Chapter 27: Love’s Red Bean
Before Vivian Dempsey could react, the man gently pulled her up and guided her to sit on the nearby couch.
He settled naturally beside Evelyn Carter, maintaining just the right distance—close enough to hear each other clearly, yet not so close as to make her uncomfortable.
The song’s prelude began to flow softly.
On the large screen, the youthful face of Faye Wong appeared, her eyes clear and bright, carrying a hint of a young girl’s stubbornness and liveliness.
Evelyn’s profile looked especially gentle in the dim light. Hers wasn’t a striking beauty, but more like a cup of delicate tea—subtle yet growing richer with every sip.
“Ready? Five, four, three, two…”
Evelyn held the microphone and softly sang along with the rhythm: “Haven’t had the chance to feel the snowflakes bloom in the air… If we shiver together, we’ll understand what tenderness truly means…”
Her voice lacked Faye Wong’s ethereal quality, but it carried its own warmth—like a spring breeze skimming the surface of a lake.
Someone nudged Vivian. “Viv, you call this ‘can’t sing’? Who are you kidding?”
Vivian, mouth full of honeydew melon, mumbled, “I’ve honestly never heard her sing before…”
“A woman in her twenties who’s never been to karaoke?”
“She’s a doctor. She’s always swamped with work. When would she have the time—”
The friend smirked. “Maybe she came with a boyfriend?”
Vivian smacked the back of his head. “Shut up! Don’t mention that word!”
“…Oh.” The friend suddenly lowered his voice. “Look at Gregory…”
Vivian turned and saw Gregory Wilson had already set down his microphone, his gaze fixed intently on Evelyn.
“You don’t think he…”
Vivian’s eyes lit up. “Hmm… Maybe it’s not such a bad idea?”
“Both doctors. Perfect match.”
Vivian asked cautiously, “He’s single now, right?”
“Total virgin bachelor.”
Vivian stroked her chin, deep in thought.
“Sometimes, sometimes… I believe everything has an end… Meetings and partings all have their time… Nothing lasts forever…”
As the song faded, Evelyn realized her cheeks were already wet.
Meetings and partings all have their time. How fitting those lyrics were.
A tissue appeared in front of her. She looked up and met a pair of gentle eyes.
