Chapter 3: The Ripple of Change

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Li Wei’s dorm room, casting thin lines of light on the wooden floor. He had barely slept the previous night, his thoughts circling endlessly around the events of the day before. There had been too much to process: the new campus, the flood of unfamiliar faces, and most of all, the lingering jealousy that gnawed at him every time he thought about Mei Ling.

He rolled out of bed, the ache of unease still settled in his chest. Today would be better, he told himself. It had to be.

The dorm was quiet, the other students still fast asleep after their first day of excitement. Li Wei quietly dressed and made his way to the courtyard outside, hoping that the fresh air would help clear his mind. He strolled through the campus, watching as the morning mist slowly dissipated and the first students began trickling into the common areas. The calmness of the early hours offered a brief respite from the chaos in his mind.

Li Wei’s phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. He pulled it out and saw a message from Mei Ling.

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Mei Ling:

Morning, Wei! Are you awake yet? I was thinking of checking out that café near campus today. Want to come with me?

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He stared at the message for a moment, his thumb hovering over the screen. There was nothing unusual about her invitation—Mei Ling often dragged him along to explore new places, and it had always felt natural. But now, there was a weight behind every interaction, a sense of expectation he couldn’t shake.

After a brief hesitation, he typed out a reply.

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Li Wei:

Sure. I’ll meet you in 20 minutes.

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Li Wei pocketed his phone and began walking toward the campus gates where they’d agreed to meet. As he approached, he spotted Mei Ling standing by the entrance, chatting animatedly with another student. A knot formed in his stomach. He had hoped for a quiet moment with her, but now someone else was already there.

He recognized the student—Chen Yang, the second-year who had shown them around the day before. His tall frame and easy smile were hard to miss. From a distance, Li Wei watched as Chen said something that made Mei Ling laugh, her head tilting back in that carefree way she always did. The knot tightened.

He forced a smile as he approached, though his heart was far from calm.

“Morning,” Li Wei said, his voice neutral.

Mei Ling turned to him, her face lighting up. “Hey, Li Wei! Chen was just telling me about this hiking club on campus. Apparently, they go on weekend trips to some really cool places around the city. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

Li Wei nodded, trying to seem interested. “Yeah, sounds nice.”

Chen glanced at his watch, his expression friendly but distant. “I’ll let you two go. I’ve got some classes this morning, but I’ll see you around.”

Mei Ling waved as Chen walked off, her enthusiasm undimmed. “He’s really nice, isn’t he?”

Li Wei simply nodded again, the words caught in his throat. He couldn’t bring himself to agree, even though he knew Chen was, by all accounts, a decent guy. But that didn’t change the fact that he felt like Chen was already taking up too much space in Mei Ling’s life.

“Shall we?” Mei Ling gestured toward the street, her smile soft as she turned her attention back to Li Wei.

They started walking together, the familiar sound of her footsteps beside his offering a moment of comfort. Yet, the conversation with Chen still hung between them like an invisible barrier.

The café Mei Ling had mentioned was just a short walk from campus, nestled between a row of shops. It had a cozy, almost nostalgic feel, with small wooden tables and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. It was the kind of place where time seemed to slow down—a perfect escape from the busyness of campus life.

They found a table by the window, and as they sat down, Mei Ling immediately launched into her usual lively conversation. “I can’t believe how big the campus is. We’ve barely explored half of it, and there are so many clubs! I was thinking of joining the dance team again. Remember how much fun I had in high school?”

Li Wei smiled slightly, his mind flashing back to those days. Mei Ling had been the star of the dance team, her energy and grace captivating everyone who watched her perform. He had always admired how effortlessly she shined, even in the most chaotic moments. But now, that same light was starting to cast shadows on his own feelings.

“You should definitely join,” Li Wei said, his voice softer than usual. “You’re really good at it.”

Mei Ling beamed, her excitement contagious. “You think so? I wasn’t sure if I’d have time with all the new classes, but maybe I should. It could be a great way to meet people too.”

Li Wei’s chest tightened again at the mention of meeting new people. He sipped his coffee, trying to push the feeling down. “Yeah, it could.”

There was a brief silence between them, something that rarely happened. Mei Ling seemed to sense it too, her expression softening as she looked at him.

“You’ve been quiet today,” she said gently. “Are you okay, Li Wei? Is something bothering you?”

Li Wei froze for a moment, his mind racing. Part of him wanted to tell her everything—how he felt, how seeing her with other people made his heart ache, how the thought of losing her to someone else was unbearable. But the words wouldn’t come. Not yet.

“I’m fine,” he said finally, forcing a smile. “Just a lot on my mind with all the new changes.”

Mei Ling reached across the table, her hand brushing his arm. “I get it. It’s a big adjustment for both of us. But we’re in this together, right? We’ve always been a team.”

Li Wei’s heart skipped at her touch, a moment of warmth breaking through the wall of uncertainty that had been building up inside him. He nodded slowly. “Yeah, we’re a team.”

Mei Ling smiled, seemingly satisfied with his answer. “Good. And if you ever want to talk, you know I’m here for you. Always.”

The sincerity in her voice made Li Wei’s chest tighten even more. He wanted to believe that things could stay the same between them, that their bond would remain as strong as ever. But deep down, he knew the truth—things were already changing, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop it.

As they finished their coffee and walked back toward campus, Li Wei couldn’t shake the feeling that the ground beneath him was slowly shifting. He had always taken comfort in the stability of their friendship, but now, every moment felt uncertain, like a ripple spreading through still water.

And the more he watched Mei Ling—so full of life, so effortlessly drawing people toward her—the more he realized that he would have to make a choice.

Sooner or later, he would have to tell her the truth about his feelings. Because if he didn’t, someone else would, and by then, it might be too late.

The ripple of change was already in motion, and Li Wei knew there was no turning back.