For Zhan, it has been a week since he last saw the idol, or rather his business partner. He asked himself since then again and again, why he had not asked his business partner actually for his cell phone number, so that he could have contacted him, because of the gallery? Because there was now something urgent that Zhan wanted to discuss with the idol.

Just three days after the idol's departure, Gene came to Zhan and told him that Yibo's online schedule had been updated, and according to it, he had a photo shoot in Shanghai on the evening of the gallery's opening ceremony.

Zhan was furious, but more because he couldn't call Yibo and ask if anything had changed in his schedule or if this was just for show for Yibo's fans. Because somehow Zhan had the feeling that Yibo's brother wouldn't take the rejection Zhan gave him so easily. Yet he had only honestly said what he thought.

To be prepared for all eventualities, Zhan contacted a singer friend of his and asked her to step in as a substitute should the scheduled musician not show up. He was uncomfortable asking her to do that, since he knows her well and she didn't deserve to be a substitute either. But he had no other choice in such a hurry.

Angry as Zhan was, he complained to his best friend Ella: "I tell you, I'm really on 180 right now. Why didn't I ask him to leave me his cell phone number? Now we don't know if he's going to be at the opening ceremony singing or not!"

"Mhhh, but he should have thought of it as your business partner as well. Have you tried to contact him via his social networks? Do you have an email address from him? I mean, in the contract you both signed, because of the business partnership."

"No, no email address. At the time, it went through a notary, which is why I first thought he just wanted to be a silent partner. He hadn't even contacted me personally."

"So there was this advertisement about your search for a business partner and a notary took care of everything?"

"Mhm, and a lawyer, of course, who drew up the contract. Anyway, I don't have any means of contact."

"Then why don't you ask the lawyer or the notary?"

"I did at that time but they said my business partner doesn't want direct contact. And my lawyer tried to reach him at the given cell phone number, but the number no longer exists. Presumably, that number had already ceased to exist by the time the contract was signed."

"That's dumb."

"Yeah totally. God it bugs me so much. There he has an apartment next door, on top of that he's my business partner and the one who stole my first kiss, and then he's worse to reach than the president."

"ZhanZhan, do you miss him by any chance?"

"What, who do I miss?"

"Well, Wang Yibo. Since he left, you keep repeating that he stole your first kiss. Maybe you do like him and miss him because of that? And is that why it annoys you so much that you can't reach him? I mean, that wouldn't be so bad if he didn't show up on opening night. The singer is great and you've both been on stage together a few times. You've sung several duets. She'd be great for the big night, wouldn't she?"

"I don't have any feelings for him. I just think a business partner who made a promise should be able to be reached somehow in case there are questions or problems."

"Mhm is clear ZhanZhan. So, has Wang Yibo's brother contacted you again?"

"Yes, this morning. He came to the gallery and put a contract in front of me and told me to sign a non-disclosure agreement. And I should do that right away."

"What kind of non-disclosure agreement?"

"Well, I'm supposed to sign that I won't tell anyone where Yibo lives and that he's my business partner. And if I violate it, I'll face a heavy financial penalty, up to and including a lawsuit in court."

"And you signed that?"

"No. I told him to leave me the contract and I'll have my lawyer review it and then advise me. I'm not going to be stupid enough to sign some contract with a lot of fine print without having it reviewed more closely."

"That's right. Especially since the guy obviously doesn't like you and wants to keep you away from Yibo."

"Yeah right? I mean, I didn't do anything and here he was approaching me like I was some lecher going after his little brother. And then today in the gallery he said something like he couldn't understand why his little brother put his hard earned money in a hole like that."

"What? What's he like?"

"I don't know. Anyway, Gene heard it and kicked him out. She told him he couldn't come back to my office without an appointment. That's why I like Gene so much. She's tough when she has to be."

"Yeah, she totally adores you and would never put anything on you."

"I wouldn't go that far to say something like that. But she's already very grateful that I gave her the chance for this job as my assistant, even though she's a single mom and never shows up on time."

The two best friends drained another bottle of red wine that night as they talked about Yibo, Gene, and the gallery's grand opening night.

*~*~*

A few days later...

In the gallery there was a lot of activity the whole day because of the preparations for the evening. Zhan's cell phone was hardly standing still and he even had to call Ella to support him because he and Gene couldn't do everything by themselves.

In a quiet moment, Ella asked, "So, has Yibo contacted you yet? Do you know anything new yet?"

Zhan shook his head. "No, nothing at all. I went home briefly earlier to take a shower and put on my suit. By the time I was done, it was just before 6 pm. I rang the bell and knocked on Yibo's door, but no one answered."

"So he's really in Shanghai?"

"How should I know?"

Gene typed something into her cell phone and then showed it to Zhan, "He was seen by his fans today in Shanghai at the airport. So he's there."

"Oh what an asshole!" Scolded Ella.

"Ella, please. Besides, I already told you that you can't rely on idols."

