The sight that greeted him was like a dagger to his heart. Liang was all over Xian Zhan, her body pressed against his, attempting to kiss him. In that split second, Yibo's worst fears seemed confirmed.
"Zhan!" he shouted, his voice a mix of anger and pain.
Zhan pushed Liang away, his eyes wide with shock. "Yibo Ge, it's not what it looks like!"
But Yibo's jealousy and insecurities flared uncontrollably. "I knew it," he spat, his voice trembling. "I knew I couldn't trust you!"
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Yibo turned and stormed out of the studio. Zhan chased after him, desperate to explain. "Yibo Ge, please listen to me! She was just—"
Yibo whirled around, his eyes blazing with hurt and betrayal. "I saw enough, Zhan. You don't need to say anything."
Zhan's heart broke as he watched Yibo walk away, his mind reeling from the misunderstanding. Knowing he wouldn't be able to fix things that night, he returned to the studio, his heart heavy with despair.
The next morning, after a sleepless night, Zhan made a difficult decision. He couldn't stay in the Wang Mansion knowing Yibo didn't trust him. Packing a few belongings, he left a note for Yibo, explaining that he needed some space and would be staying with his mother for a while.
He kissed their son Shean goodbye, promising to see him soon. "Be good for your father, Shean," he whispered, tears streaming down his face.
The day's turned into week's, and the distance between Xian Zhan and Wang Yibo only grew. Both of them were too stubborn and hurt to reach out, each convinced that the other didn't want to reconcile. Yibo threw himself into his work, trying to forget the pain, while Zhan focused on his art and their son, Shean, who missed his father terribly.
Well the child came to his Papa after 2 days, Mr. Wang dropped him to Zhan's mother's house after he protest to be with his Papa, as Yibo comes home late.
At his mother's house, Zhan tried to create a sense of normalcy for Shean. They established new routines, and Zhan's mother did her best to support them both. However, the absence of Yibo was a constant shadow over their lives.
"Papa," Shean asked one evening, "when will Daddy come to see us?"
Zhan's heart ached at the question. "Soon, Shean. Daddy is just very busy right now."
Meanwhile, Yibo was struggling to maintain his composure. The pain of the separation was eating away at him, but his pride kept him from reaching out. He often found himself staring at his phone, tempted to call Zhan but always putting it down.
His work didn't bring him the same satisfaction, and his colleagues noticed his increasing irritability. Even his secretary and PA could see the change in him. Yibo missed his family more than he cared to admit.
One day, while taking Shean to a nearby park, Zhan unexpectedly ran into Yue, a woman he had met a few years back. Yue had always admired Zhan's work and was delighted to see him again.
"Zhan! It's been long. How are you?" Yue greeted him warmly.
Zhan smiled, happy to see a friendly face. "Yue, it's good to see you too. I've been... managing."
They sat on a bench, catching up on old times while Shean played nearby. Yue noticed the sadness in Zhan's eyes and gently probed, "Is everything alright, Zhan?"
Zhan sighed, deciding to confide in her. "It's complicated, Yue. Yibo and I... we're going through a rough patch."
Unbeknownst to Zhan, someone from the Wang Corporation saw them together and assumed the worst. By the next day, rumors were swirling about Zhan and Yue. When the gossip reached Yibo, it only fueled his insecurities.
Yibo's anger and hurt flared up once again. "He's already moved on," he muttered bitterly to himself.
After hearing the rumors, Yibo decided to confront Zhan. He drove to Zhan's mother's house, his emotions in turmoil. When Zhan opened the door, he was surprised to see Yibo standing there, a storm of emotions on his face.
"We need to talk," Yibo said, his voice strained.
They sat down in the living room, the tension palpable. "I heard you've been seeing Yue," Yibo began, his voice cold.
Zhan's eyes widened in shock. "What? Yue is just a friend. How can you even think that?"
Yibo's jaw clenched. "I saw you with her, Zhan. People are talking."
Zhan's frustration boiled over. "This is exactly why we're in this mess, Yibo ge. You never trust me! Yue is just a friend, but you're so blinded by your jealousy that you can't see the truth."
The argument escalated, neither willing to back down. Finally, Zhan stood up, tears in his eyes. "I can't do this anymore, Yibo. I need you to trust me, but if you can't, then maybe we're better off apart.
Yibo left the house, his heart heavy with regret and anger. Zhan watched him go, feeling more lost and alone than ever. Their relationship, once full of love and promise, was now mired in misunderstandings and pain.
As the days passed, both Yibo and Zhan struggled with their emotions, unsure of how to move forward. Their love for each other remained, but the path to reconciliation seemed more elusive than ever.
In an effort to help Xian Zhan find some joy amidst the turmoil, his friends planned a day out. Hua Xuan, Ziyi, and Ji Li arrived at Zhan's mother's house early one Saturday morning, determined to lift his spirits.
"Come on, Zhan! We're taking you out," Ziyi announced brightly as they gathered in the living room.
Zhan smiled weakly. "Thanks, guys. I could use a distraction."
Shean was excited to see his "auntie" and "uncles" and eagerly ran to hug them. "Auntie Ziyi! Uncle Ji Li! Where are we going?"
"We're going to the zoo today, Shean!" Hua Xuan said, lifting the boy into the air, making him giggle.
Yibo was at home, brooding over the latest argument with Zhan. His father, Mr. Wang, noticed his son's distress and decided to intervene.
