Yibo lowered his voice and looked at him, saying, "I know you to be a very strong young man, Zhan. Please be patient… This is the path life has given us, and we have to accept it. But today, tomorrow, and always...you're still our family. Nothing will ever change that."
Zhan lowered his head, quietly wiping away the tears that had begun to fall. Yibo sat on the chair beside the bed and said softly, "Please stop crying, it's hurting me. You know I hate to see you cry, Baby bro. Tell me...are you in any pain?"
Zhan shook his head without looking at him, though the tears wouldn't stop. The truth had been revealed: he wasn't their blood, and now everyone knew. Yibo gently took his hand and said, "I think we can go home now. I'll keep checking on you there."
Zhan quickly pulled his hand away and looked at him sharply after hearing what he said. Yibo felt a pang at Zhan's reaction, but he still said gently, "Maybe if Mama sees you, she'll feel a little better too. You know she's unwell, and she refused to be admitted to the hospital. She's seriously sick."
Zhan lowered his head again. Yibo added, "When we get home, you can do whatever you want with your phone." Zhan didn't respond. Yibo stood and said, "Let me go to the doctor's office to complete the discharge paperwork." He gave Zhan one last look before leaving the ward.
Less than five minutes later, Dr. Kexing walked in. Zhan stared at him as he approached the bed. Dr. Kexing spoke quietly, "I just spoke with my Mom...she sends her regards. I told her you couldn't talk right now…"
Zhan looked away and said softly, "Yibo ge said they're discharging us. We'll be going home." Then, his voice broke, and he burst into tears. "How am I supposed to face them all after this?"
Dr. Kexing looked concerned. "No, Zhan. I hate seeing you like this. It's painful for me. Remember....they're still your family and always will be. Be grateful that you grew up in their care and were raised safely and lovingly. Beyond love and attention, they gave you everything: a good education, comfort, opportunities… They accepted you without hesitation. Just think about all that and hold on to them as your own. Appreciate them."
"I only want us to go somewhere far, away from all this, because I know they probably won't allow us to get married now...not after everything that's happened. But I never intended to separate you from them forever."
The ward door opened, and Yibo walked in, giving Dr. Kexing a curious look. "We've been discharged," Yibo said.
Dr. Kexing nodded. "That's good to hear. I hope he keeps improving."
Yibo went to pack everything Aunt Marquis had brought and loaded it into the trunk. Meanwhile, Dr. Kexing removed Zhan's IV, noticing how lost in thought he seemed. He leaned in and said quietly, "Nothing about you has changed for me. I still love you more than you can imagine, Zhan. Get well soon so we can figure this out. Let's not rush anything."
Zhan just stared at him.
Yibo soon returned to the room with the doctor responsible for discharging Zhan. The doctor smiled kindly. "You seem much better now." Zhan looked down without responding.
The doctor continued, "The rest of your injections can be given at home. Dr. Yibo will take care of you and give you all the medical attention you need."
Dr. Kexing looked up and made brief eye contact with Yibo, who quickly looked away. The doctor went on, "Also, try to clear your heart of whatever is weighing it down. No one should have to carry pain alone. If you're struggling, remember...you have brothers who care about you deeply. You can talk to them. They'll always be there for you."
With that, Dr. Kexing turned and left the ward. Zhan followed him with his eyes, not even blinking. The doctor had said all he needed to, but Zhan hadn't really heard a word of it...his mind was fixed on Dr. Kexing's departure. The doctor finally looked at Yibo and said with a smile, "Well then, newly groom, you can take your brother home now. That's all I have to say to him. Take care of him, and best wishes for peace and happiness for your marriage."
Yibo thanked him sincerely. After the doctor left, Yibo watched as Zhan tried to get off the hospital bed. He walked over and reached out a hand to help him down, but Zhan turned his face away and refused the gesture, getting down on his own. He walked slowly, clearly still weak and dizzy, and Yibo followed closely behind as they left the ward.
