THEIR WORTH...

As Yibo lifted his foot to take a step, Wu Jing's voice rang out from inside the room. Perhaps it was the sheer intensity of what he was about to face that made him turn to look at her. She stood in the middle of the room, gripping a gun—Ping's gun.

It was the same gun Ping had told her to retrieve earlier. The shock of seeing her holding it made Yibo freeze for a moment, unable to determine who she was aiming at among them.

"Life is no fairy tale, Yibo. Some get everything, while others lose it all no matter how hard they try," she said.

Before he could react, he saw her finger press the trigger. But then—nothing. Silence.

She looked down at the gun, confusion flashing across her face. She adjusted her grip and pulled the trigger again. Still nothing. Aside from the faint click of the hammer, the weapon remained silent. Panic crept into Wu Jing's expression as she flung the useless gun aside and rushed toward the drawer where she had found it earlier. There had been three inside—surely one of the others would be loaded.

But before she could reach it, Yibo was already behind her. Gripping the discarded gun, he struck her hard at the center of her head with the handle, using enough force to knock her unconscious. Wu Jing let out a strangled cry before crumpling to the floor, her eyes rolling back as she lost consciousness.

Yibo let the gun fall beside her and turned toward the exit. Just as he reached the door, his gaze landed on Ping, sprawled on the floor, struggling to pry open the bottle in his hands.

Perfect. Everything was going according to plan.

What Yibo hadn't told Ping about the antidote was that while it would stop the poison from spreading, it would take something else in return. His mind. The damage to his nervous system would be irreversible.

🔹🔸▫️

"Aren't you going to rest, Guri?"

One of Zhuo Min's relatives, an older woman named Mama Su, asked as she watched Guri move back and forth between the bedroom and the kitchen, tending to the guests.

Zhan, who was sitting on a stool between them, quietly stirred sugar into a cup of flavored tea he had brought from the kitchen.

"That's what I was thinking too," another guest, whom Zhan heard them call Aunty Muxi, chimed in. "We came here to comfort them, but they're the ones running around taking care of us instead."

Guri chuckled, waving them off. "Oh, Aunty, you're our guests! Of course, we have to take care of you. And now that everything is okay, there's no need to worry anymore."

"Yes, everything turned out fine in the end," Aunty Muxi agreed. "I have to admit, I've never heard of people being taken and returned within a single day."

She turned to Zhuo Min. "Honestly, when we were on our way here and I saw your name on my caller ID, my heart nearly stopped. I was already preparing myself for bad news. But then you said they were home…"

Zhuo Min smiled softly. "Even I was in shock when I heard Ms. Er. Che screaming that they were back. My heart nearly stopped when I ran out and saw them standing there unharmed."

Everyone laughed at that. One of the women turned to her and teased, "Of course, Zhuo Min! And with a newly groomed being left in your care, I can imagine how worried you must have been."

Zhan, who had just stood up while holding the sugar container, smiled at the comment before excusing himself. As he left the room, Aunty Muxi turned to Zhuo Min again, her expression shifting slightly as if she had just remembered something.

"Zhuo Min, doesn't that boy look just like the portrait of Mama in the sitting room?"

Zhuo Min turned to look at her. "Who? You mean Zhan?"

"Yes! Ever since I saw him, I keep thinking of that portrait. They look so alike."

"Which one? There are nearly three of her portraits in the sitting room."

"The one where she's wearing that white silk dress…"

"Oh, you mean the portrait taken when she was at her ex-husband's house," Zhuo Min replied.

"That's the one! The portrait you don't like. From the moment we arrived, I keep seeing her features in his face."

Zhuo Min shook her head. "I don't see it. But ever since I first saw him, I've had this strange feeling... like I know him from somewhere. I can't shake it off."

In truth, Zhuo Min was hiding the real reason. Zhan bore a striking resemblance to her ex-husband, Xiao Lei.

Aunty Muxi averted her gaze and said, "He just looks like your ex-husband. That's all."

Mama Su added, "Or maybe it's just his demeanor that's impressing you. The boy does seem composed and well-mannered."

