Some meetings are planned.
Others—
Just happen.
The rain hadn't stopped.
It fell steadily through the evening, turning the streets into reflections of light and shadow.
Lian Hua closed the shop a little earlier than usual.
"Go home," Chen Kai told her.
"You look tired."
She didn't argue.
"…see you tomorrow."
He nodded.
"Text me when you get back."
She stepped outside—
Pulling her coat closer as the cool air wrapped around her.
The streets were quieter in the rain.
Softer.
Almost like the world had slowed down.
She walked without thinking much.
Just letting her mind settle.
Until—
She stopped.
Because someone was standing across the street.
Tall.
Still.
Familiar.
Zhen Wei.
For a moment—
Neither of them moved.
Because this—
This wasn't planned.
This wasn't expected.
And yet—
It felt inevitable.
The rain continued to fall between them.
Like a quiet barrier.
Lian Hua's heart reacted first.
Faster.
Louder.
Not painful.
Not overwhelming.
But undeniable.
Zhen Wei looked the same.
Composed.
Controlled.
But his eyes—
Paused on her.
And didn't move away.
She took a small step forward.
"…hi."
Her voice barely carried through the rain.
He crossed the distance instead.
Slowly.
Until they stood just a few steps apart.
"Hi."
Silence settled again.
But not the kind that hurt.
Just… unfamiliar.
"You're out late," he said.
"I closed early."
A small pause.
"…you?"
"Work."
Simple answers.
Safe ones.
Because anything deeper—
Felt too fragile.
The rain picked up slightly.
Drops tapping softly against the pavement.
"You didn't bring an umbrella," he noted.
She gave a faint smile.
"I didn't think it would rain this much."
A small pause.
Then—
Without saying anything—
He stepped closer.
And tilted his umbrella slightly—
So it covered both of them.
The distance between them shrank.
Not completely.
But enough.
Lian Hua felt her breath catch slightly.
Because this—
This felt familiar.
Too familiar.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Zhen Wei didn't respond immediately.
Because there were things—
Neither of them knew how to say yet.
"How have you been?" he asked finally.
The question was simple.
But the meaning behind it—
Wasn't.
"…I'm okay," she said.
A pause.
"Getting there."
He nodded slightly.
"Good."
Silence again.
But this time—
It carried something else.
Unfinished.
And for the first time since everything ended—
They stood together again.
Not as before.
Not as strangers.
But somewhere in between.