The next morning, after finishing everything he needed to do at home, Zhan got ready and left for school.
Later, after class ended, he sat at the usual spot he shared with Yu-Bin.
Yu-Bin sat facing him and asked,
"Be honest with me....where did you go yesterday evening? I went to your place and you weren't there. As far as I know, you don't really go anywhere in this city, and you don't even have friends here. So where did you go?"
Zhan kept his eyes on the notes he had written during class and replied,
"Why did you come so late anyway? I was expecting you around five, not seven."
Yu-Bin snatched the paper from his hand.
"I ask you a question and you answer with another one? Are you hiding something from me now, Zhan?"
He rested his chin on his hand and stared at Zhan suspiciously.
Only then did Zhan look up at him. He almost laughed but stopped himself. For a moment it seemed like he wouldn't say anything, but eventually he spoke.
"I went to a restaurant with my housemate."
Yu-Bin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait… really? Your housemate?" he repeated.
Then he laughed and adjusted his seat, his eyes almost popping out.
"Zhan, are you sure there isn't more to this story? You said a restaurant? How on earth did he convince you to go to a restaurant with him?"
Zhan clicked his tongue lightly.
"What exactly are you implying? He just took me out to eat. Do you know how long it's been since I had a proper meal at home?"
He lowered his eyes slightly.
"He noticed I haven't been eating much. That's why he took me out."
Yu-Bin sighed deeply.
"You're the one putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, my friend. Meanwhile, that Yiming of yours updated his status yesterday with a photo wearing a jersey. Looks like he's already back in China and continuing his life as usual, while you're here practically starving yourself because of him."
He shook his head.
"Honestly, leaving that guy behind would be much better for your life. He's incredibly heartless. Imagine having the nerve to buy another ticket and return to China like nothing happened. If anything, you should be ungrateful he even came here in the first place."
Zhan remained silent, simply watching him.
Yu-Bin shrugged.
"Look at your housemate. How long have you even known him? Yet he noticed you were upset and took you out for dinner. That's how a caring and understanding boyfriend...or at least a real gentleman...should behave."
Zhan let out a quiet sigh.
"My biggest worry is that Yiming might come back here without telling me," he said softly. "I told him my housemate is Nancy's friend, remember? He still thinks Nancy is living in that apartment. What if he suddenly shows up and finds out?"
Yu-Bin replied,
"Then call him until he answers. Apologize and try to sort things out with him. If you two make up, you'll at least know his movements. Right now the reason he showed up here so suddenly was because you two haven't been communicating. Otherwise he would have told you before coming."
Zhan nodded slowly.
"That's true. But you know how he is. I could call him ten times and he still wouldn't answer. Even if I send him messages on WeChat, he might not reply."
His voice sounded discouraged.
Yu-Bin thought for a moment.
"Let me call him from my phone. If he answers, I'll tell him to call me back. When he does, I'll hand the phone to you so you two can settle your little dispute."
Zhan didn't respond, but he knew that was probably the only way.
Yu-Bin pulled out his phone and called Yiming. The first call rang out without being answered. He called again, and this time Yiming picked up.
Yu-Bin greeted him briefly and said,
"If it's not too much trouble, could you call me back?"
He ended the call, and moments later Yiming called back.
Yu-Bin answered and immediately handed the phone to Zhan.
Zhan took the phone nervously and placed it against his ear. His heart was pounding.
Yu-Bin quietly stood up and moved away to give him some privacy.
In a soft voice, Zhan said,
"Please… listen to me."
The moment he heard Yiming's voice, tears filled his eyes.
His voice trembled.
"I'm really sorry about what happened. I promise it won't happen again."
Yiming replied coldly,
"So something actually happened?"
Zhan remained silent.
"I'm asking you," Yiming continued. "Did something happen or not?"
Zhan lowered his head.
"I'm sorry… please forgive me."
Yiming sighed impatiently.
"Look, I'm very busy right now. When you're ready to explain what happened and why you're apologizing, call me from your own phone later."
Then, in a flat tone, he added,
"Alright. Goodbye."
He hung up.
Zhan turned toward Yu-Bin, who immediately walked back and sat beside him.
