Yibo walked slowly, watching as Sen Wen approached the gate, moving quickly. Before he could reach the front door, he had already gotten into his car and driven off. Yibo followed the car with his eyes, then turned and walked quietly back to Nainai's part of the house.
Beiting still hadn't softened her expression, clearly upset with Yibo for what he had done. The moment he entered the living room, she glared at him with a stern face. Seeing this, Yibo lowered his gaze and walked straight to Nainai's bedroom, his whole body heavy with unease. Nainai watched him go, then turned to Beiting and said, "Well, it's over now. He already sent him off and came back, but you're still trying to turn a small matter into something big. Sen Wen himself knows best where he stands with Zhan. He's a smart and composed young man. In all my years, I've never seen a boy as steady as him. And look at him—he's generous to a fault, as if he doesn't even care about money. If anyone should be at peace, it should be you, Beiting."
Beiting said nothing, just rested her chin in her hand. Nainai clicked her tongue. "I'm staying out of it. But people should assume the best of others. You're acting as if he threw himself into the arms of some stranger in the street. That's his own brother, Zhan."
Zhan stood up, looking at Beiting. "I'll be going now, Aunty. Take care. I'll come by tomorrow."
Nainai glanced at him. "You really are as stingy as your mother, Zhan. What's the harm in at least bringing her a roasted chicken and a small drink? Instead, you just walked in empty-handed. I swear, Seth is more generous than you."
Zhan didn't respond and simply headed for the door.
Nainai called after him, "I mentioned something earlier, and you didn't say a word. I heard about what you did for Yu at her wedding. And yet, for Yibo.... what, just because you don't share the same father? You haven't done a thing for him. If you're not going to buy him anything, at least give him the money. I'll make sure it's put to good use. Don't bother buying him anything—Zong and Quentin have already done that. The money would be more useful to him."
Zhan turned back and looked at her. "If I give him something, I don't need to announce it, Madam. It's not like his mother isn't around."
With that, he left.
Nainai clasped her hands together and looked at Beiting. "What did he mean by that? Don't tell me he's not going to help his own brother with his wedding at all? We'll see how this plays out, but if Zhan doesn't contribute significantly to Yibo's wedding, then I swear he'll regret it in this life and the next. And I don't know how he expects to face Yibo's father."
The next morning, on Wednesday, the driver dropped Yibo, Suyue and Meiling off at the salon. The owner, upon realizing he was the groom-to-be, personally did pedicure and manicure for him. Inside the salon, everyone was watching Yibo. He looked different... glowing, fresh, his skin practically radiant.
Zong had given them a lot of money for hair treatments, but neither Xinyi nor Mengxi had wanted to come along. It took a lot of convincing from Suyue before Yibo finally agreed to get a haircut. He had almost forgotten the last time he had one. In the end, he sat through it, allowing them to cut and style his hair nicely. It was almost noon when they finally called the driver to pick them up and take them home.
The house was already crowded with people from near and far, even though the wedding wasn't until Saturday. Just by looking at the gathering, anyone could tell this was the wedding of an only child. And to make things even grander, there were actually two weddings happening at once.
Yuting's relatives had all arrived, along with their children. Even Zihan's husband's entire extended family had shown up. The house was filled with excitement, but for Yichen, it was suffocating. The weight of everything had become too much. She locked herself in her room, refusing to come out. She kept asking herself the same question—was this wedding really going to happen? Part of her was convinced that it wouldn't, so she just waited, watching and hoping.
When Yibo got home, Suyue watched as he quietly picked at the food Nainai had prepared for him. She said, "Give me Sen Wen's number. I want to call him."
Yibo looked at her, then smiled slightly. "No, just leave him. There's no need, sister."
Suyue frowned. "Are you serious? Since we arrived in this country, he hasn't called you once, Yibo. Something is wrong here. You can't just stay quiet about it—your wedding is in two days. You're only hurting yourself."
Yibo shrugged. "I'm not saying anything, Suyue. You don't know his reasons."
She stared at him in disbelief. Yibo closed the food container without eating, having lost his appetite entirely over the past week.
"You haven't eaten anything," Suyue pointed out.
"I'll eat later," Yibo muttered before leaving the room.
She watched him go, then after a few moments, she picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts, searching for Sen Wen's number. When she found it, she dialed. It rang and rang, but he didn't answer. She called again, but still, no response.
