One Encounter, One Signal

At night, in the quiet bedroom, Jay sat on the bed with a contemplative expression. Perhaps he was still thinking about what had happened earlier in the afternoon. Just then, Ryan walked in from outside.

-"Haven't you gone to bed yet?"

-"Not yet. Is something wrong, Ryan?" – Seeing Ryan, Jay forced a smile.

Ryan frowned slightly, his eyes filled with concern.

-"Are you still upset about what happened this afternoon?"

-"No…" – Jay shook his head, then as if guessing what Ryan wanted to ask, he calmly said – "Ryan, are you wondering who that person was?"

Ryan didn't deny it. "Yeah…"

Jay let out a soft sigh and slowly spoke:

-"He's a childhood friend, just like Chirawan."

He paused for a moment before continuing:

-"Ryan, do you know? Some children are fortunate enough to embrace life with their childhood happiness. But others have to spend their entire lives healing from their childhood because those years were filled with pain…

I may be luckier than many unfortunate children, but that doesn't mean I was never hurt."

Ryan quietly listened. "Was Kanya the one who hurt you?"

-"I don't know." – Jay's voice lowered – "She didn't hit me, she didn't insult me, but… I still felt pain. Pain from the words she said, pain from the way she treated me when I was just a child…"

Ryan didn't say anything, only gently ruffled Jay's hair as a form of comfort. After a while, Jay let out a faint chuckle.

-"You once told me that a person who knows how to enjoy happiness is someone who can let go of the bad things… But I can't do that, Ryan. I will never forget. If I forget, I will also forget the reason and the goal that have driven me to keep going until today."

This time, Ryan neither refuted nor agreed. His voice was gentle but meaningful.

-"If that's the case, then keep it in your heart. On our journey, there will always be obstacles. Remember that pain, so that the next time you face it, you'll know how to overcome it."

Jay remained thoughtful for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Suddenly, Ryan recalled something and asked:

-"Back when you were in France, whenever the topic of returning to Thailand came up, you always seemed unhappy. Was it because of this?"

-"Yes…" – Jay smiled faintly – "But running away isn't the solution either."

-"That's true, but if you can't avoid it, you can always choose a different path." – Ryan looked at Jay meaningfully – "But I'm not encouraging you to keep running either."

Then, as if trying to lighten the mood, Ryan suddenly suggested:

-"By the way… I'm planning to visit my family in Phuket before heading back to France. Do you want to come with me?"

Jay's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Really? Of course, I do!"

Ryan chuckled at his reaction. "Then we'll go tomorrow. Pack your things now, or we won't make it in time in the morning."

Without hesitation, Jay immediately stood up. "Alright! I'll pack right away!"

The heavy atmosphere from earlier seemed to fade away, leaving only a Jay full of excitement, while Ryan let out a quiet sigh of relief.

In Jay's room, the atmosphere seemed light, even somewhat cheerful. But across from him, in Ying's room, there was only a heavy silence. Ying sat on the sofa, his gaze deep in thought, his expression solemn. After a while, he picked up his phone and dialed a number—Kanya.

As soon as the call connected, before the person on the other end could speak, Ying's cold voice rang out, carrying a clear sense of authority:

-"Why did you bother Jay today?"

On the other end, Kanya let out a soft chuckle, her tone laced with mockery:

-"Did he go running to you? Still the same clingy little kid, huh?"

Ying frowned, clearly displeased, but his tone remained calm, carrying a firm warning:

-"I've told you before—don't bother him anymore. Consider this the last time I'll say it.

Jay is no longer a child, but I don't want him to be hurt again. Do you understand?"*

Kanya scoffed, but her voice lost a bit of its arrogance.

-"Are you saying I bullied him? I was just stopping by to say hello. Do you really need to be this serious?"

-"Take it as a favor, please," Ying's voice lowered, for the first time, pleading. "From now on, leave Jay alone."

Before Kanya could respond, he decisively ended the call.

Ying put down his phone, turning his gaze toward the window, his eyes unconsciously settling on the room across from his. A faint sense of guilt, a trace of regret, stirred within him.

-"I'm sorry, Jay."

A quiet sigh echoed in the vast room, like a lingering whisper in the stillness of the night.

——————————————

Late morning turned into noon in Phuket, Thailand. Within the vast grounds of an ancient temple, where the scent of incense lingered in the tranquil air, two young men stood before two urns. They were Jay and Ryan.

Ryan gently lit an incense stick, his gaze calm yet profound.

-"These are my parents," he said, his voice steady, as if he had long grown accustomed to this pain. "They passed away in an accident when I was twelve." He paused briefly before continuing. "After that, I lived with my grandmother for a while. But she was old and couldn't take care of me for long, so she sent me to France to live with my uncle. And I've been there ever since."

