Why Not Me?

Stranger

Xiao Zhan tried to keep himself busy at work over the next few days.  He had not yet heard from Yibo and did not want to be the one to call  first either. He would spend the day mentoring his juniors in the team,  stay late in the office to get his work done and then get home tired to  just sleep. He had to keep up this routine for another week before they  started a new project, designing a recording studio. He did not fall  back into his old routine of drinking every night...he kept that up for  almost 2 years after Phun's death. It was only after Yibo returned that  Zhan let go of his daily drinking.

When he heard about the recording studio, he practically begged Yu  Bin to hand over the project from a colleague of theirs. The owner of  the studio was a distant relative of Mei Lin. The idea of designing a  studio where artists will record their songs almost brought back his  zest for singing. But singing always reminded him of the memories with  Yibo and that was the reason he gave up on it long time ago. And right  now, he doesn't want to think about Yibo, so he focused his energy on  his new designs for the studio.

It was not long after, that Zhan met the owner of the studio, Chiang  BoLin. He wasn't a very well known name in the entertainment industry  but he helps struggling artists produce and record music and so quite  famous in the Indie world. He was the kind to sort out new talent and  guide them to success. BoLin had been renting this studio for a while  now and finally took over the ownership. He wanted to redesign the place  as per his music interests with some character in it. When Zhan met  him, he was expecting an old studio executive type of a man in a suit  but he was pleasantly surprised when he met BoLin. He couldn't be more  than 2-3 years older than himself, dressed almost like himself and had a  kind smile with humble personality.

For the next couple of hours, they discussed on the plans, schedules  and the designs for the studio. It wasn't a huge space.. with just a  small office room to fit 3-4 people, cafeteria/lounge room and the  actual studio room which was big enough for an entire band to record. It  should not take more than 3 weeks for the complete redesign. But Zhan  needs another 3 weeks to complete the two murals he decided to draw in  the reception area and in the studio room. Zhan was excited once again,  the project and the murals will keep him from thinking about Yibo... for  the next 6 weeks atleast.

When they were about to leave, Yu Bin was dragged away by Bo Lin  for a quick chat and Zhan waited for him in the car. Yu Bin refused to  say what that was about and Zhan let go. "The meeting went well but I  felt a little weird.. like he was staring at me the whole time. Did you  notice that?" Zhan asked while driving. Yu Bin simple nodded and said  "It sure was weird and continued to look out the window thinking about  his little chat with Bo Lin".

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The first thing BoLin noticed when Zhan and YuBin entered the  room was Zhan's radiant smile. And the first thing he noticed when Yu  Bin introduced Zhan and they shook hands was the beauty spot under his  lower lip. BoLin had never seen any man more beautiful and with such a  breathtaking smile. He was instantly attracted to Zhan. But he didn't  know if Zhan was single or even if he was gay. He had to find out and  fast!

When Yu Bin started with the presentation, he had to force himself to  stop staring at Zhan but was soon mesmerized by Zhan's plans for his  studio. He nodded in agreement to whatever Zhan proposed. He needed to  know more about this man as soon as possible. When the meeting ended, he  whisked Yu Bin away to the cafeteria and enquired about Zhan. Yu Bin  gave him an almost threatening look that said "do not hurt my friend"  but did give him the info he wanted. Bo Lin was overjoyed at the turn of  events somehow.

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It's been 10 days since Zhan and his team handed over his new  office to Yibo, 10 days since he has seen Zhan.. not that he was  counting...but Yibo was a little anxious. He wanted to meet Zhan  desperately but did not want to make it very obvious so he decided to  wait and hope for an opportunity to present itself. After the 12th day,  Yibo was convinced that Zhan would never contact him first, he had to  make the first move.