Update time!😎 *potato dance* (~‾▿‾)~

HOWEVER, this was so far the most hastily written, unplanned, forced out chapter I have done for this story. The reason is: due to my allergies acting up I fell ill and even had a fever for a few days earlier this week (I thought it was Corona and almost wrote a goodbye note for y'all🤧). My back pain was killing me, making it hard for me to stay upright and write; my meds were fucking with my brain. So, I apologize for any inconsistency in quality, typos or if the chapter feels messy in general.😖

Read the author's note at the end of the chapter. Also, the pic will be attached there as well.

IMPORTANT: Someone DM'd me asking if the term 'Ge' is pronounced as 'gay' and I wept for a bit.😭 Are you telling me you've been reading it as GayGay till now?😭 It's pronounced like "guh" with a softer 'uh' (mouth less open). Type 'brother' on google translate, choose Chinese as the output language and listen to the voice translation.😭 Bloody hell!

Teabags who comment and vote are my favourites and will receive my squishy squashy hugsies, with snots added to the groove!😍😘

A warm welcome to the peeps who followed my profile!(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

Hope you guys are doing okay. Stay safe and take every precaution while going out.💜

I forgot what else I intended to say.😒

Off ya go!

*********************

Chapter-24

YiBo wasn't sure what was happening. He was beside himself when he left Zhan's house last night. He still could not believe that Zhan had actually responded to YiBo's flirting! And that little ember of hope burned within him for a long time.

Till he received that Thank You text. Well, he was not surprised, per say; Zhan responding to him voluntarily was something surely to be happy about but he did feel a tiny little bite of disappointment in his heart. He had put a lot of hope in that care package. But this time he absolutely refused to lead his heart by expectations. He had been reading a lot about Zhan's medical conditions and the more he knew the guiltier he felt. It would take way more than some petty disappointment to discourage him now.

So, at the end of a tiring, hectic day that was filled with meeting strangers, putting on fake smiles and happy acts, convincing the people that he was so eager to join the show when the truth could not have been further from it, he sat in his hotel room and dialled for a video call. He was dying to see the two faces that did not let him focus on anything else the whole day.

While Zhan did receive the call, and YiBo's heart jumped up seeing his face, he was gone just as soon. He answered YiBo's "How are you?" with "I'm fine, thanks" and immediately put Xing on the call, not even giving YiBo the chance to ask if he liked the gift.

However, YiBo got his chance. When his talk with his son came to an end and it was time for Zhan to take over and disconnect, YiBo grabbed the opportunity and asked, "Did you like the gift? Would they be helpful?"

For some reason unknown to him, Zhan looked very withdrawn, "That were very generous of you, thank you."

YiBo blinked. What? "Generous? But....but I didn't do it out of some generosity. I honestly thought they would be of some help." YiBo could hear the slight hurt in his own voice.

Apparently Zhan heard it too as he made a brief eye contact before saying, "I meant, that was a very thoughtful gift. Thank you."

He did not know what to say to that. It felt like hitting a dead end. Desperate for anything, he blurted out, "Let me know if they run out or you need anything else."

That was probably too intimate considering their current status and Zhan looked predictably surprised. "Again, thank you for the offer but I will restock them myself if they run out, don't worry."

That was a reasonable response and YiBo did not have anything to reemphasize the fact that he wanted to be the one to help Zhan in any and every way possible. Zhan wished him good night after that and the call ended. Suddenly the distance between them felt wider, which had nothing to do with geography. And YiBo still had no idea what the hell happened in between last night and tonight.

One of the information he had gathered about depression was that it caused severe mood swings at times. Maybe Zhan is having a bad mood? Maybe he is stressed about his upcoming launch. Yeah, that must be it. Trying to convince himself that nothing was wrong and he was just over-analyzing things, YiBo settled for the night.

But that little unease inside him took a long time to dissipate.

XOXOXOX

Zhan cracked his knuckles as he wrung his hands compulsively. It was dead of the night and he should be working; instead, he was going over and over about his conversation with YiBo that evening.

He shouldn't have said 'generosity'. That sounded a bit too harsh. He should have just thanked him. It wasn't YiBo's fault that Zhan was delusional. Was he rude? Maybe he should have asked after YiBo a bit. They had been talking more openly since that day. Why did Zhan have to mess everything up again? He shouldn't have been so uptight while declining YiBo's offer. He tried to help and Zhan acted like he did not appreciate the effort.

