Everything came to a head—
At the same time.
The final review hearing was set.
No more delays.
No more quiet pressure.
Just a decision.
Lian Hua stood outside the building that morning.
Documents in hand.
Heart steady.
Not calm—
But ready.
Zhen Wei stood beside her.
Not in front.
Not leading.
With her.
"You don't have to say anything inside," he said quietly.
She shook her head.
"…I will."
A small pause.
"This is my fight too."
He nodded.
"I know."
Inside—
The room was formal.
Controlled.
Officials seated.
Documents reviewed.
Everything precise.
Lian Hua spoke clearly.
Explaining her operations.
Defending her work.
Answering every question—
Without hesitation.
Because this time—
She wasn't intimidated.
She was certain.
Across the room—
Zhen Wei's father watched.
Silent.
But not detached.
Because this—
Had gone further than expected.
When it ended—
The decision wasn't immediate.
"Final notice will be issued after review," one official stated.
Which meant—
More waiting.
Outside—
The tension lingered.
Lian Hua exhaled slowly.
"…I said everything I needed to."
Zhen Wei looked at her.
"You did."
A pause.
And for the first time—
There was nothing more to add.
No more arguments.
No more defenses.
Just… outcome.
Across the street—
Zhen Wei's father stood waiting.
Alone.
Zhen Wei noticed first.
"…stay here," he said quietly.
But Lian Hua shook her head.
"No."
Her voice steady.
"We face it together."
He looked at her—
Then nodded.
And together—
They walked forward.
The final confrontation.
"You've made your position clear," his father said calmly.
Zhen Wei didn't respond immediately.
Because this wasn't about arguing anymore.
It was about ending it.
"This ends now," he said.
A pause.
"And if I don't agree?" his father asked.
Zhen Wei's gaze didn't waver.
"Then I walk away."
Silence.
Because that—
That was the breaking point.
Not a threat.
A decision.
His father studied him.
Then—
Slowly—
He exhaled.
"…you've changed."
Zhen Wei didn't deny it.
"Yes."
A long pause.
Then—
"…so be it," his father said.
Not approval.
But acceptance.
Because even he—
Knew the line had been reached.