Behind The Red Curtain | YiZhan ✓

29-Love Or Hate

It was half past dusk, yet the bar void of any moonlight as the curtains closed with the flick of a button. The bartender seemed tense, while Duyi slipped him a couple hundred for the kindness he had shown for closing the bar.

Meanwhile, Zhan was occupied with his drink while the man who had just come scolded him like there was no tomorrow. "Just what the hell are you doing here in this state? You look like shit." Zhan frowned as he watched him snatch the glass away from his hand. "Easy for you to say when all you've done is nothing for me!"

"Just what the hell am i supposed to do when you disappear for two whole weeks, and don't even pick up my calls?" Duyi glanced at the man in front and raised his brow. "Aren't you being a little insensitive mister Meng? He is obviously drunk, and is in no state to answer your questions."

Shun furrowed his brows angrily. "And who are you to talk? Just because you're his boss, i'm supposed to listen to you too now?" Duyi rolled his eyes. "It would've been nice if you had shown a little respect for the sake of our partnership in the past. I thought we were closer than how you'd be acting toward me now."

Shun scoffed with a heavy smile. "I just helped your ass get out of scandals a couple times, how is that a friendship? Just a relationship based on meeting your needs."

"By needs, you mean my money?"

"Why yes, only because this rich detective was in need of some fucking money!"

Duyi laughed. "Why the sarcastic toning? I thought our relationship was purely based on business. No need to act like you care right?" Shun was having enough and was about to raise his voice if it weren't for Zhan interrupting with his loud groans. "Can the two of you just shut up? It's so loud..."

Shun looked at his flushed face and grabbed him by the arm. "Get up, we're going." But Zhan pulled back and yelled. "Ugh... just leave it-"

"He is having a hard time, so why don't you just let him go? I will bring him home later." Shun was ready to disagree as he pulled Zhan once more. "Oh not at all, we shouldn't bother you right?" Duyi smiled in return. "No no, i insist, let me."

Yet Shun's anger grew as he finally let go of Zhan and scoffed. "Right, because you are the one who let him come to this state to begin with. So why should i trust you?"

"I'm not saying that you should trust me, but maybe be a bit more considerate of his feelings? He even said that you haven't been of any help at all, yet want to take him away without his consent. I'd say that you are not being thoughtful, but just selfish because you do not want him hanging out with me."

Shun rolled his eyes in anger before pointing his gaze at Zhan. "Fine then, what the hell happened?" Zhan groaned, his brows still furrowed. "What, now you care all of a sudden?" Shun sighed, leaning forward. "Is this about Yibo or something?" Zhan's eyes suddenly widened as his head shot back up. "What do you.. mean by that?"

Shun gritted his teeth before making a sad face. Yet he didn't seem much sad, which made the latter have doubt in his empathy. "Did you by chance learn about him after we parted ways the day you gave your statement?"

His heart dropped as he stood up and took a step back. "S-so you knew about it as well??" Shun sucked his breath in, while Duyi raised his brow in suspicion. "It's not like that.. let me just explain-" But Zhan wasn't even hearing him as his eyes became watery once more. "I was just living between a bunch of liars that sold me off the word 'friend'. HAH... do you see this... none of you actually cared for me did you!"