Kim Liang's phone rang, shrill in the evening air. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I need to take this," Kim Liang said, already stepping away. "I'll catch up with you guys later."
Jian Yu and Jin Yu exchanged understanding nods.
As they continued their walk home, Jian Yu and Jin Yu chatted about their day, discussing everything from school gossip to their exam prep.
Upon arriving home, they found their mother's absence.
"Guess Mom's working late," Jin Yu said.
"Let's get our reading done for the exam," Jian Yu suggested.
Jin Yu agreed, and they settled into their routine. Jian Yu studied Literature, while Jin Yu focused on Mathematics.
Hours passed, and their mother returned home, looking exhausted.
"Mom, welcome back!" Jian Yu said.
"Hey, sweethearts," Mrs. Yu replied.
Jian Yu hesitated, wanting to discuss his coming out.
"Mom, can we talk?" Jian Yu asked.
Mrs. Yu sighed. "Baby, I'm super tired. Can it wait till tomorrow?"
Jian Yu nodded understandingly. "Okay, Mom. Tomorrow."
As their mother rested, Jian Yu couldn't shake off the anxiety building inside him.
He wondered how she'd react, whether she'd accept him.
Jin Yu noticed Jian Yu's unease.
"Hey, bro, you okay?" Jin Yu asked.
"Yeah," Jian Yu replied.
As Jian Yu lay in bed, his mind raced with thoughts of the impending conversation.
"What if Mom doesn't understand?" he worried.
"What if she's disappointed?"
Jian Yu's heart pounded at the possibility of rejection.
He thought about Kim Liang, about their love and happiness.
"Does Mom's approval even matter?" Jian Yu wondered.
But deep down, he knew it did.
He wanted his mother's acceptance, her love and support.
Jian Yu's anxiety grew, his stomach twisting into knots.
He tossed and turned, unable to shake off the unease.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Kim Liang's text illuminated the screen.
"Hey, love. You okay?"
Jian Yu's heart swelled.
"Yeah, just nervous about tomorrow," he replied.
Kim Liang's response came quickly.
"You're strong, Jian Yu. I'll be here for you."
Jian Yu's tension eased slightly.
Kim Liang's phone call interrupted his stroll with Jian Yu and Jin Yu. He glanced at the screen, recognizing his father's assistant's number.
"Excuse me, guys," Kim Liang said. "I need to take this."
Jian Yu and Jin Yu nodded understandingly.
"Mr. Kim Liang, your father requests your presence at home," the assistant said.
Kim Liang's heart sank. What did his father want now?
"On my way," Kim Liang replied.
He made his way to the Kim family mansion, its grandeur and opulence a stark contrast to his carefree afternoon with Jian Yu.
Upon entering, Kim Liang walked through the lavish foyer and into the dining room.
The majestic dining table, polished to perfection, dominated the space.
Chairman Kim, his father, sat at the head, flanked by two women.
One, elderly and elegantly dressed, smiled warmly.
The other, younger and stunning, seemed nervous.
"Ah, Kim Liang," Chairman Kim said. "Welcome. I'd like you to meet Madame Wong and her daughter, Sophia."
Kim Liang's instincts prickled. What was this about?
Madame Wong's eyes sparkled. "Kim Liang, you're even more handsome than your pictures."
Sophia's gaze met Kim Liang's, her cheeks flushing.
"Please, join us," Chairman Kim said.
Kim Liang took his seat, sensing a setup.
Chairman Kim cleared his throat. "Kim Liang, I have something important to discuss. You know your mother passed away when you were young."
Kim Liang's eyes narrowed.
"I've found a new partner, Madame Wong, whom I met on a business trip to China. We have a daughter together, Sophia."
Kim Liang's face contorted in shock.
"Sixteen years ago, I made a choice to keep this private," Chairman Kim continued. "But now, I feel it's time you knew the truth."
Kim Liang's fury erupted.
"Sixteen years, and you're just telling me now?" he shouted.
Chairman Kim's expression remained calm.
"Kim Liang, understand—"
"No, you understand!" Kim Liang slammed his fist on the table.
"You kept this secret for sixteen years. I'm your son, and I deserved to know."
Madame Wong and Sophia shifted uncomfortably.
"You didn't even consider telling me before inviting them here," Kim Liang accused.
"Am I that useless to you, Father? Am I not important?"
Chairman Kim's composure faltered.
"Kim Liang, that's not—"
"Don't even try to justify this," Kim Liang cut him off.
"You've been lying to me my entire life. What else have you hidden?"
The room fell silent.
"Sixteen years of lies," he thought. "What else has he kept from me?"
He glared at his father, feeling betrayed.
"How could you, Father?" Kim Liang asked.
Chairman Kim sighed. "I wanted to protect you."
"Protect me?" Kim Liang's voice rose.
"By hiding the truth? By keeping me in the dark?"
Kim Liang's anger mixed with hurt.
"You've made me a fool," he said.
Madame Wong spoke up.
"Kim Liang, please understand—"
"No," Kim Liang interrupted.
"I don't want to hear it."
Sophia looked down, tears welling up.
Kim Liang's gaze softened slightly.
"This isn't about you, Sophia," he said.
"It's about him."
He turned back to Chairman Kim.
"I need space," Kim Liang said.
"Space to process this."
Chairman Kim nodded.
"I understand."
Kim Liang stormed out of the room.
Kim Liang slammed the door to his room, the sound echoing through the mansion.
He locked the door, ensuring no one would disturb him.
Hours passed as he stood under the shower's warm cascade, lost in thought.
"What just happened?" he wondered.
"Sixteen years of secrets. A sister. A whole other family."
The water streamed down his face, mingling with tears.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal.
Finally, he turned off the shower and stepped out to the kitchen.
The massive kitchen beckoned, its sleek counters and stainless steel appliances gleaming.
Kim Liang opened the fridge, retrieving a chilled wine bottle.
At 18, he was legally allowed to drink.
No one dared question him; he was Chairman Kim's son.
He poured a glass and grabbed a plate of leftover dinner.
Back in his room, Kim Liang ate mechanically.
His mind still reeled from the revelation.
"Who is Sophia, really?" he pondered.
"What does she want from me?"
The wine's bitterness mirrored his mood.
As night fell, Kim Liang's thoughts lingered.
His thumbs danced across his phone screen.
"Hey, love. You okay?" he texted.
On the other side, Jian Yu smiled, seeing Kim Liang's message.
"Yeah, just thinking about talking to my mom," Jian Yu replied.
Kim Liang hesitated, unsure how to share his own news.
"Everything alright?" Jian Yu asked, sensing something was off.
Kim Liang decided to wait.
"Yeah, just stressed. We can talk tomorrow," he texted.
Jian Yu nodded to himself, though Kim Liang couldn't see.
"Okay, tomorrow then. Take care," Jian Yu replied.
Kim Liang set his phone aside.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.
Jian Yu, meanwhile, pondered his own thought.
But doubts crept in.
"Will she understand?"
The clock ticked on. And he finally fell asleep.