The night at the beach was calm, with the sea breeze gently brushing against their skin like a soft caress. The lights from the party area faded gradually as they wandered further away, toward a quieter place where only white sand, the sound of waves, and the silhouettes of two people walking side by side remained. Jay and Ying strolled along the shore barefoot, their shoes discarded at some point, letting their feet sink freely into the fine sand.
The distant echoes of music and laughter from the party couldn't disturb the serenity of this moment.
Ying spoke, his voice as soft as the breeze:
— "That song… was it the secret you mentioned?"
Jay smiled, a playful sparkle in his eyes:
— "Yup. Faisal wanted to keep it a surprise until the very end."
He stopped, turning to face Ying with a look of anticipation:
— "So… what did you think?"
Ying lowered his head slightly, pondered for a moment, then nodded:
— "It was good."
Jay frowned, pouting:
— "That's it? Can't you say something a little more… expressive? At least let me know how it made you feel."
Ying laughed, his eyes glittering as he looked at Jay:
— "Maybe… the song sounded good partly because it was you who sang it. Your voice carries a unique emotion — one that no one else has."
He tilted his head as he said that, gazing at Jay with a gentleness like mist settling over the sand.
Jay gave a bashful smile, waving his hand:
— "If you praise me like that, I'll get cocky."
But the slight flush on his ears told a different story.
Ying didn't hesitate to respond, still composed, as if he were stating the most obvious truth:
— "It's not flattery. I meant every word."
Jay went quiet for a moment, his eyes drifting toward Ying's face as he asked softly:
— "Are you drunk, Ying?"
Ying looked at him, the corners of his lips curving gently:
— "I had a little wine, but I'm not drunk."
Then he reached out and ruffled Jay's hair — a familiar gesture, but this time it carried a warmth deeper than usual.
— "Then tonight Jay will be your driver." Jay joked, his voice a mix of mischief and sincerity.
Ying leaned down slightly, moving closer, their faces almost touching. His cool breath carried a faint trace of red wine:
— "You wanted to drive yourself, didn't you?"
Jay nodded without hesitation:
— "Mhm. Ying always understands Jay."
Ying smiled without saying more, turning to walk ahead:
— "Let's head back. The fireworks show is about to start. I think you'll like it."
Jay followed behind, his voice filled with childlike excitement:
— "There are fireworks too? Wow, this is really extravagant!"
Ying glanced back at him, eyes warm in the dim light:
— "They weren't part of the original plan. But I knew Jay liked them… so I added it."
Jay paused for a moment, then let out a small laugh:
— "You really do know how to surprise people, Ying."
Ying chuckled softly and reached back, draping an arm around Jay's shoulders naturally — like it belonged there.
— "Come on, fireworks don't wait for anyone."
Just as they returned to the party area, fireworks exploded across the sky. Brilliant bursts of light illuminated the faces of everyone cheering together. Jay looked up, eyes sparkling, as if reflecting every shimmering firework blooming in the night sky.
But Ying… he wasn't watching the fireworks.
His eyes were fixed on one person — the one standing right next to him, with that silly grin and that contagious, ringing laughter. In that moment, amidst all the brilliance and noise, everything else faded away for Ying — only Jay remained vivid.
"No matter how bright fireworks may be, they only last for a moment…
But you, even without dazzling light, are the eternal glow I never want to let go of."
Ying didn't say those words out loud. He simply tilted his head and gently rested it on Jay's shoulder, a silent confession without a name. Jay blinked in surprise, then softened, quietly leaning his head against Ying's in return — letting his heart find peace in that impossibly tender moment.
———————————————————
It wasn't often they had a chance to celebrate like this, so everyone let loose without holding back. The music thumped joyfully, lights flickered in sync with the dancing, and wine flowed endlessly — tonight, the entire beach felt like a world of its own, one where tomorrow didn't exist.
Ying was no exception. Invited for "a few drinks" by some business partners, and then a few more — it got to the point where even Jay had lost count of how many glasses Ying had emptied. By the end of the party, Ying was so drunk he couldn't walk on his own, and the one who helped him to the car and drove him home was none other than Jay.
The car pulled up in front of Jay's apartment. Jay circled around to the passenger seat and gently opened the door, reaching out to lift Ying.
Ying swayed with each step, occasionally leaning onto Jay's shoulder, murmuring things too slurred to understand.
