In Between Us || Zhanyi

|| 36 ||

The board outside still clearly read Unavailable—how dare someone ignore it? Worse, the person didn't even knock or wait for permission. Feels like, I need to teach people some good lesson..............Zhan's anger surged, as he gritted his teeth in highest level of annoyance. He tapped the tip of his middle finger on the table as he eyes dart the person straight.

"Good afternoon, Xiao!" came a casual greeting. It was none other than Prof. Kuan.

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear. The sign outside isn't for decoration, Prof. Hai Kuan. It means stay out. Are you heard of understanding, or just reckless to enter the admin head cabin without even knocking?" Zhan's voice low and cold, with a threatening edge

Kuan unfazed, he knew Zhan's temper and what he had done was wrong too but still with a slight smirk, he stepped forward confidently "Chill Man, firstly our working hours are over, so right now I am here just to meet my friend Sean Xiao Zhan, not the admin head. Still, I am sorry for intruding inside your cabin without knock or permission, I know it's wrong but that's your fault" Kuan spoke as he walked up to the table. "You've been lost all day! I already came by three times, even had texted and emailed you, but no reply. So when I saw you on campus just now, I figured I'd risk it. It is really urgent for me."

Zhan sighed heavily, huffing as he tried to temper the annoyance threatening to boil over. He couldn't ignore Kuan entirely; after all, they were colleagues, and Kuan, like him, was a part of the university as well as his friend too. Still, the interruption grated on his nerves—especially when every inch of his being was preoccupied with the thought of Yibo.

Kuan strolled in, his eyes briefly landing on the untouched sandwich and protein drink on Zhan's desk. But he failed to notice the red in Zhan's eyes, a telltale sign of the emotional storm that had brewed in him.

Dropping into the chair opposite Zhan's desk, Kuan leaned back casually. "You okay? You look pale. Sorry if I'm disturbing you—it's just... I feel, it bit urgent." His tone was apologetic but firm, signaling the urgency of the matter.

He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair as he tried to calm the storm raging within. Swallowing down the urge to bark at him to leave, Zhan gestured toward the sofa with a resigned wave of his hand. "Fine...Come on, then. Let's talk."

"Thank you so much" Kuan chirped

"Let's just hope your sense of urgency is worth the career gamble you've just made...prof Kuan, as even the working hours are over, I was still sitting here as your superior only" Zhan spoke the words coldly making Kuan shiver for a moment as he nodded his head.

Kuan smiled slightly at the gesture, seemingly pleased with Zhan's willingness to listen despite the clear exhaustion etched on his face. Kuan moved to take a seat on the sofa instead of the table where they were superior and subordinate. This is what people admired about Zhan, he thought. Despite his position and authority, Zhan carried himself with a humility that earned him respect from colleagues and students alike. He never flaunt his authority, just use it to keep everything under tap.

Settling across from Kuan, Zhan tapped the intercom and ordered coffee for Kuan. Once the clerk confirmed, Zhan folded his hands neatly, masking his impatience. "Go on," he said, his voice measured.

"It's about Yibo—you know, the student from final year Wang Yibo," Kuan began, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

Zhan's grip tightened against the leather edge of the sofa, the name cutting through him like a blade. His face betrayed no reaction, but internally, a storm brewed. Why is Yibo's name on his lips?

The name hit Zhan like a thunderclap, and his grip tightened instinctively on the edge of the sofa. Yibo. Of all people. So this is was so urgent. The sound of his husband's name on Kuan's lips sent a flicker of unease spiraling through him, coiling tight in his chest. The memory of their earlier interaction—of Yibo's expression, their proximity—flashed vividly in his mind, stoking a jealousy he struggled to keep buried.

His features remained stoic, though his knuckles whitened as he clasped his hands tighter. . "You and Yibo seem close. You've been helping him a lot recently," Zhan said, his voice laced with subtle sarcasm.

Kuan, still unsuspecting, nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Yibo's been struggling lately, so I've been giving him some extra help. He's a bright student, also very cute and shy"

Zhan's eyes darkened. "I see, you had an impression of him" he pressed, trying to mask the bitterness in his voice. Kuan aware of Zhan's inner turmoil nodded in agreement, making Zhan chuckle like mad inside, still outside he maintained his aura "So, What about him?" Zhan asked evenly, though his voice had dropped a fraction, betraying the tension simmering just beneath the surface.

Kuan didn't seem to notice. "There's something I've been meaning to discuss beyond his academic performance. I felt it was necessary to consult you before taking any action"

Kuan paused and sighed loudly while Zhan sat rigid, an unfamiliar sense of dread curled in the pit of his stomach as his intuition screamed that this conversation would upturn his life.

Kuan unaware of the landmine he was stepping onto, continued casually "Yibo's a bright student, but I think..........." Kuan sighed......... "I think he's been struggling lately.........especially with his personal life........with his marriage"

A cold sweat ran down Zhan's spine............How could it possible? How come Kuan has the knowledge of their marriage? 

...To Be Continued