Shu was crying uncontrollably, her lips badly swollen, as she followed Granny Fang Yu, who was holding her hand and leading her to the door. Granny Ai, who had just set down her food tray, said, "Oh no, Yu Jie, don't say that. These children are all the same to you. I wasn't even worried when I heard what happened, because I knew it wasn't just anyone who beat her like that. It was her own blood relative. He must have lost his temper. It's just a moment of weakness, that's all. I'm sure he didn't mean to go that far."
Fuming with rage, Granny Fang Yu snapped, "She's not related to him by anything except that his mother and her mother are sisters. So don't you dare call him her cousin, Ai."
Aunt Marquis stood frozen in the guest room, listening to everything going on in the sitting room, but she refused to come out. Granny Ai scoffed and pulled her tray back toward her, nibbling on a bone. "So now that you've dragged her out like that, where exactly are you two going to find transportation at this time of night? At half past eleven? Any rickshaw driver that sees her in this state will think she's some thief escaping custody…Are we even sure that's Shu? Or are we just losing our minds? How could a simple beating make her mouth swell like that....like a camel's lip?"
Granny Ai burst into laughter at her own words, laughing so hard she lay back and kept chuckling. "Jie, the damage is done. There's no undoing it now. All we can do is say, 'Well, it's happened.' If morning comes and we're lucky, you can take her wherever you need to go. But right now? Spare us all. If you step out tonight and run into the police, no matter what explanation you give, they won't buy it. They'll think she committed a crime and that's why she got beaten like this."
Granny Fang Yu cut in through her tears. "And what if we wait till morning and they finish her off? Is this my house now? Or is it hers? It would be better for me and Shu to sleep outside in the street than stay another second in this house. This is all my fault. This poor child asked me for the keys this morning and I refused. None of this would've happened to her if I had just given her the keys. If I had left this house earlier to take care of my own matters, this wouldn't have happened either. Not even an animal deserves to be beaten like this. Look at her body...it's bruised all over. Look at her face. Her foot might even be fractured! And what if her father's family decides to take action over this? Can I stop them?"
"No one deserves this kind of savage beating...especially not someone who hasn't stolen, hasn't killed, hasn't done anything. It's just cruelty. And if people think they can abuse an orphan like this and get away with it, they won't know peace. Whoever did this to her, may they face consequences. There is no forgiveness for this...not from her, not from me either. She was my responsibility."
Lan Yi stood in the sitting room, unable to say a word. Her whole body felt numb. She was speechless, paralyzed by guilt and grief. Meanwhile, Granny Ai kept nibbling her meat bone, squinting at Granny Fang Yu.
Granny Fang Yu pulled Shu, who was limping and still crying, toward the door. Lan Yi mustered the courage to follow them and said gently, "Please, mother, calm down. Let's talk…"
But Granny Fang Yu turned on her sharply. "Don't you say a word to me. Should I calm down and let them kill her so you and your precious children's can rest easy? Go comfort whoever you want, clearly they've always mattered more to you than Shu ever did. You never saw her as your own. I've always known. I'm the only one left for her, the only one who sees her as family because I gave birth to her mother."
Granny Ai opened her mouth and said, "Listen to yourself Yu Jie. Is Shu made of gold now, that she's not allowed to be beaten? I took worse beatings from you when I was a kid, and I didn't even have a mother or father back then. And look at the orphan you used to strike like a drum...wasn't that me? She's just a two-faced girl who doesn't know her place. And now you're all over her, acting like she's the victim here just because of that quiet little Zhan? Please. Who in this days isn't an orphan? Do I have parents around? I was the one who told her how we found Zhan, with nothing but honesty. And now people are parading that story around like a trophy. Tell me...what kind of orphan turns out to be so cruel? Out of all the orphans, Shu is the one with the least sense."
Granny Fang Yu glared at her. "And may you reap what you've sown with those vile words, Ai. You'll see. Mark my words."
