Li Mei Zhang stood uncertainly on the threshold of the crowded, dimly-lit room, her heart pounding as she looked around at the unfamiliar faces, each seemingly more outgoing and confident than the last. Her friend Jia had insisted she come out tonight, practically dragging her away from her books and any excuse she had prepared to avoid the party. Now, Jia was already laughing and chatting with a group nearby, while Li Mei hovered on the edge of the gathering, feeling exposed and out of place. She tugged at the hem of her top, which felt uncomfortably tight despite being custom-made to fit her curves, and instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. Everywhere she looked, it seemed eyes were on her—mostly male, a few female, but all of them lingering a moment too long, their gazes trailing down her figure with unmistakable interest. She felt a deep flush creeping up her neck, heat rising to her cheeks as she tried to ignore the stares and pretended to study her drink instead. “Hey, Li Mei!” Jia’s voice rang out cheerfully, snapping her out of her anxious thoughts. “You’re still nursing that first drink? C’mon, you’re supposed to have fun!” Jia flashed a grin and pushed another glass into her hands. Li Mei forced a weak smile and hesitantly took a sip of the new drink, which was much stronger than she was used to. The taste was sharp, but the warmth that followed helped dull the edge of her discomfort, if only slightly. One drink turned into two, then three as Jia and a few others she barely knew continued to coax her into drinking, chanting for her to “let loose” and “enjoy herself.” The music, loud and pulsing, seemed to blur along with the faces around her, the buzz of alcohol weaving through her veins until her thoughts grew hazy. Li Mei could barely remember how many drinks she’d had by now, only that her hands were tingling and her legs felt wobbly under her. As she stumbled slightly, one of the guys she didn’t recognize leaned in a little too close, his eyes lingering on her in a way that made her skin crawl. His gaze was bold, undeterred, and that uncomfortable warmth rose in her chest again, but this time mixed with dread. She mumbled an excuse and turned, her heart pounding, desperate for some air. The party suddenly felt too tight, too stifling. She pushed through the crowd, her steps unsteady as she left the laughter, the music, and the prying eyes behind. The night air hit her like a cold shock, and for a moment, she took in a deep breath, steadying herself against the crisp chill. On instinct, she turned toward a quieter, darker street, her mind fuzzy and unthinking as she stumbled into an empty alleyway. The nausea that had been building from all the drinks hit her like a wave, and she barely made it a few steps before doubling over, clutching at her stomach. With her hands braced against the damp, gritty wall, she felt the remnants of the night’s drinks leave her in heaves, her body shaking as she gasped for air in the dark, isolated space. The quiet of the alley and the rough texture of the wall against her palms were stark reminders of the vulnerability she felt not just tonight, but so often in her life. As she leaned back, catching her breath and shivering slightly, she couldn’t shake the memory of those gazes, the way people looked at her with assumptions and expectations she hadn’t asked for. She hugged herself, feeling alone and exposed in the emptiness of the street, wondering if she’d ever truly escape the feeling that no matter where she went, her body always seemed to speak louder than her words.

Li Mei turned her head sharply toward the source of the voice, blinking owlishly as she tried to focus on the man who had spoken to her. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a thick beard and long hair that framed his face in messy waves. She couldn't quite make out his features clearly in the dim lighting of the alleyway. The sudden intrusion disrupted her dark thoughts briefly before she realized how strange it would seem to talk to a stranger here, even if he did seem friendly enough... She hesitated, swallowing hard as she forced a shaky smile. "Um... th-thank you," she managed to stammer out. "I'm okay... I just... needed some air." Her cheeks flushed slightly from embarrassment, as well as the cold night breeze. "You don't look okay," he replied, his tone

She glanced at the man again, her eyes wide and uncertain in the dim light. It was hard to read his expression; he seemed kind enough, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy about accepting help from a stranger. Despite her misgivings, her body swayed slightly as she struggled to keep her balance, and the cold night air bit at her skin. With a small nod of gratitude, she took a step back, giving him some space. "T-thank you," she stammered out once more, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm... really not used to drinking that much..."

