The night air was cool and laced with the gentle scent of blooming magnolias as Li Meilin and Zhou Fan walked along the winding path of Yulan Park. Streetlamps cast a soft glow over the trail, and the occasional chirp of crickets filled the silence between them. Children had long gone home, lovers passed them hand-in-hand, and joggers paced by, lost in their music. It was peaceful.
Zhou Fan's hand grazed Li Meilin's but didn't fully grasp it this time. They had walked in silence for several minutes, the earlier dinner conversation still clinging to the air like invisible threads.
Zhou Fan suggested they sit on a bench under the trees, near the lake that shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Li Meilin hesitated for a moment, then followed him. Her heels crunched softly over the gravel as she sat, folding her hands over her lap. There was a chill in the air, but she barely noticed.
Then, perhaps in an effort to recover the evening, Zhou Fan spoke. "So… what are your dreams? Like, for real. Where do you see yourself in five years?"
She blinked at him, a little surprised he was asking again. Something in his voice sounded curious—maybe even sincere this time. She shifted in her seat, gathering her thoughts.
She thought about it for a moment, then smiled slightly. "I want to be in senior management at Zenhua Media. Strategic Communications specifically. It's where I feel like my voice and ideas matter most. I love what I do, and I've been learning so much… but I want to do more. I want to lead campaigns, oversee meaningful projects, and eventually help build the company's narrative in a way that inspires people."
want to be in senior management one day," she said quietly. "Strategic Communications.
Zhou Fan nodded absently, his gaze already shifting to a cyclist passing by.
"But more than that," she continued, undeterred, "I want to mentor. To help younger professionals find their way in this industry.
I didn't have anyone to guide me when I started and I know how hard that was for me. It was all trial and error. But I want to be that person for someone else. Help them find their footing in this industry. That's my plan for the next five years… and after that, we'll see. Life changes. Priorities evolves.
"Mhm," Zhou Fan finally murmured blandly, rubbing his neck. "Okay. That's… nice."
His tone was neutral. Vaguely distracted. The kind of response one gave when they weren't really listening, just letting words wash over them.
A beat of silence stretched between them and she waited in vain for him to give a more sensible response. Of course he didn't. Which made Li Meilin flabbergasted.
Just okay? After pouring out her vision, her passion, all she got was a bland, dismissive okay?
Li Meilin's chest tightened, her smile faltering as she looked away and swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
"It's getting late," she said, rising to her feet. "We should head back."
She said nothing more about her goals. The moment felt hollow now, like speaking into a tunnel with no echo.
Eventually, they circled back to where the car was parked. The rest of the walk was filled with trivial chatter—movies, a new restaurant opening, someone from their university getting married. Things that didn't require depth.
Zhou Fan opened the door for her again, and she slid in, folding her hands in her lap.
The ride back was uneventful. Soft R&B played through the speakers, and Zhou Fan occasionally tapped the steering wheel in rhythm. When they reached her apartment, he leaned over again, as if to kiss her goodbye. This time, she turned her cheek, letting him kiss the side of her face instead.
"Goodnight, Zhou Fan," she said quietly.
"Night, Meilin. Text me when you wake up."
She nodded, then stepped out, the door shutting softly behind her.
Later that night, Li Meilin sat on her couch, legs curled under her, tablet in hand. She scrolled through the presentation again, her emotions in turmoil as she wondered if she should've just let him struggle. Would he have still taken her to that restaurant if he didn't need help?
Her phone buzzed.
Zhou Fan:
"I can't stop thinking about tonight and how you helped me with the presentation. You're amazing. Sleep tight, future Mrs. Zhou."
Scoffing in disbelief at what Zhou Fan called an appreciation text, Li Meilin stared at the message for a while, fingers hovering over the screen. Then she turned the phone face-down.
She didn't reply.
And for the first time in a long while, she wondered if she really liked this conceited man… or if she was actually falling into something she wouldn't be able to climb out of.
The night was quiet, but Meilin's thoughts were anything but still.
~
The next day, Li Meilin found herself in the city's fashion district. She hadn't planned on shopping, but something about the silence of the day gnawed at her. Zhou Fan hadn't followed up after the previous night. And though she had hoped he would reach out, she'd heard nothing. Still, Li Meilin didn't have time to dwell on Zhou Fan's nonchalance. She had more important matters to attend to.
