a moment, Yibo said softly, "Alright, tell me now.... what did you do with the phone Sen Wen bought me?"
Zhan smiled broadly. "It's at home. When I go back, I'll give it to Nainai. She can use it if she wants.... after all, she did want you to marry him instead of me."
Yibo lifted his head, looking at him. "I knew it. You took the phone."
Zhan pressed his lips to Yibo's, silencing him.
That night, just like the one before, Zhan finally revealed every last feeling he'd hidden in his heart.... though Yibo had known all along. And this time, Yibo gave himself to him completely, even more than Zhan had hoped.
That night, Yibo looked him in the eyes and said, "I know you are, and always will be, the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you too. And I'm proud to call you my husband."
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
Five years later...
Yibo stood in Yichen's bedroom, facing the mirror as he adjusted his top. Meanwhile, Yichen was helping a handsome little boy in front of her put on his shoes while he chatted away. The boy was a spitting image of Zhan... his features, his gestures, even his voice when he spoke sounded exactly like Zhan's as a child.
Yichen couldn't stop smiling as she looked at him. Holding his hand, she turned toward the door as the sound of a car horn came from the compound. "Hurry up, Yibo, he's already honking."
Yibo sprayed some perfume, quickly checked his reflection again, and followed her out.
Zhan was already out of the car, holding Zhaiyi's little sister in his arms. As soon as he saw Yibo, he said, "I told you we're late....we can't miss the flight."
Yichen gave him a sharp look and replied, "It's not like you're leaving the country forever…"
Zhan just smiled and scratched his head. One of Yichen's workers came out with Yibo's luggage and the kids' bags, loading them into the trunk. She then returned with another bag, placed it in the trunk, and looked at Yibo. "Safe travels, Mr. Yibo."
Yibo smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Ao. We'll be back soon."
Yichen looked at Yibo and asked, "You're sure you didn't forget anything?"
"If we did, Mom, we'll get it when we come back," he replied casually.
Yichen lifted Zhaiyi in her arms and looked at him fondly. Before she could say anything, he kissed her forehead and smiled. "We're going to miss you, Granny."
She laughed warmly. "I'll miss you more, sweetheart. Say hi to the old woman, Grandpa's, and Grandma back home, alright?"
He nodded, and she helped him into the back seat. Then she turned to Zhan, took little Xun Er from his arms and said, "She's staying with me."
The girl quickly reached her hand out to Yibo, her face already twisting in protest as if she might cry.
Yibo laughed gently. "You don't want to stay with Granny?"
Yichen chuckled and placed her in the car. "Safe journey. Send my regards to everyone in Beijing."
The driver arrived and they all set off for the airport. Zhan entered the car after bidding Yichen farewell again. Yibo did the same, and they left the house.
Yibo had been staying in Shanghai with Yichen for the past two weeks with the kids. Yesterday, Zhan flew in from Beijing to bring them back home. Three years ago, Yichen had relocated permanently to Shanghai. These days, she often traveled abroad and had built a successful business empire in a short amount of time. She lacked for nothing. Only Mengxi lived with her now.... still unmarried. Xinyi and Meiling are married two years ago.
Soon, they landed in Beijing. Everywhere Zhan went with little Xun Er, people either called out to her or stared....she was that beautiful. But she didn't like people at all. She only ever clung to Yuting and hadn't even warmed up to Yichen throughout their stay.
As they exited the airport, something made Yibo turn his head....and there was Sen Wen, dragging a suitcase while tapping on his phone. He must've just landed from foreign country, since he hadn't exited with them.
Yibo quickly looked away before Sen Wen noticed him. Zhan was busy on a call, still holding Xun Er in one arm, while Yibo was pulling a trolley, with Zhaiyi walking beside him, clutching the hem of his shirt.
Suddenly, Zhaiyi tripped over the trolley and fell, causing a bit of a scene. A few people turned their heads..... including Sen Wen. Yibo immediately dropped the handle of his trolley and rushed to help Zhaiyi up. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.
