The flower shop felt strangely quiet after Chen Kai left.
Lian Hua rearranged a bouquet of roses while pretending not to notice Zhen Wei standing near the window.
But she could feel his gaze.
"You're still thinking about him," she said finally.
Zhen Wei didn't deny it.
"I'm thinking about why he's interested in you."
"Maybe he likes flowers."
Zhen Wei looked at her.
"No."
His answer was calm but firm.
"Then maybe he likes my shop."
"Also no."
She placed the roses down and crossed her arms.
"You're making a lot of assumptions."
"I'm making observations."
"And your observation is that he likes me?"
"Yes."
She laughed softly.
"That's a very confident conclusion."
Zhen Wei stepped closer.
"I understand men very well."
"And what about yourself?" she asked.
"What about me?"
"Why do you keep coming here?"
The question hung between them.
For a moment, the only sound in the shop was the soft movement of the flowers in the breeze.
Finally, Zhen Wei spoke.
"Because I want to."
"That's not a real answer."
"It's the only answer you need."
She stared at him.
"You're very used to controlling things, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"And you think you can control this situation too?"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"This situation already exists."
Lian Hua picked up a crimson lotus from the counter.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "lotus flowers grow freely. No one controls where they bloom."
Zhen Wei studied her carefully.
"And yet," he said quietly, "when something beautiful grows… people naturally want to protect it."
"Protect it… or possess it?"
The question lingered in the air.
For the first time, Zhen Wei didn't answer immediately.
Then he said softly,
"Maybe both."
Her heart beat a little faster.
Before she could respond, his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression immediately hardened.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Work," he said briefly.
But as he turned to leave, he paused at the door.
Then he looked back at her.
"If Chen Kai comes again…"
"Yes?"
"Tell me."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
His gaze was steady.
"Because I want to know."
The bell rang as he left the shop.
Lian Hua stood there holding the crimson lotus.
Her mind replayed his words.
Protect… or possess.
She wasn't sure which one Zhen Wei meant.
And that uncertainty made everything between them feel even more complicated.