Until Next Time - Yizhan

Chapter Thirty Three

"I would have preferred the horses," said Zhan when they were on the road in a car.

"It's going to take us a while since you can't go too fast. And you did say you wanted to talk."

"Yes, of course." Zhan inhaled deeply before continuing. "Ziyi's been on the island for a few days now..."

So, have you figured out whether you're going to marry her or not..."

"What has it got to do with you?" Yibo shot a quick glance at Zhan, who was staring out the window.

"Just answer me..."

"What if I say yes and actually marry her?"

Zhan sighed heavily. "Do you love her?"

Yibo raised an eyebrow. "Is that what this is really about? You want to know if I actually love her?" he mocked.

"Stop laughing!" Zhan said, clearly irritated.

"But you are funny," Yibo replied. "Is that what you want to talk about?" Zhan took a deep breath again. Ziyi's a sweet girl, Mr. Lan-"

"Sure, your cousin is nice. What's next?"

With a fiery tone, Zhan said, "She doesn't love you, she only obeys her parents. And the likes of you who will fall in love with someone like Ziyi. So, please, I hope you decide not to push through with the marriage plan..."

Yibo pulled over the car and turned to Zhan. "What do you mean by 'people like me,' Zhan?"

Zhan looked away. It was the first time Yibo had called him by name, and the way he said it sent shivers down Zhan's spine.

"You know what I mean."

"Forgive me I can be a bit slow sometimes," Yibo chuckled, poking fun at himself, "but I don't know what you mean," He rested his hand on the back of Zhan's seat and leaned in a bit closer. "Help me understand..." he added.

Zhan shut his eyes for a second. Yibo was too close he could hardly breathe. He could even smell the scent of Yibo's woodsy aftershave. And he couldn't even say what he wanted to say when Yibo was this close.

"Z-Ziyi can't deal with you. You two are just worlds apart."

"She'd make a very submissive wife," Yibo replied with sarcasm in his voice.

"I-I'll bet you... you have women by the dozen swooning at your feet so -,"

"Not as many as you think," said Yibo, a playful grin forming. "And don't you think you could call me Yibo?"

"You don't need Ziyi, you'll just make her life miserable." Zhan continued ignoring the last thing Yibo said.

"How can you judge me?" Yibo shot back.

"Because I know! She was in-" love with someone else. Zhan almost blurted out, his voice lowering. "If you two loved each other, then it'd be another story. But as it is—"

"Is love your measurement of two people's happiness, Zhan?" Yibo cut in again. Before Zhan could respond Yibo added, "That's very romantic of you..."

"Don't mock me!" Zhan snapped. "Just look at your dad and my mom. They had their marriage annulled because because they weren't really in love..."

"And do you wish they hadn't split up? You could have been born in this family as my father's son. Being a Lan isn't a joke, sweetheart," Yibo taunted softly.

Zhan almost lost his composure if not for the endearment Yibo used. He lifted his gaze to Yibo feeling like he was transported back to the time of Lan Xie Yun.

Even Yibo had his eyes on Zhan and couldn't help but admire Zhan's stunning face. There was a mystery in Zhan's eyes that puzzled him, and his lips were slightly parted as if he were waiting for a kiss. Perhaps that was what Zhan truly desired, just like anyone else.

Yibo gently ran his fingers along the back of Zhan's neck, making Zhan sigh with a dreamy look. Leaning in, Yibo pressed his lips against Zhan's, half-expecting Zhan to push him. But Zhan remained passive and Yibo could even hear the soft sigh that came out of Zhan. Yibo savored the taste at the edge of Zhan's lips.

Zhan was stunned and exhilarated. He closed his eyes and whispered. "Xie Yun..."

This caught Yibo off guard, making him pull away abruptly and nudge Zhan a bit. His eyes squinted as he looked down at Zhan's pale face. "You're sick!" he said, a hint of anger in his tone, as he reached for the key and restarted the car.

Zhan was shocked. What on earth was happening to him? How could he just blank out like that? His mind was all over the place, confusing Lan Xie Yun with his grandson. And Yibo kissed him, and he allowed Yibo to kiss him! It wasn't a proper kiss, but it was definitely a kiss.

He just wanted to melt into the ground from embarrassment. And here he was, asking Yibo not to marry Ziyio. This guy probably thought he was doing this for himself and not for his cousin. They both stayed silent until they reached the hotel. "T-thank you..." he stammered as he stepped out, not daring to look Yibo in the eye.

"How long will you and your boyfriend going to talk?" Yibo asked angrily. "Do you also call him Xie Yun every time he kisses you?"

Zhan was totally red in the face this time. He quickly got out of the car and rushed into the hotel lobby. Yibo smacked his head against the headrest, cursing Zhan for getting on his nerves!

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"She can't just do that, Zhan!" clearly frustrated by Zhan's words. Zhan took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I know Ziyi loves you, Cheng. I can feel it. She is just afraid of her mother, and she said even Uncle Lujin begged her to follow her mother's wishes. And maybe she got infatuated with Lan Wang Yibo and the fancy life he offers."

"I don't believe Ziyi to be that shallow," said Zhoucheng in a helpless tone. "She loves me, Zhan..."

After a long silence, Zhan finally spoke up, "I've got a plan, Cheng..."

"What's the plan?"

"I want my cousin to think you're interested in me again..." He cut off Zhoucheng before he could protest. "I want her to get jealous, and maybe that'll make Ziyi change her mind. I saw her face drop when I gave her a hint about us..."

Zhoucheng groaned. "This could just make things messier, Zhan..."

"Do you have a better idea?"