Fated Connections ZB1 Zhang Hao x Fem reader

Chapter 13: Balancing Two Worlds

The days after their first meeting were a whirlwind for both Zhang Hao and Y/N. Despite the thrill of finally being together, they quickly realized how difficult it was to balance their relationship with their busy lives. Zhang Hao had back-to-back promotions and concerts, while Y/N's shifts at the hospital kept her occupied for long hours. Their communication, which had once been so effortless, now required careful planning.

Still, they were determined to make it work.

One evening, after a particularly long day at the hospital, Y/N returned home, exhausted but eager to hear Zhang Hao's voice. She dropped onto her couch and grabbed her phone, sending a quick message to him.

"Are you free to talk?" she thought, hoping he wasn't too busy.

A few minutes passed, and just as Y/N was about to give up and assume Zhang Hao was tied up with work, she heard his voice in her mind.

"Just finished practice. I can call now."

Y/N smiled, relieved. She quickly dialed his number, and within moments, Zhang Hao's voice filled the room.

"Hey," he said softly, his tone instantly soothing her tired mind.

"Hey," Y/N replied, sinking further into the couch. "How was practice?"

"Exhausting, but good. We've got another show coming up soon, so it's been nonstop," Zhang Hao explained, his voice slightly breathless. "How about you? How was your day?"

Y/N let out a tired sigh. "Busy. I had a couple of complicated cases today, and it's been one of those days where I didn't even get a chance to sit down."

Zhang Hao's voice softened with concern. "You work too hard. Make sure you're taking care of yourself too, okay?"

Y/N smiled at his worry. "I will. It's just been a lot lately. But hearing your voice makes it better."

There was a brief pause, and then Zhang Hao chuckled. "You always know how to make me smile."

For a while, they talked about the little things in their lives—what Zhang Hao had been practicing, Y/N's latest cases, and the simple things that kept them going. But eventually, the conversation grew quieter, both of them acknowledging the difficulty of being apart so often.

"It's hard, isn't it?" Zhang Hao said softly, breaking the silence.

Y/N hesitated before answering, knowing exactly what he meant. "It is. I knew it would be, but... it's still hard not being able to see you."

Zhang Hao sighed. "I know. I've been thinking about it a lot. I want to see you more, but with my schedule and yours... it feels like we're always chasing time."

Y/N bit her lip, feeling the weight of his words. She had been thinking the same thing, and while she didn't want to admit it, the reality of their busy lives was starting to weigh on her.

"I don't want us to drift apart," Zhang Hao continued, his voice full of concern. "I'm scared that if we don't make time for each other, we'll lose what we have."

Y/N's heart clenched at his words. She understood his fears because she shared them. They had come so far, and the thought of losing their connection was unbearable.

"We won't let that happen," Y/N said firmly, trying to reassure him—and herself. "We just have to keep trying, even when it's hard."

Zhang Hao was quiet for a moment before responding, his voice full of determination. "You're right. We've already been through so much to get here. We can't let our schedules ruin this."

Y/N smiled, relieved to hear the conviction in his voice. "We'll figure it out. Even if it's hard, we'll find a way."

Over the next few weeks, Zhang Hao and Y/N made a conscious effort to communicate more, even if it was just through short messages or quick phone calls between their busy schedules. They didn't always have time for long conversations, but every message, every call, kept their bond strong.

Y/N found herself looking forward to the small moments they shared, whether it was a late-night text from Zhang Hao after a performance or a surprise call during one of her breaks at the hospital. It wasn't easy, but the effort they both put into staying connected reassured her that they were on the same page.

Zhang Hao, too, found solace in their small moments of connection. No matter how busy he was with promotions, rehearsals, and concerts, knowing that Y/N was there—supporting him from afar—gave him strength. He often thought about her while on stage, imagining her smile in the crowd and feeling a sense of comfort knowing she believed in him.

One weekend, Zhang Hao managed to get a rare day off, and he immediately contacted Y/N, hoping they could spend time together. He wanted to surprise her by showing up at the hospital after her shift, something he had been planning for days.

That afternoon, as Y/N walked out of the hospital, exhausted but ready to head home, she was caught off guard when she saw Zhang Hao standing outside, waiting for her.

"Zhang Hao?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

Zhang Hao grinned, stepping forward. "Surprise! I thought I'd pick you up after your shift."

Y/N's heart swelled with happiness. "I can't believe you're here. How did you manage to get time off?"

"I had to pull some strings," Zhang Hao admitted with a playful smile. "But it was worth it."

Y/N smiled brightly, all her exhaustion melting away. "It's so good to see you."

They spent the evening walking through the city, enjoying the rare time they had together. For a few hours, it felt like they were just two normal people, free from the pressures of their jobs and their hectic lives.

As they strolled along the quiet streets, Zhang Hao reached for Y/N's hand, lacing his fingers with hers. "I missed this," he said softly. "Being with you."

Y/N squeezed his hand, her heart full. "I missed it too."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of them savoring the rare moments of peace. Eventually, Zhang Hao spoke again, his voice filled with sincerity. "I don't care how busy we get. I want to keep making time for us."

Y/N looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection. "Me too."

That night, as they sat together under the stars, Y/N realized that no matter how difficult their lives became, as long as they continued to make each other a priority, they could face anything together.