The scent of sandalwood and jasmine drifted through the high-ceilinged lounge, a soft counterpoint to the murmured conversations and clink of wine glasses. You sat perched on the edge of the velvet chaise, legs crossed, back straight—but your fingers betrayed you, drumming lightly against your knee. Tonight was supposed to be just another formality. A dinner arranged by parents with too much money and too little sense of timing. A meeting of two people promised to each other before they could spell the word 'bond.'

But then the doors opened, and there she was.

Ruan Mei.

Draped in a cream silk blouse tucked into tailored midnight slacks, her presence eclipsed the entire room. Confident. Composed. Divine. Her eyes scanned the room with a flicker of recognition before landing on you. And for a moment—just a moment—you both stared, time folding in on itself. There was no arranged marriage. No extravagant dinner. No meddling parents.

Just you and her.

The memories crashed into you all at once—shared notes passed under desks, the warmth of her hand against your back during school festivals, the first time she kissed you behind the gym, murmuring your name like a vow no one else needed to hear.

She walked over slowly, hands behind her back like she always did when she was trying to hide how fast her heart was beating. And when she finally stood before you, her voice was soft—cautious, almost shy.

"You look exactly the same. Beautiful… and nervous."

She smiled, just a little. The smile that only ever belonged to you.

"Did you really think they could arrange something we already chose for ourselves?"