Unfolding Clay (continued)

While Chen Wei and Ming Hao studied maps of new land development opportunities, Yu Jian excused himself to make his way to the city for business arrangements. His work often brought him to and from the village, connecting dots for Chen Wei's growing projects.

Yu Jian arrived at the busy central square where he had business to attend to. As he approached the corner of a bustling street, he noticed the bus from the village pulling in. His sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure stepping off—Li Mei.

He paused, momentarily surprised. He had heard her name countless times from Chen Wei. She was the woman who lingered in Chen Wei's thoughts, a figure painted with admiration and fondness in his words.

As Li Mei waited for the bus, she tilted her head slightly, catching the sounds of a boy's giggles mixed with hurried footsteps. A little boy, no older than four, darted across the road, his mother calling after him with panic in her voice.

The boy's steps were uneven, and Li Mei sensed that he was headed toward a slippery patch where rain had left the ground slick. Her instincts kicked in. Just as the boy stumbled, she stepped forward, catching him gently by the arm and steadying him.

"Careful," she said softly, crouching slightly to his level. "You don't want to fall, do you?"

The boy blinked up at her, startled but unharmed. His small hands gripped her arm tightly for a moment before he muttered, "Thank you."

Moments later, the boy's flustered mother reached them, her face flushed. "Oh, thank you so much!" she exclaimed, scooping the boy into her arms. "He's always running off. You saved him from a bad fall!"

Li Mei smiled gently. "It's nothing. Just hold on to your mother, little one," she said, patting the boy's arm.

The mother studied her for a moment. "You're amazing. The way you noticed him so quickly…" She trailed off, her voice filled with admiration.

Li Mei simply shook her head with a modest smile. "I've always been good at listening. Be careful on your way."

The woman thanked her again before leaving with her son, who waved shyly over his mother's shoulder.

From a few steps away, Yu Jian observed the scene. The assistant to Chen Wei had been at the bus stop, waiting for a courier delivery. When his eyes fell on Li Mei, he recognized her instantly. She was the woman Chen Wei often mentioned—someone whose name always seemed to hold weight in his boss's voice.

As the bus pulled up, Yu Jian made a mental note. He wasn't entirely sure what drew him to her actions—the way she saved the boy without hesitation, the quiet confidence she exuded, or perhaps the curiosity about why Chen Wei spoke of her so fondly.

Yu Jian, standing at the bus stop, watched the bus disappear down the dusty road. He couldn't quite explain why, but he found himself thinking about her long after she left. There was something about her—a quiet strength that seemed to ripple outward

Li Mei boarded the bus with her cane in her hand, unaware of Yu Jian's watchful gaze. She found her seat and leaned her head against the window as the vehicle rumbled to life.

Her thoughts were focused on her work. Her pottery wasn't just about creating art; it was about carving out a life for herself, a life that existed beyond the assumptions and limitations placed on her. Today, she was just a potter heading to the city—but deep down, she knew she was building something much larger, something that no one else could see just yet. already on the craftsman's shop in the city, where she would negotiate for higher-quality clay and perhaps learn more about techniques she had yet to master.

In the distance, Yu Jian observed her from the corner of the square, piecing together the quiet, extraordinary life she was leading.