Jay let out a tired, helpless sigh:
— "Oh god… Easy now, easy… You're really heavy, Ying."
After finally getting Ying inside, Jay nearly collapsed. He dropped onto the floor next to the bed and wiped the sweat from his brow:
— "Who would've thought someone as serious and composed as our big CEO could end up like this…"
Ying lay motionless on the bed, eyes closed, breathing steady. His face looked oddly innocent in sleep. But Jay didn't feel relaxed — on the contrary, his heart was beating just a little too fast.
— "Alright, you stay here. I'll get a towel to wipe you down," Jay said as he headed into the bathroom.
Ying didn't respond, but the corners of his lips curved slightly, as if smiling.
Jay came back holding a warm towel. Sitting down at the edge of the bed, he carefully propped Ying up:
— "Ying, let me clean you up a bit so you can sleep comfortably."
When Ying didn't budge, Jay frowned slightly:
— "Hmm… You can't even stand, let alone wipe yourself. Sorry in advance, Ying…"
He scooted closer, beginning to unbutton Ying's shirt one by one. As the fabric parted, the warm, alcohol-flushed skin beneath was gradually revealed — a firm, well-built frame that was hard to ignore.
Jay took a deep breath, trying to stay calm as he silently dabbed the towel over Ying's skin. The faint scent of wine mixed with the heat of bare skin made his cheeks flush red — though he wouldn't admit it.
He muttered inwardly:
— "I'm just cleaning him… just helping…"
But just then, Ying suddenly turned and pulled Jay into his arms. Jay yelped in surprise, landing right on top of his chest.
— "H-Hey! Ying!" Jay's face turned crimson as he struggled lightly. "Let me go… You were asleep a second ago, how are you still this strong…"
No reply came. Only those firm arms remained, wrapping around Jay with quiet warmth. Jay stopped moving, his breath caught against a steady heartbeat. His face was just inches from Ying's.
Jay's heart pounded wildly. His gaze, without realizing, fixed on Ying's sleeping face — long lashes, a straight nose, the curve of his lips…
"Ying is… really beautiful…" Jay thought to himself, unaware that he was leaning in closer. Their lips were almost touching—
Just a little more, and then—
'Riiiing… riiiiing…'
The ringing phone shattered the moment. Jay jolted like he'd been electrocuted, heart pounding wildly.
— "Crap!" he muttered, cheeks flushed as he scrambled to pick up the call. "Hello? Hey, Ryan…"
Ryan's voice on the other end was gentle, but there was a hint of teasing in his tone:
— "How's your dad doing?"
— "He's doing better. Probably can be discharged in a few days…" Jay tried to keep his voice steady, though his heart was still in chaos.
— "So, when are you coming back to France?"
— "Maybe in about a week. I need to make arrangements for someone to take care of him first."
— "I've got a surprise for you," Ryan said with a chuckle, his voice full of meaning.
— "What kind of surprise?" Jay asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
— "That's a secret. You'll find out when you're here."
— "You're impossible… I'm hanging up now. Got something to deal with."
After ending the call, Jay stepped out onto the balcony for a while. He set his phone down and let out a soft laugh.
— "One surprise after another tonight…"
He turned back inside, his gaze automatically drifting toward the bed — Ying was still sound asleep, his expression peaceful.
Suddenly, the earlier scene flooded back. The almost-kiss, the breath they shared, that warm embrace…
Jay slapped his cheeks lightly.
— "Get it together, Jay… What were you even thinking just now? That was way too close… You're out of your mind."
Avoiding another glance, he hurried into the bathroom. The cold water helped clear his head — at least a little. But no matter how long he stood under the shower, that fleeting moment where their lips nearly touched kept replaying in his mind.
After changing into his pajamas, Jay stepped out and walked over to the bed to adjust the blanket for Ying.
Ying remained there, sleeping peacefully — so calm, it tugged at Jay's heart.
He watched for a moment, then softly spoke, almost as if trying to reassure himself:
— "Guess I'll just let him sleep here tonight… He's had a rough few days anyway."
Jay turned to the couch, lay down, and pulled the blanket over himself. The room lights dimmed gradually, leaving only the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the window.
But over at the bed, once Jay had settled in, Ying slowly opened his eyes, his gaze drifting silently toward the sofa.
The corner of his lips lifted — not quite a smile, more like quiet satisfaction.
Whether that drunkenness had been real or not… perhaps only Ying knew for sure.
EndofChapter31