"I will tell you guys the short version for the time being as I have to look up more information. So the way we think may help you, Xiao Zhan, is hypnosis." Brother said and looked at both of us.

"Hypnosis? I saw that in movies. So we just have to hypnotize him and we will know what happened and he will be able to speak? Then lets start." I said excitingly but brother only rolled his eyes.

"Yibo. That is in movies! Do you really think its that easy?" he asked me and I got embarrassed.

"Probably not ...." I admitted.

Zhan tug my sleeves and then looked at me questioningly.

"Xiao Zhan, where is you notebook? Did you forget it?" Brother asked surprised as Zhan would usually always carry it no matter what.

"Ah, I forgot. He needs another one. The one he is using now is full. Do you have a thick notebook? That way Zhan will not fill it as fast as the other ones." I explained and felt Zhan slapping my arm lightly. My brother chuckled and stood up.

"Xiao Zhan, where is the old notebook?" he asked amused and Zhan pointed upstairs. "In your room?"

Zhan nodded.

"Alright. I will take the old one and bring you another one." With that brother left and came back 5 minutes later with a new one. I laughed out loud when I saw how thick it was.

"You will take at least 3 weeks to fill that, Zhan" I said and laughed even louder. Zhan took the notebook and hit me a few times with it. "I got it. I got it. I will stop." I said and suppressed my laughter.

Zhan stopped and wrote something down and showed it to us.

>Hypnosis? Will that help me to speak?<

"I don't know, Xiao Zhan. There are two options. Either we will find a doctor who is specialize it that or I will be the one to do it." he explained.

>What is the difference? Which one will be the most effective one?< Zhan asked.

"The crucial part is you have to trust that doctor who hypnotize you wholeheartedly. Only then will there be a possibility that it works. The problem with choosing another doctor is, we don't know if you will be able to trust him. That is what I am worried about." My Brother said.

>I trust you! So you can do it, right?<

"The problem with choosing me is, I never did something like that before. Which means I have to find information, I need to look up this method. The best would be finding another doctor who can explain me how it works. And we don't know if it works..." he said and looked at Zhan.

>I don't want another doctor. I chose you, I want you to do it. Please.<

My brother and I smiled at that.

"I will try my best. Give me a week to prepare everything, alright?" Zhan nodded.

"What can I do?" I asked my brother.

"You mean except hurrying up and get ready to go to university?" Brother smiled innocently.

"I still have 30 minutes left. I want to help too. What can I do?" I asked him irritated. I heard Zhan giggling.

"I will talk about the exact procedure in a week but I would say you stay next to Xiao Zhan. Having two persons he trusts next to him is better that just one." Brother said and I nodded in agreement.

"Ah, by the way, Xiao Zhan did you like the lotus soup Yibo brought from his friend yesterday?"

Zhan smiled happily and patted his stomach. Brother laughed. "Guess that means yes." he said.

"He ate three portions and said hers is better than mine..." I said to brother and pouted.

"That much? Was your stomach okay?" Brother asked worried. 

>It was delicious. I am fine. I took my medication too<

"Xuan Lu's cooking is one of a kind. Maybe in future you want to cook with her together..." Brother said to Zhan who widened his eyes.

>Can I? I want to learn cooking too. Especially the lotus soup.<

"Of course you can, Zhan. I will talk to her later. But for now we should wait because ... Xuan Lu is a woman" I said and Zhan sighed.

"Alright. Then Yibo you go to school now. I will try to find an expert in hypnotize and look up that topic. Xiao Zhan, What do you want to do?" Brother asked.

>Feeding the bunnies. Take care of my flowers and going to the library.< Zhan counted.

"Will the new gardener come today? What was his name again?" I asked.

"His name is Li Bowen and yes he will come at 11 am".

"Good. I want to see him too. Thankfully I only have a three hours long lesson today." I said more to myself.

"And if you don't hurry up you will be late" Brother warned me. So I went upstairs, took my belongings and left the house after I said goodbye to Zhan.

"I will be back soon." I said and gave him a kiss on his head. I waved him goodbye, climbed on my bike and left. 

"Alright, class. You will have 10 Minutes for a break. After that we continue." The teacher said and left the classroom. I looked for Xuan Lu and when I saw her I signaled her that I want to speak. So we left the classroom and I could feel the curious eyes of my other Friends behind me.

"What is it you want to talk about? And why are the others not allowed to hear it?" Xuan Lu asked gently.

