Working with my Idol! And lover? (zhanyi)

Chapter six

"Like.. a date." Zhan Zhengxi said through gritted teeth. Why was he so shy! He's asked out a few girls in high school before but when it comes to Jian Yi, he's so tense.

Jian Yi's grin broadened. "If you ask me properly, I'll say yes."

Zhan Zhengxi's head shot up and he looked at the other with shock. Was that a yes? No. It will be a yes if he stops being so timid.

The idol straightened up and let out the breath he was holding. He took Jian Yi's hand and lured him closer. Making eye contact as well as speaking clearly is what he needs to master right now.

"J-Jian Yi."

Oh, you're a joke, Zhengxi! Come on.

Jian Yi was very amused by what he was observing. He couldn't help calling Xixi adorable.

"Take all the time you need, Xi. I will stay with you for as long as it takes." Jian Yi assured. The other nodded.

"Yi.. yi. Do- no. Would you like to.. to.. go on a da.. date with me?" Zhan Zhengxi stumbled on his words many times. So embarrassing.. As much as he wanted to cover his face with his hands, he was reluctant to let go of the pale blond.

Jian Yi smirked. "Now, that wasn't so hard."

"Say yes or no, dammit." Zhan Zhengxi leaned closer.

"Can maybe be an option?"

"No."

"Hehe, wasn't gonna choose it anyways! I pick yes." he pulled Zhan Zhengxi into an embrace.

And Zhan Zhengxi could breath. Also relax.

"Where will you take me?" Jian Yi rested his head on the other's chest.

"Somewhere special." Zhan Zhengxi mumbled while stroking his hair.

"I'm excited! Hurry, let's go!"

---

Jian Yi slammed the door of his idol's black ferrari and let out a loud yawn before starting to stretch. He did some lunges and windmills as Zhan Zhengxi watched, unamused.

"Don't look at me like that! That whole drive took 1 hour off my short life. Be grateful I didn't make a huge fuss in there." the pale blond huffed as he skipped to Zhan Zhengxi, linking their arms together.

Zhan Zhengxi smiled softly at the other. His cheeks were so puffy. A cute hamster came to mind as he stared.

"Where are we going?" Jian Yi asked, now starting to grin too.

"Don't follow me." Zhan Zhengxi responded. "Walk with me instead."

Jian Yi's grin became wider and he nudged Zhan Zhengxi. "I would've anyway! Even if you told me otherwise."

So for the next 10 minutes, they were strolling through a plain grassland in comfortable silence. Sometimes staring at the other, catching them in the act, simpering at each other or laughing quietly before focusing on something in their surroundings. And the cycle continues. Until they reached their destination.

"Woah.." Jian Yi was so in shock that he let go of his idol, allowing his arm to fall by his side.

The large white oak tree in front of them brought back so many unwanted memories for the pale blond.

Unable to take his eyes off the tree, his voice trembled as he said, "Why would you take me.. here?"

Zhan Zhengxi looked confused and gaped at the other.

"Is everything okay, Yi?" Zhan Zhengxi.

His neck managed to turn but his eyes were still glued onto the tree. It took a few moments before he looked at Zhan Zhengxi. And that's when a super silly thought appeared in his head.

"Zhan Zhengxi, did you come to this tree when you were - oh, I don't know - seven years old? And you met a slightly tall pale blond boy who always wore yellow shorts?" Jian Yi questioned, grabbing the other's hands and trapping them in his own. He stared right into the others with both fear and desperation.

"What the hell.." Zhan Zhengxi stumbled back. "Are you that weirdo I knew when I was younger? Or are you messing with me?" his voice started to quiver and he started to yell. "IT'S NOT VERY FUNNY, IF YOU ARE."

The actor's face turned into the colour of his hair, his expression was panicked and tearful. This was the tree he felt his heart shatter the first time and he promised, oh he promised, it would be the only time to himself. But the feeling returned again.

Zhan Zhengxi sighed. He remembered when he upset Jian Yi. When the boy who was always so energetic had his heart broken in miniature pieces and left town the next day. And he was the reason. How awful he feels now.

---

Jian Yi was excited. He knew he found true love. He knew it. Not even Ma could convince him otherwise.

Jian Yi had no friends at school as no one longed to befriend such an enthusiastic, tall boy. The boy who they called "ugly" and "gay" because of his long blond hair. He never put it up in a ponytail though as Ma never agreed to it, saying they were just kids and just joking around. So he listened to Her, trusted Her until things went too far.

He went home that day with a broken heart.

His crush, the only boy from his school who became his friend, wanted to meet him by the white oak tree outside the bakery. Alone. Jian Yi's heart jumped up and down and so did he until he realised it was time to get dressed. Ma said it wasn't real, that they were so young. So naive. And so stupid.

She was right.

They weren't alone. As Zhan Zhengxi read out his "confession", there was some cackles heard behind the tree. Right after Jian Yi's response, his confession, a pain was formed from the kick he received in the back. Another kick in the stomach, one under his chin. They didn't punch, saying they'd get a disease if they touched him. Then it happened.

Zhan Zhengxi, with huge scissors, chopped off a large chunk of hair. Jian Yi could see everything clearly as he wasn't crying. Everything felt numb and no tears were pouring out his eyes. Why?

Jian Yi could see Zhan Zhengxi's bruised face, his nervous smile, beads of sweat. He couldn't bring himself to feel angry at his crush, but worry. What happened, Xixi? was the last thing he mumbled before blacking out, his head throbbing.

Hours later, he awoke. No one was there.

He felt the blood from his nose all over his face. The bruises felt inflamed and his head wouldn't stop pounding. He limped halfway. He crawled the other half.

The next morning, Ma found him all bloody and broken in bed. He was sobbing, clutching onto Ma's floral dress and screaming that she was right. They left town the next day. Or well, Jian Yi did. He was sent to live with another family. The He family. For months, he couldn't stop the tears falling from his eyes at night. Oh, Xixi, what did I do to you?

---

Zhan Zhengxi brought Jian Yi's hands to his forehead, now starting to weep. The other stayed silent, allowing his childhood "friend" to let it out.

"I'm sorry." Zhan Zhengxi croaked. He wished he could explain everything that happened that day but something was holding him back. What is it? What's holding me back?

"It's.." Jian Yi looked the other way, trying to pay no attention to the idol's eyes staring right at him. "Emm.. not really fine."

Zhan Zhengxi frowned even more and let go of the other's hands, now placing his in Jian Yi's hair.

"I promise I thought your hair was pretty." Zhan Zhengxi whispered.

"So why'd you do it?" the actor murmured.

"They swore to.." He gulped. "I didn't mean to I swear, I swear."

Jian Yi sighed, taking a step back. "I don't really understand. You have to explain more, Xixi."

"I can't.. You don't get i-"

"No YOU don't get it." Jian Yi paused and sighed again. "See you tomorrow, Zhengxi." and he started to plod in another direction, not in the direction of his car, but the direction of his old home. Where Ma is located.