Between Family And Self... Slow Burn Yizhan

Hai Kuan stood up when Yibo parked the car. He glanced at Zhan and said, "See you in the morning." Then he headed to his own car.

Zhan only watched him leave silently. Yibo stayed seated until Hai Kuan's car was gone, then stepped out and walked over to where Zhan sat, taking the spot Hai Kuan had vacated.

"Did you eat?" Yibo asked.

Zhan looked at him and nodded a greeting before accepting the plastic bag Yibo offered. Opening it, he said, "Hai Kuan ge already brought me one, but I'll give this one to my roommate."

"Oh? What did you cook?" Yibo asked.

Zhan shook his head. "My roommate gave me rice."

"And you ate it?" Yibo asked.

Though he had barely eaten two spoonsful, Zhan nodded again. Yibo smiled faintly. "Good. You'll go to school tomorrow, right?"

Zhan shook his head. Yibo didn't push further, and silence fell between them.

Zhan was just holding himself together, pretending to be fine, but inside he was shattered and numb. He hadn't shed a single tear since that morning's breakdown.....his tears felt dried up, like he had none left to give. Thoughts spun in his head: should he throw away the five years he had worked so hard for? Could he even pick himself up and start again? Could his mind even handle schooling anymore?

These thoughts wouldn't stop repeating like a broken record. He had been alone in his room earlier because his roommate had gone to school to study. He had thought about doing something drastic, but remembered Dr. Kexing mom's words and stayed put.

He didn't even realize Yibo was talking to him until Yibo tapped his shoulder and said softly, "Baby, are you lost in thought again? I thought you promised me you wouldn't do that. I just caught you now."

Zhan leaned his head against Yibo's shoulder and whispered, "Gege, I'm thinking about the exams. I don't even know where to start reading...everything feels so heavy."

Yibo had never felt uncomfortable with Zhan leaning on him before, but tonight he froze. He couldn't find the right words and only nodded. For five minutes they stayed like that, silent.

Finally, Yibo forced himself to speak: "Uh… I noticed the power is out in the hostel. Let me get you a rechargeable flashlight."

Zhan shook his head. "Hai Kuan ge already gave me one, along with a fan."

"Good," Yibo said softly. "You'll start studying now? I'll call you every now and then to check on your progress."

"Okay," Zhan replied quietly.

"Good boy. Go inside and start reading."

Zhan stood, holding the takeaway bag Yibo had brought, and said, "Thank you, Gege."

Yibo only smiled and said nothing. Zhan turned and walked into the hostel. Yibo exhaled deeply, unable to leave right away, he intended to stay and chat with Zhan till ten o'clock, but today, he feels new weird fellings toward his baby brother, that's why he shoo Zhan away.

At home, past nine, Yibo parked and went inside. Min was in the living room in her pajamas, cutting up fruit she'd sent Martin to buy earlier, waiting for him to come back. Yibo ignored her and went straight down the corridor to Shu's room.

Shu was almost finished with the chicken he'd bought for her, licking her fingers when Yibo asked, "Do you need anything else?"

"Water," she said simply.

Yibo turned and left, passing Min, who had followed him to the corridor. She stopped at Shu's doorway, peeking in.

Shu said with a smirk, "I see he didn't buy you any chicken, huh?"

Min felt her chest tighten in jealousy but said nothing. Shu extended a hand. "There's one piece left....come take it."

At that moment, Yibo returned with bottled water, walking past Min into Shu's room. He knelt, poured the water into a cup, and handed it to Shu. "Is your hand feeling any better?"

Shu pouted. "It still hurts."

Min turned sharply and left, returning to the living room with her emotions boiling.

Meanwhile, Zhan sat at his desk with a handout in front of him, staring blankly. He had been trying to study since Yibo left but couldn't absorb a single line. His head pounded as the time crawled toward 11 p.m.

His phone buzzed.... it was Dr. Kexing calling. Zhan silenced the call. When it rang again, he silenced it once more, then finally switched the phone to flight mode, shoved his notes aside, and lay flat on the carpet.

He wanted to cry, but no tears came. His roommate, Cho, returned and saw him lying there, pretending to be asleep.

"Bro, get up and sleep on the bed," Cho said gently.

Zhan opened his eyes. "I'll wake up to study later. It's just for a short while."

"Okay, tell me what time, and I'll set an alarm for you," Cho offered. "The floor's too cold."

