Zhan was completely flustered, unsure of what to say. Zong spoke up, "Should I take him to the hospital instead?"
Quickly, Zhan responded, "No, Papa. It's not that. I don't have the necessary equipment at home. I'll take him to the hospital and examine him there."
Zong nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea."
While Zhan spoke, half of his attention was on the window of his mother's room, even though he couldn't see anything. His only hope was that she hadn't woken up yet, though he knew it was unlikely.
Lowering his head, he said, "I'll go grab my car keys."
Quentin handed him his own keys instead. "Use my car. Keep me updated no matter what happens."
Zhan accepted the keys with a slight bow. "Thank you, Shushu."
Quentin gave his younger brother a brief goodbye and left without sparing a glance at Yibo, who was on the verge of tears. After he departed, Zong turned to Yibo and said, "Get well soon, Yibo."
Noticing the tears in Yibo's eyes, he asked, "You don't want to go with Zhan, do you?"
Yibo shook his head quickly, tears streaming down his face. Zong sighed and said, "And you don't want your father to have some rest, do you? He'll probably return to work by tomorrow or the day after. And Zhan, isn't he your brother?"
At that, Yibo burst into tears and said "He'll just scold me the whole way there!"
Zong chuckled softly but said nothing more. Zhan glanced at Yibo out of the corner of his eye. Zong opened the back seat door for Yibo and said, "Get in."
Yibo slowly climbed in and rested his head against the car window. Turning to Zhan, Zong instructed, "Take very good care of him. I don't want even a glare directed his way."
Zhan lowered his gaze and replied, "Understood, Papa."
Zong waved to Yibo, who returned the gesture while wiping his tears. Then he turned and went back inside.
Zhan finished warming up the car, honked, and waited for the gate to open before driving out. Once they were on the main road, he said, "So, because you didn't want to go to school, you decided to fake being sick and cause trouble for everyone else?"
When Yibo didn't respond, Zhan glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Yibo stuck out his tongue and made a face at him, pretending to cry. Zhan sighed, shaking his head. "You'll wish you were at school today," he muttered.
Yibo scrunched his face dramatically and replied, "Well, Bobo said to tell him everything you do to me."
Zhan ignored the comment and kept driving until they arrived at the hospital. Parking the car, he got out, and Yibo followed suit, albeit reluctantly. Zhan locked the car and walked toward the hospital entrance, Yibo trailing behind.
At the reception desk, Zhan greeted the nurses warmly, exchanging smiles and pleasantries.
One nurse remarked, "Doctor, I heard you've been transferred back here. We haven't seen you around."
Zhan nodded, smiling. "Yes, I'm officially resuming on Wednesday. Just dealing with a few things today."
The nurses wished him well as he turned to check on Yibo, who had found a seat in the waiting area.
One nurse asked curiously, "Doctor, is that your brother?"
Zhan replied, "No, he's my cousin, and he's not feeling well."
With that, he headed upstairs to the doctors' offices, where Dr. Mu Shin, a colleague, greeted him enthusiastically. "Look who's here! You're finally resuming work, but you didn't tell anyone?"
Zhan smiled and shook his hand. "Not until Wednesday. I'm here today because my cousin is unwell."
Dr. Mu Shin raised a brow. "Which one? Meiling or...?"
"Neither," Zhan replied. "This is my younger cousin, Yibo."
Dr. Mu Shin nodded. "Where is he?"
"Waiting in reception," Zhan answered.
Dr. Mu Shin picked up the phone to call the reception desk. A nurse soon entered the office, greeted Zhan with a bright smile, and asked, "How can I help, Doctor?"
Dr. Mu Shin instructed, "Bring the patient named Yibo up here."
The nurse nodded and left. Shortly after, she returned with Yibo, who was walking sluggishly and dragging his feet.
Dr. Mu Shin directed Yibo to a chair across from Zhan's. Yibo sat down, resting his head on the table dramatically. Zhan shot him a sharp look. "Sit up straight," he commanded.
With a pout, Yibo sat up, looking like he might cry. Dr. Mu Shin smiled and asked, "So, Yibo, how are you feeling? What hurts?"
Yibo spoke quietly, "Last night, my back was hurting a lot, and so was my head. I felt cold and couldn't sleep."
Dr. Mu Shin nodded thoughtfully. "And this morning?"
"My legs started hurting when I got up, and later my whole body felt sore," Yibo explained, leaning his head to the side.
"Are you taking any medication?"
Yibo nodded.
"Do you know their names?"
"Yes."
"Can you write them down for me?"
"Sure."
Dr. Mu Shin handed him a pen and paper. Yibo scribbled down the names of his medications and passed the paper back. Dr. Mu Shin reviewed the list and glanced at Zhan, who was watching him closely.
Without hesitation, Zhan said, "Write him a prescription for injections."
Dr. Mu Shin did as instructed, handing the paper to Zhan, who then gave it to Yibo.
"Take this to the nurses. They'll administer the injections," Zhan said firmly.
