Zhan knocked gently on the office door and stepped aside. When no answer came after a few seconds, he knocked again. It wasn't until his third attempt that he finally heard permission to enter. He opened the door carefully, and even before he could set foot inside, the MD's eyes met his.
"I am occupied, Mister. Leave and come back tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp," the MD said curtly, returning to sipping his fresh orange juice while typing on his laptop.
Zhan stared at him without blinking. For the first time since leaving home, the thought of Dr. Kexing crossed his mind. He remembered the last day he delivered his project to Dr. Kexing, how the man had ordered him to return exactly at 5:30 p.m. sharp. That instruction had stuck with him.
When the MD noticed he was still standing at the doorway, he raised his head again, frowning.
"Are you daft?" he snapped.
Zhan shot him a sharp glare....so fierce that the MD unconsciously set his juice down, startled by the boldness in his eyes. Without a word, Zhan closed the office door and left, his face tense. By the time he reached the second floor, his thoughts were still circling around Dr. Kexing, draining his energy. He stopped at Dr. Jing's office, knocked, and entered after being invited in.
Dr. Jing stood up in surprise. "What happened this time?"
Forcing a smile, Zhan said, "Nothing serious. I just met him eating, and he told me to come back tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp."
"Are you sure, Zhan?" Dr. Jing asked, searching his face.
"Yes. That's exactly what he said," Zhan replied with a nod.
Dr. Jing sat back down with a small sigh. "Alright."
Zhan picked up his backpack. "I'm tired. I want to head home."
"Fine," Dr. Jing said. "Send my regards to Mother Cang. And Wei Po and Mimi went to Mimi's father's house...the cousin of Zhe is getting married next week."
Zhan smiled. "Please, if the twins wake up, tell them I'll miss them. We'll meet again soon."
"I'll let them know," Dr. Jing promised.
Zhan left the office, went downstairs, exchanged greetings with Nurse Hannah, and stepped out of the hospital compound. He sat under a tree, pulled out his phone, and hesitated for a while before dialing Dr. Kexing's number. Not his private line.....it had been locked....but the general one.
For three minutes he stared at the digits on the screen, then closed his eyes, erased it, and slipped the phone back into his bag. Rising slowly, he walked out of the hospital and hailed a taxi. After telling the driver his destination, he climbed in.
When they reached the stop, Zhan told the driver, "Please wait. I need to collect something before we go somewhere else."
The driver nodded. "Alright."
Zhan entered Ouyang's shop, exchanging a warm greeting.
"How's school, Sir?" Ouyang asked with a smile.
"All good. And business?" Zhan asked.
"Doing fine. I haven't even been to Foshan for a few days."
"That's something," Zhan said lightly. "I need a new SIM card, please. Add some airtime too."
Ouyang fetched it, and Zhan handed him money. "Keep the change and load the card for me."
"Thank you very much," Ouyang said gratefully.
Zhan smiled, bade him farewell, and returned to the taxi.
When he reached mother Cang's house, he paid the driver and stepped inside. Daniel was in the compound, speaking on the phone. Zhan only gave him a brief smile so as not to interrupt and went inside. Koi was there alone. After their greeting, she explained, "Everyone left less than an hour ago. You know ma'am friend's daughter is getting married tomorrow. She went with Mimi. They'll probably be back by Sunday. The twins went yesterday with Wei Po to their father's place. Their dad's daughter is marrying this week too."
Zhan, sitting in the living room while scrolling through his phone, only murmured, "I see."
Koi added, "You don't have work tomorrow, do you?"
Zhan glanced up with a small smile.
"Then let's attend the wedding together," she suggested. "ma'am told me to go. She probably doesn't know you're back from Foshan already."
"I'll be at work tomorrow," Zhan replied evenly. He had no real plans of returning to the hospital the next day...he just wanted to avoid going with Koi to the wedding.
"Alright then," Koi said softly. "I'll get you something to eat."
She left for the kitchen. Zhan watched her go. She was nearly forty-two, and for over seven years had lived with Mother Cang, only visiting her children and parents in the village occasionally. She was more like family now.
