The air in the flower shop felt lighter.
For the first time in days—no, weeks—Lian Hua could breathe without that constant weight pressing on her chest.
She had chosen.
And that choice had changed everything.
Zhen Wei didn't let go of her hand.
Even as the silence settled, even as the moment stretched, his grip remained steady—firm, grounding.
As if he needed to be sure she wouldn't disappear.
"You're very quiet," he said softly.
Lian Hua smiled faintly.
"I think I'm still processing everything."
"Regretting it already?" he asked.
She shook her head immediately.
"No."
Then, more softly—
"Not at all."
Something in his expression eased.
Just slightly.
But enough for her to notice.
"You chose me," he said, almost as if confirming it again.
"I did."
"Then don't look back."
His voice wasn't harsh.
But it carried weight.
Lian Hua nodded.
"I won't."
And this time—
She meant it.
But just as the moment settled—
Zhen Wei's phone rang.
Again.
He glanced at it.
And that same tension from before returned.
Lian Hua noticed immediately.
"Your family?" she asked.
He didn't answer right away.
Then—
"Yes."
She took a small breath.
"Are you going to answer?"
He looked at her for a moment.
Then declined the call.
"No."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You can't just ignore them forever."
"I can for now."
"That's not a solution."
"It is until I decide how to handle it."
Lian Hua stepped closer.
"This is what I meant," she said softly.
"It's already starting."
Zhen Wei looked at her.
"And?"
"And I don't want to be the reason you fight with your family."
"You're not the reason," he said calmly.
"They are."
"That's not fair," she replied gently.
"They care about you too."
"And I care about you."
The words were simple.
But they carried everything.
Before she could respond—
The bell rang.
Both of them turned.
A man stepped inside.
Dressed formally.
Professional.
Clearly not a regular customer.
"Mr. Zhen," he said with a slight bow.
Zhen Wei's expression hardened immediately.
"I told you not to come here."
"My apologies," the man replied.
"But this matter cannot wait."
Lian Hua felt the tension rise again.
"What matter?" she asked softly.
The man glanced at her briefly—
Then back to Zhen Wei.
"Your family requests your presence," he said.
"Immediately."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Zhen Wei didn't move.
"I'm busy."
"This is not a request you can ignore," the man said calmly.
Zhen Wei's jaw tightened.
"I said I'll handle it."
"And they said you've delayed long enough."
Lian Hua stepped back slightly.
She could feel it now.
The weight of his world.
Pressing in.
Closer than ever before.
"Zhen Wei…" she said quietly.
He didn't look at her.
His focus remained on the man.
But his voice softened slightly when he spoke.
"I'll go."
The man nodded.
"I'll wait outside."
He turned and left.
The shop fell silent again.
But this silence was different.
Heavier.
More serious.
Zhen Wei finally looked at Lian Hua.
"I'll come back," he said.
She nodded.
"I know."
But something in her chest tightened.
Because now—
It wasn't just about them anymore.
It was about everything around them.
"Be careful," she added softly.
His expression softened for a brief moment.
"I always am."
Then—
He left.
And just like that—
The calm was gone again.
Replaced by something stronger.
Something inevitable.