Chapter 32 - . 32 Date
Jason wasn’t sure what to expect when Son Liying messaged him that morning. The text was short—just: "Free today?" followed by a cherry blossom emoji. That was her style. Precise, soft, and impossible to ignore.
By the time he arrived near her residence, she was already waiting at the base of the steps, dressed in a flowing white sundress and a light beige cardigan. Her long black hair was tucked neatly under a soft sunhat. She looked peaceful, but her eyes lit up as soon as they met his.
He gave her a small nod. "Hey."
She didn’t respond with words, only offered a gentle smile and a tiny wave. She motioned toward the sidewalk.
They walked in silence at first, their steps leisurely. Jason picked up a pair of matcha ice creams from a street vendor. She blinked, surprised by the gesture, then gave him a thumbs-up and a quiet nod of thanks.
He glanced sideways at her. "This your idea of a date?"
She raised her phone and typed:
"Maybe."
Jason chuckled. "You don’t talk much, huh?"
She blinked and turned to him, clearly caught off guard by the comment. Her brows knit slightly before she pulled out her phone and began to type.
Jason watched her thumb dance across the screen and pretended to read her reply for the first time.