Moving on didn't happen in a single moment.
It showed up in small changes.
Almost unnoticeable—
Until they weren't.
Lian Hua started waking up with a little more energy.
Not fully rested.
But not as heavy as before.
She began planning again.
Small ideas for the shop.
New flower arrangements.
Different display styles.
Things she had stopped thinking about.
Chen Kai noticed.
"You're changing things," he said one morning.
She glanced at the new arrangement near the window.
"…I'm trying."
He nodded.
"It suits you."
A faint smile appeared.
"…what does?"
"Not staying stuck."
She didn't respond immediately.
But the words stayed with her.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei remained the same on the surface.
Focused.
Efficient.
Untouchable.
But even control had cracks.
Subtle ones.
"Sir, there's a proposal that needs your approval," his assistant said.
Zhen Wei looked at the document—
Then paused.
Just for a second.
Because something about it—
Reminded him of her.
A flower distribution partnership.
He closed the file.
"…handle it without me."
The assistant hesitated.
"…are you sure?"
"Yes."
Because even small reminders—
Were still too much.
Back at the shop—
The afternoon light felt warmer.
Customers lingered a little longer.
The space felt… alive again.
Not the same as before.
But not empty either.
"You're doing better," Chen Kai said quietly.
Lian Hua nodded.
"…I think I am."
A pause.
"I still miss him."
"I know."
She looked down briefly.
"But it doesn't hurt the same way anymore."
That was new.
The pain hadn't disappeared.
But it had softened.
That evening—
They closed the shop together.
As usual.
But this time—
Chen Kai didn't step away immediately.
"Lian Hua," he said.
She looked at him.
"…yeah?"
A pause.
Longer than usual.
"I need to tell you something."
Her chest tightened slightly.
Because his tone—
Was different.
More serious.
More… vulnerable.
"I know you're still healing," he continued.
"And I'm not asking for anything right now."
Silence.
Because she could feel it.
Where this was going.
"But I don't want to hide it anymore," he said.
Her heart started to beat faster.
"I like you."
The words were simple.
But they changed everything.
"I have for a while."
Silence filled the space between them.
Not tense.
But heavy.
Because now—
Something new had begun.