It took YiBo a while to control his urge at that moment. It wasn't easy for him, even though he never intended to harm him. Still, he had to push his thoughts far away before he could calm down and move to the other side of the bed, breathing heavily. Hearing Zhan sob as if someone had beaten him, he sat up with difficulty and turned on the bedside lamp, looking at him.
Zhan quickly hid his face in the bed, continuing to cry, his body still trembling. He was clearly terrified, and YiBo realized that Zhan was entirely unfamiliar with the situation, not used to it at all. He moved closer and gently lifted him up, pulling him into a hug, closing his eyes as he felt Zhan heart racing. Zhan refused to meet YiBo gaze, his body still shaking. YiBo leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "What did I do to you?"
Zhan stayed silent, not saying anything, even as the minutes passed. They remained like that for almost ten minutes until he finally calmed down completely. Softly, YiBo said, "Zhaaan." he quickly lifted his head to look at him, surprised by the way he called his name. Meeting his eyes, YiBo asked, "What brought you to hotels in the past?"
Zhan dropped his gaze, still not responding, tears welling up in his eyes once more. Still, he refused to speak. YiBo remained silent as well for about a minute before he finally said, "Do you want to hear my story?" Zhan lifted her head to look at YiBo and nodded.
YiBo pulled him closer, clearing his throat as he began to speak calmly.
YiBo's POV
"As you know, yes, there are three of us: me, Tin, and Ru. But I didn't grow up in China. When I was in the third grade of high school, Dad transferred me to a school in the USA, where I lived with my grandmother, Ella. Yes, my father is fully Chinese, but my mom is half Chinese, half British. Her mother, Ella, is American, and her father is Chinese."
"like I told you, I finished high school in America and entered university... Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. In my second year, Dad asked me to return to China."
"When I got there, I was hit with the most shocking news of my life: there was a woman, about three years older than me, the daughter of my father's best friend. Her parents had died in a car accident years ago, so my dad felt responsible for her and cared for her. She was hardworking and even worked at Dad's company. I called her Shi Jie, but little did I know that she saw me as more than just a brother. I had no idea she had romantic feelings for me."
"When Dad told me that I was going to marry her, I was shocked. But I knew I couldn't say no, even though I knew Dad loved me and would never tolerate disobedience. He was strict, and what he wanted, he got. Even Mom sometimes feared him. He was crazy and intense."
"So, I agreed without protest, and we got engaged before I returned to the US. At the time, I didn't care because I didn't have feelings for anyone. In fact, I had never even thought about being in a romantic relationship. I wasn't interested in anyone... not even Shi Jie, or Lucy, as her name was. She tried her best to keep in touch with me, but I didn't have time for that. My focus was on my studies. Sometimes we'd go two weeks without speaking, and even when she messaged me, I wouldn't reply for days."
"A year after our engagement, Dad came to the US and took me back to China for the wedding. After the wedding, I discovered I had two problems. First, I couldn't bring myself to touch Lucy in that way. The one time I forced myself after having three glasses of champagne, I learned another shocking thing: I couldn't get aroused. At first, I thought it was because I didn't have romantic feelings for her, but then I realized that, for my entire life, I had never been aroused by anyone. Do I have erectile dysfunction? This isn't normal."
"So, the wedding night didn't happen, and for two weeks, I tried to figure out the problem. But I couldn't. I went back to US for my studies, and months went by before I returned to China. One day, Lucy followed me to my grandmother's house, but nothing had changed between us. Eventually, she got tired and went back to China."
"By then, I was worried and started seeing a doctor. I had every test done, but they all showed that I was perfectly healthy. The doctor suggested that maybe I wasn't interested in women, and I couldn't deny that. Although I wasn't sure of my sexuality, I knew that I might be bisexual."
"Two years into our marriage, I finished medical school and started looking for job in US. But Dad pressured me to return to China. He even arranged a job for me in his company and insisted I give him grandchildren. When I couldn't handle it anymore, I finally told him I was gay."
