In Between Us || Zhanyi

|| 56 ||

Hi lovely readers,

💥💥I wanna thank you for keeping up this story as it is a slow burn and slow update one, I understand your dedication and appreciate your patience too. Thank you~~~

🤗🤗Before the story, A small moment --- HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY🥰🥰

She didn't just raise us—she loved us into everything we are.

Her warmth was the kind you feel before you even open your eyes.

Every hug, every word, every sleepless night—she gave it all without question.

Happy Mother's Day to the heart that made our world feel like home. ❤️🌷

Happy Mother's Day~~~~ Mom❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Back to story---- Bedroom~~

Zhan stirred groggily, his lashes fluttering as his senses returned sluggishly. His body felt heavy, limbs aching from the awkward position he had fallen asleep in — slumped beside the bed, forehead resting on the edge, one hand still outstretched.

But the warmth was gone.

The hand he had clutched all this time — gone.

The bed was empty.

His heart dropped.

Zhan bolted upright.

"Yibo?"

His voice cracked through the silence.

No response.

The silence screamed.

His gaze darted around the room, wide with disbelief. The sheets were slightly disturbed, but cold. The air already felt too still, too quiet.

He left.

The thought crashed into him like a wave.

Zhan's body moved before his thoughts could catch up. He scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over the stool, his pulse roaring in his ears. "No, no, no—" he muttered, storming through the bedroom like a man possessed.

Panic had taken hold.

His mind raced through the worst: He left. I can not let him go. He wasn't ready. He's still weak. What if—what if he collapsed again? What if something happened on the way back? What if— No..No...No..it's all my fault.....He must've thought I didn't want him here. What if— he is afraid of me for what I did------------ What if—what if this time I truly lost him?

Zhan's breath came short.

He tore out of the room, nearly slamming into the living room wall as he crossed it in three strides. His car keys skidded across the side table when his hand swept too fast, but he caught them, fingers clumsy with urgency. Wallet. Door. Move.

Campus. Dorm. He must've gone back there. Where else would he go?

He cursed himself under his breath. "I should've stayed awake—damn it, I should've known—! I should have more vigilant!!!!"

Zhan fumbled as he slipped his feet into the cloggers.

Zhan didn't notice the pair of slippers in the hallway. Didn't see the faint trail of steam curling from the half-open kitchen. Didn't see the slim form, barefoot on the tiles, toes curled loosely upon the floor.