In Between Us || Zhanyi

Confrontation?

Professor: (gesturing to the board) "Now, if we apply this principle to the equation, you'll notice..."

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted the lecture. The door cracked open and a clerk standing at the doorframe.

Clerk: (softly but clearly) "Excuse me, Professor. May I come in"

Professor: (turning to the clerk, a bit surprised) "Yes? What's the matter?'"

Clerk: "Wang Yibo, student Id: BUX085 has been summoned by Professor Xiao in his office immediately."

The class falls into a hushed silence, a few whispers bubbling up almost instantly. All eyes turn to Yibo, who freezes in his seat, visibly tense. His fingers tighten around his pen.

Student 1: (whispering) "What did he do?"

Student 2: (leaning over) "Must be something serious if Prof Xiao called him."

Student 3: (leaning more) "Remember how badly last day Prof Xiao scolded him, I bet it must be the project we submitted yesterday"

Yibo's face pales, they were right, he had not submitted the project. The deadline was already over. Yibo fidgets with his notebook, trying to steady his breathing. The professor notices his distress, also guessed the reason.

Professor: (gently) "Yibo, it's alright. You go, if required talk to us, we will help."

Yibo: (voice shaky) "Y-yes, sir."

He gathered his things slowly, avoiding eye contact with anyone, feeling the weight of their stares. The whispering around him continued, a soft buzz of curiosity and speculation.

Student 4: (under their breath) "I bet he's in trouble..."

Yibo, now standing, walked stiffly toward the door, the tension clear in his posture. As he passed the professor, the clerk nodded, and they both exited the room. The whispers raised a little louder as the door closes behind them.

Professor: (Strictly) "Silence"

____________

Outside Professor Xiao's office. Yibo stood in front of the door, his palms slightly sweaty. The corridor was quiet, amplifying the nervous thudding of his heart. The clerk knocked on the heavy wooden door, his knuckles rapping softly but with purpose.

Clerk: (after knocking) "Professor Xiao, Wang Yibo is here."

Zhan: (from inside) "Send him in."

Clerk: (turning to Yibo with a polite nod) "You can go in now. Good luck."

The clerk stepped aside and gave a small, encouraging smile before turning to leave. Yibo watches him disappear down the hall, feeling a wave of isolation wash over him. He swallowed hard, staring at the door for a moment, his hand hovering near the handle before he finally pushed it open.

Inside, Zhan's office was large, lined with bookshelves and framed certificates. Behind a massive wooden desk Zhan as Professor Xiao seated, a stern, dignified figure with glasses perched on his nose. Papers are neatly stacked in front of him as he was going through them occasionally in between his laptop. Yibo entered, trying to mask his nervousness, but it's clear in his stiff posture.

Zhan on other hand, even was determined to let Yibo do anything, even he declared he didn't care.....couldn't stick to his words. In the morning when he woke up, his mind was bit clear and his first instinct was to talk to Yibo. Even he received the same cold treatment, he just could not allow Yibo to walk over him like that. He was his husband, he deserved a decent explanation what exactly Yibo had in his mind. Where Yibo saw them in reality?

Above Zhan's anger and anguish, he was worried too. He also wanted to know what was so wrong that Yibo had to take such drastic decision. Did Yibo facing any difficulty that he was not aware about? Instead of his natural character, again he chose to bend first, he chose Yibo even over his pride. As a mature two men, he wished for a structural conversation between them.

So, the first thing he did after entering the University, he summoned Yibo, breaking all his principles. It didn't matter, he was misusing his power, calling a student for personal affairs, he was disturbing a whole class, he was making Yibo miss his lecture or he himself ready to deal his personal problem at his professional place. All mattered to him at that moment was at least saw Yibo for once, he felt as if his breath was held.

Tik...Tik...Tik.............simultaneously the clock and the typing of keyboard could be heard from the office breaking the stunned silence. Yibo stood at his place since he entered, silent and eyes casted down. Zhan waited, expecting Yibo to speak but no avail...his husband was too comfortable to be quite, giving him always 'You are overreacting' attitude. Finally couldn't control his patience anymore Zhan huffed, closing his laptop with a loud thud.

Yibo flinched, he was sure Zhan was angry by the way his fingers almost battling with the keyboard and that made him more nervous. He was sure Zhan called him to make him realize again how careless he was that he couldn't even submit a project in the fixed time.

"Don't you think, you owe me an explanation, Mr.Wang?"...............Zhan's tone was sharp

"I am Sorry, I know my fault".............Yibo answered, head hung low, voice steady but his nervousness was evident

"So, you know your fault? But do you think a sorry can mend everything?"..............Zhan asked

"My apologies, I was little occupied so I missed the deadline, I am ready to take any punishment you assign Prof Xiao"....................Yibo said, his voice laced with a sincerity of a commendable student

"Deadline?"..............Zhan asked in completely absurd of the situation............"What deadline?"

"The project which we supposed to submit by last night"..................Yibo explained slowly

As the information sank in Zhan's mind, his irritation level increased, as he abruptly stood up from his chair, making Yibo startled, he instinctly stepped back two feet.

"You thought, early this morning, leaving all my work, I called you for a project?".............Zhan asked, Yibo was visibly tensed...what to answer to this question. His mind couldn't find any other reason for which Zhan could call him in his office.

In university they were supposed to have only professional talks, so he was sure Zhan would never discuss any personal matter here and even Zhan wanted to, there was nothing to be discuss between them as per Yibo. Now on professional ground, as a student he only missed the project submission. he couldn't recall any other event or matter where he lacked then what could be the thing Prof Xiao was indicating? Did he make any mistake unknowingly? Yibo though tensed nodded meekly.

Zhan who was observing Yibo felt his nerves getting pulled, What was wrong with Yibo? Did leaving home, staying in dorm was such a small matter to him? Was it only Zhan who was so concerned on this matter? Was he again going to be just a fool to bring out this matter?

......To Be Continued