Rue

2

Wang Yibo indeed went back to him after about an hour or two. It may be a long time but not for Xiao Zhan as he used those times to take a nap as he was also tired from the long ride earlier.

He was woken up by Wang Yibo who tried his best to tiptoe in order to poke Xiao Zhan's cheek. The young lad is smiling but Xiao Zhan is certain that the smile Wang Yibo is showing is not sincere, or maybe just not real. Him being awaken never made anything less confusing either.

"Shall we go back, ge? It's almost four in the afternoon." Wang Yibo asked.

Xiao Zhan inhaled and blinked for a while before nodding, "What took you so long?"

Wang Yibo only used his head to response and shook it.

Xiao Zhan shrugged it off and jumped towards Wang Yibo. Gladly, he didn't trip.

Only did Xiao Zhan notice Wang Yibo have already changed his clothes and his hair to be quite wet, "Ah, you've showered already? What's Mama doing?"

Wang Yibo shrugged his shoulders off, his eyes continue to stare at Xiao Zhan's soul, "I haven't seen her after I finished showering. Why din't we go back so you could check on her yourself?"

Xiao Zhan looked at Wang Yibo's face and scrunched his face, "Are you okay? You seem... off."

Wang Yibo just looked at Xiao Zhan with aloof expression, turned away and eventually started walking away.

"Ah! Wang Yibo!" Xiao Zhan shouted and jogged a little to follow the younger as Wang Yibo haven't walked much far from him, 'What's wrong with you?"

Wang Yibo shakes his head and just continued to walk but this time is much faster.

"Did Ma or Ba scold you? Or did you forget something?" Xiao Zhan asked.

Wang Yibo shook his head but like before, he never answered verbally.

Only did Xiao Zhan stopped asking nonsense to Wang Yibo once they reached home.

"Wang Yibo, what's your problem?" Xiao Zhan asked as he held Wang Yibo's wrist firmly using his right hand.

He heard Wang Yibo sigh loudly. Then, he saw the young lad turn towards him and looked at him with furrowed brows and aloof expression, "I'm tired. Can we just talk about this later or soon? Just not now."

Xiao Zhan felt an unfamiliar pain near his chest, he couldn't tell. He felt like he couldn't breathe after hearing the man's response but he did remove his grasp from the other's wrist. He wanted to stop Wang Yibo from leaving him outside but what can he use as an excuse? He's feeling hot? Feeling hurt? Confused?

His feet are glued on the ground, he couldn't make any step. He could only watch the younger walk away from him.

It is seven in the evening, Xiao Zhan is in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Xiao to prepare for dinner. It's supposed to be a good mini-reunion for him and his parents and also Wang Yibo but ever since he came back from the field, he could clearly see how the atmosphere dropped.

He takes some glance to his mother from time to time and he could see how different his mother's mood now from earlier. Just what did Wang Yibo tell his parents?

Xiao Zhan is busy cutting the garlic for Liangfen when he thought of something out of nowhere, Did Wang Yibo enter a fraternity or was involved in illegal activities?!

"Why did you stop? Do it quicker. Oil is about to get hot." Mrs. Xiao suddenly said which made Xiao Zhan leave his thoughts for a while.

"Ah? Oh." Xiao Zhan placed the already cut garlic on to the plate and starts cutting green onion but even during cutting the seasoning, his brain just couldn't process anything that is happening, not to even mentioned he hasn't seen his father after he went back.

Just what did happen? Did Wang Yibo mention anything about him? Something that could suddenly turn his mother be like the same grumpy woman when she found out he pressed the doorbells of their neighbors as a child?

He's happy he got skills in cooking and cutting ingredients. He knows if he doesn't have the skills, he will probably earn not just confusion but also a cut or two on his hands.

"I'll take care of the rest. You're making things even more difficult to me." Mrs. Xiao seem to have done enough of his son's absent-mindedness.

She carefully snatched the knife out of Xiao Zhan's hands and Xiao Zhan is more than grateful. He knows how strict but also soft his mother. She can threaten him anything but she couldn't even accept the fact that he's leaving home for college before. The duality of mothers.

Although Mrs. Xiao already told him she'll take care of the rest in the kitchen, Xiao Zhan didn't move. He just stares at his mother and sighed. Hesitating whether to ask her about what happened or not, he ended up asking her anyway, "Ma, what happened?"

He saw how her mother's actions stopped which made him even more curious about what happened but all he received was, "I am in no position to talk about that matter. Just go and take a rest, don't bother me."

Knowing he could no longer do anything about it, he didn't bother to respond and just went to his and probably Wang Yibo's bedroom. Once he entered, he saw the latter lying on their shared bed, playing with his phone.

Wang Yibo seem to have noticed him which made him stop from playing and sit up, "Aunt said I can use the spare room for tonight."

Xiao Zhan looked at him with eyes full of confusion, "Wang Yibo. Just what is happening? Did you make Mama mad or something? I'm really getting mad over this s**t! Is this some kind of prank?!"

Wang Yibo looked at him plainly, "Since when did I pull out unfunny pranks? You know I don't like seeing you getting stressed, right? This is definitely not a prank, Xiao Zhan."

"Then tell me what's happening!" Xiao Zhan groaned.

He licked his lips, trying to soothe himself and inhaled, "You know I can understand! If I can't then I'll try to. That's what are friends for, right?"

He saw how Wang Yibo's face twitched, "Whatever. I'll go now. I just waited to tell you anyway. My stuffs are already in the other room. I don't want to bother you."

