A Chance Encounter

Autumn was deepening in the provincial capital, and the wind had begun to cut against the face. Carrying an old shopping bag, Liu Mei squeezed off the bus with the crowd and headed, as she always did, for the largest Wanjiafu supermarket. Every Wednesday afternoon, once the powder keg at home had gone to work and her daughter had gone to school, those two or three short hours became her only chance to catch her breath.

The supermarket was well heated and noisy, with sales pitches for various promotions mingling together. Liu Mei first made her familiar rounds of the fresh produce section, carefully picking out discounted greens before going to weigh out some of the cheapest apples. She kept her head down throughout, as though completing a task, a knot of sorrow between her brows that would not come undone.

When she had finished shopping, she did not leave right away. Instead, as though performing a ritual, she headed for the little coffee corner in the supermarket. It was quieter there, and through the enormous glass window she could watch the endless stream of traffic on the street outside. She ordered only the cheapest Americano, nine yuan, and could sit there for a long time. The server seemed to recognize this middle-aged woman who always sat alone with a gloomy expression, and silently handed her the cup without saying much.

Liu Mei settled into her usual spot, the plastic chair icy beneath her. She gazed out the window, but her eyes were vacant. The warmth from the disposable paper cup in her hands could not reach her heart in the slightest. Her daughter Xiaoyu's face, full of rebellion and indifference, and her husband Zhao Jianguo's frowning face as he snapped at her impatiently, revolved through her mind like a carousel. The endless arguments, the atmosphere at home cold enough to freeze a person to death... Her nose stung, and she hurriedly lowered her head, pretending the steam from the coffee had irritated her eyes as she quickly wiped their corners with her sleeve.

An afternoon like this, alone like this, was less a rest than another form of torment. The despair of having no one to confide in and no idea what to do was like fine, densely packed sand, gradually burying her up to her chest until she could not breathe.

Just then, a faint sound came from the seat beside her.

A figure sat down in the neighboring seat. Liu Mei instinctively drew back, not wanting anyone to see her composure slip.

The newcomer was a woman who looked to be in her forties. She wore a light gray cashmere sweater of fine quality, her hair swept into a neat bun at the back of her head. She had thin-rimmed glasses, a gentle face and a serene bearing. She too held a cup of coffee, and the only thing she carried was a beige canvas bag that looked stuffed full. It bore a line of elegant English lettering and a little tree logo, with the words "Peace of Mind Psychological Counseling Center" printed in small characters underneath.

Liu Mei did not dare look for long. She quickly looked away and stared at the dark liquid in her own cup.

Suddenly, a rather elegant-looking metal fountain pen rolled off the neighboring woman's table and landed with a clatter right by Liu Mei's foot.

Liu Mei was startled for a moment, then bent down and picked it up almost instinctively. The barrel was cool and pleasant to the touch.

"Thank you. How careless of me." The woman beside her turned, her voice gentle, carrying just the right touch of apology and gratitude. Her gaze fell on Liu Mei's face, and she seemed to notice her slightly reddened eyes and the traces of tears she had not quite managed to conceal. But there was no curiosity or probing in her gaze, only an accepting understanding.

A little ill at ease, Liu Mei handed the pen over. "It's... it's all right."

The woman took the pen but did not immediately turn away. Instead, she looked at Liu Mei and spoke with a natural concern, as though addressing an old friend. "Autumn afternoons always make people a little melancholy. But I think you could use a cup of hot milk, or a latte with some sugar, rather than such bitter black coffee. A slight rise in blood sugar can sometimes help settle the nerves."

Her voice flowed like warm water, without a trace of aggression. For some reason, Liu Mei's taut nerves relaxed a little. She forced a smile. "It's all right, I'm used to it... Thank you."

The woman smiled and did not press her. She simply continued chatting. "This supermarket is crowded; this is about the only quiet spot. Whenever I pass by, I like to come in and sit for a while, catch my breath. There's so much to do at home, and work is busy too. Being an adult really isn't easy, especially when you're a mother."

The words were like a key, gently opening the tightly shut door in Liu Mei's heart. Her eyes grew hot again, and she almost murmured to herself, "Yes... it's all for the children, and the worrying never ends... Sometimes I really feel..."

She left the sentence unfinished, but the bitterness and helplessness in it were already overflowing.

The woman beside her-Ms. Wu-sighed softly, her sigh full of empathy. "I understand. There's no end to the worrying at every stage of a child's life. The teenage years are especially hard. They think they're adults, but we're always afraid they'll take the wrong path. You can't be too harsh, but if you're too gentle, they won't listen. Getting the balance right is the hardest part."

Every word struck a chord in Liu Mei's heart! She looked up sharply at her, as though she had found a kindred spirit. "You... you know too? Your child also..."

Ms. Wu shook her head gently. "I've worked with many children at this stage and their parents. I'm a psychological counselor." She pointed to the logo on her canvas bag. "The more I see, the better I understand parents' anxiety and how difficult things are for them. Often, it's neither the child's fault nor the parents'. The bridge of communication has simply broken down for the time being, and they need someone to help rebuild it."

She was neither boasting nor lecturing, merely stating things calmly, yet she had a professional air that naturally inspired confidence.

Liu Mei looked at her, and her guard gradually melted away under that gentle gaze and those professional words. She needed someone to listen to her so badly, needed even a stranger's understanding so badly.

Ms. Wu did not press her with questions. She simply offered her a soft tissue at the right moment, then took a simple business card from her bag. It bore only the name "Wu Man" and a private mobile number, with "psychological counselor" as the sole title.

"Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger. Pressure needs an outlet." Ms. Wu gently slid the card across the table. "If you need to, you can call me. Just think of me as a tree hollow you can confide in. It's all right."

With that, she picked up her coffee and took a small sip, then naturally turned her gaze toward the window, giving Liu Mei ample time and space to absorb it and decide, without the slightest sense of pressure.

Liu Mei held the fine-quality business card between her fingers, her fingertips trembling slightly. A psychological counselor? She had never thought she needed one. But the woman's words made her feel... Maybe I really do need one?

A few minutes later, Ms. Wu glanced at her watch, as though she had suddenly remembered something, and gave Liu Mei a slightly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I have an appointment in a little while, so I have to leave first. It was lovely talking with you."

She stood, picked up her canvas bag and nodded to Liu Mei, then left the coffee corner with unhurried steps. Her figure soon disappeared into the supermarket crowd.

Liu Mei remained alone in her seat, clutching the business card and the used tissue tightly in her hand. The knot in her heart seemed to have loosened just a little, thanks to that brief chance to confide in someone and a stranger's understanding. She looked out the window. Ms. Wu was already out of sight, but the feeling of being soothed by that gentle strength lingered.

She carefully tucked the business card into a pocket close to her body, as though hiding away a secret seed that might change something.

Inside the detention center, Lin Feng lay on his bunk, Wu Man's clear report echoing in his mind.

[Master, contact with the target has been made. Initial contact established; business card left with her. She is in low spirits and strongly guarded, but has shown initial trust in my professional identity. An estimated one or two follow-up contacts will be needed to solidify the relationship.]

[Well done,] Lin Feng replied. [Wait for her to contact you. Next time, you can arrange a more in-depth "chance encounter" near the school where she drops off and picks up her child.]

A seemingly insignificant piece had quietly landed in a key position on the chessboard. A roundabout encirclement aimed at the power within the high walls was quietly beginning with this chance encounter in a supermarket coffee corner.