Romance at Dawn

By the Tulip River

Ming would never forget that night. After visiting her grandmother, she boarded the last train, rocking gently along the late‑night tracks back home.

A sudden emergency stop caused a stir in the carriage, jolting her awake when she was nearly asleep. Dazed, Ming followed the crowd off the train, only to realize the tracks ahead were temporarily closed for maintenance. And right then, she even had three or four hours of free time all to herself.

Where to go at dawn? Ming walked slowly through the quiet streets, everything around her seemingly frozen in the night. A cold wind rustled the leaves, sending a few drifting down. She looked up through the sparse branches—a crescent moon hung silently in the dark sky.

By the Tulip River, a 24‑hour vinyl record store caught Ming's attention. She hurried toward it. Ding‑ling—the door swung open.

Ming had been browsing the rows of neatly displayed records, her gaze finally settling on one with a deep blue cover.

Their fingers brushed unexpectedly. Her eyes met a stranger's. In his deep gaze, she saw surprise, or more accurately, delight.

You like the Dionysus too?

It was the man who had sat next to her on the train. Ming had stolen a glance at his briefcase earlier, which bore the corporate emblem of a famous real estate tycoon.

She pulled her hand back and nodded gently, her cheeks flushing pink before she even realized it.

If it's not too forward, may I buy you a cup of coffee?

Rose Bridge

Ming smoothed whipped cream over a plain cake with practiced hands, topping it with fresh strawberries and frosting. This was the last order the owner had assigned her.

To pay for her grandmother's medical treatment, Ming had to take on an extra part‑time job, working late into the night. As she walked across the Rose Bridge, the golden-lit hotel was still buzzing with activity amid the neon glow and shadows.

Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. With just a casual glance, a familiar figure once again caught her eye.

Small world. We meet again.

It was Su. Ming felt as if she were in a dream—for them to meet again in this vast city.

Hey, Dionysus just dropped a new track. Want to come listen sometime?

The music flowing from the record player filled the entire space. She had never met someone so perfectly in sync with her—from favorite bands to movie stars, from cherished artworks to coffee and pastries. He was like the other half of her soul she had lost in the world.

Amid the fragments of daily life, Su became a soothing balm for Ming. He always showed up at the right moments, gently dispelling the shadows deep within her heart.

The seashell wind chimes rang—a customer had arrived.

Who would come this late at night? Ming paused her work and looked toward the door.

Su stood outside the glass door, looking somewhat uneasy. The reflection betrayed his hands hidden behind his back—clutching a bouquet of vibrant roses.

Lavender Café

Ming pretended not to notice, taking his flustered, rambling words in stride.

Huh, it's strange. Why is it called the Lavender Café?

What would you call it, then? The... Rose Café?

The romantic confession came sooner than expected. Ming took the bouquet, feigning calm. No one could see the quiet joy rippling through her—like the soft, lingering echo of wind chimes.

But soon, that feeling surged into a different emotion, washing over her like a tidal wave.

My family wants me to take over a project in the south... Probably a test or something.

In a daze, Ming pieced together the truth—Su didn't carry himself like an ordinary office worker.

Everything seemed to have changed, yet nothing had changed at all.

Su was still Ming's soulmate—but the bond formed by their shared artistic tastes was quickly worn down by the dazzle of a lavish world.

Ming never felt at ease at high-end cocktail parties. Waiting for Su to finish making small talk with the businessmen was not only torture but also an awkward, disorienting experience.

You've turned me down several times lately. Been busy?

Compared to chatting with those jeweled ladies about fashion and luxury goods, I'd rather be whisking cream with a whisk. At least that makes me feel... grounded.

Following the address her boss gave her, Ming delivered a large bag of desserts to a certain manor. As luck would have it, Su was there—his every gesture and manner exuding an unfamiliar, upper‑class air.

Ming caught a whiff of lavender carried by the wind. Different from before, this was clearly a rarer, more expensive variety—but its fragrance stung her nose.

How could she bridge the gap between their realities? By marrying Su, as he had suggested? Ming looked at the sparrows chattering noisily by the shop entrance. See? Even sparrows get to follow their hearts.

Everything Happens at Dawn

Ming hadn't reached out to Su in a long time, and he didn't know why. The assessment for his real estate development project had been approved—all that remained was signing the contract to move forward.

Securing this deal would earn him his family's approval and remove one more obstacle to marrying Ming.

The moment Su heard that a resident refused to sign, he rushed over. But the one who had come to negotiate was none other than Ming.

Keeping this house is my grandmother's last wish.

Seated on opposite sides of the table, Ming and Su looked at each other in silence.

Su failed to persuade Ming. He couldn't understand why the love of his life had grown so cold, but she seemed determined and unyielding.

Let's meet again, where we first met.

At the same break of dawn, the moon hung full and bright, its pure light nearly illuminating the entire night sky.

The river shimmered. Su watched Ming approaching from afar, a quiet sorrow filling his heart.

Ming kept her distance, but she couldn't stop her thoughts from drifting. The misty night of attraction had once veiled the reality she should have seen—until much later, when realization finally dawned.

But some things mattered more.

Forget the person you were never meant to meet. I'll forget the unexpected glimmer of surprise in an otherwise ordinary, comfortable life.

Their figures blurred in the morning mist. The story's ending remained unclear.

Faintly, a familiar melody drifted through the air. The record store by the Tulip River was still brightly lit, as always.