Chapter 3: Fate in the Follow-Up
Lin Yue stared at her phone the next morning, her fingers hovering over Zhang Wei's contact. The previous night's conversation had been… different. Refreshing, even. She wasn't someone who believed in serendipity, but something about Zhang Wei made her question everything she thought she knew about fate.
*"Get a grip, Lin Yue,"* she muttered to herself, tossing the phone onto her bed.
But her mind kept replaying their meeting—the warmth in his smile, the way he quoted poetry like it was second nature, and the vulnerability he tried (but failed) to hide. It was too early to feel anything, yet here she was, analyzing every little detail.
---
Meanwhile, Zhang Wei sat in his minimalist apartment, sipping his black coffee. He stared at the draft layout of his app on his laptop screen but found it hard to focus. His mind wandered back to Lin Yue—her sharp wit, the way her laughter filled the café, and the way she caught onto things others wouldn't.
*"What are you doing, Zhang Wei?"* he asked himself aloud. He wasn't the kind to get distracted easily, yet this woman he met through a wrong number was suddenly occupying more space in his head than he was comfortable admitting.
He glanced at his phone, hesitating. Then, without thinking too much, he typed a message.
---
Lin Yue's phone buzzed. She grabbed it quickly, half hoping, half dreading it was him.
*"Morning. I hope you're not regretting our coffee meeting already."*
She smiled, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
*"Not yet. But the day's still young."*
*"Fair enough. Since we're on the topic of fate and coffee, how about we test it again? Dinner tonight?"*
Her heart skipped a beat. *Dinner? Already?* She quickly replied:
*"Wow, confident much?"*
*"Not confident—just curious."*
She hesitated, staring at his reply. Was this too fast? But before she could overthink it, her fingers betrayed her.
*"Fine. But you better pick a good place."*
---
Lin Yue spent the rest of the day alternating between work and debating what to wear. She hated how nervous she felt—she wasn't the type to get flustered over a date. *Is this even a date?* she wondered.
By the time evening rolled around, she was ready. A simple yet elegant dress, paired with a confidence she had to fake slightly.
But just as she was about to leave, her editor called.
"Lin Yue, the article deadline's been moved up. I need the draft by tonight."
Her stomach sank. "Tonight? That's impossible! You said I had until tomorrow."
"Well, now you don't. Get it done," her editor said curtly before hanging up.
Lin Yue groaned, pacing her living room. Should she cancel? Zhang Wei had been understanding during their texts, but rescheduling their second meeting might send the wrong message.
---
As she debated what to do, her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't a text—it was Zhang Wei calling.
"Hey," she said, slightly surprised.
"Hey yourself," he replied, his tone light. "Don't freak out, but I'm outside your building."
"What?" She walked to the window and sure enough, there he was, standing next to a sleek black car, looking every bit as confident as he sounded.
"I figured you'd try to cancel last minute," he said, laughing softly. "So, I thought I'd eliminate the possibility."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, you really don't take no for an answer, do you?"
"Not when I know you're just looking for an excuse. Come on, dinner's on me."
For a moment, Lin Yue felt the stress of her article melt away. She glanced at her laptop, then back at Zhang Wei waiting below. *Life's about taking risks, right?*
"Give me five minutes," she said, grinning.
---
Zhang Wei took her to a quiet rooftop restaurant, the city lights glittering below them like stars. The atmosphere was calm, intimate, and completely unlike the chaos Lin Yue had expected.
"Nice choice," she said as they sat down.
"I'm glad you approve," he replied, smiling. "Now, tell me—how's that article coming along?"
She groaned, resting her chin on her hand. "Let's not talk about work."
He chuckled. "Fair enough. So, what do you want to talk about?"
"Why don't you tell me about your app?" she asked, genuinely curious.
Zhang Wei hesitated, his gaze shifting to the skyline. "It's… personal. I started working on it after someone close to me went through a rough time trying to find love."
"Someone close to you?" she asked gently.
"My sister," he admitted. "She was in a bad relationship for years and almost gave up on the idea of love altogether. Watching her struggle made me realize how hard it is for people to trust again. I wanted to create something that encouraged real connections, not just superficial matches."
Lin Yue was silent for a moment, touched by his honesty. "That's… incredible. I mean, most apps are just about swiping left or right. But what you're doing sounds meaningful."
Zhang Wei shrugged. "I just hope it works. I want people to believe in love again. Even when it feels impossible."
---
The waiter brought their meals, and as they ate, Zhang Wei shared another line of poetry:
*"Love is not found in grand gestures, but in quiet moments where two souls simply exist together."*
Lin Yue smiled. "You're a closet romantic, aren't you?"
"Maybe," he admitted. "But don't tell anyone. It might ruin my reputation."
---
As dinner came to an end, Lin Yue felt a growing warmth between them. There was something about Zhang Wei—his vulnerability, his humor, his quiet determination—that made her feel safe and intrigued all at once.
"Thanks for dinner," she said as they walked back to his car. "And for not letting me cancel."
"Thanks for saying yes," he replied, his smile soft.
For a moment, they stood in silence, the city lights casting a glow around them. Lin Yue felt her heart flutter as Zhang Wei leaned slightly closer, his eyes meeting hers.
"Goodnight, Lin Yue," he said, his voice low.
"Goodnight, Zhang Wei," she replied, stepping into her building.
As the door closed behind her, she leaned against it, her heart racing. *What is happening to me?*
---
**Question:**
*"Would you drop work to say yes to a dinner like Lin Yue did, or would you prioritize the deadline?"*