The warning didn't take long to become real.
The next morning—
Lian Hua noticed it immediately.
The flower shop was quieter than usual.
Too quiet.
No early customers.
No familiar faces.
Just… space.
"That's strange," she murmured.
Chen Kai looked around.
"Maybe it's just a slow day."
But something in his tone—
Said he didn't believe that.
By midday—
It became obvious.
Regular customers didn't come.
Orders were canceled.
Messages stopped.
Even suppliers were suddenly… delayed.
Lian Hua stared at her phone.
"…this isn't normal."
"No," Chen Kai said.
"It's not."
Silence.
Because they both understood—
This wasn't random.
This was intentional.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei stood in his office.
"Several of our smaller partners have withdrawn," his assistant reported.
Zhen Wei's expression didn't change.
"Reason?"
"They didn't give one."
A pause.
"…but it's likely connected."
Connected.
Meaning—
His family.
Zhen Wei's gaze hardened slightly.
"Let them go," he said.
"…sir?"
"I don't repeat myself."
"Yes, Mr. Zhen."
But even as he said it—
He knew.
This was just the beginning.
Back at the shop—
Lian Hua stood behind the counter, her hands resting on the surface.
"I didn't think they'd go this far," she said quietly.
Chen Kai leaned against the wall.
"I did."
She looked at him.
"You did?"
"They warned you."
Silence.
"They always start small," he continued.
"Small?" she repeated.
"This is just pressure," he said.
Her chest tightened.
"…what comes after?"
Chen Kai didn't answer immediately.
And that—
That was enough.
The bell rang.
Both of them looked up.
For a second—
Hope flickered.
But—
It wasn't Zhen Wei.
It was a delivery man.
"With a notice," he said.
Lian Hua frowned slightly.
"A notice?"
He handed it over.
Official.
Stamped.
Her heart started to race.
She opened it.
And her expression changed.
"What is it?" Chen Kai asked.
Her voice was quiet.
"…inspection order."
Silence.
"For what?"
"They're claiming the shop doesn't meet certain regulations."
Chen Kai's expression darkened.
"That's not a coincidence."
"No," she whispered.
It wasn't.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei received a call.
"Sir, it's about Miss Lian Hua's shop."
His hand tightened slightly.
"What happened?"
"There's been an official inspection order issued."
Silence.
Zhen Wei's expression changed.
Not just cold anymore.
Dangerous.
"They've started," he said quietly.
Back at the shop—
Lian Hua stood still, the paper in her hands trembling slightly.
Because now—
It wasn't just whispers.
It wasn't just pressure.
It was real action.
And it was aimed directly at her.