Granny Ai rolled her eyes and went back to gnawing her bone, throwing glances at Shu.
Granny Fang Yu added, "And don't forget, you only came to this house because of me. Well, now you're leaving. Don't even think of building any bonds with my children. I was forced to deal with you, but they don't have to."
With that, she stormed out of the sitting room, holding Shu's hand. Granny Ai looked over at Lan Yi and muttered, "Maybe she's high."
Lan Yi couldn't stay standing anymore. She sat down on the couch and burst into tears.
Granny Ai sighed. "Whoever gave her that beating...bless him. Would've been perfect if he knocked out both her top and bottom teeth. She'd look just like the rest of us olders."
Zhan had grown tired of sitting in the quest living room. Sleep was starting to tug at him. He had been there for almost an hour. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was 10:40 p.m. Then he looked over at Hai Kuan, who was lying down, clearly on a phone call, though they weren't far apart and Zhan couldn't make out what was being said.
"I'm getting sleepy, Gege," Zhan said softly.
Hai Kuan raised his head and looked at him. Then he sat up and ended the call. After a few seconds, he stood. Seeing this, Zhan got up too and followed him toward the door. Once they were both out of the living room, Hai Kuan turned off the AC and the lights before locking the door. They descended the porch steps of the building together.
As they entered the main sitting room of the house, they found Lan Yi and Granny Ai still there. Aunt Marquis had long since retired to the guest room and was already asleep, having decided she didn't have the energy to console Lan Yi.
Hai Kuan glanced at them once with a tight expression and continued upstairs without a word.
Granny Ai quickly said, "Oh good, Hai Kuan...please don't forget you promised to take me to Yibo's house tomorrow. You know I wasn't there when they brought home his bride. I just stepped out to greet the neighbors and came back to find out they'd already left! Yibo won't be pleased if I don't visit. I don't want him upset with me, so tomorrow morning, you'll take me there, okay?"
Hai Kuan simply replied, "Alright," then headed upstairs. Lan Yi watched him go with a look that spoke volumes, but he didn't glance her way once.
Granny Ai snorted. "Why are you staring daggers at him like that? What did he do to you? Just because someone speaks the truth and doesn't sugarcoat things like you and your mother?"
Zhan quietly turned and headed to the kitchen to remake the tea for Lan Yi that he hadn't finished earlier.
✨✨✨
The next morning, Lan Yi sat on her bed with her phone pressed to her ear. Her voice was low and tired.
"I honestly didn't get any real sleep last night."
From the other end, Yibo said, "Please try to calm down, Mama. I'll head over to her house later today. You don't need to go... especially not when she's this upset."
Lan Yi sounded troubled. "But Hai Kuan didn't even consider how I was feeling. He brought all this back up again, knowing how tense things are with her. Why couldn't he consider my condition for once?"
Yibo replied, "You didn't know what Shu did to him. And you also know Hai Kuan isn't the type to get involved in people's affairs without reason. If he reacted that way, something must've really happened."
Lan Yi let out a sigh. "But does it justify what he did, just because of the marriage issue? As far as I know, there was never any real bond between him and Shu. He just wants to provoke me. Years ago, Shu made it clear she liked him and said she wouldn't marry anyone else. Despite all the times I asked Hai Kuan to consider it, look at what he ended up doing to all of us. That's why my mother is still furious with him....she hasn't let it go. Just the other day, she said Shu didn't settle down because of Hai Kuan. And remember when he outright refused to give her a ride? She hasn't forgotten a thing. She told me everything over the phone. And now, after what he did to Shu… that kind of beating? It's too much. It's like he dragged my name through the mud with my own mother."
Yibo sighed deeply. "Look, Mama, just let it go for now and try to rest. Shu's not thinking straight. Why would she still claim she wants to marry Hai Kuan? Of course he rejected her. Since when is cousins marriage even a legal? It's forbidden for ages. Just eat something, take your meds, and stay away from Shu's drama. We'll talk later when I get to Granny Fang Yu house."
