It has been more than 3 months since Zhan called Seungyoun and Gene to the lounge at the gallery to talk to both of them. At that time, he told them, "My former employer suggested I could accompany him on a long business trip. It's to look at art galleries around the world and find new art objects. I've agreed and right after the big charity gala, it's going to start. I want you to run the gallery in my absence."

Seungyoun nodded and replied, "No problem. I will then inform you of everything in emails and send you documents."

"Yes very well." Said Zhan.

"Boss, what am I going to do without you for so long? I will miss you." Whined Gene.

"Gene, I'll only be gone for 2-3 months. Don't worry, I will write or call you often." Said Zhan laughing. He liked Gene from the very beginning. Even though they are both almost the same age, she often seems younger to him and often already made him laugh with her cheerful, childish ways.

"Um, are you going to give something of your own for the charity gala, or something from our other artists." Asked Seungyoun, who simply ignored Gene's whining.

"Something of my own. I did a painting and I'm almost done with it." Replied Zhan.

"Good, then I'll inform the organizers since they asked." Said Seungyoun and disappeared back into the office. Zhan shook his head with a smile.

Although Seungyoun has been working with Zhan for three months now, he is still cool and hardly talks to him. But for Zhan, that was okay as long as he at least talked business with Zhan.

A few days later, a huge charity gala was held in the evening, where Zhan showed his new painting for the first time and it was auctioned off. The interest in his painting was amazingly high. And it was auctioned for 3 million yuan.

In the painting, Zhan painted two rocks, on the right and left of the painting. The rocks cast shadows on the ground in front of them. The ground was gray and desolate. But between these two rocks there was lush green grass with various flowers. The sun shone on it and made everything shine brightly. In the background there was a forest and a river. Everything seemed in harmony and unison. Only the ground in front of the two rocks did not.

An elderly lady who bought the painting said to Zhan, "It reminds me of my own life. I grew up in poverty, we had nothing. Everything was barren and sad. Then I met my husband, he brought me into a whole new bright and cheerful world. But unfortunately he was not by my side for very long, because he got sick and died. Then my world was the same as before. Sad and empty."

"Interesting way of looking at the painting." Replied Zhan as he personally handed her the painting.

Zhan was actually amazed at her point of view. The reason was that he began painting the picture after spending one last evening with Yibo. At some point in the process, he came to the same view as this elderly lady. He too thought that his life seemed more colorful and brighter the moment Yibo entered his life. But it was only a short time and that is why there is perhaps only this narrow bright strip, between these two rocks.

The day after the charity gala, he left with his old boss and mentor. They traveled from one place to the next, around the world. They visited museums, galleries and small studios. They talked to many artists. A time in which Zhan managed to bring his emotional world back into harmony. To be more cheerful again.

Zhan came back stronger and with new ideas for his own art. During his absence, his mother and stepfather sold their house and his little brother moved into his apartment. Zhan almost had to laugh when he walked into the apartment and found his brother lying on the floor in his room studying while the desk stood unused next to him.

"I knew you would be lying on the floor studying." Said Zhan laughing.

Cheng stood up and hugged Zhan, "It's nice to finally be back home big brother."

"It's good to be home too. I hope you've settled in here already."

"Yes I have. The room is quite enough for me. I'm mostly at the university or your gallery anyway."

"Mhm, Gene told me that you are working hard. Are you enjoying it at least a little bit?"

"Yes, very much so. Gene is totally funny. Seungyoun is very secretive but nice."

"True, Gene always brings humor to the gallery. I don't know Seungyoun any other way. Even in his emails, he's like that. He writes the most necessary things and that's it."

"Hey Zhan, you really could have told me that your neighbor is a celebrity. I soon fainted when he came out of his apartment once and talked to me."

"You mean next door here?"

"Yes, or are there more idols and superstars in the building?"

"As far as I know, he's the only one."

"Tell me, are you two friends?"

"Who, Wang Yibo and me?"

"Mhm."

"Um, not really. Why?"

"Well, because he asked me in shock who I was and why I came out of your apartment."

