12 Because you're here with me.

Zhao Lin looked beside him and was startled to see Feng Qiao gone.

He looked around and saw him frozen behind him. He rushed towards him and embraced his face with both of his hands. "Feng Qiao! Hey? Feng Qiao!"

Feng Qiao, with his both eyes tightly shut, kept trembling and mumbling some things. He was frightened enough to cause droplets of tears to form on the corners of his eyes.

Zhao Lin felt something pinched his heart upon seeing these tears.

"Feng Qiao! Open your eyes!" Zhao Lin continued calling out to Feng Qiao, he didn't know how long was he there holding Feng Qiao but he didn't care. All he could think of was this frightened cat in front of him.

At last, Feng Qiao slowly opened his watery eyes, "S-Senior Z-Zhao Lin?"

Zhao Lin breath out a sigh of relief seeing Feng Qiao came back to his senses, he gently wiped the tears rolling out from the corners his eyes and said: "Look at me, I am here with you okay? You don't need to be scared. I won't let anyone hurt you."

"O-okay..." Like it was some magic words, Feng Qiao calmed down and felt secured hearing those words from Zhao Lin.

Zhao Lin gently smiled and released Feng Qiao's head from his grasp, "Be confident in yourself. You're someone whom I, Zhao Lin, chose and I never chose someone undeserving..."

Zhao Lin smirked, "...and can you hear what they are saying?"

"Wow, who's that guy?"

"Eh? Isn't that Zhao Lin?"

"The president of the the Fashion Department? That Zhao Lin!? Where?"

"Aaaaahhh my love Zhao Lin~ he's so dreamy~"

"But wait, who's thay guy with him?"

"Woah! Who is that? Is there a student like that in our University?"

"So beautiful! I've never seen a guy so beautiful before.."

"God! I've seen a real life androgynous beauty!"

"Ah, I think I fell inlove!"

"Kyaaaah~ He's like an angel!"

"Two handsome guys together aaaah! My eyes are blinded!"

Feng Qiao was too focused on his own fear that he didn't paid attention to what the others are saying before but now that he did, he couldn't believe his ears.

He can't believe that people could accept... him.

"See? There's nothing to be afraid of." Zhao Lin said.

It really is not that scary anymore...

*****

Throughout the way to the Art Department, looks were constantly thrown to Feng Qiao and Zhao Lin, followed by disbelief and astonishment from the students.

Feng Qiao was surprised at himself because he was able to stay calm through all this. He was even happy because of what the others are saying.

Feng Qiao sneaked a glance to this guy beside him.

'It was all because of him'

It was because Zhao Lin was there with him that he was able to face his fears.

It was because he was there that he was able to walk calmly under these countless of piercing stares.

It was because he was there that he was able to feel joy again.

Soon, they've reached their destination and Zhao Lin bade him farewell.

Feng Qiao panicked seeing this, he still wasn't able to voice out what he wanted to say. "W-wait!"

"Hmm?" Zhao Lin turned back.

"I-uh.. " Feng Qiao felt like something was stucked in his throat. He wanted to say many things to Zhao Lin but it seems like his mouth won't listen to him.

"Do you want me to take you to your classroom?"

"Yes... I-I mean no! No! It's not that...." Come on Feng Qiao! Say it!, "...I just wanted to thank you... Thank you for being here with me"

Zhao Lin smiled and something flashes across his eyes, "It's fine. You should always remember that the whole team and I got your back, alright? Go and show them the new Feng Qiao"

Feng Qiao nodded and he happily bid farewell to Zhao Lin as he went inside the building.

Zhao Lin waited until he couldn't see Feng Qiao's figure anymore before turning to go back to the HQ.

While he was walking, Zhao Lin opened his phone.

In the main screen, a pinned note could be seen:

How to tame a cat

1. Make them feel secured

2. Give them food.

3. Pet the cat.

4. Get the cat accustomed to the carrier.

5. Try carrying the cat.

Zhao Lin smiled to himself.

We still got a long way to go, Feng Qiao...