Chapter 48 - Fourty Eigh

Surprise! 🤭😅😅😅

Queen felt a strange chill settle in her chest after ending the call to Yibo, asking if he would join them for dinner. He had answered so quietly, so distantly. Something about the change in his voice unsettled her. Her instincts told her that something had happened...something serious....though she had no idea what it might be.

Just then, Nalan walked in and wrinkled her nose at Queen."Honestly, Mom, sometimes I feel like you love the Prince more than me. He's treated like some little boy, even though he's a grown man with a whole life of his own."

Queen gave a small smile and turned to her. "There's no one I love more than the other. You're just jealous of him, that's all. But besides that, your brother carries a lot of burdens. He needs more attention and constant guidance."

"Burdens like what? Even I've noticed how much he's changed over the last eight years." Nalan studied Queen's face, clearly wanting to know more.

Queen just nodded and adjusted her sitting posture. "All you can do is pray he finds peace. That's all."

"Fine." Nalan replied quietly, lowering her gaze to the tiled floor. Silence fell over the room for a few moments....each of them lost in their thoughts...before Nalan finally asked, "Where did the Prince go, anyway? I've been hoping to catch him before he leaves."

"He went back to the hospital...to collect Su Han's death certificate," Queen replied while fiddling with her phone.

"Oh, poor Su Han…" Nalan muttered, her voice heavy with sympathy. She had grown close to the girl. Then, after a pause, she added, "Actually, I wanted to visit the hospital too."

Queen didn't reply....her focus drawn to something on her screen. Seeing that, Nalan stood up, thinking maybe she should just take a taxi and go herself. Ever since she saw someone who looked like Zhan, her mind hadn't settled. Something in her gut told her it was really him, and if it was, she'd be the happiest person alive.

She headed to the room where Bai Wuxia was, pushing the door open and stepping inside. Bai Wuxia was one of the few people she could truly talk to when she needed clarity or comfort. Their bond had grown deep over the years.

She found Bai Wuxia seated on a flush rug, lost in thought.

Nalan sat down beside her and asked,

"What's on your mind, Mama?"

Bai Wuxia smiled faintly, adjusting her position. Every time one of them called her "Mama," it reminded her of Zhan. When they returned from their stay in New York, Lao never stopped calling her by that name...the same way she and Zhan had used to.

"I'm fine, Princess. Do you need anything?"

Nalan shook her head and smiled softly, then leaned back against the bed and said, "I'm thinking of heading to the hospital. I could use some company."

Bai Wuxia's heart skipped slightly. She too had remembered the face she'd seen earlier...the one that looked so much like Zhan's.

"What do you need at the hospital, Princess?"

Nalan sighed.

"I think I saw someone who looked exactly like my old friend Zhan. I've prayed for so long to see him again. But I'm not sure it was really him. His family wasn't well-off, and he was married off right after high school....to someone he didn't even love. If it's really him, I can't imagine how he'd end up here."

Bai Wuxia sat in silence, her chest tightening. From how Nalan described him, it sounded exactly like her Zhan....no difference at all. If it truly was him, what did it mean? She needed to know. She had to be sure if Nalan was talking about the same Zhan that had been on her own mind too.

"Well then, I'll go with you," she said calmly.

Nalan beamed with gratitude and quickly stood up. "Thank you, Mama! That's perfect." She rushed off to get ready.

Within a short time, they were both dressed and prepared. They told Queen they were just heading out for a bit, and she wished them well as they left and hailed a taxi.

Just as they were getting into the car, Yibo was pulling out of the hospital compound in his own vehicle. Neither party noticed the other.

Yibo drove with his head pounding and heart drained. He felt like he couldn't even make it home. All his energy was gone. He had begged the hospital administration to give him Dr. Zhan's address, but they firmly declined, citing confidentiality policy. They explained that if he needed to speak to Zhan, he should return the next day and request a meeting through official channels at the hospital. Only Zhan himself could approve sharing such information.

But seeing Yibo's persistence...and recognizing his status and public presence...they redirected him to the office of the hospital's owner: Dr. Adrian.

Yibo had gone straight there, deep in thought, Dr Adrian wonder what exactly the connection was between Zhan and this well-known global businessman… the Prince.

