The narrow shikumen room was dimly lit, its walls bearing the weight of dreams deferred. Su Chun sat on the edge of their creaky bed, glancing at the clock. It was Friday night—the one evening they reserved for themselves amidst the chaos of life in Jiangzhou.
Guo Haiping emerged from the tiny kitchenette, her eyes tired but determined. She wore a faded dress, remnants of their college days. "Su Chun," she said softly, "tonight is our date night."
He smiled, reaching for her hand. "I haven't forgotten."
They stepped out onto the rooftop, the city sprawled below them. The stars were mere pinpricks against the neon glow. Haiping leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on the clouds drifting lazily. "Remember when we used to lie here, imagining our future?" she asked.
Su Chun nodded. "We dreamed of a house—a real one, not this shikumen. A place where we'd have space to breathe."
Haiping's fingers traced the outline of his palm. "And now? We're still here, saving every penny for that elusive down payment."
He pulled her close. "But we have each other."
As they sat side by side, Haiping's phone buzzed. A message from her sister, Guo Haizao. She'd found a job and was dating someone—a warm-hearted office worker named Xiao Bei. Haiping's heart swelled with pride for her sister, even as her own dreams remained unfulfilled.
"Su Chun," Haiping whispered, "do you ever regret staying in Jiangzhou?"
He hesitated. "Sometimes. But then I look at you, and I know it's worth it."
They shared a simple meal—noodles and laughter. Haiping's eyes sparkled as she recounted Haizao's adventures with Xiao Bei. "Young love," she mused. "It's like watching clouds shift—unpredictable, yet beautiful."
Su Chun leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. "And what about us?"
She sighed. "We're like the shikumen—cramped, weathered, but enduring."
He chuckled. "Enduring, yes. But we'll find our way."
Later, they lay on the rooftop, wrapped in each other's warmth. The clouds danced above, their secrets hidden within. Haiping rested her head on Su Chun's chest. "One day," she murmured, "we'll have our house."
He kissed her forehead. "And until then, we'll keep surviving—beneath the shikumen sky."
