Chapter 5
Around midnight, everyone left after congratulating and giving lots of hugs, leaving the house owners, their workers, and Xian Zhan.
Wang Yibo had been called away on a phone call at 11:30 PM and had gone to the second floor but still hadn't returned.
Xian Zhan and Mr. Wang sat on the sofa, surrounded by the workers who were doing repair work.
Xian Zhan was exhausted, his body aching all over - his limbs and head throbbing from the noise and constant walking.
He yawned and stretched, longing to lie down and sleep after a hot bath. Mr. Wang chuckled and said, "I know you're very tired, you should go rest." Xian Zhan smiled but said nothing. Mr. Wang turned and called out to a young man, "Hey Lin, come here!" After Lin arrived and bowed to Mr. Wang, he was instructed to show Xian Zhan to Yibo's room.
Lin bowed again and looked at Xian Zhan, waiting for him to follow. Xian Zhan stood up, and Mr. Wang also rose, saying, "I'm going to bed too, what a hectic day." He leaned in to kiss Xian Zhan on the forehead and said, "Good night, son, rest well. Good night, Mr. Wang." Xian Zhan smiled and rubbed his nose shyly, responding, "Good night, Dad."
Mr. Wang chuckled and patted his shoulder before leaving.
Mr. Lin led Xian Zhan to the second floor, despite his exhaustion, Xian Zhan's eyes widened as he took in the opulent surroundings.
"Money can cry," he thought, "the rich spend their money as they please."
He wondered about the purpose of such extravagance, especially since they weren't even using the elevator.
As they reached the second floor, Lin stopped at Wang Yibo's door and announced, "This is Mr. Wang's room."
Xian Zhan gazed at the door, then grasped Lin's hand, pulling him away from the room.
With an awkward laugh, he leaned in close and whispered, "Mr. Lin, are there no other rooms on this floor, like a guest room or a spare one?"
Lin looked puzzled, so Xian Zhan clarified, "I need a room other than your master's." Lin pointed out two doors side by side, indicating extra rooms. Xian Zhan thanked him, yawning, and Lin bowed before departing.
As Lin turned to leave, Xian Zhan called out, "Hey, Mr. Lin, remember, this is our little secret. Don't tell Mr. Wang."
Lin smiled, zipped his lips, and left.
Xian Zhan entered the left door, turned on the light, and marveled at the room in awe.
Xian Zhan's first priority was to check the water heater socket and turn it on.
He then surveyed the room, only to realize there was no luggage trolley in sight. With no extra clothes to change into, he decided to venture out again.
This time, he used the elevator to reach the main floor, searching for someone to assist him. However, all the workers seemed to have finished their tasks and left for the day.
Standing in the hallway, he heard a noise coming from a nearby door and decided to investigate. He entered a large kitchen, where everything sparkled and shone. A person, likely a boy, stood with his back to him, drinking water.
As Xian Zhan approached, the boy quickly turned around, looking slightly startled. Xian Zhan smiled apologetically, "Sorry to frighten you." The boy bowed and addressed him as "young master," asking how he could assist. Xian Zhan drew closer, his smile still present, and asked the boy's name.
The boy, seemingly taken aback by Xian Zhan's handsome appearance or the friendly tone, stared before responding, "My name is Song Ji Yang." Xian Zhan leaned against the kitchen counter, his eyes fixed on Ji Yang, and asked if he knew the whereabouts of his luggage trolley.
Realizing he perhaps shouldn't have asked, he chuckled and explained his need for clothes, even just a vest. Ji Yang offered to help, suggesting that the guest room on the same floor might have ironed clothes belonging to Mr. Wang. Xian Zhan gratefully accepted, gesturing for Ji Yang to lead the way.
Xian Zhan selected an ash-colored t-shirt, which reached mid-thigh on him. As he looked at Ji Yang, he caught the boy staring at him without blinking. Xian Zhan smiled, and Ji Yang smiled back, embarrassed at being caught.
Xian Zhan thought the boy was adorable.
"How old are you?" he asked. "19 years old, Young Master," Ji Yang replied. Xian Zhan asked him to call him Xian Zhan or Zhan-ge, and Ji Yang nodded, stuttering "Z-Zhan-ge." Xian Zhan placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, and they left the room, continuing their conversation.
"Do you work here?" Xian Zhan asked. Ji Yang explained that his parents had worked there for a long time, and he was born and raised on the premises. His father was the head butler, and his mother was the head chef. Xian Zhan was impressed, calling Ji Yang his "own master." Ji Yang laughed, and Xian Zhan asked about his studies.
