The Weight of Choices

Li Mei walked back to her home, her cane tapping softly against the dirt road. Her conversation with Su Lan lingered in her mind, stirring emotions she had buried for years. Relationships, marriage, trust—these were not concepts foreign to her, but they had always felt distant, almost unattainable.

Her life had been one of self-reliance. After losing her sight as a child, she had vowed to never be seen as a burden, even to her family. The pottery shop was more than a business; it was her declaration of independence, a way to shape her own path in a world that often underestimated her.

But the prospect of marriage with Chen Wei felt like an unraveling of that independence. Not because she doubted him—his kindness and quiet strength were undeniable—but because she feared losing the fragile balance she had built. How could she bring someone into her life when she hadn't even shared the truth about her secret business? What would he think if he knew?

Li Mei's heart ached as she thought about her family. Her parents had always been supportive in their own way, but their expectations weighed heavily on her. Her father, a pragmatic man, saw marriage as a natural progression of life, while her mother, ever the gentle soul, wanted nothing more than to see her daughter cared for. And then there was Li Jun—her steadfast brother who had always been her protector—and Li Xia, whose dreams of city life often clashed with the reality of their rural existence.

Standing at the entrance of her home Li Mei sighed, her fingers tightening around her cane. "How do I reconcile their hopes with my own?" she whispered to herself.

...

Li Mei stepped into the familiar warmth of her home, the faint scent of her mother's herbal tea lingering in the air. The wooden floor creaked softly beneath her as she removed her shoes by the door, her cane propped neatly against the wall.

"Mei, is that you?" Li Jun's voice came from the kitchen, steady and familiar.

"Yes, it's me," she replied, her tone quieter than usual as she moved toward the sitting area.

Li Jun appeared a moment later, wiping his hands on a towel. His tall frame filled the doorway, and his expression shifted to one of concern as he caught the faint furrow in her brow. "You seem... off. Is everything all right?"

Li Mei hesitated, unsure where to begin. She lowered herself onto the worn wooden chair near the window, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the armrest. "I was with Su Lan earlier. We talked about... a lot of things."

Li Jun crossed the room and took the seat across from her. "Things like?"

She sighed, her voice soft. "Marriage. Life. Expectations. You know how Su Lan is—she worries about everyone, even when she has enough on her own plate."

Li Jun chuckled lightly. "That sounds like her." He paused, studying his sister's face. "And what about you? Are you worried?"

Li Mei didn't respond immediately. She leaned back, letting the silence settle for a moment. "Jun, do you ever feel like... like people expect you to live a certain way, but it doesn't align with what you want for yourself?"

Li Jun leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Sometimes. But expectations are a part of life, Mei. Especially here in Xiaolong. People see things through a certain lens—tradition, family, duty. It's hard to break out of that."

"That's exactly it," Li Mei said, her voice trembling slightly. "Everyone sees me as... as someone who needs to be taken care of. Even with the pottery shop, I know they think it's just a hobby. But it's more than that, Jun. It's my independence, my way of proving that I'm capable."

Li Jun nodded, his gaze steady. "I know that, Mei. And so does Mother and Father. But I also know they worry about you. It's not that they don't think you're strong—it's that they want you to have someone by your side, someone they trust to share the load."

Li Mei looked away, her fingers tightening slightly against the armrest. "And Chen Wei? Do you think he understands that? Do you think he'd see me for who I am, or just someone who needs protecting?"

Li Jun's expression softened. "Chen Wei... he's not like most people, Mei. I've seen how he looks at you, how he talks about you when he's here. He admires you, respects you. But I can't answer that question for you. Only you can decide if he's the kind of person you want to let into your life."

Li Mei felt a lump rise in her throat, her emotions tangled and overwhelming. "It's not just about him, Jun. It's about everything—balancing the shop, our family, their expectations. I don't know if I can do it all."

Li Jun reached out, his hand resting lightly on hers. "You've been carrying more than your share for years, Mei. You're stronger than anyone I know. But you don't have to figure it all out alone. And if Chen Wei is the right person, he'll understand that too."

His words lingered in the air, a quiet reassurance that settled in her heart.

As the room fell into silence once more, Li Mei let out a long breath. "Thank you, Jun."

He smiled, standing and giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Anytime, Mei. Now, come to the kitchen—Mother made your favorite dumplings. She'll be upset if you don't eat."

Li Mei laughed softly, standing to follow him. Despite the weight of her thoughts, her brother's steady presence reminded her that she was never truly alone.