Chapter 8 Shadows Of Doubt

The warm, golden hues of October had settled over Shanghai, transforming the city into a tapestry of amber and ochre.

The vibrant streets buzzed with life as the city prepared for the National Week holiday, a time when many took the opportunity to travel and explore. Lucy, too, was eager to experience more of China beyond Shanghai.

She had planned her first trip out of the city-a visit to Beijing, the heart of the nation, to immerse herself in its rich history and iconic landmarks.

However, as her departure date approached, Lucy couldn't shake the lingering thoughts of Li Wei. Since their intimate dinner, something had changed between them. Their conversations, once frequent and filled with warmth, had grown sporadic. Li Wei's responses had become brief, almost curt, and there was a noticeable distance that hadn't been there before. It was as if a wall had slowly risen between them, and Lucy couldn't understand why.

On the train to Beijing, she found herself staring out of the window, the scenic landscapes passing by unnoticed as her mind wandered. What had gone wrong? Had she misread the signals during their last evening together? Was Li Wei having second thoughts? These questions weighed heavily on her, casting a shadow over her excitement for the trip.

But Lucy was determined not to let her disappointment ruin her adventure.

Beijing, with its ancient wonders and vibrant energy, deserved her full attention. Upon arrival, she threw herself into the experience, visiting the Forbidden City, wandering the sprawling courtyards and imagining the lives of the emperors who had once ruled there. She climbed the Great Wall, each step a reminder of China's enduring strength and resilience. She marveled at the beauty of the Summer Palace, its serene lakes and lush gardens offering a temporary respite from her troubled thoughts.

Yet, even as she stood before the towering grandeur of Tiananmen Square, or wandered through the narrow alleys of the historic hutongs, Lucy couldn't entirely shake off her feelings of unease. The vastness of Beijing, with its endless history and bustling crowds, only emphasized the distance she now felt between herself and Li Wei.

When the National Week holiday came to an end, Lucy returned to Shanghai with a mix of fulfillment and lingering sadness. The trip had been everything she'd hoped for, yet her thoughts of Li Wei had been a constant undercurrent, subtly coloring every experience.

Back in her apartment, as she unpacked her suitcase, she checked her phone, hoping to find a message from him. But there was nothing.

The next day at work, Lucy was quieter than usual. Her colleagues noticed, especially Wen Ting, who had grown close to Lucy over the past months.

During their lunch break, Wen Ting approached her, concern etched on her face. "Lucy, are you okay? You don't seem yourself,"Wen Ting asked gently, her tone inviting Lucy to open up.

Lucy hesitated for a moment, then decided to confide in her friend. "It's Li Wei... I don't know what happened. We had such a great time together, but now he's just... distant. I can't figure it out."

At the mention of Li Wei's name which Lucy had not revealed before, Wen Ting's expression shifted from concern to surprise. She quickly masked her reaction but not before Lucy noticed the flicker of shock.

"Li Wei?" Wen Ting repeated, her voice carefully neutral.

Lucy nodded, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy. "Yes, we'd been getting to know each other, but now it feels like he's pulling away. "

Wen Ting's lips pressed into a thin line, as if she were debating whether to say more. Finally, she shook her head slightly, offering a tight smile. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Maybe he's just busy with work or something."

But Lucy could tell that Wen Ting was holding something back. The sudden evasiveness, the way her tone had changed-it all hinted at something more. Lucy's mind raced with possibilities. Who was Li Wei, really? Was there something about him that she didn't know? The doubts that had been quietly simmering during her trip to Beijing now began to boil over.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, Lucy's thoughts consumed by Wen Ting's reaction. Li Wei had always been a bit of an enigma, but now, with Wen Ting's reaction, that mystery seemed to take on a more troubling dimension.

As the days went by, Lucy's sense of unease only deepened. Li Wei remained distant, their communication limited to polite, perfunctory exchanges. The warmth and connection they had shared felt like a distant memory, replaced by an unsettling uncertainty. Lucy began to question everything she thought she knew about him.

Was there a side to Li Wei that he had kept hidden from her? And if so, why?