Sen Wen found himself staring. He hadn't realized what he was seeing until the name escaped his lips: "Yibo?"
Yibo turned around quickly at the sound of his name. Zhan did too... snapping to attention the moment he heard someone call his sweetheart.
Sen Wen approached with a surprised smile. "Wow… is this your son, Yibo?"
Yibo forced a smile and nodded. Sen Wen picked up Zhaiyi, hugged him, and planted a kiss on his forehead. "He's so cute. What's his name?"
Still smiling, Yibo replied, "His name is Zhaiyi."
Sen Wen hugged the boy a little tighter. "Oh! That's a lovely name. Where's his dad?"
Only then did he notice Zhan watching them silently. Sen Wen walked over to him with a friendly smile and offered his hand. They greeted each other politely while Sen Wen glanced at little Xun Er, gently tugging her cheeks. "Wow... little Yibo, huh?"
Zhan just smiled in response, watching him calmly.
"It's been a long time... over five years now," Sen Wen said.
"Yeah," Zhan replied. "Where are you coming from?"
"Just flew in from the UK. How's Grandma?"
"She's doing very well," Zhan said.
Sen Wen rubbed the back of his head and said, "I'll drop by to greet her. Suyue gave me something to deliver to her. You know, we live quite close in the UK. Did someone come to pick you guys up?"
Zhan shook his head. "Not at all. We're just getting a taxi."
"My driver's already here with the car," Sen Wen offered. "Come on, I'll drop you off."
On the way home, Sen Wen bought a toy gun for Zhaiyi and a large doll for Xun Er. At the house gate, he parked and helped unload their things. Yibo smiled at him and asked teasingly, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your wife so we can become family friends?"
Sen Wen scratched his head. "Wife? Not yet…"
Yibo raised his brows, surprised. "Not yet? Should I help you find one then?"
Laughing, Yibo stepped out of the car. Sen Wen grinned and turned to Zhan. "Or maybe I should just wait for little Xun Er to grow up and let her make me her sugar daddy?"
Zhan laughed. "Time's flying, Sen Wen. You really should think about settling down."
Sen Wen nodded with a chuckle. "You're right. I'll stop by soon to greet Grandma....send her my regards."
They parted ways after that.
As soon as they entered the compound, even though Yuting was outside hanging laundry, Zhaiyi didn't glance her way....he bolted toward Nainai's section of the house, yelling excitedly, "Old woman! Old woman! Where are you?!"
Yuting watched him with an amused smile. Yibo put Xun Er down, and the girl ran straight toward Yuting, smiling brightly with her dimples showing. Yuting picked her up and hugged her tightly.
Yibo walked over, hugged his mom, kissed her on the forehead, and whispered with a smile, "I missed you, my Mu Qin."
Nainai, who had brought out all her pots and pans to wash by the outdoor tap, looked up as Zhaiyi came running. "And who is this now?" She asked.
Zhaiyi burst into laughter, aimed the toy gun Sen Wen had bought him, and squinted one eye like a sharpshooter. Nainai's eyes widened.... at a distance, the toy looked alarmingly real. She yelped, dropped the put she was holding, and darted into her sitting room, heart pounding.
"We're doomed! Zhan has birthed a little troublemaker!" she exclaimed.
Just then, Zhan arrived and burst out laughing, watching his son run after Nainai, shouting, "I missed you, old woman!"
END....
Epilogue
The winter sun spilled soft golden light across the courtyard, where laughter echoed once again through Zhan and Yibo's home. It had been six months since they returned to Beijing, and life had taken on a gentle rhythm... one filled with unexpected peace and the kind of love that no longer needed to be hidden or questioned.
Zhaiyi was in the garden, chasing after a chicken Nainai had brought for him... one that absolutely refused to become his new "pet friend".... while Xun Er sat cross-legged beneath a tree, carefully brushing the long hair of her newest doll, another gift from Sen Wen. The once-distant girl now giggled freely, wrapped in the love of her family.
