The next day, Liang woke up unusually early. She freshened up and dressed beautifully. When her mother saw her, she raised an eyebrow in shock.
"Where are you going so early?" she asked.
Liang twirled in front of her. "I'm going to the flower shop! See, Maa~ I'm not lazy today. You should be proud of me!"
Her mother picked up a spatula and gave her a long look. "You look like you're going on a date, not to a flower shop. Am I right?"
Liang gasped playfully. "Ma~ Are you really my mother? You can see through me so easily." She gave a salute and dashed out.
Her mother looked up as if praying. "Oh God, please save that poor man from her nonsense," she muttered before returning to cook.
---
At the flower shop, Liang arrived only to find it empty. Still, she walked in confidently, making her way to the billing counter. As she explored further, she noticed a side room and stepped in—only to be stunned.
It was beautifully decorated with fairy lights, flowers, and trophies lining the shelves. It looked like a dream girl's secret garden. Just then, she heard a noise from another room. Curiosity got the best of her, and she peeked inside.
To her horror, someone was bathing! Her heart pounded as she clamped her hand over her mouth and backed away like a shy thief. But a floorboard creaked.
He heard it. Wrapping a towel around himself, he stepped out. Seeing a figure hiding behind the curtain, he moved silently and grabbed their neck.
"Hey~ It's me!" Liang gasped, tapping his hand. "The girl you bumped into!"
He quickly let go and pulled the curtain aside. His eyes widened when he saw her: dressed in a cute blue crop top, palazzo pants, and a bow in her hair. His heart skipped.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Liang rubbed her neck with mock anger. "How can you ask me that after almost strangling me?"
"Sorry," he said sheepishly.
Then she noticed… his six-pack. Her eyes lingered. She was frozen.
Noticing where she was looking, he panicked and immediately hid behind the curtain. "Wait outside! Don't turn—just walk straight and go out," he said, half-laughing, half-panicked.
"Yes, sir!" she squeaked and ran out, her cheeks burning.
A few minutes later, he emerged dressed in an oversized shirt and pants. Liang looked at him like he was the only flower she wanted to plant in her garden.
In a flustered voice, she asked, "Sh-should we go to my house now?"
He blinked. "What?"
"My home!" she clarified quickly.
They started walking together.
---
Meanwhile, I was getting ready for my evening with Dr. Lu, and he was rushing to wrap up work before 5 p.m.
---
As Liang walked beside him, she asked, "We've known each other for a while, but… I don't even know your name. May I ask?"
He smiled gently. "I'm Zichen."
"Zichen…" she repeated, like it was her new favorite word.
He glanced at her and smiled again.
"When I went inside that room earlier, I saw a lot of awards… Are they yours?" she asked.
Zichen froze. "What else did you see?"
She flinched. "I was just… strolling around. Then I heard a sound and… never mind." She zipped her lips quickly—there was no way she'd admit she saw him bathing.
Zichen chuckled, a little red-faced. "Yes, those awards are mine. I was a topper in college and I'm a certified horticulture professional."
Liang clapped excitedly. "Wow! Where did you study?"
"Yihe University."
She stopped walking. "Wait—what?! I also studied there! How did I miss someone like you?!"
Zichen was shy again. His heart was racing. Without a word, he started walking quickly, almost running.
"Hey! Wait! Don't run from me like Tom and Jerry!" she shouted, chasing after him.