Yibo sat on a bench in the playground, his eyes fixed on the entrance, eagerly waiting for his Zhan ge. The warm sun cast a gentle glow over the scene, children’s laughter and shouts filling the air. But Yibo’s focus remained unwavering, his heart filled with excitement and anticipation.
Earlier, he had pleaded with Wei, the butler, to help him locate the playground from the previous night. After a detailed description and a thorough search, they finally found the right one. Determined to surprise Zhan ge, Yibo insisted on going alone, but Wei and the guards refused, citing his safety as their top priority.
Only after Yibo agreed to let Li, a trusted bodyguard, accompany him did they reluctantly agree to leave. Now, Yibo had been waiting for hours, his enthusiasm refusing to wane. He would wait for as long as it took, his heart filled with joy and expectation.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the playground, Li approached him. “Master Yibo, it’s getting late. Maybe we should head back?” he suggested, his voice laced with concern.
Yibo’s face set in determination. “No, Li ge. I’ll wait a little longer. I know he’ll come.” Li nodded, a small smile on his face. “Very well, Master Yibo. I’ll stay with you.”
Together, they waited, Yibo’s heart filled with hope and excitement, his eyes fixed on the entrance, willing Zhan ge to appear.
The playground lights flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the scene, and Yibo’s heart skipped a beat as he saw a familiar figure in the distance. His eyes shone with joy, and he stood up, his face lighting up with a bright smile. “Zhan ge!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Zhan trudged wearily along the road, his exhaustion palpable in the fading light of day. The weight of his countless responsibilities hung heavy on his shoulders, his body aching from the physical labor of his multiple jobs. From the crack of dawn, he had been on the go, delivering newspapers, cleaning the school, helping out at the orphanage, and finally, working as an assistant cook in the restaurant. The endless stream of customers had pushed him to his limits, his feet throbbing in protest.
As he walked, his eyes fixed on the distant lights of his small apartment, he couldn’t wait to collapse onto his bed and surrender to the allure of sleep. The meager pay was a constant reminder of his struggles, a harsh reality that had forced him to drop out of college and face the harsh realities of the world. Despite his best efforts, decent job opportunities remained elusive, his education level a seemingly insurmountable barrier to a better life.
But Zhan refused to be defeated, his resilience and gratitude driving him forward. He knew that every small step, every grueling task, brought him closer to a brighter future. And so, with a heavy heart and a weary body, he pressed on, his mind fixed on the sweet relief of his bed, the promise of a new day, and the hope that tomorrow would bring better fortunes. The city lights twinkled around him, a reminder of the world’s vastness and his own place in it, as he walked on, his footsteps echoing through the evening silence.
As Zhan turned the corner, a familiar yet deeply missed voice pierced the air, shouting his name with a sense of urgency and longing. His head jerked towards the sound, his eyes locking onto a sight that made his heart race and his soul soar. Yibo, the little one he had met just the night before, was running towards him with a speed and determination that belied his small stature.
Zhan’s exhaustion, his sadness, and his longing seemed to shatter and turn to dust in that instant, replaced by a sense of joy and wonder. He felt his legs move without conscious thought, carrying him towards Yibo with a sense of urgency. The little one’s face was alight with a smile, his eyes shining with a deep connection that seemed to defy the brief time they had known each other.
As they collided in a warm embrace, Zhan felt a sense of homecoming, of finding a piece of himself that he never knew was missing. Yibo’s small arms wrapped tightly around his waist, holding on with a strength that seemed to say, 'I’ll never let you go again.' Zhan’s own arms encircled the little one, holding him close as if he would never let him slip away.
Their hug was deep and long, a silent communication of emotions that transcended words. It was a hug that spoke of connection, of understanding, of a bond that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. As they held each other, the world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the depths of their newfound friendship.
The warmth of Yibo's body seeped into Zhan’s, chasing away the chill of his long day. The little one’s scent, a mix of soap, sandalwood and innocence, filled his nostrils, making him feel alive. Yibo’s heartbeat synchronized with his own, creating a rhythm that seemed to beat in perfect harmony.
