"Are you alright?" asked the stranger.
Weiwei looked up at the young man. His handsome face was full of concern, and his voice was clear and reassuring. His chiseled face, with high cheekbones, projected a quiet confidence, and his dark, expressive eyes were surprisingly warm for someone with such a strong demeanor.
Weiwei tried to speak, but suddenly found that she couldn't. The young man's appearance took her completely by surprise, and hearing someone speak to her with such compassion almost paralyzed her. At first, Weiwei only managed to nod.
"Did something happen? Can I do anything to help?"
Weiwei was going to say that she was fine, but against her will, all of a sudden, her eyes filled with tears, and she started sobbing softly and pitifully. It had been such a long time since anyone showed any sympathy for her, that Weiwei fell apart, and her suppressed emotions overcame her.
No, stop! You can't cry in front of a stranger, it's so embarrassing.
But she could do nothing to stop the flood of tears, no matter how hard she tried.
The young man lowered himself with a handkerchief in his hands. Even more embarrassed, Weiwei took the handkerchief, covered her face, and cried some more.
When Weiwei finally regained her composure, she found her face covered with a handkerchief resting against the young man's shoulder. Shocked, she sat up.
"I'm so sorry!"
I can speak again?
Weiwei quickly wiped her tears and extended the handkerchief back to the young man. "Thanks."
"That's okay," he replied gently. "It would make me feel much better if you kept it for a while."
His big eyes glowed with care and radiated a strong force and hope. Weiwei felt she couldn't refuse, and pulled her hand back to wipe her eyes again.
"I really appreciate it."
"Not at all."
They looked at each other for a few moments. The drops of rain tapped slowly on the umbrella.
"I've never met anyone with such a captivating gaze," thought Weiwei helplessly. "What should I do? Should I leave? Should I talk to him?"
"Are you feeling any better?" the man asked.
Weiwei nodded.
"Could you tell me what's wrong? Is there anything at all I can do?" he repeated his earlier question.
Weiwei felt the tears starting to gather again, and quickly replied, "No, thanks, I'm much better now."
She tried to stand up, and the man stood up with her to make sure Weiwei's head remained under the umbrella.
"You look like you're cold. Could I maybe buy you a cup of tea?"
"I—"
"Please," he added, before she could continue, and Weiwei found herself speechless again.
How can I possibly refuse his request? I have never met anyone so kind.
She swallowed hard a couple of times and finally nodded.
She could see relief on the stranger's face.
"There's a place nearby where you won't be disturbed," he said. "Please, follow me."
Walking slowly back down the path that led to the rock, the two of them returned to the side street. Weiwei unsteadily followed the young man, looking down to avoid anyone seeing her red eyes and embarrassed expression.
At the next corner, there was a small café, now nearly empty because of the rain, and the man left Weiwei under his umbrella and went inside to get her tea.
When he appeared in the door with the cup in his hand, he seemed to change his mind.
"Would you like to sit down?" he asked.
Weiwei nodded involuntarily, as if switching to autopilot.
They sat down inside as far from the counter as possible and as close to the door as possible.
"You know, that rock is my favorite hiding spot," said the man, a small but reassuring smile playing at the corners of his lips. "By the way, my name's Qi."
What a fitting name.
"I'm Weiwei," she struggled to find her voice.
The young man nodded politely. "It's very nice to meet you, Weiwei."
He looked out the window, and his profile took Weiwei's breath away. The contrast between his strong jawline and the gentle slope of his nose, together with the softness in his eyes, mesmerized her.
I must be dreaming. How could I meet someone like him at the worst point in my life? This magnetic stranger who pulled me back from the edge.
Feeling her heart racing, Weiwei took a slow, deep breath.