"So? How did it go?" Yu-Bin asked.
Zhan clicked his tongue and began gathering his reading materials.
"He said if I'm ready to talk and explained why I'm apologizing, I should call him later from my own phone and explain." He added.
"If not i don't want him to show up like he did, i really don't care about what he thinks or do."
Yu-Bin stared at him, wondering when Zhan had suddenly found the courage to speak so boldly about Yiming.
Then he laughed.
"That Yiming of yours, Zhan…"
But Zhan didn't respond.
Deep down, he had started to realize something himself...he might not be able to keep tolerating Yiming's behavior anymore.
He didn't even know where this sudden courage was coming from.
But whatever happened next, he knew one thing for certain.
He wasn't going to keep enduring it forever anymore.
:
:
Around two in the afternoon, Zhan returned home. After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he lay down to rest.
Later in the evening, he went into the kitchen and leaned against the cabinet, thinking about what to cook. Suddenly he felt like eating Chicken Katsu. Since he already had all the ingredients, he decided to make it himself.
Before long, despite a few small difficulties while cooking, he finished preparing the meal. After cleaning the kitchen thoroughly, he stepped into the living room around five o'clock...just as his housemate arrived home.
Zhan was standing near the kitchen entrance when his housemate closed the door behind him and turned to look at him.
"Good evening, Sean."
"Good evening," Zhan replied.
Sean sniffed the air slightly.
"What are you cooking? It smells really good."
"Chicken Katsu."
He walked further into the living room.
"Really? It's been a long time since I've had that."
Zhan looked at him.
"Should I bring you some?"
I-Bo raised his brows slightly.
"Alright. Thank you."
Zhan turned and went back into the kitchen. I-Bo sat down on the couch, secretly hoping Zhan wouldn't serve him too much.
It didn't take long before Zhan returned, carrying a plate along with a separate bowl of soup. As Zhan set the food down, I-Bo stared at the bowl without blinking.
After a moment he looked up.
"What kind of soup is this, Sean?"
Zhan stepped aside.
"It's tofu soup with vegetables."
I-Bo scratched his head awkwardly.
"Wow… but I don't usually eat this kind of soup. I thought it was just vegetable soup. Didn't you make Xiang Gu Ji Tang instead?"
Zhan looked at him briefly before replying flatly,
"No. And did you even taste it before deciding you don't like it?"
I-Bo leaned back against the couch and sighed.
"I actually ate a few minutes ago."
Zhan crouched slightly, picked up the bowl, and held it toward him.
"Just taste it first before deciding."
I-Bo glanced at him and forced a small smile.
"Okay… where's the spoon?"
"You don't use a spoon for this," Zhan said calmly. "You drink it directly."
I-Bo paused, then said,
"Alright… let me wash my hands first."
He stood up. Zhan stepped aside to give him space and watched as he went to the bathroom in the living room to wash his hands. Soon he returned and sat down again.
Zhan handed him the bowl and watched him carefully.
I-Bo avoided eye contact. He dipped his finger into the soup, tasted it, and kept his head lowered.
Zhan kept staring at him without blinking.
After a moment, I-Bo finally looked up with a forced smile.
"It's really good… but I already ate earlier, Sean."
Zhan nearly laughed but managed to hold it back.
"Well, since you made me serve it, you should at least eat some. I'm not throwing it away."
Without waiting for a response, he handed the bowl to him again.
I-Bo looked completely speechless and confused.
Zhan stared at him calmly.
"Take it."
I-Bo slowly reached out and accepted the bowl. Carefully, almost nervously, he scooped some and put it in his mouth.
The way he was eating almost made Zhan burst into laughter, but he restrained himself and simply smiled.
I-Bo took three more bites but still avoided meeting Zhan's eyes. Anyone could tell he was struggling to finish the food. His facial expression said everything.
Just then, his phone began vibrating.
He quickly set the bowl down and pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen.
Then he looked at Zhan.
"This is an urgent call, Sean. Let me take it in my room."
Zhan didn't respond, mostly because he was trying hard not to laugh.
I-Bo hurried toward his room without even waiting to hear Zhan's reply. Zhan heard the door lock behind him.
Only then did Zhan sit down on the couch, holding his head as he burst into laughter.
