Zhan headed straight into his cousin's room and opened the door without any hesitation. Unfortunately, what he needed wasn't there. He tried another guest room, but it was just as empty. He then checked out the hallway, which led to the back garden.
That part of the garden was a bit dimmer. He was hoping to see Zhoucheng and Ziyi outside. Instead, a cool breeze greeted him, along with the fragrance of blooming flowers. He glanced around for his cousin and Zhoucheng, but they were nowhere to be found.
Zhan let out a groan and took a deep breath. He would have loved to stay a little while and feel the silence of the surroundings but he had to go find the two.
Just as he was about to step back inside, he stumbled upon the stand.
Yibo is at the entrance, leaning against the French doors with his hands tucked into his pants pockets. "Are you searching for your cousin and your... lover?" The distant light created a silhouette on one side of his face. And it made him look like a phantom.
"He is not my-" Zhan stopped in midsentence.
"He's not your what?" Yibo mocked. "Not your lover?"
"You don't give a damn about my relationship with Zhoucheng..." Zhan shot back.
"I am making it my business," Yibo said in a superior tone. "Because I cannot allow people clandestine in my home."
Zhan's eyes widened. "Did you think Zhoucheng and I were doing—" He couldn't find the words to finish.
"No. I don't think that you and Zhoucheng are doing something appropriate in my house. Because apart from the fact that it's not going to happen, I'm sure you two are not together." Just knowing that brought some relief to Yibo's troubled mind.
Zhan let out a big breath. "Why, you're very inconsistent, Mr. Lan. Just yesterday at the hotel, you accused me of doing something with Zhoucheng inside his room. What's caused this sudden change of heart?" he said sarcastically.
"Relax, Zhan. I am not picking a fight," Yibo said in a chill tone. He walked over to the wicker chair next to Zhan and sat down, putting his legs up on the wicker table. "I am sorry if I misjudged you yesterday... and this morning when I saw you talking outside."
Zhan was surprised, "you're apologizing? Did I hear you right?"
Yibo ignored his taunt. "Even if Ziyi is not around, who looks like she's about to burst into tears every time you looked and talked sweetly at Zhoucheng, I'm still not buying that you have something going on with him. Oh, well... not until I meet him this morning and see you both together in person."
Zhan frowned. "And what do you mean?"
"Zhoucheng is too mild for you, honey. You act like he's your little brother or something and I couldn't be fooled by the intended flirtations," Yibo said in an amused tone. Zhan sighed. He didn't expect Yibo to catch on to his little game with Zhoucheng so quickly. He turned his gaze back to the shadows, anticipating that the two would soon show up from behind the plants.
"I-I am trying to make my cousin jealous, so she'd come to her senses. And I-I couldn't find them..."
"You took the wrong turn," Yibo said, unable to hide his amusement. Zhan walked over to the wicker chairs and sat down on the adjacent sofa.
"They love each other. Ziyi just can't go against her parents. But if you're the one to call it off, then—"
"That might be something we can sort out..."
"Thanks so much!" Zhan replied gently.
"Don't thank me yet. You haven't heard of my condition in case I decide to back out."