Lan Yi replied quietly, "I heard Aunt Ai saying she's coming to your house today. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to argue with her, but honestly, it's not right to hover around a young woman the minute she moves in."
Yibo said, "It's fine, Mama. She doesn't live in the city anyway. Let her come... it's no big deal."
He paused, hearing the bedroom door open. "We'll talk later, Mama. Get some rest."
Lan Yi said, "Okay. Say hi to Min for me."
"I will," Yibo said, and then quickly asked, "What about Zhan?"
Min had just entered the room and was standing still by the door, watching him silently.
Lan Yi replied, "He just left."
Yibo asked, "Is he doing better?"
Lan Yi said, "We'll talk later, Yibo. I need to lie down."
"Alright, talk soon," he said before ending the call.
Yibo turned to Min, who was now frowning at him. "You're awake?" he asked.
She didn't respond....just turned and left the room. He watched her go, then stood and followed after her.
Aunt Marquis glanced at the clock...it was just past 8 a.m.....then looked at Granny Ai and said, "Aunt, it's still early. Maybe wait until around 11. They're probably still asleep."
Granny Ai, who was adjusting her earrings, turned and gave her a sharp look. "Marquis, I didn't say I was going to your house. I said take me to Yibo's house. So why are you trying to set rules? If you don't want to accompany me, fine. But where I'm from, once it's 7:30 a.m., people are already out and back from their errands."
Aunt Marquis rolled her eyes and walked off toward the door. Granny Ai glared at her briefly, finished adjusting her earrings, then headed to Hai Kuan's room. She knocked ten times before he finally opened the door and looked her up and down.
She said, "You're still sleeping? Did you forget we're supposed to go out today? Or did it slip your mind?"
Hai Kuan blinked. "Go where?"
Raising her voice, she snapped, "You said you'd take me to Yibo's house, remember?"
"At this early hour?"
Granny Ai frowned. "Back home, people are up and done with their morning business by now!"
Hai Kuan sighed. "Alright, let me get ready. Wait in the living room."
"Good. I'll be waiting," she said, spinning around and heading off.
He closed the door...and went straight back to bed. Meanwhile, Granny Ai waited in the living room with a sharp eye on the staircase, ready for him to emerge.
***
Around 11 a.m., Hai Kuan walked into Lan Yi's sitting room and greeted everyone. Granny Ai looked at him with irritation and said, "Hai Kuan, after all the trouble I went through defending you to Fang Yu Jie yesterday, I didn't expect you to treat me like this today. I've never gone out to the neighborhood this late before…"
Hai Kuan smiled and said, "Come on, let's get going."
Granny Ai replied, "Oh please. If it weren't for Yibo, I would've canceled this ridiculous outing and stayed home to rest. This is just plain disrespect, and I don't tolerate disrespect. I was so tired I even dozed off before getting up."
Lan Yi didn't say anything. Since early that morning when Hai Kuan arrived and greeted her, she'd responded with the barest courtesy. Just then, Aunt Marquis entered the sitting room, followed by Zhan carrying food.
Granny Ai stood up and said, "Well, here's Marquis, the one I said would accompany me. Unless she's changed her mind, we might as well leave now."
Aunt Marquis asked, "You're going somewhere?"
Granny Ai answered, "Yes. He just now decided he's ready. His mother practically begged him to take me, knowing how stubborn he is. As I was saying it, here he came, like he's summoned."
Aunt Marquis said, "Let me get my shawl." She headed to Lan Yi's room. Zhan quietly approached Lan Yi and gently placed the food before her. "Mama, here's your food," he said.
Turning, he looked at Hai Kuan and said, "Good morning, Gege."
Hai Kuan responded, "Morning."
Aunt Marquis came back out. Granny Ai picked up her large bag, slung it over her shoulder, and said, "Alright then, let's go. Hope we return in one piece."
