The flower shop remained quiet after Chen Kai left.
Lian Hua placed a few fresh lotuses into a vase while pretending not to notice the way Zhen Wei was still looking toward the door.
"He was just a customer," she repeated.
Zhen Wei slowly turned his gaze back to her.
"He seemed very comfortable here."
"People usually feel comfortable around flowers."
"That's not what I meant."
She sighed softly.
"You're overthinking."
Zhen Wei stepped closer to the counter.
"What's his name?"
Lian Hua paused.
"…Chen Kai."
He repeated the name quietly.
"Chen Kai."
His voice was calm, but she could sense the tension behind it.
"You don't need to interrogate me," she said lightly.
"I'm not interrogating you."
"You look like you are."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Maybe I'm curious."
"About my customers?"
"About the man who said he'll 'definitely come again.'"
She laughed softly.
"People say that all the time."
"Yes," Zhen Wei said.
"But most people don't look at you the way he did."
That made her pause.
"What way?"
Zhen Wei didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he picked up a single crimson lotus from the counter.
"The same way I do."
Her heart skipped.
"You're imagining things," she said quickly.
But Zhen Wei only gave a small, knowing smile.
"I rarely imagine things."
Before she could respond, the bell above the door rang again.
Both of them turned.
And there he was.
Chen Kai.
He stepped inside holding his phone, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry," he said. "I forgot something."
His eyes moved between the two of them.
"Oh… am I interrupting again?"
"No," Lian Hua said.
Chen Kai walked over to the counter.
"I left my wallet," he explained.
She checked behind the register and found it.
"Here."
"Thanks."
He smiled warmly at her again.
"You saved my life."
Zhen Wei watched the interaction silently.
The atmosphere in the room felt heavier by the second.
Chen Kai noticed it too.
He looked at Zhen Wei with curiosity.
"I don't think we've met."
Zhen Wei's gaze remained calm but sharp.
"Zhen Wei."
Chen Kai blinked slightly in surprise.
"Wait… Zhen Corporation Zhen Wei?"
"Yes."
Chen Kai let out a small whistle.
"Well, that explains the expensive suit."
Lian Hua rubbed her forehead slightly.
The tension between the two men was becoming very obvious.
Chen Kai smiled again.
"Nice meeting you."
But Zhen Wei didn't smile back.
He simply nodded once.
After a moment, Chen Kai slipped his wallet into his pocket.
"Well, I'll leave you two alone this time."
Before leaving, he looked back at Lian Hua.
"I'll see you again."
The bell chimed as he exited.
Silence returned to the shop.
Lian Hua slowly turned toward Zhen Wei.
He was still watching the door.
And for the first time since she met him, she could clearly see it.
Jealousy.