Yibo stood in the parking lot for a few more minutes, staring in bewilderment at the road Zhan had taken. Only when his uncle came to him and put his hand on his shoulder did Yibo's stare dissolve. "Uncle, I knew it wouldn't be easy to talk to Zhan. But I hadn't thought that he would completely close himself off to me." Said Yibo still irritated.

"Do you think now is the right time to think about it? The hall is full of fans of yours and they are waiting for your performance. When you called for Zhan from the stage, it already confused your fans anyway." Replied his uncle in a gentle voice.

"Uncle. When you texted me that Zhan was there and where you two were sitting..."

"Yibo don't you hear what I'm saying? You have to go in there now and do the concert. We'll talk about Zhan later okay?"

"Mhhh, okay." Said Yibo and let his uncle take him back to the side entrance of the hall. Again and again Yibo turned to the street, hoping that maybe Zhan would come back, but Zhan didn't. All he could do now was hope that his uncle would get on with his conversation about Zhan and have some good news for him.

Confidently as if nothing had happened, Yibo went through with his concert and hoped to be able to talk to his uncle right afterwards. But then he had to receive the fans with a backstage pass, talk to them and take pictures. Afterwards, he had to shower and change and answer a few questions from a journalist who was going to write an article about the concert the following day.

When Yibo was finally through with everything, it was already past midnight and his uncle was long gone again. He had only written a message to Yibo letting him know that he would be in touch later and couldn't wait because he had to get up early again. Yibo was disappointed, of course, but could understand his uncle. Because after they returned from Seoul, his uncle was offered the job as a security consultant in a financial company, which he accepted. And since then, his uncle must be at work every morning punctually at 6:30 am.

Since Yibo himself was tired from this exhausting day and actually just wanted to go home, he got into his car and drove off. On the way to his new apartment, he stopped briefly at a night pharmacy and got his mom a bottle of her stomach drops, because she told him during a phone call shortly before his concert, that she has stomach pain, but her drops are not there.

At home, his mom was sitting on the sofa in the living room with a hot water bottle on her stomach. Yibo greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and handed her the stomach drops. Relieved, she hugged Yibo and immediately took her drops. Afterwards, they were both still sitting on the sofa and his mom asked him, "How was your concert? Did everything go as planned?"

"Mn. My management prepared everything well and of course the team on site." Yibo replied thoughtfully.

"If everything went smoothly, why do you look so sad?"

"Me?"

"Yes, or do you see anyone else here besides the two of us?"

"No. I just didn't realize I was looking sad."

"It's like this. So tell your mom what happened."

"Well, it's about Zhan."

"Uh-huh, kind of figured that. Tell me in order."

"Mn. So first he showed up at the hotel. I thought I imagined it, but Emily saw him too. I met her at the hotel. And then just as I was about to go on stage at the concert, Uncle texted me that Zhan was in the hall and they were both sitting in the back row talking. I ran to the stage but couldn't see anything with the light. Besides, the last row was too far away. So I took the microphone and called out Zhan's name. Zhan then got up and left the hall. I ran off the stage and out the side entrance. I saw him standing by a car in the parking lot and called out to him. But he... well, he told me not to come closer and to go back. And when I told him I wanted to talk to him, he just said no, got in his car and drove away."

"Of course, that wasn't nice for you. But what did you expect? Five years is a long time. And you don't even know what he's been doing for the past five years. You can't expect that just because you want to talk to him, he'll want to talk to you."

"What do you mean I expect it? No, it's not like that. I wish we could talk."

"And what do you want to tell him that he doesn't already know?"

"I want to apologize to him first and foremost mom."

"And then? Are you going to ask him for another chance?"

"I'd like to. But right now, and the way things went earlier, I don't think he'd be willing to give me another chance."

"Well, don't go crazy now. You know, it's already a good sign that he showed up at the concert."

"True."

"What I wonder, though, is if he bought the ticket himself? Because your concert had sold out in a matter of seconds. Getting a ticket must have been difficult."

"Mhhh, now that you mention it, I find that strange too."

"Well, maybe your uncle helped out?"

"How would he do that? He said he tried everything and couldn't find or contact Zhan."

"You know your uncle. When he sets his mind to something, he accomplishes it."

"But then why would he lie to me?"

"I can only guess about his reasons. I guess to not give you false hope in case Zhan doesn't want anything to do with you anymore."

"I don't know mom. It's best I ask Uncle about it. It won't do us any good to guess now."

"You're right Bo."

"You know Mom, when Uncle texted me that Zhan was there, my heart almost stopped with excitement. I just wanted to see him."

"I believe you."

"Unfortunately, though, I couldn't see him. He was dressed in such a way that you couldn't even see his face. And at the hotel, it was just a fleeting moment when I saw him."

"Don't be too disappointed. Give Zhan time. Maybe he'll be willing to listen to you eventually."