After a few minutes, he stood up, picked up the plate....still smiling...and went to his room.
:
:
Around 9:30 p.m., Zhan was on a WeChat voice call with his mother when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.
"Hold on for a moment," he told her before ending the call.
He got off the bed and opened the door.
I-Bo was leaning against the wall across from his room, his eyes closed. When he heard the door open, he quickly opened them.
He looked extremely sleepy.
Since going into his room earlier, Zhan hadn't seen him again until now.
"I'm heading out now. See you tomorrow, Sean," he said softly. "But could you lock the door behind me? I can't find my key."
Zhan said nothing. He simply looked at him.
I-Bo really did look exhausted.
His phone vibrated again in his pocket. He pulled it out, clicked his tongue after answering, and said,
"Hey, relax. I'm already on my way."
He ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket.
"Good night," he said again before turning to leave.
Zhan watched him walk toward the living room. He leaned against the back of a chair, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes again.
Zhan lowered his gaze, then slowly stepped out of his room and walked toward the living room.
Hearing footsteps, I-Bo opened his eyes quickly and moved toward the door.
Then Zhan spoke.
"Since you can't seem to control your sleep anywhere...standing, sitting, driving, or even walking...why not just stay here tonight?"
I-Bo turned to look at him.
Instantly, all traces of sleep disappeared from his eyes.
He stared at Zhan in surprise while scratching his head.
"When exactly have you seen me doing all those things you just listed, housemate?"
Zhan simply crossed his arms and looked at him without answering.
He looked away awkwardly.
"I wasn't sleeping. I was meditating. Whenever you see me with my eyes closed, I'm meditating."
With that, he walked to the door and opened it.
"Good night. Don't forget to lock the door."
Then he stepped outside and gently pushed the door closed behind him.
A small smile appeared on Zhan's face.
He walked slowly to the window, slightly pulled back the curtain, and peeked outside.
I-Bo was heading toward the parking area. He opened his car door and got in.
Zhan silently hoped he wouldn't fall asleep inside the car.
After a few seconds, the car reversed.
Zhan let out a quiet sigh of relief as he watched him drive out of the garage and onto the road.
He slowly closed the curtain and stood there for a moment before going back to his room.
After a few minutes, he returned to the living room, locked the door, and went back to his room again.
He called his mother on WeChat once more.
When she answered, Zhan asked softly,
"Were you already asleep, Ayi?"
His mother said, "No, I'm still awake. I was actually waiting for you. Did Yiming say anything to you?"
Zhan went silent when he heard the question. He shook his head.
"No, he didn't say anything. What happened, Ayi?"
She replied, "Reyan, Yoki's wife, came to visit earlier."
Zhan immediately felt a heavy weight in his chest. Yoki was his father's close friend. Most of the things his mother learned about family matters usually came from Yoki's wife, since his father rarely told her anything directly. Many times, they only heard news through other people rather than from him.
Zhan forced himself to ask, "What did she say?"
She replied, "She asked whether anything had been discussed between you and Yiming."
Zhan was suddenly at a loss for words. His whole body went cold.
The statement came completely out of nowhere. He could feel tears building in his eyes, and his mind began racing with anxiety.
She continued, "I'm still waiting to see if your father will mention it to me. If I'm not careful, I'll end up hearing it from his wives again instead of from him directly. But you're saying Yiming hasn't told you anything yet?"
Zhan wiped away the tear that had slipped down his cheek. He nodded faintly, even though his mother couldn't see him, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
"Zhan?" She called.
With effort, Zhan answered. He didn't want his mother to realize he was crying.
"I'm here."
"I thought you went quiet," she said.
"It's nothing," Zhan replied, trying to sound normal. "I was just looking over some notes."
She said, "Alright then. Focus on your studies. We'll talk tomorrow."
After they ended the call, Zhan set his phone aside and lay down on his pillow as tears slowly ran down his face.
He didn't understand why, all of a sudden, he felt that he couldn't marry Yiming.
Before, deep in his heart, he had always believed he had no choice...that he would eventually marry him. He had even hoped Yiming might change someday.
But now… he didn't feel that way anymore.