When Prince Yibo arrived at Dr. Adrian's office, he fully expected to get what he wanted. Dr. Adrian listened calmly, then let out a slow, measured sigh when he realized Yibo was actually there asking for Zhan's address.

So....he doesn't even know where Zhan lives? That was all Dr. Adrian needed to confirm. Whatever he thought existed between the Prince and Zhan, it clearly wasn't as deep or meaningful as he'd assumed. If Yibo truly were one of Zhan's suitors, then it seemed Zhan hadn't given him any priority at all. That realization brought unexpected relief to Dr. Adrian, the weight on his chest easing just a little. He then repeated the same explanation the hospital staff had given earlier.

Yibo tried to emphasize how important the address was to him, but Dr. Adrian deliberately acted as if he didn't understand. Seeing that he was wasting time and that the doctor wasn't budging, Yibo stood up and stormed out in frustration. Dr. Adrian didn't flinch. He had no intention of giving out that information. Nothing in the world bothered him more than the thought of someone trying to take Zhan away from him. His biggest dream was to marry Zhan and make him his....and his alone.

When Nalan and Bai Wuxia arrived at the hospital, they couldn't get any information about Zhan either. Nalan also asked for his address, but they were told no, same as before. Dr. Adrian had left strict instructions before leaving the hospital: no one....man or woman....was to be given Dr. Zhan's address.

Eventually, they managed to get a phone number, and that alone was enough to make Nalan feel a little better. She quickly saved it in her phone with the hope of calling him once she got home.

***

Meanwhile, Zhan sat at the edge of the bed, while Aunt Anu stood over him, listening intently as he explained everything. After a long silence, Zhan finally spoke again, his voice trembling as if he could break down at any moment.

"How could he possibly claim I'm still his husband?" "How? When I have legal proof of the divorce right in my hands?"

That seemed to be the part that troubled Zhan the most.

Aunt Anu exhaled deeply and lowered her hands from where they had been folded across her chest. She stepped closer to him and took his hands in hers.

In a calm, reassuring voice, she said,

"Sweetheart... none of this should worry you. Whatever you're afraid of, I promise I won't let it happen. This time, no matter what they try, I'll stand with you. I'm ready to let the world know everything that happened. If they try to bring charges again, we'll fight back harder than ever. No one can take your children from you....not even the King of Tianjin himself, let alone his son or wife."

"I don't want you carrying any burden in your heart that keeps you from living your life. Keep going just the way you've been. There's nothing wrong with you.... remember that, okay?"

She ended her words with a comforting smile that instantly strengthened Zhan's spirit and eased the fear inside him.

Back at home, Yibo arrived in a storm of emotion. One look at his face and it was clear something serious had happened. Qiantang watched him with concern, wondering what on earth could have shaken him so badly.

Without a word, Yibo threw off his jacket, grabbed a towel, and locked himself in the bathroom. He stood under a stream of cold water for several long minutes before finally stepping out.

Even after the shower, the redness in his eyes hadn't gone away. That night, he didn't touch his food. He didn't want to talk. He didn't want anyone near him. He isolated himself in the garden, lost in deep thought, desperate to find a solution to fix everything.

That night was long, dark, and heavy for Yibo. He didn't sleep at all.....not even for a second.

By morning, he gave everyone their tickets and insisted they all leave without him. He said he had work to handle in the country. That wasn't what Qiantang wanted. She had hoped he would come along, or at least stay behind to keep her company. But in the end, despite her reluctance, she left with Queen.

At the airport, Nalan tried once again to dial Zhan's number....something she'd been attempting since the day before....but it never went through. She was beginning to lose hope and even started suspecting that the number they'd given her was fake, just to stop her from asking.

Then suddenly, it rang.

Her face lit up instantly as she turned to Bai Wuxia. "Mama! Look! It's ringing!" she said, clearly excited because she knew how much Bai Wuxia had also been hoping for that call to connect.

"Thank goodness," Bai Wuxia murmured, eyes locked on the phone, waiting just as eagerly.

Finally, a low voice answered on the other end. Despite the quiet tone, Bai Wuxia immediately recognized it. It was Zhan. Her Zhan.

But Nalan, needing confirmation, quickly said, "Please... am I speaking to Xiao Zhan?"

