In Between Us || Zhanyi

Untitled Part 27

Last Worked: 17/09/2024

Yibo walked briskly towards the café near to his university, his backpack slung over one shoulder, hair falling messily over his forehead as he took long strides, absorbed in his own thoughts, the wind caressed his skin, making some of his lose hair strands to flatter effortlessly. Under the hue of the setting sun, even with exhaustion, Yibo was just ethereal.

It had been a week, Zhan had gone for the trip and for this whole time, his entire focus had been on studying, the weight of his goals growing heavier each day. Ever since Zhan had left, Yibo found himself spending endless hours reviewing notes, determined to keep his mind from wandering. He even lost his appetite, not even concerned for his deteriorate health. The meal given by the in-charge often left untouched. He made himself work till exhaustion overtook his body.

Yibo, though usually self-reliant, found himself falling behind. The exam dates loomed close, and he hadn't had enough time to clear his backlogs. He had always managed on his own, never turning to Zhan for help with his studies. He knew from the start that Zhan wouldn't show favouritism just because they were married, so not to make things complicated or not wanting to seem needy or troubled.....he never approached Zhan with his struggles.

At this point, there was only one person he trusted with his struggles, a trust that allowed him to ask for help – a trust that he could not still had on Zhan. And here comes the person—Professor Liu Haikuan. As he made his way through the café doors, Yibo recalled how, as a freshman, he had met Prof Kuan, his first mentor and guide. Kuan had been warm, understanding, and had a knack for seeing through Yibo's reluctance to accept help. Back then, Kuan had not only helped him with university decorum but also introduced him to his first high-paid tutoring job, one that had helped ease his financial load to a great extent.

It was just an incident that still fresh in Yibo's memory where he disappointed Kuan, hurt him, upset him. He lost the face to the prof and after that he isolated himself from him, never crossing his path. Now, year later, Yibo had turned to him to get his academic footing back, to get his glory back.

Liu Haikuan, the soft-spoken, gentle professor who taught foundational courses and mostly associated with college counselling, had always been there for Yibo. Unlike Zhan, who was straightforward, Kuan was perceptive. Dealing with new students, welcoming them into new environment, nurturing them to adopt changes.....Kuan was exact opposite to Zhan's way of dealing. AS a prof Zhan was like that motivation, inspiration which kick your mind to achieve success, to stay focus on your goal where Kuan was the initial helping hand who taught you to believe in yourself.

It was easy for him to understand that Yibo rarely asked for help unless he was desperate. When Yibo asked a week ago after dwelling outside the faculty lounge for hour, the gentle professor without a single word readily agreed to help, but it didn't go unnoticed from the prof, the dark circles under Yibo's eyes, his unusually quiet demeanor, and the way his health was beginning to falter.

Kuan also knew, neither his words would help, nor he could make Yibo speak, nor he had any right to sneak into Yibo's private life. All he could do was giving Yibo the support he required currently for his academic growth. He was not unaware about Yibo recent decrease, also the fact he was been bashed by Zhan in the class. Also, rumours were there that he had been summoned by Zhan in private multiple times.