The tension between Mei Lin and Li Wei simmered just beneath the surface in the following days. There was an undeniable connection growing between them, but neither was sure how to define it or whether it would be strong enough to weather the storm that was coming. Mei Lin had been thinking more and more about her future, about how her dreams were shifting like sand beneath her feet.
It was in moments like these—when she was alone, painting late into the night or staring at her reflection in the mirror—that Mei Lin felt the full weight of her indecision. Her passion for art had always been a comfort to her, a way to escape the hardships of her past. But her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, driven by her strong sense of justice, still tugged at the edges of her heart.
One evening, after a particularly draining day of classes, Mei Lin sat on her bed, lost in thought. Her phone buzzed beside her, snapping her out of her reverie. She picked it up and saw a message from Li Na.
> "Hey, want to grab some dinner? I've been craving those dumplings from the street vendor near the library."
Mei Lin smiled to herself, grateful for the distraction. Li Na had been a constant source of support lately, always there when Mei Lin needed someone to talk to. It was funny how their friendship had started off so casually, yet had deepened over time.
> "Sure, meet you there in 15?" Mei Lin typed back before slipping on her shoes and heading out the door.
As she walked through the dimly lit campus, the cool evening air helped clear her mind. The streetlights cast long shadows on the path, and Mei Lin's thoughts wandered to Li Wei again. He had been distant these past few days, though not cold. It was as if he was caught up in something far bigger than either of them.
When Mei Lin arrived at the small dumpling stand near the library, she saw Li Na waiting for her, waving excitedly. Her friend's energy was infectious, and Mei Lin felt her mood lift as she approached.
"You're just in time!" Li Na grinned, pointing to the steaming dumplings on the counter. "I already ordered for both of us. Hope you're hungry."
Mei Lin laughed, her tension easing. "I could eat a dozen right now."
They sat down at a small table outside, the hum of the campus in the background. Mei Lin felt a sense of peace in this moment—an oasis amidst the emotional turmoil she had been grappling with.
As they dug into their food, Li Na glanced at Mei Lin with a mischievous glint in her eye. "So… how are things with Li Wei?"
Mei Lin nearly choked on her dumpling, caught off guard by the question. She wiped her mouth with a napkin, trying to compose herself. "Things are… complicated," she admitted, echoing Li Wei's own words from their recent conversation.
Li Na raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Complicated how? You two seemed pretty close last time I saw you together."
Mei Lin sighed, feeling the weight of the situation settle back on her shoulders. "We are close, but… I don't know. There's so much going on with him, with his family, and then there's me. I feel like I'm stuck between two worlds—my dream of becoming a lawyer and my passion for painting. And then there's Li Wei, who's dealing with his own stuff. I don't know if we're ready for a relationship, if that's even what he wants."
Li Na listened quietly, her expression softening. "Mei Lin, you don't have to have all the answers right now. It's okay to be unsure. But from what I've seen, Li Wei really cares about you. Maybe he's just scared—of everything that's happening around him, of getting hurt."
Mei Lin frowned, considering her friend's words. Li Wei did seem scared, but he wasn't the type to admit it. He had always been so guarded, so unwilling to let anyone see the cracks in his armor. But in those rare moments when he did let his guard down, Mei Lin saw the depth of his emotions, the vulnerability he tried so hard to hide.
"I think you're right," Mei Lin said softly, more to herself than to Li Na. "But I don't know if I can handle getting hurt either."
Li Na reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Mei Lin's. "You're stronger than you think, Mei Lin. And no matter what happens, you'll figure it out. You always do."
Mei Lin smiled, though her heart still felt heavy. She appreciated Li Na's support, but the truth was, she wasn't sure if she was strong enough to face the uncertainty of her relationship with Li Wei—especially with everything else going on in her life.
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Later that night, Mei Lin found herself wandering through the empty halls of the school's art building. The quiet of the space was calming, and she headed toward her favorite room at the back of the building. It was a small, tucked-away studio that few students used, and Mei Lin often came here to paint when she needed to clear her mind.
As she stepped into the studio, she was surprised to find the lights already on. A familiar figure stood in front of one of the easels, his back to her, lost in thought.
"Li Wei?" Mei Lin's voice came out softly, but it startled him nonetheless. He turned around, his eyes wide for a brief moment before they softened when he saw her.
"Mei Lin," he greeted her, his voice low. "I didn't expect anyone else to be here."
She smiled slightly, stepping further into the room. "This is my favorite place to paint. I come here when I need to think."
Li Wei nodded, glancing back at the blank canvas in front of him. "I guess we had the same idea."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Mei Lin wanted to reach out, to ask him what was really going on in his head, but she didn't know how to begin. Li Wei had always been so good at keeping his emotions hidden, and Mei Lin wasn't sure if he was ready to let her in.
"You don't have to tell me what's going on," Mei Lin said quietly, stepping closer to him. "But just know that I'm here. For whatever you need."
Li Wei's expression softened, and for a moment, Mei Lin thought he might open up to her. But then, just as quickly, the walls went back up, and he turned away from her, his shoulders tense.
"I appreciate that, Mei Lin," he said, his voice distant. "But there are some things I need to figure out on my own."
Mei Lin's heart sank, but she didn't push him. She knew better than to try to force Li Wei to talk before he was ready. Instead, she stepped closer to the easel, picking up one of the paintbrushes lying on the table.
"Then let's paint," she said, her tone light, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Sometimes it helps to clear your mind."
Li Wei looked at her, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah. Maybe you're right."
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End of Chapter 23
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