The next day felt… lighter.
Not completely.
But enough.
Lian Hua stood outside the shop, locking the door earlier than usual.
"Ready?" Chen Kai asked.
She turned to him.
"For what, exactly?"
He smiled.
"For not thinking about anything complicated for a few hours."
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That sounds unrealistic."
"Then we'll try anyway."
For the first time in days—
She smiled a little more naturally.
"…okay."
They didn't go anywhere fancy.
No luxury.
No pressure.
Just a quiet street filled with small food stalls, warm lights, and laughter.
"This feels… normal," Lian Hua said softly.
"That's the point," Chen Kai replied.
They walked side by side, stopping occasionally, trying simple snacks, sharing small conversations that didn't carry weight.
For a while—
She forgot.
Forgot the pressure.
Forgot the expectations.
Forgot the pain.
"You look better like this," Chen Kai said.
She glanced at him.
"Like what?"
"Like yourself."
Her smile softened.
"I missed this version of me."
"Then don't lose it again."
His words were simple.
But meaningful.
They sat down at a small table near a quiet corner.
"Can I ask you something?" Chen Kai said.
She nodded.
"Do you still love him?"
The question came gently.
But directly.
Lian Hua's smile faded slightly.
She didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth—
Was obvious.
"…yes," she said quietly.
Chen Kai looked at her.
"I thought so."
A small silence followed.
"But I'm trying to move forward," she added.
"With me?" he asked.
Her eyes lifted.
There was no teasing in his voice this time.
No playfulness.
Just honesty.
"I don't know yet," she said.
He nodded.
"That's fair."
He didn't push.
Didn't press.
And somehow—
That made it harder.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei sat in a private meeting.
Voices spoke around him.
Numbers.
Deals.
Decisions.
But his mind—
Was elsewhere.
"…Mr. Zhen?"
He blinked slightly.
"Yes."
"We were asking about your approval."
"Approved."
The room fell silent.
"Sir… you haven't heard the full—"
"I said it's approved."
No one argued after that.
Later that evening—
His assistant approached him carefully.
"Sir… there's something you should know."
Zhen Wei didn't look up.
"What."
"…Miss Lian Hua was seen today."
His hand paused slightly.
But his expression didn't change.
"Where?"
"With Chen Kai."
Silence.
The air shifted.
"…doing what?" he asked.
"Just… walking. Talking. Eating together."
Another pause.
Zhen Wei leaned back slightly.
His expression remained calm.
Too calm.
"I see," he said.
His assistant hesitated.
"Should we—"
"No."
The answer came immediately.
"Do nothing."
"…yes, sir."
But after the door closed—
Zhen Wei's hand tightened slightly.
Just for a moment.
Then relaxed.
Because if there was one thing he wouldn't do—
It was chase someone who chose to walk away.
That night—
Lian Hua returned home feeling lighter.
Not healed.
Not over it.
But… better.
For the first time—
She felt like moving forward might actually be possible.
Even if it was slow.
Even if it was uncertain.
But somewhere—
Unseen—
Something had already begun to shift again.