Ryan's friend's campsite café is located on the outskirts of West New York City. By 3 PM, people began showing up one by one.
The café didn't just serve coffee; it also offered a variety of snacks. Since it was Ryan's birthday, the café manager had specially made a birthday cake for him and even brought out a BBQ grill.
Ryan and Peter were the first to arrive, busy getting the fire going for the BBQ. Olivia checked the time. It was 3:15 PM. “Hey, where's the boss and Aiden? They're still not here?”
Ryan shrugged. “The boss has something to take care of today, so she can't make it. Aiden's probably running late.”
“Wait, the boss isn't coming?”
“Yeah, she told me last night.”
Aiden Thompson didn't show up until 3:30 PM. He lived pretty far from here, and it took him over an hour by taxi.
The café was set up outdoors on a grassy field, with each table covered by a canopy, giving off a relaxed camping vibe.
Aiden Thompson showed up in a casual suit, and as soon as he appeared, a few women customers couldn't help but notice him.
Mike asked, “Aiden, why so late?”
Aiden just replied with a casual shrug, “Left late.”
Olivia passed over a plate of grilled chicken wings with a smile. “Aiden, you gotta try my wings.”
“No thanks, I'm good.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow, “You don't like wings? What do you like? I can grill whatever you want.”
Aiden shook his head, “No need. I'm not really into BBQ.”
“Oh, okay.”
Aiden glanced around the group, but didn't see Grace Li. He made his way over and sat down on a folding chair. It wasn't very high, so his long legs had to bend awkwardly. Ryan waved him over, “Aiden, I've got the food covered. Grab a drink and order what you want through the menu.”
Aiden scanned the menu and ordered a coffee.
Everyone else was busy with the BBQ or enjoying their drinks, the atmosphere relaxed and casual.
After everyone ate and hung out for a while, Ryan suggested playing a game of frisbee. The group ran around the field, laughing, enjoying a typical lazy weekend afternoon.
Aiden stayed seated on his chair, casually taking in the scene around him.
About ten minutes later, a café worker brought over Aiden's coffee. He took a sip, then checked his watch. He still hadn't seen Grace Li, so he thought maybe she was running late or had just gone to another part of the café.
But after another fifteen minutes, she still hadn't shown up. Something didn't feel right. Was she really not coming?
Aiden took another sip of his coffee just as Ryan walked by, grabbing a macaron.
Aiden glanced up and asked, “Grace Li not coming?”
Ryan's cheeks were puffed up with the macaron, and he chewed as he replied, “Nah, the boss has some big life stuff to deal with today, so she can't make it.”
Aiden frowned. “Big life stuff? What's that?”
Mike, overhearing, chimed in, “Big life stuff? It's probably either a wedding or an arranged date. She's still single, so my money's on a date.”
Ryan grinned and added, “Hey, I never said the boss was on a date. That wasn't me. If she asks tomorrow, don't go telling her I said anything.”
Ryan smirked, “So, does this mean she's really going on a date?”
“I don't know. She didn't say anything. Just guessing.”
Aiden's brows furrowed even more. Grace Li going on a date?
Olivia, hands on her hips, rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you guys are annoying. So what if she's going on a date? You've never had your parents try to set you up?”
Ryan kicked back, showing off with a smug grin. “Since high school, I've always had a girlfriend. I don't even know what ‘arranged dates' are.”
As soon as he finished, someone shouted, “Shut up and take a hit!”
A group of guys immediately surrounded Ryan, playfully shoving him.
Aiden pulled out his phone and sent Grace Li a text message:
Aiden Thompson: Where are you?
He waited ten minutes with no reply. Getting a little impatient, he stood up and walked a few yards away, dialing Grace Li's number. After a few rings, she finally picked up.
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“Hello? Aiden, what's up?”
Aiden kept his tone calm, “Where are you?”
“I'm at home. Why?”
“You said last time I could come over for dinner. Is tonight good?”
Grace Li paused for a second, then replied, “Sorry, can't tonight. I've been busy setting up my new place all day.”
“Need some free labor?” Aiden offered.
She chuckled, “Isabella Hsueh is helping me out. We're almost done.”
“Alright, no worries.”
**
Grace Li hung up the phone and glanced at the time—it was already 4 PM. She had a dinner date with her match at 7 PM and planned to head home at 5, take a shower, and change before the dinner.
She wasn't entirely sure about this blind date. Maybe it was because she didn't want to let her aunt down, maybe the guy seemed decent enough, or maybe she just needed a distraction from Aiden Thompson.
When she got home, Grace Li took a quick shower, washed her hair, and put on her usual outfit. She wasn't planning to dress up for the date—just going with her usual style.
At 6:30, she headed out the door, right on time.
They were meeting at a fusion restaurant. Her date was already there when she arrived. They had exchanged photos beforehand, so he recognized her immediately.
"Are you Grace Li?" he asked with a friendly smile.
Grace Li smiled back, “Yes, I am.”
"Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Grace Li sat down and quickly assessed her date. He looked a lot like his photo, but instead of the white lab coat she'd expected, he wore a casual jacket.
His name was Ting Wang, a colleague of her cousin's, two years older than her. He wore glasses and had a soft smile, which gave off a pleasant vibe. Grace Li could tell he was satisfied with the match as well.
