PART 71

The next morning, Eros was the first to wake up. He couldn't help but smile, especially when he opened his eyes and saw the person he thought he’d never see again lying in front of him, wrapped in his arms. “I’ll never let you go this time,” he whispered, planting a kiss on Zhan’s forehead.

A few moments later, Zhan woke up, but instead of smiling, his eyes widened in shock upon seeing Yibo in front of him. Startled, he immediately sat up, looking as though he was terrified. Concerned, Yibo got up as well.

“Love, are you okay?” he asked worriedly, his concern deepening as he noticed the sudden pallor on Zhan’s face. “Shit,” Yibo cursed under his breath and hugged Zhan tightly. At first, Zhan resisted his embrace. “Shhh, I love you,” Yibo whispered.

What Eros didn’t know was that Ebisu had suddenly remembered Troy’s face. “How long will I carry the horror of what they did to me?” Ebisu whispered to himself, tears streaming down his face.

“You don’t need to force yourself to be okay right away,” Yibo whispered gently. “Remember, from now on, I’m never leaving your side. Together, we’ll slowly erase those nightmares and replace them with happy memories.” Yibo said hugging Zhan tightly.Yibo couldn’t help but smile when Zhan finally hugged him tightly in return.

“Thank you,” Ebisu whispered softly. They stayed in that embrace for a few minutes before deciding to shower. Yibo volunteered to help Zhan shower. At first, Zhan refused, but he eventually gave in when Yibo wouldn’t stop pestering him.

As Eros bathed Ebisu , Ebisu felt a sense of awkwardness, especially when Yibo’s gentle hands brushed over the scars on his back. He was even more surprised when Yibo leaned down and kissed the scars. “I love you so much Xiao Zhan” Eros said as he slowly kissed the scar on Zhan’s back, one by one. Ebisu couldn’t help but smile, until he didn’t notice the tears that started to fall. “I thought I would only experience being with you again in my dreams, Eros,”Ebisu thought, closing his eyes and savoring the sensation of Eros’s lips on his back.

….

It was already noon when they left the hotel, heading to where Liying, Troy, and Darren were.

“You know, we can deal with them later after your surgery,” Ebisu said while driving. He had taken the wheel because he was worried Yibo might suddenly experience a headache.

“I’m scared of what might happen after my surgery,” Eros thought to himself. “What if I don’t wake up?” His thoughts spiraled into silence. Noticing this, Ebisu glanced at him after not hearing any response.

“Eros?” Ebisu called, seeing the blank look on Yibo’s face. He pulled over to the side of the road and looked at Eros, who didn’t even seem to notice the car had stopped.

“I still want to be with my husband and child,” Yibo thought. “I thought I wasn’t afraid anymore, but here I am.” His thoughts were interrupted when he felt Ebisu’s hand on his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Ebisu asked worriedly. Only then did Eros realize the car had stopped. Awkwardly, he let out a small laugh to ease Zhan’s worry, but he scratched his head nervously when Zhan didn’t even crack a smile.

“Sorry, love, I just have a lot on my mind,” Yibo said.

Ebisu didn’t say anything, as if waiting for Eros to speak. But instead of talking, Yibo took Zhan’s hand and gently kissed it. “I love you so much—both you and A-Yuan,” he said, his gaze locked on Zhan.

Their moment was interrupted by the ringing of Yibo’s phone.

“Answer it, it might be important,” Zhan said.

Yibo hesitated but slowly picked up the phone with his free hand, still holding Zhan’s. A smile crept across his face when he saw who was calling, and he showed the screen to Zhan.

“They probably saw what happened last night,” Zhan said worriedly, handing Yibo the phone. “You answer it instead.”

“Dad, how are you? How’s Nana? Where are you?” A-yuan asked anxiously when the call  was answered.

“We’re fine, baby radish,” Zhan’s replied with a chuckle.

“Nana...” came A-Yuan’s voice, followed by a burst of sobs. Yibo and Zhan exchanged worried glances.

“Baby radish, don’t cry, okay? We’re all coming home soon,” Zhan reassured him, handing the phone back to Yibo. “Let’s just head to the basement later tonight. It seems like our little one missed us,” Zhan joked, though they both couldn’t help but smile when they heard A-Yuan crying again on the other end.

“Yuan, we’re on our way home. Stop crying; you’re making Nana worry,” Yibo said softly.

“Yibo,” came his mother’s voice from the other line. “Hurry back, okay” she said before ending the call.

Meanwhile..”Will Nana be mad if he finds out I beat up Andro?" A-Yuan asked his grandmother, tears welling up in his eyes. "But I don’t regret what I did to him," he added firmly, wiping his tears.

A moment later, the sound of a car horn outside caught their attention. A-Yuan immediately dashed out of the house, leaving his grandparents shaking their heads before following him outside.

When Yibo and Zhan stepped out of the car, they were greeted by the sight of A-Yuan running toward them.

“Careful, you might trip!” Zhan called out, glancing at Yibo. His heart sank a little, knowing Yibo couldn’t see the face of their son clearly

“Nana, Dad!” A-Yuan cried as he threw himself into their arms, hugging them tightly as if he hadn’t seen them in years. “I love you both so much,” he whispered.

“Silly baby, we love you so much too. Why are you crying? Didn’t you tell me you’re all grown up now?” Zhan teased, making A-Yuan laugh through his tears.

“Nana,” A-Yuan said, giggling, and they all chuckled together.

“It seems like our little one is back to normal since he’s laughing now,” Yibo’s mother remarked with a smile.

“Nana,” A-Yuan called again, his voice softer this time.

“Okay, okay, stop crying,” Zhan said, kissing A-Yuan on the forehead.

“I’m so happy,” Zhan whispered to Yibo, who was watching them closely.

“Me too,” Yibo replied, leaning in to kiss both Zhan and A-Yuan on the forehead.

After a while, when they went inside, they went straight to the sofa, where A-Yuan sat between Yibo and Zhan.

“Why were you crying earlier?” Yibo asked gently. A-Yuan glanced at his grandparents, who were sitting across from them, then lowered his head.

“Baby radish, did something happen?” Zhan asked softly.

A-Yuan looked at Yibo, then at Zhan, before speaking. “I’m sorry... I punched Andro,” he admitted quietly. Yibo and Zhan exchanged glances.

“Sorry, Nana, Dad. I know what I did was wrong, but I was so angry...” A-Yuan’s voice faltered, unable to continue as Zhan pulled him into a comforting hug.

“You don’t need to apologize to us,” Zhan said softly. “And I’m not saying it was right to punch him, but I understand why you were angry. However, baby, as much as possible, don’t let your anger lead you to use your hands against others, especially when it’s undeserved. I don’t want you to carry hatred in your heart.” Zhan said hugging A-yuan like a baby. “I love you Nana” A-yuan said.

….

Hours passed, and Yibo and Zhan were now on their way to meet Liying.

“Are you okay?” Yibo asked, noticing the slight sweat on Zhan’s hand.

Zhan smiled at him, reassuring him. “I’m fine. As long as I’m with you, everything’s okay,” he replied before leaning his head on Yibo’s shoulder.

“I love you, baobao,” Yibo whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to Zhan’s hand.

“It’s time for me to face the trauma you caused me. This time, I will return everything you’ve done to me. Even if you’re my sibling, Lying, you ruined my life. Now, it’s my turn to ruin yours,” Zhan thought, clenching his fist.

THANK YOU FOR READING IT ☺️☺️