Instead, he felt that he simply couldn't marry him at all.
That night Zhan barely slept. His biggest fear was that Yiming might suddenly decide to submit the marriage documents to the court and officially register their marriage.
***
The next morning, Zhan woke up with a terrible headache. Anyone who saw him could tell he was deeply troubled.
Still, he got ready and went to school.
The one person he usually talked to when something was bothering him wasn't there that day.
Unable to hold it in anymore, Zhan took out his phone and dialed Yiming's number.
The call connected briefly before Yiming ended it and called back immediately.
Zhan answered and greeted him quietly.
Yiming responded with a short question.
"What is it?"
Zhan hesitated at first, then said,
"Nothing… I just called to greet you."
Yiming scoffed.
"Which side of the bed did you wake up on today that made you call just to greet me?"
Zhan stayed silent.
Yiming continued, "Just say what you want. Did you run out of groceries or something?"
Zhan frowned slightly.
"When did you even buy groceries for me to run out?"
Yiming replied casually, "Of course they wouldn't run out. You barely eat anything anyway...mostly cookies and snacks."
Zhan puffed his cheeks slightly but didn't reply.
After a few seconds he said,
"I just had a strange feeling… like something might happen soon. That's why I called."
Yiming asked, "Something like what?"
Zhan didn't answer.
Yiming eventually said, "Well, whatever feeling you have it's what it is, I'm about to enter a meeting. We'll talk later."
Then he hung up.
Zhan stared at his phone screen for a moment.
For the first time, he felt a strange resentment toward Yiming.
Before, no matter what Yiming did, he had never truly hated him...only felt annoyed or frustrated.
But now… he suddenly realized he disliked him deeply.
Clicking his tongue, he slipped the phone back into his bag as tears filled his eyes again.
Since Yu-Bin hadn't come to school that day, Zhan didn't bother staying until the end of class. He left early, feeling unsettled.
While waiting for the ride he had ordered, his phone rang.
It was Yu-Bin.
Zhan had tried calling him earlier, but Yu-Bin hadn't answered.
He answered the call.
Yu-Bin's weak voice came through the phone.
"Are you sick?" Zhan asked
Yu-Bin frowned. "What do you mean?"
Yu-Bin replied weakly and continue, "I've been sick since last night. I honestly thought I was going to die."
Zhan's eyes widened slightly.
"What happened to you?"
Yu-Bin groaned.
"I wish I knew, Zhan. I just hope that man didn't poison me. I only started feeling somewhat aware of my surroundings recently."
"Are you serious?" Zhan asked, concerned. "Are you home right now?"
"Of course. I'm drowning in IV and medicine here."
"Alright, I'm coming over now."
Zhan ended the call and headed straight to Yu-Bin's house.
After knocking on the door, Peng opened it.
Zhan lowered his gaze respectfully and greeted him. Peng replied quietly...so quietly that one might miss it without listening carefully.
From inside the living room, Hailong asked his husband who had arrived.
For a moment, Zhan almost turned around and left. But since Peng had already left the door open, he slowly stepped inside.
Without looking directly at Hailong, who was sitting in the living room, Zhan greeted him politely.
Hailong responded.
"How are your studies going, Zhan?"
"They're going well," Zhan replied. "How is Yu-Bin feeling?"
"He's inside his room," Hailong said.
Zhan walked toward the room.
When he entered, he saw that Yu-Bin was actually on an oral rehydration solution.
Zhan sat beside him with concern.
"Take it easy, Bin. How are you feeling?"
Yu-Bin groaned.
"Not good at all, Zhan. I swear that man must have put something in my food."
"Please don't say that," Zhan replied gently. "Your brother might not like hearing you talk like that."
Yu-Bin sighed.
"I came back home yesterday feeling well. Honestly, I thought I was going to die."
"Just focus on getting better," Zhan said. "Have you eaten anything?"
Yu-Bin shook his head.
"I'm definitely not eating his cooking anymore. I've only been having fruit and juice."
Zhan thought for a moment.
"Should I go home and cook something for you? What would you like to eat?"
Yu-Bin said immediately,
"If you have the ingredients, make me some Chinese food. That's really what I feel like eating."
