By the next evening, they were all gathered in the sitting room. Zhan was dressed in a matching tunic and cap, helping the children review their schoolwork....a responsibility he had made part of his daily routine. All the children in the house attended their lessons with him.
Zhan took it seriously, rarely allowing any excuse to interfere with the children's learning, which is why he didn't like traveling much. This dedication deeply pleased Aunt Anu and Papa.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Zhan glanced at Han Li and said,
"Could it be Papa's guests?"
Han Li shook his head. "I don't think so. He said they postponed until later tonight. Should I ask him?"
Zhan shook his head. "No, just go and check who it is." Han Li quickly got up while Zhan continued listening to Niu recite her lesson.
A woman neither of them recognized stepped into the sitting room with a soft greeting. Her accent gave her away as a foreigner, and at first glance, she bore a striking resemblance to Dr. Adrian...clearly his mother. His complexion suggested he took after his father, which explained why Dr. Adrian had a warmer skin tone.
Her eyes locked on Zhan immediately, clearly recognizing him from the many photos she'd seen on Adrian's phone.... pictures he had secretly taken of Zhan.
Zhan rose politely to welcome her, then personally went into the kitchen to prepare some snacks and a drink for her. Meanwhile, she couldn't take her eyes off him, visibly impressed by his calm presence.
He sat on the carpet in front of her respectfully to greet her properly, but she insisted he come closer so they could talk better. Though a bit shy, Zhan complied and sat beside her, bowing slightly in greeting.
That was when Aunt Anu and Papa entered the room, clearly walking out together as he was about to leave.
Papa stopped to greet her in fluent English. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he stepped outside. Aunt Anu returned to join their visitor and also greeted her in English.
Outside, Dr Adrian paused briefly to greet Papa as well. Though he didn't know who he was, he could tell from Papa tone and body language that this was someone who commanded respect. The two exchanged a few courteous words before Papa got into his car and left.
Meanwhile, Zhan sat quietly, listening as Adrian's mother chatted warmly with Aunt Anu. His phone buzzed with an incoming call...it was Dr. Adrian. Zhan stared at the screen but didn't pick up. He already knew Adrian would claim to be outside and would likely come to find him. When Adrian realized Zhan wasn't answering, he sent a short message:
"I won't get upset, but I'm not leaving until I see that beautiful face of yours, Zhan."
As if Aunt Anu could read the situation, she gently instructed, "Zhan, please take some water and a drink outside for him." She had just confirmed with Adrian's mother that they were indeed together.
Zhan headed to the kitchen, poured the water and drink, and walked out.
Dr. Adrian was already sitting on one of the small chairs placed outside on the grassy carpet. He hadn't noticed Zhan's approach because of the garden's greenery until Zhan stood in front of him and set down the tray.
Dr. Adrian kept staring at him like he was mesmerized. Zhan looked exceptionally handsome in his casual outfit, and Adrian looked like he was ready to be swept away.
Zhan pulled over a chair and sat down. He was used to these kinds of looks.... not just from Adrian, but from other men as well. He had often stood in front of the mirror wondering what exactly they were seeing. He could never figure it out.
Eventually, Aunt Anu ones told him,
"You've been blessed with beauty, Zhan. You won't see it yourself, but others do. You're like a living version of Yunjun Jie. You always tell me I'm beautiful, but anyone can see she's even more stunning."
Zhan poured the water and drink, handing them to Adrian to cut off the intense staring. Adrian accepted them with a soft smile and said, "Thanks, my love. You look good no matter what you're wearing?"
Zhan only smiled and deflected the comment by greeting him again. But Adrian didn't back down. He insisted on chatting with him, sneaking compliments in between his sentences. As usual, half of their conversation turned into a subtle campaign....Adrian promoting himself without shame.
There was a moment of silence....long enough for Zhan to think perhaps Dr. Adrian had nothing more to say....until he suddenly asked, "Prince Wang Yibo came back asking for your address or phone number… What exactly is going on between you two?"
Zhan's expression darkened at the question. So, Prince Yibo had already started digging into his life?
"There's nothing between us. In fact, I don't even know him," Zhan replied flatly.
Dr. Adrian paused for a moment. His gut told him otherwise.
"But the way he was frantically trying to find any detail about you… it felt like there's more to the story."