Hai Kuan looked at Zhan. "You're not coming?"
Granny Ai turned back. "I told him to get ready, but he refused. You know how stubborn he's been since he was a child. Even Marquis talked to him and he still said no. What can we do with him?"
Hai Kuan looked at Zhan and said, "Get your jacket, it's cold outside." Then he headed for the door. Zhan glanced at Lan Yi, who simply said, "Go on, go with them."
Zhan got up and went to his room. Outside, at the parking space, the others were already waiting. Aunt Marquis opened the back door for Granny Ai, who climbed in, followed by her. Zhan took the front seat. As soon as they drove off, Granny Ai burst into laughter.
Aunt Marquis looked at her in surprise. Hai Kuan watched her through the mirror. Granny Ai laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "Hai Kuan," she chuckled, "what did you do to Shu to make her look like death warmed over?"
She laughed even harder, nearly collapsing from it. Aunt Marquis couldn't help but join in, mostly because Granny Ai's laugh was so contagious. Hai Kuan asked, "Who's Shu?"
Granny Ai composed herself slightly and said, "You mean you don't know her?"
Hai Kuan replied, "I've never met her."
Granny Ai laughed again. "Honestly, I enjoyed what you did to her. If she's smart, she'll think twice before messing with people again. She was so arrogant. You should've heard all the curses Fang Yu Jie was throwing at you yesterday."
Still driving, Hai Kuan said calmly, "Her curses aren't my concern...she's not my mother."
Granny Ai nodded. "True. Anyway, she got what she deserved. Wherever she ended up, that's her business now."
Aunt Marquis asked, "But what did she do that made you treat her that way, Hai Kuan?"
Hai Kuan frowned. "Who said I did anything to her? Where exactly did I supposedly meet her and 'treat her that way'?"
Granny Ai laughed again. "Exactly. For all we know, it was a ghost that crept up on her in the night, and now she's blaming you."
They reached Yibo's house, and Hai Kuan parked outside, watching them through the mirror. Granny Ai asked, "Can't the car go inside the compound?"
Hai Kuan said, "I need to turn around."
Aunt Marquis replied, "You're turning around? No, wait for us. We won't be long."
Granny Ai muttered, "Turn around for what? Are we thieves that we should sneak in and out?"
Aunt Marquis gave her a surprised look. Granny Ai grumbled, "Anyway, open the door so I can get out."
Aunt Marquis opened the door and stepped out, followed by Granny Ai. Zhan also got out. Aunt Marquis asked, "Aren't you coming in too, Hai Kuan?"
"No."
Granny Ai frowned. "Why are you always like this...so disorganized? It's your brother's house and you won't even step in to bless his marriage? Or are you jealous?"
Aunt Marquis was already heading toward the gate, Zhan following behind. She knocked once at the entrance and the door opened.
Yibo stepped aside with a smile when he saw them. "Welcome, Aunt," he said.
Aunt Marquis entered the sitting room with Zhan behind her. "Congratulations, groom. How's the house?"
Once seated, Yibo came over, greeted her respectfully, and she replied, "How's the house?"
Yibo answered, "All good."
He looked at Zhan, and their eyes met. "Good morning Gege," Zhan said.
Yibo smiled. "Morning, baby. How's Mama?"
Zhan said, "She's good."
Yibo looked around. "Where's Granny Ai?"
Before he could finish, she entered with Hai Kuan, saying, "See, Yibo will feel better now that you've come in."
Yibo stood to greet her. "Where's the bride?" Granny Ai asked.
"She's in the room, I'll call her."
Hai Kuan said, "Good morning."
Yibo nodded, "Morning Ge."
Yibo stepped out. Aunt Marquis looked at Hai Kuan, who was standing behind a chair. "Why are you acting like a soldier? Sit down, or go out properly."
