Update time!😎 First off, Happy Pride Month!!!🏳️‍🌈🌈👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩💏

Secondly, whoever you are, whomever you choose to love is not anyone else's business! You matter. Your emotions are valid.💜🏳️‍🌈 If you have a partner, I hope you guys have a happy month ahead.💜

I'm a forever alone potato, growing mushrooms on my head.😭

A salad chapter.

My wuv wuv for those who voted and commented!😍❤️ To the silent readers, come out dudes and dudettes!😏 I know you guys are there, lurking in the shadows, increasing the reading count!😏 Why be awesome in silence? XingXing wants to meet ya!😚

©The cover manip belongs to the rightful owner©

Off you go!

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Chapter-16

Saturday came around and YiBo went to Zhan's house to pick his son up. The later was ready with Xing. However, the first thing YiBo noticed was how sharp and good Zhan looked in a formal attire. His heart sank.

"Going somewhere?" YiBo asked casually after greeting them both and showering Xing with enough attention to keep him distracted for a moment.

"Yes, I have an appointment."

YiBo's face must have portrayed how exactly he interpreted that 'appointment' because Zhan added quickly, "At- at the office. I'm going to the office."

He knew why Zhan clarified that. YiBo's behaviour on the previous occasion was the reason. But that wasn't the point. The point was YiBo needed to make sure that Zhan told him when was the next date.

So, he tried to look embarrassed and said, "Don't worry, I won't nose around anymore. I remember our promise."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, that you'd let me keep Xing the next time you have a date?"

Zhan looked at him oddly, a frown forming between his brows. YiBo couldn't have that. He couldn't have him doubting.

"Of course, if you'd rather not...."

"No, it's," Zhan visibly chose his words carefully, "it's just strange that you'd-" then he cut himself suddenly and gave a smile that looked perfunctory. "Yeah, sure. You can absolutely keep Xing whenever you want to."

"Thanks."

Then Zhan went to Xing who was interrogating a very nervous looking Xiu Ying about his.....nose. YiBo had to laugh at the hilarity of the scene. His assistant was efficient on many things but kids were not among them. And for some reason his son was fixated with Xiu Ying's very ordinary and innocent looking nose.

Zhan picked Xing up and told him to be a good boy and listen to Daddy and not to be naughty, to which his son dutifully answered a "Noh."

After they set Xing up into his seat and Xiu Ying got behind the wheel, it was time for the two to part. This was always the most awkward moment for them.

"So, you'd be busy in the office today?"

"Yeah. I don't go there often. So, when I do I try to cover as much work as I can."

YiBo nodded in understanding, still debating whether he should say what he wanted to say. And finally decided to fuck it and asked, "Would you like to come around later? Mum wanted to see you. She was asking after you."

This time Zhan's surprise was very obvious. "She wants me to visit her house?"

"What's so shocking about it? She had always adored you."

An expression akin to sadness fell on Zhan's face. "I'm- I'm sorry but I think I can't make it today-"

"Time won't be a problem."

"I know and please, tell her that I really appreciate it and apologize for declining but I really don't think I could make it."

Zhan looked so painfully cornered that YiBo didn't push the matter. After all it was pretty predictable that Zhan would not agree.

"All right, then. I'll bring him back before his bed time."

"Thanks.......And-"

YiBo was already opening the door and he turned back to him partially, hand still on the door.

"Is- is your mother doing well?"

YiBo looked at him and saw the trepidation. What had they become? How did things get this bad?

"You used to call her Auntie."

Zhan's face paled and YiBo replied with, "Yes, she is well. I'll convey your regards. We're off then." He could sense Zhan wanted to say something more but didn't give him a chance.

Yes, he was being deceptive and manipulative. But it was necessary. He wasn't sure if the end of the road would be a happy one but he had to try if he wanted this family to be whole again. And this time he would not leave any stone unturned.

XOXOXOX

YiBo was worried whether Xing would be willing to go inside an unknown house. He had been reading parenting books and some stated that some babies made a fuss about new places. But he needed not to worry at all. If his son could he would have opened the car door and got out himself, such was his eagerness.

YiBo's mother teared up the moment she saw her grandson. "Oh God, oh my heart. Come here, come here!"

"That's your grandma," YiBo told his son who was perched on his Dad's arm.

Xing sucked his thumb and eyed Mrs. Wang then looked at his Daddy, "Gumma?"

