The Substitute Bride - Yizhan

Chapter Twelve 💐

The faint sound of his footsteps could be heard in the hallway of the building's fifth floor. He couldn't believe he was here again. What else could he and Yibo possibly talk about?

It felt like his chest would split from the nervousness and uncertainty as he stood before Yibo's unit door. Zhan took a deep, calming breath, and raised his hand to knock. Before he could, the door opened, and there stood Yibo.

Seeing the confusion on Zhan's face, Yibo said, "I instructed the guard at the entrance to notify me when you arrived."

Zhan slowly lowered his hand, which was still hovering just above the door, ready to knock.

Yibo gave him a slow once-over, from head to toe. Zhan was wearing a white three-fourth-sleeved polo, and underneath was a yellow and green horizontally striped crop shirt. Yibo's eyes were drawn to the spot where the shirt met Zhan's denim jeans, which rested low on his hips, revealing a glimpse of his lower abdomen with every movement.

There was no point in wearing the clothes he used to wear to the office this time. Yibo had already seen his true self. Besides, his parents would only wonder even more, especially since he had already mentioned that he was resigning. So, there was no need to keep up the pretense.

Zhan opted not to style his hair with gel in the old-fashioned way as he always did. He applied light eye makeup to gently conceal the puffiness around his eyes. He would have worn dark glasses. But knowing Yibo after last night, he was worried that Yibo would get rid of it as well.

Something akin to admiration crossed Yibo's eyes. "And knowing you," Yibo added, "not a minute late." The corner of his lips twisted a little in a smile.

"Whatever it is you want to talk about, let's start now, Mr. Lan," Zhan said in a businesslike tone, walking past Yibo and entering the room.

Yibo chuckled. "Old habits die hard, my so efficient and proper secretary."

Zhan stopped on his tracks as his eyes focused on the spot where he and Yibo had sex last night. Images of them together flashed in his mind. And he couldn't believe the sudden heat that gathered in him, he let out a soft breath.

"Pleasant memories?" Yibo teased, guessing the reason he stopped in the middle of the living room.

Zhan's face flushed, and he was relieved that his back was facing Yibo. He made his way to the lone cushioned sofa and took a seat.

Yibo followed him and stood a short distance in front of him, observing him closely with his gaze once again. "My god, you look like a seventeen-year-old, Zhan! I can't decide if I want your old self back. In that outfit of yours, I feel fifty-ish."

"Mr. Lan-"

"Yibo."

"All right, Yibo," ZHan snapped. " "I can't stay long."

"Care for anything?"

Zhan wanted to scream at how calm and casual Yibo was, while every nerve in his body felt like it was being shredded by tension.

And the man had that foolish grin on his face. Zhan was tempted to reach out and grab Yibo's face, wishing he could crush that annoying grin away that was getting on his nerves.

Zhan groaned inwardly, he was being childish. Yet he had the feeling that Yibo was enjoying every minute of this.

"No, thank you." Zhan's voice was icy cold. "What are we going to talk about, Yibo?"