Hai Kuan gave a faint smile and finally sat down. A few minutes later, Yibo returned. "She'll be out soon." He went to the kitchen, brought out drinks and water, and placed them on the table. But even after fifteen minutes, Min hadn't come out.
Granny Ai kept chatting with Yibo, telling the story about someone who beat up Shu....and how they still didn't know who did it. Hai Kuan was quietly scrolling on his phone. Aunt Marquis kept glancing toward the hallway, waiting. After twenty minutes, nothing.
Granny Ai finally said, "Who is this bride anyway? Whose princess daughter is she that she's leaving us here like street kids?"
Yibo replied, "Uhm, I think she's still showering." He stood and went back to the room. Aunt Marquis clicked her tongue in disapproval.
Inside, he found Min lying on the bed, glued to her phone. Surprised, he said, "Min, didn't you hear me call you?"
She put down the phone and frowned. "Seriously, Yibo? I haven't even been here for 24 hours and we've already got visitors like this? Which of my relatives ever rushed to see us like this? Honestly, I'm tired. Can't I at least rest for a week or two before everyone starts marching in at dawn?"
Yibo just stared at her, speechless, unsure of what to say. After a moment, he turned and left. Aunt Marquis was watching him as he re-entered the sitting room.
"She's in the bathroom," he said quietly, not meeting anyone's eyes.
Zhan was sitting next to Aunt Marquis. Granny Ai said, "Even if she's the most beautiful woman alive, she should've finished her shower by now. We've been sitting here for an hour! Who exactly did you marry, Yibo? Or is it because I'm from Yantai that she's treating me this way? Let her be warned...Yantai isn't some backwater."
Hai Kuan stood and left the sitting room. Granny Ai called out, "Hai Kuan, get the car ready. We're leaving!"
Yibo lowered his voice, "Granny Ai, she'll be out now, I'm sure she's just showering."
Granny Ai handed him her bag. "Or maybe she's changing her skin. Either way, I've had enough. Hand me my drink and snacks too....I need to get out of here."
Yibo took the bag and said, "Granny Ai, you know how long women take in the bathroom. Just wait, you'll see her soon." He didn't wait for a reply and went to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Min sat up on the bed, thinking. Despite everything, she wanted to see who had come to the house. She stood, left the room, and walked slowly into the sitting room. When her eyes met Zhan's, her heart dropped, and she stopped for a moment. Zhan looked away.
Min took a seat and greeted them all, her voice barely audible. Granny Ai looked her over. "Didn't your husband tell you who we are?"
Min gave a slight shake of her head, eyes darting around nervously.
Granny Ai said, "I'm his grandma's sister. That one there," pointing to Aunt Marquis, "is his mother's sister. And the young man beside her is his younger brother. They're brother's, yes, but it wasn't blood related now. Things have changed. We've always known they're not...they just didn't realize it until now. That's his brother, and he loves him like life itself."
Zhan's breath hitched, but Min's reaction was far more intense. Granny Ai, unbothered, continued, "That's why I said they should bring me here...to see the house and give my blessings. It's not like I came all the way just for you. I already saw you back at the other place."
With that, she stood up. "Marquis, take me around the house so we can be on our way."
Before Aunt Marquis could rise, Zhan stood up instead. Granny Ai smiled. "Yes, let's go. You'll see your brother's house too…"
Zhan headed toward the kitchen, but Granny Ai paused and added, "Oh, he's probably going to have a word with his brother Yibo. Let's go, Marquis."
Min kept watching Zhan, her heart racing. Aunt Marquis opened a spare room and said, "This is the guest room, I think." Granny Ai nodded. "It's spacious enough. If Zhan ever wants a break from that other house, he can always come here to rest."
In the kitchen, Yibo was gathering drinks and snacks into a bag for Granny Ai. He turned around in surprise when he saw Zhan. Zhan himself looked caught off guard, fumbling with his words. "Actually, Gege… I was going to ask if I could borrow your phone…"
Yibo raised an eyebrow. "Did you lose yours?" Zhan nodded sheepishly.