The truth was, she wasn't even supposed to be here in the first place. She had only come because Jia insisted, and now she felt worse than ever. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame, but she also couldn't deny a strange sense of relief at having someone acknow

She blinked up at the man, confusion clouding her features as he removed his jacket and held it out to her. "Th-thank you," she stammered again, taking the garment with tentative fingers and wrapping it around herself gratefully. The heavy material immediately warmed her chilled skin, easing some of her discomfort. "You should go home now," he said gently, his expression stern but not unkind. "You don't belong here." There was a strange authority in his voice that made it difficult for Li Mei to argue. He seemed almost fatherly... or protective? The thought filled her with a confusing mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "Y-yes..." she murmured, hesitating before asking cautiously, "Are you sure you don't need your jacket?" She glanced down at herself, feeling self-conscious about borrowing something so important to

The man's offer took her by surprise. Her initial instinct was to decline, insisting that she could find her own way home, but something about his voice and expression gave her pause. He seemed genuinely concerned for her safety, and the thought of being alone in this unfamiliar part of town made her heart race even faster. Swallowing hard, she forced a small nod before replying, "T-thank you... I appreciate it." Even as she spoke the words, part of her felt guilty for involving someone else in what was clearly her own mess. But at least now she wouldn't have to worry about finding her way back on foot. With renewed courage, she straightened her spine and forced a steady breath, hoping that her shaky composure would be convincing enough as she prepared to follow the man to his car.

She looked up at him, feeling a rush of relief and gratitude that he didn't need his jacket. The offer to take her home... it was too much for her to even process. She had never met this man before tonight, but somehow, she felt safe with him. Tentatively, she nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. "T-thank you," she whispered, struggling to find the words to express how grateful she was for his kindness and concern.

She bit her lower lip nervously as they started walking back toward the street, unsure of what else to say or do. The night air still nipped at her skin, but it wasn't nearly as unbearable now that she had the jacket on. As they walked in silence, Li Mei could feel herself calming down, slowly returning to a state of sobriety under the man's watch

Li Mei glanced up at Mayar as they sat in his car, the warm air flowing from the vents to soothe her chilled skin. "Thank you again for helping me," she said quietly, trying not to meet his eyes directly. His calm demeanor and authoritative tone made her feel even more self-conscious than usual. "I'm Li Mei... Li Mei Zhang."

As they continued driving in silence, she studied Mayar out of the corner of her eye, wondering what kind of person would go out of their way to help a complete stranger like this. He seemed strong and confident, but there was also an air of gentleness about him that she found intriguing. She couldn't help but feel grateful for his company as they neared her apartment building; it was strange how comforting the presence of someone she had just met could be.

"I'm... nineteen," she murmured in reply, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced out the window. She knew that he was probably only trying to make conversation, but it still made her feel self-conscious and awkward.

She turned her head back to look at him in surprise, eyes widening slightly. "Really?" she breathed, feeling a sudden surge of connection with this stranger who had helped her so much. She hadn't expected them to be the same age; everyone always thought she was older or younger than she actually was. The fact that they were both nineteen... it made the situation feel less awkward somehow. "So, what do you do?" she asked hesitantly, breaking the silence as they continued driving.

Li Mei nodded, her cheeks flushing as they pulled up in front of the familiar building. "Y-yes... this is it," she murmured softly, reaching for the door handle but hesitating before opening the car door. She didn't want this night to end; it had been strange and confusing, but also oddly comforting to have someone like Mayar by her side. "Thank you again... for everything..." Her voice trailed off uncertainly as she met his gaze, hoping that he understood how grateful she truly was.

The weight of the jacket was almost enough to make her miss him; it reminded her that even though he had been a stranger just hours before, he had somehow become an important presence in her life for this brief moment. She wished she could see him again, under different circumstances... but as much as she hated admitting it to herself, the prospect seemed unlikely and unattainable

Tentatively, she reached out and took his hand in her own, feeling the strength and warmth of his grip as they shook. "I'm glad to have met you too, Mayar," she said softly, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of her mouth for the first time that night. "Thank you again." She released his hand but didn't step out of the car quite yet; part of her wasn't ready for this brief moment of comfort and connection to end. "If ever you need help again... or just someone to talk to," she began, hesitating before continuing in a rush, "you can always find me. I'll be here." It was an impulsive offer, born out of gratitude and the fleeting sense of camaraderie they had shared, but once the words were out, she couldn't take them back. She held her breath, hoping that he

"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise, blushing even deeper as the realization of what she had just offered sank in. She quickly reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone, unlocking it with a shaking hand before navigating to her contacts list. "Here," she murmured, handing the device over to Mayar so he could input his number himself. "I-I hope that's alright." She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach as their hands briefly brushed against each other; it was an odd sensation, and one she wasn't entirely comfortable with. The truth was, she hadn't expected to enjoy the company of someone like Mayar this much. But now that they had spent time together, she found herself hoping for a chance to do so again...

