Chapter 21: The Fourth Blind Date

“At first, I immediately answered yes, but my father told me to take three days to really think it through, to decide if I truly wanted to take this path.” Remembering how serious and solemn her father had been back then, Nayeon had never understood it before, but now she finally realized why he had been so earnest.

“During those three days, I went to school as usual during the day, but spent every evening seriously considering the question. Did I have the perseverance to stick with it? Could I really debut? The more I weighed my options, the harder it became to decide. In the end, I chose not to overthink it and simply asked myself: Nayeon, do you want to be an artist? And that was how I found the answer that resonated most with my heart.”

“After the three days had passed, I went to my father and told him my decision—I wanted to join JYP as a trainee, I wanted to be an artist, I wanted to stand on stage.” Thinking of how resolute she had been at the time, Nayeon couldn’t help but shake her head with a faint smile.

“My father only sighed, reminded me not to neglect my studies, and the very next day, he and my mother took me to JYP. As my guardians, they signed the trainee contract for me. From the next day on, my life became a balance between school and trainee practice.” Recalling the grueling yet fulfilling days since becoming a trainee, Nayeon’s smile grew even brighter.

Seeing Nayeon’s radiant smile, blossoming like a flower in full bloom, Zhe Chen was momentarily stunned. He could sense that her smile was utterly genuine. From her tone, he could feel her longing for the future she had chosen.

“Nayeon, I think I’m a little envious of you.” After listening to her story, Zhe Chen was silent for quite some time before he suddenly spoke, his voice a bit rough.

“Really? Why do you say that?” Nayeon, still savoring her memories, looked up in surprise, unable to understand why Zhe Chen had said such a thing so suddenly.

“…Because you planned your future early on, found what you wanted to do, and stuck with it. As for me…” He fell silent again for a moment before finally explaining the reason for his envy. But when it came to himself, he hesitated once more.

“So, what about you, Zhe Chen?” Intrigued by the turn in conversation, Nayeon was curious to hear what he had to say, but hadn’t expected him to trail off again. Unable to contain her curiosity, she pressed him further.

“…I originally wanted to be a product designer, but one day, I suddenly saw the end point of that path, and realized that life as a designer wasn’t what I truly wanted.” After another moment of hesitation, Zhe Chen decided to share what had been weighing on him ever since his rebirth, something he had never told anyone.

Now that Nayeon had brought up the topic, Zhe Chen simply spoke about his troubles. After all, keeping them bottled up wasn’t healthy, and telling his family might make them sense that something was off. This, he thought, was the perfect opportunity.

“So, do you still want to be a product designer? Don’t overthink or weigh the options—just ask yourself, like I did. What does your heart truly want?” After hearing Zhe Chen’s confession, Nayeon’s smile softened. With a gentle voice, she coaxed him to seek his own true desire.

“Zhe Chen, do you want to be a product designer and follow that path?” Closing his eyes, clearing his mind, Zhe Chen asked himself this question.

“So, what is your answer?” Seeing him open his eyes again, his expression lighter and more at ease, Nayeon knew he had found his answer and couldn’t help but ask.

“My answer is, I won’t go down that road anymore. But maybe I’ll keep it as a hobby from time to time.” Now that he had found his answer, Zhe Chen’s voice was relaxed. Seeing Nayeon’s curious expression, he smiled, free at last from his troubles—a smile as warm and bright as sunlight breaking through the clouds, uplifting everyone who saw it.

“Is that so? Then, Zhe Chen, what do you want to do in the future?” Having uncovered a secret and played the role of guide, Nayeon felt deeply satisfied and determined to help Zhe Chen find the future he longed for.

“The future? Nayeon, what does it feel like to stand on stage?” Instead of answering her question, Zhe Chen asked his own: What did it feel like to be on stage?

“It’s truly wonderful. I love and enjoy the feeling of standing on stage!” Nayeon tilted her head in slight confusion but still described her feelings honestly. Though her stage experiences so far had been limited to auditions, internal evaluations, and street performances, that didn’t stop her from enjoying every moment of being on stage.

“Nayeon, what do you think about me becoming an artist?” The feeling Nayeon described was one he had tasted during that afternoon’s street performance. Zhe Chen realized he rather liked it—the freedom to perform, to throw himself into the moment, and then bask in the applause and cheers of others. It truly was not a bad feeling at all.

“You want to be an artist?” Nayeon was startled by his words. She covered her mouth, staring at him in disbelief, unable to understand how he could suddenly have this idea, when being an artist and being a product designer were worlds apart.

“Yes, I want to give it a try!” Without a hint of hesitation, Zhe Chen nodded.

“Then may I ask, Zhe Chen, why did you suddenly decide you wanted to be an artist?” Seeing his determined gaze and serious expression, Nayeon was reminded of herself when she made her own choice.

“If I said it was because of you, Nayeon—that I wanted to understand you better, and that’s why I chose to become an artist—would you believe me?” Now that his heart was unburdened, Zhe Chen spoke lightly and with a hint of mischief, teasing her as if the weight of his secrets had been lifted at last.