He should have been more mindful. What right did he have to feel upset about? Just because he could not keep his wayward thoughts in check did not give him permission to throw someone's kindness to their faces.

But what about his own feelings? If he let YiBo 'help' him this way then, Zhan would not be able to reign in his emotions. Yes, he was the one who left but he never moved on. And being in regular touch with his ex and watching him being thoughtful and attentive towards him would only make things harder for Zhan.

What should he do? What would he do? He did not want YiBo to go away from his life again. Losing him once was something he still could not get over with yet. Losing him twice was something he did not even want to consider. He would survive, he would have to for his son but he would stop living if that happened. So, even if it was as a co parent, even if it was a small talk over phone or text, even if it was just pity he would receive, Zhan wanted to have YiBo's presence in his life anyway possible. He was pathetic, weak, he knew that but how could he silence his heart?

Tormented by his own emotions Zhan paced restlessly and twisted untwisted his fingers to the point of hurting; the pain helped to stave off his anxiety.

If only there was someone to tell him what to do....If only there was someone...

XOXOXOX

YiBo did not wait for the night and made another video call before breakfast. This time Xing's face appeared from the very first. YiBo knew their son was not well acquainted with a cell phone, thanks to Zhan's strict parenting, which meant his Papa must have handed the phone over right away after receiving the call. Without even greeting YiBo.

That hurt. A bit.

But then Xing was waving his baby spoon at him, sitting on his highchair and YiBo couldn't focus on anything else.

"Daddy! Daddy! Come!"

"Hey, Peanut! How are you?"

But Xing was now looking at somewhere beside him off camera.

"En?" He enquired at someone.

Then YiBo heard a male voice whispering, "Say good morning."

Xing blinked at the person, then looked at the screen, "Goom- ....Goom..." He again turned to the person for help.

"Morning. Mor- ning"

Chewing the spoon thoughtfully, Xing looked back at his Daddy and after much deliberation said, "Goom- ninning!"

"Yay! You learnt a new word! Good morning to you too, Peanut and wish your Papa good morning for me."

That request was beyond Xing to process. He just looked at off camera and pointed at the screen, saying, "Daddy!"

There was a slight pause before Zhan's voice came, clear this time, "Good morning." He sounded embarrassed and still did not come on screen.

"Goom ninning, Daddy!"

"Good morning, baby. Are you eating?" YiBo did not let that silent refusal affect him.

Xing shoved the spoon into his mouth then smiled around it, "Beffat!"

"Oh! Breakfast! That's my good boy. Look at you, eating all by yourself. My big boy."

"Ennnn! Bid. Ephan bid."

"XingXing bigger."

His son stretched his little arms at him, "Come Daddy! Come Come! Pwayyyy!"

"Soon, Peanut. Daddy will be back soon in a day or two, promise."

The child blinked at him before nodding, " 'Kay,' and started to bang on the table with the spoon, attention diverted.

The camera moved and finally, finally, Zhan came into view. After his initial joy, however, YiBo noticed how tired he looked. His own smile disappeared.

"Are you all right?" He asked immediately.

To which Zhan looked surprised before quickly concealing it, "Yes, fine. How are you?"

"You look tired. Are you pulling all nighters?"

"I'm fine, really. How is work?" Zhan asked, eyes on whatever he was doing at the moment.

YiBo could sense there was something off about Zhan but could not detect what it was. "It's just work. Boring, hectic. Can't wait to wrap things up here and go home."

Seemed like Zhan wanted to say something but only nodded in the end.

"How is the new line coming along?" Not having anything else to enquire about, yet not wanting to end the conversation YiBo asked whatever came to mind.

"So far good. Everyone is working hard. Uh...I'm sorry but I have go to the company today, so..."

So, YiBo needed to hang up. He nodded, "Oh, okay. I'll call in the evening, if it's no trouble."

"No problem at all. If I'm still at the office and don't pick up, call the home number. MeiLi will be with Xing."

"Oh........okay."

"Have a good day at work, then," Zhan said and sounded very formal, raising YiBo's hackles again.

"You are not-... Are you sick again? Is anything wrong?" YiBo couldn't hold it anymore and asked because Zhan really was acting stiff.

"No, of course, not! I'm absolutely fine. Nothing's wrong. But don't let us keep you any longer. Your shoot must be starting soon..."

That was a blatant dismissal and it suddenly scared YiBo. What was going on?

"Ge..." YiBo didn't really know what to say, "Umm...tell Xing I'll be home soon."

"I will. Have a good day."

