A joyous and healthy New Year to all of you!🎊🎉❤️

As you've guessed, I didn't die.😔 I know I pulled an MIA on all of you but there were reasons (Well, duh!).😑 I had been sick physically for a while and then it triggered my depression and pushed me into a very dark place. I became detached with everything around me. I was in no condition to write, let alone deal with a story that involves depression. I'm really sorry, guys, for keep you all waiting but sometimes, Life won't let you do what you want.😣🤧

But the good thing is I am going on a trip to the snowy mountains!😍 I needed this break for so long and so damn badly.🤧 I hope the hills will help me heal faster. And wish me luck so that I can capture some good shots. It's been so long I have made love with my camera.😌

Anyway, back to this chapter. I don't know how it is. I probably wrote one paragraph in one week. Dunno know how it turned out but I'm glad that I got to finish it.❤️

Thank you so much to all of you who kept tabs on me, DM'd me, asked after me. You guys know how to make me feel happy. Love you, potatoes!😭🤧

Also, I gave a writer's interview a while back. The brilliant LINALOUICE had nominated me for it.😭❤️ It was my first and the experience was very pleasant.❤️ If you wanna read what gibberish I spewed up, visit CLNighters and go to their Vintage- CLN Phoenxi's Interviews. (https://my.w.tt/2TtRd7eNVcb) Mine is the last one. But check them all out!!Woohoo!😍

Now, off ya go!

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

Chapter-36

"And- and none of them are from paid accounts?.....None?" Zhan's eyes were wide in disbelief.

"No, none of these comments are," Xuan confirmed.

"But......but there can't be only good comments! All from actual people. You said we had paid accounts?"

"Of course, we do and no, our paid accounts did not start this hashtag, one of the original accounts did and then others joined in. When it came across our paid accounts, they made sure to blow it up even more. But it originated from people that genuinely showed their supports for you, Zhan."

Zhan still could not believe it, even when the proof was right in front of his eyes. There were actual people who voluntarily supported him?! Even after knowing what he did! As he reread the comments again and again, his mind refused to fully believe them.

"And the....negative comments? Show them too," Zhan said looking at the words that praised for his courage.

"........I don't think that's a good idea," his assistant replied.

Zhan knew he would not let him see that. After a brief pause he said, "As long as it's not something against....um...against YiBo, I will be all right." His ears burned for some reason.

Before Xuan could reply, a gagging sound came from somewhere behind.

Both pair of eyes glared at the direction of that sound.

"What? Don't mind me. I'm just sitting in the corner, puking rainbows," Talu answered shamelessly while stuffing his mouth with whatever was in the bowl.

"Could you be a bit more sensitive, please?" Xuan hissed at him.

Talu pretended to think it over then said, "Nope," and kept eating.

Xuan rubbed the place in between his brows, "Nevermind the moron. And Zhan, it's really too much to hope for to think that there won't be any-"

"Oi! Whom are you calling a moron, you prick! I was already a star when you were still weaning! Want me to release your nappy baby pics?"

"Sure, if you want me to release the video of grovelling in the dirt in front of your manager."

That made Talu sat upright within the blink. "Don't you dare! Don't forget I'm your older brother!"

"Then act like one." Throwing that over his shoulder Xuan turned away, leaving his cousin sputter more nonsense.

Talu was indeed a moron at times while Xuan was mind numbingly serious but whenever these two cousins were in a room together, Zhan tended to forget his worries.

Back to what they were talking about, Zhan hesitated before saying, "I am ready to check the comments, all of them."

"I don't think that's a good idea. It might trigger you."

"Don't coddle me, Xuan," Zhan suddenly felt irritated, "I know I'm weak but I'm tired of feeling scared. I'm done."

"Zhan....I didn't mean-"

"Let the moron see them and when he weeps in the corner, don't give him any tissue to blow his nose." Of course, it was Talu.

Zhan sometimes seriously wondered how did they become friends and why did he keep it for this long. However, both he and Xuan chose o ignore him.

"Did you talk to Mr. Wang?" Xuan asked as he tapped on the keyboard.

"His phone was unreachable earlier." YiBo had told him that he would be at a remote location and probably out of network coverage area the last time he called Zhan.

"Don't worry. The production has chosen a pretty off beat location. I'm sure he would call once he gets the chance."

"I'm not worrying," Zhan protested, a bit too quickly to be convincing.

Xuan chuckled while Talu made another gagging sound.

