The atmosphere in the flower shop didn't fully settle after Chen Kai left.
Even as the day went on, something invisible lingered—like a quiet warning that things were about to change.
And it didn't take long.
Zhen Wei's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, and for the first time, Lian Hua noticed something unusual.
His expression hardened.
Not with jealousy.
Not with anger.
But with something heavier.
"Answer it," she said softly.
He hesitated… then stepped aside.
"I'll take this," he said.
Lian Hua nodded, watching him as he moved near the window.
His voice was low, controlled.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"I told you I would handle it."
Another pause.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I'm not changing my decision."
The tone in his voice made Lian Hua stop what she was doing.
She couldn't hear the other person, but she could feel the tension.
Zhen Wei rarely looked like this.
After a moment, he ended the call.
He stood still for a second… then turned back.
"What happened?" she asked gently.
"Nothing you need to worry about."
She frowned.
"That usually means it's something serious."
He walked back toward her slowly.
"My family," he said.
Lian Hua blinked.
"Your family?"
"They've started asking questions."
"About what?"
His eyes met hers.
"About you."
Her heart skipped.
"Me?"
"Yes."
A quiet silence filled the space between them.
Lian Hua felt something unfamiliar settle in her chest.
Not fear exactly.
But pressure.
"What did you tell them?" she asked.
"The truth."
"And that is?"
"That you matter to me."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the flowers she was holding.
"That sounds… serious."
"It is."
She looked down for a moment.
"You're a CEO," she said quietly.
"And I'm just—"
"Don't say that," he interrupted.
She looked up.
"I'm just a florist," she finished anyway.
Zhen Wei stepped closer.
"You say that like it makes you less."
"It makes me different."
"Yes," he said.
"But not less."
She held his gaze.
"Your world is… big," she said softly.
"Powerful. Complicated."
"And mine isn't?"
"It's simple," she replied.
"And that's exactly why I like it."
Zhen Wei's expression softened slightly.
"That's why I like it too."
"But your family won't see it that way," she said.
"No," he admitted.
"They won't."
A quiet tension settled between them.
For the first time, Lian Hua realized something clearly.
This wasn't just about feelings anymore.
There were other forces involved.
Stronger ones.
"Zhen Wei…" she said softly.
"If things get difficult…"
"They will," he said calmly.
She swallowed.
"Then what happens?"
He looked at her with the same unwavering gaze.
"I don't let go."
Her heart tightened.
"You make it sound easy."
"It won't be."
"Then why are you so sure?"
He stepped closer, his voice quiet but firm.
"Because I've already decided."
"Decided what?"
"That you're worth it."
The words hit her harder than she expected.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Because deep down—
She knew this was only the beginning.