Tulip Riverside
Ming will never forget that night. After visiting her grandmother, she boarded the last train, swaying along the late-night tracks on her way home.
A sudden emergency brake caused a commotion in the carriage, jolting her awake from near sleep. Ming groggily followed the crowd off the train, only to realize the road ahead was temporarily closed for maintenance. Now she found herself with three or four hours of unexpected freedom.
At dawn, where could one go? Ming walked slowly along the quiet street, everything around her seemingly frozen by the night. A cold wind scattered leaves, and she looked up. Through the sparse branches, a crescent moon hung silently in the black sky.
Not far away by the Tulip River, a 24-hour vinyl music CD store caught Sue’s attention, and she hurried over. With a jingle, the door swung open.
Ming examined the music CDs neatly arranged on the shelves, his gaze finally settling on the one with the azure blue cover.
An unexpected touch of fingertips, her gaze met the newcomer’s unexpectedly. In those deep eyes, there was surprise, or more precisely, delight.
"You like Dionysus too?"
It was the man sitting next to him on the train. Ming had secretly observed the briefcase he carried, which bore the corporate badge of a famous real estate tycoon.
Ming withdrew her hand and nodded gently, her cheeks flushed with a rosy tint.
"If it’s not too forward, may I treat you to a cup of coffee?"
Rose Bridge
Ming skillfully spread the whipped cream over the cake base and decorated it with strawberries and frosting—this was the last order the shop owner had assigned.
To cure her grandmother’s illness as soon as possible, Ming had to take on extra part-time work until late at night. Walking across the Rose Bridge, she passed through the neon lights and shadows, where the magnificent hotel remained lively as ever.
Sometimes, fate works in mysterious ways. Just a fleeting glance, and a familiar figure comes into view once more.
"What a coincidence, we meet again."
It was that man named Sue. Ming felt like this moment was a dream—in such a vast city, they had crossed paths again.
"Dionysus just released a new song. Want to go listen to it together when you're free?"
Music flows from the record player, filling the entire space. Never before have I met someone so in sync—from favorite bands to movie stars, preferred artworks to coffee and pastries—it's like finding the other half of my soul lost somewhere in this world.
In the gaps between mundane life, Sue became like a miracle cure that brought comfort to Ming. He always appeared at the most crucial moments, dispelling the shadows deep within with just the right amount of tenderness.
The sound of the seashell wind chime signals the arrival of a guest.
Who could be visiting at this late hour? Selene paused from her tasks and looked toward the door.
Sue, rarely looking flustered, stood before the glass door. His reflection revealed his hands hidden behind his back, clutching a bouquet of vibrant roses.
Lavender Café
Ming pretended not to notice, going along with Sue's nervous rambling.
"How strange, why is it called Lavender Café?"
"What would you call it? Is it... Rosa Café?"
It was a romantic confession that came earlier than expected.
Ming accepted the bouquet of roses with feigned composure, unaware that countless tiny sparks of joy were spreading through her like the lingering chimes of a bellflower.
But this tremor quickly swept over in the form of another emotion.
"My family wants me to take over the southern project. It's probably a test..."
In her confusion, Ming pieced together the key information. She figured it out—Sue’s mindset when carrying that briefcase was different from an ordinary employee’s.
It seems everything has changed, yet nothing has changed at all.
Sue was still Ming’s soulmate, but the ethereal bond formed by their shared artistic hobbies was quickly shattered by all the glitz and glamour.
Ming wasn’t used to attending fancy receptions. Waiting for Sue to mingle with other merchants felt like torture—an awkward, out-of-place kind of discomfort.
"You’ve turned me down several times now. Been busy lately?"
"Rather than chatting about fashion and luxury goods with those glamorous ladies, maybe I should be holding a whisk and whipping cream—at least that way I’d feel… settled."
Ming followed the address the shop owner gave and delivered a large bag of packaged desserts to a certain manor. Unfortunately, Sue was there, every gesture carrying an unfamiliar air of high society.
Ming caught the scent of lavender carried by the wind. Unlike before, this was clearly a more precious breed, yet its fragrance felt sharp and overwhelming.
How can the gap in reality be bridged? By getting married as Sue suggested? Ming gazed at the sparrows chirping endlessly at the storefront across the street. Look, even the sparrows can follow their hearts freely.
Everything at Dawn
Ming hasn’t reached out on his own in a long time, and Sue doesn’t know why. The survey results for the real estate development project he’s in charge of have been approved. All that’s left is signing the contract to move forward.
Landing this deal would earn him his family’s approval, and reduce some obstacles to his marriage with Ming.
The moment Sue heard that some residents were unwilling to sign, she immediately set out. However, the one who came to negotiate on behalf of the opposition was surprisingly Ming.
"Protecting this house was grandmother’s final wish."
Ming and Sue sat quietly across the table from each other, gazing in silence for a long while.
Sue had lost. He couldn’t persuade Ming, nor could he understand why his lover’s attitude had become so cold. But Ming seemed resolute, determined, and unwavering.
"Let’s meet again, at the place where we first met."
At the same dawn hour, the moon had grown full, its brilliant glow illuminating nearly the entire night sky.
The river shimmered with light. Sue watched Ming approach from a distance, alone with his quiet sorrow.
Ming always kept his distance, yet couldn’t stop the fluttering thoughts. The misty night called heartfelt longing once shrouded the reality that should have been seen, until much later when realization dawned.
But some things matter more.
"You forget someone you were never meant to meet, while I forget an unexpected delight in an otherwise ordinary, comfortable life."
Ming and Sue’s figures blur in the morning mist, and the story’s ending remains unclear.
But faintly, familiar music seems to drift through the air. Turns out the music CD store by Tulip River Bank still has its lights on.
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