Zhan scowled. "I told you....I don't know him, Dr. Adrian. Please, let's drop it."
"Chapter closed," Dr. Adrian said simply, setting his teacup down.
They sat for a while until Zhan started getting restless, silently wishing they would leave. Eventually, Dr. Adrian's mother came out, and Zhan walked them both to their car. He was deeply embarrassed by the way Dr. Adrian's mother kept praising her son in front of him as if she were campaigning on his behalf.
When Zhan returned inside, he found that they had brought bags of gifts, claiming they were for a "quick visit to check on a him since he's sick." He took what he wanted and divided the rest among the others. Aunt Anu kept complimenting Dr. Adrian's mother for her generous and warm-hearted nature.
✨✨✨
Over the next few days, Prince Yibo felt like he was living in a nightmare. He hadn't known there were days heavier than the eight difficult years he had already endured....until now. His biggest frustration was that Zhan had disappeared like lightning, and even now, he couldn't track him down.
The stress began to take a physical toll. A sharp pain in his chest returned, one he hadn't felt in a long time. He finally went, quietly, to see his doctor as he'd done in the past.
"Mr. Wang," the doctor said, "you need to stop carrying this emotional burden, or at least find a way to release it. Otherwise... I'm afraid your heart might not hold out much longer. There's already some inflammation, though medication should help bring it down, as always."
Yibo nodded, took the medication, and swallowed it with water. Then he returned home and resumed strategizing.
If this were China...or anywhere else with more flexible systems....he'd have already found Zhan. But the U.S. was a country of rules, order, and privacy. It wasn't so easy to trace someone, no matter how powerful you were.
Frustrated and nearing his limit, he called Xeilin.
Xeilin, who was in Bahrain at the time, immediately dropped everything and flew in. As soon as he saw Yibo's name on the screen, he knew something urgent had happened. He also knew that Yibo rarely confided in anyone. Xeilin was his only trusted confidant.
And just as expected, when he arrived, he found Yibo nearly unraveling, consumed by the search for Zhan.
"I saw him, Xeilin," Yibo said. "I saw him, and he had a child with him. Something in my gut tells me that boy is mine. But the day I saw them... they vanished. And no matter how hard I try, I can't find them again. Those useless agents can stop now. I'm done with them. I'll find him myself."
"Calm down, Prince," Xeilin said gently. "You're smart. You're strategic. You can find him, I believe that. But this panic, the sleepless nights, the constant anxiety....it's going to make you lose your edge. You need your clarity now more than ever."
Xeilin's words sank in. Later that night, he got Yibo to rest in his room, promising that they'd talk again once he woke up. While Yibo slept, Xeilin planned to rest a bit as well.
When Yibo finally woke, he felt sharper. He already had a plan in mind....a new path forward to finding Zhan.
Meanwhile, Xeilin sat in the living room, eating takeout and waiting for Yibo to come out. He assumed he was still asleep.
What he didn't know was that Yibo had already woken up, showered, dressed, and emerged....his cologne still fresh, even though he wore barely any of his usual elegant attire due to the state he was in.
Standing upright, Yibo began explaining his decision to Xeilin. Seeing how determined he was, Xeilin put down the food and followed him out so they could talk more on the way.
Xeilin drove while Yibo made several calls, apparently coordinating with people they were about to meet. Once he was done, he turned to Xeilin.
"I'm going to use all the contacts and influence I have in this country. I know people in business and high-level security circles. I'll speak with them personally and ask for their help. I want a small team...trusted people. I'll give them Zhan's photo, and they'll track him down for me. They'll act like informants. I want to know every step he takes."
He paused and looked out the window, his voice low but steady.
"I won't let him go, Xeilin. Not this time. Since Zhan is alive, I can't go on living like we're in two separate worlds. I need him. I need my son. I need them both back in my life. And whatever it takes...whatever happens...I'm ready for it."
Even though what Yibo said was true, Xeilin was still surprised. He had never heard Yibo speak so intensely about anyone in all the time they'd known each other.
"That's fair… but you know this will cost money," Xeilin said.
Yibo gave a dry smile, lightly tapping his phone in his palm.
"You, of all people, should know that money isn't my concern. I'm willing to lose everything if it means I can make things right again."
