The weather in New York during April was unpredictable—sunny one moment, then rainy the next. This evening, the sky suddenly darkened, and fine rain started falling, covering the city with a soft, misty veil.
Because of the rain, Grace Li finished work earlier than usual and headed back to her apartment. She changed into comfy loungewear and began preparing dinner in the open kitchen. Afterward, she took a warm bath and picked a romantic movie, planning to unwind on this rainy night. She cut up some fresh fruit, set up her tablet on the stand, and snuggled into the soft couch, enjoying the sweetness of the fruit as she lost herself in the movie.
The rain outside grew heavier, and the sound of the raindrops against the window was rhythmic and soothing. Every now and then, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, briefly illuminating the whole room. During a pause in the movie, Grace glanced toward the balcony and thought to herself, the rain was so heavy that it seemed like the world was being washed clean.
Suddenly, she heard the doorbell ring. She paused the movie, straining to listen. It definitely was the doorbell. Who could it be? Puzzled, she walked over to the door, peered through the peephole, and froze. A moment later, she took a step back, grabbed the doorknob, and slowly opened the door.
There stood Aiden Thompson, wearing a white shirt and dress pants. His shirt was soaked through with rain, sticking tightly to his well-built body. His hair was wet, and a few strands hung over his forehead, still dripping with water. Grace Li was taken aback, her heart racing. "What...?"
Aiden flashed a faint smile at her surprise. "I rushed out and forgot my umbrella." The truth was, he had purposely braved the rain to surprise her. His car was parked outside, and he had sprinted through the downpour to get to her. Water trickled down his face and splashed onto the mat at his feet.
Grace Li, feeling a rush of concern, quickly reached for his hand and pulled him inside. "Come on in." Aiden grinned and, as he stepped in, gently pulled her into his arms, pressing her lightly against the wall. His lips found hers with urgency, the kiss filled with deep longing. As they kissed, he made sure to close the door with his foot.
Grace Li was a little dizzy from the intensity of the kiss. She had just eaten a pear, and the sweet taste of the fruit lingered between them. Her hands gripped his wet shirt as she tilted her head back, getting lost in his tenderness.
After a while, Aiden pulled away, his breath a little heavier. He bent down to look at her, his eyes filled with affection. "So, you mentioned wanting to do something to me?" Grace Li's cheeks flushed, and she swallowed hard, trying to catch her breath. "First, you need to take a hot shower, or you'll catch a cold."
Aiden flashed a mischievous grin. "How about you help me with that?"
Grace Li bit her lip, her face turning even redder. She whispered, "Okay."
Outside, the rain continued to fall, its rhythmic tapping against the window like a romantic melody playing just for the two of them.
After the storm passed, the rain lightened, and the world outside grew quieter. Aiden whispered her name softly in her ear: "Grace Li."
"Mm?"
"I love you."
Grace Li's eyes immediately filled with tears. Even though they had been together for over a year, Aiden rarely said those words. He showed his love through actions. Grace, too, wasn't one to say "I love you" too often—it felt like saying it too much would make it lose its weight. But when Aiden said it so tenderly, she truly felt his love pour into her, like a warm current flooding her heart.
Aiden's deep voice spoke gently in her ear, "When I was sixteen, a teacher once said something that stuck with me. He said that liking someone is an emotion. You can like anyone or anything, but love is different—it's a responsibility. When a man says 'I love you' to a woman, it should be because he can take on that responsibility. So, right now, I can say those words to you without hesitation."
Grace Li smiled, touched by his words. "Wow, getting all sentimental on me, huh?"
Aiden didn't tell her about Tom Wilson's call or ask her to stay away from him. He knew that with competition, he couldn't limit Grace's choices—he needed to work harder to earn her choice. He softly said, "I'm not just being sentimental, though. I want you to feel safe with me. I can't promise our future will be perfect, but I'm willing to give you everything I've got to make you happy."
Grace Li felt a tightness in her throat as she spoke with a shaky voice. "Actually, I'm really looking forward to our future too. Even if it's not perfect, I know it's the best choice for me."
In the past, she had always pursued perfection, but as she got older, she realized that nothing in life is perfect. If you chase after 100% perfection, you'll just end up exhausted. Ever since she became independent, she made every choice with careful thought and was ready to accept the consequences. Choosing to be with Aiden Thompson, she had no regrets.
**
Nange, a company specialized in traditional Chinese clothing. The founder, a girl two years younger than Grace, had been obsessed with traditional culture since she was a child. She graduated from a well-known fashion school and had designed for several top brands. Her designs for traditional Chinese clothing were elegant and light, with a fresh, flowing style that evoked the serene beauty of China's water towns.
When Grace Li mentioned she was attending the Hanfu Festival in New York, the founder sent over several traditional outfits for Grace and her team to choose from. Grace immediately gravitated toward a peacock-blue mamian skirt paired with a white, cross-collared top. The outfit was simple yet elegant, clean-cut, just like her.
Grace had been following up with a Russian client for Hengyue Technology, after meeting them at a trade expo. The client had received the samples and tested them. If the products met expectations, they'd place an official order. Recently, Tom Wilson had hired a new international trade specialist, a young woman . She had worked in home appliance exports before but quickly adapted to the smart wheelchair market, as the industries shared some similarities.
Grace handed the client over to her new colleague and made sure to provide a detailed handover. After the client received the samples, they requested a video meeting to discuss the next steps. Grace participated in the meeting and introduced the international trade manager to the client.
By the time the meeting ended, it was 6:30 PM. Tom Wilson, grateful for Grace's help, said, "Thanks so much for all your help, Grace."
"No problem," Grace Li replied casually. "Actually, this made me think—we should consider expanding into overseas markets and attending some international trade shows."
"Yeah, you're right. I've been looking into that as well," Tom said.
"Alright, I'll head out now."
"Hold up." Tom called after her, looking sincerely at Grace. "It's dinner time, and you've done so much for me. I'd like to treat you to dinner, as a thank you."
Grace smiled but politely turned him down. "Maybe another time. I've still got some work to catch up on, so I need to get back to the office."
Tom Wilson nodded, not pushing the issue. "Okay, next time for sure."
Just as Grace was about to leave, Tom added, "Oh, by the way, we're having a picnic in Central Park this Saturday. I'd love for you and your team to join us. It'll be a good way for everyone to unwind a little."
Grace had also been thinking about a team-building activity for her own company, but since the team was small, they usually just went for casual dinners. Hearing about the picnic sparked her interest. "That sounds great! I'll check with everyone and see if they're free, then get back to you."
"Awesome," Tom said with a friendly smile.