The Substitute Bride - Yizhan

Epilogue 💐

Years had passed since that night—since the weight of their past struggles had given way to the peaceful rhythm of their life together. Zhan and Yibo's love had deepened, strengthened by the battles they'd fought and the quiet moments they'd shared. Their journey was far from easy, but it was theirs, and they faced every challenge side by side.

Now, their home was not just a sanctuary of love but a lively space filled with the sound of children's laughter and playful chaos. The bedroom where they had once shared tender words and promises was now a place where their two children—Yuan, four, and little Yizhan, barely a year old—made memories of their own.

Zhan looked at his husband across the room, a smile curling on his lips. Yibo was sitting on the floor, attempting to assemble a toy truck with Yuan, who was eagerly trying to "help" by taking the pieces apart. Yizhan, his tiny hands grasping onto his favorite stuffed bunny, sat at Zhan's feet, watching the action with big, curious eyes. It was a picture of domestic bliss that Zhan never tired of.

"Daddy, help!" Yuan exclaimed, holding up a piece of the truck and looking at Yibo with wide, expectant eyes.

Yibo raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Yuan, you're taking it apart again," Yibo said, glancing at Zhan over his shoulder. "How many times do I have to teach you the difference between building and dismantling?"

Zhan chuckled softly, watching his family. "Maybe if we had a little more order in this house, the toys wouldn't be in a constant state of disassembly," he teased.

Yibo let out a mock gasp. "Are you accusing me of not maintaining order in this home, sweetheart?" He tilted his head toward Zhan, feigning offense.

Zhan crossed the room, crouching down to kiss the top of Yibo's head. "Of course not," he said with a smile. "But I think I'll have to be the one to keep our little engineers in check."

Yuan giggled, clearly entertained by the interaction. "Daddy," he said, his eyes lighting up, "I made it!" He proudly held up the truck, only for it to collapse immediately.

Yibo laughed softly, reaching over to ruffle his son's hair. "Well, at least you're learning early that things don't always go as planned. It's part of life."

"Don't worry, baby," Zhan said, taking the truck from Yuan's hands. "You'll get it right next time." He gave Yibo a teasing look. "It's not all about perfection, is it?"

"No," Yibo said, his voice turning serious for a moment as he met Zhan's gaze. "It's about the effort. And that's something I see in you every day, sweetheart."

Zhan's heart warmed, and he placed his hand gently on Yibo's shoulder. "And I see the same in you, love. Every day."

The moment lingered between them, peaceful and steady. Then, as if to break the stillness, Yizhan giggled loudly, his tiny hands reaching for Yibo's face as he crawled toward him. Yibo immediately scooped him up, lifting him in the air with a joyful laugh.

"My little Yizhan, you're getting so big!" Yibo said, holding him close. "Soon, you'll be running around causing all sorts of chaos, just like your brother."

Zhan watched them, his heart full. It still amazed him sometimes—how quickly time had passed, how much their lives had changed. From the tension and uncertainty that had defined their early days together to this: a home full of love, laughter, and the unmistakable joy of parenthood.

Later that evening, after the kids had gone to bed, Zhan and Yibo found themselves on the balcony, gazing out at the city skyline as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky. The world seemed so much quieter here, away from the noise and pressure of their busy lives.

Yibo leaned against the railing, his arm around Zhan's waist. "Do you ever think about how far we've come?" he asked, his voice soft, thoughtful.

Zhan nodded. "Every day," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I think about everything we've been through—the struggles, the heartaches. But more than that, I think about all that we've built. All that we've created together."

Yibo smiled, his eyes warm as he turned to look at Zhan. "I've never imagined a life like this. Not in my wildest dreams. You, me, Yuan, Yizhan ... this family we've made. It's everything."

Zhan's heart swelled as he looked at his husband. "You've always been everything to me, Yibo," he said quietly. "And now... now we have our children. Our future. I'm so proud of everything we've built together."

"I am too," Yibo replied, squeezing Zhan's waist gently. "I can't wait to see what comes next. Whatever it is, we'll face it together, just like we always have."

Zhan rested his head on Yibo's shoulder, feeling the peace of the moment settle over him. "I love you, husband. More than I ever thought was possible."

"I love you too, sweetheart," Yibo whispered back, his voice full of tenderness. "You're my everything. Always have been. Always will be."

As the night deepened around them, the city lights shimmering below, Zhan closed his eyes, savoring the moment. There would always be challenges ahead—life had a way of throwing obstacles in their path. But as long as they had each other, nothing could break them.

Their love was unshakable, and with their children now in their care, the future had never felt so bright. Together, they had created something beautiful—a family, a home, a life. And no matter what the world threw their way, they knew they would face it all with love, strength, and unwavering unity.

For Zhan and Yibo, this was only the beginning. And there was no other journey they'd rather take than the one they were on, hand in hand.

And they live happily ever after....  💚💛❤️