"And that was the worst mistake I ever made. From that moment on, Dad threatened that if I didn't give him grandchildren, he would break my legs. And If I told him I was gay again, he would destroy my life. And I knew he meant it. I wasn't scared of him because, in many ways, I'm just like him. But I was afraid of him controlling my life."
"So, for the first time, I took Avanafil (Stendra), got drunk, and consummated my marriage with Lucy that night. I don't remember a thing. I hoped she would get pregnant from that one time, but no... I had to do it again and again in a drunken state, with the help of the drug."
"Finally, after three tries, Lucy got pregnant, and I never touched her again. But she endured a lot from me. I rarely stayed at home, I avoided all communication with her, and I did everything possible to stay away from her. I didn't like her, let alone love her. I didn't know what my problem with her was. At the same time, I continued to see doctors, even though they found nothing wrong with me."
"On my last visit before I left Shanghai, the doctor joked with me, saying maybe my body was waiting for my soulmate. He said that if I ever met the right person, I would naturally get aroused. That day, I laughed, thinking he was crazy."
***
Life goes on. Dad never let me work at any hospital; instead, he tied me down with a job at the company. The position of CEO is overwhelming. Even though I didn't study business, I try my best, but I'm failing in so many ways. Instead of making a profit, we're losing money, and I have no idea why. At first, Dad ignored my mistakes, and at the same time, Lucy was struggling with her pregnancy, something I never bothered with. I avoided any contact with her and didn't help her with anything. My behavior pushed her into depression, and later it was discovered that her heart was failing.
Dad suggested they terminate the pregnancy, but Lucy refused. She loved her babies and was determined to carry the pregnancy to term, despite the high risk to her life. Lucy rejected all help and was resolute in bringing the children into the world. Even when I talked to her, she stood firm. Long story short, at eight months and two weeks pregnant, in the middle of the night, Lucy's heart condition worsened. She tried to call me, but I had my phone on silent, and I didn't hear it. On top of that, I was drunk after partying all night and came home late.
I didn't know anything was wrong until I felt cold water splashed on me. Before I could shake off the shock, rough hands grabbed me, and before I knew who they were, two sharp slaps landed on my face. That's when I heard Dad's angry voice, ordering them to throw me in the guardroom.
I had no idea what was happening or what had happened. It wasn't until many hours later that Mom came to see me. Just one look at her face, and I knew something terrible had happened. She had clearly been crying. That's when she told me Lucy was gone... her heart had failed, and they had performed an emergency operation to deliver the twins.
Lucy's death hit me hard. At her funeral and during the mourning period, I cried a lot and deeply regretted everything I had done to her. I couldn't even bring myself to see the twins; I didn't know what they looked like. While we were still processing her loss, the company discovered that $800 million had disappeared... under my signature. I had no idea how it happened or when I signed the papers, but it was definitely my signature.
Because of that, Dad threw me back into the guardroom, treating me like a criminal. But deep down, I suspected Aunty Yu... Oh yeah, she's Dad's half-sister, same mother, different father. Her younger sister, Fang, shares the same father with her. When Dad's mother passed away, they had both come to live with us after their mother's death, bringing their kids along.
Both sisters had been married, had children, and later divorced. After their mother's passing, Dad brought them and their children into our home and took care of them entirely. When Leo, Aunty Yu's son, finished school, Dad involved him in the business world, although he didn't give him a high-ranking position. However, he sent Leo on various business trips abroad.
Ever since I returned from the USA and found them living in our house, I knew trouble had come. I just didn't like them, especially Leo. We never had any meaningful conversation; there was no connection between us.
