The next morning, Jade Street was lively as usual. Vendors called out their daily deals, bicycles passed along the narrow road, and the soft scent of fresh flowers drifted from Lian Hua's shop.
Inside, she was carefully trimming the stems of white lilies when the bell above the door chimed.
She didn't even look up at first.
"Welcome," she said automatically.
But when no one answered, she glanced up.
Zhen Wei stood there.
Again.
A faint smile appeared on his face when their eyes met.
"You're becoming a regular customer," Lian Hua said, raising an eyebrow.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not exactly," she replied, placing the lilies into a vase. "I just didn't expect the CEO of a large corporation to spend so much time in a small flower shop."
He stepped closer, casually examining a bouquet of roses.
"I find it relaxing here."
"You find flowers relaxing?"
"No," he said calmly.
His gaze returned to her.
"I find you relaxing."
Her cheeks warmed slightly, and she quickly turned her attention back to the flowers.
"You say things very directly," she muttered.
"I prefer honesty."
He watched her quietly for a moment.
"You wake up at 6:30 every morning," he said suddenly.
She froze.
"…What?"
"You walk to the market at seven. You buy fresh flowers from the same supplier every day."
Her hands slowly lowered.
"How do you know that?"
Zhen Wei's expression remained calm, but there was something intense behind his eyes.
"I pay attention."
Lian Hua studied him carefully now.
"You've been watching me?"
"Observing," he corrected smoothly.
"That's not very different."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then he reached out and picked up a crimson lotus from the counter.
"This flower suits you," he said softly.
She folded her arms.
"You're changing the subject."
He smiled slightly.
"Maybe."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lian Hua sighed.
"You're a very strange man, Zhen Wei."
"Strange?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you run a huge company… but instead of attending business meetings, you keep visiting a florist."
He placed the lotus back on the counter.
"Some things are more interesting than business."
Her heart skipped slightly.
Before she could respond, the bell rang again as another customer entered.
Zhen Wei glanced at the newcomer briefly, then looked back at Lian Hua.
"I'll leave you to your work," he said.
"But I'll return."
"You always do," she said.
He paused at the doorway.
Then he turned slightly and added,
"Yes."
And with that, he disappeared into the busy street again.
Lian Hua stared at the crimson lotus on the counter.
A strange thought crossed her mind.
Zhen Wei didn't just visit her shop.
He was slowly making himself part of her daily life.
And somehow… she wasn't stopping him.