According to an old saying from China, there is an unseen connection, like a vibrant red thread, that links people who are meant to come together, no matter when, where, or under what circumstances. This thread has the ability to stretch or get tangled, but it can never be broken.
Lauren Kung Jessen’s second romantic novel, Red String Theory, revolves around a widely known adage. In this exclusive reveal, EW presents the captivating cover art, along with a delightful excerpt from the book itself! Set to release on January 9, 2024, the story centers on Rooney Gao, a talented visual artist. In her childhood, Rooney’s Gōng Gong – her beloved grandparent – taught her about the mystical concept of the red string of fate.
Rooney has an unwavering belief that her perfect match is somewhere in the world waiting for her. She has recently spent a magical evening in the snowy city of New York with Jackson Liu, a systems engineer at NASA. Little does Jackson know that Rooney is the very artist he has selected for NASA’s prestigious Artist-in-Residence program. Rooney is convinced that destiny has brought them together, drawing them back into each other’s lives two years after their memorable night. But Jackson, on the other hand, is not a firm believer in fate, leaving us wondering if they will seize this new opportunity that has presented itself.
Take a look at the amazing cover that was created and beautifully illustrated by the talented Sandra Chiu, (@whatsannymade). We’ve also got a captivating excerpt from the book that will surely spark your interest.
Two weeks have passed since the Lunar New Year festivities began, and now we reach the culmination of the celebrations on this very evening. As I gaze into the heavens, I spy the luminous full moon shining through the darkness, most auspicious for the Lantern Festival. The moon appears radiant, standing out against the beautifully tinged orange and violet sky, its luminosity steadily increasing as the night progresses.
As I delicately position my hands beneath our lantern, Jack goes the extra mile and stretches out his lengthy arms underneath the entire edge, almost causing our hands to touch. Together, we lower the lantern until it reaches a height that allows us to maintain eye contact above it. The soft yellow light reveals a rosy blush on Jack’s cheeks, and I can feel my own face warming up in a similar manner, knowing that it’s not solely due to the heat emanating from the flame beneath us.
“Jack insists on doing this task correctly, and he requests my assistance. He confidently calculates the necessary coordinates and the optimal angle to execute the plan flawlessly. It’s crucial that we choose a location far from the vicinity of the police station. By the way, do you happen to know where that is?” Jack gazes at me, anticipating a response.
I point with one of my arms in the direction of downtown, causing the lantern to wobble. “It’s somewhere in that general area.”
Jack positions the lantern steadily, gazing upward with a slight tilt. “Check out that breeze, blowing westward. That’s fortunate for us, you know. So, lift it up higher. Move a tad closer to where I am.” I take three small steps towards Jack, shuffling my feet. “Here’s the plan: we’ll aim the lantern towards the river, away from all those busy buildings and bustling people.”
Jack’s gaze shifts upwards as he contemplates, seemingly lost in a world of numbers and calculations. I can’t help but find his intense concentration endearing; it’s incredible how invested he becomes in this mental exercise.
As he gazes over at the other couples letting go of their lanterns, he raises an intriguing question, “What other factors are we failing to take into account?” Ah, right over there! Take a look! They are releasing their lanterns directly above their heads. Yet, for it to have the desired effect, the lantern should stay closer to the ground while being launched at a slight angle. Their lanterns won’t travel very far, barely reaching a mile in distance.
Lantern Wars, huh? Sounds interesting! So, what’s the prize? Are we getting free lanterns for the rest of our lives? Just kidding, of course!
Jack shakes his head, but his disapproval is not directed at me. With a hushed voice, he leans in closer and points out the crowd of people in front of us. Curiously, I catch a whiff of clove emanating from him, followed by a subtle earthy aroma reminiscent of oak or perhaps cedar. It’s a woody fragrance that instantly envelops me, bringing a comforting warmth to my senses.
He says that the lantern was forcefully pushed out over the building, causing it to sway and potentially disrupting its intended path.
Analyzing the enchantment behind releasing lanterns is unnecessary. Once we let them go, we relinquish any control over their destiny. It’s like releasing a bird from our grip and watching it soar into the sky. We can only hope that it finds its way and brings joy to whomever it encounters. Just like how life sometimes takes unexpected turns, the magic of lanterns lies in the unpredictability of their journey. So, let go of your worries and send your lantern into the night, for its path is now beyond our grasp.
Jack raises an eyebrow in confusion. He firmly declares, “We can’t just leave the fate of our paper lantern, powered by the flickering flame, to chance or any forces beyond our control.”
“Don’t fret, my friend, for our lantern shall reach its rightful destination without fail,” I reassure him with a comforting tone.
“Fine, I’ll drop the whole fate thing,” Jack quips, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm that doesn’t escape my notice. It’s like a wrinkle in his usually composed demeanor. “Why don’t I focus on something more realistic, like avoiding getting caught and ending up behind bars?”
Perhaps, if you’ve been through a similar situation before, it’s possible that the fear associated with it won’t be as crippling.
He shifts his stance, expressing his contentment in skipping this particular lesson.
In just a matter of minutes, something magical happens. The lantern seems to come alive, as if it has a mind of its own. Its warmth begins to fill the air, signaling that it no longer desires to stay grounded. As our eyes follow its ascent, our hands instinctively raise alongside it, guided by its ethereal glow. It’s as if this lantern has become a guiding light, leading us on a journey beyond the confines of the earth.
Jack and I raise our arms, connecting our gaze in the mesmerizing radiance of the flame. Peering into his deep, expressive eyes, I catch a glimpse of that familiar twinkle, as though his eyes were beaming with a smile.
He casually lifts his shoulders in a gesture of nonchalance. “Why not just release it when we count to three? Ready? One, two—”
As we come together under the indigo sky, we simultaneously release a lantern and softly utter the word “three.” We stand closely, captivated by the lantern’s whimsical journey through the air. In this moment, our collision evokes a sense of connection that surpasses any unspoken limits we might have had.
I feel completely out of breath, and Jack appears to be in the same state.
With a slightly puzzled expression on his face, he exclaims, “Wow, that was absolutely exhilarating!”
“I can’t help but compliment you on your absolute radiance,” I cheerfully exclaim, playfully imitating the serious expression he had on his face.
He is overflowing with laughter, completely uninhibited. This is the first instance I have ever witnessed him expressing such contentment. It carries a surprising warmth and hints at a pure, innocent happiness that lies beneath his tough exterior.
As I step outside into the chilly thirty-degree weather, I can’t help but shiver. My face feels numb from the biting cold. However, there’s something about hearing Jack’s infectious laughter that warms me from the inside out. The moon hangs overhead, casting a radiant glow over the Hudson River. It’s as if it’s putting on a captivating show just for us. In that moment, a sense of excitement and anticipation courses through my veins. Could this be the start of something more between us?