Teo comes into his place with careful steps, not to awake family members but mom is still sitting at the table and looks down on the full plate. Teo faintly smiles and bends down, kissing her already silvered hair

"Why did you stay up? You should sleep mom"

"I was worrying, you usually eat at home. It became already cold, wait for me to..."

"Mom, it's ok. I had dinner at Wang's mansion, sorry for making you wait, they invited me and couldn't say no"

"At least you got to eat something good" she whispers with painful voice and Teo lowers head to hide his trembling chin. Not disgust but he feels too sorry about their living conditions, this tiny room with almost falling walls, smell of the damp which is already impossible to get rid of, half ripped curtain separating so called bed and living room from each-other, the difference between his and Yibo's house always breaks Teo's heart and self esteem since he first visited them

"I'll buy something very delicious for you ok? Like before mom. I told you already, I won't make you starve anymore. it's total mess in my life now, give me some time"

"My poor baby" she caresses his hands and latter one smiles with teary eyes "but what is that bruise on your face, did you fight with someone?"

"It's nothing, I just hurt myself while fixing motorcycle"

"about this, young Wang's decision means...you're left without job no?"

"Even he won't get back to racing, Yibo promised to find something other for me, so don't worry"

"Alright my dear, I'm very proud of you, although getting through too many hardships, still remained very innocent. Hope one day life pays back to you"

"Who knows...prepare for the sleep ok? I'll talk to them for a while and then gonna rest too"

"Sure" Teo moves curtain and two pretty, little girls immediately sit up on the bad widely smiling at him "gege is at home"

"Were you missing me? Very, very much?" He joins and both tightly hug his arms "I have something yummy for you"

"Really? What is it"

"Here enjoy my sweeties, it's good before sleep" Teo takes two red apples out from his pocket and hands to them, moon light coming from outside gives him the chance to see their brightened faces and it pours happiness in his heart

"Did pretty, cool gege send it to us? When will he give ride with motorcycle again?" They excitedly ask and Teo frowns

"Yibo is hurt now girls and...seems like he already has someone more important than us"

"He hates us because we're from orphanage? Because we don't have real parents?"

"Never, never be ashamed about this. The fact we're left by them doesn't mean it's our fault and we're bad. Yibo isn't the person who differentiates people based on their origins" Teo pulls them in tight embrace and closes eyes, scene of him secretly taking apples from kitchen causes unpleasant feelings and few tears drops on his cheeks. Once he was told stealing food isn't shameful, still he hates himself, who knows for how many times in his life Teo resents himself

*****

"So, where are you going?" Cheng asks after picking Zhan up and suspiciously looks at him "to ruin something as always?"

"Not to kill or fuck someone don't worry, although I'm willing to"

"Exactly which one? just curious"

"Both and to the same person" Zhan rolls his eyes and starts talking with irritated tone "I just can't understand why he dislikes me? I mean after that incident I treat him so sweetly, my all teeth are about to pop out anytime we meet. I dress in my best clothes, wear the most fancy perfume and..."

"Yeah, you wanna marry him" Cheng stops car at the traffic light and almost dies from laughing "you act like teenager girl who tries to make good impression on her crush. You're too pissed Yibo isn't falling at your feet like others no? Finally someone dared to stand against your beauty. Watching you in this situation truly feel satisfying"

"Crush my ass, it's all about my ego. And you're my friend not his damn it. It just makes me too upset, how come that doggy Teo is better than me?"

"He is handsome and sexy tho"

"You get trashy taste"

"Hmm maybe" Cheng hesitates and then asks Zhan with low voice "you dig into Yibo's info no? What about...Haikuan?"

"What about him? As I know his life is too boring and quiet, not dating rumors or scandals. He lives like...priest or maybe hidden criminal? not interesting case for me"

"You always love making things harder" Cheng pouts and Zhan suddenly attacks his cheek, biting on it sightly "what the hell" he screams from surprise "I'm driving Zhan, when you're going to stop this weird acts?"

"You know I'm weak against your cute face"

"Silly, so where are we going?"

