Chapter 5: The name left unspoken

"Yes, I am," Zhenya said softly.

Li Wei let out a quiet breath of relief. Though he hadn't realized it, he had been holding his breath, waiting for her answer. Seeing her safe eased the tension in his chest.

"Thank you… for helping me," Zhenya added, her voice laced with sincerity.

Li Wei gave a small nod, his lips curving into a faint smile. "It was nothing."

Before either of them could say more, the restaurant door swung open, and Han Huimin stepped out. Spotting Zhenya, she waved. "Zhenya! I told you to wait for me."

Zhenya turned toward her friend. "I'm coming!" She glanced back at Li Wei and gave him a polite smile. "Goodbye."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried over to Huimin.

Li Wei watched her walk away, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure. It was only when she disappeared into the crowd that he realized something—he had forgotten to ask her name. A quiet chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head. Fate works in strange ways.

As the two girls walked side by side, Zhenya sighed. "Why did you take so long?"

Huimin grinned mischievously. "Something came up. But never mind that—what happened earlier?"

Zhenya recounted the incident briefly. When she finished, Huimin's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, it turned into a 'hero saves beauty' moment, huh? How romantic!" She nudged Zhenya playfully. "Did you at least ask for his phone number?"

Zhenya rolled her eyes. "No, I didn't. I don't need it."

Huimin gasped in mock horror. "What? Why not?"

Zhenya shrugged. "Because we won't meet again."

Huimin smirked. "You never know, Zhenya. Fate has a way of bringing people together."

Zhenya only smiled, but deep down, she doubted it. After all, in a city this big, what were the chances of crossing paths with a stranger again?

Yet, somewhere behind her, Li Wei stood still, looking at the spot where she had disappeared, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

Perhaps, fate had already decided otherwise.