A Secret Joy and a Racing Heart
The flower shop felt unusually radiant today, bathed in a glow that seemed to come from within. When Shaoji received the news she had been longing for, her joy knew no bounds. She began to twirl and leap with the light-footed grace of a royal dancer. Ming watched her, mesmerized by this sudden, wild outburst of happiness.
"What is it? What has made you this happy?" Ming asked, his voice laced with wonder.
Shaoji leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered. A breath of warm air traced a path down Ming's neck—the news of a massive order! Ming smiled to himself, a silent, tender thought crossing his mind: "Such exuberance over a mere flower order? Does she not know that a single spark of her laughter is worth more than this entire garden?"
Moments Clear as Glass
In the midst of their work, the rhythm broke. A bundle of exquisite, expensive flowers slipped from Ming's grasp, crashing to the floor. For a heartbeat, time stood still. Ming instinctively closed his eyes, bracing himself for Shaoji's usual thunderous outburst. But the storm never came.
Instead, Shaoji knelt beside him, her hands reaching out to help gather the blooms. Her voice was as soft as raw silk. "Careful, Ming. You could have hurt yourself."
Ming's heart skipped a beat. He found himself locked in her gaze, unable to look away. In that moment, he realized she hadn't changed at all. This prickly exterior she wore was nothing more than a mask. "People never truly change, Shaoji," he murmured under his breath. "You're still the same... my Shaoji."
Shaoji knit her brows in confusion. "What are you muttering about? I can't hear you!"
Ming quickly collected himself, offering a faint smile. "Nothing. Come, let's get these tidied up."
The Enchantment of Twilight
As the grueling day came to an end, twilight draped its navy-blue veil over the ancient alleys of China. Shaoji finally slumped over, exhausted.
"I can't go on, Ming! My stomach is growling. If I don't eat something this second, I'll simply wither away!"
Ming gave a soft, weary laugh. "Let's head home. I'll cook something special for you myself."
Shaoji made a face, sticking her tongue out in playful protest. "No way! Today, we're going to that shop—the one where you ruined everything. Today, I want sushi."
Guilt flickered in Ming's eyes, but it was quickly eclipsed by a wave of affection. "Alright. My treat tonight. You can deduct it from my wages later, just eat to your heart's content."
Shaoji beamed, skipping ahead like a delighted child. Red lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, casting long, dancing shadows across the cobblestone path. Watching her from behind, Ming was spellbound. "For this smile," he whispered to himself, "I would wait a thousand years."
Hidden Love and Crimson Cheeks
Zhilan, the mistress of the sushi shop, was delighted to see Shaoji. "How have you been, Shaoji? And who is this young man?"
"I'm doing well," Shaoji replied. "And this is Ming. He stays at our place and is my partner at the shop. My grandmother kept him with us to help me out."
Zhilan gave a mischievous glint. "He wouldn't make a bad life partner either, you know!"
In an instant, Shaoji's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, matching the hues of a sunset sky. She tried to protest, her voice rising an octave. "Oh, goodness, no! He's just an employee. I used to find him absolutely insufferable. I've only just managed to forgive him."
Zhilan laughed. "If you let a handsome man like that slip through your fingers, you'll end up alone forever!"
"Then I'll stay alone!" Shaoji insisted stubbornly. "I'm perfectly fine on my own."
But even as the words left her lips, she stole a glance at Ming. He remained silent, offering no rebuttal. His calm, deep eyes were fixed solely on her—steady and vast as a peaceful ocean. Suddenly, Shaoji felt a strange ache in her chest.
Did she truly want him to stay away? Or had her irritation been nothing more than a shield to guard her heart? Under the shimmering light of the lanterns, the thrum of her heartbeat felt deafeningly loud in her own ears.