Xeilin nodded. "You can do this, Prince. I'm rooting for you."
"Thanks," Yibo said as he shifted in his seat and leaned back, exhaling deeply.
Elsewhere, Zhan was on the phone with Que, right after finishing a call with his father, Xiao Yun. He informed his father of his upcoming trip to Dubai. As was his routine, Zhan always shared his travel plans with him.
Meanwhile, Jianghu was sitting beside him on the bed in his sleepwear, arms and legs tightly crossed, clearly upset. He hadn't taken it well when Zhan said he wouldn't be traveling with them. On the floor was Jiangji, busy with his video game. Though he too seemed displeased, his reaction was far milder than Jianghu's clingy attitude.
Once Zhan had neatly packed his luggage, he stood before the mirror to fix his appearance, having already showered. He wore a tailored long coat with a turned-down collar and a belt. The coat suited him perfectly, enhancing his already striking looks. He was adjusting the scarf that wrapped from his neck to his chest when his phone rang. Dr. Adrian.
"Ohh," Zhan muttered, annoyed by the man's persistence. He answered and put the call on speaker.
"I'm heading out now. Do you want me to come and take you so we can go together?"
As if seeing him through the screen, Zhan shook his head. "No, thanks. Just go ahead. I'm on my way too."
Dr. Adrian sighed dramatically. "I knew you'd say that. Alright then, we're waiting." Zhan said nothing more and ended the call.
He then quickly sent a message to Nanjue....he had missed three of his calls the day before, and didn't return them because of how busy he had been.
As the message sent, Zhan tossed his phone into his bag just as Jianghu called his name. Zhan looked over. The boy stayed silent. Zhan knew this would likely turn into more pleading and emotional blackmail.
He closed his eyes slowly, and open tjem...he saw Prince Yibo's face over Jianghu's. Every detail matched. How could the boy resemble his father so perfectly, while not a trace of Zhan showed in him? How had he not noticed this all along, despite having seen pictures of Prince Yibo before? Was it denial? Avoidance? He had never let himself look too closely.
Letting out a deep sigh, Zhan called to Jiangji. The boy left his game and came over.
Zhan knelt down and hugged him. "What should I bring you back?"
Jiangji thought for a moment, then replied, "A ball."
Zhan chuckled. "You never get tired of football, do you? Anything else?"
"Whatever you want, Bah."
Zhan stroked his hair and studied his face. Jiangji looked more like him than his father. It startled him.
"Alright, sweetheart. Say a little wish for Baba's safe return, okay?"
Jiangji nodded and gave Zhan a kiss on the forehead, as he always did. "Love you, Bah."
Zhan turned to Jianghu and called him over. The boy pouted but came anyway. Zhan hugged him too.
"What do you want me to bring?"
"Whatever, Bah," Jianghu mumbled.
Zhan tugged gently at his cheeks. "I know what you really want. But first, smile."
Jianghu cracked a small grin. Zhan feel relief and happy, then he said, "Let's pray together. Everyone join hands."
They all opened their palms together as Zhan led a heartfelt wish, and they all responded together. When they finished, Zhan whispered final words as he smoothed their hair:
"Baba loves you....always and forever."
Then he stood up, checked his watch, and pulled his suitcase. They all headed downstairs together.
------
Inside the taxi to the airport, Zhan pulled out a sleek pair of sunglasses that covered half his face, adding to his already sharp look. He dialed Fadwa (Fadwa is an Arab name), his travel companion, and she confirmed that she was already at the airport. He told her he was on his way.
At that exact moment, Prince Yibo was at the gym. He'd woken up with an unusual desire to work out....a rare thing in the recent storm of stress that had consumed him. After yesterday, when he finally made a move he believed in, his heart told him he was getting closer to Zhan.
That hope drove him to shake off his fatigue and try to move his body.
Then his phone rang. He glanced over. The name on the screen made him rush over and grab it.
"He's on the passenger list for a flight landing in Dubai."
That sentence alone stunned him.
He didn't even wait to hear the rest. He ended the call mid-conversation, his mind reeling.
Zhan. Dubai!?
What was he doing going back to Dubai now?
With no hesitation, Yibo snatched his towel and phone, and bolted out of the gym.
NB
We're going to Dubai now, see you there. 🖐️🤓
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