Beneath Silent Stars (continued)

"And your day? How was the city?" Li Mei asked, her voice steady, though there was a faint trace of concern beneath it. She knew how busy his life in the city was and wondered if he was finding the time to balance everything.

Chen Wei chuckled softly, pulling himself from the doorframe. "It was a long day. I had a deal to sign with Yu Jian, but before that, I went to check on one of the construction projects near Xiaolong. A few things needed adjusting, and the project manager from Ning Industry—Ning Li—was there overseeing things." He paused, his eyes darkening for a moment, a flash of something Li Mei couldn't quite read crossing his face. "She was there, too. We met in college, actually—she came from a wealthy family, and I was just a scholarship student. She's always admired where I've ended up."

Li Mei listened carefully but didn't comment. She knew of Ning Li, but had never interacted with her. Instead, she focused on Chen Wei's words, feeling the weight of everything he was juggling.

"You should go out and get some rest," Chen Wei said suddenly, his tone shifting to something more intimate. "I was thinking we could go out for dinner tonight, just the two of us. Something simple—no pressure."

Li Mei's eyes softened. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, though the idea of stepping away from her work, even for a few hours, felt a bit difficult. Yet, she knew she needed it. She needed a break, a moment to just be with him without the expectations that came with their conversations about marriage and life. 

"Alright," she agreed, a faint smile forming on her lips. "Dinner sounds nice."

Chen Wei smiled back, visibly relieved. "Great. I'll have Yu Jian drive us there. It'll be nice to just have some time together."

A short while later, Yu Jian drove them toward the outskirts of Xiaolong, where the quiet hum of the village gave way to the open fields and the twinkling lights of a small, family-run diner. The aroma of freshly made noodles filled the air as they stepped inside. It was nothing extravagant, just a simple place with wooden tables and a cozy atmosphere.

Li Mei settled into her seat, grateful for the simplicity of the moment. The noodles, freshly tossed with a savory sauce, melted in her mouth. For a few moments, all she could do was savor the food, the quiet of the evening, and the rare chance to simply enjoy the company of someone she cared about.

...

As they finished their meal, the comfortable quiet of the evening settled around them. The soft clinking of dishes and distant chatter of other diners filled the space, but Li Mei found herself looking at Chen Wei with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

A pause followed, and Li Mei leaned slightly forward, her tone more contemplative. "I've been wondering," she said, her voice steady but filled with curiosity. "How long are you planning to stay in Xiaolong for work? I know you've been coming back and forth, but with the construction projects and the company's plans."

Chen Wei took a deep breath, his eyes flicking toward the window for a moment as if contemplating how to answer. "That's a good question," he said quietly, his gaze returning to her. "I've been thinking a lot about it myself. The Lanhua city has always been my home, but there's something about Xiaolong that keeps drawing me back. I've started to see the potential here—not just for business, but for my personal life too."

He reached across the table, his hand brushing gently over hers. "I've been dividing my time between here and the city, managing both the construction projects and the business. But I know I can't do this forever. Eventually, something has to give."

Li Mei felt a flutter in her chest at his words. She knew that his ties to the city were strong, and his work was demanding, but there was a part of her that wished he would stay. Not just for the business, but for them, for a future they might share.

"What does that mean?" she asked softly, her heart pounding slightly at the uncertainty in her own voice. "What are you planning?"

Chen Wei's eyes softened as he looked at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I want to take things one step at a time. The projects are important, but so is being here. Xiaolong feels like home in ways I didn't expect. It's not just the work—it's the people, the land, and..." He paused, his gaze meeting hers with a sincerity that took her breath away. "It's you, Li Mei. You're part of it now, too."

Li Mei's heart skipped a beat, and she looked away briefly, her thoughts spinning. She wasn't ready to make any decisions, but hearing him speak so openly about his future, about how she might fit into it, brought a soft warmth to her chest.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... you need to take care of yourself, too. Don't overwork yourself. Your health matters too."

Chen Wei chuckled, though it was a soft, tired sound. "I'll be fine. But I'll take your advice to heart." He leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "As for the future... I want to build something here. I want to see how things develop, how we develop. With you, if you're willing to let me in."

And in that moment, under the soft glow of the diner's warm lights, Li Mei realized that maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself to think about a future with him. But for now, she was content to savor this shared quiet, this fleeting moment of peace under the stars.