Behind The Red Curtain | YiZhan ✓

42-His Paradise By His Side

It was the dark hours, Duyi's house as quiet as usual. But as Yibo entered, the doors trembled, catching the attention of the one who was silent. So he stood up from where he was seated and made his way upstairs after him.

"Are you leaving?" The voice behind him spoke, while those sharp eyes of his watched him gather his stuff. "You didn't think i would stay here forever? As much as i liked the comfort of a rich man's house." Duyi looked down, now crossing his arms with a pack of files in hand. "You can always come for a visit then."

Yibo paused, now standing still. He was about to turn around, yet his hesitance took over, making him stand as he was. "No matter our friendship, i will always be selfish. You know that right?" Duyi hummed. "I have known you be so for as long as i can remember. But you also know that i am the same." Yibo smiled at that. "Right... too similar in fact. That is why... you know that i can't take your feelings into consideration."

Duyi swallowed, feeling a little nervous as Yibo turned around to see him. "I... have never hoped for such a thing. I was just.."

"Keeping it to yourself. I know. And i did too for a long while, which resulted in a complete storm. So you should just be glad that i found out about it sooner than you'd have acted upon it." Duyi smiled slightly, shaking his head. "You shouldn't compare us in that department. I would've stayed silent for as long as it would've taken. Because i know that you and i both are selfish."

Yibo looked down, later turning back to grab his bag. "Since you know it as well... let go of it. The path i must take is elsewhere." Duyi's eyes lingered on his back, seeming a little restless as he took a step forward. "Will... you go to him?"

"I will be straight with you regardless of what you want. So yes... i plan to meet him tonight and.. stop this lingering that i have caused." Duyi smiled, now shaking his head to himself. "Is that so. Heh.. you truly are selfish to say such cruel words."

Yibo sighed as he turned around and walked over to him. "And what about you? Will you listen to my wish?" Duyi swallowed, finding his eyes too strong to look at as he held his hand. "I'm not sure i could. So forgive me." Yibo furrowed his brows in confusion to his apology as Duyi slowly let go of his hand and closed his eyes. "But you will never know of it. So.. forget this. All of it. And just pretend you never know of what i.."

"Is that what you really want?" Duyi turned his head to the side and clenched his fists. "Just leave before i do something selfish."

Yibo held his breath as he watched him stand turned away. He tried, but couldn't help his heart from feeling empty for him. Not even the slightest sorrow was formed as he turned to the other side and left the room. It was just as Hu Li had told him. He was selfish till the depths of the earth but to the man his heart desired.

Yet the same could not have been said for Duyi, as he came out of his way and payed a visit to the hospital. When an hour or two passed, Cui Yi came out with his diagnosis in hand, seeming to be confused. "I looked, and i've been looking for an hour, but you are perfectly healthy. Where did you say it hurt again?"

Duyi placed his hand over his chest as he sighed. "Right here.. in the middle." Cui Yi furrowed his brows before standing before him. He then placed his hand over his chest and felt it. "...nothing in your tests seemed out of ordinary. Is it maybe a muscle spasm? Could you describe the pain for me?"

The latter scoffed as he shook his head. "How would you know what it feels like to have your heart ignored like some avoidable trash.."

After a moment of thinking and trying to understand the situation, Cui Yi sighed, now brows furrowed and arms crossed. "You know... you just took my dear time for no good reason, and occupied a room in the hospital, where there could have been someone else in need instead."