As soon as they reached the hospital courtyard, Zhan's eyes searched everywhere...but there was no sign of Dr. Kexing or his car. Yibo, too, glanced around the compound, realizing his car was gone. It confirmed to him that Dr. Kexing had already left.
Yibo didn't say a word as they reached his car. He opened the back door and looked at Zhan. Zhan lowered his head, climbed into the back seat, and closed the door. Tears welled up again as he leaned his head against the seat. Yibo walked around to the driver's seat, started the engine, and they pulled away from the hospital.
Once they were on the main road, Yibo dialed Dr. Kexing's number. It almost rang out, but then he answered.
Yibo said, "Did you leave already, Doctor? I didn't see your car in the lot."
Dr. Kexing replied, "Yes, I got an urgent call, so I had to leave."
Yibo responded, "Alright. We're on our way home now."
Dr. Kexing said, "Okay, take care of him."
Then he ended the call.
Zhan sat quietly, listening to their conversation, his heart sinking with every word. The tears wouldn't stop falling from his eyes. The entire ride home was silent...none of them said a word. Each was lost in their own thoughts.
It wasn't until they turned into their street that Zhan buried his face in his arms, hot tears spilling freely. So this was it...everyone in the neighborhood now knew who he really was. Everyone knew he wasn't the biological son of the people he'd called his parents. Everyone now knew he had no clear origin. The weight of that truth made it hard for him to breathe.
Yibo parked the car in the compound, unaware at first that they had even arrived. He got out and opened the back door, speaking gently. "We're home, baby."
Zhan slowly lifted his head, struggling with his breath. Seeing this, Yibo quickly took his hand, his voice full of worry. "Are you okay?" Without waiting for an answer, he helped him out of the car, still watching him with concern. "Why are you doing this to yourself, baby brother? Do you want to make yourself sick too? Why are you hurting us like this?"
He leaned Zhan against the car, supporting him until his breathing started to steady. Yibo frowned, his voice trembling. "Why are you doing this, baby?"
Zhan bowed his head, breathing in slowly, trying to calm himself. Yibo held his hand firmly and guided him toward the visitors' section of the house....there were still people inside the main house, especially with Min expected to arrive by six o'clock now that the wedding had been confirmed. There was no backing out anymore.
No one was in the large sitting room. Yibo led Zhan into the bedroom inside the guest suite, still holding his hand. He sat him down at the edge of the bed, then knelt in front of him, his expression full of concern.
"Please, baby bro," Yibo said softly. "Let go of whatever is weighing you down. We all felt the shock of today, just like you. It wasn't only hidden from you...it was hidden from us, too. For all my closeness with Baba, he never told me any of this. They did it out of love, Zhan. Please, try to understand and accept this for what it is. And no matter what the truth is, it doesn't change who you are to us. You are still our little baby brother...today, tomorrow, always."
Zhan didn't speak. He just looked at Yibo, his eyes wet with silent tears. Yibo lowered his voice. "Say everything will be good, baby."
Zhan slowly dropped his gaze and murmured, "Everything will be good."
Yibo stood up. "Let me go get your phone," he said, then turned and walked out of the room.
Zhan slid down to the floor, struggling to hold back the sob building in his chest...but he couldn't. The tears came, deep and uncontrollable. So many thoughts were racing through his mind. If only he had known the truth about himself from the start...if only everyone else had too...then maybe his wedding to Dr. Kexing wouldn't have been canceled. But because Baba had hidden who he really was, everything had fallen apart.
The door opened. Zhan looked up.
Hai Kuan walked in, holding Zhan's phone. As soon as their eyes met, Zhan looked away. Hai Kuan walked slowly over to him. After a moment of standing there, he knelt down and placed the phone gently in front of him.
Zhan still didn't look up.
Hai Kuan's voice dropped to a whisper. "You'll always say everything will be fine, no matter what. That's part of being human, right? But let me tell you something clearly...nothing will ever change the fact that you are our brother. We love you, and we always will. Mama and Baba are still your parents, now and forever."
Zhan looked up at him. Hai Kuan gently wiped the tears from his face and gave him a warm smile. "That's it. We love you...no matter what."
