Until We Meet Again...(YiZhan)

The Jian-Wang project loomed like a dark cloud over Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo's budding relationship. What started as a symbol of unity between their families had turned into a source of division. Zhan couldn't shake the sting of Yibo's uncle's distrust, and Yibo was caught between his loyalty to his family and his growing love for Zhan.

Days passed in uneasy silence. Zhan threw himself into his work at the gallery, using his art to distract himself from the turmoil in his heart. Yibo, on the other hand, spent long hours in tense meetings, trying to salvage the project while dealing with his uncle's increasing pressure to sever ties with the Jian family.

It wasn't until a Friday evening that they finally saw each other again. Zhan had just finished locking up the gallery when he heard the familiar roar of Yibo's bike. Turning, he saw Yibo pulling up, his helmet under one arm and an apologetic look in his eyes.

"Zhan," Yibo said, his voice soft yet firm. "Can we talk?"

Zhan crossed his arms, his expression guarded. "I wasn't sure if you still wanted to."

Yibo flinched at the coldness in Zhan's tone but didn't back down. "I've been busy trying to fix this mess. But I shouldn't have pushed you away. I'm sorry."

Zhan sighed, the fight leaving him. "Come inside."

---

They sat in Zhan's living room, the air thick with tension. Yibo explained the situation in detail—how his uncle, Huang Ziteng, believed the Jian family was only interested in leveraging their resources to gain more power.

"And you?" Zhan asked, his voice trembling. "Do you believe that too?"

Yibo leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together. "No. I know your family, Zhan. I know you. But my uncle is stubborn, and he's convinced I'm too close to you to see clearly."

Zhan's chest tightened. "So, what does that mean for us?"

Yibo met his gaze, his eyes unwavering. "It means we fight this. Together. I won't let anyone dictate how I feel about you or what we're building."

The sincerity in Yibo's voice melted Zhan's defenses. He reached across the table, taking Yibo's hand in his. "Then let's figure this out. We'll prove them wrong."

---

The next few weeks were a whirlwind. Zhan and Yibo worked tirelessly, both on their respective responsibilities and on finding a way to bridge the gap between their families.

Zhan's uncle, Lu Jianmin, was initially reluctant to involve Zhan in the business side of things, but Zhan's determination eventually won him over. Meanwhile, Yibo faced constant opposition from his uncle, who was less willing to compromise.

"Why are you so insistent on this partnership?" Huang Ziteng demanded during one heated discussion. "Is it because of him?"

Yibo didn't flinch. "Yes, it's because of him. But it's also because this project has the potential to change everything—for both our families and the company. Can't you see that?"

His uncle's silence spoke volumes, but Yibo refused to back down.

---

One night, after another grueling day, Yibo showed up at Zhan's apartment unannounced.

"I needed to see you," Yibo said simply when Zhan opened the door.

Zhan smiled, stepping aside to let him in. "Rough day?"

"You have no idea," Yibo replied, collapsing onto the couch.

Zhan joined him, their shoulders brushing. "Sometimes I wonder if all this is worth it," Zhan admitted quietly. "The arguments, the stress… everything."

Yibo turned to him, his gaze steady. "It's worth it, Zhan. You're worth it."

The vulnerability in Yibo's voice made Zhan's heart ache. Without thinking, he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Yibo's lips. It was soft and tentative, but it held all the emotions Zhan hadn't been able to put into words.

When they pulled away, Yibo's lips curved into a small smile. "That was worth it too."

Zhan laughed, the sound lightening the weight in the room. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," Yibo shot back, his teasing tone a welcome reprieve from the tension that had defined their days.

---

Despite the challenges, their relationship grew stronger with each passing day. They found solace in each other, stealing moments of peace amidst the chaos of their lives.

But not everyone was pleased with their closeness.

One evening, Zhan received a call from Lu Jianmin.

"Zhan, we need to talk," his uncle said, his tone serious.

"What's wrong?" Zhan asked, his heart sinking.

"There's been… talk," Jianmin hesitated. "Some are saying your relationship with Wang Yibo is jeopardizing the project. I need to know if this is true."

Zhan's stomach churned. "It's not true, Uncle. Yibo and I are working to make this partnership succeed. That's all that matters."

Jianmin sighed. "I hope you're right, Zhan. Because if this fails, it won't just be the project that suffers. It'll be you too."

The weight of his uncle's words stayed with Zhan long after the call ended.

---

One late night, as Zhan worked on a new piece in his studio, Yibo appeared at the door, his expression troubled.

"What is it?" Zhan asked, setting down his brush.

"My uncle's giving me an ultimatum," Yibo said, his voice low. "He wants me to step away from the partnership—or from you."

Zhan's breath caught. "What did you say?"

"I told him I wouldn't choose," Yibo replied firmly. "I told him that I won't let him dictate my life."

Zhan's chest swelled with emotion, but it was tempered by the fear of what this could mean for Yibo.

"Are you sure about this?" Zhan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yibo stepped closer, cupping Zhan's face in his hands. "I've never been more sure of anything."

Their foreheads rested together, the weight of the world momentarily lifting as they found comfort in each other.

---

The climax of the tension came during a joint family meeting to discuss the project's future. The room was filled with heavy silence as the two families faced off.

Zhan and Yibo sat side by side, their hands brushing under the table as they exchanged a reassuring glance.

Huang Ziteng was the first to speak. "This partnership was meant to be a strategic alliance, but it's become a liability. I suggest we dissolve it before it causes further damage."

Lu Jianmin bristled. "The only liability here is your unwillingness to see reason. This project is mutually beneficial, and you know it."

The arguments escalated, voices rising as tempers flared. Finally, Zhan stood, his voice cutting through the noise.

"This isn't just about business," Zhan said firmly. "This is about trust. If we can't trust each other, then this project was doomed from the start."

Yibo stood beside him, his presence a steadying force. "We're here because we believe in this partnership—and in each other. Isn't that what matters most?"

The room fell silent, their words hanging in the air. Slowly, the tension began to ease as both sides realized the truth in their statements.

---

In the end, the project moved forward, though not without compromises. Huang Ziteng and Lu Jianmin agreed to work together, albeit cautiously, while Zhan and Yibo's relationship became an unspoken understanding between the families.

As they left the meeting hand in hand, Zhan turned to Yibo, a small smile playing on his lips. "We did it."

Yibo squeezed his hand. "No. We did it."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Zhan felt a sense of peace.