So she strolled into a boutique she'd always admired from afar.
"Hello. I want something formal, elegant—but modern," she told the shop assistant.
Thirty minutes later, she stood in front of a mirror wearing a midnight green, backless gown with delicate embroidery that glinted under the light—sophisticated, powerful, and soft all at once. She hadn't even worn it with the full accessories yet, but just looking at it on her already made her smile. The dress hugged her waist and flowed like silk waves to the floor. The neckline was tasteful, the sleeves sheer with embroidered stars, and a subtle slit revealed just enough leg.
Li Meilin turned slightly, admiring the cut. This was it.
Tomorrow was the big event. Zenhua Media Group had just secured a collaboration with a major investor—a technology firm expanding into the entertainment and media landscape and the celebration was important—maybe not only professionally, but personally too. Something told her this was a day she would remember. There was a celebratory event for the staff and major partners. Formal, but fun. And an important networking opportunity.
She bought the dress, a matching pair of heels, and a minimalist clutch.
Back at home, she ironed the dress, laid everything out, and set three alarms on her phone. She was determined to look her best.
The next morning arrived with warm sunlight streaming through her curtains. By 8:07 a.m., she was up, eyes still puffy with sleep as she reached for her phone.
Li Meilin opened her messages but there was no notification from Zhou Fan so she shrugged and got ready for the day. In barely minutes, she already began her day and did some household chores. The morning flew by in a blur of preparations. Shower, skincare, a light breakfast, and yoga.
By past eleven, she had her makeup spread on her vanity, hair wrapped in a towel. Her phone rested next to her mirror. She tapped on Zhou Fan's name and typed:
Li Meilin:
"Good morning. Can you pick me up later for the event? 🥺💄 I want to go with you."
She added the pleading emoji—lighthearted, soft. The kind of thing couples texted.
Then she hit send. Read the message again. Smiled to herself. Then hopped off the bed and headed for the bathroom. After another body rinse, she began her makeup.
As she sat in front of her mirror, curling her lashes, she checked her phone.
No reply.
She frowned slightly, tapping the screen to refresh the message.
Still no response from Zhou Fan.
She shrugged. Maybe he's busy. He usually sleeps in on weekends... though he should've gotten my message since Friday night.
Another thirty something minutes passed. She was now dressed, fully made up, and ready. Her curls bounced gently over her shoulders, and the new gown glimmered under the soft lighting of her room.
She texted again.
Li Meilin:
"Hey, just let me know if I should get ready to meet you somewhere. The event starts at 2. I don't want to be late."
The message sent. The check marks appeared.
No typing bubble. No read receipt. Just silence.
Her heart panged, sharp and hot. But she refused to let it ruin her mood. Not today. Not when she'd worked so hard, prepared so long.
At 1:30 p.m., she tried one last time:
Li Meilin:
"Zhou Fan… are you okay?"
Li Meilin:
"I can't be late for this. Should I just go on my own?"
Still no reply. No read receipt. No blue ticks. Just… the usual silence. This man was online!
She stared at her phone in disbelief.
Zhou Fan knew how important this event was to her. He had even mentioned a few weeks ago that he'd be proud to attend with her. Now, nothing. Not even a message to say he was running late.
The weight in her chest grew heavier. It wasn't just about the ride. It was the disrespect. The neglect. The way he made her feel like an option. She walked over to the mirror and stared at herself.
Fully dressed now, the gown hugged her like it was made for her skin. Her eyes shimmered with a soft metallic shadow, her lips glossed like blooming plum.
She looked… stunning.
And painfully alone.
Maybe this was the universe's way of telling her something.
Li Meilin inhaled slowly, closing her eyes.
"I'm not waiting around for a man to value me." She muttered angrily.
She grabbed her clutch and slid her phone inside. Without another word, she stepped out of her apartment and closed the door behind her, stepping into the warm afternoon sun.
The event was too important to miss. And if Zhou Fan wasn't going to show up—or even send a message despite being online—then she wasn't going to wait around like a forgotten accessory.
With a determined breath, she grabbed her purse, locked her door, and
Her heels clicked confidently on the pavement as she made her way to the waiting ride she booked herself.