At The Edge Of The World | YiZhan ✓

Part 5

He was ten at the time, sitting on a bench behind the school, reading his book which he had borrowed from the library after the recommendation from his history teacher. He didn't have any peculiar interests in reading imaginary or real stories. But all he could do to pass time and take his mind off of the anxiety that would overwhelm him upon entering the real world, would be by reading.

Considering his family's financial state, televisions were considered a luxury for him due to being unaffordable. But knowing that they were widely used by the common folk, gave him room to think of the inequality in social status. And that is when he realised that he did not belong with the common folk, meaning he had no value in the eyes of the world.

But books were fine. They didn't judge him at least.

While engrossed in his reading, a round object suddenly moved past him, shattering the windows behind. His hair was now filled with broken shards, unable to comprehend a thing that had just happened. All he could come to realise was that his book was now on the ground, and that a group of kids had come running towards him.

And that is when he realised what they had just done, the urge pushing him to go and pick up the ball so that they may run away without being caught. He thought that this might make them like him, and include him in his group. So with hopeful eyes, he ran to get the ball and picked it up. Yet the moment he did, one of the boys suddenly yelled out loud. "Teacher come! Dirty Yibo broke the window!"

The tiny boy was beyond bewildered at their action, feeling his hands loosening their grip around the ball as they shivered. Why was everyone in the world like this? Never giving anyone a chance. It truly broke his trust in humanity that day, engraving it in his heart to never put hope into anything again. Because everyone was a liar. And they always lied, deceived, and hated, even if they had no reason to. Just like his father. And to overcome that fear, he had to be lonely. There was simply no other option.

Yet there he was now, sitting in a car and staring at the man who had broken those protective walls once. Giving him room to breathe, and a reason to have hope for something. But he had lied too. And this had hurt him the most.

"We're here." Yibo's eyes slightly glistened as the lights inside the car lit-up, making him avert his gaze almost immediately. Zhan looked at him with big eyes, wondering how to act to make him feel more comfortable. But he was loosing his chance with every second that passed. "...I'm not going to thank you, if that's what you're staring at me for."

Zhan swallowed, his eyes going over Yibo's bandaged foot. "You... don't need to." Yibo then frowned, now pushing the door open with force. "Then I'm going." Yet just as he tried to step outside, he fell all over again. Zhan was quick to get out and help him, yet Yibo was more than ready to push him away. A sudden frustration hit over him as Zhan tried to pull him up, slapping his hand away with force. "Stop trying to help me! So what if I have fallen!? I will get up again!"

He then tried to get up, only to fail miserably a multiple times. Zhan watched him until he couldn't take it, and put his arm over his shoulder, while the other hand rested on his waist. Yibo's heart squeezed as he tried to push him away, yet his strength was no match after all. "Let me go! I said stop- I'll walk! Stop it!" But Zhan didn't listen, helping him walk until he reached the door. And once they were pressed against it due to the imbalance caused by Yibo's push, the latter unlocked the door and rushed in, leaving Zhan standing at the doorway.

Having had enough and wanting to escape, Yibo swung the door without thinking, causing it to hit onto Zhan's arm. With half his arm squeezed between the door, Zhan held his voice in and squeezed his eyes shut in pain.