Yibo sat on the chair beside the hospital bed, leaning his head back with his eyes closed. Hai Kuan stood by the window, scrolling through his phone. Every now and then, he glanced over at the bed where Zhan lay unconscious. He had been out cold since morning and only briefly regained consciousness around 1 p.m., but was immediately given another injection, which knocked him back to sleep. Now, it was almost 4 p.m.
Noticing some movement, Hai Kuan put his phone in his pocket and walked over. He leaned in slightly, watching Zhan. Slowly, Zhan opened his eyes. As soon as he saw Hai Kuan, he tried to sit up, but Hai Kuan gently held his arm and said, "Don't hurt yourself...you've still got a drip in your hand."
Yibo immediately opened his eyes and stood up, holding onto Zhan. "Are you okay, little bro?" he asked with concern.
Zhan only looked around the hospital room in confusion. Yibo realized he was trying to recall what happened. He carefully helped him lie back down and said softly, "Just relax. You're going to be okay."
Zhan's eyes drifted from one person to the next, as if he was seeing them for the first time. His head felt heavy, and even his chest throbbed with sharp pain. He placed a hand on his chest and tried to speak but couldn't.
"You feel pain here?" Yibo asked, still holding him.
Zhan nodded silently as tears welled up in his eyes. Yibo knew it was inevitable....Zhan had suffered a serious panic attack that had triggered his asthma. Yibo had been trying to keep him stable even before they reached the hospital, and once admitted, Zhan had been given immediate treatment.
Yibo adjusted the pillow against the bed frame and rested Zhan gently on it. "You'll feel better soon," he whispered.
Hai Kuan returned to his spot near the window, quietly watching them. Yibo opened the thermos Aunt Marquis had brought...she had just left the hospital less than half an hour ago. He made a small cup of tea, diluted it with bottled water, and offered it to Zhan.
"Try to drink a little," he said. "Even just a few sips. They need to give you an injection for the chest pain."
Zhan didn't respond....he seemed lost in thought. Yibo sat down at the edge of the bed, watching him. After a pause, he spoke gently again. "Baby... drink the tea. Just a little."
Zhan lowered his gaze, still not responding. Just then, Yibo's phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and saw it was Qiren. He answered and nodded, saying, "Yes, he's awake now."
After speaking, he looked at Zhan and offered the phone to him. "Do you want to talk to Baba?"
Zhan simply shook his head, not even looking at him. Yibo put the phone back to his ear. "I'll call you back later, Baba."
After ending the call, he set the phone down and looked at Zhan, who was clearly in pain, though he said nothing. Yibo placed the cup on the side and stepped out of the ward to speak with the doctor about administering a stronger injection to help Zhan feel better.
Hai Kuan remained in the room, arms crossed, silently watching Zhan. Zhan looked up and locked eyes with him, but quickly looked away as tears rolled down his cheeks. Hai Kuan leaned his head against the wall, overwhelmed with emotion, unsure of what to say. He wished more than anything he could take Zhan's pain away.
When Yibo returned with the doctor, his phone rang again. He checked the screen....it was Min. She had called over forty times that day. Ever since morning, she hadn't stopped calling, and he hadn't picked up even once. He'd simply silenced the phone and left it in his pocket.
Leaving the doctor in the corridor, Yibo stepped aside to answer the call.
Before he could even speak, Min's irritated voice came through. "So since we're officially married... rings exchanged, vows said....you vanish? Not even a single text from you, let alone a call? I've been trying to reach you all day, and I know you've seen my calls! Don't act like you haven't!"
She continued without pause, "Every bride spends her wedding day with her husband, but here I am....ignored and forgotten. Have you already forgotten what today is to me? You think anyone only gets one chance to live this day?"
Yibo let her rant for a moment before calmly responding. "Are you trying to tell me you didn't know my brother has been unconscious in a hospital bed all day? I stayed long enough to exchange vows with you...I did my best, since I didn't leave you standing at the altar."
