Until Next Time - Yizhan

Chapter Nineteen

Present.....

"Zhan, wake up!" Zhoucheng gently shook Zhan, who was sobbing in his sleep. "Come on, Zhan, wake up. You're just dreaming..."

Zhan jerked awake, startled to see Zhoucheng beside him.

"Z-Zhoucheng?"

"You were crying in your sleep," Zhoucheng said, reaching for the water the caretaker had just placed on the nightstand.

"Oh, Zhoucheng, it's really you!"

"Of course, it's me," Zhoucheng said with a slight grin. Zhan was surprised that Zhoucheng had managed to find his grandpa Tang San's house. "Drink some water first."

Instead of grabbing the glass of water, Zhan sprang to his feet and bolted out of the room. He made his way to the window and glanced outside. The street was buzzing with the usual hustle and bustle. The grocery store across the way was packed with customers, and he noticed a few cars passing by.

He was back!

Zhan walked into the room again, surprising both Zhoucheng and the caretaker. He swung open the old cupboard, revealing his clothes inside.

"W-where are Grandpa Tang San's clothes?" asked Zhan.

The caretaker replied, "Didn't I mention last Tuesday that I packed them up and put them in the other room? What do you need the old man's clothes for, son?"

He didn't say a word and dashed into the next room. He saw a large trunk and opened it, he found the old man's clothes and some other stuff that belonged to his grandpa Tang San.

Zhan sat panting on the edge of the bed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Zhoucheng asked, leaning against the doorframe, clearly surprised by Zhan's action.

"N-nothing," Zhan replied quickly.

"It's nearly eleven in the morning, Zhan," Zhoucheng continued. " And I found you still in dreamland, and you were crying. That must've been quite a dream..."

Was that just a dream? Why is there this weight on his chest? Why does he still feel like crying? Why does it feel like he's lost something really important? "Mind telling me what the dream was?" continued Zhoucheng.

"I-I can't remember anymore," he answered. He got to his feet and stepped outside, exploring every part of the house. After some time, he went back to his room, grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand, drank it, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Have I arrived at the wrong time, Zhan?"

He looked up at Zhoucheng "N-no. I-I am glad you came, Cheng. I really am. You couldn't have arrived at a better time. How did you even find this place?"

"Our flights were just a day apart. When two days went by without hearing from you, I decided to call your dad to get your grandpa's address."

Zhan nodded. "Glad you found this place so fast..." Zhan said absentmindedly, still dazed.

"I was here yesterday and the day before," said Zhoucheng. "But all the windows are always closed.

"I came here late last night but the whole house was dark. I even thought that maybe you stayed at the hotel. If I come back today and you're still not here, I'll probably have to call your mom to find out where you are." Zhoucheng forehead furrowed slightly at the amazement on Zhan's face.

"Earlier, when I got here, I saw the old lady unlocking the house," Zhoucheng continued. "We were both taken aback when we heard someone crying from inside. She hurriedly opened the door, and there you were, still asleep but crying out for someone... Who's Xie Yun?"