Grandma didn't give Zan Jin a chance to speak, shouting at him while covering her nose, "Please, get out! Who is this Zhan you're asking for, the Zhan who lives with his husband, General Wang's son? What's your connection to him?"
Aunty Bing, her heart racing, added, "Ms. Tu, please, escort him out... I can't take this right now…"
Zan Jin begged, "Maybe just his number.... "
Ms. Tu stood up abruptly, raising her voice. "Get out now!" Zan Jin quickly retreated from the doorway, seeing Ms. Tu approach, her intimidating figure making him step back.
Zhang watched Zan Jin in surprise.
Aunty Bing took a sigh of relief and carefully lay back down, her heart still pounding. Grandma murmured, "If this isn't some disease, I'd be surprised; that smell isn't normal… Open the window, and turn up the AC."
Ren felt a nagging urge to follow Zan Jin and find out what he wanted with Zhan. She turned his words over in her mind but couldn't bring herself to move, staring instead at the bedroom door.
***
Lily entered her bedroom; she'd had visitors all day who only just left, close to six o'clock. Seeing Zhan lying on the carpet, she asked, "Why are you lying on the floor?" With forced composure, he replied, "I'm more comfortable here." Lily said, "Alright, get on the bed." Zhan sat up and moved onto the bed. His fever had returned. Lily asked, "What would you like to eat?" He only shook his head, so Lily turned off the AC, noticing he seemed cold, and said, "How about some congee? Maybe you'd like that?" Zhan shook his head again.
Lily left the room and called Min to prepare some congee. In no time, Min entered with a bowl, which Lily took and brought to Zhan's room, setting it on the floor. "Let it cool a bit, then eat some," she said, adjusting the curtains and dimming the lights before leaving.
Ten minutes later, she returned and, seeing him still lying down, said, "It's cool enough now... come on, have some." Zhan sat up, and she handed him the bowl. He looked down at it, but nausea immediately washed over him. He turned his head and muttered, "I can't."
"What do you feel like eating?" she asked. He stayed silent. "Maybe some tea?" Again, he shook his head. "Well, you're not going to bed on an empty stomach, right? Think of anything you'd like, and I'll have it brought to you."
Tears welled up in his eyes, and Lily came closer, speaking softly. "Not even tea?" He nodded no. "Alright, how about if we get you something from outside?" He nodded quickly. Lily left the room, picked up her phone in the living room, and dialed YiBo. He answered on the first ring. "Can you swing by a food stall and bring something back for me?" she asked.
"Food? What should I get?"
"If you find spicy tofu or cassava with vegetable soup, bring some of that."
"Alright." After hanging up, she sat back on the sofa.
YiBo returned shortly with a takeout bag, which he placed on the living room table. Lily glanced at him, saying, "I forgot to ask for fruit as well." YiBo asked, "Want me to go get it now?" Lily replied, "Yes." He turned and quietly left the room, and she took the food into Zhan's room, calling Min to bring a plate. She transferred the tofu to the plate, then turned to Zhan, saying, "Come down here and eat."
He moved from the bed to the rug she had set up for him and looked at the tofu. It looked enticing, and for once, he didn't feel sick. After rinsing his hands with the water nearby, he began eating. "Don't rush," Lily reminded him. "If you eat a little now, you can save the rest for later." He nodded, and she placed his medicine nearby before leaving the room.
As she'd advised, he only ate a small amount, took his medicine, then wrapped up the leftovers, washed his hands, and fell asleep.
Close to midnight, Lily entered the room and, seeing he was awake, asked, "Would you like some watermelon?" He shook his head, and she left, taking a few things with her.
Later, Zhan forced himself out of bed, kneeling to the floor as his stomach cramped painfully. Lily, who was on the sofa, switched on the room lights and asked, "What's wrong?" Struggling, he replied, "My stomach is hurting." She hurried over, checking the clock... it was almost 3 a.m... and said, "Alright, come on, sit on the bed."
As she helped him up, she noticed a stain of blood on his clothes. Panicked, she took her phone and dialed YiBo, who answered just before the call went to voicemail. "Come to my wing, now!" she said before ending the call.
She tried to comfort Zhan, holding him gently, clearly shaken and unsure what to do. YiBo arrived quickly and hurried to their side. Seeing his Mom holding Zhan, he asked, "What happened?"