She soon returned with food. "Here you go."
"Thank you," Zhan said.
"No need to cook again tonight," Koi added. "We'll just fry eggs with toast bread for tea. That's what Sir likes in the evenings."
Zhan gave her a faint smile and began to eat. He half-listened as Koi filled the room with chatter, but his mind was elsewhere. All he wanted was for her to retire to her room so he could insert his new SIM card.
Around four o'clock, he carried his empty plate to the kitchen, washed it, and returned. Koi had already gone into her room. Finally free, Zhan went to his own small guest room, inserted the SIM card, and dialed Dr. Kexing's number.
It rang. His heart pounded as he bent forward, pressing his forehead against his knees. When the call was finally picked up, Zhan froze. Neither spoke. Seconds passed in silence before Dr. Kexing abruptly ended the call.
Zhan let out a faint laugh. He had expected it. Dr. Kexing never spoke to unknown numbers. Still, he dialed again, though he knew it was unlikely he would answer a second time. It rang until it cut off.
Quietly, Zhan switched off the new SIM card, set his phone aside, and lay down on the bed.
***
Granny Ai was sitting beside Granny Fang Yu, who leaned against the wall on a mat that had been laid out for her in the living room around five in the evening. Smiling, Granny Ai said,
"Ah, finally your health is improving. Look, you've almost finished your food. Since yesterday I was worried.... what would I do if your body had weakened completely? Honestly, I was so restless I couldn't hide it from anyone."
Lan Yi was seated quietly in the living room, watching them, while Aunty Marquis was in the kitchen preparing congee for Granny Fang Yu. Granny Ai turned toward Lan Yi and said,
"I told you, go home before Qiren suspects us of acting foolishly and starts saying we're small-minded. You've been here since the day before yesterday...what if something serious happened at home? Look, Fang Yu Jie is already sitting up and eating food. Later this evening I'll head there as well, and Marquis can stay to take care of Fang Yu Jie and Shu, since she's expecting. Honestly, I can't stand the smell whenever Shu vomits....it lingers everywhere. Why should we endure that? That girl… she's no blessing at all. She's making life miserable for us with that stench, and I refuse to bear it any longer."
For the first time, Granny Fang Yu opened her mouth, shaking her head slowly. Her voice trembled as she said, "Get Shu out of my house. I was waiting to finish this food before speaking. Take her anywhere, I don't care where. If not, then Marquis, take me to Tianjin and drop me off at Yisue's place."
As she spoke, tears slid down her cheeks.
Granny Ai froze in shock, staring at her. Then she asked,
"Out? Take her where, Fang Yu Jie? Do you realize who I'm talking about? I mean Shu....your Shu!"
Granny Fang Yu nodded, grief tightening her throat, making her voice crack.
"Yes, her. She won't spend another night in this house. Let her go wherever she wants. I myself will go to Tianjin, to Yisue."
Lan Yi spoke hesitantly, her voice soft,
"But where would Shu even go? Maybe if you...."
Granny Fang Yu cut her off, her voice breaking,
"No! I swear she won't stay in this house tonight. I've been praying for the strength to speak since yesterday, and only now could I bring myself to say it. I can't bear her anymore. She's repaid all my love, all my efforts to shelter her from her orphanhood, with shame and disgrace. She's ruined me, dragged my name into gossip and scorn. This is what she's given me after everything? No more. No more."
Her words collapsed into coughing fits that left her gasping, eyes wide as though she might faint.
Granny Ai quickly stood up, turning to Lan Yi.
"You heard her....she wants Shu out of the house tonight. Don't waste time. Go help her pack her things, put them in a box, and get her into a car heading to Yantai, to her father's relatives. I won't let my sister's health destroy. Hurry, send the girl away, or I'll do it myself."
Granny Fang Yu kept crying and coughing, repeating over and over,
"Take her out of my house. I said take her out!"
Without wasting another second, Granny Ai rushed into Shu's room.