"And take care of yourself, okay? You look tired."

"......Don't worry about me," Zhan replied after a pause, "Take care. Bye."

"Bye."

YiBo sat there biting his nails long after the call ended. What was happening? What did happen in such a short time? When he left everything was going fine and however small, they were making progress. Then what the hell happened in between?

And seeing Zhan so withdrawn scared YiBo to the core. This was how it all started; Zhan pulling back from him, withdrawing, building walls around him, shutting YiBo off...............then disappearing.

YiBo's whole body gave an involuntary jerk in abject fear. Would the history repeat itself again?

As soon as that thought occurred, YiBo's jaw hardened. No, not again. Now he had the knowledge and experience he did not have before and he would not let things get out of hand again. And most importantly he would not let Zhan be alone this time.

He would be there, whether Zhan liked it or not.

Afraid yet determined, YiBo got up. He had a home to go back to, but before he needed to complete his professional commitment.

XOXOXOX

When Zhan returned home from a toiling day at the warehouse, it was well past eight. Xing had gone to bed already. MeiLi stayed with them at days like this.

"Did he give you a hard time?" Zhan asked as he took off his shoes and entered the house. Even his bones were aching from tiredness.

"No, he didn't. He was at his best behaviour today," She replied with a smile.

That surprised Zhan. Usually Xing was cranky when Zhan had to stay late outside. "That's surprising. He's growing up fast, isn't he?"

"I think it was the toy that kept him distracted," she said with a giggle.

"Toy?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, you had two deliveries today, Sir. A Lego set for Xing and a bouquet for you," she informed. "I have put the bouquet on the dining table and the toy set is in the playroom. Should I bring them?"

Zhan was afraid to ask whom they came from because he knew exactly whom and MeiLi, thankfully, did not elaborate. "No no, that's okay. Uh, thank you for managing things so wonderfully. I know what a handful Xing could be."

"That's my job and Xing was a very good boy today."

"Have you had your dinner?" At her nod he added, "Good. You should go to bed now. I'll turn in for the night then, all right?"

"Sure. Have a good night, Mr. Xiao."

Zhan was on his way to upstairs when MeiLi's voice called him.

"Sir, what should I do with the flowers?"

".............Throw them away," Zhan replied after a pause and went all the way to his bedroom. Stood in front of the closed door, then, dashed downstairs again.

"Did you throw- Oh, uhm."

MeiLi stood looking startled with what looked like some parts of a toy airplane.

"Sir?"

"Um, nevermind the flowers; you have a rest now."

"Oh, okay," she nodded, looking confused and scurried away quickly.

Rubbing his forehead Zhan mentally cursed at himself. How silly and childish was that? MeiLi must have been laughing. Reluctant yet curious, he bee lined for the bouquet.

They were daisies.

Any remaining doubts he had about the gifts being not from YiBo were evaporated at that moment because............daisies were Zhan's favourite, also not the kind of flower people usually sent a bouquet of.

He put a tentative hand over the wrapping plastic.

Why?

Zhan took the flowers with him upstairs, entered the bathroom, put them on the sink top and began to undress.

Why?

He then turned the faucet on to fill the bathtub, unwrapped the bouquet, splayed the flowers out and waited. Once the tub was filled, he dropped the flowers to the water and got inside.

Smooth ceramic pressed against his back, water caressing and sloshing over his skin, raising goosebumps on its wake, the flowers floating around him, bumping into him, clinging to him like a whiney, relentless lover, Zhan sat with his knees bunched up.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked the cold silence.

This kindness, consideration- they did not feel very kind to him; on the contrary, they weighed down on him like unsolicited debt.

YiBo was not a cruel man, nor was he a promiscuous one, then why?

Sliding down Zhan dunked his head in the water and stayed till his lungs gave out. He sat up panting and huffing, eyelashes drooping down from the pouring water.

A flower was sticking to his shoulder. Gazing at it for a long moment, Zhan held it in his palms.

The flower of Freya, the Celtic goddess of Love.

A flower that also symbolized new beginning.

Pure and innocent.

He let it go and pushed it away from him.

He did not know why.

While standing in front of the mirror and wiping down his body, his fingers trailed over his face.

If sadness was a person would it have looked like him?

He once read that there were people who had sadness embedded into their souls. Like melodies in a song.

Maybe he was one of them.

He wished he could be happy with whatever he had been given. He wished he had a dull, generic life where he did not have any thoughts except for earning daily breads. A life without anxiety. He wished he had a companion to come back home to, to be held while he slept. To be vulnerable without any fear of being judged.

