The Rules | JAEMIN

Chapter 25

"Wait, what do you mean?" Zhilan asked as Renjun sniffled, wiping his face.

"She can't. She can barely talk to me on the phone and same with Winwin. They're both really stressed and I think something is wrong in Beijing." Renjun mumbled, clearly upset.

"Okay, let's go back then. Or at least I can." Zhilan said, patting the male but Renjun shook his head.

"No, she made it clear that whatever we do, stay in Neo City. She stressed that this would be the best place for us, especially under Taeyong's protection." Renjun told her.

Zhilan took a deep breath, nodding her head. "Alright, if Jiayi says stay, then we should stay."

Renjun nodded, still looking down at the ground as he shifted his weight between his feet. Zhilan reached out, gently tugging his jacket.

"Come on, let's go upstairs. Our room is much nicer than this."

Renjun hesitated before following Zhilan, dragging his feet the entire way up. Zhilan unlocked the door for the two of them, entering their home.

Renjun automatically went to his room, and Zhilan wanted to follow him. She stopped by Jaemin's door, hearing his music playing.

He's probably still studying.

Zhilan poked her head in and sure enough, her boyfriend was sitting at his desk, concentrated on his work. She decided to slowly back out, carefully closing the door so Jaemin would lose his focus.

Zhilan went to her room to see Renjun sitting on his bed, blowing his nose. He looked up as she entred, quickly fixing his hair.

"You're not going to Jaemin's room?" Renjun asked, tossing the tissue into the garbage bin.

"I can't be in my own?" Zhilan asked back, hanging her jacket up before sitting on her bed across from him.

"You've just been spending a lot of time with him lately." Renjun said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I know." Zhilan said, crossing her legs. "So I wanted to spend tonight with you. My best friend ever since I joined the Phoenixes."

"Pft, now you say that?" Renjun said, giving her a look. "I swear you called me your sworn enemy for most of our lives."

"I can take that back if you want." Zhilan said but Renjun shook his head.

"It's fine."

Zhilan stood up, making her way to Renjun to sit beside him. "What's wrong, Renjun? You're not being your usual self."

"What's it to you?" Renjun muttered looking away. "Not like you care."

"I don't care?" Zhilan exclaimed, a little louder than intended. She gave Renjun a light shove. "Are you kidding me, of course I care. Do you think I would have came all the way to Neo City with you if I didn't think you were someone that mattered to me?"

Renjun shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, doesn't seem like it. Ever since you came, we've barely spoken because you always went on walks alone and now you're spending every moment of your life with Jaemin."

Zhilan stayed silent, letting Renjun's words sink in. It was a tough pill to swallow, but Renjun was right. She had neglected him.

"Anyways, it's fine. I'm used to it." Renjun said, sliding back onto his bed so his back was against the wall. "I'm always on the sideline, it doesn't matter."

"What do you mean always?" Zhilan asked, realizing that Renjun had a much bigger problem than she thought he did.

"Just.. It's nothing." Renjun said, waving his hand. "Go spend your night with Jaemin or whatever."