Frustrated, she copied the number to her own phone and set Yibo's down. A few minutes later, she tried again from her own number. This time, after just a few rings, Sen Wen picked up.
She paused for a moment before finally speaking. "Sen Wen?"
Sen Wen said, "Yes..."
She asked, "Why the sudden change in attitude toward your fiancée, Sen Wen?"
He was silent for a moment before saying, "Wait! Who is this?"
She replied, "Answer my question first..."
He said, "I don't think you're in the right place to.... "
Frustrated, she cut him off. "Don't talk to me like that! mister. So, in your foolish thinking, now that you've secured him, you think you can start mistreating him before he even steps into your house? Well, you're mistaken! Yibo is worth more than that. Just because you've exchanged the groom price and the wedding is in two days doesn't mean he's already yours!"
He interrupted her, saying, "Then tell him to gather his courage and inform his parents that he's calling off the wedding. They can return my things... I think that would be better than you calling me and spouting nonsense, madam."
With that, he hung up.
Suyue stared at her phone in shock, her heart filled with doubt. Was this really the same Sen Wen she knew? The one who had recently bought her the latest phone she had been dreaming of, just to show gratitude for her prayers for him and Yibo? She stood up, still in disbelief, and left the room.
In the sitting room, she found Yibo. Nainai had rearranged the furniture and covered them completely, moving her carpets aside to keep them from getting dirty, just as she had insisted. Suyue sat down, watching Yibo, and suddenly, a deep sense of sympathy washed over her. Without saying a word, she stood up and left the sitting room.
▪️▫️🔸🔹
Preparations for Mother's eve, which was happening the next day, were in full swing. Yibo hadn't seen anyone from his section of the house all day, so he finally stepped out.
He heard Suyue's voice calling, "Yibo!"
He quickly turned in the direction of her voice and saw her sitting alone at the dining table. Walking over, he asked, "Why are you sitting here alone?"
Briefly, Suyue said, "Nothing. Sit down, we need to talk, Yibo."
He pulled out a chair and sat, looking at her with concern. After a moment of silence, Suyue lowered her voice and said, "You know what, Yibo?"
Yibo shook his head, a sinking feeling settling in his chest.
Suyue sighed and said, "Please, I want you to sit down with Nainai and explain things to her in a way she'll understand. Ask her to speak to Bobo and the others about postponing the wedding for now."
Yibo simply stared at her.
Suyue shook her head. "This isn't the Sen Wen you knew before, Yibo. Protect yourself and tell Nainai the truth—she's the only one who can talk to Bobo about delaying this wedding. If you marry this version of Sen Wen, you'll end up living a miserable life. He thinks he has you now and is showing his true colors. He was hiding the real him all along. Do you know what he said when I called to ask about his sudden change in attitude?"
Tears welled in Yibo's eyes, and he slowly shook his head.
Suyue continued, "He told me to tell you that if you have the guts, you should tell Bobo you're calling off the wedding so they can return his wedding gifts."
Yibo's chest tightened, his heart pounding as he stared at Suyue in disbelief.
Lowering her voice, Suyue said, "I no longer support you marrying Sen Wen, Yibo. He has no respect at all. He will destroy you, Yibo. Please, no matter how much you love him, talk to Nainai and let her know what's happening while there's still time."
Yibo started crying softly. In a shaky voice, he whispered, "But I love him, Suyue... and he loves me too. I just don't know what's come over him..."
Then, he broke down completely, resting his head on the table as he sobbed. His voice trembled as he added, "Maybe it's just stress making him act like this. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt... This isn't the Sen Wen I know. I'm sure once we're married, we'll go back to how we used to be..."
Suyue stared at Yibo in shock. "Are you in your right mind, Yibo? I'm telling you what that man said, and you still believe that after the wedding, everything will go back to how it was?"
Yibo looked up at her, tears streaming down his face. "I love him just the way he is, Suyue. Just pray for me, that he returns to how he used to be. Besides, after all the guests have traveled from different places, how can we cancel the wedding now? If he hasn't come forward to call it off, I see no reason why I should, Suyue."
Suyue stood up, giving him a hard look. "You're being foolish and stupid, Yibo, I don't think you're completely sane this days."
Yibo quickly stood up too. "Please, this should stay between us. I don't see a strong enough reason to call off the wedding. And honestly, it's me who will be living with him, not you. I know he loves me, and I love him too. So please, let's drop this conversation." With that, Yibo left the dining room, and Suyue could only watch him go, speechless.