Min scoffed. "And how exactly was I supposed to know? I'm not a mind reader, and I'm not living in your house, so how could I have known?"
Yibo replied, his tone firmer now. "If it weren't for my father insisting the wedding take place today, I would've postponed it. I wasn't in the right frame of mind to get married when my brother in this condition."
Min's voice rose. "Oh, so because your brother is sick, you wanted to postpone our wedding?"
Yibo snapped, "Watch your words. I only went through with it out of respect for my father. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done it....not today. How do you expect me to get married and be happy when my brother is lying unconscious in a hospital bed?"
Min was too stunned to speak. The line went quiet, and then Yibo ended the call.
He stepped back into the ward. The doctor turned to him and said, "We'll be administering another round of injections soon, so please encourage him to eat or drink something."
Yibo said, "Thank you, Doctor."
He moved closer to Zhan, picked up the tea, and looked at him with a calm voice. "Please, just drink a little, baby."
Zhan shook his head slowly, tears welling up in his eyes. He still didn't say a word. Yibo pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his tears. "Please, just drink a little, okay?"
Hai Kuan stood nearby, quietly watching them.
Yibo's phone began ringing. Seeing the caller, he picked it up and gave directions to their ward before ending the call. He continued gently coaxing Zhan to drink the tea, but Zhan wouldn't even acknowledge him, let alone take a sip.
A few minutes later, the ward door opened. Everyone looked up. Zhan's eyes followed Dr. Kexing as he walked in.
He approached Hai Kuan first. They exchanged a handshake and greeted each other.
Yibo stood up from where he had been sitting by the bed, shook the doctor's hand.
Dr. Kexing asked, "How is he feeling now?"
Yibo replied, "Better, I think."
Zhan was still staring at the doctor.
Dr. Kexing slowly walked up to the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
Fresh tears welled up in Zhan's eyes. Dr. Kexing instinctively placed a hand on the bed beside him and said softly, "Please… stay strong, Zhan. Everything's going to be okay."
Zhan lowered his head, but the tears wouldn't stop. Dr. Kexing felt an overwhelming urge to hold him close and comfort him. He had seen Zhan cry before, but never like this...it broke his heart.
A nurse entered the room after knocking lightly. She looked at Yibo and asked, "Has he had the tea?"
"Not yet," Yibo replied, "but he will now."
The nurse nodded. "Okay, he's due for an injection. I'll come back in a few minutes."
She left the room.
Dr. Kexing looked at the untouched cup of tea beside the bed, picked it up, and handed it to Zhan. "Please drink a little. The injection will be easier if you do."
Zhan looked up at him, then, without resistance, took the cup and brought it slowly to his lips.
Yibo felt a weight lift off his chest watching him finally drink it. He stepped outside the room.
Hai Kuan turned and followed him out.
Zhan watched them both leave. He didn't realize when he set the cup down....he just broke into tears.
Dr. Kexing immediately turned, alarmed. "Zhan, please don't cry like this. You had a panic attack..."
In a shaky voice, Zhan looked at him and asked, "But where can I find my real parents?"
The question hit Dr. Kexing hard. He was silent for a moment before sitting gently by the bed.
"Zhan," he said slowly, "don't do that to yourself. Mr. and Mrs. Wang are your parents, and they will always be your family."
Zhan continued to cry, wounded and fragile.
Dr. Kexing leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, wishing he could take away all of Zhan's pain.
The nurse returned with the injection. "Has he had the tea?" she asked.
Dr. Kexing stood, brought the cup to Zhan's lips again. "Please, drink a bit more so she can give you the shot."
Zhan didn't resist this time. He took the cup from the doctor and sipped slowly, barely able to get it down. Dr. Kexing encouraged him the whole time until most of the tea was gone.
Finally, Zhan handed back the cup, shaking his head. "I feel like I'm going to throw up."
Dr. Kexing put the remaining tea on the overbed table and stepped aside as the nurse moved in to administer the injection.