"It's his stomach," she replied, "and he's vomiting blood. Should we go to the hospital?"
Before she knew it, YiBo had taken Zhan from her, his own concern apparent. "When did this start?" he asked, but Zhan couldn't answer, his tears saying it all. Lily grabbed her car keys, yelling at YiBo, "Just get him outside, let's go to the hospital," and hurriedly left the room to get the driver as YiBo helped Zhan out.
Lily took them to the most expensive hospital in Shanghai, and by the time they arrived, Zhan was still vomiting blood. Despite his usual resilience, he finally broke down in tears.
The doctors quickly took him to the emergency room, and in the rush and panic, YiBo even forgot that he himself was a doctor. Leaning against the hospital wall, his heart pounded as he struggled to understand why Zhan was vomiting blood this way.
Lily paced restlessly in the emergency ward corridor, looking deeply worried. YiBo, too, felt a sinking feeling in his chest. The thought of Zhan possibly losing his battle terrified him, and he eventually sat on a nearby chair, holding his head as his heart raced. About forty minutes later, a foreign doctor emerged. As soon as Lily saw him, she hurried over, anxiety clear on her face, and asked in English, "How is he?"
The doctor gestured for her to wait, and he hurried to his office, which only deepened her concern. YiBo looked on, his eyes following the doctor until he left.
YiBo glanced back at the emergency ward door just as a Black doctor emerged. Lily, gathering her strength, approached him and asked, "Doctor, how is he, please?"
The doctor stopped, looked at her, and replied, "Don't worry, Mrs.… He will be fine. Let's go to the office." She followed him, and as they entered, she sat down while he adjusted the air conditioning in his spacious office. After a long pause, he finally said, "Please don't worry. The blood has stopped."
He explained that they would need to run some tests, and while they suspected a peptic ulcer, they were also concerned it might be stomach cancer. Lily sat in stunned silence, visibly distressed. Summoning her courage, she asked, "Can anything be done about it now, Doctor? Isn't there something we can do?"
The doctor shook his head. "We need to complete the tests to determine exactly what's causing this."
Lily was quiet, absorbing his words, unable to think of a response. Seeing her anxiety, the doctor offered a reassuring smile. She stood up and said, "We would like to discharge him in the morning, Doctor."
He shrugged. "Alright then."
"Can I see him now?" she asked.
"Of course. They've moved him to the ward already."
"Thank you."
Leaving the office, Lily found another doctor and asked where Zhan's room was. Upon reaching the ward, she took out her phone and dialed General Wang, hoping he would pick up. As soon as it began ringing, he answered.
"Why are you awake at this hour?"
"YiBo's husband isn't well," she said, referring to Zhan.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked.
"I had Dr. Chao come by yesterday because I noticed he wasn't feeling well. After checking him, he said we needed to run some tests to identify the issue. But overnight, his condition worsened, so we had to come to the hospital. She explained everything the doctor told her,"
There was a brief pause before General Wang replied, "Take him out of that hospital immediately. I'll make a few calls; by morning, you'll fly him to America…"
"That's why I called you," Lily replied.
"Where's YiBo?" he asked.
"He came to the hospital with us, but I honestly don't see much point in him being here. I just left the doctor's office, and I don't think the doctor knows what he's doing. He even gave me a premature diagnosis, suggesting there's a high chance of stomach cancer. Who does that? I don't think he's competent."
"Just go home and start packing," General Wang replied.
"Alright, talk soon." She hung up and headed to Zhan's room.
YiBo was sitting next to Zhan, holding his hand and watching him sleep. He looked deeply affected, as if he were the one sick. When he saw Lily enter, he turned toward her, visibly drained. Lily walked over to the bed, looking at Zhan herself, while YiBo quietly stood up and left the room, planning to speak to the doctor once she was done.
At dawn, Lily left the hospital with Zhan after paying the bills. A soldier who had brought them in a military vehicle, along with another for added security, had been there since last night. As they arrived home in the early morning light, Lily got out of the car, watching Zhan carefully as he tried to step down. "Take it easy," she reminded him gently. Slowly, Zhan got out with Lily following closely, ensuring he didn't hurry.
YiBo watched them, wondering at his mother's strength and determination. Here he was, her son and Zhan's husband, yet his mother hadn't allowed him to go near Zhan. It seemed even Zhan didn't mind.