He wished he could want everything without feeling guilty.

A song he had heard long ago came to his mind as he looked into his own tired eyes.

*The reason I hold on

'Cause I need this hole gone

Funny you're the broken one

But I'm the only one who needed saving

'Cause when you never see the light

It's hard to know which one of us is caving............*

Steam fogged over his reflection. He glided his fingers over it, tracing a name.

The bed enveloped him in its familiar warm embrace. Xing did not wake up when he went to check on his son and give him a goodnight kiss. If only he could have a night of uninterrupted, deep, peaceful sleep.

Staring at the white ceiling and watching the swirling shadows dance for a long moment, he opened the bedside drawer and took out a framed photo.

It was a silly one. A selfie taken from an odd angle too close to the camera. They had just started dating and Zhan still wasn't sure about YiBo. Getting quite fed up with the boy sending him selfies all day long Zhan had one day told him off, which resulted into them not talking for a few days. During that time Zhan became quite worried about him and realized that he wasn't fooling anyone by pretending he did not care for YiBo. In the end he had sent out a text asking him how he was. He had received this photo as an answer.

Looking at it at that moment he knew he was in love.

Looking at it now he knew he was still stuck in that moment while everything else had moved on around him.

"Why are you doing this to me?" He whispered. "Don't, please. I'm not strong enough anymore. I'd have to be able to let go. Let me go."

*Makes me feel I can't live without you

It takes me all the way....I want you to stay....*

XOXOXOX

YiBo was running a low fever when the flight touched down in Beijing. He wanted to run to Zhan's house right then but Xiu Ying helpfully informed him that it might not be wise to be around a baby while having what looked like a flu. Therefore, YiBo could only return to his empty condo. Sleeping fitfully for a few hours he woke up to a clogged nose and sore throat. The clock said 6:45 in the evening. Checking Xiu Ying's text that said he would be around 8 with his dinner and medicines, if needed, YiBo dialled Zhan's number with much anticipation.

It was not Zhan who picked up. It was his manager.

"Hello, Mr. Wang, this is HaoXuan. Mr. Xiao is busy at the moment, thus unable to receive calls," Xuan informed.

YiBo was so accustomed with Zhan working from home and receiving his calls every time that for a moment he fumbled for a reply.

"Oh, um, oh. Okay, then, when will he be available?"

After a little pause Xuan said, "It might take a bit of time, I'm afraid. The work pressure is particularly high tonight."

"Oh." The disappointment tasted bitter in YiBo's mouth. "Then, kindly tell him that I called."

"Yes, of course. Anything else you want me to convey, Mr. Wang?"

"No, that's all, thanks."

He felt dejected. Previously he had planned to spend this evening with his son and Zhan because his schedule would be packed from tomorrow onwards. But due to this damned flu that did not happen and now he could not even hear Zhan's voice. Also, the feeling that Zhan was distancing himself only intensified after this.

Coughing and sniffling, he sent a quick text to Xiu Ying, asking him to bring some more meds and cough drops, and then called Zhan's home number.

All the while he talked to Xing, he hoped for Zhan to call him back or at least a text.

Neither came.

XOXOXOX

It took YiBo another five long days to finally meet his son in person and for a change Zhan was home. Although YiBo had guessed as much because this visit was unannounced and after five days of brief calls and half hearted answers, YiBo knew Zhan had been deliberately avoiding him.

He received two very different reactions from the boys. While the little one almost sprained his ankles from jumping and hopping, babbling ceaselessly and giggling, the older one kept his distance and was formally polite, more so than ever.

YiBo's heart sank.

Xing could not stay with him for longer as he had a playdate with some other toddlers and soon left with his nanny. That left YiBo alone with Zhan.

Without Xing to act as a buffer things turned awkward, to say the least. Throughout the visit YiBo had been trying to initiate conversations, which Zhan tried his best to cut short as politely as possible.

The more Zhan pulled away the more desperate YiBo became.

'So, um," Zhan looked at the door through which Xing had just left moments ago, then looked at YiBo, "would you like some tea?"

"Sure. Some tea will be lovely. My throat is still sore. Can you put some gingers in the water?" YiBo said readily, anything to prolong his stay.

On the other hand Zhan looked at him in askance, "Sore throat? Do you have a flu?" Worry fleeted across Zhan's face.

"I don't have it now," YiBo hurriedly assured, "Don't worry, Xing is safe. I made sure of it."

