Fuyue lifted the small white bottle in his hand, studying it carefully, then turned to look at Peng.
Peng nodded once and repeated what he had already said.
"๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐โ๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ."
Fuyue shook his head slowly.
"๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ, ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ. ๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐...๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐, ๐ผ ๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐โ๐๐ค. ๐ต๐ข๐ก ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ค? ๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก."
Peng didn't move from where he was sitting. He just stared at him. His face hardened completely, all traces of warmth vanishing at once.
"๐ผ ๐๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐น๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐. ๐ท๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐? ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ผ'๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข? ๐ท๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐?"
Something like shock rippled through Fuyue at the way Peng was speaking to him now. This wasn't how he usually talked...not like before, when he had almost coaxed him gently. Not even like when he had handed him that large sum of money, money that felt likeย Aunty Hsiao had enjoyed more than him in comfort. Back then, when Peng asked to see him again, there had been visible satisfaction on her face as she calmly repeated the plan they had agreed on.
"๐๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ข๐กโ, ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ , ๐น๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐. ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ โ๐๐. ๐โ๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ โ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐...๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐ โ๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐. ๐น๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ค ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก'๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐.
๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ก๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ. ๐โ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐ฆ, ๐ค๐'๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐'๐ก, ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ค๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ โ๐๐ฃ๐, ๐๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ก, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐โ๐๐๐. ๐ธ๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ, ๐ค๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ."
Those words settled heavily on Fuyue's chest and stayed there even as he left, flagged down a taxi, and headed to the place Peng had instructed him to wait. He hadn't been standing there for more than two minutes after informing Peng that he had arrived when a pitch-black SUV pulled up in front of him. A rough-looking young man stepped out, opened the door, and ordered him inside.
His heart pounding wildly, Fuyue forced himself into the vehicle. As soon as he sat down, he glanced at the driver, then turned to look at the man beside him...and something inside him snapped. The foolishness of getting into the car so easily hit him all at once. He hurriedly pulled out his phone and called Peng again. After describing the vehicle and the men inside, Peng simply told him they were sent by him...and then hung up.
At that moment, the unease inside Fuyue swelled and spread through his entire body. A deep sense of shock filled him. ๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ ?
Even now, though he was involved with him, he had never imagined things ran this deep.
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ฏ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ? ๐๐๐ง ๐ฅ๐ข๐ค๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐? ๐๐๐ง๐ , ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐๐ ๐ง๐จ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ง? Everyone knew he was wealthy...successful in his trade. Even Aunty Hsiao had said as much when she saw that one million.
"๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ฆ โ๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ค. ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ, โ๐'๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐๐๐'s ๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ผ โ๐๐๐๐ โ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ...๐กโ๐๐ก'๐ ๐คโ๐ฆ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐ฆ."
That was exactly what had pushed them to squeeze as much as they could out of him. Still, even with that, Fuyue's expectations of Peng had never reached this level.
They drove for a long time. Through the dark, tinted windows, Fuyue couldn't tell where they were heading...nothing like the previous time, when Peng himself had picked him up from the wedding. When they finally stopped and he stepped out, he realized they were somewhere that looked like farmland. As far as the eye could see, there were fields...nothing else...except for a single, impressive building standing alone in the middle.
Inside, they found Peng seated, four phones laid out in front of him. The very first thing Fuyue asked about was the car and the men who had brought him.
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ก ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐," Peng replied, answering only that, his fingers still tapping away at one of the phones. He said nothing more until he handed Fuyue the small white bottle again and repeated his instructions.
And as Fuyue studied Peng's face now...and glanced at the black-clad men who had brought him, one leaning against the car, the other moving off to handle something nearby...he knew there was no way he could push further. Money no longer mattered here. Aunty Hsiao would just have to accept whatever they had planned.
Because Fuyue saw no reason Peng couldn't simply order him killed and dumped somewhere in this vast emptiness...a place where his body might never be found, even after ten years. He swallowed all the thoughts racing through his head and stared at the bottle in his hand.
"๐โ๐๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐?"
Peng shook his head.
"๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐'t ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ค. ๐ฝ๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐โฆ ๐ฝ๐๐ โ!"
He raised his voice sharply as he called the name, so loud it made Fuyue flinch.
The rough-looking young man who had been moving around rushed over at once.
Without looking up from the phone he was pressing, Peng said, "๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ โ๐'๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก. ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก. ๐๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐."
The young man nodded and headed inside. Moments later, the man Fuyue recognized as Malo came out ahead of him, dressed in plain clothes and a hooded top pulled low over his head, hiding everything except his face. A cigarette hung between his fingers as he took a slow drag.