"Stadium"

"Why? Yibo isn't practicing anymore"

"I need some recordings and maybe gonna sneak in Yibo's changing room too?"

"Zhan..." Cheng calls when they reach stadium and Zhan stops "please never hit on me"

"What?"

"Being your friend is already hard enough, let's always stay like this"

"Brat" Zhan frowns and walks away, Cheng shakes his head with smile and is about to start driving when notices Haikuan standing nearby. Latter one looks at him with sad expression and Cheng gets confused. That unpleasant feeling from before still follows and bothers him, at the same time Cheng knows they aren't close enough to ask for explanation. At the end he just nods to him slightly and leaves from there.

***

"Exactly which recording do you want?" Security asks Zhan with doubt

"That day when accident happened to Yibo. Guess you still have it"

"But why now? Almost every channel aired it already"

"Please, why won't you do it cause of my beautiful eyes?" Security looks up at him and shakes his head

"You surely know how to use your appearance no? But sorry I'm into women"

"What about I make some show here? I'm good at that too" Zhan grins and bends down "it won't kill you so just do what I said. I need near view thanks" Zhan turns camera on without him noticing and curiously looks at monitor "by any chance, have you even broken any limb before?"

"Yes my hand, it hurt like hell I even fainted for a minute from pain"

"Right no?" Zhan smiles with satisfaction and taps on his shoulder "think I get clue already and maybe some proof too? thanks for your help and good luck in women bro" after a while Zhan reaches Yibo's changing room and wonders how to get the key when suddenly hears weird sound coming from inside. he hesitates but still curiosity wins and quietly opens the door. View is totally unexpected and different from before, Yibo still sitting in the wheelchair tightly hugs his motorcycle and cries loudly, his hands softly caresses the seat and whole body shakes from nonstop sobs.

"I'm very bad boy no? I'm so sorry for leaving my dear wife alone. It was you who helped me to make my empty life enjoyable, to smile happily in a while. It hurts that I don't have any strength anymore to keep fighting, you think I'm coward no? Just...just I'm scared, scared of everyone and everything. Scared of life...because I don't know how to live, because society is too unfamiliar for me, because I'm still used being alone.  Who is going to show me the way? Who..."

"Yibo..." Zhan lowly calls and his voice sounds sweeter than he expected from himself. Still standing at the door he slowly walks towards Yibo and moves his hand forward, usually Zhan hates watching people crying, usually he hides or runs from them but now... "It's me, you can avoid my touch as always" Zhan's hand slowly runs on Yibo's back and caresses it, latter one just visibly shivers but stays quiet and Zhan becomes bolder, as he kneels next to him and pats Yibo's hair

"I don't cry often, why you're always here next to me when I do?" Yibo's voice carries too strong pain, it makes Zhan's heart move

"So you won't be able to push me back" Zhan suddenly tightly wraps arms around his chest and Yibo gasps, yes he is unable because it hurts, because for unknown reasons Zhan's closeness feels good and warm. Zhan's hair which is now fallen on his neck smells so good and he closes eyes just enjoying the moment "look at yourself, about to start purring like little kitten, do you admit defeat Wang Yibo?"

"let go" Yibo tries to free himself but Zhan holds him tighter and his warm breath teases Yibo's neck

 "what were you thinking? Calling this thing your wife? Someone may get jealous you know?"

"Mn, think I know that someone. Silly and annoying journalist"

"you're such a dork, but still i wanna help. If you keep racing...I'll give free services to you"

"Like?"

"Like..." Zhan let goes of him and Yibo straightens his back too "being your model?" Zhan hops on the motorcycle and makes sexy pose, causing Yibo gulp so hard "i'll stand behind you, I'll cheer you up, am I not better than whose girls filled with silicon? All natural" Zhan suddenly slaps his own butt and starts laughing cutely

"Shameless"

"But I made you smile no?"

"When did I?"

"Just now" Zhan leans closer and lifts the corners of Yibo's lips up with his fingers "you looked like this, ok I'm not gift of god but always can make someone smile. Why won't we just talk more?"

"About what?"

