The car slowed as it approached Jade Street again.
Lian Hua looked out the window, watching the familiar shops pass by under the soft glow of the streetlights.
"You didn't have to bring me all the way back," she said quietly.
Zhen Wei didn't look at her.
"I wanted to."
His answers were always simple.
Too simple.
The car stopped near her flower shop. The driver stepped out to open the door, but Zhen Wei raised a hand slightly, stopping him.
"I'll walk her," he said.
The driver nodded and stepped back.
They walked together along the quiet street. The night air was cool, and the city noise felt distant here.
After a few moments, Lian Hua spoke.
"You knew someone was following me before I did, didn't you?"
Zhen Wei didn't answer right away.
Finally, he said, "Yes."
She stopped walking.
"You had someone watching me."
His gaze moved to her slowly.
"I had someone watching the street."
"That's not the same thing."
"No," he agreed calmly. "It isn't."
She studied him carefully now.
"You're a very powerful man, aren't you?"
"I have influence."
"That's a very careful way of saying yes."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I don't like problems near the people I care about."
The words were quiet but heavy with meaning.
They reached the door of the flower shop.
Lian Hua turned to face him.
"You barely know me," she said.
"I know enough."
"And what exactly do you know?"
Zhen Wei's eyes softened slightly.
"I know you wake up early every morning to take care of flowers that most people walk past without noticing."
Her breath caught slightly.
"I know you treat every customer with kindness, even when they don't deserve it."
She looked away, suddenly shy under his attention.
"And," he continued quietly, "I know you're someone worth protecting."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The soft wind moved through the street, carrying the faint scent of lotus from inside the shop.
Finally, Lian Hua unlocked the door.
Before stepping inside, she looked back at him.
"You're very mysterious, Zhen Wei."
"I prefer the word private."
She smiled faintly.
"Well… thank you for walking me home."
He nodded once.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
She stepped inside the shop, closing the door behind her.
Through the window, she watched as Zhen Wei walked back toward the waiting black car.
For a moment, he paused and looked back at the shop.
His expression was thoughtful.
Almost protective.
And Lian Hua realized something she hadn't fully understood before.
Zhen Wei wasn't just a wealthy CEO.
He was a man who controlled far more than he showed.
And somehow… she had already become part of his world.