That night, Yibo couldn't sleep. He was restless, his thoughts in turmoil. He sat up and glanced at Nainai, who was sleeping peacefully, just as she always did. He checked the time—2:05 AM. Picking up his phone, he stared at it for a while before opening his messages.
After a few minutes, he finished typing out a message to Sen Wen. First, he asked if he had done something wrong, wanting to understand the change in his behavior. Then, he apologized gently before sending the message. He stared at his phone, not really expecting a reply, knowing Sen Wen was probably asleep.
Suddenly, his phone chimed with a message. His heart pounded as he picked it up and read the text.
"If you feel there's a change in my behavior that you can't accept, then make whatever decision you think is best for you."
Yibo read the message over and over, unable to process it. Finally, he called Sen Wen, but the call rang until it went unanswered. He tried again—still no answer. Frustrated, he sent another message: Please, answer my call.
A few moments later, a reply came.
"Good night."
Yibo stared at the screen, his hands trembling. Then, without thinking, he got up and went to the bathroom, locking the door behind him. He broke down, sobbing quietly, his heart aching as if it were being torn apart. He hadn't cried like this in a long time, but instead of feeling relief, the pain only deepened.
A knock came on the bathroom door.
"Yibo, what are you doing in there for so long? Are you okay?" Nainai's voice called out.
Yibo quickly splashed water on his face, trying to compose himself. But Nainai didn't stop knocking.
He took a deep breath and finally opened the door, keeping his gaze down.
Nainai's eyes widened. "What on earth are you crying for? I don't like being startled in the middle of the night, Yibo. If you want to go back to your parents' house, just say so. What's all this crying in the bathroom for? Or do you miss your Gege, Zhan?"
The mentioned of Zhan's name, and for some reason, that brought Yibo a small sense of comfort. But the feeling quickly faded... right now, he didn't want to see anyone.
Nainai crossed her arms. "I don't understand this nonsense. Just because you're about to get married, you think locking yourself in the bathroom to cry is a solution?"
She watched as Yibo finished washing his face and stepped out. Clicking her tongue, she muttered, "I have no time for this," and went back to bed.
The next morning, Yichen left the house early to oversee the wedding preparations. None of her relatives were among the guests who had filled the house. Even Xinyi and Mengxi had left, following Yichen's orders.
Zihan watched everything unfold with disbelief. She had never seen a woman so openly express her resentment the way Yichen did. Of the four outfits they were supposed to wear for the wedding, she refused to participate in even one. She even forbade Xinyi and Mengxi from getting their outfits tailored.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
By 9 AM on Friday morning, Beiting sat in the sitting room with Zihan. Nainai glanced at them and sighed. "Listen, I called you here because I need you to take your boy back to your side of the family. He cried the entire night—just look at his swollen eyes. Why should I have to deal with this? Is marriage some kind of punishment? That beautician tried to console him all night, but nothing worked. The slightest thing sets him off, and he keeps calling for his Gege. Since his mother has handed him over to you, I'm asking you to take him back. I've done my best."
Zihan got up and went to Yibo's room. He was lying in bed, looking drained. She sat beside him and gently lifted him into a hug.
"Honey, why are you crying like this? Are you worried about something?"
Yibo lowered his head and said nothing.
Zihan sighed. "Don't cry anymore, okay? Everyone feels nervous before their wedding, Yibo."
Fresh tears welled up in Yibo's eyes, and he let out a shaky breath. Zihan pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back to soothe him.
Beiting entered the room and sat on the bed, also trying to calm him down. It wasn't until they were sure he had settled that they left the room. Zihan then made him a strong cup of tea and brought it to him.
At the afternoon, the hired makeup artist arrived and gave Yibo a very light touch-up that enhanced his natural beauty. He then put on an expensive suit that Quentin had bought for him. In fact, all the outfits he was wearing for the wedding were chosen by Quentin. Yibo looked so stunning that even he was tired of the attention—especially since he rarely wore makeup. Everyone kept staring at him in admiration.
Sen Wen's aunts and stepmother had all arrived for the dinner celebration. Mian Mian and their school friends were there as well. Yuting and Zihan wore matching satin outfits for the event, and they looked so elegant that anyone who saw them would be impressed. Around three in the afternoon, Yichen also arrived, dressed in a luxurious satin ensemble. As she stepped into the gathering, exchanging greetings, Zihan was visibly surprised but said nothing.