"Better her than my sister's life. I want no part in Shu's trouble," she muttered as she went.
She found Shu lying weakly on the floor, pale and hollow-eyed. Covering her nose, Granny Ai went straight to the wardrobe, pulling out clothes and stuffing them into a box without a glance at Shu. The girl simply watched, breathing faintly. Since yesterday, no one had entered her room except Lan Yi, who left bowls of congee at the doorway. Shu felt she might as well die; nothing seemed to matter anymore.
When Granny Ai finished packing, she looked at her coldly.
"Get up. We'll call a taxi to take you to your father's family in Yantai. We are decent people....we won't nurse a disgrace under our roof."
Shu sat up slowly, her face drawn with fear and exhaustion.
"Granny Ai, please… they never wanted me there. Even before, life in Yantai was miserable. Don't send me away. Have mercy on me, Granny Ai."
But Granny Ai ignored her and carried the box back to the living room, where Lan Yi was watching helplessly. Granny Fang Yu, still crying and coughing, insisted again that Shu must leave.
"ok," Granny Ai said firmly, "I don't have the strength to drag her out myself. Lan Yi, bring her out. The box is ready. We'll find a taxi to take her to Yantai."
At that moment, Shu crawled into the living room, sobbing loudly.
"Granny Fang Yu, please! Tell Granny Ai to let me stay. I can't survive in Yantai...they hate me there, you know that!"
But Granny Fang Yu only grew more agitated, coughing harder and pointing toward the door, signaling that Shu had to be removed.
With no choice, Lan Yi led Shu outside into the compound. Granny Ai followed, carrying the box. Shu clung to Lan Yi's leg, crying bitterly.
"Aunt Lan Yi, please, you know I have nowhere else to go. They despise me in Yantai. Please, have pity on me."
Lan Yi stood frozen, unable to say anything. Granny Ai set down the box and returned inside to reassure her sister.
"She's gone, Jie. They're putting her in a car to Yantai right now. Please, calm yourself."
Granny Fang Yu, still struggling for breath, clutched Aunty Marquis's hands and whispered hoarsely,
"Marquis, take me to Yisue instead."
Aunty Marquis stroked her arms gently, lowering her voice,
"It's already late evening. Let's wait until tomorrow morning. We'll leave for Tianjin at dawn, I promise."
Granny Ai sat beside her, speaking softly,
"Night travel isn't good, Jie. Tomorrow at first light, I'll go with you to Tianjin. If staying with Yisue will ease your heart, then so be it. I'll stay with you for a couple of days, then return to Beijing."
Only Granny Fang Yu kept shaking her head with heavy sighs, while Lan Yi stood helplessly in the courtyard with Shu and her suitcase, unsure of what to do. She quickly dialed Aunty Marquis, who came out within moments. She didn't even glance at Shu, who was lying on the compound floor sobbing, but went straight to Lan Yi, who had stepped aside waiting for her.
Lan Yi looked at Aunty Marquis with worry and asked, "What do we do now, Marquis?"
"What do we do about what, sister?" she replied.
Lan Yi sighed. "Where are we supposed to take this girl now?"
Aunty Marquis answered curtly, "Isn't she supposed to go to her father's relatives in Yantai? Or have you forgotten, sister?"
Lan Yi's eyes filled with tears. "Don't forget, Marquis… if Rui were still alive…" She couldn't continue, her voice breaking as her tears fell.
Aunty Marquis fell silent, her own eyes misting. With a trembling voice, Lan Yi continued, "We can't deny her. Shu is ours, he's our sister's blood, and today look at the state she's in. We did our best for her, Marquis. My children also tried their best. You live far away, but you know very well the efforts I've made for Shu." Her voice cracked again and she fell silent.
Aunty Mariya wiped her tears and asked, "So what do we do now, sister?"
Lan Yi shook her head. "I don't know. Ayi said she doesn't want to see her anymore, and now my house is not like before, it's no longer under my care... I don't have that power. I don't even know if Qiren would agree to let me take Shu in."