Their conversation ended there, as Zhuo Min, who had been about to say something, was interrupted when Guri peeked into the room with a message. Mo, the young boy who ran errands for them, had arrived. Zhuo Min got up and left them to attend to him.

"You're just minding your own business, not even checking on your husband, huh?"

Guri teased Zhan, who was standing in the kitchen, preparing his own porridge. Unlike Guri, who had quickly immersed himself back into the household routine since their return last night, Zhan's eyes were still swollen from exhaustion. He was still feeling the weight of everything that had happened. If he had his way, he would've gone back to sleep for a few more hours, but with the house bustling with visitors, he couldn't afford to be lying around.

Zhan turned to Guri, looking slightly confused.

"As soon as I stepped out of the room, Ms. Er. Che took a tray of food and went to give it to him, saying it was a gesture of gratitude. I don't even know what she prepared for him."

Zhan let out a small chuckle and took a bite of his porridge. "She probably just brought him whatever was cooked."

Guri pulled out a container and began pouring sugar into it. "You know Ms. Er. Che... she always gets overly excited about these things. Don't be surprised if there's barely anything edible on that tray."

Zhan chuckled again, this time a little louder, continuing to bite his porridge. Guri turned to look at him.

"Why don't you take him some porridge? I doubt she included it."

"Are you sure?" Zhan asked hesitantly.

"Even if she did, you should still go. Help him serve himself or something. At least let him see you around."

Before Zhan could respond, Zhuo Min walked into the kitchen.

"Oh? You didn't take Yibo his food?" she asked, glancing at Zhan.

"Uh… I was just about to go," Zhan quickly replied.

"Sis, he's taking the porridge to him. Ms. Er. Che already took the rest," Guri interjected.

"Alright. Once you're done, Mo is waiting outside. Give him your bank card—I'll transfer the money, and he'll withdraw it from it."

"Okay, sis," Guri replied.

With that, Zhuo Min turned and left the kitchen.

Zhan glanced down at his outfit, realizing this was the second time he'd seen Yibo today. Earlier, they had all gathered in the sitting room to go over everything that had happened, even calling Shan Tunan at the hospital to update him.

Afterward, Zhuo Min had sent Zhan to Yibo's room with a bucket of hot water since his bathroom heater had stopped working. It was then that Zhan had thanked him again. But at that time, Zhan had been wearing an oversized sweater, not like now—now that he had taken a shower and changed into fresh clothes.

Zhan looked at his outfit again. It was one of the new sets of clothes Yibo had sent over. The first time Yibo had offered to bring clothes, Zhan had assumed he meant the ones from his old place. Instead, Yibo had sent brand-new ones. The shirt Zhan was wearing now was a deep red, loose-fitting, with shimmering silver floral embroidery.

He had considered going back to his room to grab a jacket since the shirt had short sleeves, but with Guri's watchful eyes on him, he decided against it. Sighing, he picked up the small flask of porridge Guri had prepared, along with a bowl, and left for Yibo's room.

As he turned the corner leading to Yibo's room, he noticed the door was slightly open. Inside, he could hear Ms. Er. Che murmuring various well-wishes. The familiar sound gave him the confidence to step inside.

Yibo was sitting at the edge of his bed, responding to Ms. Er. Che's words with a soft smile. The moment Zhan entered, Yibo's gaze lifted, meeting his.

"The porridge is finally here," Ms. Er. Che said, glancing at the flask in Zhan's hands. "Alright, I'll leave now. Rest well, Sir. May all wishes are with you."

"Thanks, Ms. Er. Che. Thank you," Yibo replied warmly as he stood up.

Ms. Er. Che left, pulling the door closed behind her, just as Zhan's eyes met Yibo's once more. Avoiding his gaze, Zhan quickly walked over to the small table where Ms. Er. Che had set the rest of the food. He placed the flask down and said, "The porridge wasn't ready when the food was sent earlier."

After setting it down, he turned back to Yibo, who was still standing and watching him.

For some reason, at that moment, Zhan could see nothing but exhaustion in Yibo's eyes—a deep, overwhelming fatigue. It was the kind of exhaustion that came from struggling endlessly, from doing everything possible to get them out of that terrible place.

