Monday mornings had always been routine for Shen Miao — coffee in hand, slides in place, confidence worn like armor. But today, her hands trembled slightly as she entered the LUMIGO headquarters. The usual buzz of the marketing floor felt different, sharper somehow, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.
He Ran was back.
She hadn't seen him in five years. Not since that rainy airport goodbye where neither of them had the courage to confess what lingered between their silences. He had left with a suitcase and dreams. She had stayed with unshed tears and unanswered questions.
Now, he was her CEO.
The conference room was filled with her team. Conversations hushed as he entered. His presence was magnetic — tall, composed, dressed in a dark navy suit that did little to soften the storm behind his eyes.
> "Good morning, everyone. I'm He Ran. I know you've all worked hard to get LUMIGO where it is today. I look forward to taking us even further — together."
Polite applause followed, but Shen Miao barely moved. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, her gaze fixed on her laptop screen, refusing to meet his. Yet, she could feel his presence, like static in the air.
After the meeting, she escaped to the building's café, desperate for a few minutes to collect herself. The smell of roasted beans and the warm hum of chatter felt oddly comforting.
> Just breathe, she told herself, standing in line. He's your boss now. That's it. That's all.
But fate, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.
With a misstep and a startled gasp, she collided with someone behind her. Her coffee jolted, spilling down the front of her blouse.
> "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, frantically grabbing napkins.
> "You haven't changed," a familiar voice murmured.
She froze.
Slowly, she looked up. He Ran stood before her, holding out tissues, a flicker of worry — and something else — in his eyes.
> "You still drink mocha with oat milk," he said softly.
Her lips parted. "You remember?"
> "I remember a lot more than I should."
For a heartbeat, they were no longer CEO and employee. They were just He Ran and Shen Miao, two young souls who once stood on the edge of something beautiful but never dared to jump.
She glanced away, focusing on the stain on her blouse, her voice barely a whisper. "I should go. My team's waiting."
> "Shen Miao," he said, stopping her. "I didn't come back just for the company."
She stiffened.
> "I came back because… I couldn't stop thinking about what we never said."
She swallowed hard, blinking away the sting behind her eyes. "A lot has changed."
> "Has it?" he asked gently.
She looked at him then — really looked — and behind the polished suit and CEO title, she saw the boy who had once walked her home after late study sessions, who had listened to her rants about deadlines, who had given her silence when words weren't enough.
> "Yes," she said finally, voice trembling. "We've changed. We have responsibilities now. Goals. Careers."
He nodded slowly. "And yet, here we are. Spilling coffee like the universe wants to remind us we're unfinished business."
A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. She didn't answer, just turned and walked away — leaving him standing there, watching her like he still carried five years' worth of unspoken words.
But as she disappeared into the elevator, she knew one thing for certain:
The past wasn't done with them yet.
— Flashback Begins —
The school hallway buzzed with noisy students after class. Shen Miao was walking quickly, a little distracted by a heated exchange with a classmate behind her.
> "You can't just take credit for the project!" someone shouted angrily.
Shen Miao frowned and tried to ignore it, but the classmate's frustration spilled over.
Suddenly, the classmate pushed her from behind.
> "Watch out!" someone yelled.
Before she could stumble or fall, strong arms caught her — steady and sure.
He Ran.
His eyes locked with hers, concern shining through.
> "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Her heart hammered, cheeks flushed — not just from the push but from the closeness, the way his hands held her gently but firmly.
> "Yeah, thanks," she breathed.
For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Her breath hitched, that fluttering feeling growing like a small flame inside her chest.
> "Why do you always have to save me?" she whispered.
He smiled softly, lowering his hands slowly.
> "Because I don't want you to fall. Not just now… not ever."
Shen Miao swallowed hard, realizing this was something new — something that wasn't just friendship.
Back in the present, the memory lingered with a strange warmth, reminding her that sometimes the smallest moments could carry the biggest feelings.