Inside, Yibo sat curled up on the living room sofa with a photo album on his lap, flipping through pictures from their recent countryside trip. Zhan walked in holding two steaming mugs of ginger tea, handing one to Yibo as he sank beside him.
"You know," Zhan began, sipping carefully, "if someone told me five years ago that we'd be sitting here like this, with two kids and a peaceful life, I would've laughed."
Yibo leaned his head on Zhan's shoulder, a fond smirk on his lips. "I would've punched them."
They both laughed, the sound warm and easy, like it belonged here.
Yichen walked in just then with Nainai, Yuting, and Zihan, all of them wrapped in cozy shawls from their afternoon walk. "It's so warm today," Yichen commented, smiling at the sight of Yibo and Zhan on the couch. "Perfect weather for good news."
Zhan exchanged a glance with Yibo before saying, "Actually... we do have some."
The elders paused, curious.
"We're getting married... again," Yibo said simply, his eyes glowing with sincerity.
There was a beat of silence.... then cheers and exclamations filled the room. Even Nainai, who once claimed Zhan's love life was "a series of reckless decisions," clapped her hands in delight and teased, "I hope this time Zhan remembers to prepare the wedding gifts?"
Zhan frowned dramatically. "That'll be... in your dreams, dear Nainai."
That night, after the household had quieted and the children were sound asleep, Yibo and Zhan stood together on the balcony, wrapped in a shared silence beneath a blanket of stars.
"I used to think we missed our moment," Yibo said softly, his gaze fixed on the sky.
Zhan turned toward him, brushing a loose strand of hair from Yibo's face. "We didn't miss it. We just had to grow into it."
He took Yibo's hand and laced their fingers together. "And now, we get to keep it. About our agreement… Zhaiyi doesn't count....he's already my carbon copy. You still owe me four little ones."
Yibo smacked his chest with a pout. "Excuse me? Like I was born just to produce children? That agreement is expired. Not interested. My Gege is enough for me… for eternity."
Zhan laughed, pulling him close. "Smooth talker."
Before Yibo could wriggle away, Zhan leaned down and captured his lips in a slow, tender kiss, the kind that felt like a promise. Yibo sighed into it, only to push playfully at his chest a second later. "You honey Gege....leave me alone. I have dance class tomorrow. They're paying, so I have to teach."
Zhan ignored his protest, grinning as he scooped Yibo into his arms effortlessly.
"Gege...put me down!"
"Nope, not until you select a sweet and lovely name for me."
Their laughter echoed softly as he carried Yibo into their bedroom, the door closing gently behind them.
Some love stories don't begin in the right moment. But the ones meant to last... they always find their way home.
The End... and the Beginning.
Extra scene.....
'I Do' (Again)
The courtyard of their family estate had been transformed into a delicate dream. White lanterns swayed in the breeze above, and soft music floated on the spring air. Beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, guests laughed, sipped wine, and snapped photos.
But Zhan? He only had eyes for Yibo.
Yibo stood at the far end of the aisle, dressed in a classic cream suit that hugged his lean frame just right. A soft blush colored his cheeks as he caught Zhan staring. Zhan, in contrast, wore the same matching suit.
"You're late," Yibo whispered teasingly when Zhan finally reached him.
Zhan grinned. "You're still here, aren't you? Then I'm right on time."
The ceremony was simple, but it felt like the entire world paused to watch. Vows were exchanged, not with grand speeches, but with the kind of quiet emotion that came from surviving storms together.
"I don't need forever," Yibo said, eyes misty. "Just five lifetime with you is enough."
Zhan took his hand. "Five lifetime? I'm planning on chasing you for at least seven more."
The kiss they shared under the shower of flower petals was soft, smiling, slightly clumsy, and absolutely perfect.
Later that evening, the party lit up like a festival. Zhaiyi and Xun Er ran around with glow sticks in hand, dragging little cousins into chaotic games. Nainai kept loudly threatening quests not to dirty the courtyard and "interrogate" Zhan about honeymoon plans, while Sen Wen toasted "to love, and to Yibo finally being the boss for one day only."
