The next few days passed quietly.
Too quietly.
Lian Hua found herself settling into a new rhythm.
Open the shop.
Work.
Talk with Chen Kai.
Go home.
Simple.
Predictable.
Safe.
And yet—
Something felt… unfinished.
"Here," Chen Kai said, handing her a bouquet to wrap.
She took it.
"Thanks."
He watched her for a moment.
"You're smiling more."
She glanced up.
"Is that surprising?"
"A little," he admitted.
She smiled faintly.
"I'm trying."
"And it's working."
For the first time in a while—
There was warmth in the space.
Not heavy.
Not complicated.
Just… easy.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei's world remained the same.
Busy.
Structured.
Controlled.
But something inside him wasn't.
"She's been going out more," his assistant said carefully.
Zhen Wei didn't look up.
"I didn't ask."
"…with Chen Kai."
Silence.
A pause—
Just long enough to notice.
Then—
"Is that all?" Zhen Wei asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Then don't report it again."
"…understood."
But after the assistant left—
Zhen Wei's pen stopped moving.
The room felt colder.
Not because of the temperature—
But because of what he refused to acknowledge.
That evening—
Lian Hua closed the shop a little later than usual.
"I'll walk you," Chen Kai said.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She didn't argue.
Because she didn't want to.
They walked side by side again.
The night air was calm.
"You seem lighter these days," he said.
"I feel lighter," she replied.
"That's good."
A pause.
"Even if it's temporary."
She glanced at him.
"You don't think it'll last?"
He smiled faintly.
"I think feelings don't disappear that easily."
Her steps slowed slightly.
"…I know."
They reached her building.
"Goodnight," she said softly.
"Goodnight."
She turned—
And froze.
A familiar black car.
Parked across the street.
Her heart reacted instantly.
"…no way," she whispered.
Chen Kai followed her gaze.
His expression changed.
The car door opened.
Zhen Wei stepped out.
The air shifted immediately.
Heavy.
Tense.
Unavoidable.
Lian Hua's heart began to race.
Because she wasn't ready.
Not for this.
Not yet.
Zhen Wei walked toward them slowly.
His gaze moved first to her—
Then to Chen Kai.
Sharp.
Cold.
Controlled.
"You're busy," he said calmly.
The words weren't loud.
But they carried something deeper.
Chen Kai didn't step back.
"Just walking her home."
Zhen Wei's eyes lingered on him for a moment.
Then returned to Lian Hua.
"We need to talk."
Her chest tightened.
"…about what?" she asked.
His voice dropped slightly.
"About us."
Silence.
Because there was no ignoring this anymore.
No avoiding it.
Not when he was standing right in front of her.