Yuting kept staring at him for a moment before calmly saying, "Let's go to the sitting room." She turned around, and Zhan followed, his body tense and heart pounding, fully aware that Yuting had seen what he had done to Yibo just now.
Once they reached the sitting room, far from Yibo's room, Yuting stopped and turned to face Zhan, who stood a short distance from her with his head lowered. Without raising her voice, she said, "I want to give you this warning, Zhan. Stay away from Yibo."
Zhan didn't dare look at her, nor did he say anything. He simply turned and headed toward the door. Yuting watched him go, then called his name. He paused without turning around. "Sit down," she said firmly. "We need to have a serious conversation." She sat down, and Zhan hesitantly took a seat on a single sofa, his head still bowed.
Several seconds passed in silence as Yuting stared at him. Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "The marriage between you and Yibo... was it traditional or legal? I mean, was it registered?"
Zhan's head shot up in shock and fear. His eyes were filled with disbelief, as if asking, You knew? Yuting's face was devoid of any warmth, but it wasn't hostile either. Zhan couldn't quite read her expression.
Yuting gave a faint smile. "Yes, I had my suspicions, and what I saw just now confirmed them. You haven't answered my question, young man."
Shaking his head slightly, Zhan responded softly, "No, it's not registered. We decided to wait until he finishes high school... But I swear mother, we planned to tell everyone and have a proper wedding in front of the whole family..."
"Don't call me 'mother' yet, Zhan," Yuting interrupted sharply. "I never said I accepted this nonsense you two have done. If Yibo's childishness drove him to this, what about you? Aren't you supposed to be mature, Zhan? How dare you marry my son without asking for permission first?"
Lowering his head, Zhan whispered, "I'm sorry, Aunt Yuting. I know what I did was wrong. I just followed my heart's desire. I love Yibo... I love him so much that I can't imagine a happy life without him. Please, don't ask me to leave him. I can't do that. I'll do anything you ask..."
"Even disobey your own mother?" Yuting cut him off with the question. When he stayed silent, she gave a small, bitter smile. "Stop making promises you know you can't keep," she said quietly. After a moment's pause, she continued, "You know very well that your mother hates me and Yibo. If she could, she'd erase us from existence. You know she'll never let you be with Yibo. You can't even stand up for yourself against her, let alone protect Yibo from her."
She sighed deeply. "Zhan, I know you're a good man, and I believe you love Yibo, just like you said. And trust me, Yibo loves you too. But I also know he's been thinking about your mother, just like I am. That's why he's trying to correct the mistake he made by marrying you in the first place. I'm sure that's why he's started paying attention to someone else. And here's my advice—or warning, however you want to take it. If Yibo decides to leave you, don't force him to stay. You don't even need a divorce. Legally marrying someone else will nullify the so-called marriage you have now."
"Zhan," she called softly. He looked up at her, his eyes red and teary. "Have you two...?" Her eyes shifted meaningfully to his lower part, and Zhan quickly shook his head, embarrassment washing over him.
"No... no... we've never crossed that line. At least... not yet," he whispered, lowering his head again.
Yuting let out a silent sigh of relief. "In that case, Zhan, I need you to make me a promise. Two promises, actually. And this conversation stays between us. I don't even want Yibo to know that I know your little secret. If you can promise me these two things... I'll pretend I never knew anything, never saw anything."
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
The next morning, Yibo searched everywhere in his room for Zhan's phone, which he had taken the previous day, but he couldn't find it where he had left it. Almost on the verge of tears, he walked into the sitting room in his school uniform and softly asked, "Mu Qin, have you seen the phone from yesterday?"
Yuting gave him a knowing look and replied, "The one you gave me to keep safe?"
Yibo remained silent, realizing she had hidden it. Without another word, he turned and headed to the dining area for breakfast. He was puzzled about how the phone had disappeared from where he had left it and concluded that his Mom must have hidden it. After hurriedly eating his breakfast, he returned to the sitting room, put on his shoes, picked up his bag, and looked at Yuting. Almost tearfully, he said, "Mu Qin, maybe Gege needs his phone. Please let me take it to him."