He turned to leave the room, but before he could open the door, Zhan spoke faintly. "You're not leaving… are you?"
Dr. Kexing turned, looking at him the same way Zhan was looking back.
"I'll wait outside while she gives you the shot," he said gently.
Zhan nodded.
Dr. Kexing stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Once the nurse finished and left, he returned.
He noticed the tears still in Zhan's eyes. "Are you crying because of the injection?" he asked, half-joking, trying to lighten the mood.
Zhan didn't respond or look at him.
Then, as if recalling something, Dr. Kexing turned and said, "I'll be going now."
Zhan's voice, faint but sharp, cut through the silence. "Will you come back?"
Dr. Kexing paused. "Are you afraid of something?"
Zhan shook his head slowly, wiping at his eyes. "I'm just not comfortable around them anymore."
Dr. Kexing was quiet for a moment.
Finally, he said softly, "I'm not leaving you."
And with that, he stepped out again.
Zhan lay back down, Granny Ai's words spinning around his mind like they were being spoken all over again.
Suddenly, he broke into sobs. His heart felt like it was tearing apart.
He didn't even know how long he had been crying when the door opened.
Quickly, he shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Yibo's voice came close. "Baby?"
Still, Zhan didn't open his eyes.
Yibo set down the fruits he had bought from outside and took a seat on the plastic chair nearby, assuming Zhan was asleep.
A few minutes later, Hai Kuan entered. Looking at Yibo, he said, "I'll head home now to check on Mama."
"Alright," Yibo replied.
Then he left.
Yibo's phone buzzed... it was vibrating nonstop.
Min had been calling since he stepped out earlier. Ten missed calls in less than fifteen minutes.
He finally picked up.
Without a greeting, Min launched in, upset. "Yibo, what's going on with our reception? It's already 4 o'clock and there's no sign of your friends or any cars like we discussed!"
Yibo didn't even know how to respond at first. The disappointment in his eyes was deep.
"Hello?" Min pressed.
"I hear you," Yibo replied calmly.
"Then why are you silent? Didn't we agree there would be no delays? We should've all been there by now!"
"Min."
"I'm listening."
"You and your friends and relatives can go ahead with the reception. I, my family, and my friends won't be attending."
Min froze. "What?? What do you mean, Yibo?"
"I meant exactly what I said," he replied coolly. "And I'm sure your mom and her sisters have already told you about Zhan's condition... since they visited him around one in the afternoon."
Min, now furious, snapped back, "This is ridiculous, Yibo! I'm not letting someone else ruin the most important day of my life. This is something that only happens once! Why can't someone else in your family sit with him? Why does it have to be you?"
Still calm, Yibo asked, "You're referring to Zhan as 'someone else'?"
"Yes, I am!" Min cried. "The whole world knows now...he's not even really your brother! Your parents didn't even give birth to him!"
Yibo stood abruptly. "You've crossed a line, Min. If you say one more word about Zhan today, I swear I'll end this marriage right now...no hesitation, no second thoughts, no regrets."
Min was so shocked she couldn't even speak.
He ended the call with a curt, "Nonsense."
Zhan had heard every word. The only thing falling from his eyes now were silent tears.
The door to the ward opened, and Aunt Marquis walked in, carrying a basket of food. Yibo, who was still burning with anger over what Min had said about Zhan, moved quickly to take the basket from her hands and said, "Welcome."
Aunt Marquis looked over at Zhan quietly. "Has he woken up?" she asked.
Yibo nodded. "He did earlier, but he's sleeping again now. He was given an injection."
Aunt Marquis sat down heavily on the chair, her face burdened with worry. They were also discussing the possibility of admitting Lan Yi to the hospital because her condition had not improved. She gently held her head in her hands and said, "Dr. Kexing's relatives came and packed up their things. Let me tell you, Yibo, it was disgraceful. I've never seen such rude, heartless people in my life."