XOXOXOX

"Hello?"

"Hello, Ge?"

There was a current in that call, in that name which Zhan felt every time he heard it.

"Ge? Can you hear me?"

"Yes, I can hear you."

"Thank God! I've been trying since forever. The network is so bad here."

"Are you still at the same location?"

"Yes. The shoot got delayed for some tech error. We'll have to stay here for an extra day. What a bummer."

"It will be over soon," Zhan said in a soothing tone.

"Not soon enough," YiBo grumbled in reply. "I can't wait to go home, go to-" And he abruptly stopped.

Zhan heard the unsaid words anyway. They both cleared their voices one after another in the following awkward pause.

"I've read he comments."

"What?"

"The comments. The.....negative ones."

There was a brief pause before YiBo exclaimed aloud, "What?! Wh-why? Why did you do that?! Ge, I told you, I told you not to read those shitty things! Those things are not fo-"

"It's okay-"

"-for sane minds. Those are absolute garbage and you should never-"

"YiBo, it's okay."

"How? How is it okay?"

"Because I cannot hide behind the safety net for the rest of my life."

"Reading online trash won't help you in anyway."

"Those are not trash; that's just different perspective."

"Different what? Ge, those dickheads trashed on us without having a single clue what we were going through. Fuck different perspective. Bunch of low lives."

Zhan waited patiently till YiBo finished his rant, then said, "Are you done? Yes? I understand your frustration but one thing you have to remember from now on, YiBo. No foul language anymore. Because one slip in front of Xing and he will pick it up immediately."

"No he won't; he's two!"

"And perfectly capable of copying swear words."

"No way! I don't believe you. My Peanut is an angel."

"Well, you'll be surprised."

"You're bluffing. You have any proof?"

"I do, in fact. And promise me you won't flip after hearing it," Zhan warned beforehand.

"I promise."

"So, this one time," Zhan began with a tight lipped smile, "Talu and I were talking and Talu had this bad habit of swearing every two seconds. And he said 'bastard'. Xing wasn't even in the room but somehow he overheard it and the next thing we knew he was yelling 'battah battah' all day long!" Zhan giggled recalling the day. Though he wouldn't admit it but it sounded too cute when Xing said it.

"That bastard!" YiBo said through gritted teeth.

"Hey, you promised-"

"Do you have any idea what a fool your friend, that asshole, had made me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Peanut called me 'battah' a few times and I thought it was a nickname he had given me! And I was so fucking happy! Because that Talu had a nick and I thought I had one too but turned out...oh my God! I'm gonna kill that bastard!"

Zhan shouldn't, he knew he really shouldn't, but he couldn't stop himself from bursting out laughing uproariously. And once it started it was as if the dam was broken; he laughed and laughed and laughed till tears came out. Sometime along the way, YiBo joined in and then it was pure chaos. Two grownups laughing themselves silly hysterically.

"It's been so long since I heard you laugh like that," YiBo remarked in a happy voice when the laughter died down gradually.

Immediately Zhan felt self conscious. Indeed this was the first time he had laughed like that in front of YiBo. But instead of retreating behind his walls, as he wanted to, he decided to be open about it. "Yeah.....I....I feel happy. Uh- I mean, not happy about the current situation," Zhan hurriedly clarified in case YiBo misunderstood, "But it's just....I feel free. Not scared anymore....or at least not like before. I'm still....I know I have a long way to go still but....." He trailed off feeling awkward.

"I know. I understand what you mean and you don't know how proud I am of what you did. I am so, so very proud."

Zhan never knew how to take compliments; he always felt off kilter whenever someone praised him for something because deep down he believed himself to be undeserving. And when it came to YiBo, those particular words that he spoke, they made his heart thud louder.

YiBo being proud of him.....he wanted that, he had always wanted that and now that he had it, his mind refused to believe it.

"Even your therapist said so. She told me what an incredible improvement you have made in this short time," YiBo went on praising him some more.

Zhan didn't know what to say, so he stayed quiet. However, his silence was misinterpreted as soon YiBo stopped and said, "Are you mad because I talked to your therapist? Ge, I didn't ask any personal information about you, I promise. She just told me how you have made progress, that's all. I'm sorry if I-"

"No! I- why would I be mad? I am not."

"Then why weren't you saying anything?"

"I was listening to you. And I know that you two have talked. She has told me that you have agreed to do your psych evaluation with her."