Zhan gave a small nod from his end, placing the mug of coffee gently on the table beside him.

"Yes, that's me," he said.

Nalan let out a relieved smile and adjusted her seat.

"Ah, good. I'm so glad... though I guess you don't recognize the voice, do you?"

"Not really... it sounds familiar, but I can't place it," Zhan replied.

"No wonder," Nalan said, her tone confident. "My name is Mo Wang Nalan. I'm the Princess of Tianjin. Do you remember me now?" she asked eagerly, waiting for his response.

A heavy wave of dread swept through Zhan. No doubt about it....it was Nalan. The sister of Prince Yibo. But how did they get his number? Was this Yibo's doing? Was this how he planned to reach him? Whatever it was, Zhan braced himself. He was ready now. He felt a strange calm spread through him as he steadied his voice and asked,

"So... he sent you, didn't he? What message does he have for me?"

Nalan blinked in confusion.

"Sent me? What are you talking about? Don't you recognize me? It's Nalan...your classmate."

"I was asking about Prince Yibo," Zhan clarified flatly.

Nalan smiled, something stirring in the back of her mind.

Wait... does Prince Yibo know Zhan personally? Is there something going on between them? Was Zhan expecting a message from him? But if they really knew each other, why hadn't Zhan ever mentioned it? And why hadn't he tried to contact her, even once?

She knew how private her brother could be. He could very well have kept quiet about knowing one of her classmates.

"Aww... so you know Prince Yibo?" she asked teasingly.

Zhan felt a flush of irritation and decided he had heard enough. He ended the call abruptly, releasing a long sigh and powering off the phone completely before setting it aside.

Though Nalan didn't hear the sigh, she was taken aback. Why would Zhan hang up on her like that? He hadn't seemed happy to reconnect, nor had he expressed any warmth. And he had brought up her brother's name so directly, like there was some long history she didn't know about.

Still puzzled, she turned to Bai Wuxia.

"Mama... could it be that he didn't recognize me? I thought he'd be happy to hear from me."

"He won't be happy," Bai Wuxia said quietly, "Not when he knows who you are, and what you represent to him."

"I'll try calling again and explain myself. I know Zhan....he's not like this. Maybe it wasn't even him who answered the first time...."

Bai Wuxia gently placed a hand over hers just as she was about to redial. She could no longer keep the truth from Nalan. It was time she knew everything.

"Don't call him again, Princess. Even if you do, he won't answer."

Nalan looked up at her, surprised.

"Why not, Mama?"

"Do you know the real connection between you and him?"

Nalan quickly shook her head, confused.

Bai Wuxia didn't hold back. She told Nalan everything, speaking with quiet resolve and complete honesty. She did so not out of rebellion, even if Queen herself might punish her for it....but because she believed Nalan and her siblings deserved to know the truth about what had happened.

Nalan sat in stunned silence, shaking her head slowly in disbelief.

When did all of this happen? When had her mother made such a cruel decision without even discussing it with them? Why would Queen, of all people, choose to do something so cold?

Did she know Zhan was my friend....that he was the one i always talked about? Was that why, back when i mentioned the forced marriage, the Queen suddenly backed out and dropped the idea?

Nalan stood up, staring hard at Bai Wuxia. "Zhan's life must have been unbearable back then... and I knew it. I just didn't know the full story. What they did to him was cruel, Mama. My mother shouldn't have done that. I should've confronted her... I should've stopped it."

But Bai Wuxia quickly reached for her hand, shaking her head.

"No. You of all people know what Queen is like. That's not the way to approach her. Calm your heart. Let's find the right time to act."

Nalan exhaled heavily, struggling to compose herself. Eventually, she sat back down, still lost in the whirlwind of everything she'd just learned. She sat quietly, trying to process the full weight of the truth.

After a long pause, she finally asked in a quiet, accusing tone, "How could Prince Yibo agree to something like this?"

Bai Wuxia shook her head gently.

"He wasn't at fault. At the time, he was desperate....searching for a way out of a different crisis. And Queen is his mother. He followed her command."

But Nalan still shook her head.

"To me, he shares the blame too. It feels like they used him to ruin someone else's life."

Bai Wuxia sighed deeply, unable to find any more words. The silence stretched between them until they eventually boarded their flight, which carried them high above the earth on their journey to China.

