Yibo is standing between his friends and other graduates with straighten back and proud expression. filled with joy and fear at the same time, he says goodbye to studentship years. from tomorrow he won't be able to be naughty, to skip lecture, to ignore something what disgusts him, from tomorrow he has to face real criminals, violators, rapists or poor people, wrongfully accused. he has to differentiate real purity from wolf in sheep's clothing, he has to find someone...who brought pain to his family

"hey Bo Bo, don't I look maddeningly handsome in this outfit?" Lei gently pats on his shoulder, causing to awake from thoughts and raises his neck up "who is best graduate ever?"

"surely not you" Jiang leans closer and painfully pinches his arm, making poor boy whimper lowly "ceremony is about to start, just shut up"

"you fit being in the gang, I would love to arrest and torment you" Lei pouts and returns to his previous position. used to everyday bickering Yibo doesn't mind them at all and takes attention to the officer, who comes out on the little stage and eyes them with hold smile. he greets the auditory and starts common speech

"As you graduate from the Police University today, you take upon yourself all of the responsibilities of a Police Officer. Remember, above all else, that the bottom line of your duty is to protect and serve your community and this great nation. 

"With great power comes great responsibility, Congratulations On Your Graduation" 

loud clapping sounds fills the air and Yibo walks up on the stage, because he is called to read speech as best student. his eyes searches for special person and nods with sweet smile, when their eyes meets "Usually everyone is nervous while talking in front of the many people but actually I was prepared for this, since the first day I enter this university. I could get in, I could become best graduate and now...I'm going to fight against injustice with all my strength. I'm young man with many flaws and insecurities, I'm not perfect, I'll make mistakes through my career but...I have hope for better future. my friends, my colleagues, let's remember that from the moment we put our uniforms on, we're on the duty. we should forget our private problems and worries, we should rename confident and professional for helping others in the need. let's work together and let's return safely everyday to our homes and families. thank you so much for teaching me, teaching us how to be decent human beings"  finishing his words yibo bows and comes down, surrounded by clapping people. He smiles to everyone and opens his arms, taking crying woman into embrace

"Mom, I did well no? look at you crying mess"

"As always my sweet boy, mom is too proud of you" she breaks hug and stands on tiptoes, kissing Yibo's forehead "congrats on your graduation and stay safe for me please"

"Dude is this your sister?" Lei joins them and offers his hand for shake "so young and pretty"

"Don't mind him mom, lei flirts with everyone" Yibo laughs and introduces friends to his mother "we're going to take some documents, will you wait for us?"

"I can make delicious meal for you all, if aren't having other plans"

"Actually..." Lei pulls both boys closer and whispers "I wanna hook up with someone as celebration, so today will be more memorable"

"I think someday you're going to get your dick cut by some possessive man" Jiang grins and Lei literally goes pale, maybe imagining mentioned situation 

"Mom, I'll stop taxi for you. I'll talk to them and let's have dinner together. What would you like me to buy?" Yibo gently hits Lei's nape and leads her to the road

"Strawberry cake"

"Ok, as you wish my dear" Yibo pets her back and turns away after she gets in the car. Fallen deeply into thoughts he suddenly feels someone's stare and looks around until notices familiar figure standing nearby. Yibo wonders after few years of disappearance, why he still remembers that strange man, why he burned his image into heart and mind? After simple talk and only hug, why he was missing him?

"Zhan..." He whispers and runs forward, making way between other students' relatives. The more he gets closer, the more other one walks back "please, don't leave again. Zhan" this time he calls loudly and finally reaches his arm. Yibo sighs from relief and turns him back but...it isn't one he was waiting for

"I think you got wrong person" stranger smiles and Yibo apologizes, feeling strong disappointment, was it really just imagination?

*****

Yibo enters police station with his friends and looks around, like trying to draw every little details or person in his eyes, atmosphere is exactly what he was expecting for. detectives getting calls and leaving in hurry after receiving information about crime. others sitting at their private desks and taking testimony from some hooligans, air filled with smell of filth and alcohol but surprisingly he just loves it. handsome man, with strong built separates from others and walks towards them, Yibo is first one he greets and introduces himself 

"detective Ming Dao, you're new graduates right?"

"yes sir" all three salute and he laughs loudly 

"no need for that, you can drop formalities with me. so, now I'll be inform you about your duties. Lei, naughty one...you're appointed as traffic inspector, can start working from tomorrow"

"What?" Lei exclaims too loudly, everyone in the room gets startled "are you kidding me detective? I look terrible in the yellow, no way. I didn't study for this"

"Study? You're too lazy for having huge ambitions, you shouldn't use all time at flirting"

"Lei" Yibo hugs his shoulder and tries to comfort him "don't worry. You'll get promotion very soon"

"About Jiang, you'll work at office and control our database. You have to make detailed analyze of new cases and find connections between them"

"Like serial killer?" Lei asks with excitement and grabs Yibo's hand "so cool"

"Just follow me out, until someone takes you at kindergarten" Jiang nods at detective and forcefully drags Lei out, while Ming smiles at Yibo and hands something to him. Younger one tightly holds police badge and wide smile brightens his face

"Congrats Wang Yibo, let's get along well"

"Am I going to..."