Zhan stayed silent, then finally sat up. "Thanks."

He returned to the bed and pointed at the grilled chicken bags Yibo and Hai Kuan had left. "Take one....it's from my brother's."

Cho smiled. "Thanks, man. What time should I set the alarm?"

"Twelve-thirty."

"Okay, I'll wake you then," Cho promised.

"Thanks."

Zhan lay down, eyes wide open until well past midnight. At twelve-thirty, Cho, who hadn't slept yet, gently woke him.

"It's time."

Zhan dragged himself out of bed, grabbed his handouts, and stared blankly at the pages as if they were photos. By two a.m., frustrated, he splashed water on his face and tried again.

It was almost 4 a.m. when Zhan finally gave up and lay down. He hadn't understood more than three lines from his handout all night. He didn't wake up until around 8:30 a.m., his head throbbing as he sat up, scanning the room tiredly.

Cho had already tidied up the room, cleaned the dishes, and left a note by Zhan's side, saying breakfast was in the warmer and there was tea in a flask before heading to school.

Zhan placed the note down and held his aching head. Then he reached for his phone, still in flight mode from the previous night. The moment he switched it back on, Hai Kuan's call came through.

"Why did you switch off your phone?" Hai Kuan asked as soon as Zhan picked up.

"Good morning," Zhan replied softly.

"Did your battery die?" Hai Kuan pressed.

"No, I just fell asleep," Zhan answered quietly.

"Don't switch off your phone like that again," Hai Kuan said.

"Okay," Zhan muttered.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I just woke up."

"Eat something and come outside. I'm heading to work at nine-thirty."

"All right," Zhan said and hung up before heading to the bathroom.

By 9 a.m., he had showered, dressed, and opened the warmer Cho left. There was mashed potato and eggs, and some leftover chicken grilled from the day before, but he had no appetite. He just drank the tea and put on his jacket. Outside, Hai Kuan was waiting in his car, dressed neatly in a suit.

"Morning," Zhan greeted softly.

"How was your night?" Hai Kuan asked.

"Fine," Zhan replied.

"You studied?" Hai Kuan probed.

Zhan only nodded, not looking him in the eye.

"Need anything?" Hai Kuan asked after a pause.

"No."

"Call me if you do. I'm heading to work now."

"Okay… take care," Zhan said.

"See you later," Hai Kuan replied before driving away.

***

Yibo was lying on the living room sofa, eyes closed as if asleep but very much awake. He heard Min in the kitchen frying something since eight o'clock. When the door opened, he opened his eyes... it was Shu, walking in briskly like she hadn't been limping the day before.

"Morning, Gege," Shu greeted, scratching her head shyly.

"Morning," Yibo replied.

Moments later, Min emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray. She barely glanced at Shu before placing the breakfast on the table near Yibo, smiling brightly despite his distant demeanor.

"Honey, breakfast is ready," she said, opening the dish and serving grilled potatoes and eggs.

Shu yawned and walked into the kitchen. It was spotless...Min had already washed everything she used. "Where's my breakfast?" Shu called out when she returned.

Without looking at her, Min said, "Do I look like your maid? You don't know the way to the kitchen?"

Shu frowned. "Excuse me? Are you saying I don't know my way in my brother's house? You're really telling me I'm not getting breakfast here? That's what you mean?"

Min ignored her, focusing on serving Yibo. "Here's your favorite catfish soup," she said sweetly to him, adding ketchup on the side potato. "I'll get milk for your tea, baby," she cooed before heading back to the kitchen.

Yibo, seeing Shu's expression, said quietly, "Take this and eat in the dining table."

Shu quickly grabbed the plate and bowl, heading to the dining area. Min came back and froze when she saw Shu eating.

"Shu, are you insane? That's my husband's breakfast! Are you that shameless?" Min snapped.

Yibo stood and said calmly, "Why are you upset? I gave it to her."

Shu sneered. "And you think you can stop my brother from giving me what he wants in his own house? Who do you think you are? You tried to keep me from eating breakfast like I'm some stray off the street!"

"Take your food and go to your room, Shu," Yibo said firmly.

Min stepped forward angrily. "Are you serious, Yibo?"

"You wanted to starve my sister? You think she's a stranger here?" Yibo said coldly.

Shu hissed, picked up her food, and walked past Min, almost brushing against her shoulder as she went to her room and slammed the door. Yibo headed to his own room, leaving Min standing there speechless, mouth open in shock.

