In Between Us || Zhanyi

At Zhan's cabin

Kuan and Zhan having the conversation...............

"I think he's been struggling lately.........especially with his personal life........with his marriage"

Zhan's pulse quickened, though he remained outwardly composed, his tone stern, reflecting his authority "His marriage??? What do you mean? Isn't he single as per the documents we have in our database?"

Kuan looked at Zhan, suddenly aware of the tension in the air but still unaware of its source. He assumed Zhan's curiosity was purely professional, perhaps as a concerned professor or a suspicious admin head. What he was talking about could make Yibo's college life hamper but if a person, he could trust blindly would be only..........Zhan.

Kuan adjusted his seat, leaning forward slightly "Well..." Kuan hesitated, clearly trying to phrase his thoughts carefully "I have been known Yibo little before the college. He used to deliver newspaper at my place."

Zhan's jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he nodded, gesturing for Kuan to continue. Zhan was always good to mask his personal turmoil in front of people, that one art seemed God had gifted him specially. Even in his inside it would be all dark...Sean Xiao Zhan is like that sun, who will shine for everyone even burning himself.

"He had it rough. Without parents, at his uncle's place....he was nothing more than a burden to them. I used to hear him sometimes when my mom used to ask him. Man!! At that age he used to do all household chores and in return that family probably only covered his essentials. Otherwise, why a teen like him had to work 2-3 part-times to support himself? I was seriously impressed how much he managed himself despite all that."

Zhan felt a cold weight settle in his chest. He had known Yibo's family situation was strained, more to that he knew why it was like that. But what he never aware about was just how difficult things had been for Yibo. He had never known, never thought this could be a case too. His jealousy slowly began to morph into guilt, but he kept his expression unreadable, his face a mask of control.

"So, when I met him here in his first year, I really wanted to help him" Kuan said, his voice heavy with concern. "He's one of the most talented students I've seen—excelled not only in academics but in basketball, singing, dancing, debating. He was even offered a sports quota first, but he turned it down. Said he didn't have the funds to support himself for extra curriculums nor have time."

Zhan's fingers twitched, the revelation slicing through him like a knife. "I didn't know," he murmured, his voice low.

"I understand, it is not your part to know" Kuan continued, shaking his head. "Yibo... technically he was from a wealthy family and also had scholarship too but in reality, you can understand scholarships are only a waiver to tuition fee, to survive in such kind of university you need to bear expenses. He worked multiple jobs to bear his personal expenses and so gave up extracurriculars despite being the best at them."

The weight of Kuan's words pressed heavily on Zhan's chest. He'd known Yibo was hardworking, but this level of sacrifice... He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "What?" he asked, his voice tighter than intended. More for Kuan, it was a question he asked himself out of disbelief.

Kuan sighed and leaned back, his shoulders relaxing "There I discovered that he was too upright. Asking for help or even his rights are like non-existing in his dictionary as if asking made him feel burdened, in-debt. He didn't accept help but felt extremely submitting to people who did even the bare minimum for him. He didn't hesitate to sacrifice at any length, endure any pain for them. To put them even above himself, just like he did for his uncle and aunt by sacrificing himself for that damn marriage"

"What do you mean? And how are you so sure about all this? Did he share this with you?" Zhan asked, keeping his tone neutral despite the storm brewing inside him.

"No, He is not like someone, who will share. Yibo is too good-hearted to ever say anything bad" Kuan hesitated before answering. "There's a story behind it. Do you remember the intercontinental Mathematical Olympiad? The one where our college qualified?...remember you were on leave that time for a period?????"

Zhan nodded slowly, the memory surfacing. The college had faced huge backlash for its poor performance and being in-charge Kuan had been , the situation was so bad that Kuan was almost about to lost his job if not for Zhan himself had intervened to help Kuan to retain his position. "What about it?" Zhan asked, his heart already shivering

Kuan exhaled, his expression darkening. "The team couldn't perform in the final because the student I relied on was absent."

Zhan nodded slowly, the memory stirring faintly. "Yes. The disciplinary committee came down hard on you, but you didn't reveal the student's name even when your whole career was at stake"

Kuan smiled ruefully. "I was, I even for once thought I'm going to lose this but thankfully you showed up like a godfather."

Zhan made a face with a look 'not again' then he spoke, his tone accusing, "Even though, till date I am unaware who that spoiled brat who ditched you and our university, it was such a huge event...who would be so much stupid to miss it. If you haven't concealed his name, he would have been rusticated on spot, worst I would have made sure that he could never get any chance at anywhere, be it here or aboard." Zhan's voice stern, and Kuan knew Zhan was capable to do what he just said.

Kuan leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his voice dropping to a whisper "That is why I protected him"

"Him?" Zhan frowned, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. "You are saying......."

...To Be Continued