The following week seemed to pass in a blur for Lin Yue. Zhang Wei's words from their night in the park lingered in her mind like a comforting melody. "I want you in my life for the long haul." Each time she thought about it, her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to believe him, truly. But doubts were a heavy weight to carry.
She still had her own battles to fight—work, personal goals, and the complicated emotions that seemed to surface every time she thought of their future. Was it too soon to get attached? Was she ready to take that leap of faith?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a text from Mei:
"Dinner tonight. My treat. You need to get out of your head."
Lin Yue chuckled, already knowing she had no choice but to accept.
That evening, Lin Yue and Mei found themselves at a cozy restaurant, tucked away in a corner booth. The soft chatter of other patrons and the scent of grilled meats filled the air. Mei, ever the optimist, wasted no time in launching into a new topic.
"So, have you and Zhang Wei made any progress?" Mei asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lin Yue hesitated. She hadn't realized how much of her uncertainty had seeped into her interactions with Mei. "We're getting there. Slowly."
"That's good, right?" Mei pressed, her eyes searching Lin Yue's face. "It's better than rushing into things."
Lin Yue nodded. "I guess. But sometimes, I just wish I could see the future. To know for sure that everything will work out."
Mei's eyes softened. "If only we had that power. But sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them. When you stop trying to control everything and just let it happen."
Lin Yue pondered Mei's words. It sounded so simple, yet so difficult. "I don't know if I can stop worrying, Mei. I don't know if I can stop thinking about the what ifs."
Mei smiled gently. "What ifs are just a way of holding yourself back. You can't live in fear of what might happen. Trust me, you'll know when the time is right. And if it's meant to be, it will be."
Lin Yue stared at her friend for a long moment, the weight of her words sinking in. Mei was right, of course. But the path forward still felt uncertain, full of obstacles that seemed impossible to overcome.
Later that night, after dinner, Lin Yue found herself walking home alone. The cool breeze swept through the streets, and the distant hum of city life seemed to fade as her thoughts drifted back to Zhang Wei.
She could feel her phone buzzing in her bag and, without hesitation, pulled it out to see a message from him:
"Can we talk tomorrow? There's something I've been thinking about, and I need to share it with you."
The message was simple, but it set her heart racing. Was this a good sign? Or was it yet another twist in their already complicated relationship?
With a deep breath, she typed back:
"Of course. I'll be free after 2 PM."
She wasn't sure what tomorrow would bring, but she couldn't ignore the pull she felt toward him. She was in too deep now to turn back.
The next afternoon, Lin Yue arrived at the café where she and Zhang Wei had met before. As soon as she entered, she spotted him sitting by the window, a deep frown on his face. The usual warmth in his eyes was absent, replaced by something darker—something that made Lin Yue's stomach tighten with unease.
"Hey," she greeted softly, sliding into the seat across from him.
Zhang Wei didn't immediately respond, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup absentmindedly. After a few moments, he finally met her gaze.
"I've been thinking a lot about us, Lin Yue," he began, his voice steady but filled with a quiet intensity. "About what I want from this… from you."
Lin Yue's heart raced. She'd been expecting something like this, but hearing it out loud was another matter entirely.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zhang Wei leaned forward, his hands clasped in front of him. "I don't want to keep secrets from you. I've been holding something back, something that's been on my mind for a while now."
Lin Yue's mind raced. What could it be? Another ex? A business deal? What was he about to reveal?
"Lin Yue," Zhang Wei continued, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not asking you to marry me right now. But I want you to know that, one day, I see you in my future. I see us together… permanently."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Lin Yue couldn't breathe. This wasn't what she had expected. Marriage? Already?
"You mean it?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Zhang Wei nodded, his eyes earnest. "I do. I know it's too soon to talk about such things, but I needed you to hear it from me. No games. No hesitation."
Lin Yue blinked back sudden tears, unsure of how to process the emotions swirling inside her. Could this be real? Could this be what she had always wanted?
She swallowed, steadying herself. "Zhang Wei… I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment yet. But I can't ignore what I feel for you. You've made me believe in us, even if it's scary."
Zhang Wei's smile was soft, reassuring. "We'll take it one step at a time. There's no rush. As long as you're with me, that's all that matters."