Once inside, Lily went to the bathroom and filled the bathtub for Zhan, then stepped out and said, "Go take a bath, and be careful." Zhan nodded and went in. Lily returned to the living room, where she found YiBo sitting. "Pack his clothes and everything he might need in a bag. We're heading to the hospital…"
"Another hospital?" YiBo asked, surprised. "Which one?"
Lily didn't stop to answer and instead went inside to grab her phone. She called her stepsister, Hannah, who picked up right away. After they exchanged greetings, Lily asked, "Are you still set to fly out today, Hannah?"
Hannah replied, "Mom hasn't finished shopping for the grandkids, honestly, so we haven't booked the tickets yet."
Lily responded, "Alright, maybe wait a couple of days since I'm heading to the U.S. myself today."
"What are you doing in the U.S.?" Hannah asked.
"YiBo's partner isn't well, so we're taking him to the hospital," Lily explained.
"Oh, the one that sis Bella told me about? Poor guy.... God grant him health."
"Yes," Lily replied, "and give my regards to Mom." She hung up.
Zhan managed to have tea and even some chips in the morning without feeling nauseous, which reassured Lily a bit. Watching him, she began wondering if something might be wrong since he didn't look sick anymore, and he'd even eaten a good meal. The thought made her heart race as she waited for the General's call, though it was only 9 a.m. By the time she'd finished packing her and Zhan's bags, which YiBo had brought in for her, Zhan had fallen asleep. Lily remained in the room without leaving, and by 10 a.m., the General's call came through.
He said, "He'll have a B-2 visa by noon, and you'll leave the country this afternoon."
"Alright," Lily replied.
"How is he feeling?"
"He's better," Lily said, "but I'm hoping this isn't the calm before the storm. He's sleeping now."
"Everything will be fine," he assured her.
"I hope so," she whispered.
"We'll talk later." The General hung up, and Lily turned to look at Zhan, still sleeping soundly.
At around 11 a.m., Ru entered the room, looking at Zhan still asleep. She sat next to him, studying him quietly, then glanced at Lily. "Mom, has he been asleep this whole time?"
Lily sighed. "Mimi, must you sit so close to him to talk? What if you wake him?"
Ru got up and moved next to Lily. "I'll tell Min and Sarah to clean up the chickens since Nia's mom is coming over later."
"Good," Lily replied, and Ru left the room.
Around 1 p.m., Nia's mom, Mia, arrived at the house. Lily came out of the living room and said, "I thought you'd be here since you called earlier."
Mia replied, "I had to stop by somewhere first before coming over."
Lily asked, "How was your trip?"
Mia responded, "Good. How are the kids?"
"They're well," Lily said. "And where's Nia?"
"She's at home," Mia replied.
"Oh, I meant to tell you earlier that we're heading to the U.S. for a medical appointment, and you mentioned you'd be coming by today anyway."
Mia asked, "Who's unwell?"
"It's YiBo's husband who isn't feeling well," Lily explained.
"Oh, God. I wish him health. What time will you leave?"
"Around 4," Lily replied.
"May Allah make it easy and bring him health. Where is he now?" Mia asked.
"He's resting inside," Lily answered.
They chatted a bit while Mia enjoyed the meal Ru and Min had prepared for her. Afterward, she told Lily she needed to head back home as she was expecting guests. Lily walked her to the main living room, and Mia said, "Just let me know when you head to the airport, and I'll meet you there to say goodbye."
"Alright," Lily replied.
After Mia left, Lily returned to the living room and soon saw YiBo enter. He sat down, looking at her, and asked, "How is he doing, Mom?"
"Better. You spoke with your father, didn't you?"
YiBo shook his head. "No."
"Well, we're heading to the U.S. later with Zhan to get him properly checked out," Lily informed him.
He looked down, pausing before asking, "What about the visa?"
"The General has sorted everything. They brought it earlier," Lily said.
He asked, "It's for a medical appointment, right?"
"Yes," she confirmed.
"Alright," he replied.
YiBo got up and headed to Zhan's room, with Lily watching him. Zhan was still asleep when YiBo walked over to the bed and sat by his side, gently taking his hand. Slowly, Zhan opened his eyes, and in a faint voice, he said, "I'm hungry."
Lowering his voice as well, YiBo asked, "What would you like to eat, dear?"
"Cassava," Zhan murmured.
"Alright, I'll get it for you right away," YiBo said, leaving the room quickly, with Lily watching him as he went.
