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Of course, Li Qian knew nothing of these sordid details, only that a young girl was waiting for him somewhere in this broad and vast universe. So, it was understandable that his heart shuddered in pain when he finally stood in the empty village square where a blossoming plum tree stood.

"Young Master," Chen Fan hesitated and looked around. "Do you think this is it? But why... the Master was so sure..."

Chen Fan's thoughts sputtered out as they gazed at the empty square. Suddenly, his mouth perked up, "Maybe we just need to wait a while; perhaps she's just not here yet. After all," he yawned, "it's still quite early."

The sun had just risen over the mountains, and the mist-covered valley was still clearing. However, the boss had refused to delay, and now they stood in a seemingly empty village in the middle of nowhere.

Suddenly, they heard the rumbling of a cart from down one of the cobbled streets. The two men withdrew to the cover of a building, and Li Qian couldn't help but hold his breath.

A lovely Chinese woman made her way slowly into the square, pulling a heavy cart laden with hand-painted ceramics behind her. She reached a patch of grass beneath the plum tree, setting up her cart and displaying her wares with nimble precision. Her ebony hair was gathered in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, and the warming sunlight kissed her porcelain skin with gentle radiance.

Although Li Qian recognized the elegance and grace of this woman, he knew immediately that she wasn't the one he was looking for. Although... calling to mind the face that rested in his heart, she seemed to be a five or six point match!

Chen Fan stood silently at his Young Master's side. He watched Li Qian lean out, about to reveal himself from the cover of the wall they stood behind.

"Erm... Young Master," he whispered and reached out to pull him back.

"It's not her, but..." Li Qian hesitated to voice his thoughts; he was so close that he didn't want to suffer any more disappointment.

They watched together as the woman looked over her shoulder at the light steps echoing through the square. All the air seemed to condense at this moment; time was suspended as a fluttering young form moved into sight.

"Oh gods," Li Qian breathed. It's her.

In fact, before taking this final trip, Li Qian had seriously considered whether he should come. Was he really prepared to meet the tangible girl?

What if she wasn't what he'd hoped and dreamed of? What if she was cruel, old, or had a handicap? What if she was married? What if she didn't like him? What if, what if, what if? The possibilities swirled around him. Would he be able to accept anything less than the perfect girl that he'd built her up to be?

After deep contemplation and reviewing every scenario, Li Qian knew he'd do anything to be with her.

Li Qian – at least this current Li Qian – had never been in romantic love, so he didn't know exactly what these feelings were. Whatever type of love it was, romantic, platonic, compassionate, wasn't it all wonderful? As long as he knew their souls belonged together, he would accept anything that came.

If she was cruel, he'd guide her. If she was old, he'd accompany her. Handicapped? He'd care for her. Married was a tough one, granted, but if she was already married... well, he'd tackle that if he had to.

She appeared slightly different than his memories, her cheeks a little rounder, and her skin was lighter. He'd seen her face a thousand times in his dreams, seen her make a thousand expressions, each one a brushstroke of emotion across the canvas of his heart. Yet, in that fleeting moment when she first appeared, he realized that all the dreams and imaginings had only skimmed the surface of her genuine, living embodiment.

Yes, she diverged slightly from his memory, but he'd never mistake the shining soul glimmering out from her large eyes. A warmth of recognition flooded him, and he knew that reality had surpassed even the most vivid corners of his imagination.

The girl wore a simple blouse and navy skirt, neat as a pin. Her hair was tied up into a fluffy bun on the top of her head. He watched in awe as her rosebud lips lifted in a smile at the sight of the woman under the tree.

"Mama, you forgot your lunch again!"

Li Qian slumped against the wall at the sound of her clear voice, his hand grasped at his tie to pull it away from his throat.

Chen Fan stood back in amazement; seeing his Young Master at loose ends was utterly foreign to him. 'Damn, I wish I was recording this so I could show it to Madam Li!' Chen Fan knew Li Qian's mom was desperately waiting for her daughter-in-law to appear. It seemed her wish was about to come true, but this girl seemed a bit... young.

The woman under the tree reached out for a hug as the beautiful girl skipped over. She pulled a package from her school bag and carefully placed it into the cart.

"Thank you, my lovely girl. Now, off to school with you before you're late!"

"En! Happy to be of service, your majesty!" The girl bowed her head mockingly at her mom before jumping away from the teasing swat aimed at her. Her eyes crinkled with delicate charm, and she giggled joyfully.

"Get, you silly thing!" The girl gave a final grin before turning away and bounding back out of the square in the direction she first came from.

"Stay safe and study hard," the mom made a final, shouted admonition at the fading figure.

Li Qian couldn't tear his eyes away from the direction where the young woman disappeared. "Shit, Chen Fan..."

"En, yes, boss?" Chen Fan stepped beside Li Qian, unable to say much as he was as stunned as Li Qian was.

"She's got a dimple, Chen Fan. I'm done for."

Chen Fan quickly dropped his head and covered his mouth before the Young Master saw him laughing. What sounded suspiciously like a snicker escaped before Chen Fan gathered himself. When he raised his eyes, Li Qian was already halfway across the square, striding quickly towards the woman under the tree.