EIP 90

Not long after, news came from Mr. Shi’s side that Yong Jin might have traveled to a northern city for treatment. Zhou Jun immediately dropped everything and traveled a long distance to search for him. However, it was all in vain. The Governor’s men had never been there, and there was no news of Yong Jin. Zhou Jun returned in disappointment, with no one to blame.

On the long train ride back, he felt completely drained. Slumped in his seat, he rested his head on his hand, thinking about his failure. It wasn’t the first time he had come up empty. Finding news of Yong Jin was like trying to grab smoke. Investigating through Governor Yong was nearly impossible, as his attention was now entirely on Yong Quan. Where Yong Jin had been sent was nothing but a collection of vague clues.

Searching like this felt like fishing for a needle in the ocean. If not for Mr. Shi’s powerful connections, even the smallest hint would have been unattainable. The train clattered along the tracks, and Zhou Jun leaned back in his seat, eventually falling asleep.

For the first time in a while, he dreamed. He had avoided dreaming of Yong Jin, maybe out of fear or subconscious resistance. He was afraid of what he might see or feel, so his sleep had been restless. But on this train, he slept deeply.

In the dream, Yong Jin was sitting on his apartment bed, flipping through a sketchbook. It was the book where Zhou Jun had drawn him. The pages were filled with sketches of the man’s body, every detail, and Zhou Jun felt a sense of shame. Yong Jin smiled gently, reaching out his hand and inviting him over. Zhou Jun wrapped his arms around Yong Jin as they fell into the soft blankets together.

Yong Jin kissed his hair and teased, saying he didn’t realize Zhou Jun liked him this much. He said the drawings were great and suggested drawing something else next time. Zhou Jun listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, feeling a rare sense of peace, as if they could stay like this forever. Yong Jin’s fingers played with Zhou Jun’s earlobe, then traced his face, commenting that he had grown thinner.

At that moment, Zhou Jun became aware of something, panic rising in his chest. He didn’t want to leave this dream. But Yong Jin also grew anxious, clutching his hand with a sorrowful look, tears silently rolling down his cheeks.

Zhou Jun woke up suddenly, his body weak and drenched in sweat as if from a nightmare. In the dream, when Yong Jin had said he looked thinner, Zhou Jun had wanted to retort, “Isn’t it because of you?” He had lost weight because of the exhausting search for Yong Jin.

Realizing it was only a dream, he quickly shook off the lingering emotions. He stared blankly, feeling hollow. What could be more painful than waking up to find it was all just a dream? He feared he might never find Yong Jin, and that thought terrified him. Absentmindedly, he touched his earlobe, recalling the sensation from the dream, and to his surprise, he smiled.

The pain began to fade, leaving behind bittersweet memories that brought some comfort. He sighed, telling himself he was ready for whatever outcome, be it life or death.

After returning to his apartment and taking a shower, the phone rang. It was Xiao Fu, who knew he was home today. Xiao Fu informed him that his sister-in-law was about to give birth and was already at the hospital.

Zhou Jun hung up the phone and stood in a daze for a moment before jumping up, letting the towel fall to the floor. He moved in a panic, bumping into things and letting out a few cries of pain. Without even drying his hair, he rushed to the hospital. His older brother was already waiting outside the delivery room, visibly anxious. The hallway was packed with people, and regardless of past grievances, everyone was focused solely on the tightly shut doors, worrying about the safety of the mother and the arrival of the child.

The tense atmosphere made Zhou Jun restless as well. He considered slipping away to the smoking area to calm down, but his brother needed him. Zhou Yan clung tightly to Zhou Jun’s hand, fingers icy and palms sweaty, gripping him as if drawing strength from him. There was no way Zhou Jun could leave, so he stayed, gently rubbing his brother’s back and murmuring words of comfort.

Childbirth was like passing through death’s door. At one point, the doctor came out, requesting someone to sign a form. All eyes turned to the two brothers. Zhou Jun barely understood what the form was for, or why another signature was needed after the earlier paperwork. His brother, pale-faced, signed his name and firmly said, “I want Lan Zhi.”

Only then did Zhou Jun realize how dire the situation was. If his brother had been merely anxious before, now he looked on the verge of collapse. Zhou Jun worried his brother’s body might not hold up, but under these circumstances, no one could suggest that a husband leave his wife’s side during such a critical moment.

That hour stretched unbearably long until the doctor reappeared, finally releasing a breath of relief. Both mother and child were safe. Zhou Jun’s sister-in-law was wheeled out, her face pale and drenched in sweat.

Zhou Yan broke free from Zhou Jun’s hand and stumbled to her bedside, softly calling her name and kissing her forehead, tears streaming down his face. Everyone present was moved, and even Mrs. Rong covered her mouth and leaned into her husband, quietly sobbing. Zhou Jun sighed in relief as his brother entered the room with her. Understanding they needed privacy, Zhou Jun closed the door for them and turned to the Rong family elders, saying, “Let them have some time alone together.”

The Rong family agreed without objection. Zhou Jun then stepped outside to smoke, lighting one cigarette after another. After a while, Xiao Fu came to fetch him. The baby had been cleaned up. She was a girl, small and delicate, sucking on her fingers. Her wrinkled little face wasn’t pretty at all.

Zhou Jun gently touched her soft cheek with his finger and whispered, “Little girl, grow up quickly. Uncle will take you out to play, give you the best food, and dress you in the most beautiful clothes.”

Someone stood next to Zhou Jun, and when he turned his head, he saw it was Zhou Yan, his eyes red from crying. He hesitated, unsure of how to hold the baby, his hands trembling as he reached out. Lost in the overwhelming moment of becoming a father, he seemed to forget himself entirely. The nurse, noticing his unease, carefully took the baby from him and gently demonstrated how to properly hold her.

After a long pause, he heard his brother say, “I won’t let go.” Zhou Jun responded with a questioning eyes, and his brother continued seriously, “My wife, my child…I won’t let go.”

Zhou Jun gave a soft hum in acknowledgment. Then his brother added, “I know you like that person, and I’m not going to pressure you anymore. If you find him, remember to bring him over for a meal with us.”

Zhou Jun’s eyes brightened. “Are you going to bring my sister-in-law back?” Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow and said, “My woman and child should be raised in my home.”

Seeing his older brother’s expression regain its energy, Zhou Jun smiled faintly. He believed that everything would be okay.