"Alright," Zhan said. "I'll go prepare it."
After saying goodbye to Peng and Hailong, Zhan left the house.
Hailong even asked if he was leaving already, and Zhan told him he would return later.
When Zhan arrived home, he noticed his housemate's car parked in the garage.
He opened the door and entered the living room.
His housemate was asleep on the three-seater couch.
Even after Zhan locked the door, the man didn't wake up.
Zhan went to his room, changed his clothes, and then went into the kitchen.
He started preparing the meal, arranging the ingredients.
But after a moment, he paused.
Instead of making the planned dish, he suddenly felt like making vegetable soup.
Even he didn't understand why he wanted to cook it so badly. Normally he preferred thicker, heavier soups.
After finishing the main dish, he ordered a ride to the nearest Chinese store so he could buy the ingredients he needed for the vegetable soup.
By the time Zhan left the house to go to the supermarket, his housemate was still asleep.
When he returned, the living room was empty, which meant his housemate had gone back to his room.
Before 4:30 p.m., Zhan finished everything he was preparing. He packed the food he had cooked for Yu-Bin into a food warmer so he could take it to him. The aroma of the meal soon filled the entire house.
Without even eating himself, Zhan went to his room, took a shower, and got dressed.
When he came out to the living room and headed toward the kitchen, he saw his housemate standing there, leaning against the kitchen cabinet with his eyes closed. A water of Lipton tea was heating on the stove.
"Are you sleeping in the kitchen?" Zhan asked.
His housemate opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Not at all."
"Then what are you doing?"
He rubbed the back of his head slightly.
"I have a terrible headache."
Zhan lowered his voice as he looked at him.
"Have you taken any medicine?"
His housemate turned off the stove.
"I will."
"Should I serve you some food?" Zhan asked.
"What did you cook?"
"Soup..."
Before he could finish speaking, his housemate quickly interrupted.
"No, thank you. I'm already full."
Zhan smiled slightly.
"It's not tofu soup. It's vegetable soup."
As he said that, he opened the pot for him to see.
After looking at it, his housemate said slowly, "Alright… but let me serve myself."
Zhan didn't argue. His housemate picked up a plate, and Zhan pointed to where the rice was.
Zhan watched the small amount of rice he scooped onto the plate.
"That little?" he asked.
Without looking at him, his housemate replied, "It's enough."
Zhan didn't say anything more.
His housemate poured some soup into a bowl, added only one piece of protein, placed a spoon beside it, then picked up the mug of tea he had prepared.
Holding the plate, he said, "Thank you."
Zhan watched him leave the kitchen.
When Zhan later came into the living room carrying Yu-Bin's food, he found his housemate sitting on the couch, but he hadn't started eating yet.
He looked up at Zhan.
Zhan picked up the handbag that was lying on the couch.
"Are you going out with food?" his housemate asked.
"Yes," Zhan replied. "I'm taking it to a friend. He's sick."
"Oh. I hope he gets better soon."
"Amen," Zhan replied.
Then he left the house.
Zhan stayed with Yu-Bin until almost six o'clock.
Yu-Bin was already feeling much better and kept chatting energetically, but Zhan remained quiet. His mind wasn't on the conversation at all.
Every time he remembered what his mother had told him the previous night...and what Yiming had said earlier when he called him...he felt as if the whole world had become heavy and unbearable.
Yu-Bin noticed his mood.
"What's wrong with you, my friend?"
Zhan looked at him and forced a small smile.
"It's nothing, Bin. I'm just really tired. I'm starting to feel sleepy."
It wasn't that Zhan didn't want to tell him what was bothering him. He simply didn't want to talk about it at that moment. Still, he knew he would eventually have to explain everything to Yu-Bin.
Yu-Bin said, "Then stay here tonight. We don't have lectures tomorrow anyway. It's already past seven."
Zhan widened his eyes slightly.
"Sleep here? Where exactly would I sleep? No, I should go home."
No matter how much Yu-Bin tried to convince him, Zhan refused and prepared to leave.
Earlier, when Zhan brought the food, Hailong had come into the room to take some of it, which had made Zhan uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Peng had been sitting in the living room the entire time.
