Hua woke up the next morning, the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the curtains casting a soft glow over her room. As she stretched lazily under the covers, a smile tugged at her lips. Last night had been everything she had dreamed of—reconnecting with Ming, the kiss that had reignited the spark between them. It all felt like a dream, but the warmth in her heart told her it was real.
She glanced at her phone and saw a message from Ming.
*"Good morning, Hua. Can I see you today? I can't stop thinking about last night."*
Her smile grew wider as she quickly typed a reply. *"Of course. Let's meet at the park where we used to go."*
The park had always been their place. A quiet, peaceful spot by the river where they would sit for hours, talking about their dreams and future. It felt fitting to meet there now, as they started this new chapter of their relationship.
Later that afternoon, Hua walked through the park, her heart fluttering as she neared the familiar spot. She could already see Ming waiting for her by the riverbank, his hands in his pockets, watching the water ripple with a contemplative look on his face. He looked up as she approached, and his expression immediately softened when their eyes met.
"Hey," Hua said softly as she reached him.
"Hey." Ming smiled, his eyes lighting up as he took a step closer, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug. It felt natural—like they had never been apart.
They stood there for a moment, just holding each other, before sitting down on the grass, side by side, looking out at the river.
"I've been thinking a lot," Ming started, his voice gentle as he glanced over at Hua. "About everything that happened. About us."
Hua nodded, her heart racing. She knew this conversation had to happen eventually. There were still unresolved feelings and unspoken words between them.
"I never should have let things get as far as they did with Xueyao," Ming continued, his gaze filled with regret. "I got caught up in the past, and I hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you, Hua."
Hua took a deep breath, her fingers playing with the blades of grass beneath her. "It was hard, Ming. Seeing you with her… it broke me. But I never stopped caring about you. That's why it hurt so much."
Ming reached over, gently taking her hand in his. "I was lost. I thought I needed to figure out what I wanted, but the truth is… I've always known what I wanted. It's you, Hua. It's always been you."
Tears welled up in Hua's eyes as she looked at him. She had waited so long to hear those words, and now that they were finally out in the open, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"I love you, Hua," Ming said, his voice steady and full of sincerity. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right."
Hua squeezed his hand, her heart full of emotion. "I love you too, Ming. I always have."
Ming leaned in, his eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down. Hua's breath caught in her throat as their faces drew closer, and then, just like before, their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. This time, it felt different—full of promise, of healing, of hope.
When they pulled away, both of them were smiling, their foreheads resting against each other.
"I'm not going anywhere this time," Ming whispered. "I'm staying with you, no matter what."
Hua nodded, her heart swelling with love and relief. "I'm not letting you go either."
They sat together in the park, watching the sun begin to set over the river, their fingers intertwined. It felt like a new beginning, a fresh start after everything they had been through.
And as they sat there, Hua realized that no matter what challenges they might face in the future, they would face them together. This was their time now—a time to rebuild, to grow, and to love each other unconditionally.
For the first time in a long time, Hua felt at peace. She had Ming by her side, and that was all she needed.