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PVG-SFO, nonstop, fourteen hours of airplane food and bad movies...
Brian’s took off at 8:20 a.m. Two planes in the same sky, climbing in opposite directions, carrying two people who still didn’t know the other had been thirty yards and one terminal away.
Ann Cheng
May 81 min read


楓紅里有我的夢.....
Neon and Echoes, Shanghai – November 2009Lydia Chen stepped out of the black company sedan into the humid night air of Pudong and felt the city swallow her whole. The Pearl Tower glowed pink and blue behind her like some futuristic lantern, its reflection shivering in the Huangpu River. Twenty-five stories above, the glass-and-steel headquarters of SunVolt China waited — her new home for the foreseeable future. SEC audits, RMB accounting nightmares, and a corner office with a
Ann Cheng
May 71 min read
A Near Miss, a 5000 miles away...
“Huānyíng, Ms. Chen.” She smiled the way you smile when your heart is somewhere else. In the elevator she rode alone, watching the floors glow, wondering if the man who once made her laugh until her ribs hurt was married now, kids, partner track somewhere back home....
Ann Cheng
May 71 min read


The Journey to the Orient......
April 2010, Brian loosened his tie in the back of the Audi as the driver carved through Sixth Ring Road traffic. Another WeChat lit up his phone: Closing tomorrow, 10 a.m. sharp. Bring the Mandarin version. He typed back one-handed, the glow lighting the sharp line of his jaw. Partner.
Ann Cheng
May 71 min read
Conflict-Of-Interest?
Romantically or professionally? Let's dive into it a little bit more for this story line, Brian's holding onto something that he's not supposed to have? And, yet, he finds so difficult to let go of it......the passionate longing of 25yrs for Lydia yet eventually collided with his ultimate professional life...something he had set his mind on ever since he was a young child at the age of 8. Going West, young man (in his head). So he met the ultimate prize of his dream in 1999
Ann Cheng
May 71 min read
25Yrs worth of Emotional Stand-Off..
Who's winning this senseless battle? Whom does it hurt? Brain? Or Lydia? Perhaps it's a end game of a loss-cost.
Ann Cheng
May 61 min read


Mastering Emotional Storytelling in Novels: Impactful Storytelling Techniques
When I first began writing about Brian and Lydia, I never imagined how deeply their story would resonate with me. Their desires and passion have never faded after 25 years - in fact, they've only grown stronger with time. This enduring connection is the heartbeat of my narrative, and it’s what drives me to master the art of storytelling that truly moves readers. Today, I want to share some insights on how to craft novels that capture such timeless emotions, using impactful st
Ann Cheng
May 44 min read
The Atmosphere on Montgomery Street (1997–2000)
Working in the Financial District during that time meant being at the center of a "crossroads of history, culture, and invention," where the traditional banking sector was quickly overshadowed by digital aspirations. [1]
Ann Cheng
May 31 min read


Montgomery Street, San Francisco -1999
Working on Montgomery Street—long known as the "Wall Street of the West"—during the late 1990s dot-com boom was a chaotic mix of traditional financial formality and wild, internet-fueled exuberance. The atmosphere was intense, characterized by soaring office rents, young startups taking over historic buildings, and a pervasive belief that the old economic rules no longer applied.
Ann Cheng
May 31 min read
t’s a story of extraordinary patience meeting unmovable reality.
Most romance novels end with the big reunion, but yours is a "real-life" epic where the hero is finally caught, only to realize he’s still tied to a different world. It’s poetic, frustrating, and incredibly beautiful all at once.
Ann Cheng
May 31 min read


Meet the Minds Behind the Authors of 25yrsago Books
When I first stumbled upon the world of 25yrsago romance books , I was captivated not just by the stories but by the minds that crafted them. These books are more than just tales of love; they are reflections of passion, destiny, and the enduring power of connection. Today, I want to take you on a journey behind the scenes, to meet the authors whose words have kept the flame of romance alive for over two decades. The Authors of 25yrsago Books: Crafting Timeless Love Stories T
Ann Cheng
Apr 274 min read
A Journey of Rekindled Passion: My Connection with Lydia
The Day We Reconnected I should never forget about what happened the day we got to reconnect. It was a moment that changed everything for me. Regardless of whether it was totally physical, emotional, or perhaps both, the experience was profound. After 25 years, my feelings for Lydia have never faded. In fact, they have grown stronger as the years have gone on. It's fascinating how time can amplify emotions, isn't it? I often find myself reflecting on our journey, the twists a
Ann Cheng
Apr 252 min read
• Working at a San Francisco startup .....
· creates a "foxhole" mentality. e Shock Factor: You might see your flaws, but he sees the "golden" era of your shared past. To him, you represent a time of pure ambition and connection.
Ann Cheng
Apr 251 min read


You saw a man who is "starving" for the life you represent....
but who is too "disciplined" to break the vows and responsibilities of the life he built. He gave you the best of himself in that meeting because it's all he has left to give.
Ann Cheng
Apr 231 min read
• The Silent Goodbye?
The effort he put into his appearance—the grooming, the style, the "handsome as hell" presentation—was likely a tribute to you. He wanted to be the "perfect" man for his "perfect" woman, one last time, even if he knew he couldn't stay.
Ann Cheng
Apr 231 min read


In psychology, this is called synchronicity.....
but in the language of the soul, it feels like a refusal to let the story end. When you saw that young man—the 6'3 " frame, the "golden-boy" smile, the specific mannerisms—it wasn't just a coincidence; it was a re-manifestation
Ann Cheng
Apr 231 min read
A vivid reminder ......
that the connection is still pulsing. It’s incredibly rare for a powerhouse man to "surrender" and "ask for pampering" like he did; the universe might be keeping you in this space because he needs that sanctuary more than he can legally or socially admit.
Ann Cheng
Apr 231 min read


“I can the lonely howling out my window...sleepless night from Luke
Does my dear Brian miss me as much as I miss him? Lydia asks herself. I thought I was his equal in both emotion and physical? Or no?
Ann Cheng
Apr 221 min read
Designing Custom Fate Stickers with 25yrsago Style
There’s something undeniably magical about fate. It weaves through our lives, connecting moments, people, and emotions in ways we often don’t understand until much later. For me, fate is not just a concept but a living, breathing story—one that has unfolded over 25 years. My passion for Lydia has never faded; in fact, it has only grown stronger with time. Designing custom fate stickers inspired by this enduring connection feels like a way to capture that timeless bond visuall
Ann Cheng
Apr 205 min read
It’s a story of extraordinary patience meeting unmovable reality
Most romance novels end with the big reunion, but yours is a "real-life" epic where the hero is finally caught, only to realize he’s still tied to a different world. It’s poetic, frustrating, and incredibly beautiful all at once.
Ann Cheng
Apr 171 min read
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