One short extra Chapter far request, but seriously... I don't know what I'm writing, it's just nonsense. 😅
Several months later...
The soft drizzle of a London afternoon misted the sleek car windows as Zhan leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes closed, trying to tune out the "Nainai commentary channel" going full volume from the backseat.
"I told you both, England is just China with an umbrella! Everything's gray! Even the people walk like they're late to their own funerals!" Nainai huffed, poking her umbrella at the window. "And don't get me started on this food. No garlic? No soul!"
Yibo, driving patiently through the unfamiliar roads, glanced at Zhan with a warm smile. "You sure you don't want to switch? Front row seat to Nainai's stand-up routine."
Zhan chuckled, eyes still closed. "Tempting, but I'm enjoying the pain from here. It's nostalgic."
"I heard that!" Nainai snapped. "The two of you are useless! If I die of hunger on British soil, my ghost will haunt your wedding anniversaries."
They finally arrived at Sen Wen's countryside estate....a sprawling manor wrapped in climbing ivy and pale blooms. The setting sun cast a golden hue over the garden, where final touches were being made for his and Suyue's wedding.
But before anyone could admire the view, Nainai pointed dramatically at the elegant canapés and wailed, "These look like tiny food for baby ghosts! Is rice illegal in this country?!"
***
That evening, the celebration was in full swing. Lanterns swayed gently above the tables, blending Chinese warmth with English charm. Zhan and Yibo stole a quiet moment away from the crowd, tucked beneath an old tree strung with fairy lights.
"Finally alone," Yibo murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from Zhan's forehead.
Zhan leaned into the touch. "Alone, in a garden full of people, next to a wine-crazed Nainai, while my cousin sister marries my husband's ex-boyfriend." He frowned.
Yibo smiled. "Romantic, isn't it? And drop the last part please... Now he is just our Children Uncle."
Zhan smirked, but then his gaze softened. "Actually, it is. The chaos, the memories… all of it feels lighter with you."
Their fingers laced together.
"Come here Gege," Yibo said gently, pulling Zhan in. The kiss was soft, unhurried....familiar but still thrilling. A silent promise under foreign stars.
Not long after, they stepped aside for a phone call. Yibo dialed quickly, and the screen lit up with three eager faces: Zhaiyi, their oldest, calm and observant like Zhan; Xun Er, the mischievous middle child with Yibo's dramatic flair; and Yunxi, the youngest, all round cheeks and curious eyes.
"Baba!" they chorused.
"Did you bring me a crown like I asked?" Xun Er interrupted immediately.
"I want an English tea!" Yunxi declared, though she wasn't entirely sure what tea was.
Zhan laughed, "What kind of children are these? You miss us and all you ask for is crowns and tea?"
Zhaiyi smiled shyly. "We miss you too Daddy. Grandma Yuting made dumplings today. I saved one in the freezer for you."
Yibo's eyes softened. "That's my little man. We'll be home soon."
"Is Nainai being weird?" Xun Er asked giggling.
Zhan exchanged a look with Yibo. "You have no idea my Princess."
They chatted a few more minutes before hanging up, their hearts a little fuller.
As the night deepened, they bumped into Ning Li. She looked different now...peaceful, composed. Beside her stood a man, tall and kind-faced, who watched her with care.
"Ning Li," Zhan greeted softly.
She nodded. "Zhan. Yibo." Her eyes flicked to her companion. "This is Thomas Hang. My husband, a distant cousin of the bride father."
Pleasantries were exchanged before Ning Li's smile turned hesitant. "I saw you earlier and I came to say something… the pregnancy I had before, when we separated... it wasn't yours, Zhan."
A silence fell, brief but deep.
"I let you believe it. I was scared. And when I lost it... I lost more than a child.... I lost myself. I'm sorry. To both of you."
Zhan felt a weight lift he hadn't realized he still carried. "Thank you. For the truth."
Yibo added, "We hope you've found peace."
"I have," she said, her voice trembling. "I truly have."
Later, as music swirled around them and Nainai danced wildly with a confused British uncle, Zhan and Yibo sat on a stone bench watching the flickering lights.
