Between Dreams and Unexpected Places

Chapter 1

Could it be that shouting into the fountain during a bad mood leads to unexpected romance?
Was he so sheltered, or were girls nowadays this bold?
They had only just met, and she was already clinging to him for what felt like an intimate encounter. What was even more outrageous was the way she tossed him aside once she was done, swishing her hair as she walked away, leaving him wondering where she'd gone.
Little did he know, years later, when they met again, she treated him like he was poison, avoiding him as if he were a viper. To make matters worse, she had brought along a little troublemaker, a true harbinger of chaos.
He hadn't even had a chance to show his true self, and yet he was already cast into the cold shadows, far from her affection.
He had to do something, anything, to pull her back into his arms. Otherwise, wouldn’t that just break his heart, body, and spirit all at once?

Chapter 2

My friend, who had raised her Pomeranian, Bobo, for two years, was getting married and wanted to find a new home for him. I was the first person she approached.
"Who would take care of Bobo? Me?"
Take in that little ball of fluff that barks at me like I'm a stranger every time I visit her house? No way!
Bobo and I were like oil and water—neither of us could stand the other. Whenever we met, it was just a symphony of barking and exasperated pleas from me, “Please stop barking!” We’d be trading barks like seasoned rivals. How could I possibly adopt that furry little troublemaker? It felt inevitable that we'd both be kicked out of the apartment complex for all the noise.
“Why me?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.
“Because I think Bobo has a special connection with you.”
“What?”
“When friends come over to my place, Bobo hardly even looks up at them. But every time you come around, he just barks non-stop. I think he must really like you.”
I’d heard the saying, “A beating is a sign of affection,” but a dog barking at you means he likes you? It sounded ridiculous—or maybe just plain crazy.
Who was she trying to fool? It was spring, the weather was beautiful, and she was telling this cold joke? I had to admire her courage!
In the end, Bobo was adopted by another dog-lover, and I heard they hit it off like two peas in a pod. Truly a cause for celebration.

Chapter 3

Eighteen-year-old Isabella Zhao received a frantic call telling her that her father had collapsed at work and was rushed to the hospital. Without a second thought, she dashed to the hospital with her cousin, Marigold Yu, who was visiting from out of town.
Henry Zhao lay on the hospital bed, his graying hair and pale complexion a stark contrast to the bright room. "Isabella, don’t worry, I’m fine. This is just a recurring issue; it’s nothing serious."
"You were supposed to go see your test results with Mei Mei today. What happened?" Henry, more concerned about his daughter's college entrance exam results than his own health, asked, a trace of worry in his voice.
“Aunt, there’s no need to worry! She did fantastic—she's heading to her first-choice school!” Marigold replied energetically on her cousin’s behalf, admiration shining in her eyes for Isabella, who was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted.
"That’s wonderful. You've always been so bright," Henry said, a feeling of gratitude washing over him. While he was thrilled about Isabella's acceptance into a prestigious institution, a pang of regret gnawed at him. "Too bad you’re not a boy; otherwise, I could have handed the company over to you."
After years in a loving marriage, Henry and Isabella were blessed with a daughter, but the universe had taken his wife away before they could have another child, leaving Henry with aspirations for a son that would never come to fruition.
Henry was a traditional man, firmly rooted in old-world values. In his mind, girls were meant to marry, and managing a business was a man's job. He often worked late or traveled for business—roles he believed were burdensome for women.
"Dad," Isabella said, her heart heavy at the regret dimming his expression. Despite his deep love for her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had always envisioned a son to take over the family business.
"Aunt, your thinking is so outdated. It’s a new era! Women can lead and run companies just as well as men," Marigold interjected boldly, unable to comprehend why her uncle limited his views based on gender.
Take her own family as an example. Her parents had moved to the mainland for work and left her and her sister, Seraphina Yu, who was working back in the States. Yet, she had never heard her father lament the absence of a son. On the contrary, he was loving and proud of her and her sister.
Isabella was extraordinary; Marigold couldn’t fathom why her uncle always seemed saddened by not having a son. If she herself possessed even half of Isabella’s brilliance and charm, her parents would be over the moon—so why the disappointment?
“Sweet girl, managing a company isn't as easy as you think. It takes immense time and energy. Being a leader can be tough, especially for girls. You all should focus on finding a good partner; that’s really what matters.”
“Why not wait until Isabella gets married and has a son? Then you’ll have a grandson to carry on the family legacy!” Marigold exclaimed innocently, proposing a simple solution to Henry’s heartache.
Hearing her naive suggestion, Henry managed a tired smile. “Don’t say that. Isabella doesn’t even have a boyfriend yet. She just got into college this year. If she graduates, gets married, and has kids, we’re looking at several years down the line. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be around that long.”
“Dad, please don’t talk like that. You’re going to be fine,” Isabella urged, gripping her father’s hand tightly, her teary eyes mirroring her fears. Despite excelling academically and putting in countless hours of hard work, she couldn’t fill the emotional void her father felt over not having a son.
The thought that she couldn’t ease her father’s regrets tightened in her chest, causing her great pain.
“I know my body well. If I could, I’d wish to be here long enough to see my grandson.”