"Yes ZhanZhan, only here he is your business partner and not an idol."

"So what? What am I supposed to do now? Getting upset won't help me now. Let's focus on our work instead. That means, Gene goes to her reception, you Ella make sure that the caterers always make sure that no empty glasses are standing around and that no guest has to wait for a drink. Meanwhile, I'll go greet the guests and have pictures taken of me and the VIPs."

Since everyone knew his task, the big evening could begin. The gallery was officially opened, after Zhan gave a short speech welcoming everyone, three stars had the honor to officially cut the ribbon and with that the gallery had been OPENED. Zhan greeted all the guests personally and by name. They took pictures together, talked and the evening could begin.

Again and again Zhan looked to the door and hoped, Yibo would still come. He hoped that his business partner would also be present. Singing or not was meanwhile all the same to him. But as a business partner he should already be there. Even if nobody knows that he is Zhan's business partner.

When it was time for the musical act, the singer came out and sang three duets together with Zhan. He hadn't felt like singing though, he was way too disappointed because Yibo didn't keep his promise and was there. But since Zhan is a professional, he didn't show any signs and covered up his disappointment.

While the singer sang soft ballads, Zhan chatted with guests and present the artists, explained some artworks, made new contacts and was happy that all selected artworks for this evening had been sold. This is exactly what he had in mind.

He then told the young yet unknown artists the good news and of course they were very happy. Because for them this was a great evening. Hardly any other art gallery wanted to exhibit their paintings, but Zhan did and he sold everything, just as he promised them.

Ella often stood near Zhan and watched him. As his best friend since kindergarten, she knew him best and she knew he was just playing his good mood. It made her sad when she thought about how Zhan had excitedly told her with bright eyes that Yibo was his business partner and even wanted to perform at the opening ceremony.

Zhan had told her that he changed his mind about Yibo after they spent a day together. And she also knows that Zhan is just pretending that he doesn't care about Yibo. She knows that Zhan is just afraid of getting hurt. Like Rin was back then, before he took his own life. 

But Ella also has a secret about that. She was once at Rin's grave and met the idol he was with. The idol was kneeling in front of Rin's grave, crying, and kept asking him for forgiveness. And the idol told her that his agency had locked him in his apartment and they took away his cell phone and cut off his internet access after he and Rin were seen together.

They then sent him abroad with some monitors and then when he came back, he at least wanted to say in the media that he and Rin were friends and that's why they met and were so close. But, by then it had already been too late.

Ella wanted to tell Zhan about it right away, but unfortunately someone from the agency had found out about her conversation with the idol and she had to sign a gag contract forbidding her from ever talking about what the idol told her.

And she knows Zhan well enough to know that he wouldn't stay quiet if she told him about it. And that's why she kept it to herself. For fear of being sued. She didn't have much, and she didn't want to lose what she had.

But she hadn't even thought about it until Yibo came into Zhan's life and apparently intends to have a relationship with Zhan. But even though Rin's idol isn't that popular anymore, she can't tell Zhan. But because of the contract she signed at that time in fright and fear, she can't tell Zhan anything because he would make it public, just to restore Rin's honor and clear his name.

Zhan came to Ella and asked her, "Is something bothering you? You look so thoughtful."

"No ZhanZhan, it's all good. I just think it's a pity that Yibo didn't make it after all."

"Mhm, I think it's a pity too. As a business partner, he should have been here."

"And as the guy who stole your first kiss anyway."

"Whatever, the evening had still been a great success. And I'd better get ready for Yibo not being a gallery support. He doesn't have enough time for that."

"Mhhh, maybe you're right."

"Yes, I'm sure I am."

"You're already very disappointed aren't you? I mean, I see you smile, but I know you and I know that's not your real smile."

"Sure I'm disappointed. But I'm also tired. This has been a very long and very tiring day. And I really only want one thing, to go home and go to bed."

"How long are we staying?"

"The guests are gone and the caterers are cleaning up. As soon as they're gone, we're going home, too. After all, Gene has been gone for over an hour."

"Yes she was still saying goodbye to me. Honestly Zhan. As soon as you see Yibo, hit him in the butt and ask him why he didn't keep his promise."

"I certainly won't do that. Let's not forget he's an idol and if his agency and brother send him somewhere for a photo shoot, he has to go."

"I know. But still. As your business partner..."

"Ella, I know what you mean. But even if we are upset, it doesn't get us anywhere. It doesn't change the situation. Remember, he has a contract with an agency. And he has to fulfill that contract. That means he has to change plans if anything else from the agency comes up. The fact that we couldn't contact each other was stupid. And yes, I am disappointed and could have used his help, especially today. But, I can't blame him either."

Zhan thought a lot about whether he should be mad at Yibo for that. But, he can't be mad at him because he knows that it's not Yibo who makes the appointments, but his agency and brother. He knows that Yibo can't do anything about it. But even though he can understand it, it made him realize once again how bad it would be to have a boyfriend who is an idol.