An hour later, Ning Li arrived in a grand outfit, accompanied by her two sisters. Not long after, a few of Yichen's friends also showed up. The house was now filled with Zihan and Yuting's high-society friends, all dressed in the coordinating outfits Zihan had chosen for the dinner event. The way Ning Li carried herself was striking... she was going all out, as if it were her own lover's wedding. Yibo found it odd. She was overly enthusiastic, almost too involved, which left him puzzled.
Throughout the event, Yuting kept a close eye on Yibo. It was clear he wasn't enjoying himself, and anyone could see that something was weighing on his mind.
A little past five, Yuting finally managed to pull him aside to the backyard. She studied him carefully before asking, "Yibo, didn't I tell you to relax? Or is there something bothering you that you don't want to tell me?"
Yibo shook his head and replied in a soft voice, "It's nothing, Mu Qin…" But as he lowered his gaze, his eyes welled up with unshed tears.
Yuting assumed he was just overwhelmed by the anxiety of leaving home, a feeling every person experiences before marriage. She pulled him close and gently reassured him in a soothing voice. Yibo only nodded in response as silent tears streamed down his face.
She hugged him tightly and said, "I don't want to see you crying, Yibo. Today is your happy day. Cheer up, please."
In a barely audible whisper, he replied, "I'll stop."
"Good," Yuting said. "Go inside and sit down. What time did he say you were leaving for dinner?"
Yibo shook his head. "I don't know… Maybe after six."
Yuting opened the kitchen door for him. "Go in and get some rest before then. Or are you feeling unwell?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Alright then, go inside and sit down."
He stepped into the kitchen, then hesitated and turned back. "Mu Qin, what about Fu Qin?"
"He came back two days ago. You didn't notice because you've been staying in Nainai's part of the house," Yuting replied.
"I see," Yibo muttered before heading to his room.
He pulled out his phone from his bag and checked his messages. His heart skipped a beat when he saw a text from Sen Wen. He opened it and read:
"I am sorry to let you know that… tonight's dinner isn't going to hold anymore due to some reasons. Please inform your family. Thanks."
Yibo read the message over five times before setting his phone down with a heavy heart. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
He sat at the edge of his bed, loosening the tie around his neck. After a moment, he called Meiling and asked her to inform Yuting so she could tell the guests who had planned to attend the dinner.
Meiling gasped. "What? Why?!"
Yibo sighed. "Just tell them, Meiling. I'm in my room now." He ended the call.
Not long after, Zihan entered his room and gave him a sharp look. "Yibo, did Sen Wen really say there's no dinner?"
Yibo met her gaze, doing his best to appear unaffected. "Yeah, he texted me earlier. He said he's sorry for the inconvenience."
Zihan remained silent, watching him for a moment before saying, "Well, at least no one had left for the venue yet." With that, she stepped out of the room. Everyone in the house was surprised by the sudden cancellation of the dinner, including Yichen, who was in the courtyard and exclaimed, "This is really unfair! We were all looking forward to this, and now everything is ruined. I could already picture a whole roasted chicken at every table, with expensive drinks. This is such a disappointment!"
Ning Li added, "Unbelievable! I was literally waiting for this dinner all day. I've never heard of a wedding where the dinner was canceled at the last minute!"
Meanwhile, Yuting paid no attention to their complaints as she bid farewell to some of her friends, who were leaving with their Mother's eve gifts. Beiting sighed and said, "Honestly, it's for the best. What's so exciting about a fancy dinner anyway? A marriage needs blessings, not extravagance. Besides, everyone can just eat chicken at his home."
Yichen, ignoring Beiting's remark, continued to see off the neighbors. Meanwhile, Beiting went to inform Nainai about the cancellation, as she had been preparing along with A-Ji, who had arrived earlier that evening. Nainai widened her eyes in disbelief and turned to A-Ji. "Did Sen Wen lose his mind? Canceling the celebration just like that?"
Beiting simply shrugged and left the room. Nainai turned back to A-Ji, who had already laid out the clothes she planned to wear. "This is ridiculous, A-Ji. No celebration, just like that?"
🔹🔸▫️▪️
Later, after 8 p.m., Yibo sat at the edge of the bed, absentmindedly watching Mian Mian and their friends chatting away in the room. He wasn't listening to a word they were saying; his mind was completely elsewhere. On the other side of the room, Suyue was scrolling through her phone, but her mood was clearly off.
