In Between Us || Zhanyi

Untitled Part 26

"The parents are really very angry, they are not only concerned for safety but also questioning on our sincerity. It is now the matter of our integrity and reputation as well as our students' future is on stake. We just cann't let this workshop cancel, only because our appointed faculty head could not make it. That will be a disaster. Our university will become a laughing stock for all. Xiao, you need to be there"

Heads turned toward him, the weight of the decision pressing down as the Chancellor put his request, his tone laced both urgency and plead. Zhan listened intently, though his heart was miles away.

For the first time, Zhan hesitated -- for the first time, a conflict stirred within him, pulling him in a different direction. His mind was filled with Yibo, his last words, the misunderstandings, and the yearning he felt to make things right. He wanted, desperately, to put Yibo first, to reach him, to hear his voice. But the stakes were high—he was being asked to step up, to look out for 25 young, promising students, to keep them safe as they embarked on a major educational opportunity.

Zhan's silence definitely filled the room in absolute tight position, the prof who never thought twice till date was in dead silence, as if he was present in the room only physically. All of them shared concerned glances as time was ticking, One of the senior administrators leaned forward, his voice low but resolute...... "Xiao, you are listening, right?"

After a few moments, Zhan nodded solemnly. He took a sharp breath, his fingers tapping the edge of the desk, "I am understanding, but is there no one else whom we can send?"

His words definitely made everyone shock, though they considered the fact that it was just very sudden and there was no other reason, but Zhan was known for being extremely efficient for such kind of situation.

"Xiao, you know it better, No one else can step in at the eleventh hour like this—not with the level of expertise and knowledge you have. It not just about sending a representative, it was about numerous process we need to be careful for aboard travelling with a group of 25, also assuring the parents who are almost more than 40 currently. Please Xiao, I know it could be feel wrong to you but please, think about the students...please".............The Chancellor, himself requested

Zhan looked around, the faces of his colleagues and mentors echoing the same appeal. He looked at his wrist, only one and half hour left for the flight to take off. He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He couldn't ignore the students' needs, their aspirations balanced on this chance. Despite the tug in his heart pulling him toward Yibo, he gave a small, determined nod.

Zhan gave himself a better smile, just earlier, he had been on the brink of something deeply important, something he knew needed his presence and attention. Yet here, a responsibility far greater than himself demanded his focus.

In the car en route to the airport, Zhan dialed Yibo's number. His fingers tapped anxiously as he waited, only for the call to go straight to voicemail. With a heavy sigh, he left a message, his voice steady but edged with a softness he wished Yibo could hear. "Yibo, I have to leave urgently. I'll be back soon, but please...wait for me. We need to talk." His message hung in the air, his hope that Yibo would find it keeping him anchored as he made his way to the airport.

---

Yibo trudged through his morning, his mind still clouded from the previous night. His phone had taken a fall on his way back to the dorm, and after a trip to the service center, he realized the repair costs were more than he could handle this month. Figuring no one would reach out to him anyway, he decided to leave the phone as it was until next month's stipend came in.

He entered the university, holding Zhan's lunch bag tightly, feeling a sense of calm, as if this one small act of care was the only thing that could keep him close to his husband. Just as he reached near Zhan's cabin, the clerk at the front desk looked up and informed him that Zhan wouldn't be in today.

Yibo's heart sank for a brief moment, a flicker of worry crossing his face. Was Zhan okay? But then the clerk assured him it was for work as Zhan went for, he even mentioned the workshop name making Yibo recognize, finally Yibo relaxed, relieved that Zhan was safe......But,

The relief didn't last long.

Passing by a group of students, he overheard a conversation that sent his heart plummeting once again. "Did you hear?" one girl whispered. "The dean's daughter that Ms.Shu, she went with Professor Xiao on that trip! Some people have all the luck."

Yibo froze, his grip on the lunch bag loosening as he listened. Rumours began to swirl in his mind, filling the empty spaces left by insecurity and doubt. Was that why Zhan had left in such a hurry? Yibo wanted to believe Zhan was true to him, but the shadows of inadequacy crept back in, casting doubts he couldn't easily shake.

The truth felt distant, clouded by the growing misunderstanding, and Yibo's chest tightened. Alone, his thoughts tangled between trust and fear, leaving him uncertain, torn, and heartbroken.

...To Be Continued