Zhan looked away, breaking the moment, and softly said, "You should eat something. I know you haven't eaten anything since last night."

"That's true," Yibo admitted as he stepped closer and sat down on the edge of the couch.

"Give me the food," he added.

Zhan blinked, unsure what he meant.

Yibo gestured toward the dishes. "I thought you were going to serve me."

"Oh," Zhan mumbled before quickly crouching in front of the table. He opened the food containers and carefully plated everything—Irish porridge, boiled eggs, and soup. After placing the food in front of Yibo, he poured the flavored tea into a cup and handed it to him.

But instead of taking just the cup, Yibo reached out and wrapped his hand around Zhan's.

Zhan froze.

The cup wasn't full, thankfully, or else some of the tea might have spilled between them. But that was the least of his concerns right now.

A thin silver bracelet was wrapped around Zhan's wrist, something he had completely forgotten about. Guri had given it to him before they left for the hospital, telling him that it was from the same brand as the other accessories she usually bought.

Zhan's eyes followed Yibo's fingers as they absentmindedly brushed over the bracelet before holding onto it.

"It looks nice… it suits you," Yibo remarked, his gaze drifting to the silver embroidery on Zhan's shirt, as if appreciating how the colors complemented each other.

Zhan swallowed hard. The only thing he knew for certain about Yibo at this moment was that he had a preference for anything decorative and stylish—this was the second time he had mentioned it. The bracelet reminded him of the one Fen had once gifted him, but he quickly pushed the memory aside before it could linger.

"I don't even know where to buy things like these," Yibo mused. "I would've gotten more for you…"

His voice trailed off slightly before he added, perhaps in response to Zhan's questioning look,

"…before you leave."

Zhan shook his head immediately. "This isn't even mine. Guri gave it to me."

"Then ask her where she bought it, so you can get your own."

Zhan looked at him, momentarily confused by the suggestion, before quickly lowering his head and moving to place the cup down. He tried to stand up, but before he could, Yibo grabbed his wrist again.

Zhan lifted his eyes, meeting Yibo's steady gaze. His dark irises were sharp and unwavering, unreadable yet intent.

"Sit down. There's something I want to talk to you about—something I need to show you."

With that, Yibo let go of his wrist and stood up. He walked to his wardrobe, pulled out a bag, and unzipped it. From inside, he carefully took out a photograph—one that meant everything to him. It was a picture of him, his mother, and his elder sister Liu.

His fingers hovered over the image, pausing on Liu's smiling face before he turned to look at Zhan, who remained seated, watching him.

What was the difference? Yibo wondered. The smile that Zhan rarely gave… or the lighter complexion that Liu had?

At that exact moment, the phone lying on the bed rang.

It was a call from the detective handling the case...the man in possession of the file that could clear Zhan's and Yibo's names from the accusations surrounding Peng's murder.

Right now, that detective was standing in the middle of a busy station in Shenzhen. He had just arrived after a day of travel, refusing to use the flight Yibo had wired him money for. Instead, he had kept the cash securely tucked away and taken a car to get here.

:-*:-*:-*:-*

At a time when some things were unraveling while others were tightening into an even more tangled mess…

All the way in India, Min stood behind a door in the grand house where she had been brought after their arrival. Her ears picked up a conversation that sent a cold chill through her veins, her entire body tensing with fear and anxiety.

It had only been a day since she arrived. Since the moment that man had led her inside and leave her in a room, she hadn't seen anyone else except for another man who looked similar to him and occasionally brought her food. Even then, she had only seen him once after that.

Earlier that day, after taking a bath and dressing up, she had waited, fully prepared to do what she knew she was brought here for. But when he finally arrived, instead of what she expected, he handed her a handkerchief and repeated the same instruction he had given her on the plane... something that had already shaken her to the core the first time. The mere thought of it made her stomach churn with unease.

She had barely been able to comply the first time, so when he demanded it again, she hesitated, firmly refusing at first. But then his entire demeanor changed, as if he was ready to harm her, and she suddenly remembered Fen's words before she left: If you obey, you will be rewarded.

With no other choice, she forced herself to comply.

