Finally, after two days of rest and recovery, Zhan’s leg had healed sufficiently enough for him to return to work at his bustling restaurant. His busy day in the kitchen had been a whirlwind of menu planning, food preparation, and managing his staff, and he was relieved to bid farewell to his employees and get into the sleek, black car that Yibo had lent him during his recovery. Despite initially thinking the gesture was unnecessary and even a bit overbearing, Zhan had eventually given in, admitting that driving would be easier on his injured leg than walking, especially after a long day on his feet. He appreciated the comfort and convenience of the car, but a part of him still wished he could have made the journey on foot, feeling a sense of independence and normalcy.
As he started the car and began his drive home, Zhan glanced at the clock on the dashboard and saw that it was already past 8 pm. The hour-long commute to the mansion seemed to drag on, and Zhan’s mind wandered to Yibo, expecting to see him waiting at home with a warm smile and a comforting presence. He imagined them sharing a quiet dinner together, discussing their day, and just enjoying each other’s company. Maybe Yibo would even try out some new recipes he had been experimenting with. However, as the minutes ticked by, Zhan’s anticipation slowly gave way to concern and frustration.
When Zhan arrived at the mansion and stepped inside, the silence and emptiness of the grand foyer hit him like a punch to the gut. He called out, “Yibo?” but there was no response. The only sound was the soft echo of his own voice off the marble floors and the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Yibo was nowhere to be found, and Zhan felt a growing sense of unease and disappointment. He had been looking forward to seeing him all day, and now it seemed like he was alone once again.
This was not the first time Yibo had been late since that girl started living with them. For the past three days, Yibo’s usual punctuality had given way to tardiness, and it was wearing thin on Zhan’s patience. He felt a growing sense of frustration and disappointment, wondering why Yibo couldn’t be there to greet him like he used to. Had something changed between them? Was Yibo busy with work or was he distracted by something – or someone – else? The stillness of the mansion seemed to amplify Zhan’s emotions, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being let down.
He then immediately thought, “Who am I kidding? They’re dating, so it’s absolutely normal.” The words echoed in his mind as he sighed to himself once more, feeling the weight of his own emotions. He walked to his room, the soft carpet beneath his feet a gentle reminder of the comfort that awaited him. The room was dimly lit, with only a few lamps casting a warm glow, and Zhan felt his tension ease slightly as he entered. He began to undress, his movements mechanical, as his mind wandered back to Yibo and Lusi. He tried to shake off the feelings of frustration, disappointment, and jealousy, telling himself he was being unreasonable, that Yibo deserved happiness, and that Lusi seemed like a great person.
After a refreshing night shower, he decided to make dinner, hoping the routine would distract him from his thoughts. He moved to the kitchen, his footsteps echoing off the marble countertops. He opened the fridge, scanning the contents, and settled on a simple yet satisfying meal of stir-fried noodles and vegetables. As he cooked, the aroma of sizzling vegetables and savory sauce filled the air, and Zhan’s stomach growled in anticipation. He finished cooking feeling a sense of accomplishment, but as he glanced at the clock, he saw it was already past 10 pm, and there was still no sign of Yibo or Lusi. He felt a pang of loneliness, a hollow sensation in his chest.
He walked to Yibo’s room, which was always left open for him, a testament to their close friendship. He had slept over in Yibo’s room many times before, sharing stories, laughter, and secrets, but tonight, he had an ulterior motive. He wanted to wait for Yibo and Lusi to return, hoping they would eat dinner together, as he hated eating alone. The silence of the mansion seemed to amplify his footsteps as he made his way to Yibo’s room, the soft creak of the door a familiar sound. As he entered, he gazed around, taking in the familiar yet distinct atmosphere. Despite having been in Yibo’s room before, he still couldn’t get over how different it seemed from his own with it’s colors and the plain design in Yibo’s.