Yuting raised her head and looked at him, but before she could respond, Yibo quickly left the room, knowing she wouldn't give in easily. He went to the parking area, waiting for Meiling and the others to come out. Soon, Zhan appeared with Seth. Yibo stared at Zhan's hand in surprise, seeing him holding the phone. Without even glancing at Yibo, Zhan opened his car door and got in. Seth, noticing Yibo's expression, smiled and asked, "Why are you looking at him like that?"
Almost in tears, Yibo replied, "Seth-ge, he took my phone yesterday, so I took his from his room. But now he has his phone, and I still don't have mine. I don't even know how he got it back!"
Seth asked, "Why did he take your phone in the first place?"
"I don't know," Yibo answered, frustrated. "He even entered my room to take it. Please, Seth-ge, ask him to give me back my phone. Someone has been trying to call me."
Seth glanced at Zhan, who had started the car but was still watching them. Seth looked away and asked, "Since when did you and Zhan-ge get so close that he can enter your room and take your phone?"
"We're not close," Yibo huffed. "I just found him in my room yesterday after Mu Qin and Fu Qin left."
Seth gave Zhan another glance, who still hadn't driven off. Ignoring him, Seth asked, "Who's calling you, by the way?"
Yibo covered his face, laughing shyly. Seth watched him closely, and when Yibo finally lowered his hands, Seth asked, "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"It's… someone," Yibo said, wide-eyed. "He's my friend."
Seth didn't respond but chuckled softly. Yibo, eager to retrieve his phone, said, "I'll go report him to Nainai before they come out." He hurried off, while Seth and Zhan both watched him leave.
Outside, Yibo saw Nainai cleaning the windows with intense focus. "Good morning, Nainai," he greeted cheerfully.
Nainai gave him a brief glance and replied, "What good morning? You, greeting me this early? Just say what brought you here."
Yibo pouted, about to cry again. "Nainai, Gege took my phone yesterday and still won't give it back."
Nainai put down the small towel she was using, looking surprised. "Who's 'Gege' now?"
"Zhan," Yibo whispered, folding his arms like a sulking child. Nainai raised an eyebrow and asked, "Wait, is there something going on between you two that I don't know about? Why would Zhan take your phone? Or has he started stealing? Honestly, I've had enough of him in this house. Maybe Zong is teaching him to make our lives miserable. What's next, Yibo? Does he owe you money or something?"
"Honestly," Nainai continued, "it's time Zhan got married and settled down. I'm tired of his nonsense. For nearly 27 years, it's been the same story. He's nothing but trouble. We should talk to Zong about this. Maybe he's doing all this, teaching him to torment me in this house."
With that, Nainai stormed off, and Yibo followed her, trying to keep up. She suddenly stopped as if remembering something and turned sharply to Yibo. "If Zhan took your phone, how Sen Wen and you communicating with each other?"
Yibo said, "The phone is with him. He might have answered the calls meant for me."
Nainai let out a frustrated sigh and said, "So today is the day we'll witness chaos in this house. Let's go to Zong's place."
Seth stood silently where he was, while Zhan had already left. Nainai arrived, looking like she was about to explode with anger. Seth greeted her, "Good morning, Nainai."
She turned to him sharply and replied, "Even if you don't greet me, you'll still see me. Do you greet your mother, Zihan, when you see her on the street? Spare me your greetings… I knew that any lazy boy who thought he could keep an eye on my grandson, Yibo, to make him miserable would fail. Let him try. I'll do what I must in this house, and I don't care. Don't you dare greet me again...I don't want it. Or I'll curse your greetings…"
Seth just stared at her without saying a word as she stormed past him. Yibo, refusing to even glance at Seth, followed Nainai. Zihan, who was cleaning the sitting room, looked up as they entered and asked, "Good morning, AYi?"