Just then, Lily's phone rang; it was the General. She answered, and after exchanging greetings, he asked, "How's he feeling?"
"Better, he's mostly been sleeping," Lily replied.
"Good. Be mindful of the time, though," he reminded her. "You don't want to miss the flight."
Lily glanced at the clock. "I'm keeping an eye on it."
"Good." said General.
The General said, "Let me take a call," then hung up. Lily put her phone down, checked the clock, and, seeing it was three, quickly went to Zhan's room to wake him up so they could get ready to leave for the airport. Once they were ready, she called Mia to let her know they were on their way to the airport. YiBo watched her intently, without blinking. Seeing his gaze, she said, "You keep looking at me like that. If you'd rather stay with him, I'll leave you too alone, but if I must go, don't even think about showing up in the U.S.... not even in a dream!"
Zhan, standing nearby, watched the two of them. Lily led him out, leaving YiBo standing like a statue.
YiBo sat in the front seat of Lily's car while she sat in the back with Zhan. When they reached the airport, they found Mia had already arrived with one of her relatives. Zhan spotted Mia and turned away, refusing to get out of the car.
After Lily exchanged greetings with Mia's sister, she asked, "Where's Nia? Is she at home?"
"No, she's with us," Mia replied. "She ran into a classmate, so we left them to catch up."
"Oh, I see," Lily said. YiBo walked over to greet Mia and her sister, and they responded warmly.
Mia asked, "How is he doing? I don't see him."
Lily opened the car door and looked at Zhan, who was clinging to the seat. He reluctantly began to get out, but Lily stopped him, saying, "No, it's alright; you don't have to get out."
Mia, peering into the car, said, "Take care. May God grant you health and ease."
Zhan lowered his head and replied, "Thank you."
Mia's sister also wished him a quick recovery. From the car, Zhan noticed Nia approaching, and, feeling anxious, he turned away just as she arrived.
Nia respectfully greeted Lily, who replied, "How are you, dear?"
"I'm fine Aunty," Nia said. "How's he doing?"
"He's okay," Lily replied. Mia and Lily stepped aside for a private conversation, and Nia leaned into the car with a gentle smile, speaking softly, "Hi, how are you feeling? I hope you're doing much better."
Zhan looked at her briefly, then turned away, scowling as he stared out the opposite window. YiBo noticed the exchange but quickly averted his gaze, though he was tempted to speak. Zhan continued staring or rather glaring... ready to challenge him if he tried talking to Nia.
Once Lily and Mia finished their conversation, she and Zhan were escorted to the lounge, where they would wait until their flight at 4:30. YiBo circled back to the car while Zhan headed for the lounge, and as YiBo tried to speak, Zhan shot him a look that silenced him, refusing to acknowledge him. Lily led Zhan away, and YiBo saw Nia returning to her family's car, waiting for her mom and aunt. YiBo looked at Lily's driver and said, "Hand over the car keys; I'll drive it back home."
The driver was about to say something, but YiBo pulled out his phone and dialed Lily's number, putting it on speaker. When she answered, he said, "Mom, I'm taking your car."
"Alright," she replied.
Without another glance at the driver, YiBo took the keys, locked the car, and headed toward Nia's family's car. He said to her, "Let me drop you home." Without looking at him, she replied, "No, thank you; I'll go with Mom."
Her aunt turned to her and said, "Go on, go with him." Mia, however, said nothing. Nia lowered her head and said, "I'm already settled here, Auntie."
YiBo replied, "Alright then, later." She nodded in response, and he said goodbye to Mia before returning to Lily's car. The driver
started it up, and they left the airport.
~~~~~~
Bing sat in her locked bedroom, speaking quietly on the phone. "I told you since that day, and here we are, nearly three weeks later… I haven't seen him even once. He's been covering all the expenses for my medication without ever refusing, but it was always Zhuo who took me to the hospital. Now that he's back at work, Shu accompanies me when she's available, and sometimes it's Lian who comes with me…" Tears filled her eyes as she continued, "The world feels so heavy. I feel like my heart could burst at any moment. It's been almost three weeks since Zhang came back, but it's as if he's not the same Zhang anymore. His change troubles me deeply. And whenever I think of Zhan, in the home he's created with his husband, my heart feels like it's breaking. You know I have nothing left, not even enough to keep seeking help. I have only this one ring left. Where am I supposed to start?"