"Its about Zhan. I have a favor to ask." I said nervously.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Hmm... Its like this. When he came to us for the first time I cooked Lotus soup for him and he liked it very much. And yesterday I ... gave him some of the soup you made and ... yeah ... he liked it a lot. Even more than mine...." I started.

"Glad to hear he likes it. And the favor you are asking is? You want me to cook it more often?" she asked curious.

"Yes. No!.... I mean ... Is it possible that ... someday in the future you can teach Zhan how to make the soup like you did? He asked if its possible for you to teach him. Not right away but .. in the future...? Would you do that?" I asked.

First Xuan Lu said nothing but after a minute, which felt like hours for me, she started laughing. I was confused and looked at her.

"Yibo, whenever you ask something from me or the others you never stuttered like that. You know that?  Which means this time my positive answer means a lot to you and that is why you are nervous. Why is that?" She asked gently.

'I forgot how smart she is...'  I said inwardly.

"Your nephew means a lot to you, am I right?" she asked and I slowly nodded.

"Then I will do you this favor .... under one condition and I want you to be honest with me. Can you do that?" she said and waited for my answer.

'A condition? Nevermind... I want Zhan to be happy and if I have to fulfill a condition of Xuan Lu whatever it is its totally worth it'. I though and nodded as an answer.

"Is Xiao Zhan the person you are in love with?" she asked and I felt how all my colors left my face.

'She knows? But how? Will she hate me? No, she is not that kind of a person.... Still why am I so scared..?'  I was deep in my thoughts and was brought back when Xuan Lu shook my arm lightly. 

"Yibo? Are you okay? Why are you so pale?" she asked concerned.

"Ah... nothing. Its just... you are right. He is the one. I love him but ... how did you know?" I asked her.

"I am not sure but .. you are smiling more often when talking about him. Whenever we ask you how he is or if we can meet him you are always happy. You smile by just hearing his name. And just now you were so nervous because of a little favor and that is, like I said, not you. In the past you would just ask and if one says no you would just shrug." she explained and smiled at me.

"Am I that obvious?" I asked her worriedly.

"I don't think the others know. I am just a little bit more observative with the people around me. Why? What are you scared of?"

"I don't know... I mean you guys are my friends. I love you and I know you love me too but ... Zhan is a guy and I know a relationship between guys is not liked to be seen...." I answered vaguely.

"Thats it? Tell me, if they do not accept it would you forget your Zhan?" she asked gently.

"Never!" I answered confident.

"See? You be yourself. Be proud of your love and don't let yourself be disturbed by others. They accept you, don't worry." she calmed be down. I nodded. 'She is right. I don't need to justify my love. Not even in front of my friends.'  I said inwardly and felt somehow lighter in my chest.

"You can take your time but .. it would be better you tell them before they find out on their own and will be disappointed with you because you did not trust them." she said.

"I will tell them ... juts not today." I said embarrassed and she giggled.

"Alright. And about your favor. You tell me when I should come over." she winked at me and I smiled.

"What are you guys still doing here? Go into the class. We will continue now." Our Teacher said and hushed us back inside. I went back to my seat and Xuan Lu to hers. I felt the eyes of Paul, Ziyi and Ji Yang but I ignored them. Just then I got a message in our group chat. 

Ziyi: You both have secrets in front of us and I hate that!

Ji Yang: Care to tell us as well? 

Ji Yang: Yibo?

Me: Later.

Ziyi: Xuan Lu?? Tell us pleaseee. What is it that we cant know?

Ziyi: LuLu??

Xuan Lu: First, Yibo just told you he will you later, second .... stop calling me LuLu!

Ziyi: Ooops, forgot. Only you fiance can call you like that ^^

Paul: And when is 'later' Yibo?

Ji Yang: Yiboooo??

Me: Don't know. I will tell you, I promise. But not know. Stop chatting and listen to the teacher!

Paul: I would say 3?

Ji Yang: Yeah 3 days sounds good!

Ziyi: Hell no!! Tomorrow the latest! Or else you get to know me for real, Yibo!

Me: Help, I am scared.... ^^

Paul: Alright then. Tomorrow, Yibo. Or else I will stop talking to you.

Me: For real...? T_T

Paul: ..... No .... but I would be mad!

Xuan Lu: * giggle *

Ziyi: You are to soft, little brother...

Ji Yang: Way to soft ....

Me: STOP IT NOW! Listen to the teacher!

Ziyi: Alright, Yibo. But the clock is ticking .....

After that the group chat went quiet and we listened to our teacher.

