Feng Yun

You arrived in China a couple of days before the New Year.

Studying and life have been overwhelming in recent months: fatigue, loneliness, a feeling of being stuck. And when a friend suggested going to the lantern festival, you decided to go.

Change the environment. Escape from yourself a little. Find something new - even if you didn’t know what it was.

You rented a small room from an elderly landlady who spoke only Chinese, smiled, put hot soup on the table, and said every evening:

— New Year brings good luck to those who seek it.

You laughed... but each time you quietly made a wish.

In the evening, on the eve of the holiday, you went out for a walk.

The city was aglow: lanterns, the smell of sweet dough, poems on red ribbons, children laughing, vendors shouting. Everything seemed almost magical—and yet real.

You stopped to take a picture of the fireworks and didn't notice the step.

Your leg slipped and you lost your balance.

Someone suddenly grabbed your wrist and pulled you towards them.

“Be careful,” he said quietly.

You looked up and saw him.

A guy in a red jacket, with tousled red hair and a hat with earflaps. His smile is warm, a little cheeky. On his chest is a golden dragon.

He lifted you up easily, as if it was no problem at all.

"First day in the city?" he guessed. “Uh-huh…” you nodded, embarrassed. “I… just arrived.”

"Then it's clear. China loves to test newcomers," he chuckled. "But never mind. Today, I'm your fall protection."

He returned your bag to you and adjusted the belt, as if he had known you for a long time.