"Is it okay with you? I know I have already agreed but I wouldn't have done it without talking to you. She said- she...." YiBo's hesitated piqued Zhan's curiosity.

"What is it?"

YiBo's end was silent for a long moment before finally saying, "She said it was needed if I wanted a future with you."

Zhan's eyes closed on their own,

A future together. Was that what they were doing? Building a future together?

"No, it isn't needed. You don't to do anything that you don't want to-"

"But I want to. I do. I want to have a future with you and I do need to do everything that can make it happen." When Zhan did not reply YiBo added, "Ge, don't you think we have lost enough already? Enough time, enough tears, enough...enough already?" A gulping sound came from YiBo's end, "I never asked but...do you want a future with me, Zhan Ge?"

Future? He wanted his next lifetimes with this person. So he said, "When will you come back?"

And YiBo understood. "Soon, Ge, very soon." There was a smile in his voice. "Are you waiting for me?"

"No, of course not. It's just...Xing misses you."

"Oh, I see, hmm." It was blatantly clear that YiBo did not buy his bluff. "Well, I miss Xing too.......and his Papa."

What followed after that was shameless flirting that made Zhan's cheeks blush and heart soar.

XOXOXOX

"Did you tell him he needed to do the psychological evaluation in order to be with me?"

"I did not tell him but suggested him that, yes."

"Why did you do that? Now he thinks he ought to do it. I don't want him to feel forced into doing anything for me."

"I did that because that's what my years of medical expertise told me, Zhan and as I said, it was a suggestion. Neither did I force him nor did Mr. Wang feel cornered. And why do you think his decision to agree with my suggestion is a forced one?"

"Because he thinks he has to do it for me."

"And why do you think he is doing it for you and not for his own self?"

"...............Because he is not selfish."

"Zhan, wanting to be with the people we love isn't selfishness; it's self love. It's giving ourselves the gift of happiness. And I believe that's what Mr. Wang is trying to do. He is giving himself a chance to be with you."

"But he doesn't need therapy for it. He's normal, unlike me."

"Zhan, having therapies is very, very normal. Just like consulting a doctor when it's the flu season. And based on the brief conversation we had the other day and listening about him from you, I can see the many similarities you two share on an emotional and psychological levels. But what I need to ask you again and want you to tell me without any hesitation, are you comfortable with the idea that I will be doing Mr. Wang's evaluation?"

"...................Yes. I mean I haven't given it any thought but of course, I would be all right with you being YiBo's therapist."

"Oh, you misunderstand, Zhan. I won't be his therapist. I will just do the evaluation, then, recommend some of my colleagues if Mr. Wang needs one."

"Why? Why can't you be his therapist?"

"Professional ethics. As I am your therapist, I should not take Mr. Wang as my patient, especially now that the two of you are about to start a new life together."

"But I have seen couples come to you."

"That's because I do couple therapies as well."

"Like marriage counselling?"

"Ah, no. Sometimes couples decide to sit for therapy sessions together so that they can discuss and talk about their common and shared issues. It's different from marriage counselling as the focus here lies on their individual problems that have been affecting their reactions to each other rather than their relationship itself."

"Oh, I see."

"Very good. What else will we be discussing today?"

"......................I read about the negative reactions people are having online."

"All right and how is that affecting you at the moment?"

"..............I-uh- I'm not sure. I mean I know I should care more and it's not that I don't care but I don't feel as intimidated or disturbed as I should have been."

"Why 'should have been'?"

"............Those comments were....malicious...hurtful to the extreme, that's why."

".....I see. And you don't feel as upset?"

"No, I don't. And it's not the numb kind of feeling either. I don't feel the all consuming fear in me anymore. It's still there and I still recoil at the thought of facing strangers but this time I don't want to crawl under the bed and hide from the world............ What is happening to me?"

"You are taking the control of your life back from your situation, Zhan. I must say I am extremely proud and happy."

"Even the possibility of my business suffering is not making me as fearful as I thought I would be!"

"Fear and worry are two very different feelings that don't always overlap. Maybe you are worried but not afraid."

"I don't understand why. I mean I have never had much courage to begin with."

"Or maybe it wasn't courage you were lacking before but approval"

"...................But I have always had my friends' support...."

"Was it your friends' approval that you were seeking, Zhan or someone more specific?"

"......."

"I might be wrong but I think it was Mr. Wang's approval that you had been seeking all along. Since the beginning. And now that you have it, others' opinions don't create the same impact as before."

