The drive back was quiet.
Too quiet.
Lian Hua sat beside Zhen Wei in the car, her hands resting in her lap, her thoughts still tangled from everything that had just happened.
The confrontation replayed in her mind—
His father's cold words.
The woman's warning.
Zhen Wei standing beside her without hesitation.
"You're thinking again," Zhen Wei said softly.
She glanced at him.
"How can I not?"
A faint pause.
"That was… intense."
"That's one way to describe it," he replied.
Lian Hua looked out the window, watching the city lights blur past.
"Your father doesn't like me," she said quietly.
Zhen Wei didn't hesitate.
"That doesn't matter."
"It does," she said.
"Not to me."
She turned to him.
"But it affects your life."
"It only affects it if I let it."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
Unshaken.
Lian Hua lowered her gaze.
"They weren't wrong about one thing."
Zhen Wei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And what's that?"
"That I don't understand your world."
Silence filled the car.
"You don't need to," he said finally.
"But I want to," she replied.
His gaze shifted to her.
"Why?"
"Because I chose you," she said softly.
"And that means I can't pretend your world doesn't exist."
The honesty in her voice made something in his expression change.
Softer.
More thoughtful.
"You don't have to force yourself," he said.
"I'm not forcing anything."
"Then what are you doing?"
She took a small breath.
"I'm trying to stay."
The words lingered between them.
Zhen Wei reached for her hand again.
This time—
His touch wasn't just firm.
It was reassuring.
"Then stay," he said quietly.
The car slowed.
They had reached her apartment.
Neither of them moved immediately.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I think so."
A small pause.
"But I feel like things are only going to get harder."
"They will," he admitted.
She smiled faintly.
"You're very honest."
"I don't lie to you."
Lian Hua opened the door slowly.
But before stepping out—
She hesitated.
Then turned back.
"Zhen Wei…"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
He looked at her, slightly surprised.
"For what?"
"For standing beside me," she said.
"Not in front. Not behind. Just… with me."
For a moment—
He didn't speak.
Then he said quietly,
"That's where I'll always be."
Her heart warmed.
She stepped out of the car.
But this time—
She didn't feel as unsure as before.
Because even though his world was overwhelming—
She wasn't facing it alone.
As the car drove away, Lian Hua looked up at the night sky.
Her thoughts were still heavy.
But her heart felt steady.
She had chosen him.
And now—
She would have to learn what that truly meant.