When the bell ringed I hurried to my bike and drove home. I arrived 12:30pm. 'My brother is probably in the kitchen. Zhan should be .... in the garden maybe?'

On my way to the bunny house I saw a stranger standing in front of the flowers and watering them. 'He should be the new gardener'  I thought and wanted to greet him but saw him looking into the direction of ... Zhan.

Zhan was kneeling down in front of his part of the garden and observing something. 'Maybe the gardener wants to greet him... but of course my Zhan does not allow it'  I thought and walked up to him.

"Excuse me? You must be the new gardener, right?" I greeted him while standing in front of him blocking his view.

The man looked at me with a smile. 'He sure is handsome.....'

"That is right. My name is Li Bowen. You must be Yibo, the little brother of Mr. Liu. Nice to meet you" Mr. Li said and bowed.

'Politely and friendly as well' I thought and said "Yes, I am Yibo. Nice to meet you too. I see our flowers are in good hands. Are you eating with us today?"

"Ah... no I am not. I have brought my own food. Maybe some days later when everyone is used to my presence" he said and tried to looked at Zhan for a short time.

"If you mean Zhan then sorry to say. He does not like strangers. It takes some time for him to trust others. I am sure my brother told you already." I said and he looked at me with raised brows.

"Zhan?" he asked.

"Yes. His name is Xiao Zhan but I am allowed to call him Zhan." I explained with a kind of proud voice.

Just then I felt two arm wrapping around my waist and I knew without looking behind who it was.

"Did you have fun today?" I asked and Zhan nodded. When he saw Mr. Li he hid behind me. I suppressed a smile when I see Mr. Li looking hurt.

Zhan pulled at my shirt and pointed to the direction of his little garden.

"You want to show me something? What is it?" I asked gently and Zhan took my hand in his and led me away from Mr. Li to his garden.

He showed me his notebook.

>Little One showed me this hole and stays here without hopping even a centimeter away. I think there is something inside. I want see what it is. Can you help me?<

I nodded. "Let me get something first. Wait here." I said and walked to the equipment shed to get a shovel and a bucket. When I came back Zhan knelt again waiting for me.

"Here is a shovel. You have to carefully scoop the soil and put it in the bucket. When we finished we will put it back. I will use my hands to reach for whatever is inside when enough soil is gone. Alright?" I asked and he nodded excitingly.

He started scooping carefully and after 5 minutes the hole was big enough for me to reach in. I slowly put my hands in and after some time I felt something fluffy. I reach for it but whatever it was it bit me.

"Ouch....!" I cursed but reached deeper, grabbed the animal and heaved it up. It was another bunny. A red one. I gave it to Zhan who eagerly wanted to hold it. While he stroke the scared bunny I took the shovel and but back the soil. Just when I finished we heard my brother calling us.

"What are you doing? Dinner is ready."

We put everything back where it belongs and Zhan wanted to bring the red bunny to the bunny house. 

"No, Zhan. Let us bring it to the vet first. If its healthy we bring it to the others." Zhan looked at me and nodded in agreement. We took the bunny into the house.

"Brother, can we go to the vet after Dinner? We found a bunny in the garden and it need a check up." I asked.

"Sure. After Dinner then. We should go and see a doctor too. It bit you and we need to treat you as well." 

It was decided. After Dinner we drove to the vet first. He gave green light. The bunny was not sick.

"Doc, what kind of bunny is this? Why is it red?" I asked the vet.

"She is a new Zealand red rabbit so its normal. Don't worry." he explained.

"She?"

"Ah, yes. Its a female and around 4 years old." he said and I nodded. The vet gave him some vaccination and we could take it with us.

After that we went to a doctor. As I was vaccinated the wound was nothing serious, it was only a little bit inflamed. The doctor put a band aid on it.

"Just make sure the wound does not get into contact with water for the next two days. Here take this ointment and use it 2 time a day for about 1 week. After that it should be healed."

I thanked him and turned to my brother and Zhan who were sitting behind me. I saw Zhan looking at my hand with worry in his face so I walked up to him and gave him a kiss on his head.

"Its nothing serious. No need to worry so much. Come lets go" I said and reach out my hand. He took it and my brother, who waited for us at the door, smiled while signalizing us to go.

"On old friend of mine has his office around the corner. He is a doctor and we met at the university. I will visit him as he is familiar with hypnosis. Do you want to come with me? Or you want to do something else?" Brother asked.

"Zhan and I will go for a walk. Maybe buying some food for the bunnies and other things." I decided and Zhan looked happily.