"Us?" Zhan takes Yibo out and walks towards park nearby, he doesn't removes his eyes from Yibo even for a second and wonders how many layers this boy has? Behind this wide shoulders and strong body such a fragile soul is hiding, his eyes which sometimes darkens with denial and anger, looks so pure and full of sadness now. What kind of life did he live? "You give me headache" he says with irritation and Yibo looks up with surprised expression

"I'm not even talking, what is wrong with you?"

"Can't you just be...simple like others? We're here already" Zhan stops wheelchair and sits down on the bench, waving his hand to passing little boy "kiddo, will you buy ice cream for us? leave change for yourself"

"Sure uncle" he runs happily and Zhan frowns, especially noticing Yibo's hold laughter

"I just tried to be nice and can't believe he called me uncle. Do I look this old for you?" Yibo is willing to say that he looks too cute but just shakes head with denial

"Not at all"

"then it's fine. But can you tell me who is that guy standing nearby? He was following us since stadium"

"My bodyguard, dad decided I need him" Yibo carelessly says but Zhan knows there is serious reason behind Mr Wang's decision

"for how long do you have to wear plaster?"

"About more one week" Yibo takes ice-cream from kid and thanks him, he looks down at it with sad expression until Zhan sighs and opens it for him

"Why so weird? It isn't like this is your first time... no?"

"Ice cream harms throat, it becomes sore easily" Yibo repeats dad's words and takes first bite. he always preferred to avoid eating something than visiting hospital more often, like this he missed too many enjoyable things in his life 

"Good?"

"Mn, it's very delicious"

"Actually Yibo, since our first meeting I want to ask you this. Why did you save me that day? How could you sacrifice your life for total stranger?"

"I was tired"

"By what?"

"Existing, that time I didn't care about anything, I was living too recklessly, maybe trying to put myself in danger purposely? At that moment when I notice ball hitting the window I thought..." Yibo looks at Zhan and faintly smiles to the memory, it was second time in his life when his heart start beating so fast, what if he agreed at the bar before then? What if he decided to fight for Zhan like he did for his dream profession? But he wasn't loved by him, he isn't now too  "if I could save someone's life in exchange of mine, it should be nice"

"You're too complicated"

"maybe you're right, it's only my wife I can fully open with, be cool free and happy"

"i start to envy your wife"

"and what about you? Why did you lie to aunt Meilin? You didn't grew up in China"

"Wow, were you collecting info about me? I'm sure it was that gossiper brat Cheng. Because after first answer there always comes countless questions, I have some memories I'm not really willing to remember. I prefer to be seemed like totally careless, funny boy for everyone. why dig in my past?"

"You show some human sides, it's surprising"

"Bitches like me have hard time sometimes too" Yibo is sure Zhan is kidding as always and waits for him to start laughing but he stays serious "you know? Thailand was like heaven for me, I grew up in full freedom. At the school, college, university, everywhere you can show your true colors. There are bl drama filming sets at almost every place, maybe I appeared somewhere too? I wasn't judged, I wasn't hated but here...China is full with hypocrites like you"

"Zhan..."

"Honestly, I know very well that so called my friends don't give any shit about me. Being mostly fake myself I can read through them too, there is only Cheng who really loves me and I can't even understand why"

"Wonder too"

"You're so bad but anyway thanks for finally accepting my friend request" Zhan giggles and takes Yibo's hand between his palms, latter one lowers his eyes trying to not blush and murmurs

"When did I?"

"You just talked to me for one hour, you let me to hug you, you smiled at me too.  If not friends then maybe boyfriends?"

"in your dream but..." Yibo uses fact their hands hold and pulls him closer "just now, were you really honest with me Zhan?" this question startles Zhan to the point he frees himself from grip and moves back, not because it's hard for him to lie but cause sudden realization he truly was...he truly wanted to open for Yibo and maybe he really starves to be his friend? Zhan avoids Yibo's waiting puppy eyes and smiles awkwardly 

"yep, I'm so doomed honestly"

So they got a little closer and I feel already sorry for Zhan 😅 maybe he started falling already?🥰 hope you liked this chapter dear readers ❤️❤️❤️