a soft, lingering charm in Shanghai and Lucy

ed back to the evening she had spent with Li Wei. The mooncake celebration had been delightful, but it was

mystery she found he

he had gleaned only fragments of his world, and those fragments left her wanting to know more. His interest in tradition, his respect for

work, she would find her mind drifting to the details of their conversation

she realized how much she still had to learn about Chinese c

commute, Lucy received a messag

u're doing well. I'd like

e was quick an

nds wonderful!

end you the details. L

i Wei's favorite tea. She had not forgotten this detail from their

e scent of something delicious wafting through the air. She rang the doorb

n," Li Wei said, steppin

th a smile. "I brought you

"Thank you so much. Please, make yourself c

legance and subtle traditional touches, much like Li Wei himself. She could hear the sounds of

sy at work. He moved with practiced ease, chopping vegetables, stirr

nted, watching as Li Wei exp

d. It's a way for me to unwind and connect with my heritage. Tonight, I've pre

each dish a

red in a fragrant mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and spices until it was tender and glossy. Alongside it, he was preparing a de

s he plated up the food. "Meals were always an important part of my family's day. My father ins

the spread before her. The food was not only visually st

naturally. Lucy praised the flavors of each di

verything had its place, and every action had its reason. I was expected to follow the family traditions, to

ations Li Wei had grown up with. "It sounds like you had

importance of discipline and respect. I didn't always appreciate it then, but as

"she said with a chuckle. "My parents always encouraged me to be independent. There were few rules in our household, and I was given a lot of

t of their conversation, and both found themselve

ned by freedom and exploration. Yet, despite these differences, they found common gr

ling the cool evening breeze. The night was serene, the distant hum of the city providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

d glimpses of a life steeped in duty and discipline. He shared memories of his childhood, where his every action was measured and his every success celebrated-but only in a reserved, alm

eved it would teach me patience and discipline. Every morning, I would sit at the table, practicing my strokes for hours. My father would watch, correcting me if I strayed even

his father, but also the weight of the expectations that had been placed upon him. It was a life

ay reading or exploring the woods near our house, that was fine. If I decided to travel on a whim, they supported it. I think they just wanted me to b

ces. Li Wei admired Lucy's independence and the ease with which she navigated life's uncertainties.

at Lucy, noticing the way the soft light from the apartment played on her features, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke with enthusiasm. He could feel the

something more. Her heart beat a little faster each time Li Wei's gaze lingered on her. There was a part of her that wanted to lean in, to

They sat side by side, the distance between them small yet significant. The city spread out

I've really enjoyed tonight, Lucy," he said, his eyes meeting he

through her at his words. I've enjoye

t, a brief flicker of time, where either one of them could have leaned in, could have crossed the boundary between friendship and somethi

l palpable but unacknowledged. Li Wei opened the door for her, and

said softly, his voice tin

, her heart still racing with th

her skin. As she walked away, she felt a mixture of emotions-contentment from the evening t