Zhan lowered his gaze. Hai Kuan said softly, "Go into the bathroom and wash your face. I'm heading out too." With that, he stood and walked toward the door. Zhan watched him leave, and for the first time since waking up in the hospital, he felt a little bit of relief from the heavy weight on his heart.
Slowly, he stood up and walked into the bathroom connected to the sitting room.
Just as Zhan was seated again, Aunt Marquis walked into the sitting room. She hadn't known he was in the house until Yibo had informed her earlier...only Hai Kuan had known right from when they returned. Zhan lowered his head when he saw her.
Aunt Marquis approached and hugged him with a cheerful smile. "Welcome back home, son. Yibo just told me you're back. I hope you're feeling much better now?"
Zhan nodded silently.
Aunt Marquis smiled and said, "That's good. I noticed the heater in the bathroom isn't working. Let me bring you some hot water so you can bathe and change clothes. You should eat something, too."
Zhan looked at her quietly. "Auntie... where's Mama?"
"She's resting now," Aunt Marquis replied with a gentle smile. "Once you've had a bath and some food, you can go check on her."
She seated him on the couch. "Let me get the hot water for you, dear." Then she left the sitting room.
Just then, Min's family arrived at the house in two cars. Since her family was composed and respectful, and already aware of what had happened, they didn't cause a scene. Only about seven people came with her.
Aunt Marquis didn't go out to receive Min...her attention was completely on Zhan. She went straight to the guest section and poured hot water for him herself in the bathroom. She had brought everything he needed: sponge, shower gel, and a towel. She didn't let anyone else know that Zhan was even in the house.
After Zhan entered the bathroom to shower, she returned to the main house to get his clothes and toiletries. She left them neatly on the couch in the sitting room for him to find when he came out. Then she went back again to prepare him a meal. The change she saw in Zhan made her truly happy...he looked like a completely different person compared to earlier.
Zhan stepped into the sitting room with a towel wrapped around his waist, his eyes falling on the neatly arranged clothes and perfumes left by Aunt Marquis. At the same time, he was thinking about how to get hold of a phone to call Dr. Kexing.
Just then, the door to the sitting room opened, and he turned to see Hai Kuan enter. Hai Kuan immediately turned away and slipped past Yibo, who had come in behind him but hadn't fully stepped into the room. Yibo noticed Hai Kuan's reaction but didn't say anything...he just quietly walked into the sitting room.
By that time, Zhan had crouched down, eyes wide, clearly flustered. Yibo glanced at him and said, "Oh, sorry. Go ahead and get dressed." Then he turned and stepped out of the room.
Zhan quickly grabbed his clothes and rushed into the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Min was sitting in the room where Granny Fang Yu and Granny Ai were. She had greeted them upon arrival, and three of her aunts sat nearby. Granny Fang Yu gave her a brief blessing and a few words of advice, then, smiling, she added:
"I hope your home is filled with joy, and may your marriage bring you happiness and beautiful children. I hope this is your forever home, full of love and peace."
Everyone in the room replied with smiles and agreement.
Granny Ai, setting down her bowl of food, said, "But the truth is, the wedding happened while our hearts were far from at ease. We're all still shaken by what happened. If they had listened to Yibo, this wedding could've been postponed until things were settled. He told me himself that his Baby brother's health was more important than any ceremony. How could he go through with a wedding while his brother was lying in a hospital bed?"
"But we go ahead with it...for the sake of keeping face. We didn't want to be the topic of ridicule or gossip. But now look, there are two stories being whispered about us... one about Zhan, and another about Yibo."
Granny Fang Yu parted her lips in disbelief, her eyes fixed on Granny Ai with a look of deep disappointment. And she wasn't the only one...everyone from Min's side of the family sitting in the room reacted the same way, stunned and speechless. Even Min kept glancing nervously at Granny Ai, her heart pounding. After all, Yibo had told her something similar over the phone. So it was true?
