Author
Here comes another different Yizhan story, this one is action - romance one, I slightly changed my writing style this time around. 😊 I know my stories are a bit confusing at the first few chapters, my apologies... If you don't understand or a bit confused, please ask me, i will try to explain with my poor English. 😄
Warning: 🚫 There are killings, kidnapping, violence, attempt and raping e.t.c.
Good Luck.
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1999, Siheyuan Hutong Beijing, China
09:30 PM
Lightning illuminated the stormy night sky, followed by the deafening roar of thunder that echoed across the heavens. The downpour, which had begun at 8 PM, intensified with every passing second. Moments later, the crackling thunder reverberated, the kind that pierced through the hearts of those with faith, reminding them of the Creator above.
However, among the unfaithful souls on earth that night, there was one man, an elderly figure, sitting silently in his 1999 Honda Prelude. His eyes darted around the deserted neighborhood street, ensuring there wasn't a single soul in sight. Satisfied, he turned to the back seat, where a newborn lay wrapped in a soft shawl adorned with yellow and blue patterns, peacefully asleep.
The avarage old man, bewildered, had stopped several times during his journey to check if the baby was still alive. His mind couldn't grasp how a baby less than two hours old could remain so silent—no cries for food, no yearning for the warmth of the mother who had just been taken from him.
Cradling the baby with both hands, the man noted how serene the child remained, unaware of the life-altering fate that awaited him on this stormy night. Another flash of lightning lit up the car, casting the faint outline of a familiar face onto the baby's features. It wasn't the resemblance that struck the man but rather the vivid vision of his brother's face, a mirror image of the baby before him.
Unshaken by the emotional turmoil, the man's resolve remained steadfast. He had come too far to turn back now. Gently pulling the shawl tighter around the baby, he tucked him inside his coat, opened the car door, and stepped out into the rain. The sound of the downpour and thunder engulfed him as he made his way down the street.
He didn't count how many houses he passed, only stopping when his heart settled on one that seemed right. His clothes were soaked, and the baby's shawl clung to him, damp from the rain. The courtyard of the house was narrow and dimly lit—perfect for his intentions. Without hesitation, he entered.
In one corner of the courtyard stood three large stones marking the remains of an old, traditional cooking spot. Kneeling there, the man placed the baby down gently between the stones, wrapping the shawl more tightly around him. The baby stirred slightly, likely reacting to the coldness of the rain, but the man's heart was resolute. Closing his eyes, he whispered a silent prayer, stood up, and hurriedly left, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and triumph.
At precisely 9:58 PM that night, the cries of the abandoned baby pierced through the walls of the house, reaching the ears of its unsuspecting residents.
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Present Day
7:30 AM, He Jun's House
"I swear, if you don't give me back my shoes right now, I'll make sure you regret it!"
Hui, an eleven-year-old boy, lay sprawled on the floor of their room, glaring at his younger brother, Jie, who was busy polishing the shoes he intended to wear to school. Without looking up, Jie retorted, "Well, I'm wearing them. When Mama bought you a new pair and you ruined mine, did I say anything? Now that mine are worn out, I'm taking these."
Hui's frustration boiled over. His entire body ached from a lingering fever, but he wouldn't let that stop him. If not for his weakness, he'd have made sure to teach Jie a lesson, just as he always did.
"I swear to God, if I get up, you'll regret ever stepping foot in this house!"
From the far corner of the courtyard, their mother, Ma Jing, who was tending to the firewood stove, glared into the room. "How many times have I told you not to use such threats against your siblings, Hui? Is this how I raised you in this house?, always swearing and cousing each other..."
Before she could finish, her eldest daughter, Xiao, entered carrying a bucket of ground millet, followed closely by Tao, the third child, lugging another smaller bucket. They placed them beside Ma Jing, who continued struggling to ignite the fire.
