The sun was going down creating a shadow across the city and the different colors in the sky, casting long, golden rays through the trees as Lianghua decided to take a walk through the garden before she went into work. As she walked through the city her mind racing and her heart still pounding.
The encounter with Duan Fengxi still lingered in her thoughts, like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. His words, his presence—everything about him felt like a mystery wrapped in temptation. She had never been the type to let her emotions get in her way so easily, and yet, there was something undeniable about the effect he had left on her.
By the time she arrived at her office, it was late afternoon. The quiet hum of her workplace brought a strange sense of normalcy, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the park, to the way Duan Fengxi had looked at her, as if he knew secrets she hadn't even shared with herself.
She sat at her desk, barely focusing on the paperwork in front of her. The numbers and graphs blurred as her mind replayed their conversation, the way his voice had sent a chill through her. Why had he approached her so suddenly? And why did he seem to know her, though she was certain they had met before at the meeting?
"We will meet again after noon". His voice playing in her head.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her office door. It was Miss Tang, her assistant, with her usual composed demeanor. "Miss Lianghua," as she had a concerned look in her eyes.
"You seem distracted again. Is everything alright?"
Lianghua blinked, trying to clear her thoughts.
"Yes, Miss Tang," she replied, forcing a smile. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Miss Tang nodded, her expression softening slightly. "If you need anything, I'm always here."
"Thank you," Lianghua said, though her thoughts were already drifting back to Duan Fengxi.
The rest of the day passed by in a blink of an eye. As the clock neared six, Lianghua glanced out the window, the evening settling in. The office felt too small, too confining. She needed to clear her head—again.
Without thinking too much, Lianghua grabbed her coat and left the building. The cool night air felt refreshing as it hit her face, and she began walking, her steps quickened. She didn't have a destination in mind, but her feet carried her instinctively toward the cafe as she met up with Xiaole.
As they both approached the cafe, they encountered a gentleman that seemed very familiar to Lianghua, but they could only see the back of him. As they went in to order the food and drinks someone behind her accidentally dropped something as she turned around, she realized it was him standing right in front of her.
As he started to get up their eyes met again and as he looked into her beautiful sparkling emerald, green, gray eyes. Distracted for a moment, they both were shocked to run into one another. A universe so small yet unexpected.
So, they both asked, "What are you doing here?" in a unison voice. Lianghua's heart started unexpectedly racing and her stomach was turning. Part of her wondered if he followed her or if it was a coincidental encounter once again as if he knew everything about her.
Xiaole, who was right next to her the whole entire time was in shock and disbelief as she glanced between the both of them. "Liánghuā," she whispered with a teasing tone, nudging her, "Is this the guy you've been talking about?"
Lianghua blushed, unable to hide the flushed look on her face. "No, it's not— I mean, yes, but—" she exclaimed, clearly.
Duan Fengxi chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving hers. "It seems fate keeps bringing us together, doesn't it, Miss Lianghua?" His voice was smooth, deep and sexy as it only made her heart race faster.
"Seems like it is," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
Just as the tension between them filled the air, a new figure walked into the cafe. A tall, stylish man with dark hair and sharp features approached them, his eyes immediately locking onto Duan Fengxi. His resemblance to Duan was undeniable—same dark hair, same piercing eyes, though his smile had more of a glow as he realized two beautiful ladies standing right in front of him.
"Ah, Fengxi," the man greeted casually, "Making new friends, I, see?"
"Lianghua, Xiaole," Duan Fengxi gestured to the man, "This is my younger brother, Guo Jin."
Guo Jin was speechless as his eyes laid on the cute mysterious young lady standing beside Lianghua, wanting to know more about her with curiosity. "And who might you two be?"
The young lady smiled and laughed, "I'm Xiaole, and this is my best friend Lianghua. So, are you part of the mysterious act too?" she teased, sensing the tension in the air between Duan Fengxi and Lianghua.
Guo Jin laughed. "I suppose I am. But Fengxi here tends to keep his secrets close to his chest."
Xiaole and Lianghua's curiosity and excitement rose. She leaned in closer to Guo Jin but enough so the others could hear her. "Secrets, huh? What kind of secrets are we talking about?"
Duan Fengxi looked over at Guo Jin in an instant, but his smile never faded. "Nothing too serious," he said, his voice was smooth. "Just… things that are not meant to be told."
Lianghua felt her heart race again at his words, the nature of his tone only deepening the mystery surrounding him.
As they all sat down inside the café, the conversation flowed with ease, though the sense of curiosity was between the four of them. Duan Fengxi and Lianghua exchanged glances, the unsaid comments filling the space between them, meanwhile Guo Jin and Xiaole shortly started chatting as the conversation between them was delicate and enthusiastic.
Xiaole, noticing the chemistry between Lianghua and Duan Fengxi, as she whispered to her friend across the table, "Lianghua, is this the guy you were telling me about?"
Lianghua swallowed hard, her heart thudding in her chest. "Yes," she whispered back, as she struggled to keep herself together. "That's him."
Across the table, Duan Fengxi leaned in slightly, his voice low but steady. "Lianghua," he began, "I meant what I said. We will meet again, and now it seems that moment has come.
Her breath quickened at his words, the quiet intensity in his eyes making it hard to look away. There was something dangerous and amusing about the way he spoke, as if he held all the answers to questions she hadn't even asked.
Guo Jin glanced between them with a smirk before turning his attention back to Xiaole, his own curiosity intrigued by the connection sparking between them.
The evening passed with full of conversation, laughter, and looks at one another. As they left the café, the cool night air swirling around them, Lianghua couldn't shake the feeling that their relationship was just the beginning.
Duan Fengxi was a mystery she couldn't resist, and she had a feeling that unraveling his secrets would only pull her deeper into the unknown.
As the ladies were about to walk away the young gentleman offered them a ride. As the car arrived, they all got in the car. The ride was quiet and filled with joy in each one of them. As they arrived before they parted ways, they decided to exchange phone numbers.
When they arrived, Duan Fengxi got out of the car and held his hand out, his hand brushed lightly against hers, sending a shiver down her spine. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
"Until we meet again, Lianghua." His brother did the same and offered his hand to Xiaole. "Until we meet again Xiaole", Guo Jin said.
Their hearts raced, as their thoughts spined as they watched both of them walk away and get into the car as they drove off. Xiaole, sensing the weight of the moment, nudged her with a grin.
"This is going to get interesting, isn't it?" she said, her voice full of excitement.
Lianghua couldn't stop smiling, even though her thoughts were still intertwined in the mystery that was Duan Fengxi.
"Yes," she whispered, "I think it is."
As they went into the house they went into the kitchen and grabbed two wine glasses. They went and sat down on the long couch that turned into a recliner with a fireplace right next to them. As they drank the Pink Moscato they continued talking about the gentleman and how the evening went.
Shortly after both of the ladies got a message saying it was nice to see them and they had a great evening.
"Hopefully we will see you soon."
They both replied simultaneously to their messages.
"It has and was nice knowing you."
With that being the end of the conversation, they cuddled up under the blankets with the fire warming them up and they started slowly drifting off to sleep.