It all started with a lesson (Yizhan/Wnagxiao)

Chapter 13: Wanting answers

!!!!THIS IS ENTIRELY FICTIONAL!!!!

Almost forgot to put the disclaimers haha.

XZ:

He wanted to understand. That was all he wanted.

'I can't believe I'm saying this.' Xiao Zhan spoke into his phone.'But I agree with your sister.'

'Yeah ok that's not normal.' Yubin replied. 'But about what?'

'Wang Yibo is actually nice.' Xiao Zhan emphasised the word nice.

'Pfft my sister's gonna be ecstatic. She and her colleagues all love their boss. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if I found out Wang Yibo has been brainwashing you all.' Yubin smiled. 'But then what about all those stories you hear about him. Like him having tons of power in terms of politics and stuff like that. Basically stuff that doesn't make sense to me.'

'Well, I haven't seen anything related to politics or the government so I'll just ignore that. Erm...' Xiao Zhan paused to collect his thoughts. 'Like it's complicated. Wang Yibo is a complicated character. It's almost like he'd be one of the nicest and bestest people if he could be; but he was put in this situation and so he has no choice but to act this way.'

'That...' Yubin paused dramatically, 'was probably the most confusing thing you've said this week and that's saying something.'

Xiao Zhan chuckled, 'Sorry, I think you have to meet him to understand.'

'Yeah like that'll ever happen.' Yubin replied. Then there was silence. 'So... does Wang Yibo have any weird habits? Like I heard that rich people are all weird. Give me all the gossip.'

Xiao Zhab laughed at his friend's attempt at keeping the conversation going. 'Not so far.' Xiao Zhan replied, still smiling. 'Although he does disappear from time to time. Like I work for him right? I'm his personal assistant but sometimes I"m not allowed to go with him to certain places. He seems to always disappear from around 7 to 10 before randomly appearing again. Sometimes he reappears so disheveled I don't even know what to think.'

'Well everyone has to have their activities right?' Yubin teased. This comment made Zhan feel weird. He felt his heart drop in disappointment and felt... just wrong but he didn't know why. Zhan could practically see Yubin raise his eyebrows, smirking from the other side of town just by listening to his voice but for once he felt like he couldn't let go of this remark and was beyond bothered by it.

'I...' Xiao Zhan didn't know if he should say something. He didn't know if it'd come off as weird or strange if he said anything. His thoughts felt as though they were rooted to the spot; not able to move or run the way they would before. In the end all that came out of his mouth was, 'I don't know.'

Yubin, being the great friend that he was, felt something was off. 'Zhanzhan my sister disappears from time to time too. I wouldn't be surprised if you started disappearing.'

'Seems like you're prepared for all the surprises.' Xiao Zhan replied taking note of all the time Yubin had said 'I wouldn't be surprised if...'

'You know?' Yubin finally opened his mouth after a while. 'It's been maybe 2 days? And you already seem happier.'

'I am happier.' Xiao Zhan sighed. 'I don't have to worry about rent anymore. I think I might ask Yibo to just move in here. This room is better than my entire apartment anyways.'

'Do you think he'll allow it?' Yubin asked.

'I don't know.' Xiao Zhan muttered. 'But there isn't any harm in trying.'

----------o0o----------

Xiao Zhan was pacing in anticipation. He didn't know how but he somehow managed to convince himself that asking Yibo to stay at the house everyday was something big. He was absolutely terrified.

Yibo had left the house earlier than usual that day. By earlier Xiao Zhan meant 2 hours earlier. Wang Yibo who usually disappeared at 7 was gone by 5 and no one had informed Xiao Zhan.

'Mr. Xiao, why so worried?' A voice called out from across the living room.

'I'm his personal assistant and no one tells me he'll be gone at 5?' Xiao Zhan half asked, half complained.

'I understand your frustration.' Richard smiled warmly as he stepped towards Xiao Zhan. 'I was in your position when I first came here too.'

'Really?' Xiao Zhan questioned.

'Wang Yibo might have grown up parentless for the majority of his life but that doesn't mean he's not similar to them in any way at all.' Richard explained. 'In fact, Mr. Wang's parents were a lot colder and distant than he is.'

'... how?' Xiao Zhan asked.

'This entire family,' Richard sighed, 'we must pity them. Everyone of them has had a complicated and somewhat tragic past yet because of their position, they are always painted as predators. Never given any sympathy by anyone.'

'I doubt Wang Yibo is the type who'd want sympathy though.' Xiao Zhan remarked.

'Ahh.... The young master probably has the most complicated and tragic past of them all. I remember, when he was young, such a kind and warm soul.' Richard stared into the distance temporarily captured by the fragments of his own memory. 'Such a shame.'

'I'm guessing you won't tell me what happened.' Xiao Zhan crossed his arms and pouted a little.

'No.' Richard chickled. 'It's his story. He'll tell you when he's ready.'

'Assuming I don't get fired first.' Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes.

'You won't.' Richard assured. 'Or at least it'll be very difficult. I can tell Mr. Wang likes you.'

'..Huh...' Xiao Zhan and Richard both sat in the room silent for a while.

'You know,' Richard spoke suddenly, 'There was a time, when all Mr. Wang seemed to be sympathy.'

'What happened?' Xiao Zhan inquired. 'Oh... er... you don't have to tell me.'

'No, no I think this should be alright to say.' Richard smiled sadly.

'So what happened?' Xiao Zhan repeated.

'He received none.' Richard's eyes suddenly looked burdened, his eyes dimmed, and expression troubled. 'Eventually he adapted-'

'-He became desensitised didn't he?' Xiao Zhan cut across Richard's explanation, 'he received none and therefore to stop or numb the pain of disappointment and hurt he just repressed it didn't he?'

'I see why Mr. Wang likes you.' Richard changed the topic suddenly, 'I think he thinks you understand.'

'I do' Xiao Zhan guaranteed.

'That makes me feel relieved.' Richard answered.

!!!!THIS IS ENTIRELY FICTIONAL!!!!

And now we start getting to the interesting part. I felt like my writing over here was extremely cringe. I didn't edit this yet and I'm not reading over it yet but I do always occasionally go back to read everything from the start just to try and maintain the flow of the story. So if there are any mistakes and if I'm bothered enough I'll fix it later.

Yeah I refuse to make this story anything less than 50 chapters (well I mean considering my writing style I don't actually really have a choice.

We'll also be exploring XZ's past later on.