Control Freak - Chapter 26

After Christmas passed, New Year’s Day quickly followed.

The restaurant was incredibly busy during the New Year’s holiday, and Ye Zhou barely had any time to meet up with Guan Heng. Coincidentally, it was nearing the end of the school term, with constant exams and assignments, keeping Guan Heng extremely busy. Even during the break, he had to go to school to work.

As a result, they hadn’t seen each other much these past few days.

By the time Ye Zhou went to bring food to Guan Heng again, a week had already passed. After their kiss on Christmas Eve, things should have been heating up between them. But whether it was because of the one-week gap or due to the sudden appearance of Yue Shu, Ye Zhou felt like his relationship with Guan Heng had regressed to the stage before his Christmas confession, stuck in an awkward, stagnant place.

Ye Zhou felt a bit anxious inside, though he didn’t show it outwardly.

Even though he had acted mature during his conversation with Yue Shu at the restaurant, in reality, Yue Shu’s words had affected him. He truly cared. Although he understood that everyone has their own secrets and that Guan Heng would naturally tell him when he was ready, without needing others to interfere, he still disliked how Yue Shu spoke as if he knew Guan Heng so well.

The moment Ye Zhou stepped into Guan Heng’s office, Guan Heng sensed something was off about his mood and asked, “What’s wrong? You’re so quiet today.”

Ye Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, “Am I usually that noisy?”

“Not really, but I’m used to hearing you talk,” Guan Heng said, but instead of starting to eat the lunchbox as usual, he focused intently on Ye Zhou and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

They already spent little time together as it was, and Guan Heng’s meal breaks were especially precious. Ye Zhou suddenly felt like he was being a bit dramatic. Sitting on the sofa with his head down, after a moment of silence, he finally said, “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a bit jealous.”

Guan Heng smiled at that. “Because of Yue Shu?”

Ye Zhou didn’t respond, which was almost like admitting it. It was a bit embarrassing, to be honest. He was in his thirties and experiencing this kind of feeling for the first time. He couldn’t even remember what his previous relationships had been like, as if they all meant nothing in comparison.

Guan Heng didn’t avoid the topic either. “You don’t have to be jealous. I haven’t contacted him privately.”

Ye Zhou looked up at him and then asked, “Are you going to the alumni event?”

Ye Zhou knew it was a bit selfish to ask. It was obvious that he didn’t want Guan Heng to go. He wasn’t sure what kind of relationship Guan Heng had with his former classmates, but in gatherings like that, where everyone reminisces about the old school days, it’s easy for old feelings to rekindle. Yue Shu’s attitude that day at the restaurant was clear—he was ready for fair competition.

Just as Guan Heng was about to answer, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression shifting slightly. He apologized to Ye Zhou before picking up, “Teacher.”

Despite Guan Heng’s outwardly calm and humble demeanor, he was confident at heart. Ye Zhou had never seen him speak to anyone with such respect, nor had he seen Guan Heng take calls during lunch breaks. This person must mean something special to Guan Heng—could it be… Teacher Zhan?

Ye Zhou looked at Guan Heng, uncertain if he should leave for a moment. But with a glance from Guan Heng, Ye Zhou sat back down.

In the middle of the call, Guan Heng suddenly said, “January 10th?”

When Ye Zhou heard that date, his breath caught, and he instinctively clenched his fists.

Noticing Ye Zhou’s reaction from the corner of his eye, Guan Heng frowned slightly. He kept his gaze on Ye Zhou, as if sensing something was off, and quickly said, “I’m sorry, Teacher. Something came up here. I’ll get back to you later.”

After Guan Heng hung up the phone, Ye Zhou’s expression had returned to normal, but a thin layer of sweat had formed on his forehead, and his breathing was still slightly rapid.

“Ye Zhou.” Guan Heng got up and walked over to him, gently touching his face. It wasn’t until the second time he called Ye Zhou’s name that he responded, “Ye Zhou?”

“Hmm?” Ye Zhou looked up at Guan Heng, still a little dazed.

Guan Heng reached out and massaged his neck to calm him down before asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” Ye Zhou started to say, but under Guan Heng’s slightly intense gaze, he swallowed the words.

Although Guan Heng didn’t think Ye Zhou’s strong reaction was purely because of the alumni event, he still asked, “You don’t want me to go to the alumni gathering?”

“…No.” Ye Zhou wasn’t the kind of person who let emotions cloud his judgment in a relationship. He understood that interpersonal relationships weren’t like playing house. It wasn’t as simple as him not wanting Guan Heng to stay in contact with Yue Shu and Guan Heng complying. That kind of thinking was childish, and Ye Zhou wasn’t about to act that way. He knew adult relationships, especially in professional and social settings, required a certain amount of surface-level courtesy and communication. The fact that Guan Heng had already said he wouldn’t privately contact Yue Shu was enough to show his stance. What was really bothering Ye Zhou, though, was something else—something he didn’t want to bring up, but since Guan Heng had already noticed, he couldn’t hide it any longer. “Sorry, I overreacted a bit. It’s just that day happens to be… my parents’ death anniversary.”

Guan Heng kept his gaze on Ye Zhou, but his expression softened. “Do you want me to stay with you?”

“Hmm?” Ye Zhou snapped out of his thoughts and quickly replied, “No, no need. I’ll probably be going to the cemetery that day, so…”

They weren’t yet close enough for him to ask Guan Heng to join him for something so personal. He was starting to understand why he’d been feeling a bit off these past few days—probably because of this. Ye Zhou only visited his parents’ grave once a year, not during Qingming but on the anniversary of their passing. Around this time every year, his mood would always dip.

Ye Zhou added, “The reason I don’t want you to go to the alumni gathering is indeed because of Yue Shu. I don’t want you to see him. I’m afraid you might still have feelings for him, and I’m also afraid you’re only with me out of obligation. But since your teacher personally called, I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. I trust you; I know you’ll handle it properly.”

This alumni event was something Guan Heng couldn’t easily refuse. His hand still rested on the back of Ye Zhou’s neck, gently squeezing it in a familiar, intimate way. “Don’t overthink it. Ye Zhou, the person I’ve chosen is you.”

Ye Zhou suddenly felt a strange numbness, shivering slightly. He wasn’t sure if it was Guan Heng’s words or because Guan Heng had touched a sensitive spot. He stood there, dazed, and managed to mutter an “Okay.”

It wasn’t until Guan Heng withdrew his hand that Ye Zhou realized his ears were burning. That simple touch had cleared away all his messy thoughts. “You… you should eat, your lunch break’s almost over.”

Guan Heng studied Ye Zhou for a moment before finally lowering his head to eat.

Ye Zhou absentmindedly touched the back of his neck, confused by how sensitive it felt. He hadn’t realized before, but that brief touch had nearly made him react.

As usual, Ye Zhou didn’t stay long and left shortly after. Guan Heng watched him go, a thoughtful look in his eyes.