Unexpected Love [YiZhan FF] ✔️

-13- Awkward mood

-13- Awkward mood

When Yibo was called to the director's office for the second time, Zhan was already getting a stomachache from what she would say this time. Because even though Zhan and Yibo more than held themselves back at work and only talked to each other when it came to work and otherwise avoided each other, he knew that his colleagues, didn't stop watching them and talking behind their backs.

Therefore, for a month now there was an awkward atmosphere at work, not only between Zhan and Yibo, but also among his colleagues. Most of the colleagues who don't have a problem with the relationship between Zhan and Yibo get into arguments with those three colleagues who have complained about the relationship in a very official way.

And with every day that went by, Zhan felt less and less like going to work and thought more and more about going back to the big publishing houses to try his dream job as an editor again. When Zhan approached Yibo with this idea, he immediately became restless and was absolutely against it. "We said that we would be able to handle it together. So don't give up now, OK?" Yibo had said.

But Zhan knew that these colleagues, would not give up. "Just because I might be working somewhere else doesn't mean our relationship will end because of this. I'm just looking for a way to ease the situation."

"ZhanZhan, if nothing else helps, you can always switch areas."

"Yibo, you know as well as I do, there's no place for me in those other areas. All the positions have been filled. So they'd fire me anyway. And before that happens, I'd like to try and find another job."

"You can't quit now, ZhanZhan. It's only been a few weeks."

"It's been four weeks Yibo, and it's not getting any better. Although we keep telling ourselves that. These three aren't giving up."

"But if you give up now, they've won."

"I don't want to give up. I'm just trying to keep my options open. And it wouldn't change anything between us. Look, you and I are together every day, and we're even living together now. We just wouldn't see each other at work anymore, that's all."

"Yeah, Zhan, for you, maybe. I, on the other hand, love working with you and I think you're a great asset to the residents. They would be very sad if you suddenly stopped working there."

Zhan kept thinking about these words. He didn't want to let the residents down and he loved that work. And he also loved working with Yibo and he wanted to keep doing it. So he promised Yibo that he wouldn't give up and he would keep doing it.

But now Yibo had to go again to the director and Zhan was afraid that there would be trouble again.

When Yibo came back from his talk after more than an hour, he went up to Zhan and hugged him in front of all his colleagues. Zhan immediately panicked and tried to release the hug. But then Yibo said, "Our relationship is officially known by the director of the nursing home and now also by the board of directors, and the board of directors said that we can be a couple as long as we do our job. And they said, there is nothing wrong with having lunch together or a hug. And if that bothers anyone, they're free to find another job." Yibo had said it extra loud so that those colleagues who kept complaining because they wanted to take revenge on Yibo after he criticized their work ethics would hear it.

"Does this mean we can talk again?"

"Mm. And spend our breaks together. ZhanZhan, the board said they don't tolerate bullying and we have their full support."

Zhan was so happy when he heard that, he almost kissed Yibo. And after four long weeks, they were finally able to spend their lunch break together again. And Yibo had also decided to walk hand in hand with Zhan to the canteen. Many of the colleagues from the other areas smiled when they saw the two of them together again. A few even said they were happy that the two were no longer hiding their relationship.

And even if Zhan was happy, he still prepared himself inwardly for the next attack of his colleagues. He knew that these three would not give up so quickly. But that was the smallest problem he had at the moment.

He was more worried about how to tell his parents about his relationship with Yibo. Now that they have been a couple for two months, and even live together after Yibo officially moved in with him two weeks ago, it was time to tell his parents about him.

But maybe Zhan should start by confessing that he doesn't like women, but men. His conservative parents still don't know it. He had only told the truth to his big sister years ago. And even she needed a while before she could accept his homosexuality.

But with Zhan's God-fearing and conservative parents it will be much more difficult. There were already big problems when he refused to go back to his parents and get married after his studies. At that time they had even found a bride for him. And when he told them that he would not move back in with them, and certainly not marry a stranger, they angrily broke off contact for almost six months.

The argument with his parents had caused Zhan many sleepless hours and he tried everything possible to reconcile them with him again. He even sent them money every month so that his mother would no longer have to go to work. And it was only when Zhan's big sister talked them into the conscience and explained to them that he would not find any work in the countryside to support them, that they gave in and were ready for a discussion.

At that time, Zhan had promised his father, who works as a manager on a cattle farm, and his mother, who was once a milker on the same farm, that he would support them financially and take them to live with him if the two could no longer work. He also had to promise them, as soon as he met someone, to introduce them to each other.

But his parents expected that this person would be a woman who would take care of him, the household and the future children. And not a man who wants to make a career in his profession and is even younger than Zhan.

Zhan had even already talked to Yibo's parents about his concern over how his parents would react. And the two told him that they somehow could understand when they are angry and shocked, since he is their only son after all and they have high expectations of him. But they also said that they will support Zhan and that he can come to them anytime.

Yibo even told him that they could wait to tell his parents about him. But Zhan doesn't want to hide his relationship and especially his love for Yibo anymore and tell them that he is very happy with Yibo. He wants his parents to see how happy Yibo makes him.

And that's exactly why he has invited his parents to visit him and Yibo at home for the coming weekend. He wants to introduce Yibo to them and tell them the truth about his homosexuality. And the closer the day of their arrival, the more nervous Zhan gets.

During their lunch together in Yibo's office, Zhan told him that he hopes that his parents will at least take the time to get to know him. He said that he hoped they would not reject him right away. "ZhanZhan, no matter what happens this weekend. Nothing will change between you and me. We'll stay together and not let anything break us up. I promise you, no matter what they may say against me, I won't take it to heart."

"Well, maybe it won't be so bad. My sister said that a gay couple recently moved to the village and our parents are getting along really well with them. So at least there's some hope."

"With their own son, maybe it's something else. But we'll know in a few days. Don't worry too much, I'll be with you no matter what happens. Day by day. Today you should just be happy that we both don't have to hide our feelings for each other, or rather, our relationship, anymore."

"You're right, Yibo. We should celebrate tonight with a glass of wine, maybe two glasses of wine." Zhan said, giggling.

Zhan decided to forget his troubles for now and concentrate on today, this here and now. It's useless for him to panic beforehand and thus not be able to enjoy the good things that are happening.