The moment Zhen Wei stepped in—
Everything changed.
The officials straightened slightly.
Their tone shifted.
Their confidence… wavered.
Because this was no longer just a small flower shop inspection.
This had become something else.
Something bigger.
"Mr. Zhen," one of them said carefully.
Zhen Wei didn't acknowledge the greeting.
"Continue," he repeated.
His voice was calm.
But it carried authority that couldn't be ignored.
Lian Hua looked at him—
Her heart tightening.
He wasn't supposed to do this.
They had agreed—
But now—
He had stepped in anyway.
"We were reviewing a discrepancy," the official said.
Zhen Wei's gaze moved to the document.
Then back to them.
"Resolve it."
The words were simple.
But the meaning behind them—
Clear.
The officials exchanged a glance.
"…we will need time to verify—"
"You have everything you need," Zhen Wei interrupted.
Silence.
Because now—
This wasn't just an inspection.
This was pressure—
Meeting power.
"Mr. Zhen," the other official said,
"We must follow procedure."
Zhen Wei took a step forward.
"Then follow it correctly."
The room went still.
Lian Hua's chest tightened.
Because this—
This was exactly what she didn't want.
Not him fighting her battles.
Not him taking control.
"Zhen Wei," she said softly.
He didn't look at her.
"Not now."
The words were quiet.
But firm.
That hurt.
Because it meant—
He wasn't listening.
The officials cleared their throats.
"We will recheck the documentation," one said quickly.
The tension was too high.
Too dangerous to push further.
"Good," Zhen Wei replied.
Minutes later—
They stepped back.
"…everything appears to be in order," the official said.
Just like that.
The problem—
Disappeared.
"We'll close the inspection here."
And just like that—
They left.
Silence filled the shop.
Heavy.
Not relieved.
Not calm.
Just… tense.
Lian Hua didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Until the door closed completely.
Then—
She turned to him.
"Why did you do that?"
Zhen Wei finally looked at her.
"They were targeting you."
"I know."
"Then you should understand."
Her voice tightened.
"I told you I wanted to handle it."
"And I told you I wouldn't let them take anything from you."
Silence.
Because now—
They were clashing again.
Not against others.
But against each other.
"This isn't helping," she said.
"It solved the problem."
"No," she replied.
"It proved their point."
A pause.
Zhen Wei frowned slightly.
"What point?"
"That I can't stand on my own."
The words hit harder than expected.
"That's not true," he said.
"But that's how it looks now," she replied.
Silence.
Because deep down—
He knew.
She wasn't wrong.
"I didn't do this to control you," he said.
"I know."
"Then what's the problem?"
She took a breath.
"The problem is… I need you to trust me."
A pause.
"To try."
Her voice softened.
"Even if it's hard."
Zhen Wei looked at her.
Because this—
This wasn't about the shop anymore.
It was about them.
"…fine," he said finally.
The word came slower this time.
More thought behind it.
"I'll step back."
She nodded slightly.
"Thank you."
But even as he said it—
They both knew.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Across the city—
News of what happened spread quickly.
And in a quiet office—
Zhen Wei's father heard everything.
"…so he intervened directly?" he asked.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
A faint smile.
"Good."
The assistant hesitated.
"…sir?"
He leaned back calmly.
"Now we know exactly how far he's willing to go."
And just like that—
The conflict escalated again.