Li Mei entered her home with a heavy heart, her mind replaying their conversation. The willow tree swayed gently outside the window, its branches reaching toward the sky as if listening to her thoughts.
Inside, her family was already busy with the day's tasks. Li Jun sat at the table, his brow furrowed as he read through papers, while Li Xia bustled about, preening in front of a mirror. Her parents, as usual, were preoccupied with matters far beyond Li Mei's understanding.
Li Mei sat silently at the edge of the room, her hands folded in her lap. The house felt suffocating, the walls closing in on her with every passing second. She longed for the freedom of the night, for the gentle embrace of the willow tree and the quiet companionship of Chen Wei.
But reality could not be ignored. The choices she faced were stark, and each decision weighed heavy on her heart.
The sun continued to rise, and with it, so did the complexities of her world. The morning in Xialong was calm, a quiet contrast to the lively festivities of the previous night. Li Mei sat at the edge of the willow tree for little while before heading to rest as it had been a long night.
Li Mei dreamt about her vivid chilhood which was filled with simple joys and loving moments. She wasn't born blind—her sight had faded at the age of eight after an accident. Before that, her world had been colorful and full of laughter. She and her younger sister, Li Xia, had grown up side by side, but Li Mei had always felt different—stronger in ways that were not always visible. While Li Xia was admired for her beauty and charm, Li Mei found solace in the small, quiet moments: listening to the songs of birds, feeling the textures of different fabrics, and finding comfort in nature.
The most significant presence during her childhood was Chen Wei. Their friendship had begun in school, with their families living in neighboring farms. Chen Wei had been a constant fixture in her life—his laughter, his guiding hand, and his unwavering belief that nothing was beyond her reach. Their bond grew deeper through the years, forged by countless shared moments in school halls and under the shade of familiar trees.
Despite their close connection, Chen Wei's ambitions pulled him away from Xialong. His dream was to study in the city, to build a future for himself beyond the confines of the village. Though Chen Wei was hesitant at first, but his drive to become a strong man made him turn around. He promised Li Mei that no distance would change who the kind of bond they have and what they meant for each, but promises often falter when tested by time and distance.
Their farewell had been bittersweet. Under the same willow tree where they had once laughed, they shared a quiet moment filled with unspoken fears and dreams. "I'll come back for you," Chen Wei had whispered, his voice shaking with emotion. But the letters became fewer, and the visits less frequent, until one day, they simply stopped altogether.
Years passed, and their lives took different paths. Li Mei withdrew into herself, focusing on her family and the farm that had always been her home. Chen Wei, on the other hand, embraced his studies, eventually becoming a well-respected figure in the city—successful, but distant from his roots. His family's expectations weighed heavily on him, but his heart still carried the memories of Xialong and the girl he had left behind.
When Chen Wei returned to Xialong years later, it was like stepping into a different world for both of them. The familiar fields and village square seemed colder, more distant. Yet, their bond remained—a subtle thread connecting them to a past that neither could fully let go of.
As the golden hues of the setting sun bathed Xialong, Li Mei stirred from her rest, the remnants of her dreams slipping away like wisps of mist. She had spent the day avoiding her family, their words from the morning still echoing in her mind. The decision they had made for her hung like a weight she could not cast off.
Stepping outside, the air was cool, and the scent of damp earth greeted her. From her vantage point near the willow tree, the village of Xialong stretched out below, its charm muted in the soft twilight. Lanterns were being lit once more, their glow creating a warm mosaic of light against the thatched roofs. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint hum of voices drifted upward, mingling with the distant chirping of crickets.
Li Mei let her fingers trace the rough bark of the willow tree, seeking its comfort. The tree had always been her refuge, a silent witness to her fears and hopes. Tonight, though, its solace felt incomplete. Her thoughts wandered back to the dance, to Chen Wei's words and the unspoken questions they had left between them.
"Li Mei?" A voice startled her from her reverie. She turned, instinctively recognizing the steady tone. Chen Wei stood a few paces away, his silhouette framed by the deepening dusk.
"I thought you might be here," he said, stepping closer. "You've always found peace under this tree."
Li Mei nodded but remained silent. She wasn't sure if she wanted his company or needed space to gather her thoughts. But Chen Wei, as always, seemed to understand her silence.
"You were right," he said softly as he sat down beside her. "You need more time, and I'll give you all the time you need."
Li Mei finally turned to him, her expression unreadable. "It's not just time I need," she admitted quietly. "It's trust. Trust in myself—and in you."
They sat in silence for a while, before Li Mei spoke up "I don't want to hurt you," her voice trembling slightly. "I've been hurt too many times."
"I know," he responded softly, his thumb brushing gently over her skin. "But you're not alone anymore. I won't let you carry everything by yourself."
Li Mei opened her eyes, her breath catching in her throat. His words struck a chord deep within her—a longing for connection, for acceptance. She had built walls to protect herself from the world's cruelties, but maybe, just maybe, it was time to let someone in.
"You've always seen the worst in people," Chen Wei continued. "But that doesn't mean you have to be the worst. You have the strength to choose kindness, to trust in something good."
Her lips curved into a small smile, more of a whisper than a laugh. "You sound like a poet."
"Only for you," he said softly, returning her smile.
They sat quietly for a moment, the serenity of the morning grounding them. The willow tree above swayed gently, its branches creating a soothing rhythm against the breeze.
"I'll take the first step," Li Mei said after a while. "But only if you take the second."
Chen Wei nodded. "Always."
The night in Xialong deepened, and with it came the quiet stirrings of change—a fragile hope