Ms. Tu replied, "Bing, try to calm down. Don't let this worry make your health worse. The high blood pressure you've recently developed is bad enough. Everything will eventually fall into place. Here's what I'll do... I'll arrange for the ring to be sold and then travel to the village to see the spiritual healer who first helped us eight years ago. He'll start the work for Zhan."
Bing urgently interrupted, "Who is Zhan? I have a mountain of problems right here in front of me, and you're talking about Zhan, Tu. And don't even get me started on that boy, Zan Jin. Whatever it takes, we need to keep him out of this house by all means necessary. These are my biggest worries right now, Tu. They're on my mind day and night."
Ms. Tu reassured her, "Bing, don't worry; I'll make sure the ring is collected. If it needs a top-up, I'll cover it myself because I can't stand to see you this way, Bing. If I had the means, I wouldn't even ask you for the ring. But I don't... I simply don't, Bing."
Bing replied, "Thank you, Tu. You're the only one who can help me through this."
They ended the call, and Bing leaned back against the bed, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world. She looked gaunt and weary, her face darkened with stress. Someone knocked on her door, and she called, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Lian," came the reply.
"What is it? Didn't I tell everyone not to come in? I need rest," Bing responded.
"Zhang has taken a fever again, Ma'am," Lian said.
Bing got out of bed quickly, opened the door, and asked, "Where is he?"
"He's in his room," Lian replied.
"How long has he had the fever?" Bing asked.
"He ate a meal, then complained of severe stomach pain, and then began vomiting," Lian explained.
Bing sighed. "This boy, with his stubbornness. I told him we should go to the hospital, but he refused. Now what am I supposed to do? He's burning with fever, refusing to eat. What can the pharmacist possibly do for him?"
When they entered Zhang's room, they found Lily sitting at his bedside, gently comforting him. Bing said, "Why do you have to be so stubborn, Zhang? I told you to go to the hospital for proper treatment, but you refused. What do you expect me to do now?"
Lily added, "I was just telling him the same thing, asking him to get ready so we can go to the hospital, but he insists on resting here."
Bing ignored Lily entirely. Ever since her husband had seen through her, Bing had stopped acknowledging Lily's presence in the house. Whenever she visited her in her quarters, Lily's kind words were met with nothing but silence or a heavy sigh.
Bing said firmly, "Get up. We're going to the hospital."
Zhang looked up at her weakly and said, "Let's wait a bit, Mom."
"Wait for what? Look at you... you're falling apart as if you've had this fever for years," Bing replied, sternly.
Lily stayed silent. Zhang sat up with some effort and said, "Please, can we wait a bit, Mom? I'm really tired and just want to sleep for now."
"Fine," Bing said, "but if you're staying, go rest in my room instead."
Zhang stood up and left the room, with Aunty Bing and Lian following him. He went to Zhan's room in Aunty Bing's section of the house. Watching him, Aunty Bing said, "Once you wake up from your rest, Lian will take you to the hospital. Or is it that you heard they might release your exam results at school? You always seem to get a fever every time results are about to come out!"
Zhang nodded quickly, saying, "Yes."
Aunty Bing replied, "Well, may it bring good news." With that, she turned and went back to her room.
At two-thirty in the afternoon, Zhang entered Aunty Bing's room. She was sitting on the bed, holding her chin in thought. When she noticed tears rolling down her cheeks, she quickly wiped them away. Zhang sat beside her, and as she looked at him, seeing how much weight he'd lost, she said, "Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital for a thorough checkup, Zhang? Have you seen yourself lately?"
In a low voice, Zhang replied, "It's because of the final exams we took, Mom."
Aunty Bing said, "But you've lost so much weight, and you look pale."
Zhang replied, "Om, I'm going to my classmate's house. She'll check our results for us.... I just can't do it myself."
Aunty Bing asked, "The results are out already?" Zhang nodded slowly, saying, "Yes."
Aunty Bing took out her purse, drawing out a thousand from the fifteen thousand Zhuo had given her before he returned to work. Handing it to Zhang, she said, "Take this with you, and the driver will take you, right?"
Zhang nodded, accepted the money, thanked her, and left her room. He then went to Ren's section of the house to inform her he was leaving before heading out.