Meanwhile, their youngest sibling, Yu, stumbled out of the room, his shirt soaked in urine. Crying loudly, he wailed about an ant bite, but Ma Jing paid him no mind, focused instead on her cooking. Hui resumed his bickering with Jie, now demanding Xiao intervene, while Jie threatened to topple Xiao if she dared to help.
And so, the chaos of another morning unfolded in He Jun's household.
At that moment, a young woman emerged from the direction of the house's bathroom, her lips twisted in annoyance. She glanced at Ma Jing and said sharply:
"Seriously, Ma Jing, your yelling is unbearable! Every morning, it's chaos because of your kids. Can't we ever get a moment's peace?"
She turned toward Jie's side.
"And you two! Keep it up, won't you? Hao didn't go to work today, and if Kai were here, you'd both be in for it. Keep messing around and see what happens—you'll get the beating of your lives. I hope one of you even breaks something this time."
Ma Jing snapped back angrily.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my children's business, Ning? If anyone's out of control in this house, it's you—a freeloader with no direction!"
She continued, her voice rising.
"Just like everyone else here, my kids have every right to exist in this house. Nobody has the authority to touch them, no matter what."
Before Ning could respond, her mother, often referred to as Mama, lifted the curtain of her room on the left side of the courtyard and stepped out.
"If you dare call my children bastards one more time, Ma Jing, I swear you'll regret it. And let's be clear, if anyone in this house resembles bastards, it's those dark-skinned brats of yours. No one even knows who they take after! If anyone gets beaten today, I'll personally make sure it's them."
Ma Jing clapped her hands together in mock laughter.
"Oh, really? Then we'd have a real scandal in this house for the first time this week. And let's be honest, if there's going to be any beating, it'll be my kids doing it. They're old enough now to fight back. As for this bastard nonsense—please, we've been dealing with that in this house long before I arrived. Why don't you go upstairs and ask our husband to explain where my kids came from? He knows the whole story."
Ning, furious, cut her off.
"Don't you dare drag Baba into this! The poor man has enough to deal with without you and your mess ruining his life. Ever since you stepped into this house, it's been nothing but chaos."
Ma Jing burst into laughter, a sound so sharp and mocking that even her children, who were standing silently, couldn't help but grin.
"Look who's talking about love and peace in the morning! And let's not forget—before I got here, wasn't your precious father so madly in love with your mother that he divorced her after he gave her that orphan child to raise?"
Those words hit Zhan, who was still lying quietly in their room, like a hammer. He had been waiting for this moment, knowing it was inevitable. Ever since the argument began, he knew it would eventually circle back to him.
In this household, arguments were a ritual, and it was an unspoken rule that no fight ended without someone bringing up his questionable parentage. Words like "bastard" and "orphan" had been burned into his memory since he was old enough to understand them.
Growing up, Zhan had heard his postermother say things to her children like:
"At least you know who your parents are. Be grateful you're not like those abandoned children whose parents toss them out like trash."
Or during arguments:
"Say what you want about me, but at least I wasn't dumped in the streets like someone we know."
These words, or variations of them, were a daily part of Zhan's life. The word "hit" didn't just mean physical blows in this house. It also meant verbal attacks—insults from both adults and children. Even the younger kids, whom Zhan was older than, would call him names without hesitation. Ma Jing's children were no exception; they had fully embraced the habit of calling him every derogatory term they could think of, as though it were his given name.
Zhan's eyes snapped open as the shouting in the courtyard grew louder. This time, one of Mama's sons, Kai, had joined the fray. From his room upstairs, he leaned over the railing, throwing sharp insults at Ma Jing, who shot back without missing a beat.
Unlike others in the household, Kai was bold enough to challenge Ma Jing directly, often intervening on behalf of his mother. Hao, the eldest son, was the only one in the family who commanded universal respect—or at least fear. Even Ma Jing would quiet down whenever he spoke.
Wei, was known for avoiding unnecessary conflict within the household. Even his own mother had to work hard to get him to involve himself in any disputes, which is why Ma Jing didn't dare to treat him with the same disregard she showed Kai.