"Yibo, you can't continue like this. Go out, clear your mind," Mr. Wang suggested. "Why don't you visit the new art exhibit at the National Gallery?"
Yibo sighed, considering his father's advice. "Maybe I should."
As luck would have it, Zhan's friends decided to take him to the same gallery after their zoo trip. Zhan hesitated at first but eventually agreed, hoping the change of scenery might help.
As they strolled through the exhibits, Zhan felt a brief sense of peace. Hua Xuan, Ziyi, and Ji Li kept the conversation light, avoiding any mention of Yibo.
In another part of the gallery, Yibo was walking through the exhibits, trying to lose himself in the art. When he turned a corner, he was stunned to see Zhan and his friends.
Yibo's heart ached at the sight of Zhan. He hesitated but then approached the group. "Zhan," he called out softly.
Zhan turned, surprised to see Yibo. "Yibo ge?"
Hua Xuan and the others exchanged glances, sensing the tension. "Maybe we should give them some space," Ji Li suggested, leading the group away.
Once they were alone, Yibo tried to speak, but Zhan interrupted. "What are you doing here, Yibo ge?"
"I came to clear my head. I didn't know you'd be here," Yibo explained. "Zhan, we need to talk."
Zhan sighed. "There's nothing left to say, Yibo ge. You don't trust me."
"I do trust you, Zhan. I'm just... scared of losing you," Yibo admitted, his voice breaking.
Zhan's expression softened, but he remained firm. "Then show me. Show me that you trust me, Yibo ge."
Their conversation was interrupted by Hua Xuan, who returned with Shean. "Daddy! Daddy!" Shean called out, running to Yibo.
Yibo knelt down, hugging his son tightly. "Hey, buddy. I missed you."
Zhan watched the interaction, tears forming in his eyes. He wanted to believe Yibo, but the pain of their recent arguments still lingered.
Hua Xuan approached Zhan, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Give him a chance, Zhan. You both deserve it."
---
Mrs. Wang had been in Shanghai for weeks, overseeing the operations of her company with her elder son, Wang Hai kuan. Unaware of the turmoil back in Beijing, she returned home late one evening, exhausted but satisfied with her work.
As she walked into the mansion, she noticed her husband, Mr. Wang, sitting in the living room, looking troubled. "What's wrong?" she asked, setting down her suitcase.
Mr. Wang sighed deeply. "We need to talk. There's been a lot going on while you were away."
Mrs. Wang's heart sank. "Is it about Yibo?"
Mr. Wang nodded. "Yes, and Xian Zhan. They've been having a tough time. Zhan left with Shean and went to his mother's house."
Mrs. Wang gasped. "What happened?"
Mr. Wang explained the misunderstandings, Yibo's jealousy, and how it led to Zhan leaving. Mrs. Wang listened, her expression shifting from concern to determination.
"We need to fix this," she said firmly. "I can be strict, but I know Zhan is good for Yibo. We have to bring him back."
The next morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wang made their way to Mrs. Xian's house. When they arrived, Mrs. Xian greeted them warmly, though a hint of tension hung in the air.
"Please, come in," Mrs. Xian said, leading them to the living room where Xian Zhan was sitting, playing with Shean.
"Zhan, we need to talk," Mrs. Wang began, her voice softer than usual. "I heard about what happened. We miss you and Shean at the mansion."
Xian Zhan looked up, surprised to see Mrs. Wang speaking so gently. "I'm not sure, Mom. Yibo's jealousy... it was too much."
Mrs. Wang sighed, sitting down next to him. "I know my son can be difficult. But he loves you, Zhan. He just doesn't always know how to show it. Please, consider coming back. For Shean's sake, if nothing else."
Mr. Wang added, "Yibo's been a wreck without you. He needs you, Zhan. We all do."
Xian Zhan hesitated, glancing at his mother. Mrs. Xian nodded, encouraging him. "Think about it, A'Zhan. You know how much Yibo loves you, even if he doesn't always show it the right way."
Later that evening, as Xian Zhan sat alone, his phone rang. It was Yibo.
"Zhan, please come back," Yibo's voice was filled with desperation. "I know I messed up. I know I've been insecure and jealous, but I can't lose you. I love you more than anything. Please, let's work this out together."
Tears welled up in Xian Zhan's eyes. "Yibo ge, it's been so hard..."
"I know," Yibo interrupted. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Just come home. Shean needs his parents together. I need you."
Xian Zhan took a deep breath. "I'll think about it."
The next morning, Mrs. Xian found her son sitting on the couch, deep in thought. "A'Zhan, have you decided?"
Xian Zhan nodded slowly. "I'll go back. For Shean. And because I love him, despite everything."
Mrs. Xian hugged her son tightly. "You're doing the right thing. And remember, we're always here for you."
That evening, Xian Zhan packed their bags and, with Shean in tow, returned to the Wang Mansion. Yibo was waiting at the door, his eyes lighting up with relief and love when he saw them.
"Welcome home," Yibo whispered, pulling them both into a tight embrace.
As they walked inside, Mrs. Wang approached Xian Zhan, a rare smile on her face. "Thank you for coming back."
Xian Zhan smiled, tears of relief and happiness in his eyes. "Thank you, Mom."
The family sat together, the tension easing as they shared a meal, laughter, and love filling the room once more.