"Am I being selfish?"

"What made you say that?"

"I am not giving others importance."

"That is very untrue. Zhan, we humans are capable of feeling multiple emotions at a time. Therefore, you not being afraid do not automatically imply that you are indifferent about others. It means that you can compartmentalize the different aspects of your life and that you can prioritize, that's all."

"My work, my friends are my priorities too!"

"Of course, they are. But are they as important to you as your family?.......As Mr. Wang or your son?"

".........."

"You're not being selfish, Zhan, you're being alive. You have started to live finally."

"..............Am I allowed?"

"You are, yes, you are. If anyone is allowed to live, it is you."

XOXOXOX

"Yo, you free now?" Talu popped his head inside Zhan's room where he was feeding Xing.

"What are you still doing here?" Zhan asked with raised brows, annoyed.

"Why though? Isn't your home mine too?"

"No," Zhan faced away from him, trying to trick his son into taking the spoon. "Go to your own home."

"You wound me deeply, my love. And here I am, dying for a scrape of your affection."

Zhan scoffed, "This is the reason YiBo can't stand you."

"Oooh! Siding with your baby daddy now, huh? Do you hear that, XingXing? Your Papa is changing team to grab for that D!"

"Talu!" Zhan yelled in horror, trying to cover his son's ears, "Shut up!"

"Pretty sure your spawn isn't genius enough-"

"Tup!"

Both friends stopped their bickering at that shrill exclamation. Xing clapped at their reaction and yelled again, "TUP!"

"XingXing!"

Xing clapped again and bolted from the room, screaming, "TUPTUPTUPTUPTUP!"

"Xing! Don't run!" But the toddler was gone and MeiLi was heard running after him.

"You're a nuisance," Zhan glared at his friend, who only grinned wider.

"I live to serve, my darling, I live to serve."

Zhan muttered a swear word under his breath.

"Oh, before I forget, give a call to your fanboy; he sounded pretty worried for ya."

"Who?" Zhan had no clue whom Talu meant.

"That Korean dude, KyunSang."

Oh! "Did you talk to him?"

"Yeah, he called me a couple of times to check up on you. Apparently, my little brother is still screening your calls."

Zhan immediately felt bad. He knew Xuan was still barring most of his calls. But he should have asked him to allow KyunSang's. That man was the only friend he had made in the past several years.

"What did he tell you?"

"Nothing much. Was just asking after you, Xing, the situation. Also asked me to tell you to call him. Your smitten fanboy. Does your honey know about this?"

"If you mean does YiBo know KyunSang then yes, he does."

"And he's fine with it?"

"With what? Me having friends? That's not up to him. He would have to accept at some point that having friends is normal and not an obstacle for having a relationship."

When he didn't get any response Zhan looked at Talu to see him looking back at him with raised brows.

"What?" Zhan asked somewhat defensively.

"Nothing, just wondering what's the reason behind this newfound courage."

Zhan remained quiet for a moment, seemingly wondering himself. "When I was in that room, among those reporters, I realized that I did not want to give the leash of my life to their hands; those faceless strangers that do nothing but judge. I don't want Xing to grow up thinking that these people, people who don't matter, have the power to direct our lives. I don't want my son to live in any kind of fear. And to make that happen, I would have to stop being scared." Zhan stopped, then, spoke again, "Don't get me wrong. I am still scared-" Talu, that insensitive prick snorted at that and Zhan ignored him, continuing, "-but I am trying to stop being scared all the time and getting my life back."

In the following silence, while Zhan felt pretty good about the speech he just made, more so because he believed every word of it, and was luxuriating in it, Talu spoke. Of course, he did.

"You have a leash? Didn't know you're into BDSM, dude! Kinky-"

The rest was lost as Zhan kicked him out.

XOXOXOX

"Hello, KyunSang?"

"Zhan! Goodness! Finally!"

"Yeah. Sorry that my phone was unreachable.'

"No worries about that. Tell me how are you?"

"I'm...good. Better than before."

"Where are you? In your home or?"

"Home. How are you? How is your niece?"

"I'm fine. And she learned a swear word that was slipped by me, hence, we're not allowed to see each other for a week now."

That jovial laugh that always helped Zhan to ease up did its job this time as well. He chuckled, "It's always the swear words with them, isn't it?"

"Always. So....how are the things there at the moment?"

".......How much have you've heard from Talu?"

"As much as the media is reporting. Didn't hear anything from Talu. He keeps your privacy pretty intact."

