"Hi," Yibo greeted Zhan with a warm smile as soon as the door opened. It had been more than three weeks since they last saw each other, and you could see the hope and longing written all over his face.
"Hi yourself," Zhan responded with a shy smile, holding back the urge to wrap his arms around Yibo. His eyes were full of longing as they met Yibo's. "C-come on in..."
Yibo walked in and took a good look around the place, trying to shake off the tension he was feeling. He had never been this tensed all his life. So unsure of what would happen next.
"So, this is your grandfather's house..." said Yibo as he cleared his throat. He turned his gaze to the portrait of Tang San on the wall. He stared at it for quite a while, lost in thought.
"T-that's grandpa Tang San..." Yibo noticed the name written at the bottom of the painting, and took a step closer to get a better look. "Lan Xie Yun..."
"Yes," Zhan said breathlessly. "Lan Xie Yun painted that portrait in 1948..." Zhan stepped towards the entrance of the balcony.
Yibo followed. His eyes never left Zhan's face. He felt a warmth spread through his body. A warmth that had nothing to do with the hot morning sun which spread out on the balcony. It had something to do with Zhan. That last three weeks was like a death sentence. Now that he had seen him again, it was as if Zhan breathed life into him again, revived and rejuvenated him in a way he would have thought impossible.
"Here... here on this balcony Lan Xie Yun painted Tang San, Yibo," Zhan said excitedly. It's almost as if he's revisiting the moment from seventy years ago. "There," he gestured towards the section of the railing that was covered by a tree's shade. "Tang San was sitting there when Lan- your grandfather painted him..."
"Come here, sweetheart," Yibo urged huskily. Zhan stopped bubbling. The thrill faded from Zhan's expression, giving way to something else—an emotion filled with longing and love. Zhan walked towards him as if he was walking on air.
Yibo encircled Zhan in his arms. Held him tightly for a long while. Then placed a finger on Zhan's chin and raised his face.
"I can paint better than my grandfather, my love," Yibo murmured. "I have painted you in my heart... in my dream... etched every line of you in my mind. It won't fade away like Tang San's portrait. It'll stay vibrant in my heart forever....".
"Oh, I love you so..." Zhan sobbed.
"Just as I love you...." Yibo grabbed something from his pants pocket. He handed Zhan a crumpled tissue paper. "For you, I don't have time to buy a box. I just wanted to get here fast."
Zhan smiled at him. "Wedding ring?"
Yibo shook his head. "You will use the wedding ring that Shi Ying used when she and Lan Xie Yun got married. That is your engagement ring. I should've given it to you the night I announced our engagement..."
Zhan delicately opened the tissue paper and took out the wrapped ring and his eyes lit up in surprise and amazement. "Oh, God!"
Yibo mistook his amazement as appreciation. "I found that in Lan Xie Yun's heirloom box, Zhan. It has a name 'San' engraved on it. That must have been intended for your grandfather."
Yibo took the ring from his hand and put it on his finger. "I had this feeling that that's what this is what I should give you out of all the gems there." Do you mind?"
"M-mind?" Zhan repeated, still seemingly stunned. "W-why should I when this ring belongs to me, Yibo." He looked at Yibo with his eyes misty. Your grandfather gave me this ring... you just gave it back to me.
