In Between Us || Zhanyi

Under working: 14/08/2024

Yibo left Zhan's office immediately, his mind swirling with unexplainable fear and hurt. He walked aimlessly through the campus, barely aware of his surroundings. His heart raced as if it was trying to escape the weight crushing it. Everything felt surreal, like the world had shifted and left him standing in the wreckage.

What had he just seen? His professor, his husband, with another woman, their bodies so close, the intimacy too stark to be misunderstood. Yibo felt a hollowness settle deep within him. A sharp stab of pain gripped his chest, and for a moment, he wondered if he had ever truly belonged in Zhan's life.

Was it always like this? Had he been blind all along?

Yibo had known their marriage was unconventional. It wasn't built on romance, not like in the movies or the stories he had secretly hoped for. Zhan was distant, cold even, but Yibo had accepted it, had convinced himself it was just the way things were. He wasn't supposed to expect more. He didn't deserve more. His whole life had been about giving and never asking for anything in return. So why did this hurt so much?

He felt nothing now. No anger, no sadness. Just emptiness. His entire existence felt like a failed attempt to matter to someone, to earn affection, respect, love—anything. But now, even the illusion of trying was shattered.

Back in Zhan's cabin, as soon as Yibo turned and disappeared from sight, the tension in Zhan's body snapped. His hands clenched tightly around the woman's waist, his eyes flashing with anger. She gasped at the sudden grip, misinterpreting the action as something else, a smile creeping onto her face as if she had won some sort of victory.

But the next moment, she was on the floor with a loud crash, her seductive smile replaced with a look of shock and humiliation. Zhan had shoved her away with such force that she stumbled and fell, the harshness of the movement unmistakable............."Xiao Zhan!!!!!!!"..........the lady snarled

"shu~~~~~" Zhan stood over her, his gaze cold and unyielding. The gentlemanly air that usually surrounded him vanished. He was known for his calm, his respect, but only for those who knew their boundaries. For those who didn't, Zhan had no tolerance, no restraint.

The woman tried to defend herself, her voice shaky as she started to speak. "I just thought—"------"You thought wrong," Zhan cut her off sharply, his voice low and dangerous.

 "I don't know what you imagined in your head, but let me make one thing clear—you have no chance with me. YOU NEVER HAD.".................Zhan made sure his words were firm, away from the slightest softness, he sounded merciless.

"But—" she tried again, only to be silenced by the ice in Zhan's gaze."Ms. Ren, You're the dean's daughter, keep some face not for you then at least for your father. I respect him a lot and I've tolerated your behavior out of that respect I have for your family. But don't think that just to be a gentleman I will tolerate this?" He motioned to the inappropriate closeness they had just shared, his tone laced with disgust. "This is unacceptable and don't try to use gender card in front of me. If you ever try something like this again, there will be consequences. And believe me, I won't hesitate to make you regret it.".................Zhan's eyes turned red making the girl shivered, she never thought Zhan could be this stern and harsh..............."Get Out!!!!"...........Zhan's words pierced through his cabin like a sharp blade