On Zhan's side, he picked up his coffee and continued sipping calmly. He had long promised himself....and Aunt Anu....that the days of panic and emotional breakdowns were behind him. As he drank his coffee, memories began to surface again: from Yibo walking into his office, to the unexpected call from Nalan just moments ago.

Once he finished, he drank a glass of cold water and made his way to his bed, determined to catch up on the sleep he'd missed the night before.

Zhan slept for quite a while before finally waking up. He went to take a shower, changed into fresh clothes, then picked up his phone and headed downstairs.

He found the kids in the living room watching TV. He greeted each of them playfully, teasing them a little as he passed, then settled into one of the couches and asked about Aunt Anu.

Niu, who was heading to the kitchen to check on the food she had cooking, responded, "She just went to the bedroom to lie down."

"Alright," Zhan nodded as he powered on his phone, already expecting to find a list of unread WhatsApp and SMS messages waiting.

Before the phone even finished booting, a call came through...it was Dr. Adrian. Zhan closed his eyes for a moment, debating whether to answer. He wasn't in the mood for another round of stress. But the way Adrian kept calling made it clear he wouldn't stop until someone picked up. So Zhan reluctantly answered.

A loud sigh came through the line, followed by Dr. Adrian saying,

"Mumy, he answered!"

Zhan's eyes widened in disbelief. Was Dr. Adrian seriously sitting next to his mother and announcing that he answered the phone? And he didn't even sound the least bit embarrassed.

"What does shame matter to someone like him?" Zhan muttered to himself.

"You gave me a hard time today, Zhan," Adrian continued."You knew you weren't coming to work, and then you turned off your phone too?"

Zhan chuckled lightly at how Adrian sounded like he was about to cry.

"Oh... I turned it off?" he replied, pretending to be surprised.

"Yes! I knew I was the reason, obviously. You just didn't want to deal with me, right?"

"Not really. I just haven't been feeling well today," Zhan said calmly. "And if I leave the phone on, calls keep pouring in. I might not be able to answer them all."

"Mumy, did you hear that? He's not feeling well," Adrian blurted out, clearly speaking to his mother. Zhan rolled his eyes in disbelief. Why was Adrian always this dramatic?

Before Zhan could react, he heard a new voice...Adrian's mother's. She must've taken the phone from Adrian.

Zhan greeted her respectfully, and she responded kindly, expressing concern for his health. Though Zhan could still faintly hear Adrian in the background, he couldn't make out what he was saying. Suddenly, the mother asked for his home address....she wanted to visit and check on him herself.

He couldn't refuse her. This was Dr Adrian's mother, after all, and when she made up her mind, there was no arguing. Still, Zhan had no doubt that Adrian was behind this. He'd orchestrated it all. If Zhan had known this would happen, he wouldn't have claimed to be sick in the first place. But now it was too late....Zhan found himself reciting his address.

"Oh, we're not far at all! I know that street," she said brightly.

When the phone returned to Adrian, Zhan spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

"Thanks for connecting me with your mom."

"Hey, it wasn't my idea," Adrian replied. "I might not even come along. She just wants to visit you and wish you well."

Zhan didn't buy it. There was no way Adrian wouldn't show up. He was already halfway to tears earlier....he wasn't about to miss the chance to act the hero now.

"But you said you're sick... and you're supposed to leave for Dubai this Wednesday. What happens then?" Dr Adrian asked, knowing how much Zhan cared about his job. He never liked to miss anything work-related, especially not an international trip like this.

"Don't worry, I should be fully recovered by then. Honestly, I already feel much better," Zhan replied, clearly trying to downplay the situation.

"Alright. Wishing you a quick recovery, then. See you soon," Dr Adrian said with a knowing smile. Adrian sounded overly excited....probably thrilled that he finally got Zhan's home address.

They ended the call.

Zhan was about to set the phone down when another incoming call flashed on the screen. He'd noticed it trying to come in earlier while on the phone with Adrian. This time, the number was from China....he was certain it was Nanjue.

He answered, not because he wanted to, but out of courtesy.

He quickly explained he wasn't feeling well, so the conversation didn't last long. After ending the call, Zhan turned off his phone again, finally allowing himself a chance to rest in peace.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