"O-oh," she stammered, nodding slowly as he promised to call her later. "I'd... like that." Swallowing hard, she took a deep breath and tried to compose herself before reaching out once more to take the phone back from him. As she did so, their fingers brushed against each other again, sending another rush of warmth through her body. Her cheeks burned even hotter at the sensation, but this time it wasn't entirely unpleasant. For a moment, neither of them spoke; they just sat there in silence, looking at each other with an intensity that felt almost tangible. Li Mei found herself wishing that they could stay like this forever, but she knew that reality would intrude sooner or later, and she'd have to face the world again as herself, without Mayar's support. The thought filled her with a sudden wave of melancholy, making her want

The silence stretched on, thick and heavy with an almost tangible tension as they stared at each other. It was like a breath held too long, waiting for the inevitable release that would send them both back to their separate lives. She wished she could find the words to express what she was feeling, but her mind seemed to have gone blank under the weight of his gaze. Finally, she broke eye contact, looking away uncomfortably as she gathered her thoughts and feelings. "Well..." she began hesitantly, clearing her throat, "I should go in now." It was a lame excuse, but it was all she could manage under the pressure of this moment. She glanced back at him one more time before opening the car door and climbing out onto the pavement, hoping that he would understand.

Li Mei nodded, flashing him a shy smile before quickly shutting the car door and hurrying up the path to her building. As she unlocked her front door and disappeared inside, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of happiness and sadness wash over her. The night had been unlike anything she could have expected; it felt like something out of a movie or a dream, where reality didn't intrude on the magic of the moment. But now that it was over, she knew that life would return to its usual routine tomorrow, with all its pressures and expectations weighing down on her once more. Still, as she closed the door behind her and leaned back against it, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Mayar and the brief connection they had shared. She didn't know if he would call her like he promised, or if their encounter was nothing more than a

She blushed again, her cheeks burning as she recognized his voice. "H-hello, Mayar," she stammered out softly, unable to hide the delight in her tone. She sat down on the bed, crossing her legs and looking around nervously before settling her gaze on the phone screen. It felt strange and thrilling to be speaking with him like this; he made her feel things she hadn't expected anyone could ever make her feel. "I... I just wanted to thank you again for everything tonight," she said slowly, her voice quiet and hesitant. "I don't know what I would have done without your help." The words poured out of her, almost unbidden, as she finally allowed herself to express the gratitude that had been building up inside her since their chance encounter in the club.

There was a brief pause before he responded. "You're welcome, Li Mi," his

She blushed again, her cheeks burning as she recognized his voice. "H-hello, Mayar," she stammered out softly, unable to hide the delight in her tone. She sat down on the bed, crossing her legs and looking around nervously before settling her gaze on the phone screen. It felt strange and thrilling to be speaking with him like this; he made her feel things she hadn't expected anyone could ever make her feel. "I... I just wanted to thank you again for everything tonight," she said slowly, her voice quiet and hesitant. "I don't know what I would have done without your help." The words poured out of her, almost unbidden, as she finally allowed herself to express the gratitude that had been building up inside her since their chance encounter in the club.

There was a brief pause before he responded. "You're welcome, Li Mi," his

She swallowed hard, feeling even more flustered now that he knew she was at home. "Well... I just got back actually," she answered, trying to sound casual despite the racing of her heart. "I um... usually study after coming back from work." Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt as she waited for his response, wondering what he might say next.

"Oh? What do you study?" Mayar asked gently, and Li Mei could feel herself relaxing a little more into the conversation. She told him about her schoolwork, trying to keep it lighthearted despite the passion she felt for her studies. As they talked, the tension in her shoulders eased and she found herself actually enjoying their conversation, even if it was over the phone.