Rui sat in silence, feeling unsettled as Zhang finished explaining everything that was happening and the decision he'd made. Rui said, "This is so sad." After a few moments, he continued, "Since you won't take my advice, is there anyone else you trust... a guy or a girl
... who might be able to offer you some guidance?"
Zhang fell silent, wiping his eyes and thinking deeply about who that person could be...
***
YiBo watched her from a distance until she came over, set down a canned bear, and took a seat, scrolling through her phone. After a few seconds, he said, "Nia." She looked up at him, and in a lowered voice, he asked, "Is there something on your mind that you're keeping from me?"
She responded, "Like what?"
He replied, "You've been acting strangely lately. I don't understand you anymore."
"Really?" she asked, looking away and pretending to be unaffected.
"I'm not acting strangely," she replied. "I'm just giving you and your husband the space you need."
Softly, he said, "But you're my best friend too..." She just laughed and continued scrolling through her phone.
He called her name again, "Nia." When she looked up, he said, "Honestly, it feels like you're making me out to be the bad guy, as if I've done something wrong without even knowing it."
She simply looked at him, then gave a faint smile and said, "So, you've only just realized that?"
In a low voice, he asked, "But how? How am I wronging you?" Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. He pleaded, "Please, talk to me."
Looking up at him, tears streaming down her face, she said, "You should've told me to move on, Bo. Instead, you kept telling me to wait for you. You wasted my time for four years. I never even thought about anyone else because of you. After you got married, you could have told me right away to go live my life…"
He interrupted, saying, "Come on, Nia. Why are you saying all this? How many times do I have to explain things to you? I didn't go to his family intending to marry him. In fact, I didn't even know him personally when I went there; it was all arranged by his father, and I couldn't say no to him. You just don't understand...it was destiny that brought us together. I never planned for this. And remember, from the start, I told you there was no love in my heart for you. I just cared about you as a friend, and since you had feelings for me and I wasn't in love with anyone else at that time, I promised to marry you."
Through her tears, she said, "But now you're choosing to be with him willingly, and you love him more than you even realize. You ignored me at the airport because you didn't want to upset him. Yes, I know you don't have romantic feelings for me, but if you'd found someone you loved, you should have told me. Now, you even avoid talking to me in front of your husband, and you want us to go back to being 'just friends'.... really, Bo?"
YiBo looked at her in surprise, then softened his tone. "But you know I care about you, Nia. Even now, I care more than you think. That hasn't changed. Please, let go of Zhan. You're my best friend, and you'll always be my best friend. Everyone has their own place in my heart."
She just cried silently. YiBo rubbed his head, clearly pained by her tears, and then looked at her, saying, "Say something. If there's anything you want me to do, just tell me."
Gently, she said, "It's not my place to tell you what to do, Bo, and I would never do that. I just want you to know that I hold no ill will toward your husband. I've been trying my best to be friends with him, but he treats me like an enemy. From the beginning, even before I knew he was your husband, he never liked me."
YiBo shook his head, saying, "No, it's not that he dislikes you, Nia. He's just the type who doesn't open up to people right away. It takes him a while to warm up to someone... that's all."
Nia gave a slight smile. "No, that's not it. He sees me as a rival, but I don't see him that way. Even though we were together before you met him, I don't resent him for marrying you. I have nothing against him."
YiBo said, "I promise I'll talk to him about that. Gradually, I'm sure he'll get more comfortable around you." She just smiled and didn't say anything more. He added, "I know you don't mean any harm, Nia. You're a good person, just as I've always known you to be."
His phone, resting on the table, began to ring. He picked it up and saw that it was Zhang. Answering, he asked, "Are you okay?"
From the other end, Zhang replied, "I'm fine. How's Zhan?"
Hearing a slight tremor in Zhang's voice, he asked, "Is everything alright, Zhang?"
Zhang said, "Everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you about something…"
YiBo replied, "Alright, I'll call you later this evening since I'm not home right now." When he heard silence on the line, he said, "Hello?" Zhang replied, "Okay, thank you," and ended the call.
Nia just looked at YiBo. He asked, "Are things better now, dear?" She didn't reply. Then he asked, "Would you like to go out and join me for some shopping?"
At six in the evening, Zhang lay in Zhan's room because Aunty Bing had forbidden him from going to his own room. A high fever had overtaken him. Ever since returning from Rui's, he had been lying there. When Aunty Bing came in to ask him about his exam results, he told her that they hadn't been released yet. Though he was feeling the fever even then, he didn't show it, simply telling her he was going to sleep.