"Yes! I'm your Grandma, sweetie!" YiBo's mother answered him and extended her arms to take the toddler.

Xing immediately turnedhis head away and hugged his Daddy's neck.

"It's okay, it's just Grandma," YiBo soothed and when Xing hugged him tighter he conceded, "Okay okay, you don't have to. Let's meet Grandpa."

YiBo's father was standing behind his mother, looking overwhelmed. He was probably the most socially awkward person YiBo had ever seen and he was looking forward to how things would play out between this grandson and grandfather.

When YiBo stood in front of his father, instead of shying away this time Xing zeroed all his attention to the old man before him.

"And that's Grandpa."

"Erm..hello," YiBo's father greeted.

"Gumpy?" Xing asked, eyes still on the man and then something unexpected happened. He held out his small arms forward and tried to lunge to his grandpa.

"WOAH! Easy, Peanut!" YiBo struggled to keep him from dropping and gestured his Dad to take him.

Looking like a deer caught in the headlights, his father took the baby into his arms and the first thing Xing did was to grab his glasses.

So, that was the lure.

YiBo burst out laughing while his mother scoffed. "If I knew that was all it needed, I would have had four glasses on!" She grumbled. "I do all the work and he takes the cake." She shot a glare at her husband who was busy fending off two grubby hands.

"Wan! Wan!" Xing exclaimed, smudging the glasses with his fingerprints.

"But grandpa won't be able to see if you take them," said YiBo's father.

"Gumpy?" Xing stopped and stared at his grandpa with big, rounded eyes.

"Yes, love?"

Xing chewed on his index finger speculatively, then, started patting the older man's face, "Dagon!"

"Oh, boy!" YiBo cackled while his parents looked puzzled.

"What does that mean?" Asked Mr. Wang.

"It means you're in big trouble, Daddy dear," YiBo answered, still laughing his head off.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wang went to Xing and coaxed again, "Come to grandma, honey, I have toys and cakes and chocolates for you!"

"Toko?" Xing's attention was diverted at the mention of cocoa.

"Yes, lots of chocos! Come to me," Mrs. Wang held out her hands with hope.

Xing looked torn for a moment, then frowned and shook his head, "Noh!" And went back to patting his grandpa, "Dagon!"

"That's definitely your spawn," his mother said reproachfully.

"And I'm proud of it!"

XOXOXOX

Despite how he loved to spend every available moment with his son, due to a late night shoot the previous day, YiBo fell asleep on the couch and woke up to a push his Mama gave him.

"Wha- Mum?"

His mother made a shushing gesture and beckoned him towards his father's study. They tiptoed and stood behind the shut door and his mother quietly opened it enough for them to see the scene inside.

Xing was sitting on the huge study table, books and papers strewn all around him; his grandpa was sitting on the chair, facing him and trying in vain to save his books from the toddler's clutches.

Then Xing ripped a page off a particularly important looking book and Mr. Wang yelped.

"Oh no!" His father looked on the verge of crying.

Xing immediately let go of the page, clasped his hands together in a clap and looked wide eyed, "O NOH!"

While Mr. Wang tried to move some of the papers, Xing leaned forward and cocked his head, trying to catch his grandpa's eyes.

"Gumpy angy?"

Mr. Wang looked startled, "Oh. Oh, no no, Grandpa's not angry, love. I guess I can buy another copy of that-"

With the page that he had just ripped off, Xing tried to wipe his grandpa's face. "Gumpy no kwai. Boot, cheeh boot. XingXing good."

"Yes," Mr. Wang chuckled ruefully, then more openly, "Yes, you're a very good boy. Okay, go on, rip as many pages as you want to."

Xing squealed and clapped his hands, "Dagon!"

YiBo's mother quickly shut the door and backed off lest their giggles interrupted the duo inside the room,

"Did Dad really let him ruin his books?! Who's that man? That's not Dad!" YiBo exclaimed in glee.

"He is so wrapped around Xing's little finger!" His mother joined along. "Serves him right for choosing books over me. Now I have my grandson to avenge me. My Knight In Shining Diaper!*"

YiBo laughed aloud at the moniker. He would definitely had to share it with Zhan Ge. "Oh, don't bank on him. That little sneak will always choose his Dragon over you."

And another peal of laughter ensued.

Once they had calmed down, his mother brought up Zhan again. "Is he really not coming? Maybe you should give him a call."

"Mum, don't push, all right? Let the things happen at their own pace."

