The rain continued through the night, tapping steadily against the windows of the flower shop. The streets outside were nearly empty now, glowing under the soft reflections of streetlights.
Inside, the shop felt warm and quiet.
Lian Hua stood near the counter, gently wiping a glass vase, though her thoughts kept drifting back to Zhen Wei's words.
Something between us is about to change.
She glanced up.
Zhen Wei was standing near the doorway, looking out at the rain, his tall figure calm but thoughtful.
"You're thinking again," she said.
He turned slightly.
"I do that a lot."
"Yes, but this time it looks serious."
He walked back toward her slowly.
"Do you want the honest answer?"
"Of course."
"I'm thinking about you."
Her hand paused on the vase.
"You say that very casually."
"It's not casual."
His voice was quiet, but there was something intense behind it.
Lian Hua looked down, suddenly feeling shy.
"You really don't hide your thoughts."
"I don't see the point."
"That's because you're used to getting what you want," she said.
Zhen Wei tilted his head slightly.
"Not always."
"Oh?"
"There are things I've wanted that I couldn't have."
She met his gaze again.
"And now?"
"Now," he said slowly, "I'm standing in front of the one thing I want the most."
Her heart skipped.
The space between them suddenly felt much smaller.
"You shouldn't say things like that," she murmured.
"Why not?"
"Because… it makes things complicated."
He stepped a little closer.
"Are they complicated for you?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you make everything feel intense."
Zhen Wei studied her expression.
"That scares you."
"A little."
He nodded slowly.
"I understand."
For a moment, he seemed ready to step back.
But instead, he gently picked up one of the crimson lotuses from the counter.
He held it between them.
"This flower grows from mud," he said quietly.
"Yet it blooms beautifully."
"I know," she replied softly.
"That's why it's my favorite."
His eyes met hers again.
"You remind me of it."
She laughed nervously.
"You really love comparing me to flowers."
"It's the only way I can explain it."
"Explain what?"
"How much you've changed my world."
The words made her heart race.
She realized then that Zhen Wei was closer than she thought—close enough that she could see the warmth in his usually calm eyes.
Neither of them moved.
The quiet tension between them grew stronger.
And Lian Hua felt something she hadn't expected.
She didn't want him to step away.
For the first time, she wondered what it would feel like if he leaned just a little closer.
But before anything could happen—
The sound of a phone vibrating broke the moment.
Zhen Wei glanced at the screen and sighed softly.
"Work?" she asked.
"Yes."
"You should probably answer."
He looked reluctant, but finally nodded.
"This conversation isn't over," he said.
Lian Hua smiled faintly.
"I had a feeling it wasn't."
As he stepped aside to take the call, she looked down at the crimson lotus still in her hand.
Her heart was beating faster than usual.
And deep down, she knew something now.
The distance between her and Zhen Wei was disappearing.
Slowly.
But inevitably.