After Being Deceived, I Married Someone Else and Had Children Chapter 85

The quiet bathroom passed a long time or perhaps very quickly.

Like sleeping through a nap.

Some people feel that time passes in the blink of an eye, while others feel that even the time spent dreaming is endlessly long.

When Zuo Shihuan groggily opened his eyes, lying in the bathtub and staring at the ceiling, the soft lighting hazy as if trying to pull him back into sleep, he lay there dazed for quite a while before finally coming back to his senses.

Zuo Shihuan rubbed his eyes, becoming a little more awake.

He was somewhat surprised that he had actually fallen asleep in the bathtub, and he wasn’t sure how long he’d slept.

He only remembered having a hazy, indistinct dream, dreaming that Gu Heng was talking to him, though he couldn’t recall what was said.

It was probably just a dream.

Zuo Shihuan reached out and touched the water in the tub: it was still warm, steaming slightly so he figured he probably hadn’t slept for very long.

Otherwise, the water would’ve gone cold already.

Still, even a short nap left him feeling remarkably refreshed.

Zuo Shihuan stretched lazily, stepped out of the bathtub, then suddenly froze, remembering this wasn’t his own home: towels, clothes, and the like weren’t placed where he was used to.

Thinking about how this was Gu Heng’s place,

Zuo Shihuan couldn’t help feeling a bit tense and restrained. Pretending to stay calm, he cracked the bathroom door open just a little, cautiously sticking out half his body to look around.

Unexpectedly, there wasn’t a trace of Gu Heng’s presence.

But as soon as he opened the door, he saw a towel and bathrobe placed right outside for him.

That was enough.

Zuo Shihuan let out a long breath, changed into the bathrobe prepared for him, and then walked out of the bathroom.

But…

The moment Zuo Shihuan stepped out, he felt distinctly uncomfortable.

Sitting in the living room, he still felt an overwhelming quiet he couldn’t quite get used to, even though he didn’t know when Gu Heng had laid a soft cushion over the metal sofa in the living room.

He was still restless.

Because Gu Heng’s house was unusually quiet and empty, the soundproofing especially good, when walking inside or even just breathing, it was so silent that one could clearly hear their own footsteps, their own breath.

That kind of silence, so absolute that even the slightest noise vanished, was enough to make one’s ears ring.

The oppressive stillness made Zuo Shihuan uneasy; unable to stand the feeling of such loneliness and emptiness, he couldn’t help but start wondering where that noisy, irritating b*stard Gu Heng had gone.

He assumed Gu Heng had gone to another room.

Zuo Shihuan stood up, intending to look for him. As he passed room after room, he called out, “…Gu Heng, are you in here?”

After all, this was Gu Heng’s home.

Zuo Shihuan didn’t open each door, he only called his name from the hallway, meaning to roughly figure out where Gu Heng had gone.

Several of the doors were half-open.

Even then, Zuo Shihuan didn’t push them open. He knew Gu Heng probably wouldn’t mind, had even given him full access to the house the moment he came in, but he still felt he should respect Gu Heng’s wishes and ask before entering any room.

But after walking through all three floors of the house—

He didn’t find even a trace of Gu Heng. It was as if he had suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, no matter how he searched or called, there was no response, and he truly had no idea where he’d gone.

If he didn’t know for certain that this was Gu Heng’s home and that Gu Heng couldn’t have gone far, Zuo Shihuan would’ve gone outside to see what on earth he was doing.

He furrowed his brows and, disappointed, returned to the living room.

He looked at the clock’s slowly turning hands, lips pressed together, feeling faintly dejected.

Even the clock here was completely silent.

It was so unnaturally quiet it felt as though he was the only person left in the world, cut off from sound itself, the isolation pressing down on him unpleasantly.

When that noisy, infuriating Gu Heng was around, he’d never noticed anything strange. But now, sitting on the living room sofa, resting his head against his knees in a sideways position, he idly lifted his gaze again and again toward the clock.

Without Gu Heng around—

He watched each second, each minute tick by, like a motionless statue left alone in a corner.

Time’s movement no longer felt like it was moving.

The colorful, lively world was now missing one loud, annoying person; the colors were still there, yet in his eyes, they’d become flat and dull, unable to stir up the slightest feeling.

The only good thing was that the metal sofa in the living room had been changed to one with soft cushions.

At least while he waited, he wouldn’t literally feel like a statue sitting on a metal frame.

He was, after all, a living person. Even if he had to sit on a hard chair, it should be a wooden one, not some bizarre, cold, metal contraption that Gu Heng had somehow ordered custom-made.

