Jay sat on the sofa in the living room, holding the remote in his hand, but he didn't turn the TV on. His eyes kept glancing toward the door. His heart was restless with anticipation. Ying had said he'd come over—just needed to drop by home to settle something. Jay knew that, yet he couldn't help feeling a little nervous… and excited.
Finally, the doorbell rang.
Jay practically jumped up, rushing to open the gate as if afraid the person would vanish if he was a second too late.
— "Coming!" Jay called out while opening the door. When he saw Ying standing there, his face lit up immediately.
— "Ah, Ying… come in!"
— "Mm." Ying smiled softly, his gaze gentle as he followed Jay inside.
— "I've already prepared a room for you," Jay said, walking ahead and glancing back with a proud, innocent tone.
— "You should come check if it meets your standards."
— "You're too thoughtful, Jay. No need to go to all that trouble," Ying chuckled, his hand instinctively reaching out to ruffle Jay's hair as he walked past. It was a familiar gesture—one Jay didn't avoid or shy away from, simply letting out a quiet laugh.
They went upstairs together, passing by a familiar door. Ying slowed down a bit, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
— "Jay, what room is this?"
— "Ah, that's my music room. Want to take a look? Come on!" Jay beamed with excitement, pushing the door open and pulling Ying in like a child eager to show off a favorite toy.
Ying stepped inside, looking around before letting out a quiet breath of admiration:
— "This is impressive."
— "It's not that much. Just the basics for a musician," Jay said modestly, scratching his head. But there was a flicker of pride in his eyes he couldn't quite hide.
— "The setup… did you decorate it yourself?" Ying asked, his gaze sweeping the room before resting on Jay.
— "Yeah. You could tell?" Jay smiled, a little surprised.
— "It's got your vibe," Ying replied gently.
— "My vibe?" Jay blinked, confused.
— "Yeah. It's… cute, like you." Ying tilted his head slightly and gave Jay's nose a playful pinch.
Jay flinched a little, cheeks flushing bright red. But he didn't pull away. He just turned and muttered under his breath:
— "You're teasing me again…"
— "I'm not. I mean it," Ying replied without hesitation.
Jay hesitated for a moment, then smiled and tugged at Ying's sleeve:
— "Alright, let's go check the bedroom."
As they walked, Ying noticed there were only two rooms along the hallway.
— "But this hallway only has your room and the music room… so where's my room?"
— "Upstairs. Is that okay?" Jay turned to ask with his usual innocent expression.
— "Upstairs? So I'll be sleeping alone?" Ying frowned slightly.
Jay stopped as if something had just occurred to him. He snapped his fingers:
— "Oh! That won't do, huh? Well then… you can sleep in my room!" he said casually, showing no trace of embarrassment.
— "Your room?" Ying looked surprised.
— "Yep! You can take the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa," Jay said matter-of-factly, opening his bedroom door and inviting Ying in.
Ying glanced around the familiar room and let out a soft laugh:
— "Alright, I'll sleep in your room. But you take the bed—I'll sleep on the sofa."
— "That's not right…" Jay mumbled, clearly hesitant, as if he wanted to protest.
— "No arguments." Ying's tone was gentle but firm. He reached out and softly brushed Jay's hair, his voice low and comforting.
— "Didn't you say you were tired? Be good and get some rest."
Jay stared at Ying for a few seconds, then finally gave in with a quiet nod:
— "Okay…"
——————————————————
In the quiet bedroom, the soft yellow light had been turned off, giving way to the night that cloaked the entire space. Jay lay on the bed, eyes staring up at the dark ceiling. He knew Ying was right there—just a few steps away. Yet that comforting thought couldn't ease the unease slowly creeping through him.
Jay glanced toward the sofa. Ying was already lying still, a light blanket covering him, the faint glow from the window outlining his features in a gentle, peaceful calm.
Jay let out a slow breath. Even though it was his own suggestion for Ying to sleep on the sofa, guilt still lingered in his chest. But what else could he do? He still wasn't strong enough to face the night alone.
