The Florist | YiZhan

Chapter 10

"I'm so sorry, Meng-jie," the florist apologized as he clings to his friend's arm. "I told you to go! You've been apart from your family for months. It's time for you to go back," the female florist said as she gently removes Xiao Zhan's hand. "But A-Bin, who will take care of him?"

"Aish, I'll call my grandma from the farm. He's already getting better, so you don't have to worry anymore." Xiao Zhan felt uneasy, he doesn't want to leave at all, his friend was still in a critical condition. Even if Meng Ziyi said he was doing fine now, he knows there's still some complications left.

"I won't go any-"

"Nope! You're going! I'm not letting you work here, you're fired!" She said and Xiao Zhan immediately took a step back. "What!? You can't do that!" He complained.

"I can, I own this flower shop! Now if you don't go, you can never come back here again!" She said as she started pushing Xiao Zhan at the door. "Meng-jie," he pleaded as he sniffles for a bit. The female florist was actually surprised to see Xiao Zhan crying. "H-Hey, why are you-?" She was suddenly wrapped in a tight embraced as Xiao Zhan weeps.

"I'm so sorry, please let me come back," he whines and Meng Ziyi chuckles as she pats her friend's back. "You silly boy ah! Of course you can, I was just joking earlier," she said as she continued to gently pat his back.

"You know why I came here..." He whispered and Ziyi's eyes immediately soften. "Yeah, I know, now go back to your family. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back. Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Hopefully when you come back, A-Bin's here to greet you."

"Thank you, Meng-jie. I promise, I'll be back soon," the florist stated as he lets go from the hug and gave his friend a huge smile. The female florist snorted and said, "Be safe on your way."

• • •

Xiao Zhan sat on the train for about an hour now and he still didn't arrive at his destination. There were at least three more stations before reaching his home. So much for Zhuocheng preparing my travel expenses! Xiao Zhan actually thought his younger step-brother would at least offer him a driver with car to get home but he made him ride the train that is flooding with people. It's not that he doesn't like riding public transportation, this was a long ride and too much of a hassle.

Wrapping his dark green scarf around his neck tighter to gather more warmth, he sighed and actually felt a bit nervous for coming home. He adjusted his airpods and silently listened to the music. Xiao Zhan left early in the morning, around 4 am and he couldn't help but start dozing off. Hugging his luggage bag in his arms, he started falling asleep.

Xiao Zhan woke up with the announcement inside the train, "This is the last station." The florist immediately sat up straight and noticed that almost everyone on the train already got off. Standing up, he made his way outside, too.

With tired feet, he went out of the train station and waited for a taxi to stop. It took him 10 minutes to hitch a ride and he made his way to the old Wang household. He felt nervous once more but couldn't help but feel happy. He saw the familiar structures of the buildings that he went passed and the way to the main house.

"Aiya, please just drop me off by the entrance," he said politely as he handed the driver the payment for the ride. Stopping at the side of the huge gates of the mansion, Xiao Zhan stepped outside and heaves a sigh. Before he could press the doorbell, a guard appeared.

"Young master Zhan!" He cried and immediately opened the gates. "Ah, hello there. It's been a while," the florist replied with an awkward cough. "Young master, you could've notify us with your arrival, we could've picked you up."