The next morning, Jade Street was lively with the usual sounds of vendors and customers. The flower shop was filled with the soft fragrance of roses, lilies, and crimson lotuses.
Lian Hua was arranging a bouquet when the bell above the door rang.
Chen Kai stepped inside.
But this time, he wasn't empty-handed.
Behind him, two delivery men carried a large arrangement of flowers—dozens of roses, lilies, and orchids wrapped in elegant paper.
Lian Hua blinked in surprise.
"Chen Kai… what is this?"
He grinned.
"A gift."
"For who?" she asked.
"For you."
The delivery men carefully placed the huge bouquet near the counter before leaving.
The flowers nearly filled half the shop.
Lian Hua stared at them in disbelief.
"This is too much," she said.
Chen Kai leaned casually against the counter.
"I told you I was serious about getting to know you."
"You don't need to do things like this."
"Why not?" he replied lightly. "People bring flowers to someone they like, don't they?"
Before she could answer—
The bell rang again.
Zhen Wei stepped inside.
The moment his eyes landed on the massive bouquet, the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Chen Kai noticed him and smiled.
"Perfect timing," he said.
Zhen Wei didn't respond.
His gaze moved slowly from the flowers… to Chen Kai… and finally to Lian Hua.
"You did this?" he asked quietly.
Chen Kai shrugged.
"Just a gift."
Zhen Wei walked closer to the bouquet.
For a moment he simply stared at it.
Then he looked at Chen Kai again.
"You're trying very hard," he said calmly.
Chen Kai crossed his arms.
"Maybe."
Zhen Wei stepped closer, his presence suddenly dominating the small shop.
"But you're wasting your effort."
Chen Kai raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that?"
Zhen Wei's eyes moved to Lian Hua.
"Because she's already mine."
The words were quiet.
But the weight behind them made the room feel heavy.
Lian Hua's heart skipped.
Chen Kai laughed softly, though his smile was tighter now.
"That sounds a little possessive."
"Yes," Zhen Wei replied calmly.
"It is."
The silence stretched between them.
Finally Chen Kai sighed.
"Well… the flowers are still hers," he said.
He turned toward the door.
But before leaving, he looked back at Lian Hua.
"I'll keep trying," he said with a playful smile.
The bell chimed as he walked out.
Silence returned to the shop.
Zhen Wei turned toward the large bouquet.
Without a word, he picked one rose from it and placed it gently on the counter.
Then he looked at Lian Hua.
"You don't have to accept things from him."
She looked at him carefully.
"You can't control everything."
"No," he said quietly.
"But I can control how far he gets."
His gaze softened slightly.
"And I won't let him get close enough to hurt you."
Lian Hua looked at the single rose on the counter.
For the first time, she realized something clearly.
Both men were fighting for her.
But the way they fought was completely different.