"If you don't come downstairs and dispose of that trash for me, I swear you'll regret it, Kai! Imagine, with your father married to me, I still have to endure this nonsense. Kids claiming this house is theirs, yet we're blamed just because our trade helps us survive!" Ma Jing's voice rang louder than Mama's or Ning's, echoing across the compound.
Before she could finish her tirade, the sound of Kai's footsteps descending from the upstairs quarters interrupted her. His voice boomed as he retorted, "Are you cursing me? Am I even your child? If I don't deal with you and that trash you keep piling up, then I…"
Before Kai could finish his sentence and escalate further, their father's calm yet commanding voice silenced the argument. From his upstairs room, he intervened, his quiet tone enough to subdue everyone.
Zhan had anticipated this moment long before it happened. Knowing his adopted father's routine, he figured it was only a matter of time before he stepped in. Every morning, their father, He Jun...whom everyone called Baba, would meditate and read after his early exercise. He'd then take a short nap and wouldn't rise again until around ten. That was when one of the wives would bring him his breakfast and water for a bath before he prepared for the day.
Zhan didn't catch exactly what Baba said to Kai or the rest of the family since Baba rarely raised his voice. But judging by the way Kai retreated back upstairs and the quarrel died down, Zhan could guess it was enough to restore order. Ning and Mama disappeared into their rooms, while Ma Jing continued grumbling in the courtyard with her children.
Zhan glanced at the two people still fast asleep on the mattress beside him—Min and Lin. Despite all the noise, they hadn't stirred. Their peaceful slumber stood in stark contrast to the chaos around them. Zhan knew that once they woke, Mama would recount everything that had happened, and Min, with her audacity, might even confront Ma Jing later, especially if she knew Baba wasn't home. The insults and drama would undoubtedly start all over again.
Zhan sighed, feeling a heavy weight settle on his chest. He had lost count of how many times he had imagined a day when his father's passing would lead to something catastrophic. The constant tension in the household felt unbearable, as if it would boil over into violence at any moment. The fights weren't limited to Ma Jing and her children—they extended even to Mama's children. One moment there was peace, and the next, a heated argument would erupt, making it seem like siblings were enemies.
Baba was the only one who could command order, with the exception of Hao, Mama's eldest son. Hao, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, didn't tolerate disrespect from anyone, not even Ma Jing. Mama took pride in him and often leaned on his authority.
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He Jun, or Baba, was a man of admirable character...calm, wise, and firm. His parents were originally from the rural village of Shenyang, but his father had secured a job caring for horses in the palace of a nobleman. This brought the family into the city of Siheyuan Hutong, where they settled. He Jun's father worked in the palace until his death, and despite having just one child, he and his wife dedicated themselves to raising him with discipline and education.
He Jun grew up during his youth as a promising and upright young man. After completing his education, his father passed away, leaving He Jun to venture into business. With dedication and effort, he prospered and soon married Lu Fei...Mama.
Their marriage was born out of love, a union envied by others. Young women often remarked how lucky Lu Fei was to have found someone like He Jun. She entered his home wholeheartedly, embracing not only him but also his mother, who lived with them. Their early years were filled with love and harmony.
Ten months into their marriage, they welcomed their first son, Hao, named after He Jun's father. The child's health and happiness only reinforced Mama's belief that she had made the right choice in marrying He Jun. At the time, He Jun's business was flourishing, and life seemed perfect.
However, within a year, tragedy struck. He Jun's mother passed away unexpectedly. Her death was deeply felt by everyone, especially Lu Fei, who had grown fond of her mother-in-law. She often reflected on how the woman had shown her nothing but kindness and respect during their time together.
Despite their grief, life moved forward. Lu Fei continued having children: Rui, whom they called Mimi, came after Hao, followed by Kai, Wei, and finally Ning.
After Ning, she didn't have any more children for four years. Then she gave birth to Min, but by that time, Zhan's adopted family's financial situation had started to decline. They managed to make ends meet, but when Min was just three months old, another misfortune struck.