I spent a week in the guardroom before Dad finally let me out, demanding that I return the $800 million. I told him I had no idea about it, so he froze all my assets: my houses, cars, business accounts, and even my black and platinum cards. He spared only my current account, which he didn't know about. Then he kicked me out of his house, telling me not to come back until I returned his money. As for the twins... he blamed me for their mother's death and warned me never to go near them, threatening to shoot me in the legs if he ever saw me with them. So, I gathered the few things I could and left, while my sisters and Mom watched, crying.
At first, I didn't know where to go, but I knew I had to leave Shanghai. Dad warned me not to let him find me in the city. So, I decided to go to Beijing. I didn't want to spend much money because I didn't know what kind of life I was heading into. I took a taxi by myself, but as we neared Beijing, the car broke down in a rural area between villages. The driver tried everything, but the car wouldn't start. He apologized, explaining that he couldn't continue the journey. I told him it was fine and asked if there was a motel or guest inn nearby. He said it was far from where we were but offered to take me to his grandma's house in the next village, about 20 km away. I agreed, and he assured me he would borrow a car and return with a mechanic.
That's how I ended up in the village where I took you a few days ago. The people there aren't my relatives, but they were kind to me, letting me stay the night. By morning, the car was fixed, and we continued to Beijing. Even after moving to Beijing, I've occasionally visited the village to greet them.
Grandma once asked me why I was on my own, and I told her that my parents disowned me after discovering I was gay. Since then, she has treated me like her own grandson."
***
YiBo kissed Zhan's forehead and fell silent. Zhan, listening intently, noticed the pause and shifted, saying, "Continue, how did you end up in Beijing, and how did you meet Ling, who brought you to our house to work as a driver?"
YiBo handed Zhan shirt to him before getting off the bed, saying, "We're running out of time. I promise to finish the story when we get home." He headed to the bathroom. By the time he came out, Zhan was already dressed, leaning against the bed, lost in thought. YiBo walked over to him, but he didn't notice until his phone started ringing. He grabbed his car keys and said, "Let's go."
Zhan stood up, watching YiBo as they walked to the door together. They drove home in silence, both lost in their thoughts. Once they arrived, YiBo parked the car and turned to him, asking, "Do you have your National ID card with you?" Zhan glanced at him and then nodded. "Bring it to me when you get inside," he added.
Without a word, Zhan stepped out of the car and walked slowly towards the entrance. YiBo leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, wishing things wouldn't be as difficult as he anticipated, hoping his parents would understand him.
Zhan didn't find anyone in the living room, so he headed towards his mother's quarters. After sitting down, Ren looked at him and asked, "Where's YiBo?"
"He's outside," Zhan replied.
"Did you meet mother?"
"Yes."
"And she didn't scold you, did she?" Ren asked.
Zhan shook his head, but deep down, he knew there was tension. After a pause, his mother continued, "After you left for mother's place, Bing stopped by. She was upset that you didn't greet her when you saw her. That's why she left. I don't want you to show any signs of this, Son. Pretend everything is fine, as if nothing happened, until you leave this house. Understand?"
Zhan just stared at stared at his Mama, not saying a word. "How many days are you staying?" She asked again.
"I don't know either," Zhan answered quietly.
"Well, whatever happens, just don't let her suspects anything. Greet her like you always do when you meet."
Zhan didn't respond, but deep down, he knew he would never greet her. Of all the people in the world, Aunty Bing was the one he despised the most.
Later that evening, YiBo was sitting with Yang, when Lian approached and said, "Mr. Xiao wants to see you." YiBo glanced at her to confirm she was talking to him and not his Yang. Yang smiled and said, "She means you, Lee."
YiBo got up, slipped Zhan's ID card into his pocket, and headed inside. Aunty Bing was sitting in the living room, staring at the TV though her mind seemed elsewhere. Earlier that day, she'd traveled to see a spiritual advisor but had to return when things didn't go as planned. Her car broke down on the way back, forcing her to spend a lot of money on repairs.
When YiBo entered the living room, she looked at him, but he avoided her gaze, heading straight for the door to Mr. Xiao room. She watched him in surprise, since this was their first real encounter since his arrival.