Aunty Bing left, and he remained lying in bed. Ren entered the room later, noticing he hadn't come out to the living room since earlier. She removed the duvet covering him and asked, "Zhang, are you feeling unwell…" She fell silent as she felt how hot his body had become, and he was shivering with chills. Ren said, "Zhang, you've been avoiding going to the hospital for ages, and now look what's happened!"
Zhang remained quiet. Ren insisted, "Get up. We're going to the hospital now." Tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, "I don't want to go to the hospital, Aunty."
At that moment, Aunty Bing entered the room, wondering why Zhang hadn't come out. Seeing Ren standing over him, she hurried over and asked, "What's going on... is the fever back?"
Ren replied, "Yes, that's why I'm telling him to get up so we can go to the hospital."
Aunty Bing took his hand and said, "Let's get you to the hospital." Ren moved to the side, watching them. Zhang started to cry as Aunty Bing lifted him from the bed. With difficulty, he said, "Mom, I feel nauseous."
Aunty Bing replied, "You know how this fever affects you, yet you let it get this bad while at school, Zhang."
He hurried to the bathroom, feeling dizzy, and tried to throw up, though nothing would come up as he hadn't eaten. Ren turned and left the room, heading back to her part of the house.
Bing led him outside to the car, calling the driver to open the door. Once inside, they headed to the hospital. On the way, Bing nervously took out her phone and dialed Paa's number. Her heart raced as she listened to it ring, knowing this was the first time she'd contacted him since the incident. He answered quickly with, "I'm listening."
Bing's voice was soft, "It's Zhang… he's not feeling well. We're on our way to the hospital, and I thought you should know in case he needs to be admitted."
Paa asked, "How long has he been unwell?"
"He's been managing it, but it worsened today. He's been under the weather since he came back from school," she explained.
"Alright, keep me updated," he replied before ending the call. Bing felt a slight relief. Maybe she'd be able to reconnect with him through these small conversations, and perhaps he'd find it in his heart to forgive and let things go.
They arrived at the hospital, and Zhang was crying the entire way. Bing initially thought it was the pain, but as his sobs grew louder, she questioned him, "What's going on, Zhang? Are you okay?" He didn't answer, his crying continuing. Deep inside, he wished that something would happen, that he could escape his misery.
Inside the hospital, they were used to the routine, so Bing simply handed over Zhang's card and paid the consultation fee. In the waiting area, a nurse called them to see the doctor. Holding Zhang's hand, Bing guided him, frustrated with his display of emotions. "Zhang, try to hold yourself together, please," she whispered, but as they walked into the doctor's office, Zhang suddenly collapsed. Bing managed to catch him, and nurses quickly came over, guiding him to the emergency room.
Ren paced nervously in the reception area, the other patients trying to comfort her, saying he would be okay.
Someone handed her the phone she had left on a chair. It was Paa calling again. She answered, crying, "Brother-in-law, he fainted right as we got here. They've taken him into the emergency room."
Paa responded, "I'm on my way."
Almost forty minutes later, a doctor approached Bing and asked her to join him in his office. She followed, worried, as he sat across from her. Bing's voice was trembling as she asked, "How is he, Doctor?"
"He'll be alright, but there's something concerning," he began gently. "Your son was sexually assaulted, and he has chlamydia and gonorrhea."
Shocked, Bing sat motionless, trying to understand his words. "I don't get what you're saying, Doctor. My son... he's innocent. What are you talking about?" she stammered, horrified.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's what the results show," he said. Bing shook her head, disbelief filling her eyes. She leaned forward, hands shaking. "But he just finished his exams and came home with a fever. I thought he'd caught malaria from studying outside," she insisted.
The doctor shook his head, extending the test results to her. "He'll need a proper care and antibiotics for his condition."
Bing leapt up, staring at him with wide eyes. "What? Doctor, this can't be! He's a child. You're mistaken; there must be a mix-up."
The doctor held up the test results. "I'm afraid not, ma'am. This is confirmed."
Bing's vision blurred, and she felt herself falling before she hit the floor, her forehead crashing into the tiled floor, reopening an old wound. Blood began to pool, and the doctor quickly called in two nurses.
Twenty minutes later, Bing lay unconscious in another room, breathing heavily, with bandages over her forehead wound. The medical staff looked on in sympathy.
