Not Enough (complete)

9. 5 years later

College was a lot more difficult than high school especially in a foreign country. Xiao Zhan barely had any free time and the holidays over there didn't coincide with the ones back at home except for Christmas and new year so Xiao Zhan hardly came home for the time he was away.

On Yibo's side, things were a little more difficult. The holidays also didn't coincide but during Christmas and new year, he had to help babysit his baby sister as his father and his girlfriend now had a baby together. He went back to his mother a few times but not during Christmas so every year, he missed meeting Xiao Zhan.

Just like that, 5 years had gone by and both boys hadn't seen each other but they communicated often. Xiao Zhan hung out with Darren more often as they were in the same country even if they were in different schools so he wasn't lonely.

Both Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo had now graduated and were in the process of planning their future. Xiao Zhan knew he wanted to remain in china, indeed there was no place like home. Yibo was yet to decide but in the meantime, his mother was his priority.

He was wiser now and he had seen things for himself. He had blamed his mother for taking him away but when he returned to his father, he quickly realized how much of a burden his father perceived him to be. The only time he became useful was when his girlfriend got pregnant and had a baby, he became the convenient house keeper and babysitter.

He talked with his best friend and Xiao Zhan knew of the situation but asked him to hang on. He just had to finish school. His finances were limited and his mother was already strained. The only thing his father contributed was a place for him to stay.

Immediately he was done schooling, he didn't even stay a day longer and returned home while Xiao Zhan took his time. He didn't return until after 6 months.

Xiao Zhan had a lot of plans but first, he decided to rest for a whole month before doing anything. When he arrived home that day, he was surprised to see Yibo waiting for him. It had been 5 years and even though they spoke often, they hadn't set their eyes on each other.

Yibo hadn't changed so much but his childish looks had mostly been gotten rid of, leaving behind a handsome young man. Xiao Zhan had no idea how long he stood there just staring at the person in front of him when he suddenly got enveloped in a warm hug.

"A-Zhan! It has been so long but you haven't changed a bit... I mean apart from your looks. How have you been? School seems to have treated you well from the way you're looking".

Their height difference wasn't so much but once Yibo stood next to him, he was visibly shorter. Xiao Zhan returned the hug and both men chatted, trying to catch up on old times. In the end, Yibo offered to take him out for a drink. Xiao Zhan wanted to refuse, stating he was tired from the trip but his mother encouraged him to go out.

During their discussions, Xiao Zhan figured Yibo wanted to look for a job and work while he on the other hand preferred to start his own company. His time abroad wasn't only spent schooling, he had also worked for some time and he was able to gather a bit of money and a lot of experience. If he took a loan, he'd be able to start something small. Both men seemed to have their lives on track.

"So... are you dating someone now?"

Xiao Zhan had been avoiding this topic. Truth is that all this while, he thought he had forgotten about his feelings for his friend but the moment he set his eyes on him, he felt all of those feelings come rushing back. About dating, he had been too busy to even think about it.

"No, I'm not. What about you?"

"Nah, I don't think I'd be going down that lane anytime soon".

Not that he was expecting something different but Yibo's answer to that question, well, it made Xiao Zhan slightly... sad. He could only reply by nodding his head.

Xiao Zhan could feel it, Yibo had something else to say to him but they both sat there, drinking one bottle after the other, both had something they wanted to tell the other... or so Xiao Zhan felt but because they had been apart from each other for so long, it didn't feel like the right thing to do.

They had said everything that could be said, there was no more catching up to do but both men were reluctant to call it a night. Xiao Zhan felt it was better to go back home soon, he could tell he had had a little too much to drink. Before he could say anything, he heard a familiar voice from behind them.

"I saw you both sitting over here and decided to come say hi. How have you been?"

Both men turned around at the same time and their eyes fell on a familiar figure from their not-so-distant past.

Xiao Zhan didn't know why, this person had done nothing wrong to him but he just felt her presence around wasn't something he wanted. Yibo on the other hand looked sincerely surprised. Not just surprised, he looked a little pleased to meet this old friend. He was the first to reach out his hand for a handshake.

"Yang Zi... how have you been?"