He knocked and entered after hearing Mr. Xiao response. Aunty Bing, still watching him, asked Lian, "Did he greet me? Maybe I didn't hear?"
Lian shook her head and replied, "No, he didn't greet you."
Aunty Bing, frustrated, stood up and hurried to Mr. Xiao's living room. YiBo was sitting on the floor, his head lowered, after greeting Paa. He asked, "Which town are you from?"
Before YiBo could answer, Aunty Bing entered the room with a small smile. Paa glanced at her and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Sje quickly replied, "No, nothing at all. Welcome, Lee. How was your trip?"
"Fine," YiBo responded.
"That's good," Aunty Bing said, still smiling.
After a brief silence, Paa added, "You can stay in Zhuo's room. It's free."
YiBo, still looking down, replied, "Thank you." Paa nodded and said, "Alright, you can go." YiBo stood up and left, while Aunty Bing, still smiling, muttered, "Such a shame they've come back to this town."
Zhan was lying in bed, ready for sleep when his mother entered and asked, "Aren't you going to check if YiBo needs anything?" Zhan looked up at her, and she added, "Even though I'm sure everything is fine in Zhuo's room, it's good to check if he's comfortable."
Reluctantly, Zhan got up and went to look for YiBo but didn't find him in Zhuo's room. He returned to bed, letting sleep take over.
The next morning, after YiBo greeted Zhan's mother and informed her that they would be leaving that day, Zhan, who was sitting nearby, watched him in silence, wondering where they were going. Zhan's mother asked, "Did you inform Zhan's father?"
"I tried to before I left, but when I returned, he was gone," YiBo replied.
"Call him and let him know," she suggested.
"Alright," YiBo said, standing up and leaving the room.
She turned to Zhan and said, "You should start getting ready."
Zhan felt his heart sink, but to avoid suspicion, he stood up and headed to his room. Once inside, he collapsed onto the bed, burying his face in the pillow, tears streaming down his face. Meanwhile, Aunty Bing entered the living room and sat down with her sister after exchanging pleasantries.
"Where's my son?" she asked.
Zhan's mother stood up and said, "he's in the other room. Let me check on him."
She went into the room, while Aunty Bing waited. Upon hearing her voice, Zhan locked himself in the bathroom. After a moment, his mother returned and smiled, saying, "he's taking a bath."
Aunty Bing sighed and said, "I feel like he's upset with me. he probably thinks I abandoned him, but what he doesn't understand is that brother in-law doesn't listen to anyone. I tried my best, and you know that, but it caused tension between us and him. He thinks I support Zhan, and that's why I stayed silent about what happened to him. But it's not true. I was powerless."
She wiped her tears as she spoke, while Zhan mother watched her silently, unable to respond. Deep down, she blamed Bing for the damage done to Zhan's life, but she remained quiet out of respect.
Aunty Bing sighed again, sensing her sisters silence, and asked, "But they'll be staying for a few days, right?"
Mrs. Xiao mustered up the strength to reply, "No, they're leaving today."
Bing's eyes widened in surprise. "Today? I thought they'd be here for a while! Where do they live now?"
"I don't know, honestly," Ren responded.
Aunty Bing shook her head in disbelief. "Well, I wish them good luck."
Zhan, packing his belongings into a suitcase, glanced at his mother, who entered the room and asked sharply, "Did you call him and tell him you were coming?"
Zhan looked up, confused. "Who?"
Ren responded, "I don't know."
Zhan shook his head. "I didn't call anyone. I don't even have a phone. You know I haven't used yours either."
"Then who told him you were here?" she pressed.
"I don't know who you mean," Zhan said.
"Go check," she ordered.
Zhan stood up, walked to the living room, and found no one. He then headed to the main living room and saw Zan Jin, wearing dark sunglasses, standing there. Zan Jin rushed over to him, hugging him with excitement. "Bestie, how's life? These days, you just come and go without a word! That's not like you! I deserve better, don't you think?"
