Fated Connections ZB1 Zhang Hao x Fem reader

Chapter 28: Reality Hits

The following morning, the peaceful quiet of Zhang Hao's visit was shattered by the reality of their busy lives. While Zhang Hao had been able to take a brief break from his schedule, it wasn't long before the demands of the industry came knocking again. His phone buzzed non-stop with messages from his manager, and Y/N noticed the slight change in his expression as he checked his notifications.

Zhang Hao sighed and glanced at Y/N apologetically. "It looks like they need me back earlier than expected. We have some last-minute rehearsals before the next round of promotions."

Y/N tried to hide her disappointment, offering a small smile instead. "I understand. You have a lot on your plate."

Zhang Hao reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his. "I don't want to leave so soon, but this is just part of the job, you know?"

Y/N nodded, squeezing his hand. "I get it, Hao. It's what you love doing, and I support you. I just wish we had more time together."

"Me too," Zhang Hao murmured, his eyes soft with regret. "But we'll figure it out. This isn't the end of our time together."

That afternoon, they found themselves at the airport, the excitement of the past two days fading into a bittersweet reality. Zhang Hao had to return to his life as an idol, and Y/N to her life as a doctor. It was always the same—brief moments of happiness followed by inevitable separation. Yet, somehow, they made it work.

As they stood near the security checkpoint, Zhang Hao turned to Y/N, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm going to miss you," he whispered against her hair.

Y/N wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "I'll miss you too," she said, her voice barely audible. "But we'll see each other soon. You promised."

"I'll keep that promise," Zhang Hao reassured her, pulling back slightly to look her in the eyes. "No matter how busy things get, we'll make time for each other. I won't let anything get in the way of us."

Y/N nodded, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "I know. I trust you."

Zhang Hao leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Take care of yourself, okay? Don't overwork yourself."

"You too," Y/N replied softly. "Stay healthy, and don't forget to eat properly."

They both chuckled, the tension easing slightly with the familiar exchange. But as the announcement for Zhang Hao's flight echoed through the airport, the reality of their parting hit them both once again.

Zhang Hao pulled her in for one last hug before stepping back, his eyes lingering on her. "I'll call you when I land," he said, giving her one final smile before turning and heading toward the gate.

Y/N watched as he disappeared through security, her heart heavy with the familiar ache of saying goodbye. She knew this wasn't the last time they'd part ways like this, but that didn't make it any easier.

The next few days were quiet. Y/N threw herself into her work at the hospital, trying to distract herself from the loneliness that had crept in after Zhang Hao left. She stayed busy, taking extra shifts and focusing on her patients. But no matter how much she tried to keep her mind occupied, she couldn't stop thinking about him.

Zhang Hao, meanwhile, was back in the whirlwind of idol life. Rehearsals, interviews, and fan events consumed his time, leaving him little room to breathe, let alone reflect on the time he had spent with Y/N. But despite the busy schedule, Zhang Hao made sure to send Y/N voice messages whenever he had a spare moment. Hearing his voice always brought her a sense of comfort, reminding her that they were still connected, even from afar.

One night, after a particularly long shift, Y/N collapsed onto her bed, her body aching from the day's work. As she lay there, her phone buzzed with a message from Zhang Hao. She opened it and saw a video message, her heart lifting instantly.

Zhang Hao's tired face appeared on the screen, but his smile was bright as ever.

"Hey, Y/N," he said, his voice warm. "I just finished rehearsals, and I wanted to check in on you. I miss you already. Things have been crazy, but I've been thinking about you a lot. I hope you're doing okay."

Y/N smiled as she watched the video, feeling her heart swell with affection. Even though they were far apart, moments like this made her feel closer to him.

She sent a quick reply, her voice soft with exhaustion. "I miss you too, Hao. Work's been keeping me busy, but I'm okay. Just tired, as usual. I'm glad you're doing well. Don't forget to rest."

Almost immediately, Zhang Hao responded with a voice message.

"I won't forget," he said, his tone light but sincere. "And you need to rest too. We both need to take care of ourselves so that when we see each other again, we're not completely drained."

Y/N chuckled, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "I'll rest. I promise."

As the conversation continued, Y/N realized that, despite the distance and their separate lives, they had something solid. Their connection was strong enough to withstand the challenges of their careers, and that gave her hope for the future.

As the days turned into weeks, Zhang Hao and Y/N settled back into their routines, but this time with a renewed sense of commitment to making their relationship work. They knew there would be more goodbyes, more periods of separation, but they also knew that each reunion would be worth the wait.

Zhang Hao's career would continue to grow, and Y/N's responsibilities as a doctor would only increase, but no matter how far apart they were, they would always find their way back to each other.

As Y/N lay in bed that night, listening to the sound of Zhang Hao's voice through her phone, she smiled, knowing that this wasn't the end of their story. It was just the beginning.