Awake

Chapter 27

Even though everything was going according to plan, everyone knew that they couldn't afford to relax. Ziyi was a sneaky human, and she never played fair, so her silence kept everyone on their toes.

The media was eating up all the scandals related to everything she had done, and Ziyi kept silent. She didn't even try to defend herself.

Yubin kept a close eye on Fanxing, and he knew Ziyi was not with him. She disappeared without a trace. Since the news about her crimes was made public, she was nowhere to be found.

This made Yibo very anxious. One more day before the AGM and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He didn't want anyone outside of their small circle to know that he is alive and also that his dad was with him, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that Ziyi was going to go after Zhan. After all, everything started at the hospital, and Zhan was the man at the center of it all.

Ziyi doesn't mind blood on her hands to get what she wants. Even though she didn't know who the master mind was, she knew that Zhan was a major role player and to get to whoever is behind her down fall she needed Zhan. The more Yibo thought about this, the more unsettled he became. He couldn't depend too much on Yubin because he was also stuck between protecting 2 people for different reasons.

"Yubin, we need to decide on our next move, and Ziyi's silence is really messing with my head."

"I know what you mean, but at the moment, we have no choice but to wait for her to act. I doubt she has made the connection between you and Zhan. She still thinks you are dead, and we need to keep it that way. We can't lose the element of surprise. "

"I know that, but I can't shake off the feeling that she might blame Zhan for things unraveling as they have. That woman is smart, even though she might not have connected the dots yet. It's only a matter of time."

"Unfortunately, I agree with you on that one, and I can't keep hanging around Zhan too much because that will also raise suspension. So, how do we protect Zhan without putting him in danger?"

The two were deep in thoughts and didn't even realize that Yibo's dad had woken up. He was not fully himself yet, but his head was mostly working normal. He still struggles with fatigue and haziness, but other than that, he is well.

"Who is this Zhan that you two keep talking about? A friend of yours or a business partner, maybe?"

Yibo only now realized that only his mom knew that he was gay and his dad didn't know. Their relationship was not the best, but since they both wanted to do better, there was no better time than the present to tell his dad the truth.

"Dad, I know this might come as a surprise to you, and I might even disappoint you, but..."

Yibo lost his courage when he was looking into his father's eyes. He looked like he was ready to hear what Yibo wanted to say, but would he accept him? His dad is a traditional man and very old school in his thinking.

"But what, son?"

"Well, Zhan is my boyfriend dad. He is someone I have come to treasure greatly. Not because he saved my life or anything like that, but because he gave me a new path for my life. For a long time, all I could ever think about was revenge against Ziyi. After I met him and fell in love with him, I started thinking maybe I had a chance at a normal life full of love and precious memories. I know it might come as a shock to you. You might even feel a little disappointed with my choices, but this is one thing I refuse to let go of even if it will cost me my reconciliation with you."

His dad just smiled.

"Yibo, I know it's scary telling your parents that you are in an unconventional relationship. Yes, maybe before everything happened, I would have found it hard to understand how you would trade a woman's warmth for a man's. You spent many years on your own.."

Yubin cleared his throat because he wanted to be acknowledged by Yibo's dad for his part in supporting Yibo.

"Sorry, not all alone since you had this young man with you. What I mean is that you didn't know unconditional love from an intimate partner. If this Zhan is who you love, then love him. I would just love the opportunity to meet him one day."

"You already have dad."

"I have? When did I meet him?"

"He is the doctor that rescued you from Ziyi's clutches."

"Oh, him, I cant say I remember him well at all so I can't wait to meet him in a clearer state of mind. And you young man, do you mind telling me how you know Fanxing? It seems you two also have something special. I have seen things and heard this between the two of you."

Yubin was shocked by the question. He didn't see it coming at all, so he was caught off guard. Instead of answering, he just coughed uncontrollably.

"Well, I guess I got my answer. I have done such a terrible job at showing my sons what love looks like to the point where both would rather be with men."

This stung Yibo's heart because love is love regardless of the gender, but he wasn't going to argue with his father. He was more worried about Zhan than what his dad thought about what love is.

Yubin was different.

"Sir, if I may say something. I don't think you are interpreting this correctly. Your sons are able to love and be loyal even though to you, a man loving another man might not be real love. Love is love, and it requires a lot of vulnerability and acceptance from both your sons to fearlessly love even though the world may not accept it. I love Fanxing, and we have been together for a long time. I can proudly admit this because he has given me assurance that he loves me too. So I don't think their kind of love is wrong or tge result of something negative."

"I know you are right, but I need a moment to adjust. Give me time, and I will get there, ok? My daughter doesn't want to get married ever. My sons are in relationships that won't give me any grand babies. Let me mourn the loss of grandkids, ok?"

Yubin wanted to continue to say more, but when he saw Yibo shaking his head, he knew not to say another word.

Yubin's phone rang anyway, and he answered it.

"WHAT? When did this happen?"

Yubin was looking at Yibo with a horrified look.

Yibo mouthed. "What's going on?"
Yibo would get his answer in the next sentence that Yubin uttered.

"Why did you go home, Fanxing? I thought we spoke about this!"

Yubin listened for a couple more minutes, and he the look on his face kept getting worse and worse.

After he hung up the phone, he turned towards Yibo.

"Your suspensions about Ziyi's plans seem to be right. Fanxing thinks he saw a car earlier today that was parked in the basement parking, and the man in the backseat looked like Zhan."

"WHAT, HOW DID SHE GET TO HIM?"

"Fanxing doesn't know, but he says the car is no longer there, and he doesn't know where they took him."

"Let me call the hospital before I do something stupid!"

Yibo did call, and to his horror, he was informed that Zhan left with 2 gentlemen earlier that afternoon.

He threw the phone against the wall.

"Why the hell would be leave willingly with anyone when he knows the situation that's we are in right now? SHIT! Dad, I promise you, if that woman lays a finger on Zhan, I will end her. It won't matter to me if she is the mother of your children!"

Yibo's mind was racing. Now he understood why he felt so unsettled the whole day.

"Calm down, son. I don't think Ziyi will hurt Zhan. I think she wants to use him as a bargaining chip to get the upper hand tomorrow at the AGM. She just wants whoever is responsible for the chaos in her life to step forward. Let it be me. It's time I fix this."

"We both will step up. All bets are off now. She should have continued with her schemes without involving Zhan. Now, I am willing to do whatever it takes to get him back. And I mean WHATEVER IT TAKES."

Yubin understood very well what this meant. For as long as Yubin has known Yibo, Yibo was very honest about his desire to kill Ziyi. And as it stands, Ziyi just gave Yibo a reason to reset back.

"Where did Fanxing say his mother is? I am done playing hide and seek."