He might be wrong but hurt seemed to flash across Zhan's face for a second before he nodded, turned and walked to the kitchen.

Unexpectedly that gave YiBo the burst of courage he was aiming for and he trotted behind Zhan. Leaning against the kitchen counter with his back he watched as Zhan patter around it. He could tell the man was nervous.

"Would- would you like a sandwich to go with it?" Zhan asked while filling up the kettle.

"That would be just perfect, thanks."

"You're welcome."

YiBo knew it was just a reflexive reply yet he took it as an opening.

"Am I though?" He asked.

"Are you what?" Zhan asked, briefly looking at him then, continuing buttering the breads.

"Welcome?"

Zhan's hands stilled. "What do you mean?" Eyes still downcast.

"........................Why are you avoiding me, Ge?"

"I'm not!" Somewhat defensive Zhan's voice still remained subdued. However, his shoulders tense up.

"What happened? Did I do something wrong?"

Zhan put the butter knife down and held the counter edge tightly, his knuckles white. "What are you talking about? Nothing happened."

"Something did, we both know that, no matter how much you pretend to be all right."

"I'm not pretending!"

"Then tell me what happened? Things were going fine before I went to Changsha. Maybe I did something without even knowing it and- and I apologize for it. But will you please tell me what is it?" YiBo did not let his voice rise as he pleaded.

"Nothing is fine," Zhan snapped at last, "but whatever it is, it has nothing to do with you."

That reaction confirmed even more that something was most definitely wrong.

"Nothing to do with me?" YiBo repeated, "I beg to differ. If it was so then you wouldn't have acted so distant with me, nor would you have tried to avoid me ever since. I think it has everything to do with me."

"Distant?" Zhan looked straight at him, "I'm sorry but are you in any delusion that we are close?"

Ouch. That hurt.

"You know what I mean. I think you're running from the truth," YiBo's jaw tightened up.

"No I do not and I think you should leave now," Saying this Zhan turned on his heels and started to walk off.

Maybe it was his still medicine addled mind, maybe it was the fear that came from watching Zhan walking off, maybe it was the desperation to have him within reach that prompted YiBo to do what he did next.

He moved forward and clasped his hand over Zhan's wrist. "Zhan Ge!"

Zhan stopped with a start, his eyes travelling from YiBo's grip to his eyes. Then he immediately held his arm up in order to shrug YiBo off.

"What are you doing?!" Shock was stark in Zhan's eyes.

"Ge, please, tell me what did I do?" He pleaded but did not let go.

"YiBo, let go of me."

"No. If I let go you will leave."

As he watched something waver within Zhan's eyes then turning cold, YiBo wanted to dig his nails deep into Zhan's flesh and keep him there.

"Let go of me." Zhan spoke icily, waited for a heartbeat then twisted his hand free. "Please, leave."

"No, not before- listen to me-"

"I have nothing to talk to you right now. I don't want us to do anything that we both might regret later and it's very unbecoming of us-"

"I love you!"

"To be ac-"

Zhan's speech slammed to a stop, as if something had muted his voice all of a sudden.

On the other hand, YiBo had not planned on blurting that out but as he did he knew there was no turning back now. No point in waiting for the right time.

As they stood there with identical wide eyes, Zhan's mouth moved a few times before uttering a "What?"

"I love you. I don't know what's going on or what I did but I love you and that's the truth."

A frown slowly settled on Zhan's brows. "What are you saying? What are you-......."

"I know I didn't act like it in the beginning and pretended that I didn't care but I never-" YiBo licked his lip and exhaled , "It was never over for me, Ge. I never-"

"Stop it!"

YiBo clamped shut his mouth and held Zhan's confused, disbelieving gaze.

"Stop this! Sto- what are you even saying? Do you hear yourself? What's going on? Why are you doing this? Why would- Is this some kind of a sick joke?!"

Now, YiBo was ready to go into detailed explanation about how his feelings about Zhan had remained the same even though he himself did not realize it but hearing that his own thoughts took a halt. "A sick joke? Joke about what? What do you mean?"

"Do I even need to explain?"

"Yes, you do because I have no clue what do you think I'm joking about! Are you serious!?"

"Are you?" Zhan shot back. "You really want me to believe that you- you have feelings for- for-" Zhan gestured with his hand without finishing the sentence.

"Yes, I do. I genuinely want you to believe it. Why not?" YiBo still could not understand where Zhan was going with it.