"You should've seen what they did. If not for Aunt Ai and one of your neighbors, who stood up to them, it would've been worse. The sad part is, they were the ones who started it, throwing insults left and right. Aunt Ai snapped and fired back at them. It was a scene, Yibo, a real mess. And now it's the whole neighborhood that's whispering. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder...did that boy ever even intend to marry Zhan with his parents' approval?"
"All signs point to the fact that they never supported this marriage, even before things blew up."
Yibo stayed silent, watching her, unsure what to say.
Aunt Marquis shook her head, frustration in her expression. "Honestly, maybe it's better the wedding didn't happen. It's painful, but not as painful as all this drama I've witnessed today."
The door opened again. Dr. Kexing stepped into the ward. Yibo quickly lowered his head and quietly said to Aunt Marquis, "Please, don't say anything. That's him."
Aunt Marquis turned to look at Dr. Kexing, whom she didn't recognize. He walked in politely and greeted her. She gave him a curt nod and turned her head away coldly.
Dr. Kexing set down a bag of fruit beside the bed. Yibo gave a faint smile. "I bought some for him too, but he was asleep when I arrived."
"Oh, okay," Dr. Kexing said.
All the while, Zhan was pretending to be asleep, but every word was sharp in his ears. Only he knew what his body truly felt....especially the pounding pain in his chest and head. Dr. Kexing turned to leave, feeling discouraged by the cold reception from Aunt Marquis.
"You're not leaving, are you?" Yibo asked.
Zhan couldn't help but open his eyes quickly when he heard Yibo's words. But he kept his movements subtle, not wanting them to notice. His heart was racing, pounding in his chest.
Dr. Kexing gave a small smile. "No, I'll be outside."
"Alright," Yibo said.
Dr. Kexing walked out and gently pulled the door closed behind him.
Fuming, Aunt Marquis snapped, "What does he think he's doing here again? What nonsense is this now?"
Yibo spoke softly. "Auntie, he's not the one at fault here. His father's side of the family has been behind all this. It wasn't his choice to call off the wedding. It was out of his control. You saw what his parents said."
Aunt Marquis scoffed loudly. "Then what good is him being here now? It's better if he just leaves. I don't want to see his face, honestly. Let him go. Let our son find peace again. Before I lose my temper and say something I'll regret, you better ask him to leave."
Yibo was at a loss for words, seeing how upset she was.
She continued, "This is just disgraceful. Imagine if Zhan wakes up and sees him here...things might get worse."
Trying to change the subject, Yibo asked, "What about Granny Fang Yu?"
Aunt Marquis sighed. "She's been very upset. She was even thinking of going to Yantai herself to confront Shu...if we hadn't stopped her. You know Shu ran off back there after everything. Granny Fang Yu wanted to tell her paternal relatives what Shu did, but we stopped her. Right now, that's not what matters. Our focus is on Zhan recovering, calming down, and Lan Yi Jie getting better too."
Yibo nodded, deep in thought, wondering what he'd do if he came face-to-face with Shu again.
Aunt Marquis stood up. "I should go back home to be with Lan Yi Jie. Please call me if he wakes up, alright? Mother wanted to come too, but I told her to wait until he wakes. We had to lie and say no one was allowed to visit just so we could get a break from all the chaos. Otherwise, the whole hospital would've been filled with people."
Yibo simply nodded and escorted her to the door.
As they stepped out, Aunt Marquis asked, "Has your father come by yet?"
Yibo shook his head and replied, "He left around two o'clock."
Aunt Marquis didn't say another word as they stepped out into the hospital courtyard. They found Dr. Kexing sitting under a tree. He stood up politely and said, "Take care, Aunt."
Aunt Marquis acted like she didn't hear him, got into her car, and drove off.
Yibo felt uneasy. He walked over to Dr. Kexing and said, "Let me make some calls. You can go inside for now...there's no one around."
Dr. Kexing nodded. "Okay." He headed back into the hospital while Yibo took a seat under the tree.
Yibo had stayed back thinking that if Zhan woke up, maybe he'd eat something from Dr. Kexing hands. Earlier, when he gave him tea, Zhan had accepted it without fuss.