Meiling entered and walked straight to Yibo, handing him a phone. He took it slowly and asked, "Who is it?"
"Zhan ge," Meiling replied.
Yibo hesitated before putting the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
A soft voice answered from the other end, "How are you, Lil bro?"
"I'm fine," Yibo replied.
"Can you come out now?" Zhan asked.
"Where are you?"
There was a short silence before Zhan said, "Meet me behind our apartment."
"Okay," Yibo agreed. The call ended, and he handed the phone back to Meiling. As he got off the bed, Suyue glanced at him. "Where are you going?"
"Gege is calling me," he said before stepping out, telling Mian Mian he'd be back soon.
He exited through the kitchen and walked cautiously, as if reluctant to disturb the ground beneath him. When he reached Zong's side of the building, he spotted Zhan standing with his back against the wall. Even as Yibo approached, Zhan didn't turn around.
Softly, Yibo said, "I'm here, Gege."
Zhan finally turned to face him but quickly lowered his gaze. He stood there in silence for over two minutes before speaking in a low voice. "I should have asked you what you wanted for your wedding, but I didn't. I don't know if you'll like this, but… it's something small from me to you."
Yibo watched as Zhan opened a small, elegant round box. Inside was a silver bone-shaped necklace 😜😅 that gleamed under the dim light. Carefully, Zhan stepped closer and fastened it around Yibo's neck, his voice even softer as he said, "I hope you like it, little brother."
A sudden wave of emotion overtook Yibo. Tears welled up in his eyes as he threw himself into Zhan's arms, sobbing quietly. "Thank you, Gege," he whispered.
Zhan held him tightly, his own voice trembling. "I… I wish you all the happiness in your marriage, Yibo. May your life be filled with peace."
But then he hesitated, squeezing his eyes shut. He pulled away slightly, taking Yibo's hands and slipping an envelope into them.
Just as he was about to turn away, Yibo called out, "What is it you wanted to tell me, Gege?"
Zhan didn't turn back. Keeping his wet face hidden, he simply said, "I just want you to be a good husband. Be the best partner you can be."
And with that, he walked away.
Yibo stood frozen, watching him leave, wiping away his own tears. His heart ached as if a part of him was being torn away.
Just like the previous night, Yibo didn't get much sleep. He lay awake, watching Mian Mian, Meiling, and Suyue sleeping soundly in Yuting's living room. Eventually, he got up and went to his room, sat in a corner, folded his legs, and closed his eyes, slipping into meditation. He stayed like that until sleep finally overtook him, and he drifted off right there on the carpet.
The Wedding Day
At dawn, Yuting walked in and found him sleeping on the floor. She nudged him awake and, looking at him, said, "Yibo, why are you sleeping on the floor instead of the bed?"
Yibo sat up, rubbing his eyes. "I was meditating," he murmured.
Yuting stared at him for a moment before saying, "Well, get up. It's morning already," and then left the room.
By morning, the house was buzzing with activity. The cooking had started before dawn, as Zihan had insisted they would prepare everything themselves without hiring caterers. Yichen was also actively involved, helping with everything since the early hours.
Yuting had to practically force Yibo to drink the tea she prepared for him before the makeup artist started working on his face. Once again, he wore a striking black suit, even more elegant than the one from the day before.
Suyue, on the other hand, claimed she had a headache, just to avoid being forced into getting dressed up. The memory of her fight with Sen Wen the previous day left her in a foul mood. But when she remembered what Yibo had told her... that she shouldn't let it bother her.... she managed a small smile, feeling sorry for her brother.
Meiling and Mian Mian were already dressed up in their outfits for the day, ready for pictures.
At exactly eleven o'clock, Seth emerged from his room and headed to Zong's living room after receiving a call from him. He greeted the people there, having spent the entire morning in his room with a few of his friends. Then, he stepped into Zong's private lounge and sat down.
"I'm here, Bobo…" he said.
Just as Zong was about to speak, Quentin entered the room. Seth greeted him, and Quentin returned the greeting before taking a seat and looking at Zong.
"I was on my way when you called, Barrister…" Quentin said.
Zong glanced at Seth and instructed, "Go outside and bring Sen Wen in. He's waiting outside."
Seth hesitated. "Sen Wen?"
Zong nodded. "Yes."
Without another word, Seth stood up and left the room.
Quentin checked his watch before turning back to Zong. "Why is he here now?"
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