One rainy night, someone left a newborn baby boy at their doorstep, and that's Zhan.
The house was filled with concerned neighbors, all gathered despite the late hour and heavy downpour. He Jun stood in the middle of the commotion, holding the infant, and announced firmly that he would take responsibility for the child. He called it a blessing.
From where Lu Fei stood, shock rooted her in place. Given their financial struggles at the time—five mouths to feed, plus the newborn Min—she couldn't understand her husband's decision. Suspicion even flickered in her mind, though her faith in him ultimately kept it at bay. Still, she wondered why he would take on such a burden when they were already stretched thin.
Despite the community's gossip, police reports, and administrative processes He Jun endured and finally adopt the newborn baby, his wife Lu Fei outright refused to nurse the baby. She stated firmly that she would look after him out of decency, but only if they found other ways to feed him. The baby, named Zhan, was given cow's milk and other baby foods his father provided.
It was Lu Fei who eventually named him. On the baby's seventh day, He Jun casually asked, "What will we call our new boy?"
She turned to him, clearly irritated. "Stop calling him ours. As for a name, there's a simple one—Zhan. It's common enough everywhere you go."
He Jun chuckled and looked at the baby cradled in his arms. "Did you hear that? Your name is ZHAN!"
And that was how the baby got his name—no ceremony, just a matter-of-fact decision. At the time, even if Zhan's father had the means for a proper naming ceremony, his wife's unease about the child would have overshadowed it.
Zhan's older sister, Rui, whom everyone called Mimi, was instrumental in raising Zhan. Mature and responsible like their father, Mimi took charge of the baby's care from the beginning. She adored him, especially because their father clearly did. To Zhan, Rui was the closest thing he had to a mother. She cared for him, taught him, and protected him.
At first, Lu Fei scolded Mimi for giving Zhan more attention than Min, but Mimi always argued back. "Mama, Min has you. Zhan only has Baba, and you can see how the others treat him. If I leave him, they'll destroy him."
Lu Fei, frustrated, would snap, "Let him be destroyed! His own parents abandoned him, so why should we bear the burden?"
As a result, Zhan endured scolding, ridicule, and rejection not just from his Lu Fei but also from other family members, neighbors, and even passersby. It was only the love of Mimi and his father that gave him strength.
When Zhan grew older, the family's financial situation began to improve significantly. His father completed the construction of their new home in a wealthy neighborhood, Modern Hutong Beijing. The house was a large, walled property with a spacious courtyard, flanked by a two-story structure. The ground floor featured two large bedrooms, each with its own sitting room and bathroom, along with a kitchen and an additional bathroom in the courtyard.
Upstairs, there was a smaller central courtyard with a balcony overlooking the one below, flanked by two large bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. The most luxurious part of the house was Zhan's father's private part, which included a large sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom.
The new house marked a turning point for the family, but the emotional scars from Zhan's early years remained. Mimi's unwavering care and their father's love were the only constants in his life, providing him with a sense of belonging amidst the chaos.
The house was spaciously built, offering plenty of room, and at the time, the family was filled with joy about moving in. However, just as the preparations for the move were in full swing, Zhan's father announced his intention to take a second wife.
This revelation shattered Lu Fei's happiness and pride over their improved financial status. Overwhelmed by jealousy, she caused such a commotion that it escalated to the point where Zhan's father gave her a conditional divorce. It took a lot of persuasion from relatives and friends before she was allowed to return.
For Zhan, this tumultuous period offered some reprieve, as his poster mother became entirely preoccupied with the new wife, Ma Jing. All her anger, resentment, and focus shifted toward dealing with Ma Jing, who confidently moved into the new house.
From the very beginning, the household was anything but peaceful. Ma Jing, whom Zhan's father had met through her food-selling business, came into their lives with confidence bolstered by his love for her. He was so smitten that he overlooked any flaws in her behavior and married her....Thought not legally but traditional marriage.
