Somewhere Between Lovers and Friends - Yizhan

Chapter Three

"Congratulate me, Zhan," Yibo said as Zhan came down the stairs. A week since Yibo arrived from Hong Kong.

"W-why?" Zhan was suddenly nervous. Will Yibo and Cheng Xiao will get married? That's what Cheng Xiao was telling her friends who he also knew. "Didn't Uncle Fengmian tell you?" asked Yibo.

"No... w-what is there to congratulate?" Yibo's eyebrows met as he stared at him. "Are you constipated? Why is your face like that?"

Zhan gave a fake smile. "Oh, there, I'm smiling. Don't hang up on me. What was that so I can congratulate you?"

"The bank manager where I worked has retired and I'm taking over his position!"

"Really?" Zhan's eyes widened slightly, and a real smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes!" said Yibo, hugged him, and spun him in the air for a moment before pulling him to the sofa and sitting him down. "And guess how much I will be getting monthly?" Yibo said that Zhan's eyes widened even more. "And you know what makes me so happy? I won't be assigned to Beijing. That's what they intended when they sent me to Hong Kong for training."

"Why you don't like to work in Beijing, the girls there are prettier and sexier?" Zhan teased.

"So, you won't miss me that much, fool," Yibo said with a smile, showing pearly white and even teeth. "And then who will lend your money for your dates if I'm in Beijing."

Zhan rolled his eyes. "Hmmp. If I know, you just don't want to be apart from Cheng Xiao."

YIbo shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe that's one reason. What can you say about my promotion?"

"I'm happy for you, Ge. I really do." Zhan said.

"And I want to celebrate with you and Cheng Xiao."

The joy in Zhan's heart suddenly diminished when he heard Yibo's girlfriend's name. Of all Yibo's girlfriends, he is only annoyed with Cheng Xiao, although he doesn't show it. Probably because this was the longest of Yibo's relationships. Yibo's past relationship only lasted for two weeks. Or, maybe it's because Cheng Xiao is very unfriendly to him.

"S-sure. When?" Zhan said.

"Tomorrow night. Let's go to a bar, three of us."

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"And why does Zhan have to be with us, Yibo?" asked Cheng Xiao with an annoyed face when Yibo told her that the three of them would celebrate.

"Cheng Xiao, I share all the important occasions in my life with Zhan. He is like a brother to me. In good times and bad times, Zhan is there," Yibo explained.

"That was when you were young. But now you're twenty-six and Zhan is twenty-one, and above all, you already have a girlfriend to share your achievement with!" Cheng Xiao whined.

"What's wrong if Zhan joins us in the celebration?" Yibo said.

"He's the first one to know about your promotion, and now you want him to be with us. If not the only the two of us, then I don't want to come."

"Cheng Xiao. I can't take back my invitation to Zhan," Yibo reasoned.

"Just tell him you'll cancel the celebration with him." Cheng Xiao insisted.

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"Wow, you're so handsome, Ge," Zhan jokingly greeted when Yibo arrived at their house at half past five in the afternoon. "Typical boy next door haha."

Yibo's wearing old, faded jeans that are already damaged at the knees. His top was a white shirt and was simply tucked inside the jeans and rubber shoes.

"Me, typical?" Yibo answered in disbelief. "After I proceed with this celebration even if Cheng Xiao didn't come? Shame on you, Sean Zhan!"

The smile disappeared from Zhan's lips. "W-where is your girlfriend? Why are you alone?"

Yibo sat on the concrete railing on the terrace and shrugged his shoulders. "She doesn't to come if it's not just the two of us," Yibo answered.

Zhan took a deep breath. "Cheng Xiao doesn't like me, Ge. I can sense it. Even then. There's the phone, call her. Tell her I'm not coming with you."

"Sweetheart," Yibo said impatiently. "I've already promised you that we'll celebrate together. If I just put you aside because of my girlfriend's tantrums, I'm a very worthless friend then."

"But—"

"No buts," Yibo stood up and pulled Zhan by the arm. "Where do you want us to celebrate?"

"Oh, just at the beach hut is enough. We'll just buy some wine and fried chicken—". he flicked his finger. "And we can have a night swimming!"

"Okay." Yibo patted Zhan on the butt. "Then go. And change some clothes for swimming."

Zhan happily turned around and went up the stairs. He couldn't explain his heavenly feeling that Cheng Xiao is not with them.

He was currently wearing his trunks when Yizuan knocked on his door. "Is Yibo downstairs?"

"Yup," he reached for a shirt and shorts and wore them on top of his swimming trunk.

"We're going for a night swim, Mommy."

"We're going to Beijing today, Zhan. The annual meeting of the bank executives will start tomorrow afternoon."

"Where will you stay in Beijing, 'Mom?"

"Those coming from the provinces have reservations at the hotel. The conference is also in Midtown. If we'll go tomorrow, your Daddy might be late for the conference, so we'll leave today. Whatever you need, just tell your Nana."

"Yes, Mom, you two take care." Then he grabbed a towel from the closet and hurried downstairs.