Until Next Time - Yizhan

Chapter Forty Eight

BOLD ITALIC illustrates Yibo's subconscious mind, where he engages in conversations with his late grandfather, Lan Xie Yun.

Zhan and Yibo were watching the private speedboat that was about to take Zhoucheng and Ziyi to the mainland that afternoon. The couple opted out of the helicopter ride to Beijing, choosing instead to travel back by ship.

As soon as Quiren found out about his son's plan, he wasted no time and called Zhan's parents the very next morning. Unfortunately, their housemaid who answered the phone informed him that the couple had already headed to the airport for their flight back to China. This pushed Zhoucheng and Ziyi to leave in a hurry.

"They're pretty far off. Let's go," Yibo said, wrapping Zhan's arms around him and guiding him toward the shore. "Dad's not wasting any time, Yibo," said Zhan. "They'll be here any moment."

Yibo wrapped his arm around Zhan a little tighter. "Great! This might just make our wedding happen sooner." Yibo planted a soft kiss on his temple.

Zhan gradually slipped out of Yibo's embrace and sat down on the sand. He curled up with his legs hugged tight and stared at the ocean. After some time, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the blue sea with a soft red glow. Tiny waves lapped at the shore, retreating and returning in a soothing rhythm. The calmness around him stood in stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart and mind.

He went to Gusu Island for two reasons. First off, he wanted to support Ziyi in backing out of her engagement to Yibo for Zhoucheng's sake. Second, is his curiosity about Lan Xie Yun.

Now, he ended up being Yibo 's fiancé. He couldn't wrap his head around how fast things had gotten to this point. Though in his heart of hearts, he felt no resistance.

"Did you really mean what you said to your parents about us getting married? Yibo..." Zhan said in a hushed tone.

Yibo asked, "Did you really think I was kidding when I said I wanted to marry you?"

Zhan did not answer, he inhaled softly and filled his lungs with air. "I-I had a boyfriend once..." he spoke softly after a while. Eyes remained focused on the sea. "A couple of years back..."

"It doesn't matter," said Yibo in a firm voice. "I had my share of women, too..."

A soft sigh came out of Zhan's lips. "I've heard the traditions... that-that Lan's married virgins. What if I tell you I'm not anymore

"Shut up!" Yibo cut Zhan angrily. "I said it doesn't matter. Virgin or not, I'll marry you!"

Zhan raised his eyes to meet Yibo's intense gaze. Yibo's handsome face was etched with controlled anger.

"There's no need to be angry," Zhan said in a slightly irritated voice.

"I don't want to talk about that thing. About other men! My parents assumed that you are a virgin. That's enough."

"Don't you want to know if their assumption was right?" Zhan gently asked in a challenging voice. He wanted to know why Yibo would marry him. He wanted to hear something from him.

Yibo took a deep breath. Kicked a small stone at the foot. "I'd definitely know..." Yibo's gaze fell on him, meaningfully. "If not one of these days, then on our wedding night." Yibo's face turned serious. "But I wish to hell that this would be the last time that we talk about this!"

Again, Zhan let out a sigh. "I agree to marry you, yet I don't know why..." Perhaps because I do love you. He glanced up at Yibo, taking in every detail of his face. "And I never had a man in my life."