The next morning, a cool breeze swept through the garden as Liu arrived at a small tea stall just outside the main gate. Lili was already there, sitting at a low wooden table, a steaming cup of green tea in front of her. She looked up and offered a shy smile, her hair tied back loosely to reveal the subtle curve of her neck.
"Good morning," Liu greeted, taking a seat opposite her and ordering two more cups of tea. "Ready to tackle conflict scenes today?"
Lili nodded, opening her notebook to a blank page. "I want to heighten the stakes between my hero and heroine. But I'm not sure how to keep it natural."
Liu studied her thoughtfully. "Conflict isn't just about anger. It's about the small misunderstandings, unspoken fears, and hidden desires."
He sipped his tea and leaned forward. "Imagine two characters who care deeply for each other but stumble over trust. Maybe the heroine overhears a half-heard conversation and misinterprets his intentions."
Lili's eyes brightened. "So, instead of a grand argument, it's a quiet tension—like a tea fragrance that lingers but isn't overpowering."
"Exactly. Show it through action and silence. For example, he arrives late carrying gifts, but she's already gone in disappointment before seeing them."
Lili scribbled notes quickly:
He tightened his grip on the wrapped package, heart hammering.
"You're late," she said without looking up.
The gift trembled in his hands.
"Short lines, strong subtext," Liu commented. "The reader feels their hurt and hope without spelling it out."
Across the table, two elderly vendors exchanged knowing glances, their laughter drifting through the air like soft chimes. Inspired, Lili added:
"I thought you forgot," her voice cracked.
"Not you," he pressed the gift into her hands.
Liu nodded approvingly. "Good. A worry, a pause, then reassurance. And end on a note that makes them want to read on."
Lili closed her notebook with determination. "Chapter ends when she opens the gift and sees the exact item she wished for—but in her next line, she decides not to look inside yet."
"A perfect hook," Liu said, pouring more tea. "Readers will return just to know what's inside."
They sat in companionable silence, the garden's midday hush wrapping around them. With each shared idea, their story—and their bond—grew stronger, the next chapter of both unfolding moment by moment.