I Love You

20

That night, Yibo went back to his house. Yibo's father stayed up waiting for him. "Went drinking again?"

Yibo stopped there "Have you signed the papers?" Yibo's father looked at Yibo and sighed. He stood up. "I will tell the other party not to arrange the marriage"

Yibo immediately turned to look at his father "Thank you... Father" Yibo's father shook his head as he went to his room "Bring home the person you love for me to see"

Yibo halted for a moment before speaking "It's Xiao Zhan" Yibo's father raised a brow as he turned around "Yibo, are you sure you love him?"

"W-What do you mean?" Yibo asked. Yibo's father replied "You always say you love him but you yourself know you don't"

"I really do love him now!" Yibo argued and Yibo's father shrugged before going back to his room. Yibo went back to his room too.

He sighed. Even his father knew he didn't love Xiao Zhan. But it's different now. He will prove to everyone he truly loves Xiao Zhan.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan fiddled with his phone. He then called Darren. The call was answered almost immediately. "Zhan?"

"Darren, are you alright? You sound drunk" Xiao Zhan frowned. Darren laughed "My Zhan Zhan knows me so well"

Xiao Zhan sighed "Why are you drinking? And aren't you going to visit me? You said you will bring a few books for me"

Darren smiled hearing Xiao Zhan's voice "I didn't want to disturb your good time" Xiao Zhan froze. He had hoped that Darren didn't see him and Yibo together. "Darren..."

Darren laughed "Zhan Zhan, you know I'm happy for you right?" Xiao Zhan bit his lower lip without replying.

"Zhan Zhan, actually, the night where I was drunk, I remember what I said. You didn't have to accept me just because I have been there for you" Darren said, tears falling down.

Xiao Zhan shut his eyes for a moment then shook his head "Darren, you have a special place in my heart that no one can replace too..."

Darren smiled "Thank you, Zhan. Thank you for at least keeping me in your heart" Xiao Zhan cried "I should be the one thanking you. You kept helping me, kept saving me, kept encouraging me. You were my only support and the only one I could trust"

Darren chuckled "Why are you crying? Don't cry, listen to me. Go sleep. I will fetch you tomorrow since you will be discharged"

Xiao Zhan sniffed then replied "No need, you still have work to do" Darren smiled "I'm not taking no for an answer. See you tomorrow"

Xiao Zhan managed a smile "See you, good night" Darren said good night and hung up, placing the phone against his heart.

Having a place in Xiao Zhan's heart means a lot to him. He never wanted to force Xiao Zhan to look at him. But a moment's greediness made him do so. It granted him happiness but also guiltiness.

A few weeks passed. Xiao Zhan and Yibo had been getting to know each other better and hung out often, together with Darren.

A few people also came up to Yibo and each time Yibo saw a hurt feeling flashing through Xiao Zhan's eyes. He understood that he can never take back the nights he spent with others.

He can also never do anything about the promise he made to only spend his nights with the one he loves forever. But Yibo did reject them, and told them that it will not happen a second time.

Everytime they hung out, Yibo either sent Xiao Zhan home, or watch Darren and Xiao Zhan go home together.

Yibo couldn't help but feel jealous, despite knowing that the two were simply best friends, almost like brothers.

So, Yibo packed his luggage and knocked on their door. Darren opened it and smirked when he saw Yibo's luggage. Without a word, he let Yibo in and went back to his room.

Xiao Zhan came out of Darren's room, making Yibo frown. "Yibo? What are you doing here?" Xiao Zhan saw the luggage and arched his brow.

"I got kicked out of my house. I'm wondering if you have space to put me up. I can help contribute the rent too" Yibo said.

Darren walked out of his room "Oh no, we only have two rooms" He then wrapped his arm around Xiao Zhan "Why not..."

Yibo looked at him with expectation, just for Darren to smirk "Why not Xiao Zhan share a room with me and you can take the empty room?"

Xiao Zhan saw Yibo's darkening face despite knowing it's a joke. He lightly jabbed Darren's waist for teasing Yibo. "You can take my bed, I have an extra mattress"

Yibo's face returned to normal "No. I'll take the mattress. I'm the one disturbing you" Xiao Zhan looked at Yibo who insisted and gave in, bringing Yibo's luggage in and preparing the mattress.

Darren laughed as he walled to Yibo "You still need to change your bad temper. You get angry too easily"

Yibo frowned "What was Xiao Zhan doing in your room" Darren was surprised by the question but smirked "What do you think?"

Yibo's face filled with jealousy and anger when Xiao Zhan's voice rang. He immediately put on a smile as he went over to Xiao Zhan's room, making Darren laugh.

That night, Yibo finally got to eat Xiao Zhan's cooking. The last time was years ago, when he did not know what to eat and made Xiao Zhan cook for him.

After the first time, he often asked Xiao Zhan to cook for him. Yibo smiled at the memory of Xiao Zhan cooking for him.

He then felt guilty. He ordered Xiao Zhan around but Xiao Zhan happily did everything. Xiao Zhan even burnt himself while trying to cook Yibo's favourite dish just because Yibo ignored him for not being able to cook it.

Yibo shook it off. He has changed. He now loves Xiao Zhan and appreciates it, not take it for granted.