— "So… you'll sleep on the sofa tonight, okay?" Jay murmured, eyes cast downward, voice tinged with shyness and guilt.
— "Mm." Ying smiled, his gaze softer than the night itself.
— "It's late. Try to sleep."
— "Mm. Good night, Ying." Jay reached out to turn off the light, pulling the blanket up to his shoulders. He closed his eyes, but peace didn't follow.
— "Good night to you too." Ying's voice rose in the darkness, gentle as a calming touch.
A moment of silence passed. The room felt swallowed by stillness, with only the soft rhythm of their breaths filling the air. But they both knew… neither of them was asleep.
Jay tossed and turned. He shifted positions again and again. Every time he closed his eyes, more questions filled his head—questions without answers.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, he whispered:
— "Ying… are you still awake?"
— "I am." Ying's voice was as steady as always.
— "What's wrong?"
— "Do you think… between career and family, which is more important?" Jay asked, his voice hoarse, like it might crack open in the dark.
Ying stayed silent for a moment. Then he shifted, his presence more tangible than visible.
— "I don't know, Jay. Because… both matter."
— "But… what if you had to choose?" Jay pressed on, his voice barely a whisper, as if asking himself more than anyone else.
Ying let out a soft sigh. He didn't answer right away, but spoke slowly:
— "Family is the root. The place you can always return to when you're lost. Career is the wings. The place you fly toward to live your dreams."
— "Then…" Jay murmured, still tangled in the thoughts he couldn't shake.
— "Jay, sometimes… it's not about choosing one. It's about choosing what to do so you don't betray what you value more," Ying said, as if he were whispering the words more to Jay's heart than his ears. There was no right or wrong—no definite answer.
— "Sounds easy. But it's so hard to actually do," Jay let out a bitter laugh, his voice thick with emotion.
— "Maybe you can balance them at some point. But… there will always be something you have to sacrifice, right?"
— "Yeah." Ying didn't deny it.
— "If I'm feeling torn…" Ying continued,
"…then maybe I should ask myself: Which one pushes me to work harder? Which one makes the sleepless nights feel worth it? And in the end… what am I most afraid of losing?"
Jay fell silent. For a long time.
Then suddenly, he sat up, reaching for the light. He squinted tightly as the brightness pierced through the long darkness.
— "Ugh, my head hurts…" Jay ruffled his already messy hair, then turned to Ying like a child looking for shelter.
— "Ying, wanna hear me sing?"
— "I'd love that," Ying replied, now sitting up too, his eyes warm with a quiet smile.
Jay reached for the guitar resting beside his bed. Hugging it close, he took a deep breath and said:
— "Then I'll sing for you."
The clear, gentle strums of the guitar filled the stillness of the room, blending with Jay's warm, tender voice like a soft breeze brushing through the silence. The melody wasn't loud, but it reached deep—soothing every tangled knot inside.
Ying didn't say a word. He just sat there on the sofa, watching Jay with quiet focus. In his gaze was a touch of fondness, a glimmer of pride… and so much more he left unspoken.
After a while, the music faded. Jay had slowly slumped forward onto the blanket, dozing off without realizing it.
Ying remained where he was for a moment. Then he stood up quietly and walked over to Jay. Without making a sound, he gently pulled the blanket over him, smoothing the edge like he was afraid of waking the dream that had just begun.
He looked at Jay for a few seconds—the boy still learning to grow amidst life's crossroads—before returning to the sofa and lying back down.
The lights were off again. The room slipped back into silence.
But this time… it felt a little more peaceful.
——————————————————
The morning sun gently filtered through the curtains. Jay was still lying in bed, slowly waking up. He sat up, looking around the room in a daze. Not seeing Ying anywhere, Jay sighed, thinking the other had left while he was still asleep.