Nainai shot back, "Forget the good morning, Zihan. So, you also raised a troublesome child without me knowing until yesterday. Seth is just as useless as I didn't realize, and he's no better than that stubborn Zhan. Well, Zong will have to handle this because these boys aren't to be trusted. Imagine them openly showing their jealousy because my Yibo found himself a wealthy, young boyfriend. Their envy is so obvious! They need to keep their eyes off Yibo. Seth, in his pathetic jealousy, even told me to forget about the new boyfriend entirely. Can you imagine the audacity? Are you trying to tell me the world hasn't seen worse?"
"Out of shock from what he said, I asked him, 'So, if we forget about the new boyfriend, will you or Zhan marry Yibo then?' And the nerve of that boy! He replied, 'Who knows, maybe we will.' Can you believe it? He just wants to drag me into his misery."
Nainai started wiping away tears as she continued, "Now Seth has the guts to say such nonsense to me. What nonsense! What do Seth and Zhan have that could match Yibo? He's far beyond their reach. One day, I'll end up picking up Yibo's lifeless body while they offer me apologies. They'll take him away from me and leave me in sorrow. Now, for heaven's sake, Zong better see that my Yibo deserves better, and these envious relatives should stay out of his life. I have nothing to do with them. I only know I gave birth to Zong and you, and you gave birth to them. Honestly, I'd rather pack my things and leave this house to stay with Quentin in Shanghai…"
Zong's sudden arrival made her pause. He looked at her and asked, "Is everything alright, AYi?"
Frustrated, she replied, "How could anything be alright, Zong? Seth and Zhan are too much for me! Zhan went as far as snatching a phone from Yibo as if Yichen bought it for him. I swear, if that phone doesn't return today, I'll leave everyone to their fate. And frankly, I'm tired of being upset in this house. One day, if my anger pushes me far enough, don't be surprised if I follow Quentin to Shanghai and leave all of you behind."
Zong was speechless. Zihan sighed in relief and asked, "Where is Zhan now?"
Nainai replied, "Don't ask me. Didn't you two spend the night in this house together?"
Zong picked up his phone and called Zhan. Zhan, who was driving, answered the call.
"Where did you leave Yibo's phone?" Zong asked calmly.
"It's with me," Zhan replied softly.
"Bring it back now," Zong ordered before ending the call.
Nainai sat on the couch, looking at Yibo, and said, "Sit down, let's see how he'll return the phone."
Yibo, avoiding eye contact with Zong and Zihan, quietly sat beside Nainai. She muttered, "Honestly, Zong wasn't lucky with children. Zhan and Seth could kill someone if they want to."
Zihan continued her cleaning while Nainai kept tapping her foot anxiously. About ten minutes later, Zhan walked into the sitting room.
"Hmph! Shame on you," Nainai scoffed. "Hand over the phone you stole."
Without looking at her, Zhan silently handed the phone to Zong, who stood up and gave it to Nainai. She accepted it and passed it to Yibo, saying, "Get up, let's go. From today, if you see Zhan, change your path and run. He's not a good person."
Yibo stood up and followed her as she opened the door, adding, "Next time, go ahead and steal Yichen's phone if she leaves it lying around. But don't you dare touch Yibo's again."
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
At 4:45 p.m., Sen Wen parked his car in front of Yibo's house, turned off the engine, and leaned back in his seat. Jun Bin, who was watching him, said, "Getting comfortable already, Doctor?"
Sen Wen ran a hand through his hair and replied, "Honestly, I've never gone to the house of someone I'm interested in to meet their parents before. I don't even know where to start. Even if I go in, what am I supposed to say? And besides, I don't even know why they're looking for me."
Jun Bin chuckled and said, "Well, where would you have met the parents of someone you're interested in? They're all foreigners, Sen Wen. Look, if you're not ready for this, let's just leave. I don't want you to embarrass me, seriously."
Sen Wen lowered his sunglasses to look at Jun Bin, then smiled slightly and said in his usual calm tone, "Leave, you say?" Without waiting for a response, he put his glasses back on, opened the door, and stepped out. He was dressed in a casual outfit that fit him perfectly. Jun Bin followed him out, shaking his head. "Wow, my friend really was whipped."
Sen Wen didn't respond. He was busy tapping on his phone before bringing it to his ear. After a moment, he spoke softly, "Uncle, I'm outside."