"But nothing would happen if I don't push! You two have to talk things through!"

"Things like this don't happen like that! After everything between us, I can't just go straight up and start asking things. We're not together anymore and-"

"And you have an almost wife so, of course, you can't demand things. And he can't possibly open up knowing that."

YiBo gave her a levelled look.

"What are you glaring at me for? Am I wrong? Of course, things wouldn't move or he wouldn't talk to a married man! You foolish child!" She shot back, fiery as ever.

"Vanessa knows."

That silenced her for a moment. "............She...does?"

YiBo nodded at her.

"About Xing or about....?"

"Mum! She knew about Xing and Zhan Ge as early as that day."

She knew that already but clearly couldn't think of anything else. So, YiBo explained. He didn't want to but in case he needed his Mum's input again, he decided to confide. Just a bit.

"She knows that I'm not going through with the wedding anymore."

The look on his mother's face would have been amusing had it not been such a sensitive topic.

After she was done with her shocked gaping, she asked, "And she is helping you with the façade?"

"Yes, she is. She is, in fact, very supportive about this whole matter."

Mrs. Wang donned on a sour expression.

"What now?" Asked YiBo, annoyed.

"Well, now I'd have to like her and I don't like that."

YiBo rolled his eyes so hard that his head got dizzy.

XOXOXOX

Zhan put his phone down after picking it up for the umpteenth time. He wanted to call YiBo and ask about Xing but feared that his ex might take it as some sort of jab at his insufficient parenting. Honestly, he didn't know how YiBo would react and that was the problem. He was already wary of YiBo's reactions and outbursts but ever since that talk in the park, things had been flipped over completely. Zhan was on eggshells.

Then his phone began to ring and he quickly picked it up. But to his dismay it wasn't the person whom he was expecting but someone who made him even more nervous.

Yun KyunSang.

"Hey," he greeted tentatively.

"Hi! Hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

"No, it- I'm at work but I can grant you a few minutes," he tried to joke...lamely.

But KyunSang laughed nonetheless. "Understood. I'll be done in a few minutes then. How have you been? How is Xing?"

"We're good. We both are. And you?"

"Just busy wrapping things up. So, I'm leaving this Friday morning and I was thinking maybe we could meet before that? Say, Thursday?"

Of course, Zhan knew this was coming but he still felt squeamish, "Thursday? Um..."

"If you're not free then we can choose some other day," KyunSang was amiable as ever.

No day will be good enough, Zhan thought. But he could not avoid the situation forever, he should not. He needed to man up. "No, it's okay. Thursday is all right."

"You sure? No pressure though."

"I'm sure. Don't worry."

"Okay, then, this time I'll let you chose the place and time, how about that?"

"Sounds great." For a flashing moment Zhan could imagine Talu cackling knowing that someone was trusting Zhan with a public place.

"Perfect. Okay, I've overused my allotted few minutes, so, I should-"

At this moment Zhan's phone indicated another incoming call and the ID said, YiBo. Immediately Zhan's parental instinct went on alert.

"Uh, KyunSang, I'm sorry but I'll call you back in a minute. I've an important call coming."

"Oh, absolutely. Take your time."

"Yeah, bye. Sorry."

"No worries! Bye."

Zhan couldn't pick up the call soon enough. "Yes, hello. What happened? Is Xing all right?"

YiBo must not have been expecting that reaction as it took him a second to respond. "...Yeah, he is all right. He's great. He's been glued to my Dad ever since he had come here."

Heart going back to its own place again, Zhan closed his eyes as the relief washed him over. He knew he was over worrying. "That's....great. He's a very friendly child but I hope he is not over exhausting your parents."

"He'd do no such thing! My son is an angel."

Zhan snorted, "You should see him eating his veggies."

"Maybe I would."

And he would, Zhan knew that. The knowledge that YiBo would be a constant in Xing's life was a very assuring thought for him. He didn't know how things would change after YiBo's marriage but he hoped Xing would get to be with his Daddy as much as he wanted.

"Your line was busy, is this all right? I can call back later." YiBo suggested.

Zhan's mind was elsewhere and he immediately replied, "Oh, no, I was on a call with KyunSan-" his brain caught up but there was no time for him to go back, so he just cleared his throat a bit, "With KyunSang." He completely forgot that YiBo didn't know the guy's name and his pause gave him away.

"Ah. That's your boyfriend, isn't he?"

