The shop felt emptier than usual.
Even the sunlight streaming through the windows couldn't reach the heaviness that lingered.
Lian Hua stood behind the counter, her hands frozen over a bouquet of flowers.
Because she knew—
This wasn't just another challenge.
This was loss.
Zhen Wei hadn't called.
Hadn't appeared.
And with every passing minute—
The distance between them grew.
Chen Kai stayed quietly nearby, his gaze steady but unreadable.
"You're hurting," he said softly.
Lian Hua nodded without looking at him.
"…I am."
"But it's not just me," she whispered.
Chen Kai's eyes softened slightly.
"I know."
Across the city—
Zhen Wei sat in his office.
The building felt colder than usual.
The emptiness around him was heavier than any pressure from his family.
Because for the first time—
He wasn't thinking about strategy.
He was thinking about her.
And the possibility that she might not stay.
The office phone rang.
He ignored it.
Because no call mattered right now.
Hours passed.
And the weight of unspoken words pressed down on both of them.
Back at the shop—
The bell rang.
Lian Hua's heart jumped.
But it wasn't him.
Just another delivery.
Another reminder.
Another moment that proved—
He wasn't coming back yet.
She sank into a chair, burying her face in her hands.
"This is too much," she whispered.
Chen Kai crouched beside her.
"It's only hard if you fight it alone," he said.
"I'm not him," she replied softly.
"No," he said.
"But I can help you stand."
A small pause.
She exhaled shakily.
"I don't even know if I can stand."
"You can," he said gently.
"You just have to decide to."
The sun began to set.
Orange light spilling over the shop's interior.
But it did nothing to ease the heaviness.
Because tonight—
They were all standing on the edge.
And across the city—
Zhen Wei stared out the window.
Watching the sunset.
Thinking about her.
And for the first time—
He didn't have an answer.
Everything felt like it was falling apart.
Because sometimes—
Even love wasn't enough.