"I hope so. And hopefully soon. Preferably before the filming for the series starts."

"I don't know if it will be that soon. But I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"Thanks Mom."

"Just don't let the setbacks discourage you and don't give up."

"I certainly won't give up."

"Good."

"Mom?"

"Mn?"

"What about you and Dad now, anyway? Wouldn't it be good for you guys to talk it out too?"

"Yeah sure. But you know, your dad didn't even realize I was gone. If he had, he would have tried to call me or asked you if I was with you or if you knew where I was."

"The more I think about it, the less I think Dad doesn't love you anymore. Yeah, it seems that way from what you've told me. But Dad didn't just stop loving you. He converted to the faith because of you. He always said you were his dream girl and that he loved you more than anything."

"Yibo, honey. A lot has happened in these five years you've been gone. You still see your dad and me as it was before you left. But five years have passed since then, and in that time he's gotten closer to Mom Ana. You have to accept it."

"I can't, though. This is all so messy. You broke up with Dad because he's only with Ana now. The other two also want to break up with Dad. A-Kuan and Cheng are no longer together. My younger siblings barely recognized me and barely spoke to me when I came back. Nothing is the same anymore."

"Time hasn't stopped for us here either. Your siblings have all grown older. They still love you and are proud of you. But they have to get to know you anew first. Because you've changed, too."

"I haven't changed that much either."

"Yes, you have. Even if you don't realize it yourself. You haven't just gotten 5 years older either, you've matured. And your appearance, well the dyed hair, the earrings and necklaces, or your new style of dress, they have to get used to that too."

"Maybe you're right. I'm too tired to think about it now. Are the drops working yet?"

"Mn. We should go to sleep now, too. Did you eat something earlier?"

"Yes, I got something from the delivery service at the concert."

"Well at least something. I'm going to sleep honey and you should too."

"I will mom." Said Yibo and kissed his mom on the forehead. She went to her room and Yibo went to his room. But even though he was tired, he couldn't fall asleep right away.

The conversation with his mom went through his mind again. And of course he thought about Zhan and how much he would have liked to talk to him and how disappointed he was when Zhan rejected him and just drove away. However, he could also understand Zhan. And he told himself that if Zhan had done what he did to him, he probably wouldn't have reacted any differently.

After sleeping for 7 full hours, Yibo got up, took a shower, and ate a late breakfast with his mom. By lunchtime, he should have been on the road again. But his manager called him and told him that the appointment had been moved to another day because the photographer was sick. 

Since Yibo had no other appointments, he decided to do something about his mom and dad. He wanted to hear from his dad himself if he no longer loves his mom and only Ana. However, he didn't want to tell his mom about his plan, so he told her that he was going to the office and then he would train.

On his way to the village, Yibo was very nervous. Should he really interfere in the affairs of his parents? He wasn't so sure anymore when he almost reached the village. But then he thought again about how sad his mom is and how little he understands his dad and decided to go through with his plan and confront his dad.

Once in the village, everything was very quiet, which was unusual. Because Yibo knew only too well that with so many children and then also on a weekend, there is always noise. In addition, the mothers were usually also always in the village. They often sat under the old tree on a bench in the center of the village and talked or prayed together or knitted. But no one had been there.

The first thing Yibo did was go to the community center, but there was no one there either. He went to the other mothers' houses, but there too he met no one. He saved Ana and his dad's house for last. For now, he visited the houses of the other relatives who also live in the village. Mainly older people, with whom Yibo never had much to do, but with whom he is nevertheless related.

But Yibo had no luck with the relatives either. Although he met most of them, since they hardly ever left the house at their age anyway, no one knew what was going on or where everyone had gone. One of his relatives did know something to tell, his 89 year old great-great uncle, explained to him, "The women left with the children. They separated from your father and moved with the children to relatives outside."

"They really all left?" Yibo asked in shock. He wouldn't have thought that they had all left. Even though his mom said that the other moms wanted to separate from his dad, he never thought they would leave so soon.

"All except your dad, Ana and the kids," he said.

"And do you know why they broke up with Dad?"

"You'll have to ask your dad that yourself."

"I will."

"And kick his butt for me. If he'd been a better husband, his wives wouldn't have run off with the kids."

"You're right. I'm going to go over to Ana's house and see if Dad's there."

"Where else would he be?"

"I um..."

"It's okay, it's not your fault." Said his great-great-uncle. Yibo nodded, thanked him for the information, and went to Ana and his dad's house.

Children's laughter could be heard as Yibo got to the house. Yibo was boiling with anger. How could they all be having fun while his mom suffered and the other moms ran off with his siblings?

When Yibo knocked on the door, Ana opened shortly after. And before Yibo could even ask about his dad, she asked him, "Do you know where your mom is? Your dad has been looking for her for days. He..."