"Ah, well, he must have been wondering."

"He looked really shocked. But then was relieved when I said I'm your little brother and I live with you. Then he asked me who you were and I told him you were on a long business trip."

"Did he say anything else?"

"No. Well just that he wanted to talk to you when you got back."

"I see."

"ZhanZhan, come on. Tell me what's going on between you two. Dad told me you were dating an idol. Was that him?"

"We weren't together. So not really."

"Then what? Oh come on, tell me." Begged Cheng.

Zhan sighed and told him in great detail. As soon as Zhan got to the end of his explanation, Cheng jumped up and said, "Too bad I wasn't there, I would have punched his brother in the face."

"Cheng, his brother is taller and wider than you. I don't think you would have had a chance."

"How would you know? You may not be able to see it, but I'm strong."

"Sure you are. But what would-be teacher beat up someone just because they were bad to his big brother?"

"True you're right. But you know, apparently Wang Yibo deeply resented his brother for all that, because he has a new manager."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Wang Han is his manager now. It was in an article on the Internet a while back. It just didn't say why the management was changed."

"Mhhh, who knows if that had anything to do with it. In any case, it's none of our business. How are things going with your studies, by the way? If you need extra help with anything, let me know. Then we'll find someone for you."

"Don't worry big brother, everything is in the green. By the way, Yanli and her husband are currently on a house search. Apparently they have saved enough money now to be able to buy a house."

"Mhm, she wrote it to me. Mom gave her some of the money she got for selling the house."

"How come Yanli got some money and we didn't?"

"Well Yanli is married and they have a child together. Maybe our mother felt sorry for them because they only live in the two room apartment so far? Why you didn't get anything, I don't know and I don't understand it, because you could need the money as well. And I certainly didn't get anything because I earn my own money and wouldn't have taken it anyway."

"Are you still mad at Mom?"

"Mad? No. We just have different perspectives. Especially regarding our stepfather. I think he's changed a lot in the last few years. When I think about what he was like when Mom and he got married. Then it's like he's turned around 180 percent."

"Mmm, you're right. Back then he was always nice to us and did things with us too. But suddenly he got weird."

"For me, he was through when he threw Yanli out the door right after graduation. She had no job at the time, so no income, no apartment, nothing. But he didn't care about that. Luckily, she was able to live with Dad until she found a job."

"Mom was really horrified then when he kicked our big sister out the door. She had even begged him to take her back. But he stood firm."

"Yeah I remember. They even had a big fight about it. But it hadn't helped."

"I just don't understand how Yanli could just forgive the two of them. You know Zhan, when our stepfather told me I had to move out because he and Mom wanted to sell the house so they could travel, I was really pissed. Especially because I'm still in the middle of my studies. I'm certainly not going to forgive either of them for that."

"Yanli is much more kind-hearted than you are. She's always hated arguments and was quick to try to find something good even in bad experiences. But she and Mom have also always had a special relationship. But you shouldn't think about it now, keep dedicating yourself to learning. I have to do some shopping first anyway, I want to cook for us tonight."

"Okay. And Zhan? Thank you for letting me stay here."

"You're very welcome little brother." Replied Zhan and left his room.

Zhan went to the bathroom, freshened up a bit, put on clean clothes, and then left to go shopping. Since the supermarket is only one street away, he left the car and walked.

He already had almost everything in his shopping cart when someone tapped him from behind. Hastily, he turned around and saw someone he was definitely not expecting. Wang Hai Kuan! "What do you want?" Zhan asked, as unfriendly-minded as he could be.

"Um, hello first and welcome back."

"Uh yeah, thanks. I'll tell you right now, if you're going to threaten me again about Yibo, save it. I haven't talked to him or seen him since the day we broke up."

"That's not why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to apologize to you for my rude behavior and explain."

"What is there to explain?"

"Would you join me for a hot cup of tea? Then I can explain everything to you in peace." Zhan didn't know what to say. Actually, he wanted nothing more to do with the Wang's. But still he nodded.