Now, exhausted from being alone in the room for too long, she decided to step out and wander through the house. The unfamiliar architecture only confirmed what she already knew—this was not China.

Then, suddenly, she heard his voice coming from a slightly open door. He was speaking to someone.

Curious, she stepped closer, thinking that if he noticed her, she could simply tell him she was tired of being locked up alone.

But then...

Her feet froze just as she reached the doorframe.

His voice was clearer now, and she realized he was speaking in Mandarin, having a conversation with another man inside.

"How did this happen? The woman who brought the girl to you—did you not confirm exactly what you needed?"

Min heard the other man chuckle before responding.

"What do you mean? It was Fen. You know better than anyone that she's been supplying me with these girls for over five years. The moment I knew we landed in this country, I even gave her the usual package to make sure everything was in order."

"Well, this time, she screwed you over. Because according to what I just heard, this girl's womb is damaged—completely useless. She won't be able to give you what you want. You've just wasted an entire year's profit. Better luck next time!"

The man burst into laughter before adding,

"You...Might as well send her back home now."

"What?!" The first man's voice darkened with anger. "Like hell I will! If I don't get what I want, neither will she! She's never going back to China—I'll make sure of that. And as for Fen… she won't get away with this either!"

The first thing Min did after rushing back to her room was grab her small bag. Wearing only a long dress with a shawl draped loosely over her shoulders, she made her way to the door, searching for an exit. Unlike before, when she walked cautiously through the courtyard, she now moved quickly, her head turning in all directions, ears straining for any sound that might indicate movement.

The courtyard was vast, filled with lush flowers at every corner, and surrounded by towering white buildings. Whenever she heard footsteps or spotted people who looked like workers, she quickly ducked behind pillars or bushes, waiting for them to pass before moving again.

A burst of laughter made her freeze. She pressed herself against a large plant for cover and peeked out, spotting three men stepping out of a nearby building. Their dark skin immediately told her they were African, and the fourth man with them was clearly an Indian. Each of them held a woman's hand, and from their appearance alone, Min could tell the women were also African.

Her mind raced. Was this some sort of guesthouse where people like them were brought to this country? If so, seeking help here would be pointless...everyone here might be just like the man who brought her.

She stayed hidden until they passed, then resumed her search for the exit. Her heart pounded as she spotted a large gate, standing wide open with cars driving in and out. Pulling her shawl over her head, she walked toward it as naturally as she could.

"Hey! Aap kahaan se hain?" 

("Where are you from?")

A guard called out as she reached the gate, but she didn't turn or acknowledge him. She didn't even understand what he had said. With trembling legs, she stepped out and kept walking, not caring where she ended up.

She moved quickly down the street, only stopping when she was sure she had put enough distance between herself and that place. Panting, she leaned against a tree, her mind finally catching up with her situation.

She looked around.

The street was clean, lined with unfamiliar buildings and filled with people speaking a language she didn't understand. Their accents, their skin tones—everything about them was foreign to her.

Panic surged in her chest.

Where would she go? Where could she find shelter? How would she get home?

She had been told that her ticket only covered a one-way trip, and she would need to pay for a return ticket when it was time to leave. But now, she had no money and no plan. She didn't even know how to find the airport.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Through her blurry vision, she spotted something across the street—a small stall that looked like it sold phone cards.

Without hesitation, she crossed the road and approached it.

A young man sat on a chair behind the stall. As soon as she stood before him, she realized she didn't even know what to say.

The man looked up at her, his expression questioning. When she remained silent for too long, he spoke.

"Aap kya kharidna chahti hain?"

("What do you want to buy?")

Min had no idea what he was saying. Frustration and fear overwhelmed her, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She raised her hands, trying to gesture while speaking the only words that came to mind.

"Please, please help me. I'm from China. I don't know anyone here… I just want to go home."

To her surprise, the young man's eyebrows lifted.

"China?"

She nodded frantically, fresh tears falling.

"Ek minute."

He stood and disappeared into a small shop behind him. Min quickly wiped her tears, anxiously waiting. A few moments later, he returned with another young man.

"Hey, my brother said you're from China and looking for help, right?"

