In between love and death《Yizhan version》

Chapter 25

Xiao Zhan's POV

After his mother left, we found Yibo sitting on the sofa while calmly sipping from his coffee, "Hey you two, sorry it took longer than I expected." I could see he was trying to normal, but I was not going to be fooled, not this time.

"You can drop the act already, this is your worst performance." Yibo raised an eyebrow at my words, "excuse me? What gives you the right to be rude to your boss?"

"And yet you let your mother do it to you, I find it really ironic," I replied while keeping my gaze as firm as his.

"My relationship with my mother doesn't concern you, you wouldn't understand anyway."

"DAMN RIGHT! I wouldn't since I don't even have one!" Both Yibo and Haoxuan's eyes widened, but I kept going, "but I am also damn sure a mother isn't supposed to talk to her child that way! Why didn't you stand up for yourself!?" Yibo slammed the glass on the table and stared me down in fuming anger, I deliberately squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes.

"If you're so goddamn strong, then why didn't you stand up for yourself at the restaurant?" He gave me a challenging look before I responded, "I have, twice, even, did you already forget what happened at the movie set?" I smiled challengingly back.

The move pissed him off even more, but I pushed further, "I already did my part, when is it going to be your turn?" Yibo approached me, his eyes bright with fury, I braced myself for another argument, but he just laughs humorlessly.

"This is a waste of time, I have work to do." Yibo slammed the front door shut, and the house was silent for a long moment, "well . . . This is really . . . Unexpected . . ." I met Haoxuan's eyes once my anger subsides.

I could feel the guilt slowly setting in, "Haoxuan . . . Did I overstep with my words again . . . ?

***

My relationship with my mother doesn't concern you, the words echoed in my head before I snapped back to reality, "w-what was I even . . . ?

I blinked at the hot, bubbling pot of soup on top of the stove, oh right . . . I was making lunch . . .

Before I could go back to absentmindedly stirring the soup, Yibo suddenly entered the kitchen, he headed straight up for the fridge and didn't meet my eyes, I gulped nervously, unsure how to act around him, I should say something, right . . . ?

I shook the thought away, hadn't I already done more than enough damage? I pushed down a rising sigh, about to turn my attention back to the stove until . . .

"I will be home late today, don't bother making any meals for me." Every inch of his being exuded nothing but coldness, his penetrating, icy gaze chilled me to the bone before I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, "I understand, I hope you have a good day." Yibo didn't reply, I winched when the front door closed loudly.

Yep . . . He was still mad . . .

"Was that Yibo just now?" I looked up to see Haoxuan pop his head into the kitchen, so I nodded defeatedly, turning off the stove.

"Ouch!" I jumped back a little when I accidentally touched the hot pot.

"Hey! You okay, Zhan?"

"Y-Yeah . . . Just a dumb mistake . . ." Haoxuan quickly ran cold water from the sink over my fingers, "you idiot, be more careful next time!"

I nodded, "s-sorry, I must've spaced out . . ."

"Geez, I know you're worried about Yibo, but don't hurt yourself!" I felt all my blood rush towards my cheeks when I quickly responded, "w-what! I-I'm not worried about him . . . ?"

He chuckled lightly, "I'm not blind, Zhan, you're still thinking about that argument, right?" Now Haoxuan's eyes were piercing through me, I turned to stare out of the window, I just wanted to be free from this feeling.

"Haoxuan, why hasn't he thrown me out yet?" He smiled softly before responding, "hm . . . I don't know honestly, knowing him, he would've fired you on the spot."

"S-So there's a chance he will kick me out of the house soon?" Haoxuan shook his head, a bit of a sparkle in his eyes visible, "Yibo is many things, but he wouldn't abandon those who are precious to him." My heart skipped a full beat at the word 'precious', but I smiled sadly, shaking my head.

"There's no way Yibo viewed me that way, not after what I said to him . . ."

"You wanna know what I think?" I blinked before looking at Haoxuan who continued, "I think you did one hell of a good job telling him like it is!"

"But what if his mother is actually nice? What if I insulted her without really knowing her?" Haoxaun shook his head with a sigh, "Zhan, I've been friends with him for years, trust me, she's only nice when he gives her money." I blinked surprised at his words, "w-what do you mean?"

"I really wished I could tell you how their relationship works, but even I'm not sure because Yibo never really told me . . ." Haoxuan once again sighed before meeting my eyes, "still, you did a good job . . . For an idiot . . ." He ruffled through my hair with a laugh.

"C-Come on! Not my hair!" Haoxuan kept laughing while he messed the top of my head, "I hope after hearing your words, he'll finally have the strength to stand up for himself." I stared into Haoxuan's hopeful smile for a moment, I wish I could feel the same hope.

But my eyes aver to the spot where the heated argument took place, you wouldn't understand. Then help me understand! Let me help you this time, Yibo . . .

***

The highway was almost empty at midnight, Yibo drove in the fast lane, hoping to shake off his sleepiness.

He could feel his body was about to give in to stress and fatigue, "as if I have time for sleep!" As drowsiness started to cloud his mind, Yibo heard a jumble of loud voices in his head.

"If it wasn't for that scandal and the failing movie, you would've made more money by now!"

"Why didn't you stand up for yourself?!"

Yibo shut his eyes tightly to ignore them.

"ENOUGH! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

When he opened his eyes again, a bright light was speeding towards him headfirst.

*SCREEEEECH!*

Yibo quickly swerved out of the warm hitting a metal divider and . . .

*CRASH!*

Yibo's eyes started to become heavy, he caught the scent of smoke and gasoline, both made it even harder for him to stay awake.

"Damn it . . .Why do I keep screwing it up . . . ?!"

"I already did my part."

"Zhan . . ."

"When is it going to be your turn?"

"Zhan . . . I'm sorry . . . For being . . . Weak . . .

Word count: 1221 words