The days following Zhang Ming's return were filled with a tense and uneasy silence. Li Wei wrestled with her emotions, torn between the love she had once felt for him and the hurt he had caused. She knew she needed time to process everything, but Zhang Ming's presence in her life was a constant reminder of their complicated past.
One evening, after putting Mei Ling to bed, Li Wei sat in the living room, lost in thought. Her mother, who had been a steady source of support, looked at her with concern. "You should talk to him, Li Wei. Clear the air and decide what you want for your future."
Li Wei nodded, knowing her mother was right. She needed closure, if nothing else. She picked up her phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing Zhang Ming's number. He answered on the second ring, his voice hopeful. "Li Wei?"
"We need to talk," she said, her voice steady.
"Of course. When and where?" Zhang Ming replied, his tone respectful.
"Tomorrow evening, at the park by my apartment. Eight o'clock," Li Wei said, feeling a mix of determination and apprehension.
"I'll be there," Zhang Ming promised.
The next evening, Li Wei walked to the park with Mei Ling, her heart heavy with anticipation. As they arrived, she saw Zhang Ming waiting near the playground. His face lit up when he saw them, and he approached slowly, his eyes fixed on Mei Ling.
"Hello, Mei Ling," Zhang Ming said gently, kneeling down to her level. "I'm Zhang Ming. It's so nice to meet you."
Mei Ling looked up at her mother, who nodded encouragingly. "Hello," she said shyly, clutching Li Wei's hand.
"Why don't you go play on the swings, sweetheart?" Li Wei suggested, her voice soft.
Mei Ling nodded and ran off towards the playground, leaving Li Wei and Zhang Ming alone. They stood in awkward silence for a moment before Zhang Ming spoke. "Thank you for meeting me, Li Wei."
Li Wei took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "We need to talk about everything. Our past, our daughter, and what happens next."
Zhang Ming nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. I want to be honest with you, Li Wei. I made a lot of mistakes, and I've regretted them every day. But I never stopped loving you, and I want to be a part of Mei Ling's life."
Li Wei felt a surge of anger and sadness. "You left me, Zhang Ming. You walked away when I needed you the most. How can I trust you now?"
"I know I hurt you, and I'm so sorry," Zhang Ming said, his voice filled with regret. "But I want to make things right. I want to support you and Mei Ling in any way I can. Please, give me a chance to prove myself."
Li Wei looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. She saw the pain and regret there, but also a glimmer of hope. "It's going to take time, Zhang Ming. You can't just walk back into our lives and expect everything to be okay."
"I know," Zhang Ming said softly. "I'll take it one step at a time, as long as it takes. I just want to be there for you and our daughter."
Li Wei sighed, feeling the weight of her emotions. "We can start with small steps. You can spend time with Mei Ling, get to know her. But I need to see consistent effort, Zhang Ming. No more disappearing acts."
Zhang Ming's eyes brightened with hope. "Thank you, Li Wei. I won't let you down."
As they watched Mei Ling play on the swings, a sense of tentative hope filled the air. It wouldn't be easy, but they were both willing to try. For the sake of their daughter, and for the love that still lingered between them, they would take it one step at a time.