When Paa arrived, he tried calling Bing's phone, but she didn't answer. Worried, he entered the hospital, greeting the nurses. One nurse, who recognized him from Zhan's previous visits, spoke softly, "One moment, sir."
She informed the doctor of Paa's arrival, and Paa was led to his office. "Is it that serious?" Paa asked as he sat down. "I need to see him."
The doctor sighed, "Is he your son?"
"Yes, he's my son," Paa replied.
The doctor took a breath. "I'm sorry, sir. Zhan was sexually assaulted, and he's tested positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea." Paa sat in silence, struggling to process this revelation. The doctor handed him the test results, observing the shock and sadness in his face.
The doctor continued, "Please try to stay calm, sir. Your wife is also here; she fainted when she heard the news and had to be placed on oxygen due to her blood pressure. She'll need your support, and please don't blame the boy. Youth make mistakes, and we must guide them."
Paa stood, murmuring, "It's… it's alright," but walked toward the restroom instead of the exit. The doctor pointed out the correct door, "Over there, sir. Take care of yourself, given your age."
In another room, a nurse checked Bing's vitals, noting that her blood pressure was still elevated. Bing slowly opened her eyes, seeing the nurse. "Where am I?" she murmured, then pulled out her IV and searched frantically for her phone to tell Paa they'd been discharged.
Finding Paa's missed calls, she tried to call him back, but he didn't answer. She sat on the floor, clutching her phone, and began crying. When she gathered herself, she found Zhang's ward and saw him sitting there, his head resting on his knees, weeping silently. The nurses and doctors left him to his sorrow, pitying the young boy.
Bing slumped against the wall, sobbing before approaching him. "What did I do to deserve this, Zhang? After all the love I've shown you? And now, you brought shame and illness upon us."
Zhang continued crying, unable to look at her. Bing's heart shattered, but she remembered Paa could arrive at any moment. With a shaky voice, she commanded, "Get up. Let's go home. You disgraceful liar. Off the bed, now." Zhang obeyed, his sobs echoing through the hall as they exited. Bing was so distraught she forgot to pay the hospital bills that Paa already settled.
Outside, she couldn't find the driver and had no patience to wait. She flagged down a cab, and they silently returned home. Bing wiped her tears before entering, throwing the driver his fare. Zhan trailed behind, wishing he could simply vanish.
As they entered, Bing glared at him. "If anyone asks, say it was malaria. We'll be back to hospital tomorrow morning." Zhan nodded numbly, his tears streaming down.
***
YiBo sat on the couch, trying to ask Lily about Zhan's health, but he hesitated. Although they'd only been on the phone for two minutes, she hadn't mentioned Zhan's condition. YiBo finally gathered his courage, asking, "How is he, Mom?"
"He's better. We'll be home tomorrow," Lily replied.
"Alright, see you then," he said, feeling an ache. Ending the call, he stared at his phone screen, missing his husband intensely. YiBo dialed Zhan's number for the third time, waiting as it rang out unanswered. Frustrated, he went to the living room to find Ru or Tin.
As Bing entered the living room, she noticed her sister Ren approaching from Paa's side of the house. Ren asked, "How is Zhang?"
"Better," Bing replied curtly, shoving Zhang ahead of her towards their side of the house. Ren returned to the living room, where the family doctor for Paa's brother was waiting. She escorted the doctor to Paa's room. Thirty minutes later, the doctor emerged, and Ren asked, "How is he, Doctor?"
"He needs to go to the hospital. His blood pressure is dangerously high."
Ren nodded, "Let me get ready to take him now." She quickly called Zhuo, instructing him to hurry to the house, and as she returned to her room, Bing entered Paa's quarters.
Paa lay there, breathing shallowly, but at the sight of Bing, he struggled to sit up and gestured towards the door. "Please leave. I don't want to see you, Bing. Take your son and leave my house."
Bing smirked slightly. "Leaving isn't the issue, Zhen. But we need to discuss treatment for Zhang."
"Zhang is your responsibility. Like Zhan, he's your son in every way," Bing said, her tone tense. He's Zhan's half-brother. We...we have a history you never know about.... "
The sound of keys dropping from behind them make them turn, and they locked eyes with Ren and Zhuo standing at the doorway, stunned at the revelations....
Zhanxianyibo💚♥️💛