"Why not?" Zhan's face was flushed red with agitation, "Well, maybe because it is unbecoming of a gentleman to dishonour his commitment and indulge into promiscuity!"

"My what? What commitment? What promiscuity?" YiBo had seriously begun to think they were having two very different conversations.

"Your commitment to Ms. Huang! What else?!" Zhan's incredulity, mixed with anger, made his voice high.

"Who?" That was so abrupt and random and far from YiBo's thoughts that his brain took a moment to identify that name and when he realized who that was his confusion only grew. "Vanessa? What does Vanessa have to do with anything? What?"

"Your fiancée has nothing to do with whom you're confessing to behind her back? Are you- I can't believe this!"

"Wait wait wait! What fiancée? Ge, there's no fiancée! What are you on about? What are you saying? Did you forget or something? I told you! That day when we talked I told you-" the words died on his tongue as a horrible realization dawned upon him.

That day when they talked YiBo never really got to tell Zhan about his fake marriage deal. When he tried to tell him Zhan had stopped him and later YiBo had completely forgotten about it, somehow thinking Zhan already knew.

SHIT.

"No, Zhan Ge! There's no fiancée!" He shook his head vigorously, panicking. No wonder Zhan thought this was all an elaborate joke. "There's no fiancée at all. She's- Vanessa is not my fiancée, not my girlfriend, not my anything! Please, don't misunderstand! I can explain! Let me explain!"

Zhan's brows were so furrowed that they looked painful. "Your wedding...I was at your wedding...there was a wedding!"

"That's not real! None of it was," YiBo's voice was going thin in his desperation for making Zhan believe, "Everything was a setup. It- it was- it-" stopping, YiBo took a breath to collect himself. "It was supposed to be a contract marriage. One year and then we would have gotten a pre planned divorce. But after- after I saw you, saw Xing that day.......... I couldn't go through it. Because I knew I wouldn't be able to lose you twice."

The frown had disappeared from Zhan's face entirely. Once flushed skin looked deathly pale now as he stared at YiBo blankly.

It scared YiBo.

"A fake marriage?"

"Yes, all fake. Every bit of it!"

"And.........all this time you never thought of telling me this?"

"But I did! I truly did! Remember that day here? I was about to tell you but you stopped me and I thought- I..." YiBo trailed off because Zhan was not reacting.

"All this time you kept me in the dark while you planned your confession to me? While I tortured myself thinking I had ruined your wedding day? Your chance to happiness?"

"What? No! No no no! You're misunderstanding me. I didn't plan anything. Well, I did plan the wedding but not anything regarding you. You have to believe me. I thought you knew. I forgot that I didn't get to tell you- I'm sorry."

"Get out."

It was said in a clipped, quiet tone, the one that brook no argument. Having never been on the receiving end of such a command from Zhan YiBo's shock was obvious.

"Ge?"

"Get. Out. Of my house."

Zhan looked at him dead in the eyes. He was seething.

"I didn't deliberately keep you in the dark. Please, trust me! I honestly-"

"Get out get out get out! Can't you hear me? Get the hell out. GET OUT!"

"Zhan Ge, Zhan...calm down, okay? Please, just calm down and listen-"

Zhan physically pushed him.

This was so far from anything that was expected from Zhan, the tender, polite person he was, that YiBo lost his balance and staggered back.

"I didn't do anything wrong this time! It's a huge misunderstanding!"

Zhan grabbed his left upper arm and dragged him towards the door. YiBo could feel Zhan shaking through his grip. He didn't dare to say anything other than calling his name but nothing assuaged the raging man. Even though all he wanted was to cling onto the man and make him understand, he didn't dare.

Once he was dragged outside the front door, Zhan stood just behind the threshold and faced him. Beads of sweat dotted his face, his eyes looked wild.

"You don't know what you've put me through, Wang YiBo. And here I was under the misconception that you were not a cruel person. Do not contact me unless I initiate it. Stay. Away."

The door was slammed shut on YiBo's face.

He stood there, completely flabbergasted, wondering what did just happen.

"Ge?"

[][][][]

Oh well...🤷 *Still on the tree*🙃

A/N: As I'm still not okay and need rest I might not update next Saturday BUT if you guys want I can post a short WangXian/YiZhan one shot next week, to compensate for the lack of update. Choice is yours. If most agree, I will.

The pic Zhan had on his bedside table-

A bonus pic of Zhan around the time the above pic was sent to him-

*The lyrics were taken from Stay by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko