Unfaded Memories

In the morning, in a small, cozy room at a peaceful corner of France, soft sunlight gently filtered through the pristine white curtains, casting a pale golden hue over everything. On the large bed with soft linens, a petite young man was curled up in a deep sleep. His skin was pinkish-white like the morning mist, and his silvery hair, like moonlight, accentuated his delicate face, resembling a perfect painting.

Suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing broke the morning silence. The young man frowned slightly, his slender hand reaching out from under the blanket to grab the phone from the table. His eyes were still heavy with sleep, and he brought the phone to his ear, his voice hoarse but somewhat cute as he spoke:

-"Hello… Dad, you're here? Then rest up."

-"When are you coming over? Probably in about a week, I've been so busy with shows lately."

-"Okay, I understand… I'll take care of my health. Don't worry, I'm hanging up now."

After ending the call, he curled back under the blanket, his breathing steady, quickly returning to the peaceful rhythm as if nothing had been interrupted.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a tall man walked in. He looked mature and stylish in a light coat, his slightly messy hair revealing that he hadn't slept much the previous night.

Seeing the young man still sound asleep like a kitten, he raised an eyebrow, sat down on a nearby chair, and spoke in a flat tone, though it couldn't hide the amusement in his voice:

-"When did you get back last night?"

-"2 AM," the young man with silver hair replied, eyes still closed, his voice drawn out due to laziness.

-"And you?"

-"An hour before you. But I was exhausted and a bit drunk, so I couldn't wait for you."

Hearing this, the young man on the bed shifted, slowly sitting up, stretching his arms, his eyes half-open:

-"It's okay, you must be tired after performing two nights in a row. Besides, I was a little drunk yesterday and just passed out when I got home. I didn't even change my clothes."

He sniffed himself, making a slight grimace at the lingering smell of alcohol. Seeing this, the man sitting on the chair chuckled softly, stood up, and walked over to the wardrobe. After rummaging through it a bit, he grabbed a fresh outfit and tossed it on the bed:

-"Go take a shower quickly. You're starting to stink."

-"After saying that, he made a mockingly scornful face, pretending to criticize. The silver-haired young man glared at him:

-"What's your point, Ryan daddy? Are you looking down on me?"

-"No, I wouldn't dare, Mr. Jay… I mean, idol Felix," Ryan replied with a smile, his voice teasing, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. Jay squinted, not letting it slide:

-"Don't make excuses. I can tell what you're really thinking just by looking at your face. You dare criticize me for smelling? Try this smell for yourself!"

Before Ryan could react, Jay jumped off the bed, lunged at him, and deliberately rubbed his head against Ryan's shoulder. Caught off guard, Ryan flailed his arms, helplessly shouting:

-"Jay! Let go of me! I don't want to share your smell!"

—————————————

In Thailand, in a spacious and modern room, soft sunlight streamed through the transparent glass wall, illuminating the luxurious and powerful space. This was the CEO's office of a renowned corporation, and in the center of the room sat a man named Ying, working.

With his tall, handsome appearance, his face carrying a blend of coldness and authority, he wore a sharp black suit, his flawless features radiating the presence of a leader. His sharp eyes were focused on the laptop screen in front of him, his brows slightly furrowed, enough to convey his dignity and determination to anyone looking at him.

The door suddenly opened without a knock, breaking the silence in the room. Another man stepped in—Faisal. He was tall, confident, with a relaxed gait, exuding a free-spirited aura. Faisal's appearance was no less impressive than Ying's, but his personality was the complete opposite—playful and slightly rebellious, as if he was always looking for ways to stir things up.

Faisal leaned against the desk, a mischievous grin on his face as his voice rang out, half-serious, half-joking:

-"This project contract is clearly beneficial for both sides, but it seems like we're being underpriced. Do you have a plan, Ying?"

Ying looked up, his cold eyes briefly scanning Faisal before answering in a steady but firm voice:

-"Stick with the original plan. If they undercut us, we'll cancel the contract. We don't lack partners who want to work with us."

-"Faisal raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his expression:

-"Okay, I'll go renegotiate with them. Hope this time they understand their position."

Turning to leave, Faisal suddenly stopped, remembering something, and turned back with a playful smile:

-"By the way, Ying, I've got a new project at the beach. You're definitely going to need to collaborate on this one."

Ying raised an eyebrow, a spark of curiosity in his eyes:

-"What kind of project? Another crazy idea of yours?"

Faisal laughed loudly, his voice playful but unable to hide his excitement:

-"Just wait. I'll tell you later, but you definitely won't want to miss it."

———————————————

In Thailand, in a luxury residential area where each villa exuded opulence and prestige, a middle-aged man with a rugged appearance stood in front of a large villa, holding a suitcase in his hand. His eyes showed a slight hint of emotion as he looked around. It had been 10 years since he last left Thailand, and now everything seemed familiar yet somewhat strange.

Mr. Sakda was about to enter the house when a voice from the opposite villa called out, causing him to turn around in surprise:

-"Mr. Sakda, is that you?"

The voice came from a woman at the gate of the luxurious villa. It was Mrs. Preeda, who looked elegant yet still retained a friendly demeanor. Her face lit up with a mix of surprise and joy upon recognizing her old neighbor.

Sakda smiled and nodded in greeting:

-"Oh, Mrs. Preeda, it's been a long time. Hello!"

-"When

 did you come back? I couldn't believe it when I saw you!" she replied.

-"I just arrived. Haven't even entered the house yet. It's been over 10 years, hasn't it? Time flies so quickly."

The two of them chatted for a while, the atmosphere comfortable and familiar, as if the years of separation had never existed.

At that moment, Mrs. Preeda turned and called out into the house:

-"Runrot, come out here! Look who's just returned!"

A few moments later, Mr. Runrot walked out from the villa. He appeared dignified, though there was still a touch of cheerfulness in his manner. Upon seeing Sakda, he immediately broke into a big smile, his voice booming with enthusiasm:

-"Mr. Sakda! It's been so long! Where's that boy Jay? He must be all grown up by now, right? Over 10 years, after all!"

Sakda laughed, a hint of pride in his eyes:

-"Jay is still abroad. He should be back in about a week. And Ying, how is he? He must be grown up now, probably more handsome than his father."

Runrot burst out laughing without hesitation:

-"Ying is busy with work at the company. Yes, he's grown up, but as handsome as me? Not a chance!"

Runrot's words made all three of them laugh heartily. They stood there chatting for a long time, reminiscing about old memories and sharing updates on their lives. When the conversation came to a pause, they politely bid farewell and returned to their respective homes.

———————

In the music room in France, Jay was deeply engrossed in his guitar, the notes soaring through the air, blending with his voice to create a unique musical space. But as the sound of the guitar softened, a shadow appeared at the door, causing Jay to stop.

-"Is it too loud? Jay."

Ryan stepped in, his gaze full of concern but maintaining his usual calm demeanor.

Jay turned his head, his eyes never leaving the guitar, and he flashed a confident smile:

-"Of course, it's fine. Felix is anything but ordinary."

Ryan raised an eyebrow, a light smile forming on his lips:

-"Confident, huh? Let's see how idol Felix shines tonight."

As he spoke, Ryan walked over to Jay and ruffled his hair, a gesture of intimacy like an older brother, but still with a hint of teasing.

Jay looked at Ryan with a challenging gaze, a smile on his lips:

-"Well, wait and see. What about you, are you ready?"

Ryan nodded, still maintaining his calm demeanor:

-"All set, just waiting for the performance tonight."

After a pause, Ryan asked:

-"By the way, Jay… you're only doing tonight's show and not taking any more, right?"

Jay nodded, his gaze flicking over to Ryan before returning to the guitar, his expression growing more serious:

-"Yeah. Dad wants me to go back to Thailand with him, probably in about a month."

Ryan didn't ask more questions, just gave a small nod as if he had already guessed the reason. His eyes wandered for a moment before returning to Jay:

-"That's probably for the best, you haven't been back to Thailand in a while. Since I've known you, I don't think you've mentioned anything about going back."

Jay didn't answer immediately, his eyes distant as if lost in his own thoughts:

-"Not sure what there is to mention anymore."

Ryan remained silent for a while, then softly spoke, his tone gentler:

-"Oh… Rest up. We'll head to the stage an hour early tonight."

With that, Ryan turned and left the room. Only Jay remained, still holding the guitar but unable to focus on playing. The sounds that followed were no longer clear, but fragmented. His face showed discomfort, his eyes deep in thought, contemplating things he couldn't express…

——————————

In the evening in Thailand, in the cozy space of Mr. Runrot's home, a small welcome-back party for Mr. Sakda was taking place. The atmosphere was joyful, filled with laughter and heartfelt congratulations.

-"It's been a long time, today you and I aren't going home until we're drunk!"

Mr. Runrot laughed loudly, his voice full of excitement.

-"Alright, alright…"

Mr. Sakda responded, lifting his glass, his face relaxed, filled with happiness.

Mrs. Preeda, sitting beside, curiously looked at Mr. Sakda and asked:

-"Mr. Sakda, why isn't Jay back with you? It's been nearly 10 years since we've seen him. I miss him, he must be so grown up now…"

Mr. Sakda sighed lightly:

-"Jay is busy with his performances, singing and all that. He's grown up now, even I can hardly keep track of him anymore."

Mr. and Mrs. Runrot exchanged surprised and slightly amused glances. Mr. Runrot, unable to hide his delight, added:

-"Jay is a singer now? That's impressive…"

-"Impressive, huh… He's always out, either performing or at practice. Sometimes I don't get to see him for weeks."

As the conversation continued, the door suddenly opened, and a tall, mature young man stepped in. It was Ying.

Seeing Ying, Mrs. Preeda joyfully called out:

-"Ying, you're back? Look, do you remember who this is?"

Ying looked at the middle-aged man before him, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. He stopped, bowed politely:

-"Uncle Sakda, hello, when did you return?"

Mr. Sakda smiled, his eyes filled with joy at the reunion:

-"Just got back this morning. Wow, look at you, so grown up, handsome as well. You're really looking like a man now."

Ying stood there, but his gaze didn't just stay on Mr. Sakda. He looked around, as if searching for something in the spacious room. A strange feeling welled up inside him when he couldn't find what he was looking for.

After silently observing for a while, disappointment was clearly visible on Ying's face. He didn't say anything more, just nodded before turning and heading upstairs, leaving the space for the adults to continue their conversation.

——————————————

At an outdoor music party in France, although it was evening, the space was brightly lit as if it were still daytime. The stage was grand, the audience lively, and on stage, a small young boy was igniting the atmosphere, making the crowd go wild — the young singer Felix.

-"Thank you all so much for coming to tonight's party. Tonight is truly a wonderful night, isn't it? Wonderful things always deserve to be shared… And next up, we have a very special singer. Let's welcome Ryan!"

After the introduction, Jay stepped off the stage. Like all the other fans, he looked up at his idol performing, getting lost in the crowd, cheering and shouting for Ryan.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, a tall French man approached and placed his arm around Jay's shoulder. It seemed they had known each other for a long time.

-"You did really well tonight, great job."

-"Thanks, but maybe I'm not as good as the person up there," Jay replied, pointing to the stage where Ryan was shining.

"You're too humble, Felix. But you're only performing tonight, right?"

-"Yeah, I'll take a break for about a month."

-"That's a shame, Felix. You and Ryan have both been really hot lately."

-"But if I'm not performing anymore, we still have Ryan, don't we?"

-"Earlier, I invited him to join my upcoming music project, but he turned it down. He's already booked a show in the US. Didn't he tell you?"

-"No, I haven't heard him mention it. I'll ask him later."

"Well, I'll leave you to it. Bye, Felix."

-"Bye, Mark."

After Ryan finished his performance, the music party began to wind down. Jay followed Ryan backstage. As Ryan sat arranging props and packing his guitar into its case, Jay approached with a teasing smile.

-"Jealous, I really wish I could perform in the US just once."

-"Want to come with me?" Ryan asked, laughing while patting Jay on the head.

-"No thanks, I'll only go when I get invited. By the way, what show did you take? You didn't tell me."

-" I just accepted one, so I didn't have time to tell you," Ryan replied, still busy with the guitar.

-"Oh… Are you done? Let's go, we need to rest. Tomorrow we have to fly back to Thailand."

Jay spoke as he walked, Ryan carrying the guitar on his shoulder, following behind.

-"Jealous, huh? Someone gets to go back to Thailand and rest without having to perform anymore."

-"Well, you can come back with me."

-"No thanks, I'm too busy earning a living!" Ryan said, slinging his arm around Jay's shoulder, but also looking at his expression.

Jay, usually cheerful and expressive, seemed unusually distant when the topic of returning to Thailand came up. A person who hadn't been back to their homeland for nearly 10 years should be excited, yet Jay's reaction was puzzling and carried an underlying negativity.

-"Jay, you don't seem happy since we mentioned Thailand. Is something wrong?" Ryan asked, his tone more serious.

-"Hmm… It's nothing. Just that it's been a while since I've been home, so I'm a bit nervous," Jay answered.

Ryan looked at him, sensing that something wasn't quite right. He didn't press further, but he also didn't want to let it go.

-"Are you sure? Jay, if something's wrong, feel free to tell me."

-"I'm sure, it's nothing." Jay smiled softly, but it wasn't the usual bright smile.

-"Well, I hope it's nothing. But if something comes up, you can always talk to me. I'm ready to listen and share with you. Now, let's go and rest early. We've got a flight tomorrow."

-"Yeah."

Ryan knew Jay was lying, but he didn't press him further, respecting his decision. Perhaps it was something sad Jay didn't want to talk about, or maybe it was something else. If Jay truly wanted to share, he would open up when he was ready.

————————————

In Thailand, around noon, in a quiet coffee shop. The warm and gentle space, with sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminated the corner of the shop where three young people sat chatting.

Ying sat in front of his laptop, looking calm, cold, and serious. Despite choosing a corner that would attract little attention, his aura was enough to catch the eyes of other customers. Beside him was Faisal, with his humorous smile, free-spirited, and approachable personality, and Chirawan, a beautiful girl with sharp features, exuding both strength and mystery.

Each of them had their own unique traits, but the common factor was their striking appearances, making the corner of the shop the focal point of the otherwise peaceful space.

Faisal began the conversation with a cheerful tone:

-"Ying, I heard Mr. Sakda is back, right?"

Ying was still focused on his laptop, typing a few keys but replying without missing a beat:

-"Yeah, he's been back for a week."

-"Is Jay back with him? That kid must have grown a lot by now, right? It's been 10 years since we last saw him!"

Chirawan, hearing this, spoke up, her face showing a little surprise:

-"Faisal's comment reminded me… It really has been a long time. I kind of miss the kid."

Ying paused his typing, tilted his head slightly, and then answered:

-"No. Mr. Sakda said Jay's busy with work in France, he'll be back later."

-"Oh… That's a shame," Faisal shrugged, then continued talking about the projects he and Ying were collaborating on.

As the group discussed, Chirawan suddenly changed the subject, her gaze concerned as she looked at Ying:

-"You two are working too hard, you should pay more attention to your health. Especially you, Ying! You've been looking thinner lately."

Ying glanced at her, speaking calmly:

-"I know. But instead of worrying about me, you should spend time taking care of your assistant."

Chirawan looked a bit confused and raised an eyebrow:

-"What do you mean by that?"

Faisal burst out laughing, joining in with Ying:

-"He means you should stop bullying your assistant so much!"

-"Me, bullying someone? Don't frame me like that!" Chirawan protested, her face full of mock indignation.

-"Are you sure?" Faisal teased, grinning slyly. -"Every time I see you with your assistant, you're always nagging her."

-"It's not like that! She's just not doing things the way I want, so I had to give her some advice!" Chirawan defended herself, though her explanation only made Faisal and Ying laugh more.

At that moment, a small girl walked into the café from outside. She was carrying large and small bags filled with recently bought items. This was Isra, Chirawan's assistant. She looked tired but still kept a polite smile as she approached the group.

"Miss Chirawan, I've bought everything you asked for," Isra said, her voice slightly out of breath.

Chirawan glanced at the items in Isra's hands and frowned:

-"Take them to the car. I'll be right there."

Turning to Ying and Faisal, she quickly said:

-"Ying, Faisal, I'm leaving first!"

Ying nodded, his voice calm:

-"Mm, take care."

Faisal also smiled:

-"Bye, Miss Chirawan."

As Isra prepared to leave, she almost dropped one of the bags, causing Chirawan to frown in displeasure:

-"Can't even carry this much? Give it to me, if you drop it, you won't be able to compensate for it."

With that, Chirawan snatched some of the items from Isra's hands and quickly walked out. Isra nervously ran after her, mumbling:

-"Thank you…"

Ying and Faisal stayed behind, both watching Chirawan and Isra's figures as they left. Faisal burst out laughing and shrugged:

"She says she doesn't bully anyone, huh?"

Ying just shook his head, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

————————

At Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Jay slowly walked out of the arrivals gate. The image of a young man with silver-white hair, wearing black sunglasses that obscured his eyes, and carrying a guitar on his shoulder created an unforgettable and unique appearance. Each of Jay's steps was steady and deliberate, exuding a sense of determination that attracted the attention of those around him.

But if you looked closely, you'd see the tiredness hidden on his face, a look of someone burdened with unspoken thoughts. Stopping right at the airport gate, Jay took off his sunglasses, revealing a contemplative gaze. His eyes didn't show the excitement of someone returning home after a long time, but rather a vague sense of unease, as if he were facing something he didn't want to think about.

A middle-aged man approached him and bowed respectfully. He was the driver that Jay's father had arranged. Jay didn't respond, just nodded lightly and handed over his suitcase.

In him was a sense of pride, but not ostentatious; a distance, but not cold. It was an ungraspable gap that anyone who faced him could feel.

When the suitcase was placed in the trunk, Jay sat in the back seat of the car, leaning back, his eyes blankly staring out the window. The city was still bustling, still crowded, still familiar in the way he remembered, but the feeling was utterly strange.

In Jay's mind, Ryan's words from France echoed.

-"Aren't you happy, Jay?"

It was just… Jay couldn't answer.

The car moved, taking Jay away from the airport, carrying with him a young person full of unclear feelings about the place called home.

The car was moving when suddenly it stopped by the side of the road, near a sausage stall. Jay had asked the driver to stop.

"Do you need me to buy it for you, Mr.

Felix?"

"No, I can buy it myself, Anton. And just call me Jay. I only use the stage name when I'm performing."

"Okay, Mr. Jay."

Jay got out of the car and walked over to the stall to buy a sausage, asking them to wrap it up. After making his purchase, he returned to the car, and the driver took him home.

The car sped along the busy road, but when passing a sausage stall by the side of the street, Jay suddenly spoke up:

"Anton, stop the car here for a moment."

The driver quickly complied. After stopping the car, he turned back to ask:

"Mr. Felix, do you need me to buy it for you?"

Jay removed his sunglasses, revealing a rare softness in his eyes as he shook his head:

"No, I can buy it myself. And just call me Jay. Felix is only for the stage."

"Okay, Mr. Jay."

Jay stepped out of the car. His small figure, with his silver-white hair, stood out against the dusty backdrop of the roadside food stalls. Smoke from the grill rose into the air, bringing back familiar memories Jay had buried deep inside for nearly 10 years.

He walked up to the stall where golden-brown sausages were neatly arranged, giving off a mouthwatering smell.

"I'll have one skewer, please. Could you wrap it up for me?" Jay said quietly, as if lost in thought.

The vendor stared at him, captivated by something unusual in Jay's face. But she didn't ask anything further, quickly wrapping the skewer of sausages in paper.

"Here you go. Thank you!"

Taking the bag of sausages, Jay slowly returned to the car. His demeanor seemed cold, but his steps felt heavy, as if he were carrying a burden within.

Back in the car, Jay placed the bag of sausages next to him. Anton started the car, driving through the bustling crowd.

Jay stared at the paper bag, his eyes lost in thought.

The car stopped in front of a large house, once a home filled with both happy and sad memories for Jay. The ivory-white walls still shone as if carefully cleaned, and the garden in front of the house was meticulously cared for, with each plant trimmed neatly, blooming brightly under the midday sun.

Jay stepped out of the car, his gaze sweeping over the familiar details. This was the house that had been a part of his life through his childhood years, but now, it stirred mixed emotions within him. Standing in front of a place that seemed so luxurious, Jay couldn't help but feel empty inside…

He paused for a moment at the gate, his eyes scanning every corner: from the swing at the corner of the garden to the stone path leading into the house, everything seemed to have remained the same since the day he left. But the silence that enveloped the place made the space feel cold, lacking the warmth and laughter of the past.

The driver stood beside him, breaking the silence:

-"Mr. Jay, the boss asked me to tell you that he's away on a business trip and will be back tomorrow. If you need anything, just call and I'll arrange it."

Jay gently shook his head, his voice low:

-"No need, I can manage. You should rest, thank you."

-"Yes, if you need anything, just call me."

After the driver left, Jay stood for a while before entering the house. Soon after, he came back outside holding a skewer of grilled sausages.

He slowly walked into the garden, his gaze seemingly guided by the familiar surroundings. Approaching the corner of the garden, before him was a small mound of earth surrounded by yellow chrysanthemums. Jay sat down, his eyes gentle but filled with sorrow:

-"Toby, I'm back. I brought the sausage you liked…"

He carefully placed the sausage in front of the mound, his voice trembling slightly:

-"It's been ten years, Toby. Ten years since you left me. But I've never forgotten you…"

Tears began to fall from Jay's face, and memories came rushing back like broken pieces of a puzzle.

In his memories, a ten-year-old boy with bright eyes was playing with a golden retriever. The innocent laughter echoed in the air, and the sunlight shone on Toby's golden fur, making the dog seem to glow with a halo.

But then, the memory shifted. The image of the boy was now sitting in the middle of the road, holding Toby's bloodied body in his small arms. The heart-wrenching cries rang out in the evening sky, and the boy's trembling hands tried to cover Toby's wounds, pleading for help from passing strangers. But all that remained was helplessness and pain.

Back in the present, Jay wiped the tears that had fallen down his cheeks. He tried to smile, though the smile was distorted, yet full of love:

-"Toby, you know? I'm a singer now. Back then, every time I sang, you would always lie still and listen so quietly… I really wish I could sing for you again."

Jay looked up at the sky, his eyes reflecting an emptiness. He gently closed his eyes and hummed a soft melody, one that Toby used to love, as if sending it to the little friend who was now far away….

——————————

In the office, Ying sat at the desk, his eyes focused on the laptop screen, all his thoughts concentrated on work. Suddenly, two distinct knocks echoed, but before he could give any permission from inside, the door opened and a girl walked in. Though she appeared beautiful, the coldness in her eyes and the stern expression on her face made it clear that she was not someone easy to approach. It was Kanya.

Ying heard the door open but didn't look up, staying focused on his work. It wasn't until Kanya walked closer that Ying finally spoke, his tone calm but slightly irritated.

-"If you want to come in next time, wait for permission from inside, don't just barge in like that."

Kanya didn't seem flustered at all, responding in a calm manner:

-"Well, if I didn't barge in, would you let me in to see you?"

