Chapter Text
Very few people don’t believe in the red string of fate.
These people are called delusional because science has proven the existence of the red string of fate, despite not being able to prove why they came into existence at all. Most people don’t even get to see their string until they form a close relationship with their so-called other half. The reason for its existence remains a mystery because if it is not a tool to unite people with their soulmate, then what is it?
Xiao Zhan knows what it is. It is a tool made simply to torture him.
People who can see their string before they even meet their person are very rare but they exist. However, Xiao Zhan has never met anyone who can see every single person’s red string.
He thinks he might be the only one in the world.
Apparently the odds of meeting your supposed soulmate out of the billions of human beings that exist in this world is not zero. Because as soon as he steps foot into the room to meet his possible bandmates, he realises a few things:
First, the guy with blue hair is very handsome and very pretty. It almost seems unfair that someone could look that good.
Second, the guy with blue hair has a freely hanging and cut red string of fate, matching the one hanging from Xiao Zhan’s own pinky.
Third, the guy with the blue hair clocks the second point instantly, eyes flashing back and forth between the severed ends of their strings.
Well, fuck.
“Hello, I am Yu Bin,” says a different guy. “I am going to be the–”
“–the bassist,” says Xiao Zhan in a daze. He is staring at Blue Hair Guy, who is staring right back. His face is too blank to make out what he is feeling but he definitely doesn’t look pleased either.
“Yes,” says Yu Bin. He, on the other hand, does sound pleased.
“And I am Wang Zhuocheng, lead guitarist,” says the last guy.
“Yeah,” says Xiao Zhan, dazed. “Nice to meet you.”
He can see Yu Bin and Wang Zhuocheng share a look between themselves out of the corner of his eye but he feels so far removed from reality that he barely cares. Blue Hair Guy is still staring.
Technically, Xiao Zhan knows his name now by process of elimination. He read all the names on paper diligently. There were no pictures but he was told he would get to meet them in person soon. This might be only a one-year gig, but Xiao Zhan was determined to give his best impression.
The only name left, which was not said by anyone in the room, is Wang Yibo, the drummer.
Blue Hair Guy keeps staring.
“Yibo,” says Wang Zhuocheng, in something approaching a hiss. “Introduce yourself.”
It’s like Yibo jerks back to life. He takes a few steps forward and extends a hand. “Hello, I am Wang Yibo, the drummer.”
He extends his left hand. Is he left-handed? Xiao Zhan tamps down the cacophony of noises in his hand to shake Yibo's hand with his own left hand.
The ends of their strings sway towards each other, as if magnetised.
“Hello, I am Xiao Zhan,” says Xiao Zhan and hurriedly wrenches his hand away before the strings connect back or something. That’s the last thing he needs on top of this disaster. “I am the lead singer and can be the rhythm guitarist if we need that.”
“We definitely need that. I checked out your recordings. You have an amazing voice. We can be a good team!” Yu Bin looks at Yibo and clears his throat pointedly. “Right, Yibo?”
“Right,” says Yibo. His voice sounds tighter than when he introduced himself. “Welcome aboard, Xiao Zhan. I hope we can be together.”
Xiao Zhan stares.
“As in, I hope we can make music together,” says Yibo, clarifying like he knows where Xiao Zhan’s mind went. “The four of us. As a band.”
“The three of us have already said yes, now we just need the lead singer,” says Wang Zhuocheng. He laughs a bit. “The most important member.”
“No,” says Xiao Zhan, regaining some of his normalcy. “We are all equally important. This band will be nothing if a single one of us is not present. But before I make a decision, can I talk with Wang Yibo privately please?”
Wang Yibo’s mouth tightens but he doesn’t decline the request right away, which has to count for something. The other two look a little wary but eventually leave the two of them alone in the room.
Xiao Zhan knows a few basic facts about Wang Yibo. Born in 1997. Used to be in a different rock band, with both Chinese and Korean members, which disbanded due to the circumstances. Dances in his free time, rides bikes in his free time, skateboards in his free time… pretty much has a million other hobbies in his free time.
And is an excellent drummer with a knack for writing lyrics as well.
Truth be told, every single person had something invaluable to offer in this bunch of people that have gathered today. Xiao Zhan was not simply sweet-talking earlier, all of them are important. That was precisely why Xiao Zhan wanted to be a part of this band so eagerly. And he still does. He is aware it’s a temporary contract, only lasting for a year, but they have a real shot at something great. Xiao Zhan can’t fumble this opportunity.
“Look, I guess you have figured it out,” says Xiao Zhan, lifting his left hand and wiggling the pinky so that Wang Yibo has no doubt what he is talking about. “Will this create any–”
“Did you cut it?”
Xiao Zhan stops short. “What?”
“Did you cut our string?” repeats Yibo. “Was it really you?”
“Um.”
“I never knew for certain so just tell me: did you do it, or did our string just snap on its own?”
Xiao Zhan stays quiet for a few moments. Then– “Yes. I did.”
Yibo exhales. He doesn’t look surprised but his eyes are a little cold. “I did not expect to meet my ex-soulmate of all people today.”
“No,” says Xiao Zhan quietly. “Neither did I.”
They stand there in silence for a few moments.
“We really need a lead singer,” says Yibo finally. “and I have heard your vocals too. They are excellent. You are excellent.”
Xiao Zhan thinks he blushes a little. Yibo’s tone is not admiring, he simply sounds like he is stating a fact. But it seems all the more genuine because of that.
“Thank you,” he says.
