FORBIDDEN

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Yibo stared blankly into space, his mind eerily empty. It had been days since Zhan suggested they live under the same roof, yet Yibo found himself unconsciously avoiding him.

Between classes and club recruitment, their paths rarely crossed. As freshmen, they were busy exploring multiple groups, distracted by school life’s chaos.

His blank stare broke when he spotted Zhan in the distance, talking to someone else.

The sight of the man gently touching Zhan’s cheek made Yibo’s irritation flare. His face soured even more when he caught Zhan smiling warmly at the man. When Zhan suddenly turned to look in his direction, Yibo quickly looked away, heart pounding.

What Yibo didn’t know was that Zhan had already noticed him staring—and that’s why he had laughed softly with the other guy.

Zhan was not just intelligent but also gutsy. He knew Yibo was avoiding him after the suggestion to live together, but he was confident Yibo would agree—maybe not now, but soon enough.

Class ended, and like before, Yibo neither spoke to nor looked at Zhan. His pulse quickened when he saw the same man from earlier standing near the classroom door with Zhan. Panic rose in Yibo’s chest. Living together felt overwhelming enough, but seeing Zhan with another guy? That felt like torture.

“Argh, screw it.”

When Zhan started to walk away, Yibo grabbed his wrist and spun him around to face him.

“Don’t go,” Yibo said with sulky eyes.

Zhan grinned, clearly enjoying the rare sight of Yibo looking so vulnerable. Yibo cleared his throat and added, “He looks untrustworthy.”

Zhan chuckled and yanked his wrist free, slipping his hands into his pockets. He leaned close, his face inches from Yibo’s.

“You avoided me. I thought you’d said no.”

Yibo was speechless—he knew Zhan was right. Zhan quickly looked away, breaking the silence.

Before Yibo could move, Zhan stopped him with a soft, “Fine. Just don’t go with that guy.”

A mischievous grin spread across Zhan’s face as he turned back to Yibo.

“What? I didn’t hear that,” he teased.

Yibo rolled his eyes and shrugged but repeated firmly, “Don’t go with him.”

Zhan smiled, clearly satisfied with Yibo’s reaction. He reached out and grabbed Yibo’s hand, making the younger man’s eyes widen in surprise. Without waiting, Zhan pulled him forward.

Yibo’s brow furrowed when he realized they were heading straight toward the man he hated—the one who had been with Zhan earlier.

When they stopped in front of the guy, Zhan smiled brightly.

“This is Yibo, my—” He paused, glancing at Yibo, who was nervously staring at him. Then with a chuckle, Zhan continued, “My boyfriend.”

Yibo was too stunned to speak and simply smiled at the man.

“And this is Zhuo Cheng, my brother,” Zhan added.

The name hit Yibo like a punch to the gut. He blinked in surprise. He had nearly hated Zhuo Cheng in his mind earlier—and now he had to face him in reality.

“Oh, so you’re Yibo.” Zhuo Cheng’s voice was calm but his presence was intimidating. Yibo’s heartbeat thudded painfully as he worried about what the brother might say.

“Take Zhan away. I don’t want him in my house anymore.”

Yibo was speechless. He hadn’t expected the brothers not to get along.

“He’s been in my room forever. Please take him,” Zhuo Cheng added, exasperated.

Zhan pouted and clung to his brother.

“How dare you! Is it because you need space for—”

Zhan grinned cheekily. “—ew, you’re dirty, A-Cheng.”

Zhuo Cheng frowned, unimpressed.

“Fix your brain, then come back.”

He turned to Yibo, who stiffened instantly.

“I guess he’s sleeping with you tonight,” Zhuo Cheng said, raising an eyebrow.

Yibo swallowed hard and nodded.

Zhan laughed softly and squeezed Yibo’s hand.

“Don’t scare him. You look ugly,” Zhan teased, then pulled Yibo along as they started running away, while Zhuo Cheng shouted angrily behind them.

They only stopped once they were out of school grounds.

Yibo exhaled deeply and turned to face Zhan. Their eyes met, and Yibo instantly blushed, remembering what Zhan had said earlier.

'How can he say something like that without blushing?' Yibo wondered.

“I’ll borrow your clothes for a while,” Zhan said casually. “My brother seems to have some important business at home.”

Yibo just nodded and led the way.

Boredom hit Zhan fast, and he slipped his hand into Yibo’s as they walked side by side. Yibo seemed to need the fresh air. Zhan’s straightforward and aggressive nature clashed with Yibo’s more reserved personality, but even when Zhan pointed out things Yibo disliked about people, Yibo found himself feeling differently about Zhan’s boldness.

They walked like real lovers until they reached Yibo’s apartment.

When they entered, Zhan’s eyes widened. The place was impeccably clean—no dirt, no clutter, like a brand-new move-in, but with no signs of use.

“It looks new,” Zhan said, impressed.

Yibo coughed awkwardly. “Huh? I just don’t stay here much.”

Zhan nodded thoughtfully.

He opened the only other door and stepped inside without waiting for permission.

It was Yibo’s room. He sat on the bed, murmuring, “Oh, it doesn’t seem used much yet.”

“But your pheromones…” Zhan added, frowning as the scent overwhelmed the room.

Yibo sensed the change and approached cautiously, worried.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly as Zhan hugged himself.

Zhan met Yibo’s eyes, and Yibo instantly knew something was wrong. He swallowed hard.

“You know what?” Zhan paused, then stood in front of him. “I’m still an omega.”

Yibo blinked, confused. It was obvious, wasn’t it?

“You shouldn’t let me enter your room—

An alpha’s room.”

And then it hit Yibo.

END OF CHAPTER 2