---
The Meeting Room Accident
Monday morning started with a department presentation.
Meilin arrived early to set up the projector, rehearsing her lines under her breath.
Just as she bent over the laptop, the meeting room door swung open.
Li Wei walked in.
Of course.
Because fate enjoyed toying with her.
"You're early," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Y-yes," Meilin replied, trying not to panic. "Just… setting things. Stuff. The screen."
He stepped beside her to connect the HDMI cable.
Except the cable got tangled.
Except Meilin pulled one end.
Except Li Wei pulled the other.
Except—they accidentally dragged the whole projector straight off the table.
It made a dramatic crash worthy of a comedy film.
Meilin froze.
Li Wei froze.
The broken pieces lay between them like the aftermath of a battlefield.
"I—I am so sorry—" Meilin burst out.
Li Wei sighed… then laughed softly.
"It's my fault too. Don't worry. I'll get a replacement."
He paused, looked at her with that gentle calmness again.
"You don't need to panic. I don't bite."
Unfortunately, that makes it even worse, she thought.
Her heart was beating faster than a malfunctioning drum.
---
The Phone Mix-Up
At lunch, Meilin grabbed her phone to take a photo of her noodles.
But her screen looked… different.
Wait.
This wasn't her lock screen.
This was Li Wei's phone.
Which meant—
Her phone was in his hands somewhere.
Panic mode activated.
Without thinking, she rushed out of the cafeteria to find him.
She spotted him at the elevator, holding her phone.
"Director Li!" she exclaimed.
He turned, holding out the phone with a faint smile.
"Ah, I was just about to bring this to you."
"I—I think I took your phone by mistake…"
"Yes. I noticed when it started vibrating with ten consecutive notifications about… ramen recipes?"
Meilin slapped her face with her hand.
Why did she join those food groups…
Then Li Wei amusedly added,
"Your phone is very enthusiastic."
Meilin wanted to fade into the wallpaper.
They swapped phones, and she mumbled,
"Thank you… and I'm really sorry."
"It's alright."
Then his voice became softer.
"I don't mind you coming to find me."
Her brain: ???!!!
What did that mean?
Why did it sound suspiciously like flirting?
Was he teasing her?
---
A Strange Invitation
Before she could recover, he asked:
"Ms. Lin, are you free after work on Friday?"
Friday?
After work?
Was this… a date?
Her soul left her body.
He continued, a bit more gently,
"There's something I want to discuss with you. Something… personal."
Personal.
Personal?!
She nodded too quickly.
"Y-Yes! I mean, yes. I'm free."
"Good," he said, smiling slightly. "I'll pick you up."
He walked away, leaving her stunned.
Meilin stared after him.
What did he want to talk about?
Why after work?
Why pick her up?
Why did her heartbeat sound like fireworks??
This was the closest she had ever come to a confession.
And yet somehow she had a feeling…
The universe was preparing something chaotic.
A twist.
A misunderstanding.
Something totally, embarrassingly Meilin-style.
She just didn't know what yet.
But fate was clearly warming its hands, ready for the next comedic disaster.