Unexpected Love [YiZhan FF] ✔️

-17- A great offer

-17- A great offer

Zhan had to supervise both groups for almost three weeks. It wasn't difficult at first, but after a few days it was very tiring for him to run back and forth between the two groups and to look after the residents properly.

So he was of course happy when it was said that finally a new social worker was coming for group one. And the new social worker, a man named Tony Yen, in his mid-forties, was very popular with the residents and staff from day one. As soon as he came into the senior care area in the morning, he smiled and greeted everyone very friendly. He went from resident to resident to introduce himself to them and only then did he introduce himself to his new colleagues.

Zhan had the task of introducing his new colleague and was totally enthusiastic about him. They are both very similar in character and although Tony Yen is already in his mid-forties, he seemed like a young man. He told Zhan that he was glad to have found a job at his age and then a job that pays well and takes place in a great working environment.

He already knew about Zoey Meng, who has been arrested and interrogated in the meantime. Zhan thought it was an impertinence that she was released after the interrogation and allowed to continue to walk around outside until her trial. Again and again she showed up near the workplace and tried to stop Zhan and Yibo, allegedly just to talk to them.

Tony Yen said that he heard about her when he came to the institution to sign his employment contract. He had heard some of the personnel department employees talking about it and asked what had happened. And that's when they told him everything in detail. That's how he also found out about the relationship between Zhan and Yibo. "It's good to know that you have a lot of support here. Elsewhere, it might have been just the opposite." Tony Yen said to Zhan when he told him he already knew he and Yibo were going to get married.

"Mmm, we were also very afraid of getting into trouble in the beginning. But luckily, it turned out differently and we have the full support of our colleagues and even the home management." Zhan replied proudly.

Tony Yen has been working there for almost two months now and became Zhan and Yibo's biggest fan. He gave them the name YiZhan and whenever he saw them together, he said happily, "Look at YiZhan, aren't they great?".

It seemed a little strange to Zhan that he always acted like a fan to him and Yibo. And at some point, Tony told him that he himself is gay. But bowing to the pressures of society, and especially his parents, he had to marry a woman. He is father of a daughter and said, had he not been totally drunk, his daughter would never have existed.

His marriage is like the relationship between two siblings. His wife even knows that he is gay, but that does not stop her from holding on to the marriage. Even now that their parents are no longer alive. He would love to finally stand by himself and live the life he always dreamed of. But he is still afraid, because his daughter doesn't know that he likes men and he is worried that he would lose her if she knows the truth.

Zhan felt sorry for Tony and hoped he could face his fears and finally let his true self out. But he could also understand him well. Especially in this country, it is hard to come out and still live normally afterwards. Zhan and Yibo also experienced rejection and even from people they knew long and well. But because they have each other, they could bear it well and left these people behind.

***

The offer

Zhan and Yibo have been a couple for almost a year and a half, have been engaged for almost half a year and plan to marry in less than six weeks. Already now everything is planned and prepared, which is thanks to both families. Especially Yibo's family can hardly wait for the day and Yibo himself, has made a calendar that will last until the wedding day. Every day he pulls off a sheet of paper and proudly explains to Zhan how many days are left just for the wedding.

When they came home from work that afternoon, they found two letters in their mailbox. One from the car dealership where they recently bought a new car. And one, from a major publishing house in Beijing, addressed to Zhan.

Zhan immediately opened the letter and read it with wide open eyes. He read it a second time and then showed it to Yibo. A job offer from the biggest publisher in Beijing. They were looking for an editor and in their search they went through old applications and came across Zhan's application. They are very interested in hiring him and ask him for a phone call.

Excitedly Zhan called there while Yibo sat next to him and listened with his arm around him. The publisher explained to him that they are looking for someone with his qualifications. Zhan also learned that he would receive a double salary as he has now. His own office included. Zhan knew what a great offer this was and would have liked to accept it immediately. But, what about his current job?

After the phone call, he and Yibo looked at each other thoughtfully and nobody really knew what to say. In the end, it was Yibo who said something first. "I think you should accept the offer if you want to work there. It had been your dream all your life and it finally seems like it's coming true." But when Yibo said that, there was a little sadness in his voice.

"You're right Yibo, it had always been my dream and I even studied for it. But I also love the job I have now. Yes, I would get more money and even have my own office. But I would leave all the residents behind. And I couldn't work with you anymore. Just the thought of it feels bad."

Yibo hugged Zhan and giggled. "Just the thought of the two of us not working together anymore, does it feel that way to you?"

"Mm. I know it's ridiculous. But that's just how it is."

"Well, I guess that shows how much you love me and enjoy working with me."

"Well, that's obvious, isn't it? I wouldn't want to marry you if I didn't love you. But seriously, this offer is amazing and it's exactly what I've always wanted. I guess things have changed, though. Now I can't imagine doing anything else."

"And you're in the middle of training to be a caregiver. I'd like to train you to the end and not stop in the middle."

Zhan had started training as a caregiver with Yibo seven months ago, to be more than just a simple social worker and be able to take on caregiving responsibilities. This is exactly what he had wanted for a long time and he wanted to finish his training.

"Ah damn, why do they have to contact me now? Couldn't they have contacted me earlier? How should I decide now? I love doing both."

"Whatever you decide, I'll stand behind you, ZhanZhan." Said Yibo and kissed Zhan "This doesn't change anything between us, you understand ZhanZhan? We'll still be together, still love each other and still have a wedding. No matter what you decide."

Zhan now has a week to think about where he wants to work in the future. Does he want to continue working as a social worker and be trained in care? Or does he want to accept the offer of his dream job, since childhood, and work as a lector?