A ripple of something close to fear sparked inside his stomach. This was too familiar. YiBo calling any of his male friends his boyfriend. YiBo shouting. YiBo yelling at him for 'cheating' on him....

Hearing that word from YiBo was a trigger itself. But he did not let his voice waver answering, "No, he is not. A single date doesn't make someone a boyfriend."

"Then you should definitely go on a second date."

Zhan couldn't understand if YiBo was being sarcastic or serious. Was he mocking him? Was that a condescending tone? Why was so he so interested in his dating? Was the history repeating itself? "I'm sorry but why are you so invested in my dating?" Because he would not let the same nightmares occur again. More so because their lives had gone their separate ways now.

"I'm not! What're you talking about?" YiBo's response was quick and defensive, "Is it a crime to be polite these days? I thought we needed to be on friendly terms in order to give Xing a good childhood."

And that was all it took to prevent Zhan from voicing his thoughts. Whenever YiBo brought Xing into any argument, Zhan knew he would lose because the guilt he felt was overwhelming. The same happened now. He felt mortified, even though the rational part of his brain told him not to. "I'm- I'm sorry. It's- it's just you have been asking after my dating lately and I couldn't think of any reason for you to do so."

"Because I want to spend more time with Xing!"

Zhan didn't know what that had anything to do with his dates but chose not to comment on that because he tried to avoid any sort of argument with his ex if he could. Instead, he said, "You can spend as much time with him as you want."

"But when you go out I can bring him with me. It's special."

"You can take him out whenever you want! Have I ever stopped you from meeting Xing?"

"You mean except for the first two years of his life?"

It was as though someone had slammed Zhan to a wall. Pain shot through his body.

"I'm sorry. That was uncalled for," YiBo mumbled an apology after a charged pause. "I just wanted to mend things for how I had reacted the first time when you told me about your date. I didn't mean to...." They both were quiet. "I'm trying, you know? I'm trying to be nice, to be accepting and it's hard."

"It's on Thursday," Zhan said. He couldn't take the stress anymore and just wanted this conversation to be over. "The date is on Thursday. If you're free you can keep Xing with you."

"Zhan Ge-"

"I'm sorry, YiBo. I'm sorry. You'll probably never know how sorry I am for keeping him away from you for so long and I don't expect you to understand because if I were in your shoes I couldn't have forgiven myself either. But there were reasons, however frivolous or lame they might seem now, but at that time they were strong enough for me to take that decision. And I know you won't believe me but I didn't do it out of some kind of twisted sense of revenge. Hurting you was the last thing on my mind when I left. You don't need to mend anything. There is nothing to mend. You didn't do anything wrong to lose the first two years of Xing's life and you have every right to be angry. But YiBo, was it only because of me that we fell apart? Was there nothing you could have done better? I'm not mentally stable enough to argue or talk about everything that had happened and you might not want to hear any explanations but if there is a chance, I'll probably be able to tell you everything." Zhan's voice was shaking and he quickly apologized and cut the call immediately without waiting for any reply from the other end.

He could not believe he had said all those things. Maybe because it was over phone that he was able to. His heart was beating so fast that it felt like bursting out of his chest. His ears throbbed. In a way, it was a good thing to let the words out. They both needed to talk things through if they ever hoped for a normal co-parenting. But the emotions were too much for him to handle. What would YiBo think now? How would he react? How was he going to face the man the next time they met? That last thought made his stomach drop. What next time? They would meet later that very same day! Were the words too harsh? He shouldn't have mentioned their falling apart. But it really wasn't solely because of him. He really wasn't trying to play a blame game. It was just they had so many unresolved problems between them. Would YiBo be angry now? Would he yell at him when they face one another? He wouldn't abandon Xing over this, would he? No no, he was a great parent, he wouldn't.

Zhan knew he was losing the grip. His anxiety was hiking up and he needed to stop right now! Without any delay he rang up Xuan. His assistant knew how to pull him out if he had a panic attack. Forcing his mind away from those thoughts, Zhan concentrated on regulating his breathing. He would go to the rooftop with Xuan in a while. He didn't trust himself alone near any potentially harmful places or objects when things were like this. But he needed to be in an open space.

There was a knock and Xuan entered and the first thing he uttered was, "Shit."

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* My Butty, SabyyaButt likes to call Xing that. I had a laughing fit hearing it for the first time. I have a very active imagination!😂

Any thoughts?👀

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