Zong, who was sitting in the living room with Quentin, replied, "Alright, good. They'll lead you in now."
It wasn't long before Seth came out to the gate. He stared at Sen Wen as he approached. After greeting each other, Jun Bin said, "So, Engineer, you're in town?"
Seth smiled. "Yeah, I'm here. How's work?"
"Going well, thankfully," Jun Bin replied.
Seth led them into the compound and into the sitting room where Zong and Quentin were waiting. As soon as Sen Wen entered, he removed his sunglasses and lowered his head. He was about to sit on a chair but changed his mind and sat on the floor instead, prompting Jun Bin to do the same. Sen Wen kept his head down as he greeted Zong and Quentin, who welcomed him warmly. Quentin asked, "Jun Bin, is he your friend?"
"Yes, Uncle, he is," Jun Bin replied.
Quentin nodded. "That's good."
Zong looked at Seth and asked, "Where is Zhan?"
At that moment, the door opened, and Zhan walked in. With his head down, he sat next to Seth and glanced at Sen Wen, whose eyes were fixed on the TV. Zhan greeted Jun Bin, and only then did Sen Wen lift his head slightly and say, "Good evening."
"Same to you," Zhan replied.
Looking at Sen Wen, Zong asked, "Can I know more about you, son?"
Lowering his gaze again, Sen Wen replied, "My name is Sen Wen Yo Lee. I was born in Xi'an. My father is originally from Beijing. I've completed my studies and currently work as a medical practitioner."
Zong nodded. "That's impressive. Which part of the city do you live in?"
"We live in elite area," Sen Wen replied.
"Oh, I see. Can I know your father?"
Sen Wen paused briefly before answering, "His name is Mr. Wen Yo Lee. He's a businessman based in Beijing."
Zong nodded in satisfaction. After a few moments, he asked, "So, what are your intentions toward my son, Sen Wen?"
Sen Wen hesitated, unable to lift his head. Both Zhan and Seth were watching him intently. Finally, he looked up and softly replied, "Uncle, I want to marry him because I love him."
Seth immediately stood up and said, "Excuse me, please…"
Zong nodded, allowing him to leave the room. Turning back to Sen Wen, he said, "I'm glad to hear that, but are you aware of Yibo's current education level?"
"Yes, Uncle, I am," Sen Wen replied softly.
"Good," Zong said. "What did you discuss with his grandmother the last time you visited?"
Sen Wen smiled faintly and lowered his head. "She told me that after speaking with you, she would let me know when to send my family for the formal proposal."
Zong nodded. "I see. So, you're Mr. Yo Lee's son?"
Sen Wen simply nodded in response.
"Well, that's good," Zong continued. "Now, I want to ask a favor from you, Sen Wen."
Sen Wen raised his head slightly, meeting Zong's gaze. "But before that," Zong added, "let me make you a promise. If Yibo agrees to marry you and my background check on you reveals nothing questionable, I promise to give you Yibo's hand in marriage, God willing. That's a promise I'm making to you."
Zhan stood up, looking at Zong. "Papa, I need to take a call," he said, not waiting for a response before leaving the sitting room. Sen Wen, still seated, turned to Zong. "Thank you so much, Uncle."
Zong nodded. "Now, the favor I need from you is this… I want you to meet with his grandmother, but not today—sometime this week. Tell her that your father is currently out of the country and will take some time before returning. Once he's back, you'll inform him about the marriage proposal. I'm doing this to allow my son to finish high school—just a few months left. You know how elders are; no matter what I say, she won't understand. But if you tell her this, everything will be settled. Even after he graduates, my promise to give you my son's hand in marriage stands on one condition: after marriage, you must allow him to continue his education."
Sen Wen gave a soft smile. "I understand, Uncle. I promise."
"Good," Zong replied. "I pray everything works out for the best."
"Thank you, Uncle. I truly appreciate it.
May you continue to be blessed," Sen Wen responded warmly.
Zong smiled. "Blessings to you too." With that, Zong dismissed him, and after exchanging goodbyes with Quentin and Zong, they left the sitting room.
