Three Times Bai Chi Missed the Completely Obvious

Part 1/1

Note: This is UndeadRobins' fault both for the title and the contents. ::points:: Blame her!

The complicated we handle immediately; the completely obvious takes a little longer.

—Mara's family motto

Zhao Zhen didn't think Bai Chi was stupid. Honest. He wouldn't find the boy so absolutely engaging if he was merely ignorant or dull like most people. No no, he was entranced by both Bai Chi's innocence and his marvelous brain that could do some of the most amazing things...but couldn't remember that he was cooking eggs on the stove. (The stove survived. Mostly.)

Unfortunately, the latter tendency appeared to extend toward matters of a more personal nature.

--------------------------------------------------------

Bai Chi was baffled.

First it was flowers delivered to the office. Two days later it was a box of chocolates. After that, a subscription to a prominent math journal.

Bai Chi knew the others were talking about him behind his back, but whatever Bai Sir had said to them after the flowers arrived still held and nothing was said to his face.

He needed advice but wasn't sure who could help. None of his options seemed great but...at least Zhan Yao had studied psychology and (theoretically) might be able to explain human behavior. He taught college students, didn't he?

After dithering for another two days (and receiving a book about optical illusions), he knocked on Zhan Yao's door. Sitting in the chair on the other side of the desk, Bai Chi rubbed sweaty hands on his pants and quietly panicked.

Zhan Yao leaned back in his chair. "What's wrong?"

Bai Chi clasped his hands together. "Why?" he burst out.

"You'll have to be more specific," Zhan Yao said.

"Why does Zhao Zhen keep sending me things?"

Zhan Yao froze, not even blinking for a few moments.

"Is he trying to bribe me? And for what? And why out in the open—"

Zhan Yao held up a hand, now unfrozen, and took a deep breath. "You can't think of any reason he might send you gifts?"

Bai Chi shrugged. "I don't understand him!"

"Mmm." Zhan Yao rubbed his temples. "I think Occam's Razor would point us in a non-bribery direction." He looked Bai Chi in the eyes. "He's flirting with you."

"Pardon me?" Bai Chi said when Zhan Yao didn't elaborate on his statement.

"Courting rituals can vary by culture but buying gifts is fairly standard."

Bai Chi stared at him.

"Flowers and food are very common, along with items the recipient might find useful," Zhan Yao went on.

"Is that why Bai Sir always pays for your lunch and you bought a new chair for his office?"

Zhan Yao froze again. "Uh..."

"But why would Zhao Zhen flirt with me? He's...well, you've seen him."

"He's not really my type," Zhan Yao murmured.

Bai Chi shook his head. "Thank you for your help." Standing, he left Zhan Yao's office. Clearly he was going to have to figure this out for himself.

--------------------------------------------------------

Bai Chi had only taken a single sip of his coffee when Zhao Zhen appeared in his kitchen. The cup almost toppled out of his hand as he jumped in surprise. "How did you get in?"