A New Beginning

The days following that evening by the river were filled with an unspoken connection between Li Wei and Mei Ling. They moved through their routines with the same ease, yet something had changed—every look, every laugh, every shared silence felt infused with a newfound warmth. As they walked to classes together or shared late-night study sessions, their bond grew stronger, weaving itself into every part of their lives.

One afternoon, while taking a break from studying in the campus library, Mei Ling turned to Li Wei with a bright smile. “I’ve been thinking… we should try something new together. Something we’ve never done before.”

Li Wei raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Like what?”

She thought for a moment, tapping her chin playfully. “There’s a cooking class happening this weekend at the community center. It’s for couples, but… they said they’d make an exception for friends.”

Li Wei felt a small jolt at the word “couples,” but he nodded, keeping his tone casual. “Sounds fun. I’ve always wanted to learn how to cook something other than instant noodles.”

“Perfect!” Mei Ling clapped her hands excitedly. “It’ll be nice to do something different, and besides, I get to laugh at you if you mess up.”

Li Wei chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll impress you with my hidden culinary skills.”

On Saturday, they met at the community center, where the class was set up in a cozy kitchen area filled with ingredients, tools, and recipe cards. The instructor, a cheerful middle-aged woman, greeted them warmly and guided them to their station. Around them, other couples chatted and laughed, creating an atmosphere of joy and anticipation.

“Alright,” the instructor began, clapping her hands. “Today, we’re making dumplings! You’ll learn how to mix the filling, fold the wrappers, and cook them to perfection. Let’s get started!”

Mei Ling grinned as she and Li Wei donned their aprons. “Think you’re ready for this challenge, Li Wei?”

He gave her a playful smirk. “I was born ready.”

They began mixing the filling, carefully following the recipe. Mei Ling concentrated on measuring each ingredient precisely, while Li Wei took a more relaxed approach, tossing ingredients together with a confidence that made her laugh.

“You’re so reckless!” she teased, watching as he added a little too much soy sauce. “That’s not going to taste right.”

He shrugged, giving her a mischievous smile. “Cooking is about passion, not perfection. Watch and learn.”

They moved on to folding the dumplings, which proved to be more difficult than either of them anticipated. Mei Ling’s dumplings looked neat and tidy, while Li Wei’s were a bit lopsided and uneven. Still, he was undeterred, and the playful banter between them only made the experience more enjoyable.

As they worked, Mei Ling couldn’t help but notice how happy Li Wei looked. He was relaxed, his usual stoic expression softened by the warmth of their shared laughter. She realized how rare it was to see him this way—unguarded, unreservedly himself. It made her heart swell with affection.

Finally, they finished making their dumplings and brought them to the steaming station. As they waited for them to cook, Mei Ling leaned against the counter, watching the steam rise and fill the room with a delicious aroma.

“Thanks for doing this with me, Li Wei,” she said, her voice soft. “I know it’s just a silly cooking class, but… it means a lot to me.”

He turned to her, his gaze gentle. “It’s not silly. I… I like spending time with you, Mei Ling. You make everything feel more special.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled, looking down at the counter. “You always know what to say.”

At that moment, the instructor called for everyone to gather around and taste their creations. They each took a dumpling, sharing a nervous glance before biting into their handiwork.

To their surprise, the dumplings were delicious—warm, flavorful, with just the right balance of seasonings. Mei Ling’s eyes widened as she took another bite, and she laughed, delighted. “Li Wei! We actually did it!”

He grinned, savoring the taste. “Guess I’m a better cook than I thought.”

After the class ended, they walked back to campus under the evening sky, the glow of the streetlights casting soft shadows. They reminisced about the class, their laughter echoing in the quiet streets, each word weaving them closer together. As they neared Mei Ling’s dorm, she paused, turning to face him.

“Li Wei… thank you. Today was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.”

He reached out, brushing a stray hair from her face. “Any day spent with you is a good day, Mei Ling.”

They stood there in the silence, the weight of unsaid words lingering between them. Mei Ling felt her heart beating faster, the warmth of his hand still lingering against her skin. She wanted to say something—to tell him how much he meant to her, how he’d always been the one constant in her life.

But instead, she simply smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “Goodnight, Li Wei.”

“Goodnight, Mei Ling,” he replied, his voice soft, his gaze lingering on her as she turned and walked into the building.

The next morning, as Li Wei entered the campus cafeteria, he spotted Mei Ling sitting with a group of their friends. She waved him over, patting the seat beside her. He joined them, listening as their friends shared stories and laughter.

However, as they ate, Chen Hao—a mutual friend who’d shown a particular interest in Mei Ling—appeared and took a seat across from her, giving her a charming smile. “Morning, Mei Ling. Did you have a good weekend?”

Mei Ling nodded, smiling politely. “Yeah, it was great. Li Wei and I went to a cooking class.”

Hao raised an eyebrow, looking at Li Wei with a hint of competitiveness. “A cooking class, huh? I didn’t know you were the type, Li Wei.”

Li Wei shrugged, remaining calm. “It was fun. Mei Ling seemed to enjoy it.”

The conversation continued, but Hao kept finding subtle ways to engage Mei Ling, clearly trying to draw her attention away from Li Wei. Li Wei could feel a flicker of jealousy rising within him, though he tried to suppress it. Mei Ling noticed his silence and placed a reassuring hand on his arm, giving him a smile that seemed to say, I’m here with you.

Later, as they left the cafeteria, Li Wei finally let out a sigh, unable to hold back any longer. “Hao seems to be around you a lot lately.”

Mei Ling tilted her head, sensing his discomfort. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

Li Wei hesitated, his cheeks tinged with pink. “Maybe a little. I just… I don’t want you to be with someone who doesn’t appreciate you the way you deserve.”

She smiled, reaching up to gently touch his cheek. “Li Wei, you’re the one I trust. The one I always come back to. Hao’s just a friend.”

The weight of her words settled into his heart, filling him with a warmth he couldn’t describe. As they walked, side by side, he realized that he was ready to do whatever it took to keep her by his side, to protect the bond they shared.