That he does, Zhan thought. "Even the Korean media is reporting it?" And what an uncomfortable thought it was to be known internationally for the scandals of your private love life.

"Obviously. Talu is an international star, after all." KyunSang then cleared his throat surreptitiously before adding, "And apparently Xing's other father is very popular in my country as well."

"Oh...umm....oh."

"Yeah." There was an awkward pause between them then, KyunSang spoke again, "So, Wang YiBo, huh? I have to say I didn't see that coming." He laughed lightly then stopped suddenly, "Er...I mean, I wasn't wondering about who the other father was but it's- um- you know-"

"I know what you mean. I know," Zhan spared him.

"Yeah. Well, Mr. Wang has lots of fans here. The support he received was overwhelming. Seems like a wonderful person; a people's guy."

Zhan thought about YiBo's sour face whenever someone unknown tried to talk to him and said, "Yeah, he's...he is very friendly."

"Thought so. And I am guessing you two talked and have sorted things out?"

"We did talk and...." And trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"And decided to resume things?"

"Sort off."

KyunSang's wolf whistling was very uncharacteristic, which made Zhan blush in turn.

"I'm happy for you but happier for Xing. That little man deserves a family. How is he doing?"

"Like Christmas has come early. No scolding, no pre-school, no force feeding, tonnes of gifts and coddling. He's having the time of his life."

KyungSang laughed out loudly. "I so hope to meet him the next time I'm there."

"Bring a dog plushie and you're set."

They both laughed and talked more about the little bio hazards that were kids.

"But I must say what you've done is immensely brave, Zhan. The incredible amount of courage you have shown has me awestruck."

Zhan's previous blush came back, only twice as intense. "It's wasn't anything-"

"It was, trust me, it was. I know this must sound patronizing or babying but I can't imagine doing something like that myself. The bravery it needs to face your fears, your demons.....I respect you, Xiao Zhan, I do."

Zhan felt so off foot when compliments were directed at him, especially the ones that he believed he did not deserve. "Enough already. Can we, please, change the topic?"

"No, we can't because you need to know and realize what you did."

"I gave an interview, that's all I did."

"And inspired so many in turn. Gave courage to so many."

"Inspired?" No one had told him that yet! "By giving an interview where I told people how I deceived YiBo?"

"By exposing your own vulnerabilities, your fear to the world. By speaking up about mental health issues openly. By giving hope to all those that suffer from the same pain as you do."

"I gave them hope? How?"

"Yes, you did. You gave them an outlet. You showed them that it was all right to be wrong sometimes, to be not okay. You showed them that to be vulnerable at times does not mean defeat. When you hit the rock bottom the only way there is upwards." KyunSang stopped, as if to organize his next words. "Whether you believe it or not but you are a celebrity, Zhan. And to have a public figure coming out and identifying himself with the marginalized people of the society, do you know how big of a deal it is for the people? You gave them a voice. A chance to feel valid. I don't know if you know this yet but more and more people are speaking up every day about their struggle with depression and other psychological issues. They are sharing their pain and standing up for themselves. You have triggered a change; a change about the taboo regarding mental health. And you don't even have to believe my word. Go to the internet and see for yourself."

The more KyunSang spoke the slower Zhan's heart rate got. He did all that? He gave hope? He who had no hope for himself? He encouraged others? That couldn't be!

"As I read through those posts an idea formed inside me. I would like to share it with you."

"Of- of course. What is it?" Zhan asked, still feeling quite out of it.

"Why don't you start writing about it? You know, like a blog. Speaking about the problems you have faced, the start of the issues, the help you had. Not only that will help many but I think this will be good for the current situation regarding you and Mr. Wang as well. The more public support you can get the better it will be. And personally, I think it will be a very helpful and kind gesture to all those Zhans out there that haven't found their voice yet."

All those Zhans out there...

There were others like him. Just like him. Suffering in muted fear and confusion.

"Will it help?"

"Would it have been helpful if you knew someone who had even a little bit of information or something back then when you had no one to talk to?"

Would it have been helpful? Oh, would it. Only Zhan knew how helpful it would have been if he had someone to seek help from.

"Will you do it? Or at least give it a thought?"

Even if Zhan did not, rather could not give him an immediate answer, in his mind he already knew it.

XOXOXOX

When YiBo returned two days later, Zhan could barely wait to tell him. Ever since KyunSang had put the idea into his head all he could think about was just that. So, when YiBo came to his house and Daddy-Son's separation anxiety and following bonding was over, he told him about the plan.