When Zhan stepped out into the living room, he saw him sitting there alone with a stern expression.
Zhan greeted him politely, but even when he left the house, he never heard a response.
When Zhan arrived home, he locked the front door and walked inside.
His eyes immediately landed on the plate his housemate had covered with another plate on top of it. The mug of tea was also untouched.
Zhan walked over and lifted the plate.
The food hadn't been eaten.
He suddenly remembered what his housemate had said earlier in the kitchen...that he had a headache.
Zhan turned slowly and looked toward his housemate's bedroom door.
He walked there quietly and knocked gently.
There was no response.
He knocked again, then carefully pushed the door open slightly.
His housemate was asleep on the bed.
Zhan lowered his gaze.
At that exact moment, the man opened his eyes and looked at him.
Zhan instinctively stepped back, looking slightly guilty.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
His housemate simply nodded.
Zhan walked further into the room and crouched beside him.
"You didn't take the medicine?"
There was no response.
Zhan raised his hand toward his forehead, hesitating to touch it. Even without contact, he could tell his skin was hot.
His housemate clearly had a fever.
Softly, Zhan asked, "Should I order a ride so you can go to the hospital?"
His housemate shook his head, his eyes still closed.
Zhan didn't know what else to do. Anxiety quickly filled his chest.
He stood up and hurried to his own room. After soaking a small towel in water and squeezing it, he returned.
He crouched beside the bed again and gently placed the folded towel on his housemate's forehead.
The man slowly opened his eyes.
Zhan looked at him quietly.
"Should I order the ride?"
I-Bo pressed the towel he had placed on his forehead and said softly, "Don't worry, Sean."
Zhan only looked at him. Then he suddenly remembered that there was some pain reliever in his room. He stood up, but just as he did, he thought he heard a knock coming from the living room door.
He turned and walked out of the room toward the living room. Standing at the doorway, he asked who it was while opening the door at the same time. As the door opened, he stepped back slightly in surprise when he saw same person who looked like his housemate.
The man was also staring at him from head to toe, holding his phone in his hand.
The two of them stood facing each other at the door.
Zhan's expression hardened.
"How may I help you?" he asked.
Without answering, the man who had been looking him up and down walked straight into the apartment, forcing Zhan to quickly step aside so they wouldn't collide.
The second man, who was still standing at the doorway, spoke calmly.
"Hello. Is I-Bo here? Wang I-Bo?"
The man who had already entered the living room turned back and looked at him.
"So you came to see him?"
The man outside smiled faintly before stepping inside. He lowered his head slightly but remained near the entrance instead of walking further in. Meanwhile, the first man had already started heading toward the hallway where the bedrooms were located.
Zhan hurried after him angrily.
"How can you just barge into someone's apartment without an explanation?"
The man turned and looked at Zhan from head to toe again. Even Zhan didn't understand why he had stopped a short distance away instead of continuing to follow him, but he kept staring at him with a tense expression.
The man simply nodded and continued walking as if he already knew which room to enter. Zhan watched as he opened the door and walked inside.
Annoyed, Zhan turned to the other man still standing in the living room.
"Is that how things are done where you come from?"
The man replied calmly.
"We're sorry. I-Bo sent his location and said he wasn't feeling well. We saw his car in the apartment garage, so we came here. I hope we're in the right place."
Zhan frowned.
"And you're asking that only after entering the apartment? Where is it done that way?"
The man clasped his hands apologetically.
"Please forgive us."
With that, he followed the other man into the room.
Zhan followed them but stopped in the hallway.
Inside the room, the man who had entered first spoke sharply.
"I-Bo, what are you doing in this place with that ill-mannered kid? Is this why you stopped staying at home all the time? When did you start living like this? First of all, who is that brat? I want to know."
He stared at I-Bo, who was lying down and clearly struggling with his headache. I-Bo didn't respond.
The man who had entered last stood beside him and spoke gently while checking on him.
"You can see he's not well right now, A-Bo. All those questions aren't necessary at the moment."
With difficulty, I-Bo muttered,
"Leave him alone. It's my fault for sending the location."
A-Bo looked around the room in surprise, noticing that many of I-Bo's belongings were there.
Then he looked back at him.
