The afternoon sun hung lazily over Jade Street, casting warm light through the glass windows of Lian Hua's flower shop. The shop was busier than usual that day, filled with customers choosing bouquets and chatting quietly.
But something else was filling the air.
Whispers.
"Have you noticed that handsome man who keeps coming here?" one woman murmured near the entrance.
"Yes, the tall one in the black suits," another replied. "He doesn't look like an ordinary customer."
Lian Hua pretended not to hear them while carefully wrapping a bouquet of peonies. Her cheeks warmed slightly, but she kept her focus on the flowers.
The bell above the door rang again.
And just like the whispers predicted—he appeared.
Zhen Wei stepped into the shop, calm and composed as always. The chatter in the room softened almost immediately. His presence had a way of doing that.
His gaze found Lian Hua instantly.
It always did.
"Good afternoon," he said.
"Good afternoon," she replied, trying to keep her tone natural.
But before he could approach the counter, another voice interrupted.
"Miss Lian Hua!"
A young man entered the shop, smiling brightly as he walked toward her. He carried a camera bag over his shoulder and looked around with obvious admiration.
"I came to pick up the bouquet I ordered yesterday," he said cheerfully.
"Oh! Yes, Mr. Lin," Lian Hua said. "I prepared it this morning."
As she turned to retrieve the bouquet, she didn't notice the subtle shift in Zhen Wei's expression.
His calm gaze had darkened.
The young man leaned casually against the counter. "Your flower shop is becoming famous," he said with a grin. "I might have to visit more often."
Lian Hua laughed softly. "I'm happy to hear that."
But across the shop, Zhen Wei watched the interaction in silence.
His hands slipped slowly into his pockets, though his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
When Lian Hua handed the bouquet to Mr. Lin, their fingers brushed briefly.
That was enough.
Zhen Wei stepped forward.
The atmosphere in the shop seemed to change instantly.
"Miss Lian Hua," he said calmly.
She looked up. "Yes?"
"I believe you forgot something."
"Forgot what?"
His dark eyes flicked briefly toward the young man beside her before returning to her face.
"Your attention," he said quietly.
The words were calm, but the meaning behind them made her heart skip.
Mr. Lin looked between them awkwardly, sensing the tension.
"Well… I should get going," he said quickly, grabbing his bouquet before leaving the shop.
Silence followed.
Lian Hua looked at Zhen Wei, unsure whether to be amused or frustrated.
"You scared away my customer," she said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"If he was easily scared away," Zhen Wei replied smoothly, "then he wasn't worth your attention."
Her cheeks warmed again, though this time it wasn't embarrassment.
"You're very confident," she said.
"No," he corrected quietly.
"I'm very certain."
Their eyes met across the counter.
And for the first time, Lian Hua realized something clearly.
Zhen Wei wasn't just visiting her shop anymore.
He was claiming space in her world.