The next day was unusually busy at the flower shop.
Customers came and went, filling the small space with chatter and the scent of fresh roses.
Lian Hua moved gracefully between the tables, wrapping bouquets and arranging flowers.
For a moment, she almost forgot about the tension between Zhen Wei and Chen Kai.
Almost.
The bell above the door rang again.
She looked up.
Chen Kai.
He walked in with the same easy smile as before.
"Good afternoon, Lian Hua."
"Good afternoon," she replied.
He glanced around the shop.
"Busy today."
"Yes. Weekends usually are."
He leaned casually against the counter.
"So I won't keep you long."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That's new."
He laughed.
"Okay, maybe I will keep you a little."
She crossed her arms lightly.
"What do you need today?"
"Actually… I don't need flowers today."
"Then why are you here?"
Chen Kai hesitated for a moment.
Then he said simply,
"I wanted to ask you something."
Lian Hua tilted her head.
"What is it?"
He smiled.
"Would you like to get coffee with me sometime?"
The question hung in the air.
Lian Hua blinked in surprise.
"Coffee?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Chen Kai looked amused.
"Usually people don't ask that after someone invites them for coffee."
She laughed softly.
"I just like to understand things clearly."
"Well," he said, "I think you're interesting."
"And coffee helps people talk."
She considered the idea.
It seemed harmless.
Just coffee.
But before she could answer—
The bell above the door chimed again.
And this time she didn't need to look to know who it was.
Zhen Wei.
He stepped into the shop slowly, his gaze moving between Chen Kai and Lian Hua.
He had clearly heard the last part of the conversation.
Chen Kai noticed him and smiled slightly.
"Perfect timing," he said casually.
Zhen Wei said nothing.
His eyes were focused on Lian Hua.
She suddenly felt like she was standing in the middle of a silent storm.
Chen Kai spoke again.
"So," he said, still smiling, "what do you think?"
Lian Hua glanced at Zhen Wei.
His expression was unreadable.
But she could feel the tension radiating from him.
Chen Kai followed her gaze and chuckled.
"Are you waiting for his permission?"
Zhen Wei's eyes darkened slightly.
The flower shop had never felt so quiet.
And somehow, Lian Hua realized her answer might change everything.