The hardest part wasn't choosing.
It was starting.
Lian Hua stood in the shop long after closing.
The lights dim.
The air still.
Her phone rested in her hand.
Unlocked.
But untouched.
Because she knew—
Once she took a step—
Everything would change.
"…just one," she whispered to herself.
One action.
One decision.
That was all it would take to begin.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Then—
She opened her contacts.
Two names.
Chen Kai.
Zhen Wei.
Her heart pounded.
Because this—
This wasn't just about who she would choose.
It was about what kind of future she wanted.
A long breath left her.
Then—
She moved.
Not toward the past.
But toward clarity.
She selected a name.
And pressed call.
Across the city—
Zhen Wei's phone rang.
He stared at the screen.
Her name.
For a moment—
He didn't move.
Because this—
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
But also—
The one he hadn't prepared for.
He answered.
"…Lian Hua."
Her breath caught slightly at the sound of his voice.
Still familiar.
Still steady.
"Can we talk?" she asked softly.
A pause.
Then—
"…yes."
Simple.
Immediate.
Because no matter how much distance he had kept—
He had never refused her.
Back at the shop—
Her chest tightened.
Because just hearing him—
Made everything real again.
"Not here," she said.
"Somewhere else."
Zhen Wei didn't hesitate.
"Tell me where."
Because now—
He understood.
This wasn't a casual meeting.
This was a decision.
After the call ended—
Lian Hua stood still.
Her heart racing.
Her mind clearer than before.
Because for the first time—
She wasn't stuck between choices.
She was moving toward one.
Outside—
The night felt different.
Not quiet.
But waiting.