The next morning, the flower shop buzzed softly with the quiet hum of the city outside.
Lian Hua arranged a small bouquet of pink roses, still thinking about the previous evening. Zhen Wei's confession had lingered in her mind, and she felt a strange warmth mixed with uncertainty.
The bell above the door rang.
Chen Kai.
"Good morning, Lian Hua," he said, leaning casually against the counter. "I couldn't resist stopping by again."
She glanced at him, trying to remain polite but neutral.
"Good morning, Chen Kai," she said softly.
He smiled, holding up a single pink rose.
"For you," he said. "No special reason. I just thought it might brighten your day."
She took the flower, feeling the tug of two very different emotions—the gentle curiosity Chen Kai stirred and the intense, possessive pull Zhen Wei exerted over her heart.
Before she could respond, the bell rang again.
Zhen Wei entered silently, his gaze immediately locking onto Chen Kai.
"Again?" Chen Kai asked lightly, though a hint of tension crept into his smile.
Zhen Wei didn't reply. His eyes remained fixed on Lian Hua, sharp and unwavering.
"You don't have to worry," Lian Hua said softly, placing a hand on Zhen Wei's arm.
"I do," he murmured, brushing his fingers lightly against hers. "I cannot stand anyone testing what is mine."
Chen Kai noticed the tension and grinned slightly, tilting his head.
"Testing? I'm not testing anyone," he said casually.
Zhen Wei stepped closer, subtly positioning himself between Lian Hua and Chen Kai.
"Words mean little when actions tell another story," he said quietly, each word measured and controlled.
The shop fell silent. Lian Hua's heart raced. The energy between the two men was palpable—dangerous, tense, and full of desire in completely different ways.
She looked from Zhen Wei's dark intensity to Chen Kai's playful charm, realizing she was caught between two men who both wanted her attention, but for very different reasons.
Chen Kai held out his hand with a charming smile.
"Coffee, Lian Hua? Just the two of us," he suggested, his voice light but teasing.
Zhen Wei's jaw tightened.
"Not while I am here," he said, his voice low, almost a growl.
Chen Kai's grin faltered, and he nodded, stepping back.
"Alright… for now," he said, slipping the pink rose into his bag.
Zhen Wei turned to Lian Hua, his dark eyes softening only slightly.
"You don't need to answer anyone but me," he said quietly.
Her heart beat faster, a mix of fear, excitement, and the undeniable pull toward him.
And at that moment, she understood something clearly:
Zhen Wei's presence was no longer just protective—it was a force she couldn't ignore, and one that would shape every step of her life from now on.