Malo's eyes landed on Fuyue, who was staring at him from where he sat. Malo's gaze locked onto him sharply, his lips releasing a thin stream of smoke.
โจโจโจ
Slowly, the tires of a white car rolled over the road, easing to the side before turning off the main street and entering the compound of a plaza whose structure looked well-organized at first glance.
The car drove into the parking area and curved neatly between two vehicles parked on the left before coming to a smooth stop.
Inside the car, Yibo lifted his head and looked again at the name of the building.
๐.๐. ๐๐ฅ๐๐ณ๐ ๐.
This was the place Malo had told him to come to. He didn't know it and had never been there before today...only recognized it from Malo's directions. He reached for his phone from the seat beside him, found Malo's number, and called.
After just one or two rings, the call was answered.
"๐'๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ," Malo said briefly before hanging up.
Yibo already knew why Malo had used a different name. He was with people he didn't want to know who he was talking to. Even this call had only been answered so quickly because Malo was pleased with the money Yibo had given him last time. When it came to money, Malo and loyalty were inseparable...Yibo had understood that from the very first day he met him.
Yibo closed his eyes slowly, memories surfacing.
The day fate had brought them together. The day Malo and his boys had tried to snatch his bag. He hadn't fully understood what was happening until Malo had rushed at him with the intention of stealing it.
A faint smile tugged at Yibo's lips as he remembered how he had slammed Malo to the ground and beaten him once he realized what was going on. Back then, he hadn't been this version of Yibo. He had been someone else entirely...full of raw strength and fury, freshly cut off from home. And back then, he would never have imagined that any form of connection would grow between them...let alone follow him into this new life he had started.
He was still lost in thought when the car door opened. The sharp smell of Malo's cigarette reached him before Malo himself climbed in. The scent briefly overpowered the clean fragrance of Yibo's perfume mixed with the car's air-conditioning. Yibo opened his eyes and turned just as Malo shut the door and said,
"๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐น๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐โ๐๐๐'๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐คโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ โ๐...๐กโ๐๐ก'๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค โ๐๐ค ๐๐ก ๐๐ , ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ผ'๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐."
He said it with a smile.
"๐โ๐ฆ?" Yibo asked calmly. "๐ท๐๐'๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ก?"
"๐๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐ข๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐, ๐ฟ๐๐๐," Malo replied. "๐โ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ , ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐...๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ."
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐," Yibo said evenly. "๐ต๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐๐ ."
Malo went quiet, staring at him. His face was blank, as if he were trying to decide what expression to wear...surprise or disbelief.
Yibo nodded, holding his gaze.
"๐ผ'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ , ๐๐๐๐. ๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐คโ๐ฆ ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ . ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐...๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ โ๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐ โ๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ค โ๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐โ โ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐ฝ๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ก, ๐๐๐ ๐ผ'๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข."
Malo nodded slowly after the explanation, as though he were trying to force the words to sink deep into his mind.
"๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ข๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ, ๐ฟ๐๐๐. ๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ, ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐?"
Without looking away, Yibo replied, "๐ต๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐โ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐ข, ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐. ๐๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค โ๐๐."
Malo broke into a short laugh, then nodded as he turned to look out at the road.
"๐โ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ก," he said lightly, "๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก? ๐๐, ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก."
Yibo smiled and nodded in return. But unlike Malo, his thoughts weren't lingering on the past. He was already calculating the first step on the list of his own plan...his plan, just as Peng had his own plan concerning Zhan.
***
"๐๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐โ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐," Peng said around eight in the evening as he sat beside her. "๐๐๐ข'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐."
Aunty Shui, seated across the room, smiled and said, "๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐๐ฆ, ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐."
Peng laughed.
"๐ด๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐'๐ ๐ค๐๐๐? ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ก ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐?"
"๐โ, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ค๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ," Aunty Shui replied. "๐ธ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐."
Peng laughed again.
"๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ฆ."
Nainai, who was opening the two shopping bags Peng had brought, pulled out a box and handed it to him.
"๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐?"
He took it quickly.
"๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ป๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ โฆ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐."
Nainai nodded as she took it back.
"๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก...๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ. ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐๐," she muttered as she tried to take some out.
Just then, Zhan opened the netted door and stepped inside. Draped over his ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ shirt was one of Noni's black veils, loosely thrown over his shoulders.
He had been downstairs in the kitchen cutting watermelon for Nainai when he heard Peng arrive. After finishing, he had paused, wondering how to cover himself...he couldn't walk in wearing only the fitted shirt he had on. Meanwhile, Bai was busy with his evening lesson in the small room built near the entrance of the house.
