The evening air over Jade Street was cool and quiet. Most of the shops had already closed, and the warm glow of street lanterns stretched across the pavement.
Inside her flower shop, Lian Hua finished tying the ribbon around a small bouquet of lotuses.
Another long day was over.
She placed the bouquet aside and stretched lightly before turning off the lights.
The bell chimed softly as she locked the door behind her.
The street felt peaceful, just as it always did at this hour.
But after walking a few steps, she felt something strange.
Footsteps.
Slow. Quiet. Just behind her.
She stopped.
The footsteps stopped too.
Her heart began to beat a little faster.
Maybe it was just someone walking the same way…
She continued walking.
Again—footsteps.
Closer this time.
Lian Hua turned around quickly.
The street was nearly empty.
Only a tall man standing near a lamppost.
His face was partly hidden in the shadows.
"Can I help you?" she asked cautiously.
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he simply stared at her.
An uneasy feeling crept up her spine.
She turned again and began walking faster.
The footsteps returned.
Now there was no doubt.
Someone was following her.
Just as fear began to rise in her chest—
A black car suddenly stopped beside the sidewalk.
The door opened.
"Get in."
The familiar calm voice instantly made her heart settle.
Zhen Wei.
She looked at him in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Get in the car," he repeated, his voice firm.
Without another word, she stepped inside.
The car door closed, and the vehicle pulled away smoothly.
Zhen Wei glanced out the back window briefly.
His expression was colder than she had ever seen it.
"Someone was following you," he said quietly.
"I noticed," she replied.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I don't like that."
"You make it sound like you own the street," she said lightly.
"I don't," he replied calmly.
"But I do control certain things."
The car continued moving through the glowing city streets.
Lian Hua studied him carefully.
"You arrived at exactly the right moment," she said.
He didn't answer right away.
Finally he spoke.
"I make sure you're safe."
Her heart skipped slightly.
"Why?"
Zhen Wei turned to look at her.
His dark eyes were steady.
"Because you matter to me."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Outside, Shanghai's lights shimmered across the river.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was quieter… heavier somehow.
Lian Hua suddenly realized something.
Zhen Wei hadn't just appeared by coincidence.
He had been watching.
Protecting.
Waiting.
And that realization made her heart feel strangely warm… and slightly nervous at the same time.