"Wait a minute. Did you say he's looking for her?" Yibo asked in irritation.

"Yes. After you came back, he wanted to have breakfast with you and your mom the next morning. But your mom had been gone and left your dad only a note and her ring. He's been looking for her everywhere ever since."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

"What?"

"Dad neglected Mom and the other two because of you, and not just since I got back. Mom had every right to leave Dad. So did the others. Why should Mom continue to stay married to him when all he wants and loves is you?"

"What are you saying?" Yibo wheeled around startled when his dad suddenly appeared behind him and asked him that.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, who else? So repeat again what you just said!" His father sounded very angry.

"You understood me perfectly well just now Dad. Then why should I repeat it?"

"Because I think I misheard. What makes you think that I..."

"That you don't love mom anymore? Because she told me!"

"That's not true!"

"It's not? Then why did you neglect her so much? Why were you hardly ever with her? Why another baby, even though you said no more kids. And even though you knew how much mom would suffer?"

"Don't blame your dad. It's my fault." Said Ana.

"Dad is the patriarch in this family. So if anyone is to blame, it's him!"

"No Yibo, your dad is not to blame."

"I don't believe you."

"I really wanted another baby! I told your dad I was using birth control, but that was a lie! And I lied because I wanted this baby. And I wanted it because I..."

"Stop it Ana!" Intervened Yibo's dad.

"No. I want him to know. Then he can tell Sonya and she'll come back to you. And so will the other women." Said Ana.

"I don't think mom will come back. Hey dad! If you were looking for her, why didn't you just try calling or writing her? Why didn't you call A-Kuan and me and ask about her?"

"Do you really think she would have answered her cell phone if I had called? Besides, you and A-Kuan wouldn't tell me anything anyway. You would never betray your mother. Besides, there are things you can't say on the phone."

"And what are those things?"

"I'm going to die Yibo." Said Ana.

"What?"

"Before I got pregnant, I went to the doctor because I hadn't been feeling well for a while. That's when they found out I have a brain tumor that can't be operated on. When I found out about it, I really wanted to have another baby. I was going to ask your mom to adopt the baby when I die."

"Why didn't you tell her? Why didn't you try chemotherapy or radiation to keep the tumor from growing? Why rather have another baby than get treatment?"

"Because I would rather have another baby than undergo treatments that would weaken my body and maybe kill me much sooner. I told your dad about it and asked him to keep it to himself. He was always by my side because every once in a while I would have seizures or just keel over. He was just concerned."

"That's totally crazy! That doesn't make any sense at all! You chose polygamy, a husband, and sister wives. You chose to share everything with your family, joys and sorrows. But you don't share such things with your family? You'd rather watch your family being destroyed because you and dad are lying! I can understand that you are afraid of the treatment. But how logical is it to have another baby instead of at least trying the treatment? What will happen to all your children when you are gone? You two have driven the other women away with your secrecy. So they won't take care of the kids. Dad can't do it alone, I'm sure of it. So why? What were you thinking? And how long were you going to keep this to yourselves? Goddamn it! You're adults! Why couldn't you all sit down at a table and talk?"

"Yibo, we may all be adults. But that doesn't mean we have an answer for everything or do everything right. Your dad just wanted to respect my wishes, so he kept quiet. I just never thought as far as to think that your mom and the others would leave your dad."

"Bullshit! You should have realized that! Besides, you two must have realized how bad the other women were doing! And how long have you known you have this brain tumor? Well over a year. And yet here you are, looking healthy and lively."

"Are you saying I'm lying?"

"I didn't say that. But it doesn't really sound believable. I don't know what's going on here, but it all sounds very strange to me."

"Yibo..."

"No Ana. I'm really shocked by what I just heard from you guys. It all sounds like complete bullshit to me. Just how much time has passed since you found out about this brain tumor is questionable to me. It must have been over two years ago when you found out. Then came the pregnancy. And months have passed since the birth. And still you look like the blooming life. Despite an untreated brain tumor that you've been suffering from for two years. Do you really want to stick with that story?"

"What..." Began Yibo's father, looking at Yibo with a frown. However, he didn't speak further, because at that moment he seemed speechless.

"Well, whatever the truth is, but the bullshit of the brain tumor is not the truth, anyway. I'm going back again. I've heard enough. Do what you want."

"Yibo please wait. Please tell me where your mom is." Asked his father.

"There's no way I'm telling you that. If you want to talk to her, call her or write her. And if you do talk to her, hopefully you'll have a better excuse than a brain tumor that's supposed to be DEADLY, but for two years untreated still hasn't led to Ana's death and with which she still looks like she's the brightest life. Ciao!" With that, Yibo turned and ran to his car.

His dad called after him, but Yibo didn't listen. He just wanted to get away. What kind of bullshit were his dad and Ana telling him? Who is supposed to believe this crap? Yibo certainly doesn't.