They entered the eatery. A one-storey building spanning across an area of 1200 sq.ft. It was fairly small with only 10 tables. The air was laden with the smell of spices.

As they seated themselves in the corner under the window, a waiter came to take their order. "What would you like, sir and madam?"

Shi Meng gave the order, realizing he hadn't asked Lianfeng, he said, flustered, "I am sorry I didn't ask you. What would you like?"

Lianfeng replied with a polite smile, "No, what you ordered is fine."

The waiter took his leave. Shi Meng initiated the conversation, "You seemed extremely calm for someone spilling the soup."

Lianfeng laughed, "Let's say that's not the worst accident I have caused."

Shi Meng replied, smiling, "Remind me to steer clear of you when you are carrying anything fragile."

Lianfeng said, "Noted. I must remind you to watch where you are going."

They both laughed, letting a moment pass to sink it in.

Lianfeng asked with a profound expression, "They say daffodils symbolize resilience. Do you think they bloom more beautifully amidst adversity?"

Shi Meng took a pause and said, "Even the most resilient flowers survive only when their roots are strong."

Lianfeng's suspicion grew stronger. There's a 75% chance that he is him. She removed her ancestral hairpin from the small pouch hanging at her waist and slid it into her bun. Shi Meng didn't notice it and looked for the waiter. You idiot.

She took out the hairpin and placed it on the table with a click. Startled by the sound, Shi Meng turned back to Lianfeng.

Lianfeng gave him an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, I am just clumsy." Now, look at it.

Shi Meng's eyes locked on the hairpin, his expression frozen in disbelief. He leaned forward as though confirming what he was seeing. "You, where did you get that hairpin?" His voice was low, almost trembling. He remembered his kind aunt's bright smile. Her voice calling him softly. The hairpin had been passed down for generations, he couldn't be wrong.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Lianfeng offered an apologetic smile, though her heart raced. "It's mine," she said evenly, suppressing the storm of emotions threatening to break through. It's you, it is really you.

For a moment, Shi Meng said nothing, his hand hovering above the table. Then, as if the realization hit him all at once, his eyes widened. "It's you," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's you, Huanxin."

Lianfeng’s heart clenched at the sound of her name, which she hadn’t heard in years. She wanted to cry, scream, and demand answers, but she stayed composed, giving a small nod. Our roots were severed, yet here we are, two surviving branches.

The weight of the revelation pressed between them, each searching the other's eyes for confirmation of what their hearts already knew. The silence was broken only when the waiter returned with their order.

The waiter’s arrival shattered the stillness, placing plates before them with a polite smile. "Here’s your order, sir."

Lianfeng smiled and stated, "Thank you."

The waiter smiled back and left them alone.

"How did you survive?", asked Shi Meng, not completely able to let the realization sink in.

"I hid in the room beneath. How'd you survive?"

"I don't remember. All I remember is waking up at the old lady's house." Shi Meng said shaking his head slightly from right to left. He picked up the chopsticks and started eating.

Lianfeng didn't pursue the matter further and picked up the chopstick. After a short silence, Shi Meng said, his eyes watery, "I always wondered if anyone else from our tribe had survived. I never changed my surname because of this, in hopes that someone would find me."

"Then, you did the right thing I found you because of the surname." She said, letting out a small laugh as she gobbled rice. "Did anyone else survive?" She asked, her eyes filled with hope.

"Not that I know of," replied Shi Meng shaking his head.

Lianfeng exhaled a long breath putting down her chopsticks. She picked up the hairpin and kept it in her pouch.

They walked out of the eatery after paying the bill at the counter. The sun had lowered down casting a warm glow over the landscape. Lianfeng's feet felt heavy as she walked the three steps. Her feet finally touched the ground. She turned towards Shi Meng meaning to say goodbye, yet the words didn't come out.

Shi Meng shared similar feelings. "Why don't we meet again?"

Lianfeng nodded slightly, "Sure. I will bum into you again on this street." She smiled.

Shi Meng gave out a little laugh, "Then, I will wait for you to bump into me."

Lianfeng smiled brightly in response and bid him goodbye. Shi Meng cast a longing glance at her back, before going on his way. As he was on his way, Lianfeng glanced longingly at him merging with the crowd. She smiled bittersweetly before going on her way.