Ting Wang handed her a menu. “Ms. Li, would you like to order first?”
Grace Li didn't hesitate to take the menu. Ting Wang enthusiastically recommended, “The steak here is amazing—perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. And the signature salad is fresh and crisp. Want to try it?”
Grace Li responded, “Sounds delicious, but I'm a huge fan of their pasta. How about we each get something and share?”
Ting Wang agreed and ordered the steak and salad. After confirming the order with the waiter, he turned back to Grace Li. “I heard you're in the investment field?”
Grace Li nodded, “Yes, that's right.”
Ting Wang continued, “I've been dabbling in stocks with some of my colleagues lately. I'm not very good at it though. I've already lost about 10% of what I invested in the past few months.”
Grace Li smiled, “A lot of people are into tech stocks right now. They're volatile, but they have huge potential. Have you looked into any emerging tech companies?”
Ting Wang, being in the medical field, wasn't familiar with financial jargon. “Tech stocks? Can you explain a bit more?”
Grace Li patiently explained, “For example, companies in artificial intelligence or biotech, like Nvidia. Their stock has skyrocketed with the AI boom.”
Ting Wang nodded, a bit embarrassed. “I see. I'm still pretty new to this. But I'm really interested in learning more. Hopefully, we can find some common ground in the future.”
Grace Li smiled, “No problem. If you want to talk about medical stuff, I'd be just as lost.”
Ting Wang switched topics. “So, what do you like to do in your free time?”
Grace Li thought for a moment. “Honestly, I don't have any particular hobbies. My job keeps me busy, and I rarely finish work on time during the week.”
Ting Wang smiled sympathetically. “I get that. Some days, when there are a lot of patients, we have to work non-stop for hours.”
He then asked, “Is there anything you particularly like to eat?”
Grace Li thought for a second, “There's quite a lot I like. I'm not picky.”
“Same here,” Ting Wang said. “I'm not picky either.”
Grace Li kept smiling. He seemed like a decent guy, someone who could be good for a long-term relationship. Logically, she should be more interested or at least feel something. But she felt completely calm. He wasn't stirring anything inside her.
As the food was served, Grace Li ate slowly while Ting Wang continued trying to engage her in conversation. He asked about her college major, where she graduated from, and other typical first-date questions. She answered him politely.
“By the way, your aunt told me you bought a house in New York,” he said.
Grace Li nodded, “Yeah, that's right.”
Ting Wang said, “It's really impressive for a woman to buy a house in New York on her own.”
“Thank you,” Grace Li replied.
Ting Wang continued, “I'm also planning to buy a house. I'm almost done saving for the down payment. If I become an attending physician in a couple of years, my income should go up, and I'll be able to afford the mortgage.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Ting Wang added, “If things work out between us, you don't have to worry. I won't try to take over your house. Also, my parents have a place in New York, so they won't be living with us.”
Grace Li thought he was being upfront, but she only half-believed him. After all, this was their first meeting.
“We can talk about that later,” she said, “It's something to think about for the future.”
Ting Wang looked a little embarrassed. “Sorry. I'm not great at this.”
“It's okay,” Grace Li said. “I've actually enjoyed talking to you. You're much better at communicating than a lot of guys.”
Ting Wang smiled shyly, “That's good. At least I haven't annoyed you.”
He then asked, “Is there anything you want to ask me?”
Grace Li paused. They were still getting to know each other, so there should've been some questions. But she couldn't think of anything. “I don't have any questions for now. Why don't you ask me something else?”
Ting Wang leaned in slightly. “Okay, let me ask one more. My current salary is about $300,000 a year. But your aunt told me you make $700,000 to $800,000 a year. So, I earn less than you. Would you mind dating someone with a lower income?”
Grace Li was taken aback by the question. She thought for a moment before responding. “To be honest, I don't care about income that much. People always ask women if they'd mind if a man earns less. But I think the bigger question is for men—whether they can truly accept a woman who earns more.”
Ting Wang nodded. “I agree with you. It's not just about women accepting it. Men need to do more mental prep for it. Men's egos can be more fragile. If they feel inferior because a woman makes more, it could lead to tension. But for me, I'm confident in myself. I don't think I'd mind too much.”
Just then, a cold voice interrupted. “Excuse me.”
Grace Li turned her head, shocked to see Aiden Thompson standing right next to them.
“Aiden, what are you doing here?” she asked, confused.
“I'll explain later,” Aiden said, looking directly at Grace Li.
Ting Wang, visibly surprised by the sudden appearance of this handsome man, asked, “Who's this?”
Before Grace Li could respond, Aiden Thompson stepped forward and looked directly at her. “Grace, I've been looking for you. I can't let you go through with this date. I like you, and I've liked you for a long time.”
Grace Li froze. Aiden Thompson was declaring his feelings for her? What was going on?
Ting Wang's eyes widened. He quickly regained his composure. “Hey, man, hold on. We're in the middle of a date here. You owe us an explanation.”
Aiden Thompson grabbed Grace Li's hand, his grip firm. “Come with me.”
Grace Li glanced at Ting Wang, who looked completely bewildered. Before Aiden could pull her away, she mouthed an apology to him.
The other customers in the restaurant were now whispering and staring at the dramatic scene unfolding before them.
Grace Li's mind went blank. Everything was happening so fast.