University High (Yizhan Fanfiction)

Chapter 22: Leaving

Xiaozhan had mulled over the what had happened for a whole night. He felt there was a lump in his throat and it was not going away even after so much was attempted to distract himself. His feelings were a mess. Did he have a girlfriend all these time? He was still serving Zhan's needs and doing his job all these while as if it were nothing. Maybe what he felt for Zhan had changed to the point it would not affect his work. Those question hung over him like a shadow that followed him everywhere he went.

Amidst the emotional turmoil, one thought persisted like a thorny prick sticking in his flesh- it definitely did not feel comfortable sharing Yibo with someone else.

All the while Xiaozhan had wanted Yibo to move on from him but in reality it was Xiaozhan who was not able to move on. He was still standing on the same platform while the other had progressed. He remembered the strong winds on the rooftop that day. The day he hurt him, unknowingly he suffered more of the wounds he tried to inflict upon others. Like an arrow that shot the little bird, like the glass that was broken, like the time that he lost, the words that had been said could no longer be taken back. He had no way of knowing at the time that the seeds of love had been implanted deep in his bones. From there, it could only grow.

Time passed by and soon the night sky was replaced by dusk. Morning had come.

Xiaozhan got ready much earlier than usual since he barely slept the night. For the first time, he wanted to reach the office before Yibo did. Xiaozhan stopped by his favourite breakfast place and picked up a few youtiaus and mungbean porridge on his way to work.

When he got to his floor, his receptionist had not arrived yet, the office was quiet and not all of the lights were turned on yet. Slits of brightness seeping through the white blinds that covered the glass walls could be seen. A cleaner was making her usual rounds and greeted Xiaozhan. She then jerked the blinds open with one switch of a button and the morning glare of the sun came flooding the entire space. It had been a long time he had not enjoyed such a warm glow of the morning sun. After all, he was more of a night owl who came slightly late and worked into the night. Nevertheless, the scenery of dusk had a serene appeal that managed to slightly warm his heart offering promise of a new start.

He walked toward his office with his briefcase on one hand. Opened the door and to his surprise, the ever so familiar young man donned in his usual office attire was already there moving around and arranging files.

The handsome youth turned around and was equally surprised Zhan decided to come early that day.

"Laoshi you're early?" he said while turning to look at him.

Xiaozhan glanced at his watch on his wrist. It was 6:45AM. Work only officially started at 8:00AM. Just how early did this crazy kid arrive? Was this an everyday thing? Xiaozhan was shocked stiff. He had a vague idea about Yibo being diligent at work but had absoulutely no clue that it was to this extent. The realization somehow gave his heart a slight comfort.

"Ohh.. you're the same yourself. Why'd you come so early?"

"But I always come in at 6 on my work days laoshi. Otherwise I won't be able to cram the full week of workload in three days."

Xiaozhan was quite ashamed that despite having worked together for almost six months he actually had no idea. He looked at the young man in front of him bustling with youthful energy and seriousness. Thinking that Such dedication was his alone made his heart tingle with warmth.

"Take a break Yibo come sit and have breakfast with me."

As he said this, Xiaozhan began to open the plastic bag of food and lay them out on the table. There was his favourite mungbean soup with youtiao, a box of buns and steamed radish cakes.