"I'll bring you one later. Any preference?"
Zhan stayed silent, fiddling with the kitchen door handle. Yibo added, "Alright, I already know what kind you'd want."
Zhan glanced at him. "What kind?"
"You'll find out when I bring it."
Zhan didn't respond. Yibo changed the subject. "Come help me pack the snacks for Granny. I don't know how she likes them."
Zhan stepped forward, took the bag, and quietly began packing the snacks. Yibo stood by, watching him. Just then, the kitchen door swung open.
Min stormed in, voice raised. "I'm not putting up with this, Yibo!"
Yibo said nothing.
Zhan didn't even lift his head, continuing to fill the bag. Min walked further in, shaking with rage.
"I won't have some useless, unwanted outsider walking in and out of my home like he belongs!"
Finally, Yibo responded, "You know what, Min? You can insult me all you want. Say whatever's on your mind. But don't ever involve him in your outbursts. That's where I draw the line. Don't you dare speak his name with disrespect again...if you do, you'll quickly learn where you stand compared to him."
Min shouted, "Do your worst, Yibo! I said do your worst! And what did I say that wasn't true? What exactly connects you two besides him being your so-called 'brother'? Who knows if he's even legitimate? Everyone knows the engagement was canceled because of his background."
"And now he shows up at our doorstep? People already talk about him being a stray, some nobody they picked up who doesn't even know where he came from!"
Yibo stared at her without blinking.
Min continued, voice trembling with cruel satisfaction, "He'll always be an object of shame in this community. People like him always are. Even you should know better than to trust him. He started showing his true colors long ago... like a lost, scrappy cat pretending it belongs."
With that, she stormed out of the kitchen.
Nearly twenty seconds passed before Yibo could turn to look at Zhan. He was trying to zip the bag with shaking hands, his eyes fixed downward....but Yibo could see the tears gathering in them.
Instantly, all of Yibo's strength drained. He didn't even know what to say.
Zhan placed the bag gently on the cabinet and quietly walked out of the kitchen.
Granny Ai and the others were still in the sitting room. Min, restless and fuming, kept pacing. When Zhan passed through the room, she watched him closely, catching the glint of tears in his eyes.
A satisfied smile crept across her face.
She sat down and let out a long, smug sigh.
Outside, at the gate, Hai Kuan leaned against his car, arms folded, waiting for the clock to strike twelve. If no one showed up, he'd just leave. But the moment Zhan stepped out, he saw him....and noticed immediately that something was wrong.
"What happened?" he asked, walking toward him.
Zhan reached the car but didn't answer. Suddenly, he broke into sobs.
Hai Kuan was startled. "What's going on?!"
Zhan couldn't respond. He kept crying, as though his heart would tear apart.
Hai Kuan looked around to make sure no one else was there. "Zhan, talk to me. Did something happen inside?"
Still, Zhan said nothing. His cries drowned out any chance of speaking.
Hai Kuan pulled him close to himself, concerned. "Please tell me what they did to you."
Zhan still didn't answer. He couldn't....not through the tears.
Hai Kuan lowered his voice. "Tell me what happened…"
When it was clear Zhan wouldn't speak, Hai Kuan opened the back door of the car. "Get in."
Zhan turned his back, leaned against the car, and kept sobbing.
Softly, Hai Kuan said, "Baby…"
Only then did Zhan turn around, his voice trembling. "I want to go to Mama."
Hai Kuan went quiet, watching him. Then he said, "Alright, I'll take you."
Zhan climbed in, tears still sliding down his cheeks. Hai Kuan locked the doors and got into the driver's seat.
They drove off.
On the main road, Hai Kuan glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Zhan had finally stopped crying, his head resting on the car door, completely lost in thought.
Hai Kuan didn't say a word the rest of the way. He didn't want to make him cry again.
