Chapter 52 Xing Hans Fears (2/2)

”Stupid fool,” admonished Kyle, ”You can't stop what people say or think. The only thing that you should be focusing on is what the people who matter think.”

”Well, my parents' matter,” Xing Han replied, switching the topic, ”And I can't even be myself in front of them. I feel like I'm just a product of what they want, not a person of who I am.”

”I'm sorry, Xing Han,” Kyle said with regret.

This was one thing that was beyond his capabilities to talk about or understand. You can't change the mindset of someone, and you can't fight against the perceptions of society. The only thing you can do is navigate yourself through it to the best of your abilities, and wear a titanium suit of armour against all those judging eyes.

Kyle really, truly, was not bothered by what other people thought or said, as he had been through it before and managed to rise to the occasion. It wasn't easy and he had to go through some intense pain first. It was worse for Xing Han, for he was a really sensitive person who felt things deeply. How could he equip himself to stand against the tide? It's like asking a bunny to face a roaring tiger. The effects are worse when it involves the people who mean the world to you. Sometimes, other people can bad mouth you and you're not affected but when it's your own parent ...

”I know how you feel, but that is not something I can help you with. All I can do is just be a listening ear,” Kyle continued, ”If you just need to vent, or have someone to bash to, I'm here. Anytime.”

”I know,” Xing Han replied, ”I've always known, but hearing you say it means a lot to me.”

”Silly fool,” Kyle scolded gently, ”You're a great guy as you are, Xing Han. Even if your parents can't see it, we all do. So even if you can't be yourself with them, you always have us to fall back on to go crazy all you want.”

”After all. We're brothers for life. Brothers from a different mother, but brothers nonetheless.”

Xing Han took a deep, long breath, then said, ”Yeah. I'm lucky for that. At least you're lucky that you're the perfect son. Your parents must be so proud of you.”

”Hah, hardly,” Kyle retorted.

Xing Han was surprised, ”What do you mean?”

”The grass is always greener on the other side, Xing Han. My parents my not be as conservative as yours but they do have tradition and what-not to follow. Hence, there's a lot of pressure on me to fulfill those responsibilities”

”Yeah, I know but you're the genius son who excels in everything. So what's the problem?”

”No one is perfect and seriously, my parents think I'm a robot or something. I didn't talk until I was two. I am too close to Kay. I don't have a life. Yadda-yadda-yadda. There is always something to pick on. You can go home with straight As or something, and they still find something wrong. Right now, they keep asking me whether I've found a girlfriend yet.”

Xing Han's eyes widened in the dark, ”Whoa. so much pressure. They REALLY want their grandkids, huh? So chop chop Kyle. The clock is ticking. Ali and I practically have a wife already. You're being left behind.”

Kyle threw his extra pillow at Xing Han's bed, accurately hitting him even though it was dark, ”Ah, I still have four years you know,” Kyle scoffed. ”I'm not going to lie to myself or to anyone else. I am not going to just pick a girl simply because I sow my seeds. But I guess you're right about one thing. I do need to get out more. Meet more people. Who knows? There might be someone out there just waiting for me.”

”I'm sure there is, Kyle,” Xing Han said confidently, hugging Kyle's pillow like a bolster.

”Yeah, I hope so,” Kyle replied, laying back down on the bed, ”Now go to sleep, fool.”

”Goodnight Kyle,” Xing Han mumbled, his voice already sounding sleepy.

”G'night. Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite,” Kyle replied and smiled when he heard Xing Han's soft snoring. It hadn't even been one minute and he had already fallen asleep. Kyle closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep too.