Only Weakness

6. Testing

//FLASHBACK CONTINUE//

The classroom was unusually quiet, sunlight spilling in through tall windows and painting gold stripes across the desks. The teacher's voice droned on, chalk tapping against the board.

"Who can solve this?" Teacher asked, turning toward the rows of students.

Zhan, seated beside Wen Ning, hesitated for only a second before standing up. His notebook was clutched in one hand, pen in the other, eyes focused on the equation written in white chalk.

As he began explaining the solution, his voice steady and precise, Yibo, two rows back, propped his chin on his hand, watching.
Not the answer. Not the teacher. Just Zhan.

A slow smirk tugged at Yibo's lips.

When Zhan returned to his seat, Wen Ning leaned over, whispering a quiet, "Nice one." But Zhan didn't notice, because the moment he sat down, he felt it.

Yibo's gaze.

Sharp. Unblinking. Like a silent promise that class wasn't over for him.

And when their eyes met for just a fraction of a second, Yibo tilted his head and let that smirk deepen. Making Zhan's stomach twist in a way he couldn't explain.

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.

.

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The study smelled faintly of expensive cologne and fresh paper. Zhan sat at the desk, flipping open his notebook, his back straight like he was bracing himself for another round of Yibo's games.

Across from him, Yibo lounged in his chair, one leg hanging lazily over the armrest, phone in hand. He wasn't even pretending to care about the books Zhan had set out.

"Times up, Five minutes," Zhan said, glancing at the clock. "You promised....." Yibo had told zhan to wait for five minutes.

"I never promised," Yibo interrupted, still playing game.

Zhan frowned, trying to keep his voice calm. "If you want to improve, we have to start...."

That finally got Yibo's attention. He looked up, slow and deliberate, a glint of something sly in his eyes. "Improve? You make it sound like I'm failing at life or something."

Zhan didn't answer, just tapped the open textbook.

Yibo tilted his head, studying him. The careful, almost cautious posture.
It was so... annoyingly composed.

And just like that, a thought slipped into Yibo's mind , 'Let's see how fast I can break that composure'

He sat up, leaning forward over the desk. "Tell you what, tutor. You get me to study for a full hour, I'll... think about behaving."

Zhan gave him a flat look. "You should be studying for yourself, not for..."

Yibo smirked, leaning even closer until there was just a breath between them. "But where's the fun in that?"

That was the moment his hand darted forward he grabbed Zhan's pen right out of his hand and twirled it between his fingers. "What if I don't want to study? What if I just sit here and make you waste your time?"

Zhan reached for the pen, but Yibo held it back, forcing Zhan to lean a little closer. For a split second, Yibo's eyes flickered, not just with amusement, but with something sharper, more curious.

"You're smaller up close... Thought you'd look taller when you're standing in front of a class." Yibo whispered

Zhan swallowed hard. "I-I'm not here for anything else but tutoring."