"Then why call me? If you're sick, that kid should have taken you to the hospital. Aren't the two of you living here together?"
I-Bo struggled to sit up.
"Do you even know how I'm feeling right now?" he said weakly. "You come here and fill my head with unnecessary talk. Please get out, A-Bo. Just leave."
Outside in the hallway, Zhan had been listening to their conversation. He clicked his tongue in annoyance before turning and returning to the living room. He sat down, feeling an intense dislike for the man called A-Bo.
Sanxing extended his hand to help I-Bo stand.
I-Bo said, "Please ask my housemate to bring me a bottle of water… or check the kitchen and get one."
Sanxing nodded and left the room.
A-Bo scoffed quietly and walked out as well. He headed straight for the apartment door, left the building, and stood beside his car outside.
Sanxing watched him go and sighed in relief. Then he turned to Zhan.
"Please bring some water for I-Bo."
Zhan stood up, went to the kitchen, and returned with a bottle of water.
Not long after, Sanxing came out of the room supporting I-Bo.
Zhan quickly stood up when he saw them.
I-Bo removed his arm from Sanxing's support and sat down on the couch. He leaned his head back against it and closed his eyes.
Zhan spoke softly.
"You're going to the hospital, right?"
With difficulty, I-Bo replied,
"No. We'll go home. They'll treat me there."
Zhan nodded.
"I hope you recover quickly."
I-Bo nodded slightly. Then he took Sanxing's hand and stood up again.
Zhan wanted to ask him something, but the words wouldn't come out.
As they were about to leave the living room, he finally spoke.
"Can I have your number so I can check on you?"
Sanxing turned to look at I-Bo in surprise. From the question, it seemed they didn't even have each other's phone numbers.
I-Bo turned back to Zhan and said,
"You remember the house we went to that night when I forgot my keys, after you came back from China? That's our home. You can come anytime."
Zhan kept staring at him. Then I-Bo said, "Sanxing, give him my number… or youre so he doesn't call and fail to reach me."
Sanxing replied, "Alright, I'll give him mine instead."
Zhan took out his phone and saved Sanxing's number. When they were done, Sanxing left the living room with his friend. Zhan followed them slowly to the window, drew the curtain aside, and watched them.
Once outside, A-Bo got into his car. As soon as everyone was inside their vehicles, he sped away.
Zhan lowered his gaze and slowly turned back into the living room.
☀☀☀
Three days later, Zhan and Yu-Bin walked out of class together. Yu-Bin was on the phone while Zhan walked beside him, but his mind was clearly somewhere else.
Yu-Bin ended the call and asked, "How is your housemate now? Did he come back and you forgot to tell me?"
Zhan looked at him.
"We haven't spoken yet."
Yu-Bin frowned.
"What about the one who gave you his number? Has he still not answered your calls?"
"He did answer yesterday," Zhan said. "He said I-Bo is much better now. When I asked if he was nearby, he said he was sleeping. I just hope he's truly recovering."
Yu-Bin scoffed.
"That man is unbelievable. Why would he refuse to give you your own housemate's number and give you his instead? What do you need his number for when you have no business with him? If it were me, I would have refused. Honestly, it's still strange that your housemate has never asked for your number...not even once. Even when you went to China. I really don't understand."
Zhan simply looked at him without responding.
Yu-Bin continued, "Didn't he even tell you to come to their house? I've been telling you since yesterday that we should go, but you keep refusing. If you don't go check on him, how will he know you care about his condition? When someone shows concern for you, you should return it. Besides, he clearly described where their house is. So why won't you go?
"We're not in China anymore. This is the United States. And it's already been three days...you still don't know how he's doing. You've even said yourself that he's a very kind person. Honestly, get ready and I'll go with you. We'll visit him properly."
"And before that, let's stop by the mall so you can buy some things to take to him. He'll definitely appreciate it."
Zhan hesitated.
"You mean I should just walk to their house to see him? That doesn't seem appropriate. It would look improper, Yu-Bin. Even if we're in the United States, it still doesn't feel right. We're Chinese."
Yu-Bin stared at him before speaking again.
"When your problem happened, didn't he spend more than fifteen million to solve it for you? Or even more, if I'm not mistaken. Now he's sick and you say visiting him would be improper?