Zhan finished his shopping and accompanied Hai Kuan to the Japanese Tea House right next to the supermarket. They sat in a separate room where they were served tea. "Well, talk then." Said Zhan after the waitress left them alone.

"There was a reason for my behavior. Well, I'd best start at the beginning. You and I were in the same university, at the same time. At that time, well, I fell in love with you. However, I was never brave enough to approach you." Hai Kuan began.

"We went to the same university? I never saw you there." Replied Zhan. He can't remember ever seeing Hai Kuan there.

"It was like that, believe me. Well, at that time I was courageless and didn't dare to approach you. Just being able to watch you was enough for me."

"Um, okay."

"So when my brother kept talking about an artist he was a fan of, I didn't think anything of it. I just thought, just let him do it. Until I found out which artist he was interested in. And that he was no longer just your fan, but fell in love with you. Even then I remained calm, even though it bothered me inside. But then Yibo told me about your first kiss. And that's when I got angry. I was blinded by anger, you might say."

"So you did something to separate your brother and me?"

"I tried yes. But it didn't work. I kept trying and trying. But nothing worked. Until I realized that if you can't see each other anymore, it's heading for a breakup with you guys. Don't get me wrong, I love my little brother and I don't begrudge him the love. But I couldn't and can't watch him be with the one person who meant and means so much to me."

"Mhhh, so out of jealousy, you intentionally kept us away from each other?"

"Yes. By getting Yibo so many appointments that he even barely had time to call you."

"Wow. So if you hadn't hurt Yibo and me so much by doing that, I think I would have been impressed with what you're capable of doing for your love. But Hai Kuan, I'll be honest, even without Yibo, I wouldn't have fallen in love with you."

"How would you know? You weren't in love with Yibo before either. You could give me a chance first and get to know me. Then you'd see that I'm actually quite a nice guy."

"Hai Kuan, that wouldn't do any good. My heart was beating faster for Yibo right after the kiss. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I had even realized over the past few months without him that even before I met Yibo, I was impressed by him. That's why I memorized everything I read about him. After that first kiss, or maybe even during it, I fell in love with him."

"But he stole your first kiss."

"And I'm glad he did. You know, he was right then. If he'd asked me out, I would have said no. I didn't have a high opinion of idols. And when Yibo suddenly kissed me without being asked, I was angry and shocked at first. But then I was happy about it. Because through that I got to know this incredibly great young man who is behind this brand idol and superstar. Yibo knows exactly what he wants and makes it clear. And that's exactly what I like about him. No games, no lies. He's direct and honest."

"So you still like him?"

"No, I don't like him. I love him. You know, because of you, I had to break his heart. I had to hurt him because you were jealous. But you have no right to do so, Hai Kuan. You could have tried your best to get my attention back then. But you didn't. You could have told me when we first met why you were really against this relationship and we would have been more thoughtful, but you preferred lying. You threatened me, insulted me, and even dragged your parents into it. And the only real reason I rejected Yibo was to stop from hurting him further. I would have waited much longer for him too, that's how deep he is in my heart. But I couldn't stand by and watch him get hurt by you and your parents anymore. So I had to break his heart."

"Zhan I'm sorry. I..."

"None of that matters anymore does it? You got your way and I let Yibo go. But that's all I can give. I don't want it to either. Because my heart broke too. And I don't plan on letting anyone into my heart again."

"What if you and Yibo were given another chance?"

"Even if there was another chance, I wouldn't take it. Because once again I don't want to have to go through that pain. I should never have gotten involved with him, then neither of us would have been hurt. And I won't let it happen again."

"But..."

"I have to go home now. My little brother is waiting for me. I wish you a good life yet, and hope that you too have learned from your mistakes. Farewell." Said Zhan. He got up, picked up his shopping bags and left the teahouse.

On the way home, Zhan smiled. "Like I'm going to tell him I'm waiting for Yibo. Who knows what he would do then." He murmured softly. Zhan decided for himself to wait for Yibo, even if it took another year or two. He loves Yibo and wants to give him time. But until that time comes, he will keep this to himself. No one should know how he really feels about Yibo.