Zhan walked into the living room and sat down, asking, "Who told you I was here?"
Zan Jin replied, "I was passing through the neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop by to greet Aunty and your mother. Then I heard you were here and I thought, what? I was so confused... you're here and didn't even tell us? You've stopped calling us too, Zhan. Despite how close we are, you've just abandoned us?"
Zhan simply stared at him. Zan Jin adjusted his seat and continued, "So, how are things? You look good, but you've lost some weight. Where's your husband?"
"He's fine," Zhan replied.
"So, where are you guys living now?"
"I don't know the name of the place," Zhan answered, still looking at him.
Zan Jin lowered his voice, saying, "Don't tell me you've given up and settled with him, Zhan. Has it really come to that between you two?"
Zhan asked, "Do you have a problem with that?"
Zan Jin was silent for a moment, staring at him, then awkwardly laughed, "No, I was just asking out of curiosity. You know, Leo Wang still hasn't stopped bothering He Peng on the phone. That's why I asked. He still hasn't let go."
Zhan didn't say anything. Zan Jin asked, "So, you still don't have a phone?"
"I still don't," Zhan answered.
Zan Jin, speaking softly, opened his backbag and tried to hand his smaller phone, saying, "Here, you can take my extra phone. Just put your SIM card in so we can keep in touch…"
Zhan interrupted, "No, I don't need a phone right now."
Zan Jin was surprised and stared at him in disbelief. Zhan continued, "Anyway, thank you for the visit, Zan Jin. I need to go and continue what I was doing."
Zan Jin opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words. Zhan stood up and said, "Alright then, take care. Thanks again."
Zan Jin could only nod as Zhan turned and left the living room, heading toward his mother's room. Zan Jin quickly got up and headed over to Aunty Bing's side of the house.
***
After 1 p.m., YiBo sat on the balcony with Zhang. They were talking, but Zhang was clearly distracted, lost in his thoughts. His phone had been ringing for a while, but he wasn't answering. YiBo noticed that he had finally put it on silent.
"Zhang?" he called, and he jumped slightly, looking at him with a forced smile, "Yes?"
"Please tell me what's bothering you. Or don't you trust me?"
Zhang looked at him for a moment before giving another faint smile. "Of course I do... but I told you, there's nothing wrong. I don't have any problems…"
YiBo kept staring at him. He quickly changed the subject, "When are you leaving?"
"Today," YiBo replied.
"Today?" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "But it's already late."
YiBo shook his head. "Not really."
"Okay, I'll be going back to school next week me too," he said.
"That's Good. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, okay?" YiBo said.
"Okay," Zhang whispered.
"Give me your account number," YiBo requested.
Zhang eyes widened. "Oh, thank you, but that's not necessary."
"I'm asking for it," he insisted.
Zhang hesitated before reciting his account number. A few seconds later, he received a notification on his phone. He opened it and saw that YiBo had transferred 300,00Y to him. He looked up at him in surprise.
YiBo stood and said, "Go check if Zhan is ready. Time is running out."
"Thank you so much," Zhang said softly.
YiBo didn't respond and Zhang walked back inside. Shortly after, Zhang returned, pulling Zhan's trolley, which contained all his belongings and perfumes. Zhan was trying his best not to break down in tears. His mother had given him final words of advice, she added, "Don't keep him waiting. And when you get a phone, make sure to call me, okay?"
Zhan simply nodded, wiping his eyes as he made his way toward the door. Ren watched him leave, her own eyes filling with tears.
Yang came and loaded Zhan's bag into the back of the car, looking at the new driver with disdain. "You don't know your job at all,. You should have rushed to grab the bag and put it in the trunk instead of standing there like a soldier."
The driver replied, "What's your business with me, man?"
Yang scoffed, "Whatever, go deal with your bad breath," and headed back to the gate.