"Isn't living together in the same apartment even more questionable? What would you call that? Sometimes you don't even think about the things you say, Zhan. If visiting him is inappropriate, then living in the same apartment is also inappropriate
...even in the United States."
Zhan fell silent, unable to respond.
After a moment he asked quietly, "Wait… fifteen million for what?"
Yu-Bin gave him a look.
"You're asking 'for what'? The business-class ticket he bought for you...did you think it was free? A business-class ticket costs about four to six thousand dollars depending on the airline. Convert that amount into Chinese currency and see how much it is."
Zhan suddenly became speechless as he realized Yu-Bin was right.
And that wasn't all.
There was also the extra thousand dollars I-Bo had given him before he left, the domestic flight tickets between Beijing and Chongqing, and the expensive hotel he had stayed in for several hours in Beijing.
Zhan lowered his gaze and said nothing.
Yu-Bin clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Honestly, stop being so naïve and start thinking wisely. Everything in life has its proper timing. You lived in the same apartment with him and that wasn't considered improper...but visiting him when he's sick is? That's what confuses me."
Zhan remained silent, many thoughts running through his mind. Eventually they parted ways and each returned home.
The next day, after much persuasion...sweet talk, irritation, and even a bit of anger...Yu-Bin finally convinced Zhan to go with him to the house I-Bo had mentioned.
Even then, Zhan only agreed because he could no longer refuse Yu-Bin.
Deep down, he was nervous about visiting that neighborhood. It was an area known for the wealthy. And he kept wondering: if they arrived, what would they say? What if I-Bo's parents or relatives were there?
Unable to hold back, he finally asked Yu-Bin the question.
Yu-Bin waved it off.
"If his parents are there, so what? This isn't China...it's the United States. They'll probably welcome us warmly since we came to check on their son who's sick."
Zhan quietly let out a breath.
Yu-Bin then added thoughtfully, "But honestly, I'm still curious why he moved into your apartment when his own house is here. When I suggested there might be some reason behind it, you denied it. I think he might have known you from somewhere before, Zhan."
Zhan shook his head.
"That's impossible. I already told you...we didn't know each other before."
Yu-Bin shrugged.
"Maybe… maybe not."
He then pulled Zhan toward a shop where they bought some snacks and fruit. After that, they ordered an Uber to take them to the neighborhood.
As soon as they entered the area, Yu-Bin couldn't stop staring at the huge houses in fascination. Zhan, on the other hand, felt his heart pounding nervously and silently prayed to himself. If Yu-Bin hadn't insisted, he would never have come here to "visit his housemate."
The Uber stopped near the house, and they both got out.
Yu-Bin stared wide-eyed at the glass mansion in front of them.
"Are you sure this is the place? What if we walk into someone else's house and they call 911 on us?"
Zhan couldn't help laughing, but he didn't answer. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed Sanxing's number.
His heart was pounding with anxiety.
Just as the call was about to disconnect, Sanxing answered.
Moments later, Sanxing drove out of the house in a car. When he stepped out and saw them, surprise appeared on his face.
"Oh....you're here. Welcome."
Zhan greeted him politely while lowering his eyes, looking almost shy.
Sanxing responded warmly.
Yu-Bin also greeted him and explained, "He came to check on his housemate, so I came along with him."
Sanxing nodded.
"That's very thoughtful of him. Come inside."
They followed him into the enormous house.
Yu-Bin's eyes wandered everywhere in amazement as he discreetly examined the place. Zhan, however, felt increasingly nervous and could barely lift his head.
After a short walk, they reached the entrance to the living room. Even the door alone looked grand enough to make someone stare twice.
Yu-Bin also noticed three luxury cars parked in the compound.
As soon as they entered the living room, Zhan's eyes met A-Bo's.
A-Bo was sitting on the couch with several fruits placed beside him. He was looking at something on his phone while casually eating an apple. He wore black three-quarter pants and a gray polo shirt.
Startled, Zhan quickly looked away.
Without realizing it, he had already greeted him quietly while still standing near the doorway.
A-Bo merely frowned, looked away coldly, and continued focusing on his phone.
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