The following days passed in a quiet blur.
Lian Hua kept herself busy in the flower shop, focusing on her work more than ever. Customers came and went, flowers bloomed and faded—but inside her, everything felt unsettled.
And one thing became clear.
Zhen Wei stopped coming.
At first, she told herself it was normal.
He said he would give me time.
But as the days stretched on…
The absence became noticeable.
Then heavy.
Then impossible to ignore.
"Thinking about him?"
Chen Kai's voice broke her thoughts.
Lian Hua looked up from the bouquet she had been arranging.
"Am I that obvious?"
He smiled slightly.
"Only to me."
She sighed softly.
"I didn't expect him to actually stay away."
Chen Kai leaned against the counter.
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yes… but…"
"But what?"
She hesitated.
"…it feels strange."
Chen Kai studied her carefully.
"Strange because it's quiet?"
She shook her head.
"No… strange because it feels empty."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Chen Kai's expression changed slightly—but he didn't comment on it directly.
Instead, he said gently,
"You'll get used to it."
Lian Hua didn't answer.
Because deep down…
She wasn't sure she wanted to get used to it.
That afternoon, Chen Kai stayed longer than usual.
He helped her rearrange flowers, made light conversation, and kept things easy.
Comfortable.
Simple.
The kind of atmosphere she had always liked.
And yet—
Her eyes kept drifting to the door.
"Do you want to go out for a bit?" Chen Kai asked suddenly.
She blinked.
"Out?"
"Yeah. Just a walk… maybe coffee."
She hesitated.
Then nodded slowly.
"…okay."
The streets were lively as they walked side by side.
Chen Kai talked casually, pointing out small things, making her laugh.
And for a while—
She forgot.
Forgot the pressure.
Forgot the tension.
Forgot everything.
Until—
She saw him.
Across the street.
Standing still.
Zhen Wei.
He hadn't called.
Hadn't come to the shop.
Hadn't said anything.
But he was there.
Watching.
Lian Hua stopped walking.
Chen Kai noticed immediately.
"What is it?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
Her eyes were locked on Zhen Wei.
Chen Kai followed her gaze.
And saw him too.
The air changed instantly.
That familiar tension returned.
But this time—
It felt heavier.
More distant.
More real.
Zhen Wei didn't move.
He didn't walk closer.
Didn't speak.
He just stood there.
His gaze fixed on her.
Lian Hua felt her heart tighten.
"Zhen Wei…" she whispered.
But the distance between them felt larger than it ever had before.
Not just physically.
But emotionally.
Chen Kai stepped slightly forward.
As if instinctively placing himself closer to her.
Zhen Wei noticed.
His expression didn't change.
But something in his eyes darkened.
For a long moment—
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Then finally—
Zhen Wei turned.
And walked away.
Just like that.
Lian Hua felt something drop inside her chest.
A quiet, painful realization.
This wasn't just space anymore.
This was a distance.
Real distance.
And for the first time __
she didn't know how to close it.