As Dr. Kexing entered the ward, Zhan turned toward the familiar scent of his cologne. Dr. Kexing walked to the bedside and glanced at the IV, which was now halfway through. In a low voice, he asked, he said "Are you still feeling pain in your chest?"
Zhan shook his head. The injections had brought some relief...he wasn't in as much pain as before.
Dr. Kexing adjusted the drip flow slightly, then opened the basket Aunt Marquis had brought. Inside the food warmer was a fragrant dish of liver-irish porridge. Despite Lan Yi's condition, she hadn't forgotten what Zhan could eat when he was unwell. She'd instructed Aunt Marquis to prepare it for him. There was even a pepper kidney soup on the side.
Zhan kept his eyes on Dr. Kexing, who served a portion into a bowl, placed a spoon in it, and handed it over gently.
"Please, try to eat a little," he said softly.
Tears welled up in Zhan's eyes. The words Dr. Kexing had spoken to him the day he brought food and medicine came rushing back. He finally understood what he meant when he'd said, "As long as i don't leave you, you have no reason to go." Dr. Kexing had known all along and hadn't told him.
Before he knew it, Zhan broke into sobs, burying his face in the pillow.
Dr. Kexing quickly set the plate down on the overbed table. "Are you okay?" he asked in concern.
Through his tears, Zhan looked up and said, "Why did my real parents abandon me? Where can I find them?"
"No, Zhan," Dr. Kexing said calmly. "Don't be ungrateful. Would you really dismiss everything Mr. and Mrs. Wang have done for you? What have they not given you as parents? Love? Care? Support?"
Still crying, Zhan said, "But I need to know who my real parents are. I can't stop looking at them like strangers now. I'll never feel truly comfortable again. All these years... why didn't anyone tell me..." His voice broke off into sobs again.
Dr. Kexing sat silently, watching him. He understood how it felt...to be told you don't belong. Nothing could erase that feeling.
Just imagining someone telling him that his mother Wu wasn't his real mother made his chest tighten. The shock, confusion, and sense of betrayal were enough to drag someone into a deep spiral.
Zhan reached out and gripped his hand tightly, unable to speak. His crying shook Dr. Kexing to the core. He wrapped his fingers around Zhan's hand and said gently, "I'll never let you down, Zhan. Trust me. Let's get married somewhere quiet, just us. I'll give you every bit of love and care you deserve. And I promise you...on my life...I'll help you find your biological parents."
Zhan couldn't speak. He just cried.
"Will you come with me?" Dr. Kexing asked.
Barely nodding, Zhan whispered, "Your family didn't even like me before they knew who I really was. They might disown you."
Dr. Kexing cut him off sharply. "I don't care. As long as it's not my mom doing the disowning, I'll face anything for you, Zhan."
Zhan wiped his eyes, his voice low. "Where would we even go?"
"We'll figure that out after the wedding," he said, smiling gently.
Zhan stared at him, saying nothing.
In a low voice, Dr. Kexing added, "When Dr. Yibo comes in, tell him you need your phone. I'm sure he'll go home to get it. While he's gone, I'll find a way for us to leave this hospital."
He barely finished his sentence when the ward door opened. They quickly let go of each other's hands.
Dr. Kexing stood, picked up the bowl of Irish porridge, and handed it to Zhan, who accepted it quietly.
Yibo entered the room. Barely two minutes passed before Dr. Kexing said, "Let me grab something outside."
Yibo nodded. "Okay." Dr. Kexing stepped out.
Yibo approached Zhan, who was stirring his food absentmindedly with a spoon. He felt like a stranger now, and Zhan refused to even look at him.
Yibo spoke gently. "Baby..."
Without looking up, Zhan, his voice shaky, said, "I... I want my phone."
Yibo's heart sank at how distant he'd become just by being near him. In a soft voice, he said, "I'm your brother Zhan, your Gege..."
For the first time, Zhan raised his eyes and looked at him.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