Granny Ai, still chewing a piece of meat from her bowl, said with a grumble, "None of us have seen him since this morning. He's been at the hospital with Zhan. He didn't even put on that black suit grooms usually wear. No, he's been walking around in some faded pink shirt all day, like he was washing clothes. It wasn't until later that I heard he ran out right after the ring exchange. Can you believe it? His father said you should come here today. If it were just about Yibo, you wouldn't be stepping into this house until Zhan wakes up. And clearly, today is not that day."
She shook her head, lowering her voice. "This is a real test for us, seeing all of this with our own eyes. That's why I'm advising you...be a source of calm for your husband in the middle of all this chaos. And did you know Zhan's wedding was canceled? Earlier today, those pitiful relatives of that boy he was supposed to marry came to collect their things. We didn't even exchange pleasantries...just a lot of shouting. I made sure to give them a proper scolding. Told them they'd invited trouble into our home and sent them off."
One of Lan Yi's friends looked at Min's aunties and said, "Have you been to Lan Yi's room yet? Let me take you. I'm sure she's awake by now...it's already getting late." As she stood up, Min's aunties followed her out of the room, though they kept glancing back at Granny Ai.
Granny Ai threw a glare at Lan Yi's friend and dropped her bone back into her bowl. "And who even is that woman, anyway?" she muttered under her breath. "Walking around in secondhand clothes with that tangled hair. Who invited her here? From the moment the sun rose, she's been hanging around like a bad smell. If not for this wedding, I'd never be in the same room with her. Looks like she picked her outfit off the street."
Granny Fang Yu's face twisted in anger. "Can you not control your mouth for once?" she snapped. "If you say one more thing like that, I swear I'll throw you out of this house. I've had enough of your nonsense. You've been making things worse all day!"
Granny Ai responded bitterly, "And you keep threatening to throw me out, Jie? This is the Qiren household...I've been here longer than most! Why twist everything I say like I'm speaking another language? Or is it because I don't have kids of my own to marry my grandchildren off, so I don't get a say?"
With that, she burst into tears, grabbed her shawl, wiped her eyes, and stormed out of the room with her food bowl in hand.
Meanwhile, Zhan entered Lan Yi's living room behind Aunt Marquis. No one had noticed them arrive...they had come in quietly through the Qiren back door side of the house. Lan Yi sat upright on the bed, her IV already removed. She raised her head to look at Zhan without blinking. She hadn't even known they had returned.
Instantly, Zhan felt his chest tighten. Just one look at her face told him she wasn't well. He rushed forward, knelt beside her, and held her hand.
"Mama, are you really this sick?" he asked anxiously.
Lan Yi pulled him into a hug, but she didn't say a word. Zhan began to cry quietly in her arms, and tears welled in her eyes too. No one said a thing in the room. The bond between them was unmistakable...just like that of a mother and son.
Aunt Marquis stood by the doorway, unable to move, her whole body tense with emotion. A knock came at the door.
It was Lan Yi friend, peeking in. "They're bringing in the bride to see Lan Yi," she said.
Aunt Marquis nodded. "Okay, they can come in."
Aunt Marquis moved closer to Lan Yi with concern. "Please, try to pull yourself together. Min is about to come in."
Aunt Marquis was just about to gently guide Zhan away from Lan Yi's side when she spoke for the first time all day. "Let him stay. They can come in... it's fine."
Both Aunt Marquis and her friend were shocked. Lan Yi hadn't spoken to anyone since morning, only responding with her eyes. Now she was finally talking.
Aunt Marquis stepped aside and guided the others in. A lavish carpet had already been laid out. Min and her aunties came in and sat down.
Zhan, still clinging to Lan Yi, looked up at them. Lan Yi greeted them and answered their polite inquiries about her condition with effort and composure.
Min kept sneaking glances at Zhan from beneath her veil. She recognized him immediately...and the sight only made her anger boil. So this is what today is really about? My wedding turned into a mourning session because of him?
Lan Yi's friend went on to give Min the advice Lan Yi would have given herself. But Min barely heard a word. Her mind was locked on Zhan and the storm of thoughts rushing through her head.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