The crimson lotus sat quietly on the counter.
Perfect.
Delicate.
And far too meaningful to ignore.
Lian Hua found herself staring at it again and again throughout the day.
Zhen Wei's note echoed in her mind.
Don't doubt this.
But doubt wasn't the problem.
It was everything around it.
"You've looked at that flower at least ten times," Chen Kai said lightly.
She glanced at him.
"Am I that obvious?"
"Yes."
He leaned casually against the counter.
"But I get it."
She sighed softly.
"It's not just the flower."
"I know."
A pause.
"It's everything, right?" he added.
She nodded slowly.
Chen Kai watched her carefully.
"You look overwhelmed."
"I am."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he said gently,
"You don't have to carry all of it at once."
She looked at him.
"That's easy for you to say."
"Maybe," he admitted.
"But I'm not the one standing between two worlds."
His words were calm.
But they hit exactly where it mattered.
"I chose him," she said quietly.
"I know."
"Then why does it still feel this complicated?"
Chen Kai smiled faintly.
"Because feelings don't erase reality."
Silence settled again.
Before she could respond—
The bell rang.
Lian Hua's heart reacted instantly.
She turned.
Zhen Wei.
He stepped inside, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere.
His gaze moved first to Lian Hua—
Then to Chen Kai.
"You're still here," Zhen Wei said calmly.
Chen Kai shrugged.
"I said I wouldn't disappear."
The tension returned.
But it wasn't explosive like before.
It was quieter.
Heavier.
More controlled.
Zhen Wei walked closer to the counter.
"Did you get my message?" he asked.
Lian Hua nodded.
"Yes."
He glanced briefly at the crimson lotus.
Then back at her.
"Good."
Chen Kai crossed his arms slightly.
"You always go for dramatic gestures?"
Zhen Wei didn't look at him.
"I do what matters."
Chen Kai smiled faintly.
"Must be nice to be that certain."
Zhen Wei finally turned his gaze to him.
"It is."
The air tightened.
Lian Hua stepped in quickly.
"Stop," she said softly.
Both men went silent.
"I don't want this to turn into another argument," she continued.
Zhen Wei's expression softened slightly.
"I'm not here to argue."
Chen Kai nodded.
"Neither am I."
But the tension didn't disappear.
It just… shifted.
Zhen Wei looked back at Lian Hua.
"Come with me tonight," he said.
She blinked.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
Chen Kai's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Where?" Lian Hua asked.
Zhen Wei paused briefly.
Then said—
"An event."
Her heart skipped.
"What kind of event?"
"A business gathering."
Silence.
Lian Hua felt the pressure immediately.
This wasn't small.
This wasn't private.
This was public.
"This is too soon," she said softly.
Zhen Wei shook his head.
"No."
She looked at him.
"I'm not ready for that."
His gaze softened slightly.
"You won't be alone."
"That's not the point," she replied.
Chen Kai watched quietly.
Not interrupting.
But clearly paying attention.
"This is part of my world," Zhen Wei continued.
"And you said you wanted to understand it."
She hesitated.
Because he was right.
But still—
"This feels like a lot," she admitted.
Zhen Wei stepped closer.
His voice lowered.
"Then let me make it easier."
Her heart beat faster.
"Trust me," he said.
Silence.
Lian Hua looked at him.
Then at the flower.
Then back at him.
Finally—
"…okay."
Chen Kai looked away slightly.
Zhen Wei's expression didn't change much.
But there was a quiet satisfaction in his eyes.
"Good," he said.
"I'll pick you up tonight."
And just like that—
Another step forward.
But this one felt bigger than all the others.