Zhao Wei sat in the window seat of an airplane, his gaze fixed on the endless sky outside. The clouds stretched out in soft, fluffy waves, and the faint hum of the aircraft filled the cabin.
He wasn't much of a people person, not the type you would expect to start small talk or even spare a friendly glance at someone. He had the kind of face that made people think twice before approaching—sharp jawline, cold eyes, and a permanent scowl etched into his features. Yet, despite his usually brooding demeanor, today was different. He was in an unusually good mood, which for him was as rare as snowfall in the desert.
Just as he adjusted his seatbelt, a woman holding the hand of a little girl walked up to him. The girl couldn't have been more than ten years old, with wide, curious eyes that darted toward the window he currently occupied.
"Excuse me," the woman began, her tone polite but slightly nervous. "Would you mind swapping seats? My daughter really likes sitting by the window."
Now, ordinarily, he would've dismissed the request without a second thought. Maybe even thrown in a glare for good measure. But today wasn't ordinary.
Today, he was happy.
And when a man like him, whose natural state of being was a combination of grumpiness and suspicion, experienced happiness, strange things happen.
He gave the woman a once-over—nothing threatening, just a brief glance—then turned his attention to the girl. Her hopeful expression tugged at something deep within him, a part he hadn't paid attention to in years. With a curt nod, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stood, his towering 6'5 frame immediately drawing attention from nearby passengers. As he swapped seats with the woman and settled into his new spot in the aisle, he caught a glimpse of the little girl's face lighting up as she took the window seat.
Well, that was worth it, he thought, though he would never admit such a thing out loud. He wasn't exactly known for his generosity, but again, today was special.
Why, you ask? Well, dear reader, allow me to enlighten you. This so-called intimidating man was a hopeless romantic, and today, he was finally meeting the love of his life after two months of dating online.
Yeah, you heard me—online dating.
Don't roll your eyes just yet; he was serious about this woman. Serious enough to dress in a damn suit for the occasion.
Now, picture this: a bulky, muscular man in a jet-black suit that clung to him like a second skin, looking less like a gentleman and more like a bodyguard for some billionaire. And to top it off, he was doing this in the middle of summer, with the weather in Hong Kong hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.
He adjusted his tie for the tenth time, mentally cursing whoever thought wearing a suit on a plane was a good idea. But even as he cursed himself, there was that rare flicker of a smile—a genuine, albeit awkward, smile.
As the plane continued to move, a child in the row ahead of him turned around to look at him. He tried to offer a soft smile, the kind normal people give when they see kids, but it didn't quite come out right. Instead, what he managed was more of a strained grimace, like a crocodile trying to look friendly. The child stared at him, wide-eyed, before bursting into tears.
Zhao Wei just sat there, stunned. He hadn't done anything! All he did was smile! Or at least, he thought he smiled. He knew he wasn't exactly great with kids, but even for him this reaction seemed a bit extreme.
Then again, considering his size and the permanent scowl etched into his face, it wasn't entirely surprising. He looked like someone who belonged in the Mafia, not on a family vacation. The poor kid probably thought he was some kind of villain.
Normally, he would've been irritated. Crying kids weren't exactly his favorite thing. But today? He didn't mind. Not one bit. He was in too good a mood to let a little noise bother him.
The flight attendant came by to check what was wrong, and the boy's mother assured her it was nothing, offering Zhao Wei an apologetic smile. He nodded in response, adjusting his tie again as if that would make him seem less intimidating. It didn't.
He leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment. Thoughts of her filled his mind. The woman he was flying to meet.
They had clicked instantly when they first started chatting online. It wasn't one of those shallow connections where you talk for a few days, then ghost each other. No, this was real. Or at least, it felt real to him. They had shared late-night conversations, personal stories, dreams, and even silly jokes. She even went out of her way to learn Chinese, so he wouldn't have to keep using translation. Though he would have done the same for her if he hadn't been such a blockhead.
The thought brought a smile to his face.
Was he nervous about meeting her? Hell yes. But he was also excited. For a man who didn't get excited about much, this was a big deal. He had spent hours imagining how it would go—walking up to her, saying hello, maybe even giving her a hug if she was comfortable with it. He didn't know if she was the hugging type, but he hoped she wouldn't mind.
After what felt like an eternity, even though it had been just a couple of hours, the captain's voice crackled over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into Miami International Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts…"
The announcement pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced out the window one last time, even though he was now in the aisle seat, and caught a glimpse of the city below. Miami. The place where he was about to meet the woman who had, somehow, turned his world upside down.
He felt a mix of emotions—excitement, anxiety, hope. And something else he couldn't quite name. Whatever it was, it made his heart beat just a little faster.
As the plane touched down, he let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
This was it.
The moment of truth.
Zhao Wei adjusted his tie, straightened his suit, and prepared himself for what was to come. He had no idea what would happen next, but one thing was certain—this was going to be a day he'd never forget.
Love makes people do crazy things, they say. And Zhao Wei? He was ready to be as crazy as it took.