Yibo shoots him a look. “No need for that. I’m simply saying that this band needs you. So say yes and we can indeed be a good team. I won’t make any trouble for you, even though you cut our string.” He pauses. “Although I suppose I understand why you did it.”
Xiao Zhan looks at him curiously. “You do? Do you… feel the same way?”
Yibo smiles a little. “Not really. But I have been around failed marriages. People who let their string decide, people who shouldn’t have been together in the first place. The universe fucks up sometimes, I know. I just wished that–” He shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. You clearly made the best decision for yourself and I can’t blame you for it.”
“Did it hurt?” blurts out Xiao Zhan. He remembers how it had felt to cut the string. The abrupt release of tension in his string had been a relief so strong at that time that Xiao Zhan had downplayed it to himself how raw and naked it felt to sever a part of himself. There was a mild spark of pain, one that never quite healed and flares back to life at sudden moments. He wonders if it feels the same for Yibo. He wonders if he should apologise.
Yibo looks at his own hand for a long moment. Xiao Zhan follows his gaze. Yibo’s thread hangs, gently swaying, almost cute.
“Yes,” says Yibo. “A little.”
“Does it still hurt?”
Yibo looks at Xiao Zhan. “Sometimes. Like a phantom pain. It’s odd.”
Xiao Zhan gulps. That’s what it feels like for him too. Like a part of him hurting that isn’t there anymore.
Like his nerves are exposed.
“I’m sorry.”
Yibo waves it off. “No need to say sorry for something you don’t regret.”
He picks up a bottle from a table and drinks, presumably to not have to talk anymore. Xiao Zhan notices which hand he used to pick up the bottle.
Wang Yibo is definitely not left-handed.
Xiao Zhan signs the contract and officially becomes a part of the band within the day. Zhuocheng and Yu Bin congratulate him by giving him a hug. Yibo gives him a stiff nod and then disappears with his skateboard.
It’s okay. It’s fine. Yibo is not being hostile. Xiao Zhan understands that he needs time to adjust.
Yu Bin tells him that Yibo takes time to warm up to a new person. Xiao Zhan nods in understanding, knowing full well that’s not why Yibo would continue to be stiff with him in the upcoming days. He just hopes it is gone by the time they have to debut. Bad chemistry between any two members will not be the best thing for their band's success.
He leaves the building after the formalities are done. They haven’t decided on a band name yet, that is something the four of them would have to sit down and think about the next day. Xiao Zhan feels weary already thinking about having to work with Yibo everyday. What was he even thinking? How will this work out? This was supposed to be the biggest step of his career. Instead, it might just fuck up everything.
“Hey.”
Xiao Zhan turns to see Wang Yibo, skateboard tucked under his arm. He has just left the building. It almost seems like Yibo was waiting for him to come out.
“Hey,” he says.
“Can I walk with you?”
Xiao Zhan blinks. “I’m going home.”
“I know. Can I walk with you until you get on the bus? You came by bus, right?”
Xiao Zhan blinks a couple more times. “Yeah, I did. And sure, you can.”
“Cool,” says Yibo and falls into step beside him. Xiao Zhan has to make the conscious decision to put one foot in front of the other as they walk. “I’m sorry if I am being difficult. I promise I am trying my best.”
Xiao Zhan’s heart melts a bit. “You are not being difficult at all. I understand. I don’t blame you. And hopefully we can smooth things over as we start working together.”
They walk in silence for a few minutes. Then Yibo speaks again. “So, um, tell me about your favourite colour?”
Xiao Zhan stares at him. Wang Yibo does not meet his eyes but he is clearly conscious of Xiao Zhan’s gaze. Xiao Zhan’s eyes flick to the shock of electric blue hair on Yibo’s head and he is half tempted to say blue. He never thought someone could pull off that hair colour, okay? It’s not his fault.
“Why?” is what he says instead, after an embarrassing amount of staring.
“Trying to socialise,” says Yibo bluntly and Xiao Zhan can’t help but smile. “Figured we should know each other a bit before we debut.”
“Right,” says Xiao Zhan.
“I already know the others’ favourite colours,” adds Yibo, like it is some sort of checklist everyone is required to follow before becoming bandmates.
Xiao Zhan ends up laughing. Yibo is cute. That was undeniable from the very beginning but it’s not just that he looks cute. He also is cute.
“Red is my favourite,” he says. “You?”
“Green,” says Yibo. “Um, where are you from?”
“If you read my file, you know that.”
Yibo looks a little taken aback. Then he smiles. It is small and hesitant but it is a real smile, nevertheless.
“Yeah, I do,” he says. “And you know where I am from?”
“Yes.”
“Then I guess small talk is indeed pointless.”
Xiao Zhan laughs again. “I never liked small talk.”
“Really? You seem like… an approachable person. Everyone is always telling me I should learn how to small talk and be pleasant.”
“Oh I know how to small talk,” says Xiao Zhan. “Doesn’t mean I like it. Since you clearly don’t like it either, I would rather not.”
Yibo smiles again, this time wider. It’s a relief that he is thawing out so quickly.
“Do you have any ideas for the band name?”
Xiao Zhan shakes his head. “No. But we are gonna discuss it tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
“No,” says Yibo. Then he gives Xiao Zhan a look. “Not yet.” As they reach the bus stand, he stops and waves at Xiao Zhan. “Bye, Xiao Zhan. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” repeats Xiao Zhan. He hopes everything goes well.
Yibo puts his skateboard down and skates away in an enviable display of balance. Somehow his string is visible even when he himself becomes a blur in the distance.