After he heard the door shut, his jaw went drop like a drop tower. What the f**k is happening in this household?

Usually, Xiao Zhan will likely to follow Wang Yibo and demand for an explanation over the confusing events but he's too drained to even ask for an answer. He let the man leave him alone inside the room where he grew up in.

It may have been a long time since he visited his parents but his room is always the same whenever he visit them. The only difference alongside his stuffs being gathered inside his bag was also he wasn't there to live with them.

His breath hitched and lied down the bed. He used the marshmallow-like sheets to engulf his body. What a good sensation amid the storm he is currently in. He let the warmth of the sheets to hug him until he finally fell to a slumber.

He woke up as he felt thirsty during his sleep. He slowly stretched his limbs as he try to remember what happened before he fell asleep. Only did he remember he wasn't supposed to sleep yet.

He looked at the clock, it was already five in the morning. His mother didn't even bother to wake him up to eat dinner. He slowly sit up and ran his fingers through his hair as he slowly tries to gather his consciousness that was scattered hours earlier.

He stood up, walked towards the door and opened it. Before he could take one more step to go to the kitchen, he heard a woman's voice, his mother's voice, saying something. He slowly took a step to bring himself even closer to hear much clearer Mrs. Xiao has been saying.

"Are you really sure about this? We know it is confusing. You've been with him for the past years, it's normal to be confused. I'm just worried it can affect the friendship of you two."

Xiao Zhan's brows furrowed, Is she talking to Wang Yibo?

"I'm sure I am not confused, Ma. I have been thinking about this for the past months. I'm certain. This is also the reason why I came here with Zhan-ge. I think the best first step to take is to tell you and Uncle."

"I see. I'm really sorry for acting that way yesterday. I was just surprised and also.. in disbelief but I know I couldn't blame you." Mrs. Xiao paused, "But we all know the only person who can answer these series of question is..., right?"

Xiao Zhan is now even more confused. Is there something he doesn't know about his friend? What makes him feel the need to tell his parents' friend but not his friend first?!

"I know but it's still a good sense of relief to release these thoughts to you and Uncle. I don't like bottling feelings up. It's alright if you do not support these feelings of mine but this conversation did sure help me."

Feelings?

"I do support you. I know how good of a man you are. About your Uncle, I can still convince him. He knows you're a good man. I think.. he was just too surprised. Don't worry. I'll try talking to him."

"Mn. Thank you, Ma."

Xiao Zhan can't help but he walked downstairs and revealed himself to the two persons talking to each other in the living room. The one of the two sprung from sitting while the other one remained calm.

"Too early to have deep conversation. Just what did happen yesterday?" Xiao Zhan asked straight, "Wang Yibo, what is this?"

"I... Ge? How long have you been-"

Wang Yibo's speech came to a halt when Mrs. Xiao overtalked him, "Since when did I tell you that eavesdropping is alright, Xiao Zhan?"

"I know it's not alright but all of you give me a headache. Why didn't you tell me first, Wang Yibo?"

He saw how Wang Yibo's eyes widen, shoulder tighten, and jaw slightly dropped, "Ge?"

"I already asked what I wanted to ask. Why? Am I not a good friend? Am I not trustworthy?" Xiao Zhan asked calmly.

"Of course, you are." Wang Yibo immediately responded, "I'm just worried."

"About what?"

"Stop asking Yibo questions anymore. He hasn't taken enough rest. Just discuss this after you go back to college." Mrs. Xiao barged in.

"Fine. I demand an explanation, Wang Yibo." Xiao Zhan said firmly and turned around to march back into his room.

He knows he acted too much during the conversation but he's not mad. He's just hurt that he thinks Wang Yibo chose to talk matters to his parents rather to him, his own friend. He felt betrayed even though he doesn't have to be. He felt like he has to improve more as a friend.

Time passed by, Xiao Zhan just got out from shower, his hair wet but not dripping and starts to pack his essential things back to his baggage when he heard a knock from his door. He didn't bother to reply as the door slowly opened after the knock. He looked at the person who entered and saw the young man turn his back at him to close the door.

He ignored the young man and continued to put his things inside his bag.

"Ge."

"..."

"I promise, I'll find the courage to tell you what I have discussed with Aunt and Uncle once we return. Don't ignore me."

His eyes are not looking at Wang Yibo and his body is not completely facing towards Wang Yibo's but he is certain that the man with him is currently pouting. Regardless, he ignored him.

"I'm sorry."

Xiao Zhan looked at Wang Yibo, "For what?"

"For hurting your feelings."

"My ego was shattered. You consider me as a friend but never bother to tell me things that bothers you. Why do you even have to tell Ma and Pa? Seungyoun is always with you but you never thought of telling him?"

"Seungyoun already knows about it." Wang Yibo rebutted.

"Ahh, so you're telling me I'm the only one who hasn't known about this mysterious s**t you have?" Xiao Zhan laughed sarcastically, "I know I'm acting immature why what was the reason? It seems like you haven't even thought of telling me this?!"

"Because it's too.." Wang Yibo suddenly paused, "I'm still trying to find enough strength to tell you. Just give me time. I promise I'll tell you when we get back."

Xiao Zhan suddenly felt bad when he stole a glance to the younger and saw how the other person is looking down with his brows almost connected from furrowing too much, "Fine. I will no longer force you. I'm sorry for acting impulsively."

He looked away when he saw Wang Yibo look at him. He could see from his peripheral view how Wang Yibo smiled and nodded at him, "Thank you."

"Mn."