Yibo's eyes widened. "Gege, injections? My other doctor never gives me injections. He only prescribes pills!"
Zhan shot him a stern look. "Then you can wait for your other doctor to return. For now, you're getting injections. Get up, my friend!" he barked.
With tears in his eyes, Yibo snatched the paper and left the office.
Dr. Mu Shin glanced at Zhan. "Is he a sickle cell patient?" he asked softly.
Zhan shook his head and said, "Not at all. He's just a carrier of the trait."
The doctor, surprised, replied, "But it almost mimics the disease."
Zhan spread his hands. "That's what we've observed too."
Dr. Mu Shin nodded thoughtfully. "This is rare. I hope he recovers soon."
Zhan replied, "Thank you," Dr. Mu Shin then added, "You know the injections are strong. Has he eaten?"
Zhan quickly stood up. "I'm not sure. Let me ask him. In the meantime, please prescribe the necessary medications." He then left the room and headed to the injection room, where the nurses informed him they were about to administer the injections.
Inside, Yibo stood, tears streaming down his face, while the nurse holding the syringe looked at him with concern. Upon seeing Zhan, she said, "Doctor, he's refusing the injection."
Zhan frowned and said sternly, "Are you a child? Who do you think you're inconveniencing? I'll take you home with your illness if you can't respect yourself."
Yibo broke into sobs but didn't reply. Zhan sighed and asked, "Have you eaten?"
In a trembling voice, Yibo replied, "I had a little cereal, but I'm hungry."
Zhan stared at him for a moment, then turned to the nurse. "Can you please let me get him something to eat?"
The nurse nodded. "Go ahead, Doctor."
Zhan left and returned with a bottle of milk drink. He handed it to Yibo, who took a small sip before attempting to put it down.
Zhan scolded him. "Who are you leaving it for? Finish it."
Reluctantly, Yibo drank a bit more, and the nurse encouraged him, "Just a little more."
Finally, after Yibo had taken some, the nurse gestured for him to get up for the injection. Yibo, still sniffling, looked at Zhan with wide eyes and said, "I'm scared of needles. It's going to hurt."
The nurse reassured him, "It won't hurt much."
Zhan cut in, frustrated. "Do you want me to leave you here in the hospital wasting everyone's time?"
Yibo pleaded, "Please, stay with me, Zhan-ge."
Zhan replied sharply, "I won't help you. Stand still, or I'm leaving."
With great difficulty, Yibo approached the nurse, turned to Zhan, and held out his trembling hand. "Please hold my hand, Zhan-ge."
Zhan couldn't help but smile faintly as he stepped closer. Yibo grabbed his hand and shut his eyes tightly, resting his head against Zhan's chest. "Please ask her to be gentle. I don't want it to hurt."
The nurse chuckled and Zhan approach, he take the syringe and administered the first injection quickly. Yibo, still tense, asked, "Has she done it yet? Please tell her to be gentle."
Before he realized, Zhan had finished the second injection as well. When he pulled the syringe out, Yibo finally noticed and exclaimed, "Is it done already? I didn't even feel it!"
Zhan gently pushed him off. "Yes, it's done. Stop wasting time."
The nurse laughed. "See? That wasn't so bad."
Yibo blinked in disbelief, still wiping his eyes as he finished the rest of his milk. He moved to the reception area and sat down, looking around for Zhan. After ten minutes, Zhan returned and called to him, "Let's go."
Yibo tried to stand but stumbled slightly. "Zhan-ge, I feel dizzy."
Zhan replied coldly, "Do you want me to leave you here?"
Panicking, Yibo shook his head and reached for Zhan. He nearly collapsed by the door, but Zhan caught him with one hand, saying nothing. Once in the car, Yibo stretched out on the backseat, breathing heavily.
Zhan drove to a nearby pharmacy to pick up the prescribed medications and two bottles of an energy drink. When he returned to the car, Yibo weakly said, "Zhan-ge, my vision is blurry."
Zhan ignored him, placed the items in the back, and continued driving until they reached home. By the time they arrived, Yibo had fallen asleep. Zhan glanced at their wing, his heart heavy, then opened the back door.
"Get up," he said curtly.
Yibo woke with a start, struggling to move. Zhan took the medications and drinks, helping Yibo lean on him as they made their way inside.
Once inside the sitting room, Yibo collapsed onto the couch while Zhan placed the medications and drinks on the table. Quentin entered the room, surprised. "Oh, you're back already?"
Zhan nodded slightly. "Yes, we're back, Shushu."
Quentin crouched beside Yibo and asked, "How much was the bill, Doctor?"
Zhan smiled faintly. "Don't worry about it. Everything's settled."
Quentin nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Zhan. You've been a great help."
Zhan handed Yibo the medications. "Take these now," he said firmly. Quentin brought a glass of water, and Yibo reluctantly swallowed the pills, grimacing.
"I'll head back now," Zhan said to Quentin, ignoring Yibo's tired gaze.
Quentin replied, "Thank you again, Zhan."
Zhan left without another word, while Quentin encouraged Yibo to rest in his room.
