The next morning, Lian Hua opened her shop, sunlight spilling across the rows of flowers. The scent of lotus and peonies filled the air, comforting and familiar. She hummed softly as she arranged the morning deliveries, trying to shake the lingering memory of last night's park encounter.
The bell above the door jingled.
Her heart skipped a beat. There he was again—Zhen Wei.
This time, he didn't wait to be noticed. He stepped inside confidently, his gaze scanning the shop as if measuring every detail. His eyes found her immediately, and that familiar intensity returned, stronger than before.
"Good morning," Lian Hua said, trying to sound casual, though her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted a bouquet.
"Good morning," he replied, his voice low and smooth. "I noticed some flowers I thought you might want to sell for your shop. I hope you don't mind."
Before she could respond, he placed a small package on the counter. She opened it and found several rare blossoms, their petals delicate and vibrant. Lian Hua's breath caught. These were expensive, almost impossible to get in Shanghai.
"They're… beautiful," she whispered.
"I thought you might like them," he said, his eyes lingering on her hands as she touched the petals. "I like seeing you surrounded by beauty."
Her cheeks flushed. "Th-thank you. But… why are you doing this?"
He tilted his head slightly, a hint of a smile curving his lips. "Why do people do anything for someone they care about?"
Lian Hua's heart fluttered, a strange mix of warmth and unease washing over her. Something about his attention was intoxicating, yet frightening. She didn't know this man, yet already, he had begun to command space in her life.
Before she could respond, he glanced at the window and straightened. "I should go," he said. "But… I'll see you again soon. Perhaps tomorrow?"
She nodded, unable to speak. As he left, the bell jingled softly, leaving her surrounded by the rare blossoms and a growing sense of tension she couldn't ignore.
Alone, she touched one of the flowers, the petals soft against her fingers. A thought crept in, unbidden: he's not just a passerby. He's coming into my life… whether I want him to or not.