The fact that Wen Yun and her lover both remember, while each thinks they are alone in it, gives the dialogue room for subtext rather than exposition. A useful romance reference is Love Between Fairy and Devil: affection grows through costly choices, not just declarations.
A short original, AI-assisted sample of my writing: ‘The river lanterns were meant for the dead. “You always release yours before the bell,” he said. “It drifts farther that way,” she replied. She did not tell him whose name was folded inside. When he offered the flame, she let him light it.’
I can reserve time for one defined test scene this week and discuss a steady weekly commitment if our styles fit. Is there a cash budget for a paid test scene before a longer collaboration?