▫️▪️🔸🔹
Meanwhile, back at Zhan's house, his mother descended the stairs, clearly ready to head out. And Zihan is busy in the sitting room, noticing Zhan entering, Zihan asked, "You're back? How's Yibo doing?"
Zhan hesitated, his heart sinking. "He's okay," he finally muttered.
His mother, Yuchen, peeked from the stairs, staring at him with curiosity. Zihan asked him again, aren't you the one that take Yibo to the hospital, why didn't you answer me? Then she noticed Zhan's uncomfortable, she follow his gaze and see his mother standing near by, Zihan make a face and continue her chores, Zhan avoided his mothers gaze and quietly moved toward the dining area, his mind restless.
As Zihan finished her chores, Zhan sat at the dining table, untouched the food in front of him. She said, "If you're not going to eat, take it to the kitchen so I can put it in the fridge."
He sighed and said, "Why did you say something in front of Mom Yimei?"
Zihan gave him a sharp look and replied, "Because she's not my mother, I'm not scared of her."
Zhan said nothing, sitting in silence for a while before getting up and leaving the sitting room. Even in his thoughts, he dreaded facing his mother. What could he possibly say to her that would make sense? Instead, he made his way to Nainai's part.
When he arrived, he found her dozing in her chair. Without a word, he lay down on the couch and closed his eyes. Nainai eventually stirred, startled when she spotted him. "What's this now?" she exclaimed.
He didn't respond or open his eyes, which irritated her further. "Is this how things are done these days? Walking into my sitting room unannounced while I'm receiting the mantras!"
Without opening his eyes, Zhan replied, "You were sleeping."
Annoyed, she retorted, "How dare you say I was sleeping? Only a lazy person naps at this time. I was praying when you crept in here like a thief!"
Zhan sat up and asked, "Do you have any coffee?"
"Yes," she snapped, "the one your mother brought me."
He looked at her but said nothing. She added sarcastically, "And what? Are you expecting me to make it for you?"
Ignoring her, Zhan leaned back on the couch. Frustrated, Nainai said, "Maybe Yibo's mother will make it for you because I won't! I've been working since morning. Look around; everything is spotless. Even my room is shining! And you?."
Zhan remained silent. Nainai continued, her tone rising. "That boy Yibo, always sneaking into my room and leaving his things behind. I've put all his stuff on the balcony. He treats my room like a dumping ground. If he keeps this up when he gets married, his wife will need the patience of a saint to deal with him. Quentin has spoiled him to the point of no return!"
Zhan got up and headed to the kitchen. A short while later, he returned holding a cup of hot water. "Where's the instant coffee or tea stuffs?" he asked.
She handed him a key. "This is why I keep everything locked. Help yourself."
He took the key, opened her closet, and found two large bottles of milk, two packs of tea bags, and three boxes of sugar. Shaking his head, he grabbed a bottle of milk.
Behind him, Nainai said sharply, "You should've let me do it. Don't mess up my things, Zhan!"
He ignored her, opening the milk to pour some for his tea. Furious, she yelled, "Do you think your father bought this? Quentin is the one who supplies me with tea stuffs, not Zong! Do you know how expensive these things are?"
Zhan said nothing, finished making his tea, and left. She muttered under her breath as she locked the closet, "Tomorrow's another day."
Zhan spent the rest of the morning in Nainai's sitting room, half-listening to her endless complaints. He hadn't brought his earphones, so there was no way to drown her out. Just as he was about to leave, the door opened, and Yibo walked in carrying a food warmer. He looked pale and exhausted, clearly unwell.
Nainai gaped at him. "Who is this ghost walking into my part?"
Yibo ignored her, placed the food warmer on the table, and stood silently.
Nainai sighed dramatically. "Look at him! He looks like your tall and skinny Cat Zhan, One day of illness, and he's already wasting away. Do your parents even care about you? They let you suffer like this while doing nothing to help!" "They didn't take me serious when I suggest an acciant medicine for Yibo, my friend told me there was a good Sheman who gave herbs and strong medicine for any kind of illness."
Zhan asked casually, "Where did you say that healer lives again?"
Lowering her voice, Nainai replied, "Behind the mountain. My friend says he cures all sorts of strange illnesses. He's the only one who can handle the spirits tormenting this poor boy."
Zhan chuckled. "A healer behind the mountain? Sounds trustworthy."
Nainai glared at him. "Don't mock me! If no one else will, I'll get the remedy myself. Yibo isn't going to suffer on my watch."
From the doorway, Yibo rolled his eyes. "Don't bother. I'm not drinking anything you bring back. Fu Qin already told me not to mix modern medicine with some accient herbal remedies."
Furious, Nainai shouted, "You'll grow old and stay single because no one will marry a sickly man! I'll make sure any potential wife knows all your problems—your back pain, your constant headaches, your stomachaches, your legs and your laziness! No one will suffer because of you, and I'll make sure of it!"
Zhan smiled, got up, and walked out. Yibo followed him, unwilling to argue because of his father, leaving Nainai fuming in the sitting room.
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