After showering and dressing, Yibo returned to the living room just as Shu came out carrying her now-empty dishes, looking like she'd eaten to her fill.

"Going to work?" Shu asked innocently.

"Yes."

"Please drop me at school too, I'll be quick."

"Oh, so you're fully recovered now?" Yibo asked.

"Just my hand hurts a little, but I can manage school," Shu said, smiling.

"Don't waste my time then," Yibo said.

Min, sitting stiffly at the dining table, glared at them silently. Yibo waited until Shu was ready and they both walked out without a word to Min.

At Shu's school gate, she pouted. "Gege, really? You're dropping me at the gate? My department is far inside."

"They're waiting for me at the hospital," Yibo said flatly.

"Fine." Shu smiled, got down, and waved at him. "Bye-bye, Gege!"

He nodded and drove off. In her mind, Shu thought, So Gege is actually this kind? Who would've thought? She smiled to herself, already imagining seeing Dr. Kexing on campus.

Yibo, on the other hand, was boiling inside. He hated how easily Shu acted around him now, but he had to tolerate her for his own reasons. He turned the car toward Zhan's hostel....he had already called earlier and Zhan said he wouldn't be going to school today.

~**~

By 5 p.m., Yibo returned home. He barely noticed his arrival because his head was heavy with thoughts.....worries about Lan Yi, who still refused to return home even though Zhan wasn't there, and Qiren, who had left Beijing yesterday evening to continue with his business without even acknowledging Lan Yi.

And then there was Zhan, who clearly wasn't doing well emotionally but was trying to pretend he was fine. Yibo could see right through him....he looked traumatized.

Yibo wished he could just hold him close and comfort him, ease his worries, but that wasn't possible right now. He had even given him a handout to study overnight so he could ask questions in the morning. But when he arrived earlier, Zhan had just stared at him blankly, unable to answer even simple questions. If things continued like this, Yibo knew Zhan would run into problems at school. Everything felt like it was slipping out of control.

He parked and entered the house. Min was lounging on the sofa, busy with her phone, when Shu came out of her room, visibly upset.

"Gege," Shu said, glaring at Min, "she hasn't cooked anything in this house all day. I came back in the afternoon, and there's still nothing to eat. I'm hungry now…"

Before she could finish, Min sat up abruptly. "What, are you crippled that you can't go into the kitchen and cook for yourself?"

Shu snapped, "Don't talk nonsense to me in my brother's house, lady. This is my brother's home....not yours! You're supposed to cook for the family, or didn't you learn that where you came from? Is this how wives treat their husband's relatives in your family?"

Min jumped to her feet, glaring back. "Don't you dare drag my family into your nonsense! I'm not cooking because you're not my guest. You're perfectly fine and capable...go cook for yourself."

Shu stepped forward, ready to fight. "I am not Zhan for you to insult and belittle, you hear me? Try disrespecting me again, and I'll deal with you right here! Since Yibo Gege brought me here yesterday to check on my health, you've been bitter about it. But newsflash....it's not your parents' house I came to!"

Min quickly turned toward Yibo, who was watching them silently. Instantly, she burst into tears, clutching her chest dramatically. "Yibo, are you hearing the disrespect? And you're just standing there?"

Yibo said calmly, "And why didn't you cook? You know there's a guest in the house. Or do you not know who she is? Should I remind you?"

Shu smirked and wiggled her foot in victory, while Min stared at Yibo in shock.

"She's family," Yibo continued. "She has every right to ask for food in this house. Isn't that what you're supposed to do? In case you don't know, my family comes first, Min. Cook and give her food."

Min shouted back angrily, "I will not! I don't care what happens....I'm not cooking for some spoiled brat! What kind of marriage is this anyway? Trouble from one person to another every single day!"

Shu sneered, "The only spoiled brat here is your mother, not me."

Min's eyes went wide in shock, and she lunged at Shu to grab her, but Yibo stepped between them. "Enough, Min, respect yourself," he said coldly. Then he turned to Shu. "Go change your clothes. I'll take you out for food."

Shu quickly retreated to her room and changed, while Yibo headed straight to the car outside to wait for her. Min stood frozen, sweat forming on her forehead from sheer shock.

Shu walked past her on her way out and said with a sharp look, "Oh, by the way, that gold money you said we were supposed to pay that second spiritualist....forget it. Just give me back my gold. Don't make me lose my temper. I never wanted to be part of your dealings with any so-called spiritualist anyway."