Outside, Jun Bin looked at him. "Let's go greet Yibo's mom."
Sen Wen's eyes widened. "No way! You go ahead. I'll wait for you outside."
Jun Bin laughed. "Come on, I meant my Mom!"
Reluctantly, Sen Wen followed Jun Bin toward Yibo's section of the house. Jun Bin rang the doorbell. Yuting, busy in the kitchen, was about to come out when Yibo opened his room door. Yuting gave him a stern look. "You're really going out like that? Do you even know who's at the door?"
Yibo's eyes widened as he quickly retreated to grab a shirt, then came back to open the door. The moment he saw Sen Wen, he froze, staring at him. Jun Bin teased, "Should we climb over you to get in?"
Flustered, Yibo turned and disappeared back into his room, locking the door.
Jun Bin chuckled as he sat down, while Sen Wen, clearly uncomfortable, also took a seat. Yuting entered from the kitchen, smiling when she saw Jun Bin. "Oh, so you're in the neighborhood."
Jun Bin laughed. "Aunty, I came here just to see you."
"Sure you did," Yuting teased.
"Ask my friend here!" Jun Bin replied, grinning.
Yuting sat down, still smiling. "Welcome, boys. It's nice to have you."
Jun Bin greeted her warmly, and Sen Wen, who had barely lifted his head since they arrived, also greeted her softly. She responded with kindness, making them feel at ease. "I told him to come along so I could say hi to you," Jun Bin added.
Yuting chuckled. "You did well. Thank you. But your friend here… he could easily be one of us Mandarin folks."
Jun Bin couldn't stop laughing, while Sen Wen only managed a shy smile, still avoiding eye contact. Yuting asked Jun Bin about her brother and then turned to Sen Wen. "How are your parents?"
"They're both doing well, thank you," Sen Wen replied politely.
Glancing at Yibo's room, Yuting called out, "Yibo!"
Jun Bin smirked. "I bet he ran to his room because he has something to hide. He didn't even greet us properly."
Yuting laughed. "Honestly, I don't know what to do with him. Even when I tell him to greet people, he says he forgot."
It took another call from Yuting before Yibo reluctantly came out of his room.
"You're not going to greet your brother properly?" Yuting asked.
Avoiding eye contact, Yibo finally sat down and mumbled, "Good evening, Jun Bin ge."
Jun Bin, still amused, replied, "Good evening, Yibo. How's everything?"
"All good," Yibo said quietly, stealing a quick glance at Sen Wen, who still refused to look his way. "Good evening," he added softly.
"Good evening," Sen Wen replied just as softly.
"Get them some drinks from the fridge," Yuting instructed Yibo, who quickly left for the kitchen. Yuting then turned to Jun Bin. "I spoke to Gege last night—he's coming back tomorrow."
"hopefully! Yes, he told me," Jun Bin responded with a grin.
Yibo returned with a tray carrying bottled drinks and glasses, setting them on the table before retreating to his room and locking the door again.
"I've finished cooking, let me serve you both," Yuting offered.
Jun Bin shook his head. "No need, Aunty. We're full."
"Even if you're full, at least let your friend eat. What's his name again?" Yuting asked, smiling warmly.
Jun Bin laughed. "His name is Sen Wen."
"Ah, interesting," Yuting replied with a chuckle.
Jun Bin couldn't stop laughing, while Yibo, having done his part, remained hidden away in his room.
Yuting entered the kitchen as Sen Wen lowered his voice and said, "Please, let's just leave, Jun Bin." Jun Bin didn't even look at him, simply standing up and following Yuting into the kitchen. Just as she started serving food onto a plate, he asked, "Auntie, do you know who we're with right now?"
Yuting turned to look at him, puzzled. "No, who?"
Struggling to hold back his laughter, Jun Bin replied, "It's your future son-in-law... Yibo's boyfriend."
Yuting froze, the serving spoon slipping from her hand as she stared at Jun Bin in shock. "You're unbelievable, Jun Bin! You let me there talking endlessly in the sitting room?"
