Weakness (Zuodeng)

Four

“It’s been so long hasn’t it!?” Zuo asked him happily.

Zhixin looked too overwhelmed to speak. He looked at Xinhao momentarily, then looked back at Zuo. “Wow…I couldn’t even believe it’s you.” he finally spoke.

“Oh so you already know each other?” Jiaxin asked with a smile as he witnessed the reunion of two friends.

“Yeah we were…friends.” Zhixin answered flatly.

Zuo was a bit disappointed with how Zhixin didn’t exactly say what they were, but it was understandable. Probably he didn’t want to talk about his love life to his friends.

“That’s cool.” Xinhao finally commented. “He’s really good-looking. I bet that’s why you got into the company?”

Zuo nodded slowly, even though he knew that wasn’t exactly the reason. Sure, the producers had liked his look, but he was very sure he had proved his talent with all the training he had been doing over time.

“Look Zuo I’d love to chat but I’m really tired right now,” he rubbed his eyes. “I need some rest, can we talk later?”

His face dropped. “Oh sure.”

Zhixin patted his shoulder with a smile and walked off, followed by Xinhao.

“He doesn’t even seem excited.” Zuo said to himself, but unfortunately it was loud enough for Jiaxin to hear him.

“No he’s just tired, that’s how he acts.” Jiaxin explained. “He rarely has time to rest you know.”

“I know but…we had a special friendship. You wouldn’t get it.” he sighed. “He’s supposed to be happier than that. Or at least invite me to his room.”

His companion nodded. “Probably not. He’ll come around when he’s well rested.”

Zuo nodded, maybe he was overthinking it. Zhixin would probably talk after he had probably had a nap, he just had to wait. He was probably always busy as Jiaxin said, but Zuo was hoping they would at least have some time to sit down and talk that day. He had been waiting too long for this day to come for it to be messed up.

The two of them returned to their rooms, and both of them sat on their beds and got busy on their cell phones, scrolling through social media.

“You guys seem pretty close.” Jiaxin attempted to have a conversation with Zuo, something he never thought he would be trying to do. He somewhat felt like an idiot doing this.

“Yeah.” he nodded. “Wait, I think I should bring him something.” he pulled his bag and searched in it. “He used to like this tea to rejuvenate him every time he was tired.”

“I’m sure he’ll like it.” Jiaxin answered admiringly and pointed at the kettle on the table by the door. “You can make the tea for him and give it to him when he wakes up.”

“I’ll make it right now, I think it’s better if he has it before he sleeps.” Zuo walked over to the table and started to make the tea. Jiaxin couldn’t help but watch him as he boiled the water, everything he did looked like it was a commercial on TV because he was so handsome. He had to snap out of it, there was no need to look at someone he hardly knew like that.

Once he was finished and had poured the water in a white ceramic cup with a tea bag, he smiled to himself. “Where’s his room?”

“I’ll take you.” Jiaxin got up from his bed and led Zuo out, who followed behind him with the mug. He led him down the hallway to the room at the end, and Jiaxin knocked immediately.

“Come in!” Xinhao answered from inside.
Jiaxin opened the door, and the two walked inside the room. Zuo was surprised to see that Xinhao was Zhixin’s roommate, but he was more surprised to see that Zhixin hadn’t slept yet, instead he was scrolling on his cell phone. If he was so tired to even give Zuo a small chat, he wouldn’t currently be on his cell phone.

“Hey Zhixin,” Zuo greeted him. “I didn’t expect you to still be awake.”

Zhixin sat up from his bed and nodded, not saying anything.

“Anyway I got you some green tea, it will probably rejuvenate you since I bet you’re so tired.” Zuo smiled.

Zhixin sighed. “No thanks.”

“Come on Zhixin, he put effort in making it, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it if you have some.” Jiaxin commented. Even though it was none of his business and he usually wouldn’t say anything, he felt that this situation was too sad.

“Really, I don’t want to.” Zhixin continued and got up from his bed. “Zuo I think we need to talk.”

“Oh,” was the only comment Zuo could manage to say. His face drooped, and he had a feeling he knew what was coming for him. He was just hoping that he was wrong about it, that somehow, Zhixin wanted to tell him something else.