As Ming-Ling sat with her mother, the weight of her secrets pressing heavily upon her, she knew she couldn't bring herself to reveal the true nature of Zhang's betrayal. Instead, she shifted the conversation to a safer topic: the promising career she had forged for herself in finance and the projects she had accomplished before returning home.
"It's been an exciting journey, Mom," Ming-Ling said, her voice filled with a forced enthusiasm. 
"I've had the opportunity to work on some incredible projects, and I'm really proud of what I've achieved."
Her mother nodded, a proud smile playing at the corners of her lips.
. "I've always known you were destined for great things, Ming-Ling," she said warmly.
"I'm so proud of the woman you've become."
Before Ming-Ling could respond, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting their conversation. With a curious glance at her mother, Ming-Ling watched as the housemaid entered the room, a gleam of excitement in her eyes.
"Mrs. Hung there's a young man here to see you, the housemaid said, her voice filled with anticipation.
"He says he's an old friend of the family."
Ming-Ling's heart skipped a beat as she waited for her mother's reaction, her mind racing with possibilities. Could it be...?
Her mother's eyes lit up with recognition, a smile spreading across her face.
"Ah, yes, I know who you're talking about," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Please, show him in. We will be downstairs shortly. 
As the housemaid left the room to fetch their guest, Ming-Ling's pulse quickened with anticipation.
Could it really be him or not? He is in a hospital bed and, more so, why could he go against his grandfather?  Ming-ling whispered in her thoughts. 
Moments later, the two ladies made their way downstairs as the two met with the door that swung open once more, and a familiar figure stepped into the room. Ming-Ling's breath caught in her throat as she laid eyes on him her childhood friend, her confidant, her first love.
"Xiao Wei," Ming-Ling whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xiao Wei's eyes met hers, a mixture of surprise and delight shining in their depths.
"Ming-Ling," he said, his voice soft with emotion. "It's been too long."
For a moment, they stood frozen in place, the weight of years of separation hanging heavy in the air between them. Then, with a cry of joy, Ming-Ling rushed forward and threw her arms around him, holding him tightly as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.
"I can't believe you're here," Ming-Ling whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"I've missed you so much."
Xiao Wei returned her embrace, his arms strong and reassuring around her.
"I've missed you too, Ming-Ling," he said quietly.
"More than you'll ever know."
And as they stood together in the warmth of her childhood home, surrounded by the echoes of their past, Ming-Ling knew that no matter what the future held, she would always have Xiao Wei by her side, a constant reminder of the love and friendship that had sustained her through even the darkest of times.
" Ming-ling, are you going to make the guests stand there? Guests come get a seat?" Ming's mother stated.
Welcome, I will go get coffee, Ming stated as her heart beated against her.
As Ming-Ling made her way to the kitchen to fetch coffee for Xiao Wei and her mother, her mind buzzed with a whirlwind of emotions. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and trepidation at the sight of her childhood friend, Xiao Wei, standing in her family's mansion after so many years apart. She couldn't help but wonder what had brought him here, stirring up memories and emotions she had long tried to bury.
As she busied herself with the task of preparing the coffee, Ming-Ling's thoughts raced, each step echoing the rhythm of her heartbeat. She couldn't shake the sense of curiosity that gnawed at her, driving her to seek answers to the questions that lingered in her mind.
Why had Xiao Wei come back after all this time? What had prompted him to seek her out, to revisit the memories they had shared so many years ago? And most importantly, how would their reunion impact the fragile balance of her life that she had worked so hard to maintain?
As she poured the steaming coffee into the cups, Ming-Ling couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over her. Despite the warmth of her childhood home and the familiarity of Xiao Wei's presence, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty that tugged at her heartstrings, threatening to pull her under.
With a deep breath, Ming-Ling gathered her courage and made her way back to the living room, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee trailing behind her like a comforting embrace. As she entered the room, she found Xiao Wei and her mother engaged in conversation, their voices mingling in the air like a melody from her past.
"Here you go," Ming-Ling said, her voice trembling slightly as she handed Xiao Wei and her mother their cups of coffee.
"I hope it's to your liking."
Xiao Wei smiled gratefully, his eyes meeting Ming-Ling's with a warmth that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Thank you, Ming-Ling," he said softly.
"It's perfect."
As Ming-Ling settled into the chair opposite Xiao Wei and her mother, she couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability wash over her. Here she was, face to face with her past, her heart laid bare for all to see. It was a moment she had both longed for and dreaded, a chance to reconnect with the person she had once been while confronting the realities of the person she had become.
"So, Xiao Wei," Ming-Ling's mother said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the room. "What brings you back to our humble abode after all these years?"
Seeing Xiao Wei again after all these years had stirred up memories and feelings she had long buried beneath the surface. She couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and nostalgia at the sight of him, but beneath the surface, there was also a twinge of sadness, a reminder of the pain and heartache they had both endured in their years apart.
Xiao Wei's smile widened, a twinkle of excitement dancing in his eyes.
"I actually came to invite you all to a party at our humble abode," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
"My parents would love to see you all again, and they sent their regards."
Ming-Ling's heart skipped a beat at the invitation, her mind racing with possibilities. The party at Xiao Wei's house was an unexpected turn of events. She couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of reconnecting with her family, of stepping back into a world she had once called home.
"That sounds wonderful, Xiao Wei," Ming-Ling's mother replied, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"We would be honored to be there and, excuse me, I will leave you two to catch up after all this year. "Ming-ling's mother stated as she ambled towards the kitchen with her cup of coffee. 
As they sipped their coffee together, Ming-Ling and Xiao Wei fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, exchanging stories and memories of their shared past. Ming-Ling learned that Xiao Wei had been traveling the world for the past few years, exploring new cultures and experiences in search of meaning and purpose.
In turn, Xiao Wei listened intently as Ming-Ling recounted her own adventures in the world of finance, sharing tales of her successes and struggles in the competitive corporate world. Despite the years of separation, they found that their connection remained as strong as ever, a bond forged in the fires of childhood friendship, tempered by the trials of adulthood.
As they finished their coffee and prepared to leave, Ming-Ling felt a sense of excitement building within her, a sense of anticipation for the party that lay ahead, and for the opportunity to reconnect with Xiao Wei and his family in a way she never thought possible.
" I have to leave, and it was my pleasure having to meet you again, and I look forward to seeing you there." Xiao wei stated before he stood up.
" Let me walk you out. " Ming-ling stated before they were interrupted by a deep voice from the stairway.