Jay listened in silence, his eyes carrying a hint of contemplation. Though Ryan appeared composed, Jay could still sense the deep wounds he had endured. How many years, how much suffering, did it take for him to speak of the past in such a calm voice?

-"You've had it worse than me," Jay blurted out. "I lost my mom when I was three, but at least I still had my dad… But you…"

Jay let out a quiet sigh before offering a small, comforting smile. "You're really strong."

Ryan chuckled softly, but there was a distant look in his eyes.

-"It's not strength. Life just forces us to adapt."

Jay glanced at Ryan, then back at the two urns. He understood what Ryan meant. Those who had endured loss—no matter how strong they appeared—must have once struggled against fate, until they realized they had no choice but to keep going.

-"How long has it been since you last came here?" Jay suddenly asked.

Ryan hesitated slightly, as if trying to recall.

-"Probably five or six years… When I first moved to France, I missed home a lot. My uncle used to let me visit every few months. But every time I came back and saw everything unchanged, I'd miss my parents even more… And then I couldn't hold back my tears. So, eventually, I stopped coming. I was afraid of crying in front of people."

Jay said nothing, simply observing Ryan in silence. He realized that some people didn't hold back their tears because they weren't in pain, but because they feared showing their vulnerability.

-"So… do you still feel like crying now?" Jay asked.

Ryan smiled, but his smile carried a trace of loneliness.

-"No. Now I'm afraid… Afraid my parents would see me as weak. I'm grown up now—I can't just cry all the time."

Jay let out a small laugh. "Your logic is so weird."

Ryan chuckled as well, offering no further explanation. To him, those past tears had long dried up.

Suddenly, he patted Jay's shoulder and changed the subject:

-"Come on! Let's find something to eat. Even though I haven't been back in years, I still remember all the best local dishes. Let me take you to try them!"

With that, Ryan casually slung an arm around Jay's shoulders, leading him away while enthusiastically sharing stories about his hometown. Though time had passed and life had changed, to Ryan, this place would always remain a part of his childhood—familiar, peaceful, and irreplaceable.

—————————

At a Restaurant in Phuket

In front of Jay and Ryan was a table filled with a feast of delicious dishes. Ryan, eating with enthusiasm, eagerly introduced each dish, his eyes sparkling with joy. These were all Phuket's specialties, the flavors he had grown up with.

-"So? How is it?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

Jay, still chewing, nodded approvingly, his eyes full of delight. "It's really good!"

Ryan smiled in satisfaction. "Whenever I came back here before, I always had these dishes. It's been so long since I last had them, so now I have to eat to my heart's content."

Seeing Ryan's childlike excitement, Jay couldn't help but laugh. "You look like a kid who just found his favorite food."

Ryan shrugged, not denying it. The two continued chatting happily until Jay suddenly asked:

-"Oh… by the way, when are you going back to France?"

Ryan paused briefly before replying, "In two days."

Jay froze for a moment. "That soon? I haven't even had the chance to show you around yet…" His voice carried a hint of regret.

Seeing this, Ryan chuckled, his tone light as if to reassure him. "I'll be back here someday."

Just then, Jay's phone vibrated. He put down his chopsticks, glanced at the screen for a moment, then quickly answered the call.

-"Hello? No, I'm in Phuket… Maybe in two days?"

-"Oh… I'm sorry, how about I call you first thing when I'm back in Bangkok? Okay… Bye."

As soon as he hung up, Jay shook his head and smiled helplessly. Ryan, curious, asked:

-"Who was that?"

-"Ah… Faisal. A close friend. He's passionate about music too and just sent me a new song he wrote, asking for my opinion."

Ryan rested his chin on his hand, teasing with a smirk. "Getting famous now, huh?"

Jay raised an eyebrow, grinning mischievously. "Of course."

At the Table Nearby – Ying's Business Meeting with a Partner

In contrast to the lively atmosphere at Jay and Ryan's table, this side of the restaurant carried an air of seriousness and authority. Ying sat across from Mr. Patch—an important business partner for his latest project. His expression remained composed, and every word he spoke carried weight.

-"So, can it be completed within two months?" Ying asked, his tone leaving no room for delay.

Mr. Patch nodded firmly. "Absolutely. This is a large-scale project, but we already have a detailed plan."

He knew very well that despite Ying's young age, he was not someone to be underestimated. When working with him, there was no room for complacency.

Ying nodded slightly, his gaze sharp. "Then let's hope everything goes smoothly. If this project succeeds, I'm sure you understand the benefits for both sides."

His deep voice, concise and to the point, created an invisible pressure on the man opposite him.

