In Between Us || Zhanyi

Yibo stood in the shadow of the oak tree, his mind still reeling from what had happened in class. Zhan's sharp words cut through the afternoon air, leaving him feeling exposed and humiliated. He couldn't get the memory of it out of his head—the way Zhan had reprimanded him in front of everyone, his disappointment unmistakable.

He had expected this. He was prepared or maybe he thought he was. He knew Prof Zhan to hold him to a high standard. He had always known that Prof Zhan was strict and very principled, he wouldn't give him any special treatment, but today had been... too much. He knew he should have presented at Zhan's cabin but he couldn't get the courage to face Zhan right now or maybe he didn't want to face just right at this moment.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke through his spiraling thoughts. Yibo didn't need to turn around to know who it was, he was too familiar with this person's every beat.

"Yibo." Zhan's voice was firm, but not as cold as it had been in the lecture hall. Yibo kept his back to him, jaw clenched tight, his hands curled into fists at his sides.

"I asked you to meet me in my cabin. We need to talk," Zhan said, stepping closer but still keeping his distance.

"Sorry Professor, But I think there's nothing to talk about," Yibo muttered, keeping his voice steady, though the effort cost him. 

"You think, there is nothing??"............Zhan asked his gaze stern. Yibo exhaled defeatedly, slumping his shoulder he turned to face Zhan "You made yourself pretty clear in class. I know, I am at fault, I am sorry to disappoint you, I promise to do better.".............Yibo bowed respectfully but he couldn't hide how much hurt he was feeling at that moment

"I was doing my job," Zhan replied, his tone measured, controlled. "You know I don't tolerate underperformance." 

Yibo shut his eyes, the weight of Zhan's words pressing on his chest like a stone. Of course he knew that. Of course Zhan would say that. But something about the way he'd said it—so publicly, so harshly—had hurt more than Yibo wanted to admit. He looked up slowly, finally meeting Zhan's gaze. His expression was calm, composed, but beneath the surface, Yibo's emotions churned in a storm. He fought to keep them in check.

"I get it, Prof. You wish my good" Yibo said, his voice tight. "I need to do better. I won't let it happen again." Yibo gave Zhan his usual soft smile. Zhan crossed his arms, studying him intently, his brow furrowed slightly. With a sigh Zhan spoke, his voice laced with authority "That's not the point, Yibo. You're not yourself. This isn't about one test. What's going on?"

Yibo felt his heart clench. He didn't want to talk about this. Not here. Not like this way. Not with Zhan. Not after what had just happened in front of the entire class. "It's nothing," Yibo said, turning his head away, his voice quieter now. "I've just been... distracted."

"Distracted?" Zhan echoed, his voice sharper now, as if he was cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "By what?"

Yibo stayed silent, his throat tight. How could he explain? What even he would explain to his professor? Definitely he could not possibly tell Zhan what he'd been going through? The weight of expectations, the pressure he was facing everyday at home also at university—he could not start explain his professor how much suffocating life had become for him. But the worst part wasn't the pressure from others. It was the pressure he put on himself. He wanted to fulfill his responsibilities but lately, he'd been failing at that.