YiBo stood by the car, observing the scene, then went inside to bid farewell to Ren. She said, "Please be patient with him. If he does anything wrong, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"
YiBo kept his head down and replied, "Thank you." Then, he left and went outside.
It wasn't long before Zhan emerged with Zhang, who opened the back seat for him. "Safe journey, brother," Zhang said.
Zhan smiled, "Thank you." Then Zhang closed the door and turned to YiBo "Safe trip," he said.
"Thank you, Zhang," he responded, getting into the front seat and shutting the door. The driver started the car and pulled out of the parking space.
Since Zan Jin left Zhan's house, he hadn't returned. Yang stood by the gate, already smiling widely as YiBo's car approached. When they reached the gate, YiBo lowered the window and handed Yang a bundle of cash. Yang's eyes widened, unable to believe the stack of fresh $100 notes. Even the driver was staring, shocked. Zhan, sitting in the back, watched silently. YiBo firmly placed the money in Yang's hand saying we will talk, then closed the window and told the driver, "Let's go."
As they hit the main road, the driver respectfully asked, "Where are we headed, sir?"
"Airport," YiBo replied.
Zhan looked up at him, but the driver responded quickly, "Alright, sir," and continued driving.
When they arrived, the driver parked, and YiBo got out. The driver quickly went to the trunk, removed Zhan's bag, and handed it to YiBo. Zhan stepped out of the car and took the trolley from him. YiBo handed the driver $100, saying, "Thank you."
The driver, grateful, repeatedly thanked him, even bowing slightly. YiBo didn't say anything in return and walked toward the airport entrance with Zhan following slowly behind him.
Once inside the airport, after collecting their boarding passes, YiBo's phone rang. It was his Mom calling, and his heart sank. She had called countless times today. He picked up, listening as she spoke non-stop without giving him a chance to respond. Finally, he managed to say, "Calm down, Mom. I'm at the airport right now." She hung up as soon as he said that.
They waited for almost 30 minutes before their flight to Shanghai was called. As soon as the plane took off, Zhan fell asleep, clearly exhausted. YiBo gently pulled his closer, resting his head on his shoulder. He knew that the only reason he was going back to Shanghai was because of his mother, he had no choice but to go for her.
***
When the plane landed in Shanghai and they disembarked, Zhan grew anxious. The thought of being taken back to YiBo's family's home filled him with dread. They took a cab from the airport after YiBo gave the driver directions. After about 40 minutes, Zhan noticed they had entered a different neighborhood. He watched the surroundings intently until the cab finally parked in front of an impressive house, surrounded by other equally grand homes.
YiBo got out, having already transferred the cab fare on the way. The driver opened the trunk and handed Zhan's trolley to YiBo, who then said, "Wait here. I'll need you to drop me off somewhere else."
"Okay, sir," the driver replied.
YiBo approached the gate, pulled out a key, and unlocked it before turning to Zhan, who stood hesitantly behind him. He followed him inside, his eyes taking in the stunning beauty of the compound. He had never seen a house this beautiful, not even Aunty Bella's or Nia's. It looked brand new, and there didn't seem to be anyone else around. YiBo led the way, and Zhan trailed behind him until they reached the entrance. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, with Zhan close behind. The parlor was breathtaking, everything inside was brand new.
YiBo placed his bag down and said, "Go upstairs and rest. I'll be going out now."
Zhan pleaded, "You're leaving me alone in this big house?"
He replied, "Are you a child?"
Zhan looked at him, his heart pounding, but said nothing. YiBo picked up his bag and went upstairs. Zhan followed him quickly as he opened a room and placed his bag inside.
He turned to look at him as he entered, taking in his surroundings.
"There's the bathroom if you need it," YiBo said, pointing.
Then he left the room, went downstairs, and exited the house, locking the gate behind him as he got into the waiting cab. He didn't want his mother to call again....
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