Aunty Marquis let out a long sigh. "And you know I still live in the family house. I can't take Shu there in this condition... it would only bring me ridicule from my in-laws."
Lan Yi nodded. "You're right. I'll just take her home with me for now, and then I'll see how Qiren responds."
Aunty Marquis lowered her voice. "If he shows he won't accept, don't argue, sister. Just ask permission to send Shu to Yantai tomorrow. I'll be leaving with mother for Tianjin tomorrow anyway, since she said she can't stay here. Aunty Ai also said she'll follow us."
Lan Yi exhaled slowly. "Alright then."
Aunty Marquis went out and found them a taxi. Shu's suitcase was loaded in, and Lan Yi looked sternly at Shu, who was still lying on the ground. "Get up and go inside." Slowly, dragging herself, Shu crawled to the gate and managed to climb into the taxi. Aunty Marquis bade farewell to Lan Yi, waiting until the taxi turned out of sight before heading back inside.
Lan Yi arrived home close to six o'clock. She paid the taxi driver, brought out Shu's suitcase, and walked inside without waiting for him. Shu staggered out after her, short of breath. Lan Yi noticed Qiren's car in the garage...he was home. Min came out from the chalet as she heard the gate open. Seeing Lan Yi, she quickly approached.
"Mother, welcome back," Min greeted warmly.
Lan Yi barely looked at her. "Thank you," she said curtly, refusing Min's offer to carry the box. Since being discharged from the hospital two days ago, Min had been staying in the house under Qiren's orders, escorted by Yibo. It had been Shu who exposed Min publicly in Granny Fang Yu's sitting room.
Almost instinctively, Min turned and noticed Shu stumbling into the compound, frail and exhausted. Her face darkened immediately, and she turned away coldly.
Shu didn't even look her way...she could barely keep herself standing. She rushed inside straight to the main house, wanting only to collapse somewhere, her stomach turning with nausea. Min hesitated, then followed them in. She found Shu already lying weakly in the sitting room while Lan Yi went upstairs. Suddenly, Shu bolted up and ran into the bathroom, gagging violently. Min stood frozen, shocked, then muttered to herself, "She's… throwing up?" She quickly turned and left the sitting room, going back to her chalet.
- - - -
Later that evening, Lan Yi sat quietly, watching Qiren. He was scolding endlessly, pacing, his words sharp and unforgiving. When he finally stopped, Lan Yi lowered her head and, summoning courage, said softly, "Alright then… tomorrow I'll send her to Yantai."
Qiren's reply was cold and brief. "That would be best. She cannot stay in my house. I stand by my word."
With that, he rose and walked into his bedroom, leaving Lan Yi behind. She stared after him, tears spilling from her eyes. He was no longer the man she once knew...the husband who never raised his voice, who always gave in to her wishes just to keep her happy. All of that seemed like history now. The man before her had changed beyond recognition, and the thought shattered her heart further. She left his sitting room quietly, returned to hers, and wept alone.
~**~
Meanwhile, in his own room, Zhan was lying down when Koi came in and called out cheerfully, "Zhan, I fried some eggs for you in the kitchen. Just slice some bread, pour yourself some tea from the flask, and make sure to leave some for Mr. Daniel. I'm going to visit our neighbor... her daughter's leg was burnt, and I haven't checked on her today."
Zhan nodded. "If I want to eat, I'll go take it."
"Good. I'll be back soon," Koi said.
Zhan looked at her. "You won't stay out long, right?"
Koi paused, smiling. "Well, there's a drama that airs every Friday. Sometimes, if Madam goes to bed early, I sneak over there to watch it. You know Mr. Daniel blocked all the channels here because of those three kids...Mimi and her brothers...who wouldn't focus on their studies and kept watching TV. So now the only thing left here is news."
"So you're going to watch a drama then?" Zhan asked, half-teasing.
Koi laughed. "I won't lie to you, yes. It ends at ten, I'll come back right after."
"Alright then… just don't be late."
"I won't. And don't let the eggs get cold!" she said playfully as she left the room.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