He trudged into the bathroom to wash his face, then headed downstairs. The subtle aroma of food wafting from the kitchen piqued Jay's curiosity, prompting him to follow the scent…
In the kitchen, Ying stood calmly by the stove, the morning light casting a warm glow on his face, making him look unusually serene.
— "Huh? Ying? You're still here? I thought you'd left already." Jay approached in surprise.
— "You're awake?" Ying turned, a gentle smile on his lips. "Come have breakfast. It's still early, no need to rush. Eat first, then head to work."
— "Looks delicious…" Jay glanced at the dining table, unable to hold back a compliment.
— "I just cooked with whatever was left in the fridge. It might not be much, but I hope it's okay." Ying chuckled lightly.
— "It's more than enough! Come on, sit and eat with me." Jay cheerfully pulled out a chair, inviting Ying to join him.
Without hesitation, Jay tasted the first dish.
— "How is it? Does it taste okay?" Ying tilted his head, his eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
— "Not bad at all… Actually, it's really good!" Jay nodded repeatedly. "This is the second time I've had your cooking, and somehow, it's always the dishes I like."
Jay spoke casually, unaware that these "coincidences" were things Ying had quietly prepared.
— "If you like it, eat more." Ying smiled, his eyes unable to hide a sense of warmth.
Jay chewed while grinning widely:
— "Are you aiming to be the 'perfect man' or something? Skilled at everything. Great at work, cooks well, speaks eloquently, and looks like an idol. Absolutely flawless."
— "You're exaggerating." Ying laughed, resting his chin on his hand. "Perfection is something to strive for, but I have my flaws too."
— "You're too modest! Be confident. Take pride in yourself a bit." Jay squinted his eyes with a bright smile.
Ying looked at him, his voice softening:
— "What's the point of pride… I learned these things… just so the person I like could feel my affection. But… maybe that person already has someone else in their heart."
Ying's eyes avoided Jay's gaze, his smile tinged with sadness, as if hiding something deep.
— "Oh? You like someone already? Who is it? Can you tell me?" Jay asked eagerly, leaning toward Ying.
— "I can't say." Ying straightened up, crossing his arms, leaning slightly away to avoid Jay's eyes.
— "Such a secret? But it's okay. Whoever it is… they're definitely very lucky." Jay sighed softly, his smile fading a bit, then continued eating.
— "Why do you think that?" Ying turned to him, eyes intently waiting.
— "Because you're good. Really good. The kind of person anyone would want to love." Jay replied gently, as if affirming, without hesitation. Unbeknownst to him, Ying's face turned slightly red.
Ying hesitated, then asked very softly:
— "Then… if it were you… would you like me?"
Jay looked up. A brief silence. Then he smiled faintly.
— "Yes. I like you."
Ying was stunned. But Jay wasn't finished.
"If… I didn't already have someone in my heart."
A silence enveloped them. The light in the room seemed to slow down.
— "I see…" Ying exhaled, his eyes lowering. "That person… is truly fortunate."
Jay chewed while sighing lightly:
— "They don't even know I like them."
Ying remained silent. Then he asked, seemingly casually:
— "What's your ideal type, Jay?"
Jay scratched his head in thought, then smiled gently:
— "Actually, I don't have one. Have you ever heard this saying? 'Once the heart is moved, all standards become meaningless.' I think… liking someone is a matter of the heart. Not something we can choose with reason."
Hearing this, Ying couldn't help but chuckle softly, his voice low:
— "Then… all the things I've tried to become… might have been meaningless."
— "Don't think that way. Everyone has their own way of feeling. Who knows, for someone, those things might be incredibly precious." Jay leaned over to pat Ying's shoulder, his eyes sincere.
Ying looked at him and nodded slightly.
— "Hmm… Are you planning to go to the hospital with Dr. Sakda? I can give you a ride."
— "Is it convenient for you?"
— "No problem. It's on my way to work."
— "Then… thank you, Ying." Jay beamed, his smile softening someone's heart.
— "Okay. Let's eat quickly, then head out."
EndofChapter26