Brother laughed. "That is good. Xiao Zhan need to go out and not only stay at home. Here is my credit card. I will take the bunny with me. We will meet here in .... 5 hours?" He asked after looking at the clock. I nodded and left together with Zhan.

First we walked through the city. Its 2 pm and most of the people are working right now. We walked from store to store and when there was something we liked, we bought it. A jacket, a scarf and gloves for Zhan, some paint for him and a new beautiful pen. When he saw it at one of the store windows his eyes were shining so much that I had to buy it for him.

I got myself new gloves as well and a new helmet matching my bike. The helmet will be delivered. Then we went to a pet store and bought food for our bunnies.

After that we went to the nearby Park. Zhan wanted to rent a bicycle and so I rented two. We drove to the Park and after about 30 minutes we sat down on the grass. It got colder the last days but with the sun shining above us it was pleasantly warm.

"Zhan?" I called him after some time and he looked at me.

"I asked Xuan Lu if she would teach you cooking the lotus soup and she agreed. I am not sure when but she will." I said and Zhan smiled happily.

>I cant wait for it. Yibo, when am I going to meet all your friends?<

"Hmm...I don't know. Let me think about it. But you will meet them I promise." I said. He nodded but I saw the disappointment in his eyes.

'I really want you to meet them but .... you hate stranger. Moreover you are horrified if a woman is near you. What should I do???'  I thought desperately.

I hugged him tight to tell him I mean what I said. I want him to know I am sorry and that I hate it if he is disappointed with me.

I relaxed when I felt him hugging me back. "I am sorry, Zhan. I know you want to meet them. Trust me you will but ..." I started but stopped when Zhan broke the hug. He wrote something down and showed it to me.

>I know its my fault because I am like this. I will try my best to change that. And I trust you. Whenever you promise something you will do it. You never broke your promises.<

I smiled at him. I stood up, took his hand and led him deeper into the park. When I was sure there were only us I kissed him. It was not a wild kiss but a soft one. I did not even used my tongue. I kissed him and showed him how I feel. This kiss should tell him how much I love him.

After some time I stopped and looked him into the eyes. "Thank you Zhan." He smiled at me and nodded.

"Is there something you want to do?" I asked him.

>I want to make a cake. For Dr. Liu's birthday. Its in three days already. We need to buy ingredients.<

"A specific cake?"

>His favorite tea is green tea. So I want to make a green tea cake. Is that possible?<

"Of course it is. Lets buy the things we need." I agreed.

So we went shopping again. But before that we entered a pastry shop and asked what we would need if we want to make a green tea cake. The friendly owner, a man around 60 years old, listed the ingredients and wrote down the way we should proceed.

"My grandson is inside and makes a honey cake. The procedure is almost the same. Do you want to stay and watch?" he asked and we gladly agreed.

To make the cake it took 2 hours. During the time, the cake was in the oven, we tastes various cakes, muffins and breads.

There was one bread with vanilla filling Zhan fell in love with. After he tastes it he did not wanted to taste others anymore. So I asked the owner if he still has them and if I could buy some. Zhan nodded happily in agreement.

The owner laughed and gave us a lot. When I paid for them I heard a ring in the kitchen that signaled us the cake was ready and it looked delicious.

"Green tea cake have its own taste so you don't need to use glaze. As for the decorations its always up to the cake maker." the grandson explained.

After the cake were done we said goodbye. The old man gave me recipe for the bread with vanilla fillings and I thanked him a lot.

I hope to see you again" he said and then we left.

When I looked at the clock we saw its almost time for us to meet brother so we hurried up and brought the ingredients for the green tea cake as well as the bread. We arrived ten minutes later then the agreed time but brother was not mad.

"I see you had a lot of fun. Lets bring all those bags to the car and go home." Brother said. 

When we arrived home the gardener was gone. While brother cooked dinner Zhan and I went to the bunny house and introduced the red bunny to the others. They seemed to like each other. We fed them and then were called inside for dinner.

When we were done I looked nervously at my brother.

"Is there something you want to ask?" he asked me while handing the medicine to Zhan.

"I have basketball training tomorrow...." I said.

"I know. Come on say it. Why so nervous?" Brother chuckled.

"I want to ask if its possible ... that I can take Zhan with me to the training?"

to be continued....

Will Haikuan allow it? When can Zhan finally meet Yibo's friends.....?

I hope this chapter was not too boring...^^

The next chapter comes out on wednesday. We will see each other then ;D

1. I am sorry if there are any errors as english is not my native language. Do point it out.

2. I would be very happy about comments and votes :D