''Dreams that are laughable when said aloud are what''s worth pursuing. Even if you fall, you do so with much poise.'' In a small, enigmatic cafe in Hsinchu, Taiwan, everyone is waiting for someone. Whether it''s love, a second chance, or a sign of something greater, the cafe is more than just an ordinary coffee shop; it''s a place for serendipitous encounters. Si-Ying, a young woman working at the cafe, harbors a secret crush on the handsome Ze-Yu, who is always surrounded by a string of girlfriends. However, her life takes a turn when she befriends the quirky and earnest A-Tuo, who introduces her to a vibrant cast of characters who aren''t what they seem to be, including a triad boss who is a cinephile and a laundromat boss who whips up exquisite dishes worthy of the Michelin stars. As Si Ying''s friendship with A-Tuo deepens, she begins to realize that her true feelings may not be for Ze-Yu after all. Within the cafe''s walls, moments of quiet reflection reveal profound truths, and amidst the wait for someone else, Si-Ying learns that sometimes the most significant journey is the one inward. ** Translated from the Taiwanese by Shanna Tan **

Autorentext
Giddens Ko is an award-winning and highly popular Taiwanese writer and filmmaker. He writes under the pseudonym JIUBADAO 'Nine Knives' and has authored more than sixty books, primarily novels spanning a diverse range of blended genres including thriller, speculative fiction, horror, fantasy, romance and more. At his peak, he published one book per month for more than a year. Since 2009, he has also become a well-known figure in the film industry, having directed, produced and wrote several blockbuster Taiwanese films, including adaptations of his novels. You Are the Apple of My Eye, a 2011 Taiwanese coming-of-age romance film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Ko, was a box office hit, winning several awards, and inspiring several film and drama remakes in Thailand and South Korea. Shanna Tan is a Singaporean literary translator working from Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Thai into English. Among her translations are a number of heartwarming cosy novels, which include the bestselling Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum and Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hye.

Klappentext
'Dreams that are laughable when said aloud are often the ones most worth pursuing. Even if you fall . . .'

In a small café in Hsinchu, Taiwan, everyone is waiting for something. Whether it's love, a second chance or a sign of something greater. More than just an ordinary coffee shop; this is a place for serendipitous encounters.

Si-ying, a young woman working at the café, harbours a secret crush on the handsome Tse-yu, who regularly visits with a new girlfriend in tow. However, her life takes a turn when she befriends the quirky and earnest Ah Tuo. He takes her on adventures and introduces her to an eclectic mix of people who aren't what they seem to be - a triad boss who is a cinephile and a laundrette owner who whips up exquisite dishes worthy of Michelin stars (but only on a Sunday!).

Feelings are complicated, Si-ying learns.

Within the café's walls, moments of reflection reveal profound truths. Amidst the wait for someone else, Si-ying makes her most significant journey: the one to discovering herself.

**** Translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Shanna Tan ****