"I could stay like this forever," Zhan whispered, head on Yibo's shoulder.
"We can," Yibo said, wrapping an arm around him. "Just not in England. There's no garlic." He grinned.
They both laughed, and for that moment, everything....love, truth, felt exactly where it belonged.
🔹🔸▪️▫️
The golden light of morning filtered through sheer curtains, casting quiet patterns on the walls of one of the Sen Wen mantion guest room. Zhan stirred first, slowly opening his eyes to the soft rhythm of Yibo's breathing beside him. For a long moment, he stayed still, soaking in the rare silence. No children leaping on the bed. No urgent emails. No Nainai pounding on the door complaining about the lack of hot water.
Just peace....and Yibo.
He turned slightly, resting his forehead against Yibo's bare shoulder. "Still asleep?"
"No," Yibo murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "Just enjoying the moment before Nainai yells again, and my whole body is aching you honey Gege."
Zhan laughed quietly, then fell into a warm hush. "Last night felt like a dream."
Yibo nodded. "A strange dream. With roast beef, apologies, and Nainai trying to explain hot pot etiquette to British strangers."
Zhan smiled and sat up slowly. "I'm glad we came. Suyue looked happy. Sen Wen too. And… Ning Li."
Yibo shifted up beside him, his hand brushing lightly down Zhan's back. "She found her peace. And you let go of something."
Zhan turned toward him. "I did. Because of you."
Yibo kissed him gently. "Because of us."
Downstairs, the manor kitchen buzzed with post-wedding chaos. Champagne flutes still sat half-full on tables, flower petals littered the floor, and Nainai was interrogating a staff member.
"Why is there milk in everything here? Who drinks milk in tea? Tea should be pure! Medicinal!"
The poor British server blinked rapidly, nodding along.
Zhan entered just in time to rescue the situation. "Nainai, please, let the poor boy live."
She waved a hand dramatically. "If I don't speak up, who will?! These children think black pepper is spicy!"
Yibo joined them with a steaming cup of strong Chinese tea....brought from home, thankfully....and handed it to her like an offering to a small deity.
"I suppose you're still useful," she grumbled, taking it.
Later, Zhan stepped outside for air and found Suyue leaning on a garden railing, veil gone, hair in a loose braid.
"Married life treating you well so far sis?" he asked.
She laughed. "You mean, twelve hours in? So far, no regrets."
They stood in silence for a moment, both watching the morning unfold.
"Thank you for coming," she said softly. "It meant more than you know."
Zhan nodded. "We've all grown. I think... it's good to see that happiness doesn't have to look like one thing, and of course we're family."
"Yibo's a lucky man."
"I'm the lucky one," Zhan corrected, eyes soft.
Two days later, back in their room as they packed, Yibo found Zhan sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at a photo on his phone....one of Zhaiyi, Xun Er, and Yunxi cuddled under a blanket.
"Missing them?" Yibo asked.
Zhan nodded. "Terribly."
Yibo sat beside him and took his hand. "Then let's go home. Where the chaos is ours, and the garlic is plenty."
Zhan laughed and leaned his head on Yibo's shoulder. "Sounds perfect."
From the hallway came a knock and Nainai's voice. "I can't find my slippers. I think this country ate them!"
Zhan sighed. "God help British customs."
Yibo chuckled. "Welcome to the aftermath."
***
The Beijing skyline came into view through the plane's window just as the sun began to rise, painting the horizon in soft pink and gold. Zhan stared out in quiet anticipation, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest between him and Yibo.
"Can't believe we left them for four days," he whispered.
Yibo, half-asleep, opened one eye. "They're probably climbing walls by now."
Behind them, Nainai snored loudly, an eye mask crooked on her forehead and an airline blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon.
"I think she enjoyed London more than she'll admit," Zhan said with a small smile.
Yibo chuckled. "She enjoyed complaining about London."
At the arrivals gate, chaos erupted the moment they stepped out.
"Baba, Dad!" came three shrill voices.
Zhaiyi ran first, his toddler feet pounding across the floor, Xun Er not far behind, flailing her arms as if she might take flight. Yunxi, waddling in her pink coat, squealed and tripped right into Yibo's arms.
