- I thought you weren't coming...
These words are like a sharp knife plunged right into his heart. It was how unsure of him he was that even when he was in danger, he couldn't think of him. It wasn't in his mind that he would run to him. If he had to save him... Yibo didn't feel safe with him. And he has only himself to blame for that, Xiao Zhan.
- I'm here, - he answers, holding his hand tightly and promising himself that he will never make him be alone in times of need again. Will make sure Yibo knows he has someone he can rely on, someone he can believe in...
Yibo is silent in response... but his eyes speak for him. Tears are streaming down his cheeks, and he can barely keep himself from bursting into tears right then and there. How scared was he in that moment? When he was shot... when lost consciousness... when thought he was dying... when opened his eyes and saw no one around but the unfamiliar faces of the doctors...
- I'm not going anywhere else, - Xiao Zhan says in a whisper and pulls him back into her arms. And that proves to be the last straw... first he hears quiet sobs and later bitter sobs, where he has to stroke Yibo on the back, reassuring him that everything will be okay.
***
- This is a letter of resignation, - he holds out a white envelope to his superiors and knows in advance what is about to happen.
- Are you sure? - but to his surprise the answer is calmer than expected, though one could notice a note of anger in the general's voice. He looked at him for a long time and sighed deeply when Xiao Zhan silently nodded.
- You didn't quit even when you wanted to get married. What prompted you to do this act?
"That's another case," he wants to answer the question, but decides to simply remain silent. In any case, his application cannot be denied...
The general waits a long time for a response from his lips, but realizing that Xiao Zhan is serious, takes a pen from his desk and silently signs the application.
That's it. That's all for now. If the choice was between his job and his lover's feelings, he chooses the latter. He doesn't want to see Yibo again in this state. He won't make the second mistake...
Saying goodbye to the general and apologizing for his sudden request for dismissal, he leaves his office with peace of mind. Now it was necessary to go to Yibo and take him home from the hospital, as promised. So he had to hurry, but suddenly he hears his name from quite familiar lips and turns around at the call...
- Xiao Zhan - she repeats and he freezes... how long has it been...
- Long time no see, - he replies to the girl who comes closer to him and smiles. Bai Lu... she's really here.
The last time they saw each other was three years ago. When they decided to put an end to their relationship...
- I hear you're quitting.
Really, word travels faster than the wind around here...
- That's true.
- I wonder who this person is that you took this step for? - Bai Lu adds and he realizes... it was impossible to hide anything from her. She always understood everything just by looking into his eyes.
- Are you going to the hospital now? I can give you a ride, - Xiao Zhan decided to change the subject. He didn't want to talk to her right now about what prompted him to take this step. Even though they ended their relationship on a good note, talking about such a topic was somehow uncomfortable. It seemed that he still felt guilty toward her.
- Changing the subject? - Bai Lu smiles back, and he remains silent, - Yeah, I don't mind if you give me a ride, - she adds after a few seconds of silence.
It was this quality in her that he always liked. She always treated him with understanding and didn't broach topics that would probably hurt him. But not that night... then Bai Lu decided to speak out.
Xiao Zhan really couldn't. It is only now, with Yibo's arrival, that he realizes it wasn't about her. It was about him. He couldn't submit to being fired for her sake, not because he loved his job so much, but because he didn't love her enough. He and Bai Lu had grown up together since childhood and had begun dating at the age of 17, while still in their teens. Only now does he realize that he may have confused love with affection...because if he really loved her, he would have done anything to make her smile. But that day, three years ago, he acquiesced to the decision to end the relationship...
They were both silent the whole way. Bai Lu didn't even bring up the subject of quitting, though he knew she was very interested in getting an answer to her question. Perhaps she thought she had no more right to interfere in his personal life, but even so, Xiao Zhan was grateful to her. After all, he really didn't know what was going on in her soul right now. Did she still have her old feelings? Why had she come back? It scared him a little, because he didn't want to hurt her again...
- I'm getting married, - she says suddenly, as if reading his mind as they get out of the car and stand in front of the hospital.
- Oh, - Xiao Zhan is surprised and doesn't know what else to say to him. It really was unexpected...
- After I left, I thought about us a lot. It was really painful and hard for me to come away from it. But I was able to. And I gradually realized that maybe I wasn't the person for you that you could move mountains for. But I found... someone who really loved me. And I'm glad that you do, too. So don't think too much.
- I'm sorry, - he replies, after listening to her through. Bai Lu... she has always known him better than anyone, and even now she has managed to discern his inner feelings about their past relationship. And frankly he was glad for her. And grateful for those words...
- They seem to be waiting for you, - she smiles and looks towards the hospital. Turning around, Xiao Zhan sees Yibo, who has apparently been watching them for a long time. He doesn't even smile at the sight of him as before, but instead seems to be frowning his eyebrows.
- Go, don't keep your boyfriend waiting, - Bai Lu adds and simply walks away. He doesn't even have time to explain anything, and she already understands everything. That's how this girl has always been...
Xiao Zhan only has to look after her and see her slowly disappear from sight, disappearing behind the trees. Even though they parted on a good note then, it was only this time that he felt calm. It didn't last long, though...
- Who is this girl? - Yibo threw in a disgruntled voice as soon as he approached him. It wouldn't even take long to guess, Xiao Zhan understood everything and on the one hand he was flattered by how jealous he was, but at the same time he didn't want it to grow into some misunderstanding and told him everything as it was.
- She's my ex-fiancée.
But apparently I should have approached the subject a little differently, Yibo just silently turns around and walks away. The only good thing is that he's heading towards his car, but this atmosphere is really scary...
- I just wanted to tell the truth. It's all in the past now. There's nothing connecting us now, - Xiao Zhan tries to justify himself by following him, but he's just ignored in return.
Apparently they need to talk about their relationship so that Yibo understands how serious he is...