Kanya's question clearly struck a nerve with Ying, making him a little uneasy. However, Ying still didn't want to show his impatience and reluctantly continued:

-"What's the matter? Why are you here?"

Kanya smiled slightly, walking closer and replying:

-"I just wanted to see how you've been. It's been a few months since we last met."

Her words didn't seem very sincere, but Ying still responded coldly:

-"Well, if that's all, then we're done here. Don't come back if you have no real reason. I find it bothersome."

Kanya didn't seem to care about Ying's attitude, maintaining her indifferent expression and responding casually:

-"Are you afraid people will misunderstand? Are you trying to avoid being bothered, or are you trying to avoid me?"

Kanya's sarcastic words were like a sharp jab, hitting a sensitive spot in Ying. He fell silent, not responding, just staring at the screen, trying not to let her words affect him. But then Kanya continued, unwilling to let it go.

-"I heard your neighbor is back. Is that kid Jay back too? It's been a while since I saw him, I wanted to catch up with him…"

The moment Jay's name was mentioned, Ying's expression immediately changed. He stopped his work, looked up at Kanya, and his voice grew cold.

-"Jay's not back. And he doesn't want to see you."

Kanya didn't get angry; she simply smiled lightly in an enigmatic way.

-"Then do you think that kid wants to see you? You're just like me…"

Kanya's voice held a hint of mockery, as if trying to provoke Ying. Her attitude made it impossible for Ying to restrain his anger, and he shot her a sharp, cold look.

-"Kanya…"

But Kanya wasn't fazed; she laughed in a playful way, then turned and walked out. On the other hand, Ying remained still in the room, his eyes still fixed on the screen, but his mind was in turmoil.

Kanya's words didn't pass easily. They left a wound in Ying's heart, one that made it impossible for him to continue his work.

——————————————————

"Mr. Ying, you're home early today?"

Seeing Ying driving up to the gate, the gardener at the house came out to greet him.

-"I finished early at the company, so I'm home."

-"Yes, sir…"

At that moment, a delivery man stopped in front of the gate of the house across the street. Inside, a young man came out to take the delivery. It was Jay…

Ying heard the noise, glanced over, and the first thing that caught his eye was the young man with white hair and rosy skin. The afternoon light seemed to envelop him, making Jay look like a little angel in need of protection. Ying was a little surprised, unable to believe his eyes. In his memory, Jay had been a gentle boy, always crying, but now he was a grown man with a bold and strong appearance. Yet, Ying still recognized him, as Jay's small frame hadn't changed much from the little boy he once was.

-"Is this Mr. Jay? Here's the food you ordered."

"Thank you."

Jay received the delivery, and the delivery man left, but as he turned to go back inside, he seemed to sense someone's gaze following him.

He glanced at the house across the street.

Ying was still standing there, his gaze steady, but his eyes held a sense of searching, of unspoken curiosity.

For a moment, Jay felt a little awkward.

He didn't know what to do, what to say, until his voice softly broke the silence.

-"Is it you, Mr. Ying?"

He hesitated for a moment, then slightly lowered his head in greeting, though somewhat shy, his determination clear.

Ying was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure. He nodded his head in return, his eyes still fixed on Jay's figure.

They both stood still for a moment, the distance between them feeling both close and distant at the same time.

Not wanting to complicate the brief encounter, Jay quickly turned and walked into the house.

Ying watched him go, his eyes deep with emotion…

———————————

On stage in the U.S., Ryan was passionately performing a soft ballad. The melody seemed to dissolve into the air, each word of the song touching the hearts of the listeners. He was so absorbed in his performance that the entire auditorium seemed to fall silent, with only his voice echoing through the space.

When the performance ended, Ryan bowed to the audience amidst an ongoing applause, the familiar guitar still resting on his shoulder. He stepped off the stage, and a man with a natural, free-spirited demeanor approached. It was Sub, the owner of the venue, who was both Ryan's long-time friend and collaborator.

-"So, how was it? How was the stage tonight?" Sub asked, his eyes filled with pride.

