Waiting—
Was harder than fighting.
The next few days passed slowly.
Too slowly.
Every phone call—
Every message—
Made Lian Hua's heart tense.
Because now—
Everything depended on one decision.
At the shop—
Things continued as usual on the surface.
Flowers arranged.
Customers served.
But underneath—
The uncertainty remained.
"You'll hear soon," Chen Kai said quietly.
She nodded.
"…I know."
He didn't say more.
Because some moments—
Didn't need words.
That afternoon—
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
Her breath caught slightly.
She answered.
"…hello?"
A pause.
Then—
"This is regarding your review case."
Everything stilled.
Zhen Wei, standing nearby—
Watched her closely.
"The decision has been finalized," the voice continued.
Her grip tightened on the phone.
"…and?"
A brief pause.
"Your business operations may continue."
Silence.
Because for a second—
She didn't process it.
"No suspension will be enforced."
The words settled slowly.
Real.
Her chest rose sharply—
Then released.
"…thank you," she said softly.
When the call ended—
She stood there.
Still.
Because this—
This was what she had been fighting for.
"You won," Chen Kai said quietly.
She shook her head.
"…we did."
Zhen Wei stepped closer.
And for the first time—
He didn't hold back.
He pulled her into an embrace.
Not controlled.
Not measured.
Real.
Her eyes closed briefly.
Because this moment—
Wasn't about fear.
It was about relief.
Across the room—
Chen Kai watched.
A small, quiet smile forming.
Because even though it hurt—
This ending—
Made sense.
Later that evening—
The shop felt different.
Lighter.
Warmer.
Like something heavy had finally lifted.
Zhen Wei stood beside her.
"It's over," he said.
She nodded slowly.
"…yeah."
A pause.
Then—
"…now what?"
He looked at her.
"Now we build."
And this time—
There was nothing stopping them.