Yibo danced once with Yuting and again with Zihan before Zhan finally caught him alone under the fairy-lit arch in the garden.
"You've been dodging me, Mister," Zhan said, arms circling his waist.
"I've been entertaining guests," Yibo replied smoothly. "Being married is exhausting."
Zhan leaned down, forehead touching his. "Then let's run away for a while."
"Where to?"
"Our room."
Yibo chuckled, and without another word, took his hand and led him inside.
That night, long after the lights had dimmed and the last song played, Yibo lay curled against Zhan's chest, fingers tracing circles lazily on his skin.
"About those four little ones..." Zhan began.
Yibo groaned. "Gege, it's our wedding night."
"I'm just saying....we're halfway there."
Yibo turned and pressed a kiss to Zhan's collarbone. "We'll see," he murmured, "But for tonight... can we just stay here? Like this."
Zhan smiled and pulled him closer. "For tonight, and for every night after."
🔹▫️▪️🔸
It began with cravings.
Not the usual ones. Not Yibo's midnight addiction to sweet bean buns or his obsession with Zhan's ginger chicken. No, this was... different.
Yibo woke up one morning, craving tomato soup with peanut butter toast. Zhan....half-asleep and wearing only one sock....stared at him like he had suggested cooking frogs for breakfast.
"You're joking."
Yibo blinked. "Why would I joke about something so serious?"
Zhan groaned but dragged himself to the kitchen.
It wasn't until the third week of odd cravings, sudden naps, and the emotional meltdown over a lost slipper that Zhan raised an eyebrow.
"Yibo," he said, gently placing a hand on his husband's stomach. "Do you think...?"
Yibo stared at him. Then at his stomach. Then back at Zhan.
"Oh no."
But oh yes.
Eight Months Later...
The hospital room was filled with quiet anticipation. Yuting sat on the bench outside, nervously drinking water, while Nainai paced like she was preparing for battle. A little far away are the rest of the family standing while some sitted.
Inside, Zhan sat at Yibo's bedside, brushing damp hair from his forehead as Yibo glared at him between contractions.
"This is all your fault," Yibo hissed.
Zhan kissed his hand. "That's what makes it wonderful."
"You said four children. If this one even thinks of screaming too much...."
"I'll reduce the number to two," Zhan promised quickly.
Yibo gave him a weak slap on the arm before the next contraction hit, "Gege, it's time to get it out of me please" Yibo plea out of pain.
Minutes later, the world changed again.
A tiny, red-faced baby with wisps of dark hair and lungs loud enough to rival Zhaiyi's was placed in Yibo's arms. He stared down at the little face, overwhelmed.
Zhan leaned close, his voice hoarse. "Our daughter."
Yibo smiled through the tears. "She's loud. Like you."
Zhan beamed. "And stubborn. Like you."
They named her Yunxi....".
Zhaiyi came in to meet her later, holding a handmade drawing that featured a giant-headed stick figure with a tiny baby in its arms. "I drew you, Baba," he said proudly. "And this is my little sister. I made her look cool."
Xun Er poked her head in after him, peeking at the sleeping bundle in Yibo's arms. "She's so small," she whispered.
Yibo nodded, still dazed. "She's perfect."
Few weeks later
Zhan stood by the window, holding little Yunxi against his chest as she slept, her breathing soft and even. Yibo was curled up on the bed behind them, exhausted but glowing with quiet contentment.
"Three down," Zhan whispered to the sleeping baby. "Maybe one more. Or two."
Yibo's sleepy voice floated from the bed. "Dream on, Gege."
Zhan smiled and turned, kissing Yibo's temple.
"Then I'll dream here. Beside you. Always."
Outside, the cherry blossoms continued to fall. And in the quiet of that shared space, love bloomed again....steady, strong, and eternal.
The End (for real this time...)
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