In the room across the hall, Su Feiyan and Su Feiya were locked in an intense "battle," the sound of game controller buttons clicking in rapid succession. The characters on the screen leaped and dodged, while the siblings' attention was fully absorbed in the match.
"Brother, you're about to lose! You're going to lose!" Su Feiya laughed uncontrollably, shouting and mashing the buttons as fast as she could.
Su Feiyan, slightly exasperated but keeping his hands steady, retorted, "Xiaoya, are you interfering with me again?"
"I am not—" Su Feiya dragged out her reply with playful mischief. "You're just not as good as me!"
The room was filled with their laughter, a playful back-and-forth that felt like waves of joy washing over the entire house.
Meanwhile, in the living room next door, their parents sat on the sofa, the atmosphere much calmer. Mom's gaze rested on a glass of water on the table as she asked softly, "What do you think about the competition?"
Dad furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment before responding, "I'm worried that our son might not be able to handle it. His schoolwork is already overwhelming, and now, in his final year of high school, he has to focus on preparing for the college entrance exam. Adding a competition to the mix might be too much." His tone carried a clear sense of concern.
Mom nodded, her expression tinged with the same worry. "That's what I'm worried about too. He's in his senior year, and math has always been his weak point. This is his last chance to improve. Plus, he's not planning to pursue an arts-focused path. He wants to become a psychologist, so his academic performance is crucial."
Dad nodded slowly, as if an idea had just struck him. "But, you know, I recently heard about a profession called music therapist. A friend's child is studying it. It combines music and psychology—doesn't that sound perfect for our son?"
"A music therapist?" Mom looked up, momentarily taken aback. "That does sound interesting, but no matter what career he chooses, he still has to pass the college entrance exam first."
Dad sighed, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "True. His grades aren't bad overall, but math… It's just not his thing, and we all know that."
"Exactly," Mom said, a hint of frustration slipping into her tone. "Our education system is strange. It demands that kids be good at everything, but that's impossible. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Like our son—he's so talented in music and communication, yet he has to struggle with something he's just not naturally inclined toward."
Dad rubbed his temples, seemingly at a loss. "You're right. But the school system's standards won't change for him. In the end, the path he takes has to be his decision."
"I agree. It's his life, and he has the right to choose his direction. Of course, he also has to take responsibility for his choices," Mom said earnestly, her eyes glimmering with a trace of pride.
Dad smiled, his tone softening. "Our son really has grown up."
"He has," Mom echoed, her gaze becoming wistful as memories surfaced. "I still remember when we first met him. He always kept his head down, so timid, and didn't dare to speak to us at first."
"I remember too," Dad said with a chuckle. "It wasn't until you made dinner that he finally started talking to us."
"Well, I guess there's nothing a good meal can't fix," Mom joked, her smile warm and gentle.
At that moment, loud cheering erupted from across the hall. "Brother lost! I won!" Su Feiya's triumphant voice rang out, followed by Su Feiyan's mock-complaint: "Xiaoya, why are you tugging on my sleeve again?"
Dad couldn't help but laugh. "Still as noisy as ever, huh?"
Mom shook her head slightly, but there was a soft curve to her lips. "It's fine. Hearing this, I know he still has the heart of a child."
The two exchanged a knowing smile, their gaze seeming to travel through the wall to the lively scene on the other side. They both knew, no matter how uncertain the future might be, this family would always be the strongest support for their son.