Unsaid Love Story

Chapter 33

The climate in Hong Kong is warm everywhere, but Zhan can still feel the humidity in the air. It is pleasant and welcoming. There is no doubt, but it doesn't help with what's going on in his mind. He works hard to figure out what Yibo means with the text about being careful last night, but he gets nothing. One thing he's sure of is that it's not with him. Then, whom should he be careful with?

"Be careful." - Yibo

He looks at the text for the umpteenth time and swallows the fear building in his throat. He senses something happening behind his back, and Yibo must have picked up on it to warn him. Zhan guesses he needs to tread carefully now. If Yibo is taking it seriously enough to issue a warning, then it must be significant. Knowing him well, Zhan has deeply engraved Yibo's name into his soul and allows him to humble his ego when necessary.

Throughout the entire four-hour flight from Beijing to Hong Kong, Zhan had been too preoccupied with a simple text to relax and take a peaceful nap to ease his exhaustion. Even after arriving at the hotel and attending to some important tasks, he had found it difficult to have a moment of solitude. He had felt deeply disturbed, and nothing seemed to help alleviate his unease. Eventually, he had considered seeking out Yibo to discuss the issue, but his brother's constant presence had made it challenging for him to do so.

He knows that dwelling on the past will not help him concentrate on the task at hand. With numerous responsibilities to attend to, he must clear his mind of any distractions if he wants the rehearsal to be successful.

He heaves a sigh and leans against the window, watching the passing vehicles nearby. The world is running toward a certain destination, but he's standing still. It's all because he has enclosed himself within a limit. He knows it's pathetic to describe when he's the one responsible for all this, but he can't do anything. He has to repay everything that is being provided to him.

He feels lonely, even though he is surrounded by his bandmates, who are discussing new techniques and improvements in music. He knows he should join them, but he doesn't want to. He constantly feels like he is losing himself as his mind wanders wherever it pleases. He tries to shake off thoughts of his childhood with Yibo, which he hasn't thought about in a while but fails to do so.

It was one of those days when Zhan had been punished by his adoptive mother for something he unknowingly did. He was used to it, but he felt hurt. He hadn't started anything this time. It was his brother who had suggested going for a swim and had gotten hurt by his ankle, but she blamed him and punished him by making him kneel outside for a whole night. His siblings had opposed her, but he had just shrugged and gotten out of their sight before they made the situation even worse.

The wintry night was harsh, with darkness and snow enveloping him as he knelt outside, feeling the cold seep into his bones. Ignoring his pleas for mercy, his adoptive mother refused to let him back inside. Frustrated, he furrowed his brows and dug into the frozen ground with his small hands, almost feeling like he was digging his own grave. He never sought out trouble, but it seemed to always find him when it grew bored.

There was a sound of crunching snow, whispering a movement of someone. He was alone, and then he was not. To prove his point, he was joined by Yibo, who spoke up and placed a hand on his shoulder. Talking about one trouble, here came the next one.

"Had you found any carrots?" Yibo inquired, already having something planned.

"Huh?" Zhan responded with a confused expression.

"You're digging the ground to find carrots, aren't you?" Yibo pointed to the ground where Zhan had been digging and smirked playfully. "Not surprising, because what can I expect from a bunny?"