Chapter 4

Henry Zhao sighed deeply. He had considered the idea of passing on his business to his granddaughter, Isabella, but she was still a student. At his age and with his health failing, whether he would live to see that day depended solely on fate.
“Isabella, I’m so sorry! You flew all the way to America to see me, and now I’ve been called to New York for a week,” Seraphina Yu said hurriedly as she packed her bags.
Isabella Zhao had planned this trip to the States long before her college entrance exams, and initially, she wanted to cancel it after her father fainted and was hospitalized a few days ago. Yet her father insisted it was just an old issue and urged her to stick to her plans. Besides, Seraphina, her cousin, was excited for her visit, which made Isabella decide to come anyway.
“It’s fine, cousin! You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I’ve stocked the fridge with food for the week, and remember to stay where it’s busy. Don’t talk to strangers, especially men, okay?” Seraphina reminded her one last time before leaving.
Isabella wasn’t new to the U.S. and had confidence in her English skills, but this time was different; she would be alone for a week, and that worried Seraphina, who treated her like a child.
Hearing Seraphina’s protective tone made Isabella chuckle. “Cousin, you told me this yesterday and the day before! I’m eighteen, not eight. Plus, it’s not my first time in America.”
“I know, it’s just…”
“Okay, I promise I’ll stay put in your apartment and wait for your return. I’ll just wander around the park nearby—nothing too crazy! I won’t talk to any strange men.” Isabella reassured her to ease her cousin's worries.
“Alright. Just be careful while I’m gone,” Seraphina said.
“Trust me. I’ll be cautious.”
“Okay, I have to go. Bye!” Her colleague honked the horn outside, prompting Seraphina to grab her bags and leave for New York.
After seeing her cousin off, Isabella decided to step out and get some fresh air in the park nearby.
She wandered aimlessly, her thoughts scattered. Memories of her father’s tired, disappointed face at the hospital flooded her mind, leaving her heart twisted and painful, like a heavy weight pressing down on her chest.
Standing by a small fountain in the park, she recalled the wishing wells back in Formosa. She wondered what people would think if they saw her throw in a coin to make a wish here.
“Damn it, this is bullshit!”
Startled by the loud outburst, Isabella noticed a tall, blonde American boy about two meters away who seemed to be yelling at the fountain.
His frustration mirrored her own, making her pause in surprise.
***
“Why is this happening to me?”
Twenty-two-year-old Bennett Rivers felt his face flush with anger as he screamed at the fountain, feeling the need to unleash his frustration.
Ever since graduating college, he had a burning passion for acting and wanted to make it big in Hollywoodshire. However, just before graduation, he managed to land a few minor roles, but lately, he had struggled to get any gigs. Even the producers who once offered him chances were now reluctant to consider him for even small parts.
He couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong with his acting skills.

Chapter 5

Ben Rivers had just overheard from the crew on set that someone had used their connections to ensure that financing companies would no longer hire him, not even for the smallest of roles.
It was clear that only one person had the power to orchestrate such a blatant act of sabotage.
“Just watch, even if I end up on the streets, I will never compromise!” Ben shouted in frustration, his anger boiling over. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small figure nearby. Turning, he found himself face to face with a cute Asian girl, her big, dark eyes wide with surprise. She must have been startled by his outburst.
Trying to rein in his anger, Ben remembered that his emotional outburst wasn’t meant to scare anyone, especially not a little girl who barely reached his chest. Her round, cherubic face looked so adorable that he felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, looking intently into her bright green eyes. She seemed so small; how old could she be?
“It’s okay,” Isabella Zhao replied. She hadn’t expected the angry man to apologize so politely. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought—just having a rough day.
“You’re feeling down,” she observed, noting how foreign visitors often expressed their frustrations by shouting at fountains instead of tossing coins.
“Yeah,” he admitted, still feeling the weight of the day.
“I’m feeling down too. If you don’t mind, could I vent with you?” Isabella had been bottling up her frustrations for far too long, and she looked eagerly at the fountain, a sense of mischief creeping in.
“Venting?” Ben raised an eyebrow, curious about what she meant.
In the next moment, he got his answer. Isabella shouted at the fountain, “Why am I a girl and not a boy?! Why?!”
Ben watched her in intrigue, this peculiar little girl who, despite not understanding her words, expressed herself with an amusing stubbornness that defied her sweet appearance.
Seeing her unleash her frustration like that made Ben wonder what else was troubling her.
“This feels strangely liberating,” Isabella thought to herself. Taking a deep breath, she shouted again, “If possible, help me find a way to make my dad proud without regrets!”
Although the sheer physicality of her shouting left her feeling tired, she also sensed a significant relief from the pressure that had weighed heavily on her chest. As she caught her breath, her flushed cheeks glowed with a bright smile. “Wow, this really works! I feel so much better.”
In the lush green park, Isabella’s joy was as radiant as a blossoming flower, exuding a youthful charm that was wonderfully captivating.
Seeing her sweet smile made Ben chuckle, a warm laugh escaping his lips.
“Really? Want to shout together?” he suggested, no longer caring about the curious glances from other park visitors.
So they stood side by side, two people letting out their frustrations at the fountain. As they shouted, their burdens lightened, and they shared knowing smiles.
The atmosphere around them shifted, filled with warmth and delight.
“Hey, I’m Bennett Rivers, by the way. What’s your name?” he introduced himself, feeling a spark of connection.
“I...” Isabella hesitated, recalling the promise she had made to her cousin to never talk to strange men.
“Um.”
“I’m… Zi…” she whispered, unsure if she should share her name.
“Zi,” Ben echoed, intrigued.
Oh well, it was just a nickname, and he didn’t seem dangerous. “You can just call me Zi, then.”

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