"You're my partner since today. Usually we give probationary period but think you're ready already" he takes uniform jacket from chair and gives him "especially for you, I see it fits"

"Thank you so much, I'm in your service"

"Don't be this happy, this work isn't as easy as you think. Let's go, to meet your first case"

"Sure" Yibo safely saves badge and follows him to the interrogation room. One, from sitting two men inside literally screams wealth and luxury. His clothes colorful and fancy, hair tidy and silky, he is too beautiful with pure face Yibo becomes totally sure he is looking at victim

"This is so called Mike, only son of shareholder company's chairman. Known as party animal and lover of drugs"

"Come on detective, you're embarrassing me. I just love having fun, with all innocence"

"So after that innocent fun you hit someone with car and fled from crime scene" hearing this Yibo literally goes speechless and eyes suspect again, later one mockingly smiles and shakes his shoulders

"I was driving on my way, why would someone walk in the darkness detective? I'm victim one here, my car is damaged. you can't even imagine how much it costs"

"It was red light Mr Mike and you're in drunken state, that "someone" is young boy who is still unconscious and in danger to become invalid for life"

"Do I need to care?"

"You...you bastard" Yibo hits fist on the table and raises his body up but Ming catches his arm and drags down again "is this fucking entertaining for you? we talk about life, is car more important for you?"

"Not done yet? I want to leave" he just rolls eyes with annoyance and signs something to his attorney. Latter one stands up and opens the door, someone standing there comes in and Yibo moves stare to intruder. Tall, slim man is dressed in classic clothes and wears doctor's badge on it. His hair a little long and fallen on the forehead, pure beauty mixed with attractiveness, caused by glasses he wears. Detective says something to him but Yibo is literally frozen, deeply looking into his eyes. Other one slowly walks forward and leans on the table, eyeing him with kinda brazen expression. It's been too long but all those weird feelings are back and Yibo moves his lips to say name but...

"Yibo, know him from now on. Sean Xiao, criminal psychologist"

"Sean?" Yibo confusedly says and doctor moves his hand forward, it feels so cold but still detective wants to keep touch as long as possible. This time...is he finally back for good?

"Nice to meet you detective Wang Yibo" his voice, too pleasant but somehow unfamiliar

"You remember me"

"Remember? Have we ever met before?"

"But my name..."

"It's right in front of my eyes, on your chest detective" he mockingly says and Yibo feels his face burning. It can't be, that he is same person "anyway, I'm not here to make friends. This" he hands some documents to Ming and pats mike's shoulder "medical conclusion, he isn't in proper condition to answer your questions. Mr Mike is suffering from some mental problems and short amnesia attacks"

"Mr Xiao, what nonsense are you talking about? Ok let's say he doesn't remember that moment but does this fact makes him free from his crime? what are you trying to do?"

"We'll talk after his treatment is done" Sean turns back and fills glass with water, handling it to smirking Mike "drink and try to calm down, you look pale. guess these detectives not very nice"

"He is perfectly fine, this bastard remembers everything and isn't regretting at all" Yibo yells and throws his chair back "look here Sean or something, how much money did you get to save his shitty ass? Is this how your Hippocratic Oath works? Because of this asshole someone lost his youth, someone has to be bedridden for his whole life. Are you even human?"

"Human..." He grins and walks closer to him, cupping his shoulders Sean forces Yibo to sit down and whispers at his ear "you chose wrong place for meeting humans Mr Wang, here...you have to cut your tongue shorter and stop barking without having ability to bite" his deep voice sends shiver to younger one's body and makes him unable to even move.

"You can take him" Ming says with hold anger and avoids Mike's mocking face. He leaves with attorney and Yibo follows back after excusing himself. Sean is already reached the end of corridor when Yibo catches his wrist and turns him back, doctor sighs and removes his hand

"What now?"