Ji Yang was a second-year art student, which surprised Xian Zhan, who also studied art and had a small studio with friends.
He offered Ji Yang the opportunity to learn from him in his free time, and Ji Yang happily embraced him, then quickly apologized and bowed multiple times.
Xian Zhan reassured him, "We're now brothers and friends; you can hug me anytime." He ruffled Ji Yang's hair, smiling at him.
Xian Zhan entered the room he had chosen, stripped off his clothes, and put them in the laundry basket, setting his boxers aside to wear again later.
In the shower, he took his time figuring out the hot and cold water settings, then adjusted it to warm. After a 10-minute shower, he dried himself with two towels and dressed in Wang Yibo's shirt.
He climbed into bed, feeling the soft mattress and silk sheets and duvet - a perfect bed to relax his tiredness. Xian Zhan stretched, yawned, and lay down, pulling the duvet up to his chest. Two minutes later, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Xian Zhan woke up at 11, yawned, and looked around, realizing he wasn't in his own room. The ring on his left finger reminded him of everything, and he laughed, remembering his marriage to Wang Yibo.
He got out of bed and decided to search for his luggage trolley in Wang Yibo's room.
Xian Zhan slowly opened the door and made his way to Wang Yibo's room. He knocked first, and when there was no answer, he turned the handle and entered. He peeked inside, seeing his trolley by the mirror, and quickly grabbed it without bothering to turn on the light or examine the room. He left after closing the door, returned to his own room, and headed straight to the bathroom.
Xian Zhan descended to the main floor, feeling refreshed after his bath. As he entered the dining area, he spotted Wang Yibo and his father already seated at the table. They exchanged warm greetings with smiles.
"Good morning, Son!" Wang Yibo's father said, his eyes twinkling with kindness.
"Good morning, Dad," Xian Zhan replied, taking a seat beside Wang Yibo.
Wang Yibo poured him a cup of tea.
"Morning, Wife," he said, his voice low and gentle, with a hint of a smirk.
Xian Zhan's heart skipped a beat at the endearment. "Morning, my icy cold husband," he whispered back, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Wang Yibo grinned, sipping his tea.
As they settled in for breakfast, Wang Yibo's father asked Xian Zhan about his studies and interests. Xian Zhan shared stories about his art studio and friends, feeling at ease in their company.
Wang Yibo listened intently, his eyes sparkling with pride.
Then, he remembered the previous night.
At 2 a.m., Wang Yibo had finished his work on his MacBook and was ready for bed. He noticed the trolley next to the mirror and wondered where Xian Zhan was. Despite his fatigue, he couldn't sleep until he knew his so called husband was safe.
He went downstairs to search for him, but found no one. He checked his father's room, and seeing him sleeping peacefully, returned to his own floor.
As he was about to enter his room, something prompted him to check the other rooms. In the room on the left, he found Xian Zhan fast asleep. But the cover slipped and Xian Zhan cuddle himself, it looks like the air conditioner is too cold for him.
Yibo covered him with a duvet, and Xian Zhan purred contentedly, continuing to sleep peacefully.
Yibo chuckled and returned to his room, understanding exactly why Xian Zhan had chosen to sleep in a different room. And Yibo is absolutely okay with it...for now.
Now, as they enjoyed breakfast together, Yibo's father and Xian Zhan stared at him, curious about his sudden giggle. Yibo composed himself, eat another sausage and pretending to check his phone.
Over a delicious breakfast, they chatted about everything from art to music to their favorite books.
Xian Zhan felt grateful for this warm and welcoming family.
As they finished breakfast, Wang Yibo's father pushed his chair back and smiled at Xian Zhan. "You know, Son, I'm so glad i found someone like you for my Son. You will bring the best out in him."
Xian Zhan blushed, feeling his heart flutter. "Thank you, Dad. That means a lot coming from you."
Yibo glance at Xian Zhan, My beautiful Husband, if you need to go anywhere, Mr. Lee is outside ready to take you to your destination, as for me, he stood up, i have something to take care of.
Xian Zhan dramatically replied, that's so wonderful of you Yibo-ge, I'm really appreciate it, he wink at him, Yibo grinned and left the two of them.
Wang Yibo's father beamed at them, his eyes moist with happiness.
"I'm so grateful to see my son happy. You two are meant to be together."
As they chatted, Xian Zhan realized that he had found not only a husband but also a loving family in the Wangs.