Love Under Siege

one.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as Xiao Zhan was sitting in the corner of his room. The walls seemed to whisper tales of a time when love was simpler and acceptance was a given. Now, that dream were crumbling, much like Xiao Zhan's spirit. His eyes, wide awake and weary, scanned the horizon, searching for solace in the gathering storm.

Xiao Zhan had always dreamed of becoming a famous actor, a beacon of light in the world of entertainment. He worked tirelessly, sacrificing sleep and comfort, driven by his passion and the hope that he could make a difference. After a decade of relentless dedication, he finally had his big break and become the most well-known actor in the industry.

Through his journey, Xiao Zhan met the man who would later fill the void in his heart. The man, who would cherished him in a way that Xiao Zhan had always yearned for. His mother's tales of true love-of finding someone who would cherish and love him for the rest of his life-had shaped his dreams. Achieving fame was fulfilling, but finding a man who treasured him as he reached his dreams was more than he could have ever hoped for.

But reality, cruel and unyielding, had other plans. Their love, pure and profound, was seen as a scandal.

His life crumbled before his eyes when he received a call from his manager.

It was supposed to be a rare, peaceful day. After days of grueling shoots, endless endorsements, and draining interviews, he finally had a free day to himself. He had been lounging in his room, flipping through a book, enjoying the quiet when his phone buzzed repeatedly on the nightstand.

He frowned, reaching for it lazily. The notifications were relentless-frantic messages and missed calls from his manager. Something was wrong. His chest tightened as he finally answered the incoming call.

"Hello?" Xiao Zhan greeted hesitantly.

The sharp, panicked voice of his manager made his heart drop. "Xiao Zhan! Listen carefully. Someone caught a photo of you and Yibo kissing inside his car outside of his condominium. It's everywhere now-online, on gossip sites. We've been trying to do damage control, but..."

Xiao Zhan's breath hitched. His head spun as the words sank in. "What... what are you saying?" he stammered, sitting up abruptly.

His manager's tone softened slightly but still carried urgency. "The media got hold of the photo. It's spreading like wildfire. All I need you to do right now is stay calm and do not check your social media. We'll handle it."

The call ended, leaving Xiao Zhan frozen. He sat there in silence, staring at the screen. The words kept echoing in his mind. A photo of you and Yibo... circulating online.

How? When? He was just spending his free day alone.

His fingers trembled as he instinctively opened a browser, despite the warning. Headlines blared back at him:

Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo: Secret Relationship Exposed!

Top Stars in Scandalous Photo Leak!

Fan Backlash Over Same-Sex Relationship Rumors!

The thunder rumbled loudly, as the rain started to flow as if he knew what he was feeling. Xiao Zhan let out painful sob, as his tears flows down. The memory of him and Yibo's met flashes through his mind.