"Thank you, mom," Xiao Zhan murmured softly as he walked beside his mother, both heading toward the corner of the room where Yibo sat quietly, his small hands carefully slicing at the piece of cake in front of him, clearly trying to distract himself.
The child's posture was still, his attention deliberately fixed on the dessert as though it were the only thing stopping him from throwing things around.
Madam Wang offered her son a gentle smile. "You know, sweetheart, you could've just excused yourself if you were feeling uncomfortable. There's no harm in taking a step back."
Zhan exhaled slowly, his brow slightly furrowed. "I tried, mom… but there were just too many people. And no one really listened when I asked for space. It's like the more I tried to pull away, the closer they swarmed in."
She gave a small nod of understanding. "I see."
"I mean, I couldn't exactly shove them off, right? That would be rude, and I don't want to be the kind of person who loses composure in public," he added, visibly frustrated.
"Aww," she said fondly, reaching out to give his arm a light squeeze. "My son really is such a well-mannered young man."
"But they were so insistent," he groaned under his breath. "Clinging to me and pushing each other like I'm some prize to be won. It's overwhelming. I didn't come here to be paraded around."
"I understand," she replied sympathetically.
Zhan huffed and ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Honestly, if it weren't for you and President Wang being here, and for bringing my didi with you, I would've rather just stayed home. At least there, I wouldn't have to deal with being surrounded and poked at. I feel like I've been touched by so many people I need three showers."
Madam Wang couldn't help but laugh. "Poor Zhanzhan," she chuckled.
"I'm serious," he said with a pout. "I feel like a peeled fruit left out at a banquet."
"You really don't have to stay if it's too much for you," she told him reassuringly. "You've done more than enough just by showing up. If you're tired, I'll call the driver. He can take you home so you can rest and recharge. No one will think any less of you."
"Really?" Zhan perked up slightly, a spark of hope in his eyes.
"Yes, of course," she nodded. "I'd rather you be comfortable than force yourself to stay where you're clearly unhappy."
"Okay… but can I bring Yibo with me too?" he asked after a brief pause, glancing in the direction of the boy seated a few steps away.
"Hmm?" Madam Wang tilted her head in thought. "Well, I don't see why not. If he wants to leave too, then sure. Just ask him."
"I'll go talk to him, then."
"Alright," she said, smiling again. "Go on."
As the two approached the small table where Yibo sat, the little boy immediately looked up, his eyes lighting up the moment he noticed their presence.
He quickly plastered on a smile and lowered his gaze, returning his attention to the cake as if he hadn't just been quietly pouting moments before.
Yibo had been sitting alone for quite some time, barely spoken to except by staff members checking if he needed anything.
The other children, particularly the young omegas eager to get close to Zhan, had completely ignored him.
They had no interest in making friends.
Only in competing to charm Zhan, leaving Yibo feeling invisible and cast aside now that both Dongqin and Haoxuan weren't present to keep him company.
Xiao Zhan reached out and gently placed a hand on Yibo's head, ruffling his hair just a little.
"Hey," he said.
Yibo blinked up at him, his lips curving slightly upward in a smile that was far too transparent for someone pretending not to care. "Hi," he replied.
"Are you bored?" Zhan asked.
Yibo nodded after a short pause. "A little."
"Want to come home with me?" Zhan asked again.
The boy's face lit up instantly, and though he tried to maintain his composure, his excitement was impossible to hide. "Can I?"
"Of course," Zhan replied. "But only if you want to."
"I do!" Yibo said quickly, practically abandoning the cake in front of him.
Madam Wang chuckled softly from behind them. "Well, I suppose that answers it. Let me take you to our driver. Don't mind your dad, I'll just tell him that you're both tired."
As the two boys prepared to leave the room together, a few heads turned to glance in their direction.
But neither Zhan nor Yibo… even President Wang, who was watching his family from a distance, paid them any mind.
And as they walked toward the exit, Yibo's small hand naturally reached for Zhan's, intertwining their fingers without hesitation. Zhan held it without a word, squeezing gently.
Madam Wang followed silently behind them.
The madam had given the driver very clear instructions: take the children straight home without making any detours.
She emphasized that under no circumstances should he allow the boys to convince him to stop anywhere—not for snacks, toys, or anything else they might suddenly decide they needed.
She was well aware of their usual tactics, and although she loved them dearly, she knew better than to underestimate just how persuasive they could be when they wanted something.
After all, nearly every member of the household staff had, at one point or another, fallen prey to their tricks.
The moment either boy turned on their sweetness, flashing big eyes and pouting lips, it was almost impossible to say no.
Yibo in particular had a way about him.
He was well aware of the effect he had on others, especially when he decided to be endearing. No one ever really denied him anything, and honestly, he never truly asked for much.
There was no harm in it, most of the time. His requests were usually innocent: a certain kind of snack he had seen in a classmate's lunchbox, a toy someone brought to school, or some little item he spotted in a shop window.
They were all simple things, inexpensive and easy to find.
It wasn't greed or entitlement; it was just the natural curiosity and desire of a child who wanted to experience the same joys his peers did.
And Zhan…
Zhan was even more modest.
He rarely asked for anything at all.
If he did, it was usually something practical: an extra notebook for his assignments, a new set of pens when he ran out, or perhaps a replacement for a school book that had gone missing.
His requests were so simple, and that made it even harder for anyone to refuse him, not out of indulgence but out of a kind of quiet respect.
Now, on the drive home, Yibo was once again clinging to Zhan as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He latched onto his older brother's arm, resting his head comfortably on Zhan's shoulder while yapping nonstop
He talked about his day at school, about what the other kids did, what the teacher said, who tripped over what, and which games they played.
It was a one-sided conversation, as it usually was, but that never seemed to bother him. Zhan would simply sit there with a patient smile, answering occasionally with a gentle nod or a quiet "yes" or "no," and letting the boy beside him ramble on.
He didn't mind.
This was just how Yibo was.
But then, somewhere between one story and the next, Yibo suddenly asked a question that made Zhan pause.
It was unexpected, too direct that Zhan hadn't prepared for.
He hadn't anticipated the conversation taking such a turn.
Yibo looked up at him with wide eyes, his voice unusually soft, almost thoughtful as he asked, "So… do you already like someone, gege? An omega? A female beta? Or maybe… a female alpha?"