Meilin could barely move.
The paper slip with Li Wei's written wish trembled in her fingers—
"I hope I can tell her soon… that I've been in love with her for a long time."
Her brain had officially stopped working.
Shutdown. Offline. No service.
Li Wei watched her quietly, waiting for her reaction.
The glowing lanterns reflected in his eyes, making him look almost unreal.
---
A Confession Wrapped in Shyness
"L-Li Wei…" she stammered.
"You're joking, right?
Like some… festival humor?"
He shook his head gently.
"No jokes tonight."
Meilin tried again.
"So… you mean… you… like… me?"
"I don't 'like' you," he said calmly.
Her heart dropped.
For one horrifying second, she thought she misread everything.
Then he stepped closer, almost whispering:
"I've liked you for a long time.
Before the coat incident.
Before the meeting disasters.
Before you spilled soy milk on my legs."
She covered her face.
"Please don't remind me—"
He laughed softly.
"I'm serious. I tried to ignore it at first. But every time you smiled, every time you worked too hard, every time we accidentally met… I fell a little more."
Her hands slowly lowered from her face.
Meilin looked up, cheeks burning, heart shaking.
"…I like you too."
His eyes widened—just a little—but enough to show he'd been waiting for that.
---
But Fate Can't Avoid Comedy
The moment was perfect.
Too perfect.
Which meant destiny needed to ruin it.
Just as Li Wei reached out to gently touch her hand—
A lantern vendor shouted suddenly:
"HEY! YOU TWO!
YOUR LANTERN IS ABOUT TO HIT THAT TREE!"
They both spun around.
Their lantern had drifted sideways, dangerously close to a big branch.
Meilin panicked.
"Oh no! That's bad luck! We have to fix it!"
Before Li Wei could stop her, she ran forward—
Slipped on the grass—
And grabbed him for support—
Which resulted in BOTH of them falling into a shallow bush.
Face-first.
Silence.
Then Li Wei's muffled voice:
"…Are you hurt?"
Meilin groaned from inside the leaves.
"My soul is hurt."
They crawled out, covered in leaves like confused forest animals.
Li Wei looked at her for one second—
And burst into laughter.
A real, full laugh.
Warm, unrestrained, beautiful.
Meilin slapped his arm.
"Don't laugh at me!"
"I'm not," he replied between laughs.
"I'm laughing because you make every moment unforgettable."
Her face went hotter than a lantern flame.
---
The Walk Back Home
As they walked toward her apartment, the night grew quieter.
They weren't holding hands, but their arms brushed gently, softly, intentionally.
Meilin bit her lip.
"Are we… uh… dating now?"
Li Wei glanced at her with an amused expression.
"If you want to."
"I—I mean, yes. Probably. Maybe. I think so. Yes."
He chuckled.
"Then yes. We are."
Her heart spun.
But then he added mischievously,
"Though I do plan to ask you properly. With flowers. And maybe without falling into bushes."
"Please," she whispered.
"For my dignity."
---
A Almost-Kiss at Her Doorway
When they reached her apartment building, she stopped.
"So… goodnight?"
Li Wei nodded softly.
"Goodnight, Meilin."
She lingered.
He lingered.
Their faces were close.
Really close.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Can I… hold your hand?"
Meilin nodded.
He gently took her hand, warm and steady.
No kiss yet.
But the moment was intimate enough to make her whole body feel soft and warm.
"Sleep well," he murmured.
"You too," she whispered.
She walked inside with the world spinning around her—
—and he stood outside smiling, watching her go, as if she were the only light in the night.