Zhan's eyes widened. He looked at the drawing room. How long had Yibo been standing there? Did he hear what Zhao Liying and her father were talking about?
His heart pounded as he turned and looked back at Yibo. Yibo's temper bristled as his blue eyes blazed hotly. "Why did not you tell me?"
"W-would you have believed me?" A few moments passed before Yibo answered. "No," he said truthfully. And he saw the drawing of something in Yibo's eyes. Remorse? guilty? Zhan does not know.
"Then there's your answer."
"But I'll think about it." Yibo drew in deep breaths. "And Zhao Liying-"
"Another reason why I couldn't tell you the truth," Zhan interrupted what he was saying. "I know you are lovers. Councilor Zhao told me that when we were dancing. She hates me. She made it obvious. I can't blame her. She is famous and I declined her invitation to be a guest on her program. Perhaps it wasn't her intention to--"
"Don't defend her to me, Zhan!" His voice was savage. "You almost perished. If not at the hands of her father, then by drowning!" "I-I didn't perish, Yibo..."
"Yes! And thank God for that." Yibo bent his head and kissed him. A kiss that seemed to reassure himself that Zhan was there and had truly survived the hands of Councilor Zhao and the sea.
"Yibo!" Zhan quickly let go of him. If only the marble could open and swallow him. At the top of the grand staircase stood Quiren and Carmen. Quiren's eyes lit in amusement. Carmen seemed to be nailed to the stand. She can't believe what they saw. Her eyes focused on Zhan were full of anger.
Yibo led him towards his parents. "Councilor Zhao and Zhao Liying, are waiting in the drawing room Mom, Dad. Let's go and talk to them."
"And still, you have the decency to.. to..." Carmen searched for words but couldn't find the right ones. "Your girlfriend is in the drawing room, Yibo! Where is your manner?" The amusement in Quiren's eyes disappeared. "Your mom is right, Yibo. Clarify what you're doing."
"I want you to hear what I have to say to them, Dad, Mom." Yibo started to walk towards the door of the drawing room while holding Zhan in his arms, who was trying to get away.
"Please, Yibo. I don't want to face them..."
"Hush," Yibo scolded. "Where is the courage you always show me?"
"This is different," Zhan reasoned out. "What's involved here is your whole family. I don't want to spoil the-- "
"What is he talking about, Yibo?" Carmen asked confused. Yibo did not answer his mother's question and opened the door of the drawing room.
"Yibo, son..." Councilor Zhao had a broad smile on his lips but when he saw Zhan behind Yibo, the smile suddenly disappeared. "You have a... visitor. He looks familiar." As if he is thinking. "Xiao Zhan! Of course," he said with feigned enthusiasm. "We've met at Chengpeng's party. How are you, Zhan?"
"What is he doing here, Yibo?" asked Zhao Liying, wearing her hatred for Zhan like a second skin.
"Wasn't the last time you and Zhan met on the yacht owned by your friend Councilor Zhao?" said Yibo, mentioning the day and time it happened.
Confusion filled his face and he feigned ignorance of what Yibo was saying. "What are you talking about, son? The last time we met was at a party with you and Liying-"
"Don't try to lie, Councilor," Yibo interrupted. "You paid Zhan's manager to take him to Mr. Chang's yacht. You drugged him..." He turned to Zhao Liying, "drugs that Liying gave you."
