He brushed off his vest and stood up so suddenly that the chair crashed backward with a sharp thud. The waiters outside flinched, peeking in through the door—just in time to see Uy Phong fling his vest onto the table, the fine fabric landing on a messy pile of leftover food. Loosening his tie, he headed straight for the exit.
His cold gaze swept across them, and they instantly lowered their heads, stepping aside.
Uy Phong walked out of the restaurant disheveled—hair tousled, collar undone, a mix of defiance and exhaustion in his air. He didn't care about the stares that followed him.
He hailed a taxi. When he sank into the back seat, the driver turned and asked,"Where to, young man?"
Uy Phong froze, eyes distant. Home didn't feel like an option, but nowhere else called to him either. He sighed softly."Just… drive around."
The car rolled forward. City lights streamed through the window, sliding across his shadowed face. He leaned back, eyes fixed outside but seeing nothing—drifting through some vague, unanchored space in his mind.
He replayed the dinner conversation—'How long will you be staying?'—and the answer that came, as always: his parents wouldn't be staying with him. They were in Vietnam for only a few weeks to settle business, then would fly back to Canada. The next time they returned… would probably be to divide the inheritance.
That thought pressed against his chest. Beneath all the shine of money, not one of them truly came back for his grandfather. Not even his own parents.
He clenched his fist and gave a faint, bitter laugh. At least they hadn't found out about the school's basketball club or music group. If they had, things would've gotten a lot messier.
The taxi kept humming along. Uy Phong exhaled and turned to the window again.This time, something outside caught his eye.
"Stop here," he said curtly.
The car barely halted before he stepped out, heading toward whatever had just pulled him in.
***
Past midnight.
An Phong had just stacked his books neatly and was about to crawl into bed when his phone rang.Who would call at this hour? He frowned at the screen. The name froze him in place.Uy Phong.
He hesitated, then picked up. The line stayed silent."Hello?" he said, wary. "You called me—"
Before he could finish, a low, uneven voice came through."Uy Phong…?" he frowned. "Are you drunk?"
A rough chuckle echoed through the speaker."Yeah… first time I've ever had alcohol. But… guess I overdid it. Can't go home… come get me, will you…?"
An Phong sighed, glancing at the clock—past midnight. Going out now was the last thing he wanted, but leaving Uy Phong drunk on the street didn't sit right either.He grabbed his jacket. "Where are you?"
A pause. Then a slurred reply, broken and strange:"Hmm… somewhere… there's a tree… two… three… lots of trees… and people too… haha…"
"…Turn on your location," An Phong said flatly. "Or I'm leaving you to sleep on the sidewalk."
A lazy hum in response."Okay… got it…"
A few minutes later, the notification popped up: Location shared.
Without another word, An Phong called a taxi, a knot tightening in his chest—equal parts irritation and concern.
***
By the time he arrived, the roadside bar was half-empty. He scanned the area but saw no familiar face. Reaching for his phone, he froze—someone suddenly wrapped their arms around him from behind, warm breath reeking of alcohol against his neck."Been waiting for you~"
An Phong jolted, reflex kicking in—he elbowed hard."Ah!" The cry of pain made him spin around.
Uy Phong.He was crouched, clutching his face, groaning."Damn it… that hurts… what the hell, man?!"
"Who told you to hug me from behind?! Reflex, that's all!""Reflex my ass!" Uy Phong gritted his teeth. "Shouldn't have taught you Taekwondo…""Tsk—sorry, let me see."
An Phong pried his hand away—then widened his eyes."You're bleeding from your nose!""What?! For fuck's sake—" Uy Phong growled, the alcohol making him slump to the ground, dizzy.
"Don't wipe it with your hand!" An Phong reached to stop him, only to be pushed away. He sighed, squatting down in front of him."Fine. My bad. What do you want now?"
Uy Phong pouted like a sulking kid, then suddenly smeared his bloody fingertip across An Phong's cheek.
"…!?"
An Phong jerked back, falling on his backside, while Uy Phong burst out laughing—loud, carefree, like he'd just scored a victory.
"You idiot," An Phong muttered, half exasperated, half amused.
The laughter faded. Uy Phong ruffled his messy hair, eyes glazed and weary.
"What's wrong? Rough night?" An Phong asked gently.
"Yeah… maybe… I don't even know."
"Feeling any better now?"
A pause. Then a small nod."Yeah… a bit. Sorry for bothering you."
An Phong's tone softened."It's fine. We're friends. Helping you isn't a bother."
Uy Phong went still, glancing sideways at him."You're not gonna ask what happened?"
"No need," An Phong said simply. "If you wanted to tell me, you already would've. And honestly… I'd rather not make you feel worse. So let's just leave it."
Uy Phong lowered his head. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his tired lips.