-"It was pretty amazing. It's been so long since I've performed on such a big stage. The feeling… it really makes me happy," Ryan smiled softly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of emotion.

-"Just happy, huh? Don't cry now! I'm not Felix, I don't know how to comfort you," Sub teased with a sly grin.

Ryan chuckled, replying, "You're crazy. I'm the one who comforts him. Felix isn't the type to cry easily."

Sub squinted his eyes and smiled knowingly, "Oh really? Where is Felix, though? I didn't see him with you. You two are usually inseparable. Did something happen today? Did you guys… argue?"

Ryan furrowed his brows, "Argue with him? We're just really close friends, don't joke like that. Felix went back to Thailand, he won't be performing again for about a month."

Sub seemed surprised, "Back to Thailand? I remember the invitation for today's show was sent to both you and Felix. Didn't he get the email?"

Ryan nodded calmly, "Maybe not. But it's fine, there'll be another chance next time. Jay still says he wants to perform in the U.S. once."

-"Oh! So you're calling him Jay now? You don't even use his stage name anymore? I'm starting to suspect something… could it be… are you two married?" Sub continued to joke, laughing loudly.

Ryan just shook his head, tapping Sub lightly on the head, "Don't talk nonsense. I've been guiding Jay since he was a kid who couldn't even play guitar in tune until he could confidently stand on stage. Giving him a stage name is something we'll do later. I just always call him by his real name, but where are you going with all this?"

Sub raised his hands in surrender, trying to hold back his laughter, "I was just joking. I know it's all just teacher-student affection, nothing more. But honestly, you two make a great pair, I'm a fan of this ship!"

Ryan smirked and walked away without looking back, "Flattered. Well, I'm tired, going to rest now."

Sub watched Ryan's figure disappear, not giving up on his curiosity, "Do you want me to show you around? I know some interesting places."

Ryan turned his head, a mischievous smile on his lips, "No need, I've got someone showing me around already."

Sub raised an eyebrow, curious, "Who is it?"

Ryan didn't respond, only waved his hand in farewell before disappearing into the darkness, leaving Sub standing there with a series of unanswered questions…

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That night in Thailand, in Jay's small room, the warm golden light illuminated the cluttered corners of the room. The small teen was exhausted from cleaning, each step heavy as if his energy had drained completely.

-"One more thing… forget it, I'll leave it for tomorrow. I'm too tired today."

Jay sighed and collapsed onto the bed, pulling out his phone, his eyes searching for something.

-"I wonder how Ryan's performance went," he thought.

His fingers lightly swiped the screen as he read articles about Ryan's show. His eyes glinted with curiosity and a touch of melancholy, as though he were trying to hold onto a distant memory.

On the other side of the street, in the room opposite, the light from Ying's balcony softly illuminated the space. Ying stood leaning against the window, his deep gaze directed toward Jay's room. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips, a mixture of joy and something bittersweet.

-"This room finally has its lights on."

In Jay's room, after scrolling through his phone for a while, he yawned and stretched, clearly exhausted.

-"I'm so sleepy, I guess I'll go to bed early tonight."

Jay walked to the window to pull the curtains, but as his eyes inadvertently glanced across, he froze for a moment. A familiar figure stood still on the balcony.

-"That room… is that… Ying?"

Jay's lips curled into a subtle smile, an expression full of mystery, before he drew the curtains, turned off the lights, and prepared to fall asleep.

On Ying's side, his eyes still lingered on Jay's window. When he saw Jay's small figure briefly appear before the lights went out, Ying was momentarily startled but stayed there for a long while, lost in thought.

-"Already asleep, huh?" he murmured, his gaze lingering on the now darkened room. Slowly, Ying turned and walked back to his bed, lying down, but his mind couldn't stop racing.

-"He's grown up now… no longer that kid who always clung to me."

A soft sigh echoed in the stillness of the room. Ying closed his eyes, but his heart was heavy with emotions he couldn't name…

End of Chapter 1.