Behind The Red Curtain | YiZhan ✓

2-The Boy Who Cried Flower

It was cold. The weather broadcast had said that the temperature was going to fall below -5°C degrees, making it a freezing day.
It was already as bad as it was, being 6 a.m. in the morning. He was unmotivated to the brim because of it, wanting to leave work and go home to hide under the covers. But what kept him going today was a message he had recieved just before going out of the house. It was a message from Zhan, asking him to pick him up from set. Usually he would not ask him to do such a thing if there was no emergency, since there would usually be fans around the filming set, making it risky to get caught on cameras.
But today was a cold day and it had been a week since they'd last met. So he was in no position to say anything since all he could think about was seeing him again.

So, soon after he was done with work, he made his way to the location which they were filming at. There were a lot of famous actors on set, some familiar while some were just not worth the mention. But one of them was too familiar to avoid. Upon getting out of the car he was greeted by him, his smile as big as ever. "It's good to see you again. Thought you'd never call."
It was his old friend from elementary, Luo Zixin. He had an eccentric personality since childhood, making him famous amongst the acting industry rather quickly. He was loved by many and was too popular for his own good at times, making him hard to manage. Overall, he was a fun guy to hang out with and one of Yibo's most trustworthy friends.

"I didn't know you started a new drama. And it was this one?" Yibo questioned with small interest whilst looking around.
"Well, as i said. You didn't call. I thought you were too busy and was as understanding as i could be but here you are roaming in some random film set."
His commentary had made Yibo frown slightly, making him take out his phone in impatience.
"Hey now- no need to get so angry. Why the frown?"

Yibo sighed as he finally saw him coming to his direction and put the phone away. "I'm sorry- i just don't really have the time. Talk to you later? Text me." Zixin's expression was full of confusion as his head turned to the direction he had been looking at and saw noone else but Xiao Zhan running towards them. "You came to pick him up? That's new. Since when have you guys been hanging out?"

Yibo did not want to answer this question at first, but Zhan was taking his time walking to them, so he had no choice at the end. "Since the last drama we filmed. Why?" Zixin shrugged. "Can't your friend be curious about his friend's' social life? Or is that a crime too now hm?"

Yibo tried to look away but couldn't, as it would've made him look more suspicious. So he shook him by the shoulder instead. "Don't worry. You're still there. We can go out this week? How about that."
Zixin pursed his lips in contemplation before nodding in aggreement. "Sure. Then you can tell me all about what you've been up to."

Yibo shrugged. "Sure- whatever."

Soon, Zhan came and they both went inside the car. Yet when he came he seemed out of breath. Maybe too tired for a person who had just been walking.

"Are you okay? Should i get you some water?" His response was just a headshake, making him more anxious that he already was. He seemed horrible, his face pale and neck sweatier than usual. And his lips were slightly chapped, making him look like he was in pain.
"You look really sick.. are you sure you're okay?-" but Zhan snapped at him, ready to forget the conversation for once and for all. "Just drive. I don't-... i'm fine. It was the makeup. It was just too thick so my skin dried."
Yibo frowned slightly, becoming even more worried. Was this really the result of thick makeup? Ever since he had met him, Zhan had never, not even once in his life- had dry skin. So it was worrysome to see him like that.
And he had experience with thick makeup already, so who was he to lie? He knew he was lying already and Zhan had probably realized that too, yet he didn't speak again.