Back at the house, Granny Ai muttered, "I knew they were no good from when they were little. Zhan and Hai Kuan? Their hearts have never been clean. Look how we all came together in one car, chatting along the way, only for them to disappear and leave us stranded. If not for Yibo, who would've taken us home?"
She added bitterly, "If I had known, I wouldn't have protected that one yesterday at Jie's outbursts. The way he beat up Shu? He should be in jail right now."
Min stood nearby, smiling faintly. "Don't be upset, Granny. Maybe something urgent came up."
Granny Ai shot her a look. "This is a family matter. You don't need to put in your opinion. Clearly, they had something better to do than waste time with us."
She walked toward the door. Aunt Marquis had already left the sitting room.
Min didn't care about Granny Ai's words...her mood was brighter than ever. Watching Yibo follow Granny Ai out, she purred, "Come back soon, baby. But please don't take long."
"I won't," he replied and left.
She sank into the couch, grinning. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this pleased.
Later, when Yibo dropped off Aunt Marquis and Granny Ai, the older woman said, "You're not coming in to greet your mom?"
He smiled. "I'll stop by later tonight."
Granny Ai snorted. "Running back to that worn-out woman of yours, huh?"
He chuckled. "I didn't say that."
He waved goodbye and reversed out of the driveway.
Back home, Min had already showered, doused herself in her finest perfumes, and put on something small and showy.
She welcomed him at the door, hugging him tightly. He kissed her forehead and sat down on the couch. She curled up next to him like she wanted to melt into him, eyes glued to his face.
He took her hand. "What should we have for lunch?"
"Whatever my baby loves most," she said, stroking his face.
"How about we go eat out?"
She batted her eyes. "Sure, dear."
"Then get ready."
She changed into a long gown and they left. Since Yibo had parked outside, they walked to the car. At the eatery, she chose everything. Afterward, Yibo said, "I'll stop by my friend's house to drop something off."
"He didn't go back to Shanghai yet?"
"No, but his younger brother is going tomorrow."
"Oh, okay."
As they neared her street, Min looked at him with a sly smile. "I feel like going inside."
He smiled too. They had to pass her house anyway...his friend's was in the next street. It was through these frequent visits to his childhood friend that Yibo had met Min in the first place.
At her gate, he said, "Why don't you go say hi to your parents? I'll come pick you up afterward."
She blinked. "Seriously? You want me to?"
"Why not? Like you always say, it's a new age now."
She laughed. "That's true. Okay then, call me when you're ready. I'll come out....but I might feel awkward."
"Don't. Just greet your folks."
As she opened the door, she beamed. "Alright, but don't take long, okay?"
"I'm just dropping something off. I was going to tell you not to leave me waiting too long."
Laughing, she stepped out. "Please, I don't even like staying at my parents' house anymore....not after getting a taste of yours. A husband's home is something else entirely."
She locked the door, looked at him fondly, and said, "Come back soon, my hubby."
He smiled. "Sure. But wait...."
She turned around.
He adjusted his seat. "Go inside and explain to your parents where you lost your virginity, because you didn't bring it to my house like a good asian woman. Then ask them to do a better job raising their daughter....because you're seriously lacking in behavior."
"When you've explained all that, tell them they can schedule a meeting with me to explain things further....if I even have time for it. As for your poor manners… I don't know how long it will take to fix that."
"But what concerns me most is how and where you lost your virginity. Once I know that, I'll decide whether your marriage to me still has a future."
"As for the person you insulted and called a stray? I'd bet my life he's a virgin....despite being a man. He's untouched. My mother raised him. I raised him from when he was a toddler. So no....he's not on your level. And I am warning you, you really think you can insult and said whatever you wish to him and I can't say or do anything to you? You're wrong lady, that boy is my happiness, my peace and everything I love him 100 time more than you"
With that, Yibo started the car and drove off, leaving Min standing frozen in place like a statue...unable to blink, let alone breathe.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