Mr. Patch smiled politely, but his tone carried a trace of admiration. "I've heard about you for a long time—young, talented, and decisive in business. Meeting you today, I can see that reputation is well deserved."

Ying remained composed, responding calmly, "You flatter me. Looking forward to working together."

-"Indeed."

Two Different Paths, Destined to Cross

At one corner of the restaurant, Jay and Ryan continued their lively conversation. At another, Ying was closing a crucial business deal. None of them noticed each other, yet fate had its own way of weaving connections—paths that seemed separate would eventually intersect at just the right moment.

—————————————————

Phuket's Streets – A Fateful Encounter

The streets of Phuket buzzed with life—lively yet not too noisy, still retaining the fresh and open atmosphere that made the place unique. Ryan and Jay strolled along, engaged in an animated conversation.

— "I have to admit, the air here is amazing," Jay remarked, his eyes gleaming with inspiration.

— "Yeah, it's cool, refreshing, and just the right amount of lively," Ryan agreed.

— "If I stayed here for a week, who knows how many songs I could compose? The inspiration is endless…" Jay clasped his hands behind his head, letting the gentle breeze wash over him.

— "Really?" Ryan narrowed his eyes teasingly.

— "Of course!"

As Jay spoke, he absentmindedly took a step forward without watching where he was going—accidentally bumping into someone who had been standing there, engrossed in a phone call. Startled, Jay quickly stepped back and bowed his head in apology.

— "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

The man turned to look at Jay, his gaze sweeping over him briefly before he suddenly called out his name.

— "Jay?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Jay's eyes widened in surprise. He looked up—standing before him was Ying.

— "Ying? What… What are you doing here?" Jay was caught off guard, yet at the same time, he felt a strange sense of relief, though he couldn't quite understand why.

Ying remained as composed as ever, but his sharp eyes subtly scanned Jay, as if ensuring he wasn't hurt.

— "I'm on a business trip. And you? Are you alright?"

— "Yeah, I'm fine! Don't worry," Jay waved his hands dismissively before turning to introduce them. "Oh, Ryan, this is Ying, my childhood friend."

Ryan nodded politely.

— "Nice to meet you, Ying."

Observing the man before him, Ryan couldn't help but be impressed. This aura… If Ying were in the entertainment industry, he'd undoubtedly attract countless admirers.

Ying, of course, had heard of Ryan before. He gave a slight nod and replied in his usual calm tone.

— "You're Ryan, aren't you?"

Jay blinked in surprise.

— "You know him?"

— "Chirawan mentioned it."

Jay stiffened slightly, his eyes flickering with a hint of wariness.

— "Then I suppose she didn't just mention this, did she?"

Ying fell silent for a moment before speaking, his voice slightly lower.

— "About Kanya… I—"

— "It's okay, Ying." Before he could finish, Jay quickly cut him off, forcing a relaxed smile as if to reassure him.

Ryan observed the subtle tension between them, and a thought suddenly came to him. With a friendly smile, he turned to Ying.

— "Ying, would you like to join Jay and me for a walk?"

Ying glanced at Ryan briefly before shaking his head.

— "No need. I don't want to intrude on your private time together."

Jay stiffened, feeling as if he had just been misunderstood.

— "Private time? Ying, don't get the wrong idea!" Jay hurriedly explained, looking flustered.

Ryan chuckled at his reaction, his tone light with amusement.

— "I bet Chirawan told you that Jay and I are dating, didn't she?"

Ying remained silent, simply watching them. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, as if he was holding back laughter.

Seeing this, Jay panicked even more, waving his hands frantically.

— "Ying! We're just friends! Don't listen to Chirawan's nonsense!"

— "But I didn't say anything," Ying replied nonchalantly.

— "I…" Jay was stunned. That's right—Ying hadn't said a word about it. Yet he had reacted so strongly, making himself seem suspicious for no reason.

Ryan couldn't hold back his laughter anymore.

Watching Jay fluster about, a rare, genuine smile formed on Ying's lips.

Ryan smoothly changed the subject.

— "Are you heading somewhere, Ying?"

— "Back to my hotel to rest."

— "If it's on the way, why not walk with us? Jay and I were planning to return as well, but since it's still early, we wanted to take a stroll first."

Ying hesitated briefly.

Jay, seeing this, quickly chimed in.

— "Come with us, Ying?"

Ying looked at Jay for a moment, then finally gave a slight nod.

— "Alright, why not?"

And so, the three of them continued walking together, their conversation flowing naturally. This time, there was no tension, no heavy silences. Jay found himself feeling more at ease around Ying, and seeing that, Ying also felt a sense of quiet relief.

End of Chapter 10