Jun Bin couldn't stop laughing. Yuting shook her head, sighing. "You really didn't do me any favors. I noticed the boy was so tense, and I will deal with Yibo…"
Quickly, Jun Bin interrupted her, "Yibo doesn't know we're coming. Didn't you see how tense he was too?"
Yuting glared at him. "You really tricked me. I even teased him about his Mandarin. Well, you can take the food to him yourself. I'm going to my room." Without another word, she left the kitchen and headed to her bedroom.
Jun Bin finished his meal, feeling satisfied, while Sen Wen only drank water before standing up. "I'm waiting for you outside," he said. No matter how much Jun Bin tried to stop him, Sen Wen ignored him and walked out.
Jun Bin then called Yuting, saying, "Auntie, he's gone. Come out I want to say goodbye." Yuting stepped into the sitting room and asked, "He didn't eat?"
"He won't. Yibo's dad, Zhan's father, called him—they needed to see him, so we came together," Jun Bin explained.
Yuting stared at him in surprise. "Really? What happened?"
"Nothing serious. I'm sure Uncle Quentin will explain everything when he gets home. I need to leave now—Sen Wen's waiting outside," Jun Bin replied.
"Alright, greet your mom and mother for me," Yuting said.
"Okay. And tell Yibo we've left," Jun Bin added with a smile as he walked out to find Sen Wen waiting in the car.
Jun Bin opened the car door, got in, and looked at Sen Wen. "You're really something, Sen Wen. You act so innocent in front of your future in-laws, all shy and quiet."
Sen Wen just smiled, put on his sunglasses, and started the car. "I'll deal with you later," he said, reversing the car and driving away.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
Just as Jun Bin had predicted, that's exactly what happened. As soon as Quentin got home, he explained everything to Yuting. She fell silent, her mood suddenly somber. Quietly, she asked, "So, what happens now, honey?"
Quentin let out a deep sigh. "Where's Yibo? Barrister is looking for him."
Yuting replied, "Honey, I really think we should stop the boy entirely. How old is Yibo, for heaven's sake?"
Quentin frowned. "Do you want to cause trouble with AYi? Do you know the things she kept saying in her sitting room yesterday?"
Yuting remained quiet, and Quentin shook his head. "We just hope to part ways with her peacefully. She's completely lost it now."
Yuting gave him a small smile, but Quentin continued, "I still don't understand why you ever encouraged Yibo to entertain dating in the first place. No matter what you tell me, I know you were aware of that boy's existence. And now you're questioning Yibo's age?"
Yuting sighed. "Believe it or not, I hardly knew anything about the boy. I only recently noticed Yibo talking to him on the phone, and even then, I scolded him. Honestly, sometimes you act like you don't know your own son and his sneaky ways."
"That's no excuse," Quentin replied. "You're with him 24/7 at home..."
Yuting cut him off. "None of that matters now. What's important is that mother, who started this whole thing, should explain Yibo's condition to the boy. If he still wants to be with him after that, fine. But if he can't handle it, better we know now. I don't want my son's heart broken."
Quentin gave her a long, searching look as she stood up and headed to the kitchen. "So, you're actually supporting this foolishness? I knew you knew everything all along. Since Yibo wants to get married, fine...I'll give him the best wedding ever."
Later, Yibo, looking worried, approached Yuting and asked softly, "Why does he keep calling me Mu Qin?"
Yuting ignored him. Yibo sighed, stood up, and headed to the door. Yuting called after him, "Make sure you come straight back when he's done with you—and take some food to mother."
"Okay," Yibo mumbled as he left the sitting room.
Slowly, Yibo opened the door to Zong's sitting room, knocking gently as he stepped inside. Yichen was seated, along with Xinyi and Mengxi. Yibo averted his gaze, trying to walk past them to find Zong, but Yichen stopped him with a sharp voice. "Hey, is that your father's sitting room?"
Yibo froze but didn't turn around. Yichen stood up, glaring at him with undisguised contempt. "Did your mother leave something in this sitting room and send you to come and fetch it?"
Yibo stayed silent, keeping his head down. Yichen, clearly furious, hissed, "If you don't get away from that door right now, I swear I'll slap you senseless."
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