Min's heart skipped a beat. Shu had said it loud enough for anyone upstairs or on the balcony to hear. Panicking, Min glanced around nervously, hoping Yibo hadn't heard. Shu simply walked away with her bag and a satisfied look, her earlier annoyance completely gone....especially since, just that afternoon, Dr. Kexing himself had asked for her phone number at his office, promising to send her some slides via WhatsApp. She hadn't been this happy in ages, but Min had managed to ruin her mood.

****

This week had been nothing short of hell for Zhan. He never thought he would make it to Friday. He had grown visibly thinner despite the efforts of his Gege's, who visited him two or three times a day, trying to cheer him up. Yet peace wouldn't come; even studying wouldn't stick in his head.

He tried his best to compose himself whenever they were around, but the moment they left, he would return to his miserable state, feeling as if the world was closing in on him. Everything felt too heavy, too painful. Deep inside, he wished he could just disappear....maybe to another world entirely. Every night, every morning, that feeling haunted him. But whenever his mind pushed him toward doing something drastic, he would remember his final exams and hold back.

On Sunday, he lay alone in his room; Cho had gone to school to study. Zhan's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen....it was Dr. Kexing. The doctor had been calling him since Tuesday, but he had ignored every call. Today, Saturday, the calls came again.

He hesitated before finally answering on hands-free mode without speaking.

"Zhan, what have I done that you're avoiding my calls?" Dr. Kexing's voice came through. "Did your brothers tell you not to pick up when I call?"

"Why would they stop me from answering your calls?" Zhan replied flatly.

"Then why have you been ignoring me? We were good, then suddenly, you stopped responding. I had no choice but to think someone told you not to talk to me."

Zhan paused, then said quietly, "I haven't been feeling well."

Dr. Kexing sounded genuinely surprised. "Really? I asked Shu about you yesterday, and she said you were fine, that you were just studying from home."

Zhan stayed silent.

"Zhan, please," Dr. Kexing said softly, "tell me what's wrong."

"I'm better now," Zhan replied.

"Please, I'd like to see you today. Where can we meet?"

"I'll be at school tomorrow," Zhan said.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Are you studying enough? Your exams are next week."

"I'm studying now…"

"Alright, I'll leave you to it, then. I'll call you later."

Zhan ended the call and lay back down.

The next morning, at 10:30 a.m., Hai Kuan dropped Zhan off at school. As they parked, Zhan noticed Dr. Kexing's car nearby.

"When you're done, call me," Hai Kuan said.

"It's fine. Yibo Gege said he'll come pick me up," Zhan replied quietly.

Hai Kuan nodded and drove away.

Zhan entered his department building, his heart sinking when he saw Dr. Kexing coming down the stairs with one of their lecturers. For some reason, Zhan's pulse raced uncontrollably. He bowed slightly and greeted them but avoided eye contact, quickly walking past toward the student seating area.

His anxiety worsened when he spotted Shu sitting with two friends, talking loudly and dramatically, completely filling the space with their chatter. Shu lifted her head, noticing Zhan, shock flashing across her face for a second. She had almost forgotten about him entirely, wondering where he had been all this time. Then she smirked and continued her animated conversation.

Zhan, on the verge of leaving, sat at a distant table, pulling out his handout, pretending to read while their voices pierced his ears.

Shu's friend Axui leaned closer. "Wait, did you just say you were chatting with him until 1 a.m.?"

"Yes, with Dr. Kexing himself!" Shu giggled, pulling out her phone to show them her WhatsApp chat history. Her friends gasped, wide-eyed.

"Seriously?!"

"Yes," Shu grinned. "And he loves coffee, so I brought him this premium imported coffee powder from my brother's house. You know I've been staying at Yibo's place for almost a week now. He even drives me to school. Things in our family are back to normal since that troublemaker was kicked out of the house. Yibo has been amazing. Even when I told him I wanted to pick up the coffee, he didn't mind at all."

Axui suddenly nudged her. "Look....Dr. Kexing just walked into the school."

"Really," Shu said, grabbing her mirror and powder to freshen up. She even sprayed some perfume. "I'll go give him the coffee powder right now!"

She strutted past Zhan, deliberately brushing too close before leaving. Zhan kept his eyes glued to his handout, pretending not to hear any of it, though every word echoed in his ears.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