When he realized there was no other option, Zhan borrowed Noni's scarf and draped it over himself before coming in. The moment he stepped inside, Peng's eyes landed on him. They locked gazes briefly before Zhanย looked away, but even as Zhan walked closer, he could still feel the weight of Peng's stare on him.
When Zhan held out the plate of watermelon to Nainai, she didn't take it. Instead, she gestured toward Peng.
"๐๐, ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ก โ๐๐๐. ๐บ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก, ๐โ๐๐."
With no way around it, Zhan handed the plate to Peng and greeted him politely. Peng accepted it, studying him closely, then crossed one leg over the other as he returned the greeting.
"๐ท๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐โ๐๐. ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐โ. ๐๐๐ข'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฆ."
Peng said this as he picked up a fork and took a bite. He continued speaking while Zhan stood up and moved over to Aunty Shui, helping her pack her things into a bag.
"๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก."
Aunty Shui looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐ค๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐'๐ก ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก, ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐."
Peng laughed lightly...a laugh that didn't quite convince anyone. Before anyone could respond, Aunty Shui's husband, who she had been waiting for in the living room, walked in cheerfully. He went straight to Nainai, greeting her warmly before turning to greet Peng. Being naturally talkative, he quickly struck up a conversation with him.
That gave Zhan the excuse he needed. After finishing up with Aunty Shui, he slipped into the bedroom. A moment later, Aunty Shui followed him inside.
"๐โ๐๐, โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐?"
Zhan shook his head.
"๐๐. ๐ป๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ."
"๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ข๐โ," Aunty Shui said gently. "๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐, ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐. ๐๐๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐'๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐๐ โ๐ข๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐ธ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก...๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐โ ๐๐กโ๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, โ๐๐ค ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐?"
Zhan waited until she finished, then nodded slowly.
"๐ด๐๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐ด๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ."
He answered out loud, but in his mind, Peng barely existed anymore. His thoughts were completely tangled around Yibo.
Yibo's words kept replaying in his head...over and over...each sentence returning with startling clarity. Every time Zhan replayed them, it felt as if Yibo were speaking again right beside him, his calm voice flowing straight into Zhan's ears, settling into places in his heart and mind that Zhan hadn't even known existed before.
When Yibo had told him he would teach him how to love him, how to want to marry him, everything inside Zhan had shattered at once. He couldn't even tell where the confusion ended and where the feeling began. He had answered Yibo only because Yibo had called his name again...clearly waiting for a response...but even now, Zhan didn't know how his reply had come out the way it did.
They had spoken on the phone nearly three times over the two-day weekend, and every word Yibo said felt like salt being rubbed into an open wound...because each one tore through the last fragile defenses Zhan still had around his heart.
At this point, what did Peng even matter anymore?
Yibo had completely taken over Zhan's world.
Zhan's phone vibrated in his hand just then, signaling a new message. As he turned to look, his heart dropped the moment he saw the notification...one single letter, "Y", the contact name he had saved for Yibo under his new number.
"๐๐'๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ค. ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐," Aunty Shui said, noticing Zhan's attention shift to his phone.
"๐ด๐๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐ด๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ. ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐," Zhan replied.
She answered him and left the room.
Zhan's eyes returned to the phone. He sat down on the bed and opened the message.
"๐ฐ'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐. ๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐."
โจโจโจ
๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ.
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ
Inside a modest but orderly conference room, the entire ๐๐๐๐ department was fully engaged in finalizing the presentation documents that would be submitted to ministry officials scheduled to visit the hospital the following day. The inspection would cover every detail of their work and how operations were being carried out within the hospital.
Long tables filled the hall, covered with work folders, laptops, and scattered documents...clear signs that the work had intensified as the clock crept toward 10 a.m. Most of them had arrived before 8, and even those who came late joined in immediately, each person focusing on their assigned task.
Zhan sat at the far end of the table, reviewing his work one last time. He was nearly finished, having started much earlier than the others since his portion of the workload was heavier. His eyes remained fixed on the tablet in his hands as he carefully reread the data displayed on the screen.
๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐-๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐:
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ 003 โ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ซ. ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ. ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐๐, ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐, ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐.
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ 007 โ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ. ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐.
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ 009 โ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ. ๐๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ, ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ-๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ฑ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฒ.
He highlighted the entries using three color codes:
Green for full recovery, yellow for complications, and red for mortalities...only one case fell into that category.
Across from him, Aji and Zuzu worked side by side, inputting figures into their charts, while others quietly reviewed their own sections.