"Zhan...no I mean Sean, can't you just say the truth? It's been few years confusion makes me crazy, finally we meet again, please talk to me"

"Don't think we're close enough to address each-other with only names Mr Wang"

"Who the hell are you?" Unable to hold it anymore Yibo roughly presses him against the wall and removes his glasses with quick movement. His fingers gently moves Sean's hair away and leans closer their faces almost touches "your eyes...they tell the story but I can't hear, I can't read. Are you two persons in the same body or he is somewhere else? Does Zhan even exist in this world? Or he was only my imagination? I don't even know...who I was thinking about, who I was waiting for"

"Forget it" Yibo is taken aback, noticing tears in Sean's eyes. Painful expression lasts only for few seconds and he becomes cold again "I don't know who is Zhan, I don't know you too"

"Lying, you're lying. who am I fooling? you can't be Zhan, he was pure artist, beautiful one"

"why? am I dirty or ugly? I'm actually very talented one"

"you're...simply cynic person"

"if you dislike me this much, then let's just keep professional relationship detective Wang, we're going to meet very often from now on" his palm pushes Yibo back, after sightly caressing his chest. Detective returns the glasses and looks after him until Sean disappears. He stays still till Ming pets his back and says with worrying tone

"I know you're newbie but learn controlling your temper Yibo. That kind of scenes...sadly happens very often. We caught that asshole for countless times but in vain, he can always get out thanks for the authority his family holds"

"What about him, Sean?"

"He is most famous criminal physiologist, with high connections. He is overly weird one, but we can do nothing. Seniority wants him"

"is he always protecting whose rich criminals? is he corrupt?"

"not really, it's been almost two years he works with us. we usually call at special cases, what can I say? sometimes like, sometimes hate him"

"so no one knows him well. anyway thanks sunbae, I wasn't expecting easy job but for the first day still too much" Yibo sadly smiles and takes his badge out "welcome to the real police force Wang Yibo"

*****

Yibo enters small bar and walks towards table, where Jiang is waiting for him. Latter one smiles at him and waves hand to Lei who just comes in

"As always I'm first one" he rolls eyes and fills the glasses "so how was your first day guys? let's share our stories"

"See by yourself" Lei takes glasses off and they gasp noticing his bruised eye

"What happened?"

"So, car was parked at wrong place and I was going to leave fine paper on it. Suddenly door opened when I was leaned down and boom...it hit my face. This isn't everything, woman sitting in was half naked and his partner thought I was going to do something bad to her. I couldn't even say anything, he hit me as soon as arrived. actually she was too beautiful and secretly gave phone number to me. as least something good happened" he sighs loudly and waits for the comforting words but both guys are busy holding their laughter  "you're too evil, I'm really hurt here. Working outside is very hard, my arms hurt by nonstop moving"

"Office work is hard too, other than swollen eyes my head hurts from too many information. Still don't regret, it's somehow exciting. What about you Yibo?" Mentioned one awakes from his thoughts and hesitantly answers

"I met him...black angel today" Lei splashes juice out from shock and Jiang wipes his face with killer expression. Yibo awkwardly coughs and hands him the handkerchief "I know it's crazy guys but..."

"Was your first day this stressful? Maybe it's better if you give up Yibo"

"I'm serious guys, he felt total stranger but...since that hug"

"Yibo, it's usually girls who make fuss about any simple touches, it's been years already"

"I'm happy and disappointed at the same time, he is total opposite of me. Unfair and sneaky one, bratty and self-concerned, still..."

"Insulting someone with sparkling eyes, is this new trend?" Lei chuckles and hits his nape as habit "hey dude, I smell office romance. Don't fuck at the police station, it's against your righteousness"

"What I was even expecting?" Yibo frowns and answers ringing phone "sunbae, why are you late? We're waiting for you"

"Yibo, something serious happened here"

"What?"

"Mike, that asshole was found in his car unconscious. As doctors said he had strong heart attack and supposedly half part of his body gonna stay paralyzed"

"But what caused it?"

"No one knows Yibo, maybe he overdosed by himself or someone purposely did it. to be honest no one cares, he got deserved punishment, anyway have fun without me today. See you tomorrow" call ends and slight smirk shakes Yibo's lips, he moves glass up and says loudly "let's cheer to justice guys, justice...only life brings"

At first, I wanna thank everyone who took my problem to heart and comforted me, who spent precious time on me and gave so much advices 🙏 I always make my characters do it in the stories but...I just experienced how healing sharing can be. I felt sincere care and it made me cry from happiness. Hearing that someone needs and loves my stories, that it brings smile on your faces, gave me strength and motivation to get well soon. I don't have enough words to express it just you're too sweet, too lovely and this author truly adores you
❤️❤️❤️

Had written almost half of it and literally forced myself to sit down and continue. Such a beautiful feeling when you fully move into story and forget your own life, when your fingers hurt by typing. Yes, this is what I love to do 🥰

About the story...I slowly start loving this characters, I slowly fear of coming angst 😅 yes this gonna be dark one, real life as we call it.
For readers who cares about this matter: This story is YiZhan and ZhanYi
Both top, both bottom like "Dark Society"
I don't force you to read, still I'll be happy if you stay 😊