Fated Connections ZB1 Zhang Hao x Fem reader

Chapter 24: A New Challenge

The next morning, Y/N woke up to the soft sound of Zhang Hao typing away on his phone. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Y/N stretched and smiled at Zhang Hao, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, already looking at her.

"Good morning," he said softly, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I didn't want to wake you."

Y/N chuckled, sitting up. "You've been busy?"

"Just replying to a few messages from the team," Zhang Hao said, glancing at his phone. "We have some big schedules coming up."

Y/N's heart sank slightly. She knew what "big schedules" meant—long days, rehearsals, concerts, and media events. The time they spent together was always limited by his commitments. She didn't want to seem selfish, but the thought of Zhang Hao being away again so soon tugged at her.

"How long will you be busy this time?" Y/N asked, trying to sound casual.

Zhang Hao noticed the hesitation in her voice and put down his phone. He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "A few weeks. We're prepping for a big comeback, so it's going to be intense for a while. I'm sorry, Y/N."

Y/N shook her head quickly, forcing a smile. "Don't apologize. I know how important this is for you."

"But it's important to me that we're okay too," Zhang Hao said, his eyes serious. "I hate that we have to be apart so much."

Y/N sighed, looking into his eyes. "I knew what I was getting into when we started this, Hao. I can handle it. Just promise me we'll make time for us when things calm down."

Zhang Hao nodded, relief washing over his face. "I promise. And I'll call every chance I get."

They sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, their hands still intertwined. Y/N knew that supporting Zhang Hao meant accepting the challenges that came with his career. She had always admired his dedication to his dreams, and she wasn't about to stand in the way of that.

Back at the hospital:

Later that day, Y/N returned to work at the hospital. It was another busy shift, with back-to-back patient visits and meetings with colleagues. But throughout the day, her thoughts kept drifting back to Zhang Hao. She wondered how he was handling the pressure of his comeback and whether he was already feeling the weight of their upcoming time apart.

During her lunch break, she received a message from him. It was a short voice memo, but hearing his voice brought a smile to her face.

"Hey, I'm thinking about you. I know we'll be busy, but I can't wait until we can spend more time together. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

Y/N listened to it twice, her heart swelling with affection. She quickly typed out a response.

"I'm thinking about you too. Focus on your comeback, and we'll figure everything out after. I'm proud of you."

Meanwhile with Zerobaseone:

Back at the practice room, Zhang Hao and the rest of Zerobaseone were deep into rehearsals. The upcoming comeback was one of their most anticipated yet, and every member was determined to make it perfect. Hanbin, as the leader, made sure everyone stayed focused, but even he couldn't help but notice Zhang Hao sneaking glances at his phone during breaks.

"You're thinking about Y/N, aren't you?" Hanbin asked, nudging Zhang Hao with a teasing smile.

Zhang Hao laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Is it that obvious?"

Hanbin chuckled. "It's written all over your face. Don't worry, though. We'll get through this comeback, and then you'll have plenty of time to see her."

Zhang Hao nodded, grateful for Hanbin's understanding. The group had always been supportive of his relationship with Y/N, and knowing they had his back made things easier.

As the rehearsals went on, Zhang Hao focused on the choreography, pouring his energy into perfecting every move. He knew that Y/N was rooting for him, and that thought pushed him to work even harder.

Two weeks later:

The comeback preparations were in full swing. Zhang Hao and the group had been working non-stop, and the exhaustion was starting to show. But the excitement of their new music and performances kept their spirits high. Zhang Hao made sure to send Y/N updates whenever he could, whether it was a quick text or a video call after a long day of practice.

Y/N, in turn, supported him from afar, cheering him on through messages and words of encouragement. Even though they were apart, their bond remained strong, strengthened by the understanding and love they shared.

On the day of the comeback:

The day of the comeback arrived, and the entire group was buzzing with anticipation. Y/N had taken a day off from the hospital to watch the live broadcast, eager to see Zhang Hao and the rest of Zerobaseone shine on stage.

As she watched from the comfort of her apartment, her heart swelled with pride. Zhang Hao looked incredible on stage, his energy and passion captivating the audience. Every move, every note was flawless, and Y/N couldn't help but smile as she watched him live out his dream.

When the performance ended, she quickly sent him a message.

"You were amazing, Hao. I'm so proud of you."

Zhang Hao responded almost immediately.

"I felt you cheering me on. Thank you for being with me, even from afar."

Later that night, as Zhang Hao returned to the dorm after a successful day, he called Y/N, his voice filled with excitement.

"We did it," he said, still catching his breath. "The performance went so well."

"I saw it," Y/N replied, her smile audible through the phone. "You were incredible."

Zhang Hao sighed, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his voice. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Y/N's heart warmed at his words. Even though they had been apart, their connection had remained strong, and that was enough for her.