My mute love story (Yizhan version)

Chapter 1

Xiao Zhan' s POV

I closed the bag, swinging it over one shoulder as I glanced down on my broken watch; even though it got broken, it was all that I had left of my mother, and I caressed it with my thumb.

Mom, I hope you are watching me from above there, hopefully proud.

It was 7:00 am.

Letting out a tiny smile, I walked towards my grandma's room, she was still sleeping from her medication, and I walked into the darkroom.

I placed a kiss on her forehead, tugging her in a little more before quietly tiptoeing out of the room, leaving the door on a little ajar.

Once again, I glanced down at my watch, 7:05 am.

Quickly I walked into the kitchen, giving a last glance at the breakfast I had made for my grandma while my stomach grumbled quietly.

Ignoring the sound, I adjusted the straps of my bag and walked towards the front door.

I will be back soon, granny, I whispered the words soundlessly inside my mind before closing the door behind me securely, and as I set foot outside, I looked at my surroundings.

This neighbourhood my granny and I live in is shady, and I wished from the bottom of my heart that someday, I could provide for my granny better, but I wasn't able to with the pay I get from the café I work at.

I had to pay the fees of school, make sure we had electricity, food, and so on, even if I got out of all these school activities didn't help me pay all of the bills.

Yawning, I left the neighbourhood behind, glancing back one last time to my granny and my miniature house from here; it had only one floor with one bedroom, a small kitchen and a tiny bathroom, but it was enough for the two of us.

When I reached the main road, I looked down; 7:20 am.

I continued walking, soon enough reaching the school gates that opened in front of my eyes as the school guard, Li Bowen, came strolling out of his small office, "you're an early bird as always, Zhan!" I gave a tiny smile before walking onto the school plain.

The bright lights in the hallway opened the view to all classrooms as I breathed in, walking straight for Liu Haikuan's office.

Liu Haikuan is a young principal, only 26, and already having this career status built.

Softly knocking on his door, he answered, "come in, Xiao Zhan!" I grinned as I swung the door open, stepping inside, waving at Haikuan.

"Are you always this cheerful after a vacation? And still, as early as ever, I didn't even need to guess to know it was you; no one else in his sane mind would be here-" he glanced at the clock, "35 minutes before their first lessons start, and especially after a vacation. Sometimes I question your sanity, Zhan." I laughed without any sound, throwing my head backwards as I shrugged, pointing at Haikuan's desk as he made a funny face in response.

"So what brings you to my office on this sunny bright day, Xiao Zhan?" I opened the front of my bag, searching for the letter I had faked yesterday night under the light of a candle.

I was about to panic a little when my hand finally came in contact with the paper cutting my finger; I retracted my hand with the letter, placing it on Haikuan's desk.

"Your parents can't come to the parenting night again?" At this point, I felt like it was no longer a question as I blew my cheeks up and shrugged my shoulders.

Haikuan didn't open the letter, placing it next to his books as he nodded, propping his hands up to put his chin on there, looking intensely at me.

"Xiao Zhan, I am almost starting to worry about you, you know? I know you might not want to share anything, but my door is always open for you, and I promise not to judge. I can't force you into telling me anything, but this has been the fourth time this year. I haven't seen your parents since you enrolled in university, Zhan." Yeah, they all say they won't judge; I bit the comment back as I glanced sideways; out of the window as I stood in front of Haikuan's desk, biting my inner cheek until I tasted the metal flavour of blood.

"I will let this slip, Xiao Zhan. But in exchange, could you do me a favour?" Do I have a choice in the first place? Turning my attention back to Haikuan, I raised an eyebrow, not sure if it was a better idea to leave or let him finish talking because knowing Haikuan, he would try to drag me into a social event again.

"Well? Are you in to listen at least?" Nope, but I don't have another choice when it's you, Liu Haikuan. I kept my face neutral, waiting for Haikuan to continue, so he did, "I heard from a friend who heard from another friend that you were searching for another job. But you're also working at the café 'Stardust', and besides that, you have your studies, am I right?" Am I right? I imitated his voice inside my mind before answering; of course, you are right because how would you know otherwise! I pouted, waiting for a second or two, not liking the direction this topic went and knowing that Haikuan held an ace behind his back as always.

"I know your disability of being mute, but that won't restrict you in the job I want to offer you, and I already talked with your boss at the café about the time and schedule for you to still have enough time to study. You will work half the hours you are working currently at the café, and instead, you can babysit some of my 'relatives.'" Now raising both my eyebrows, Haikuan laughed, but this deal was too suspicious, and the way he pronounced relative made me wonder what trick he was trying to play.

"All jokes aside, it's a good job, you have to cook, clean and help my relatives with some homework, that's all, and you will get paid the double for an hour you get paid from working at the café, how does that sound?" It sounded alluring to my eyes, but it was too tempting; there had to be a trap somewhere; I knew Haikuan a little too good for this.

"I see you are still doubting me, huh? I am an innocent man until proven otherwise!" He put his hands in the air as I couldn't help but grin a little at his childish behaviour.

"I'll give you 3 days to think about the offer, is that okay?" No! Instead, I nodded, forcing a smile and leaving his office with a heavy feeling inside my chest.

I looked down at my watch, 8:15 am.

15 more minutes before I realized what happened, I dashed into the nearest classroom and closed the door behind me, a sigh leaving my mouth; until I heard a snore from another corner of the room.

Word count: 1217 words

***
First chapter is up, any thoughts?