Unsaid Love Story

Chapter 43

Yibo walks down the street with Ji Li's words echoing in his mind, contemplating a promising and bright future ahead. As he passes a shop, he spots a cute bunny toy that captivates him, prompting him to buy it. He tries to convince himself it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but deep down he knows the truth behind his purchase.

He hides the toy inside his jacket, ensuring not to crush it, as he walks toward his only destination, contemplating different ways of gifting it. Despite the many options, nothing seems to fit his style. He eventually reaches the hotel and lets out a sigh before passing by a small garden.

Suddenly, a familiar and beautiful voice captures his attention, unadulterated by any other noise. The music from the guitar resonates through him as the voice remains clear and strong. He pauses outside the fence, adorned with artificial decorations, and is immediately drawn to Zhan sitting on a bench, strumming away on the guitar.

Zhan's eyes remain closed, his skin appearing milky white in the sun's glow, and his posture is calm and relaxed as his fingers dance across the fretboard to a familiar tune. It's evident that Zhan is simply indulging in the moment of musical bliss before continuing his journey.

Yibo waits for the song to finish, hardly daring to breathe, and restrains himself from clapping when Zhan opens his eyes again. "That's beautiful, just like you!" He exclaims and earns a slight glare, which he shakes off. He then sits beside him and nudges him on the shoulder. "You're so good!"

"Since when did you start to admire my song?" Zhan wiggles his eyebrows and pulls his guitar strap off his shoulder before putting the instrument on the other side of the bench.

"Always!" Yibo winks, leaning down and pecking a small kiss on the corner of Zhan's lips.

Zhan playfully slaps Yibo on the arm and pushes him away, laughing. "Stop it; you're lying for my heart's content. I know you."

"Hey, I'm not lying." Yibo grins, wrapping his arm around Zhan's shoulders. "Maybe a little bit. But there were times when I listened to your songs and hummed along, even if I hated them," he says, planting another quick kiss on Zhan's cheek. "A part belonged to Cheng, whom I avoided at all costs, unable to stand the sight of him."

Zhan flinches a little.

Yibo curses himself for bringing up Cheng's name, instantly regretting his thoughtless words. Wanting to change the subject, he pulls Zhan closer in a comforting embrace. Holding him tight, he whispers in Zhan's ear, hoping to distract him. "I have a gift for my bunny! I'm sure you will love it."

Zhan tilts his head while pulling Yibo's arm off his shoulders and putting it to the side. He stays silent. Even if he doesn't respond, Yibo can tell that Zhan is almost vibrating with excitement to know what he has brought for him.

Yibo can't help but find such behavior absolutely precious. With a smirk on his face, he pushes his hand inside his jacket and pulls out the gift.

Zhan glances at the gift and then back at Yibo, raising an unimpressed eyebrow. "Carrot?!"

"Huh? What else does a bunny want?" Yibo asks, bringing the raw carrot to Zhan's mouth and appreciating him taking a bite.

Zhan glares and shoves Yibo's hand away. He frowns deeper, but it slowly transforms into a small smile when he sees his original gift. His hands slowly reach out to the gift but stop midway as he looks up at Yibo with a particularly high-pitched happy squeal escaping his lips. Without saying anything, he grabs Yibo's hand, which holds a carrot, and takes a small bite before pushing it toward the alpha's mouth.

Yibo makes eye contact as he takes a large bite and implies that he will, one day, eat Zhan like this. A brutal, heated flush creeps up Zhan's face, into his neck, and down his throat, and he gapes like a fish out of water. It's unexpected to see the blush on his cheeks.

Yibo raises his hand, cups Zhan's cheek, and strokes his thumb along the cheekbone. Feeling himself slowly lose control, he pulls his hand back and clenches it into a fist before laying a kiss on top of the bunny toy and placing it on Zhan's lap. He then takes his leave, horrified and more than a little frustrated.

Watching Yibo with longing eyes, Zhan observes as the alpha retreats to his back. He acknowledges that there are still aspects of Yibo's personality that he doesn't fully understand. Each day, Yibo manages to surprise him, making their existence together anything but dull. The distance between them seems unnecessary and should be bridged.

Zhan sighs and turns to admire the bunny toy, feeling warmth in his chest and an uncontrollable fondness for it. As he reaches out to touch the toy, a large hand suddenly grabs it before he can pick it up. Looking up, he sees Cheng standing tall over him with a confused expression.

Zhan's expression morphs into one of horror. All the color leaves his face. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what to think about the situation. The more he thinks about it, the more he feels terrified. He wants to die. Dig a hole in the ground and disappear from the world. There are countless horrible possibilities spinning inside his head. He swallows against a lump of his own and stares at Cheng.

Cheng brings the toy to his nose, trying to capture the scent it holds. When he senses the sandalwood scent, anger flares up within him. "So that lunatic thinks he can win you over with gifts?" He squeezes the toy almost enough to ruin it, and Zhan chides himself, blinking away tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

"Did you fall for his tricks?" Cheng asks, his tone dripping with suspicion as he waits for Zhan to explain.

"I didn't fall for his tricks. I fell for his love!" The words catch in Zhan's throat, desperate to be spoken. He tries to explain but stops when he sees the fury in Cheng's eyes. Shaking his head, he forces a laugh, though it doesn't reach his eyes.

Cheng groans and throws the toy at the trashcan before grabbing Zhan with one hand and the guitar with the other. He drags him to their hotel room, all the while ruminating on something with rage in his heart. His mind dissects anything that comes his way. Once they reach their room, his grip on Zhan loosens, and he orders him to check all the things one last time for their flight to Tokyo while he's in the shower to calm his mind.

Just as Cheng disappears into the bathroom, Zhan's body moves without thinking about anything. He leaves the room and rushes to the garden to find a trashcan, hoping the sweeper won't take it. Like a madman, he runs here and there until he finds a particular trashcan and looks inside it with a heart heavier in his chest. An almost pathetic chuckle escapes his throat and turns into a small sob that shakes him.

There is an indescribable emotion in his eyes as he grabs the bunny toy, placing a kiss on it before holding it dear to his chest. He feels like a beautiful yet helpless flower, overwhelmed by complicated feelings. He bites his lip, wipes away tears, and glances around to see if anyone notices. No one is in sight, but that could change soon. Nodding pathetically, he runs out of the garden.

He returns to his hotel room in a few minutes without getting into trouble. He opens his suitcase and puts the bunny toy inside. A small smile curls on his lips as he caresses the toy gently. It feels good, but he has no time to hold the moment when he becomes vaguely aware of the sound of creaking wood. He swallows a lump in his throat and zips up his suitcase quickly before turning to let out a breathless little laugh at Cheng.