As Zhan waited eagerly for YiBo's opinion, the later's brows pulled tighter and tighter together.

"KyunSang? That Korean fellow you were dating?"

Zhan faltered. That was not the first question he was expecting from YiBo. But...okay. "Yes and we weren't dating; I went on a couple of lunch dates with him."

YiBo was keying up one of their son's toys and kept keying, looking peculiarly off putting. "So, you're still in touch with him?"

"Uh yes, he's my friend."

YiBo's snort felt anything but humorous. Eyes still on the turning key he nodded, "Friends. Mmhm. You two still dating?"

This time Zhan frowned. Here he was dying to tell YiBo about the plan and his ex decided ask nonsensical question instead? "I told you we never dated!"

"Planning to?"

And that was it. Zhan's patience finally ran out. "I have been waiting and trying to discuss something important with you. Something important to me and all you can ask is my dating history?!"

YiBo looked at him and anger flashed through his eyes. "Important to you? The plan that your friend has suggested? Well, I think it sucks. It will only put you into danger more. What good writing a blog will do to you? You don't need to stress yourself any more than you already have."

"If I can help others then why not?!"

"Why though? Why not invest that time and energy into helping yourself? When I tell you to do something you never listen! But when it's your friends-"

Not wanting to listen to this anymore, Zhan stood up and snatched the toy from YiBo's hands. "It's always a competition with you, isn't it? Well, some things are not about you, Wang YiBo! Shocking, right? I know." And he stormed off the room.

XOXOXOX

Zhan was sitting in a corner inside Xing's, thankfully empty, playroom, cooling off his steam, when YiBo came in. What he really wanted was to just snap and tell him to go away but he had already reached his monthly quota of being rude or angry. Hence, he just sat there without looking up or reacting.

YiBo's feet came to his line of view first, then, they bent as the man sat down on the floor opposite Zhan. Now Zhan could see his fingers worrying each other.

"I am an ass," YiBo confessed. "I think it's actually a brilliant idea to start your own blog, writing about the conditions and helping those in need."

Surprised, Zhan stared at him, "You do?"

"Yeah, I do. I think it would be great for you to tell your story without cameras and vultures panning on you. I think it's a good idea."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said and I wasn't honest back there........" YiBo swallowed, looking at the floor, "You're right. Everything is a competition for me but only when it concerns you in any way. I said what I said because I was jealous..... Jealous that he was the one who came up with the idea and not me. I should have thought about it first.... I was... I was jealous."

As he watched YiBo's flushed, guilt ridden face, downcast eyes, something stirred inside Zhan. Undiluted fondness mixed with irritation and mirth. It was a weird feeling.

"We are not dating. You don't have to worry about KyunSang."

YiBo blinked at him for a few seconds; face oddly shy, "Am I that obvious?"

With sheer willpower Zhan resisted the massive eye roll he felt like doing. "You are."

"Sorry."

"No problem." Zhan thought about leaving it at that. YiBo had been away these past few days and Zhan did not want them to argue now that they had could spend time together. But some things needed to be cleared before they could come back to make things worse in future. His own life had taught him that. "You still don' trust me and I hope you know that if things go the same way then, at some point-"

"I don't trust myself."

"What?"

YiBo looked up and there were so many unreadable emotions in his eyes. "It's not you I don't trust but myself. I don't trust myself to be the better one when or if you have to choose between."

A deep sigh rang out of Zhan's lungs. Why did they always end up into the square one? This could not go on or there would never be a future for them. He hesitated, tried, hesitated again, then, did it.

Zhan's hand extended and covered YiBo's, startling the man. Zhan could not meet his eyes.

"Love is not about choosing the better one. It's about falling for someone and trying to make life better with them. If it were about choosing then you would not have chosen me with all my emotional baggage." When YiBo started to protest, Zhan squeezed his hand to stop him. "Now you know how it works."

The silence the fell around them was heavy with meaningful unuttered emotions.

"Let's not talk about it ever again."

"Let's not."

"Soooo, has your friend told you how to start this blog of yours?"

"Didn't ask. I was hoping you would plan that for me."

"Oh. I will, I definitely will! I'm always at your service, Your Highness."

"Um...maybe I should check on Xing-"

"A while later. Sit with me a few minutes more, please?"

"...........Okay."

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So, how was it?🌚