Min froze. Not because he spoke English, but because she realized this was yet another unknown situation. She barely spoke English herself. But hearing the word China made her latch onto hope.

"Yes, yes, yes!" she said, nodding rapidly.

And from there, it took a while for the young man to fully understand what kind of help Min was asking for. They took her phone, inserted a local SIM card, set everything up, and activated the data, telling her this was the easiest way for her to contact her family.

As soon as she got her phone back, her hands trembling, she opened WhatsApp and immediately searched for Hao's number. By some stroke of luck, the service showed that he was online. Without hesitation, her shaky fingers pressed the call button.

The moment the call started ringing in her ears, her entire body trembled even more. Unable to hold herself together, she sank to the ground, clutching the phone tightly with both hands.

"Hello…"

Her brother's voice came through the receiver after a brief pause. Without warning, she burst into tears, covering her mouth with one hand to muffle her sobs.

"What happened, Min?"

But his question only made her cry harder.

Author

The Indian's reading this; I hope I wrote it correct? 🤭😀

🔹🔸▫️

China, Beijing.

Inside Fen's grand sitting room, recently renovated just a few days ago, she took a sip of juice from a glass and placed it aside. She then turned her gaze toward the young woman sitting in front of her.

"You understand, right? This is business, and you have no reason to come here thinking you can stay. You're going back to your parents' house before they even start looking for you. I'll give you money to take care of yourself and a phone so we can stay in touch. If anything comes up, I'll call you—I don't need you coming here. So, put your worries aside. From now on, not even your family will pressure you about your situation."

The young woman nodded in understanding.

"Alright. Thank you, Ma'am. I really appreciate it."

Fen smiled.

"No need to thank me. This is business—we both benefit. Now, go outside and wait for me. I need to discuss something with your aunt."

The young woman immediately got up, a bright smile on her face, and left the room.

Fen then turned to the older woman sitting beside her, Anu—one of her close associates. It was Anu who had brought the young woman, saying she had shown up at her house looking for work because she was struggling with poverty and couldn't bear staying with her family any longer. After assessing her, Anu realized the girl had the perfect look for Fen's line of work, so she wasted no time bringing her here.

Anu frowned. "There's a bit of a problem, though. She needs some refining. She told me that's why her husband left her."

Fen waved a dismissive hand.

"That's nothing to worry about."

She had barely finished speaking when her phone started ringing. Taking a quick glance at the caller ID, her expression shifted. Without hesitation, she answered.

"Oh, Oga! What would we do without you?" she greeted with her usual playful tone whenever they spoke.

"Now's not the time for flattery, Fen. Tell me, what kind of girl did you set me up with?"

Her chest tightened instantly.

"What do you mean? She's just like the others..."

"Don't start, Fen. First of all, this has already been a massive loss for me this year because she didn't have what we needed. And now, I can't even find her."

Her expression hardened in confusion.

"What do you mean, sir? Where could she possibly go in a country where she knows no one?"

"That's not my problem—it's hers. What I do know is that I won't take this loss alone. You have until tomorrow to return my money."

Fen's face tightened even more.

"I don't understand. We had a deal, didn't we? Or have you forgotten? Once you took the girl and left, the matter was settled. Whatever happens after that is on you."

She said this firmly, not for any reason other than the fact that when it came to money, she never backed down. His status meant nothing to her—he was just another customer, no different from the ones she dealt with daily.

"What exactly are you saying?" he asked again, wanting to be sure.

"The money is gone, sir. I just finished renovating my house, and your payment was part of that. So I have no idea where you expect me to get it back from."

It was true...she had used part of the money to upgrade her house. But what sat untouched in her account? Only she and God knew. One thing was certain, though...she wasn't about to return a single cent.

The man on the other end didn't argue further. He simply ended the call.

Only then did his words fully sink in.

He hadn't found Min? Was he serious, or was he just testing her? How could he say she was missing in a country that wasn't even China? Did that mean she had pulled the same stunt as Zhan?

What were these people trying to drag her into? Because she was certain Min's disappearance wouldn't be as easy to cover up as Zhan's. Unlike Zhan, Min had family that concern for her... They would come looking for her.

Her body went cold, and without hesitation, she started dialing a contact she knew could help.

What she didn't know, however, was that no matter how much effort and cunning a person had, there was always a day when their luck ran out.

At that very moment, after ending his call with Fen, the man dialed another number—his most trusted enforcer in Beijing.

"I'll send you the address of a house in the city. Nothing leaves that place—burn it down if you have to. But before that, I want the woman's phones and all her bank cards."

"It's done, boss."

With that, he hung up, biting his lip in frustration. He knew he was ruthless when it came to money, but he hadn't gone after Fen's payment just for revenge. No, he wanted her to feel the weight of what he had lost. But her words—claiming she used his money to renovate her house—were like salt in an open wound.

Tomorrow, she'd see exactly what was left of that house she was so proud of.

That is… if she even lived to see it.

:-*:-*:-*:-*

Around eight that evening, Zhuo Min entered her husband's room, carrying a cup of herbal medicine. Her relatives, who had returned earlier that day, had brought it from an old healer they knew in their hometown.

She pushed open the door just as he was unbuttoning his shirt after stepping out of the shower.

"I was just about to call you," he said. "Muxi and the others have left, so what kept you so long?"

She smiled as she walked closer, still holding the cup.

"Your house keeps me busy, dear. There's always something to do—one task ends, and another begins."

Shan Tunan chuckled, glancing at her.

"You're making things harder for yourself. You could've just made a simple noodles with some pepper chicken, locked yourself in the room, and left them to it. Whoever wants to eat will eat, and whoever doesn't can go to bed hungry."

She laughed, then handed him the cup. He took it, eyeing the contents.

"What is it this time?"

"It's medicine—the one I told you was sent from home."

He looked up from the cup and met her gaze.

"You're really determined about these herbal remedies..."

"Just drink it. We're hoping for the best."

He shook his head with a small smile and took a sip. He didn't finish it all but set the cup aside before glancing at her again. Patting the spot beside him, he signaled her to sit, and she did.

"I'm listening. What was it you said we needed to talk about?"

Zhuo Min let out a deep breath, feeling the weight she had carried in her chest for days. Even after Guri and Zhan had returned safely, the burden hadn't lessened. She had once thought resolving that situation would bring relief, but she soon realized that the weight came from something else—words that Qian had told her, words that had settled heavily in her heart.

She lowered her head slightly, then looked up at him again.

"The day Guri and Zhan went missing, I got a call from Beijing."

Shan Tunan's expression shifted as he mentally ran through the list of people they knew in Beijing.

"Beijing… Beijing… Who from there?"

She shook her head.

"You don't know her. She's Xiao Lei's older brother's wife."

At that, he immediately understood which Xiao Lei she was referring to—her ex-husband. He had always known Zhuo Min loved him more deeply than most women loved their husbands, but despite that, her feelings towards Xiao Lei had taken a different path. It was something unspoken, something they both acknowledged without needing words... And Shan Tunan respect that.

So, he simply nodded in understanding.

"I'm listening."

"She asked if I could come as soon as possible. There's something important she needs to tell me about the child I had with Xiao Lei back then."

Shan Tunan's face hardened in surprise.

"Really? That's all she said?"

She nodded.

"She said it wasn't something that could be discussed over the phone. She's not in good health, and she doesn't know how much time she has left."

He fell silent, deep in thought.

"And you kept quiet about this until now?"

She lifted her gaze to him.

"With everything going on—your illness, Guri's disappearance—I didn't know what to say. I wanted to wait until things settled down."

He studied her for a long moment, his mind running through everything he knew about her. Every time she did something like this, keeping things to herself, he recognized the emotions behind it. Finally, he gently pulled his hand away from hers, reached for his phone, and turned it on. The screen's glow illuminated his face as he started typing.

"What are you doing?" she asked, watching him.

"Get ready. I'm booking us a flight. We're leaving for Beijing tomorrow."

At the same time, in another part of the house, Yibo was on a call with Zhan while holding a file he had just finished reading.

"Get ready, Zhan. In the next few days, I'm taking you home. We're going back to Beijing."

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