Li Wei stood at the bottom of the stairs, heart racing and unsure of what to do next. Miss Mei was slowly coming down, the last three steps echoing in the hallway. She moved with quiet elegance, but every moment added to the tension that felt like a tightening noose around him.
Finally, she reached the bottom and broke the silence with calm words. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go." Her tone was formal, her presence steady and commanding.
Li Wei bowed respectfully and walked to stand beside her, but his nerves still gnawed at him. He hadn't changed out of his working uniform yet. The fabric carried a faint scent of herbs and kitchen smoke, far from anything presentable. He felt too shy to mention it and said nothing; he simply followed her.
As they walked toward the gates, whispers spread among the other workers in the courtyard. "He's only been here a few days and already walks with her?" "There must be something special about him…" The murmurs drifted through the air like petals, and Li Wei kept his head down, trying to ignore them.
They walked through a corridor of sweet-smelling flowers swaying in the breeze. Ahead, a polished carriage waited, the driver poised and sharply dressed. Li Wei hesitated again, unsure whether to speak or step aside.
Then, he instinctively reached out to help Miss Mei into the carriage. His hand trembled; he had never done this before. The motion felt awkward, and she nearly stumbled but quickly regained her balance.
Inside the carriage, she sat gracefully, glanced back, and signaled for him to join her. But Li Wei hesitated again, still standing; his shirt was wrinkled and inappropriate.
That's when she understood.
Without drawing attention, Miss Mei raised a finger and signaled to a nearby servant. "Yes, I'm going out with him. You know what to do." Her voice wasn't harsh, but it had authority.
The servant bowed and led Li Wei away. Moments later, he returned;changed. Now dressed in clean, formal clothes that made him look like a young nobleman, Li Wei hardly recognized himself. Even his mother would not have.
He stepped back toward the carriage, standing straighter now but still with quiet eyes. This time, he felt ready.
Li Wei entered the carriage and sat beside her. In his formal attire, he looked entirely different—handsome, like a hidden gem finally revealed. Maybe the life he had lived until now had hidden his natural charm, but in this moment, he looked like he belonged in a better world.
He couldn't believe he was sitting next to her, Miss Mei, the daughter of one of the most powerful and respected men in the region. Just thinking about it made his stomach flutter. He dared not look at her. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the carriage curtains as the servants secured them. He focused on staying calm, trying to maintain a composed demeanor like hers. But his hands trembled slightly in his lap, and a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
Miss Mei noticed everything. Her quiet, observant eyes took it all in.
"So," she broke the silence with a soft yet clear voice, "how long have you been working here?"
Her voice startled him. His heart raced. He turned his head slowly to meet her gaze.
"I... I've been here just a few days. Three, I guess," Li Wei said, his voice wavering, though a hint of courage was forming.
Miss Mei nodded gently. Her tone remained reserved but sincere. "You work very hard. I've heard that."
"Thank you, Miss," he replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I'll do my best."
Miss Mei watched him for a moment longer. She wanted to connect with him, not as a mistress to her servant, but as something more human. But she held back. Maybe later.
The carriage moved smoothly through the streets, gently rocking. The wheels hummed, the horses' hooves echoed, and silence returned.
After a while, the carriage slowed and came to a smooth stop. Outside, the town buzzed to life ;people chatting, calling out their wares, children laughing, and coins clinking. The usual street sounds.
Li Wei stepped out first and turned, offering his hand to help her down. For a moment, she nearly slipped ,he hadn't done this kind of thing before. But he caught her just right and steadied her. His heart raced louder.
Then it happened.
Miss Mei, calm and graceful as ever, reached out and gently held his hand.
His heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, he thought he had imagined it. Her hand was warm in his, light yet firm. His feet felt frozen, but somehow, he managed to keep walking beside her.
All around, the street noise softened. Eyes turned. Whispers rose.
"Isn't that Miss Mei…?"
"She's holding a man's hand?"
"Who is he?"
"Has she finally changed?"
Miss Mei had always been seen as the jewel of the Xing family –polished, perfect, untouchable. Men admired her from a distance, but none dared to approach. Her grace, brilliance, and powerful family name made her seem unreachable. But now, she walked through the marketplace with a man, holding his hand.
Back to the two of them, Li Wei and Miss Mei.
They moved forward together. Li Wei's pulse pounded, the warmth of her hand warming his skin. He still didn't understand what was happening–why her? Why now? Was this merely a fleeting gesture? A shield? Or something more?
But the heat between their palms wasn't just from the sun.
Something was changing.
And even though Li Wei didn't quite understand it yet, the world around them was starting to shift.
"She's being sweet… she really is. But why me? Just a poor, ordinary boy."...
Maybe the future knows why ..