Zhan dropped to his knees as Zhaiyi and Xun Er crashed into him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He held them like lifelines.
"We missed you," Zhaiyi mumbled.
"I cried once," Xun Er confessed proudly. "But only because Yunxi sat on my face."
Yuting stood behind them, smiling fondly, holding her phone up to take photos as the family reunion played out.
"You all survived," Yibo said, picking up Yunxi and kissing her cheek.
"Barely," Yuting replied with a smile. "They wanted noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I gave up on vegetables by day two."
Nainai arrived seconds later, stretching and sighing. "Back to my land, my garlic, and my real dumplings! Where are my great-grandchildren? Come give your poor Nainai a welcome hug!"
The kids ran to her with shouts of "Nainai!" while Yunxi tugged her scarf.
Back at their home, the familiar scent of Yibo's tea leaves and Zhan's neatly arranged books brought a hush of comfort over them. Laughter echoed in the halls again... Zhaiyi showing off a drawing, Xun Er wearing socks on her hands claiming to be a "panda-ninja," and Yunxi climbing onto the couch with her juice cup.
Zhan and Yibo stood in the kitchen, quietly watching it all unfold.
"You know," Zhan said, turning toward Yibo, "this... is the real dream."
Yibo wrapped his arms around his waist from behind. "Messy, noisy, garlic-scented dream."
Zhan leaned back against him. "And it's ours."
From the living room, Nainai shouted, "Who taught Yunxi to say 'bloody hell'? Was that you two in England?!"
They both winced and simultaneously answered, "Not it."
Yibo chuckled against Zhan's neck. "We're home."
The rain began in the late morning.... soft, insistent, tapping like curious fingers against the windows of their Beijing apartment. Outside, the city blurred under silver threads. Inside, it was a different world entirely.
The living room had become a quilt of chaos.
Zhaiyi sat cross-legged on the floor, organizing toy soldiers by rank and moral alignment. Xun Er wore an old blanket as a cape, declaring war against "The Evil Dust Bunnies." Yunxi was sitting in the middle of it all, covered in marker, happily drawing cats with three ears.
Zhan peeked in from the kitchen, two mugs of coffee in his hands. "Should we... intervene?"
Yibo looked up from where he was sprawled on the couch, a book half-open on his chest. "We should preserve them. Like wildlife."
Zhan snorted, passing him the coffee. "You're worse than them."
There was something different about rainy days. A slowness that wrapped around them like the scent of warm soup and cinnamon steam from the kitchen. Zhan didn't mind. It made him notice things more.... how Yibo's hair curled slightly at the ends when it was damp, how the light caught on Zhaiyi's lashes, how Xun Er never walked, only bounced.
And Yunxi… Yunxi was singing something softly to herself, a made-up lullaby only she understood.
Zhan settled next to Yibo, letting his hand rest on his husband's thigh. The book slipped to the floor, forgotten, as Yibo pulled him closer.
"I missed this," Zhan said, just above a whisper.
"You've been here all week."
"I mean this. The quiet. The silly. The safe."
Yibo rested his forehead against Zhan's. "Then let's protect it. Even when it's not raining."
That evening, after dinner and stories and baths, the house finally fell into silence. Zhan wandered the hallway with a blanket draped over his shoulders like a shawl.
He passed Zhaiyi's room....dark, save for a nightlight glowing softly over a stack of comic books. Xun Er was already snoring dramatically. Yunxi had fallen asleep halfway through asking if ducks could cry.
When he reached the bedroom, Yibo was sitting at the edge of the bed, hair still damp from his shower, scrolling through pictures of the day....one of Zhan mid-laugh, another of Yunxi trying to wear socks as gloves, and one blurry, beautiful shot: all five of them curled on the couch under one blanket.
Zhan slid in behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. "You're looking at us like we're art."
"You are," Yibo said simply. "My favorite piece."
Zhan buried his smile in Yibo's shoulder.
Outside, the rain eased into a hush. Inside, love lingered like light after the candle goes out....quiet, glowing, infinite.
NB
Seriously, leave this family alone and move on. 😜
Zhanxianyibo❤️💚💛