Nurse Saleh stood near the whiteboard at the front of the room, adding notes with a marker beneath the headings Nurse Han Li had written earlier:
๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐, ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ-๐ฎ๐ฉ.
Zhan's attention shifted briefly to Matron Tanga, who had just returned from maternity leave that morning. She paused mid-task to address Nurse Saleh.
"๐โ๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐โ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐โ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ โ๐๐๐? ๐ผ'๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ก๐ฆ."
Nurse Saleh turned to her.
"๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐โ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ."
She shook her head.
"๐ธ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ ๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก. ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐."
With that, she returned to her work.
Just then, the sound of the door opening cut through the quiet concentration in the room.
Zhan's heart skipped. His eyes stayed glued to the tablet in his hands, unable to move...even slightly. He already knew who he expected it to be. He had been waiting. In fact, everyone had been waiting, because the work couldn't be finalized without him.
But earlier, news had come in that an emergency surgery had been rushed in from another department. That was why Yibo hadn't arrived yet...he was still in the operating theatre.
Zhan had been calculating the time since morning. If the surgery wasn't critical, Yibo usually wouldn't spend more than an hour inside. But now it had been almost two hours. They had gone into surgery shortly after 8, and even at close to 10, he still hadn't come out.
If all the anxious thoughts Zhan had accumulated since morning were gathered together, they would probably outweigh the entire conference table before him. It helped that he had completed most of his work earlier...otherwise, he wasn't sure how he would have managed with Yibo's words echoing relentlessly in his mind, disrupting his focus and stirring emotions he hadn't prepared for.
What Zhan still couldn't fully grasp was how he was supposed to look at Yibo with this new understanding...just as Yibo had said. ๐ช๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ฌ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ผ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐บ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐น๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐, ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ?
The door opened again...this time for real...but it wasn't Yibo. Instead, it was a staff member from the hospital kitchen, carrying trays of hot tea in disposable cups with lids, distributing them around the room.
Zhan released a heavy breath as he accepted his cup. He then moved toward the front of the room, where Nurse Saleh called him over to clarify two items that had been mistakenly merged.
The room gradually filled with quiet chatter and renewed energy as people sipped their tea...the combined relief of refreshments and the cool air conditioning easing the tension that had built up from hours of intense work.
There was nothing quite like Zhan...he hadn't been able to put anything in his mouth since morning. So he found unexpected comfort in the warmth of the tea as it slid down his throat while he explained a few points to Nurse Saleh in front of the whiteboard.
Nurse Saleh simply nodded along, following the discussion with quiet focus. As the briefing continued, Zhan became aware of more people entering the room...some from the kitchen bringing additional snacks after the tea. Even the CMO had arrived.
So when the person he had been waiting for finally showed up, there was no dramatic moment. He only recognized Yibo's presence when he heard his voice rising above the others as he spoke to Matron Tanga.
"๐๐, ๐กโ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก. ๐ท๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฆ, ๐ ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก." Yibo said to metron Tanga.
At the same time, Zhan's chest tightened, his heart seeming to drop from a great height as Yibo continued calmly:
"๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ-๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ผ, ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ-๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐๐ , ๐ก๐ค๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ. ๐โ๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก 1.5%. ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก 98.5%...๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐."
Zhan heard Matron Tanga laugh lightly before footsteps approached their section of the room. Nurse Saleh had turned away from the board to greet Yibo.
Zhan tightened his grip on the cup in his hand, as if afraid it might slip. He felt Yibo stop directly behind him, close...perfectly aligned with his back...as he returned Nurse Saleh's greeting. Then Yibo's voice continued, steady and precise.
"๐๐๐๐โ, ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก. ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐. ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ , ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ . ๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ...๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ , ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ ."
"๐ด๐๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐ ๐๐," Nurse Saleh replied, stepping away to retrieve the records.
Yibo moved aside to give him space, while Zhan's mind went completely blank.
Before Zhan could move, turn, or even breathe properly, Yibo took another step closer.
Zhan caught the subtle scent of Yibo's cologne as Yibo leaned in, his long right arm reaching past Zhan's face toward the whiteboard. One finger rested lightly on the words Discharge Planning, making it look....as anyone watching might assume...that Dr. Yibo was simply pointing something out to him.
Yibo tilted his head slightly, bringing his mouth close to Zhan's right ear, and spoke softly.
"๐โ๐๐๐๐โฆ"
His voice carried a low, gentle resonance...quiet, controlled, almost a whisper.
๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ, 10 ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ
2026
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ฑ๐ข๐๐ง๐ฒ๐ข๐๐จ๐โค๐