MA Jing used this to her advantage. With her husband's unwavering affection and the knowledge that his first marriage had already been tested by her presence, she became bold. Her actions disrupted the household, and her disrespectful attitude was felt by everyone. Things worsened when she began having children—starting with her first daughter, Xiao, followed by sons Hui, Jie, Tao, and, later, Yu.
Zhan's mother's jealousy intensified, especially when she saw Ma Jing giving birth to sons. Feeling humiliated and determined to compete, she announced that she, too, would have another child, despite the fact that she hadn't conceived since giving birth to her youngest daughter, Yue, years before Ma Jing even entered the picture.
Her obsession with proving herself blinded her to reason. Despite warnings from doctors after Yue's birth that her health wouldn't allow another pregnancy, she insisted it was all a result of some curse or scheme by Ma Jing. The household became a battleground of accusations and conflicts. Zhan's father struggled to keep the peace, but the day Ma Jing gave birth to a strong, healthy boy, she and her relatives gloated openly. They celebrated her as the wife who bore sons, while Zhan's mother and her supporters were left seething.
Amidst all this chaos, Zhan felt increasingly isolated. He didn't understand the rivalry, nor why so much weight was placed on the birth of sons. All he knew was that the family dynamic became more toxic by the day.
Financially, things took a downward turn for Zhan's father. A series of unexplained losses drained their resources, leaving the family to depend on his single remaining farm in their rural hometown. Kai, one of the older children, partnered with him in managing the farm, but their efforts were limited. Hao, on the other hand, had never shown interest in the family's business and instead focused on his mechanic work.
Ma Jing often taunted Zhan's mother, blaming her for their financial troubles and accusing Kai of being irresponsible. With Zhan's father aging and wishing for rest, he couldn't fully entrust the farm's management to Kai alone, which only deepened the family's struggles.
At that time, the only thing Zhan's father could manage consistently for the household was providing food, ensuring his family wouldn't feel ashamed of their situation. Occasionally, he'd go the extra mile to buy clothes for everyone once a year, and he remained committed to supporting Wei's medical studies at the university. However, even Wei had to take on side hustles, knowing his father couldn't shoulder all the expenses alone.
As a result, anything beyond basic needs or occasional indulgences was out of reach. To make up for this, Zhan's father allowed his wives to start small businesses to support themselves and their children.
This is how Ma Jing began her food-selling business, a trade she had inherited from her family. Early in the morning, she would prepare fried millet cake, which the entire neighborhood praised. By noon, she'd cook large pots of rice with assorted salads. Her eldest daughter, Xiao, often skipped school to help prepare the salads and grind the spices. In the evening, MA Jing's son Hui would sell fried Tufo on the streets.
Because of her business, Ma Jing and her children always appeared cheerful and well-off, doing whatever they pleased, partly to flaunt their success in front of Zhan's mother and siblings. Her efforts also eased the burden on Zhan's father, as she rarely asked him for household expenses. This kept her in his good graces, despite the underlying tension in the family.
Zhan's mother, however, openly refused to engage in any strenuous work, claiming her age entitled her to rest. Her daughters, Ning and Min, shared her mindset and refused to contribute, leaving the family dependent on whatever Zhan's father provided and the occasional support from her sons.
Later, after the passing of one of her childless sisters, Zhan's mother inherited a large double door fridge and a few other items from her estate. She used these to start a business selling cold water, which became popular with the locals, especially those who came to buy Ma Jing's cooked rice and salads.
On days when Ning and her friends weren't available to help, she'd assign Min to prepare ginger drinks, which were in high demand. However, her lack of discipline and inconsistency meant the business often struggled, especially on days when her daughters were at school. Over time, customers stopped asking for the ginger drinks, and it became a rare occurrence.
This was the reality of life in He Jun's household—a delicate balance of small victories and persistent struggles. Yet none of them knew that the fragile harmony they relied on would soon be tested. The single pillar of respect they all clung to was swaying, and its eventual fall would bring a cascade of unforeseen consequences, each with its own unique challenges written by fate.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