Could it be that even Gu Heng’s bed was made of metal too?

Zuo Shihuan frowned instantly, his thoughts running wild, a flicker of surprised curiosity rising, he suddenly really wanted to see what Gu Heng’s bedroom looked like.

Was it possible anyone could actually sleep on a metal bed?

Zuo Shihuan pondered seriously.

A normal person wouldn’t torture themselves like that but if it were Gu Heng, he figured nothing was impossible. What kind of bed he slept on, who knew.

Still, no matter how much he thought about it, Zuo Shihuan didn’t actually go into Gu Heng’s bedroom to check. He just stayed in the living room, waiting for Gu Heng to return.

Or maybe… not return at all.

Zuo Shihuan lowered his gaze, his expression dimming for a moment. He tugged absently at the soft cushion covering the metal sofa, squeezing it a little harder as though pinching the person who’d left without telling him.

No one else would have changed the cushions, only Gu Heng.

So that was the one decent thing Gu Heng had done tonight.

But was it really so hard to just tell him?

Zuo Shihuan lay his head on his knees, eyes filled with quiet grievance, still clutching the soft cushion on the metal sofa. There was nothing else for him to do anyway.

He hadn’t even stayed in the bathroom that long; even if he’d dozed off a bit, the water was still hot. So if Gu Heng had gone out, why hadn’t he said something?

Zuo Shihuan had no idea how long he’d actually slept, nor how many times Gu Heng had tried calling him without success. The one who truly had reason to feel wronged was probably Gu Heng.

But in the end, Gu Heng had indeed left without a word, and no one knew where he’d gone.

***

It was pouring outside.

The streets were empty, save for the occasional car rushing by.

Just as a flower shop was about to close, someone came in.

“Please prepare a bouquet for me.”

The man beneath the umbrella had a sharply defined jawline, his deep, magnetic voice carrying a faint rasp from the lingering mist of rain. His hand gripped the umbrella handle: long, clean fingers, knuckles pronounced and strong.

The flower shop owner stared, momentarily dazed, feeling his breath hitch as the tall figure approached, the weight of his presence pressing down along with the umbrella.

Looking up at this mysterious man who had walked in from the storm, the shop owner carefully asked, “E-excuse me, sir, what kind or style of flowers would you like?”

The man stopped, as though observing the bouquets displayed outside the shop.

The rain was torrential.

Many of the flowers outside had been drenched, petals falling one after another in a pitiful scene yet under the downpour, a few surviving blooms stood out, vibrant and full of life.

Among them was one particular kind of flower—

Unlike the others, its petals hadn’t been beaten apart by the rain. Its sturdy green stem remained tall and straight, and its color was a gentle gradient: the edges pale gold, fading into light amber, peach, and then into a soft, wood-like hue that seemed to embrace all warmth. Not even the wind and rain could wash its colors away.

Ordinary roses and other blooms were dazzling and bold, their fragrance rich and showy.

But this golden-orange flower before him was different, it didn’t seize attention at first glance. Its scent was subtle, refined, quietly resting in a corner of the shop, easily overlooked, and rarely chosen by customers.

Except for one unusual customer.

He stepped into the flower shop—

And among the countless varieties of blossoms, his gaze fell upon that single flower, and from that moment on, he couldn’t look away.

The orange-gold bloom sat quietly in a corner. Rather than being ignored, it seemed to have deliberately set itself apart, allowing the violent wind and rain to lash against its petals and leaves, yet still blooming steadily, gently, stretching out its green leaves to shelter the fragile bud beneath them.

A gust of wind passed—

The gradient orange-gold petals rippled with a soft, romantic luster, like mist, sunset glow, and sunlight upon the earth all blending together.

Amid the mingled fragrances of countless flowers, a faint, elegant scent brushed lightly against someone’s heart. In that warm, mature sweetness lay a trace of something familiar, stirring the memory of a person.

“Sir, why don’t you come inside and take your time choosing?”

The shop owner spoke nervously, her hands clutching the hem of her gardening apron, glancing timidly up at the tall, imposing, mysterious guest. She quickly added, “I just thought it’s raining so hard outside I’d hate for you to get wet. But if you’d prefer to stay there and keep looking, please, don’t mind me!”

She herself didn’t know why this mysterious man had been standing at the doorway for so long, silently watching the flowers without saying a word.

If her legs hadn’t gone numb from standing, trembling slightly from the cold wind and the rain sneaking under the awning, she probably wouldn’t have dared to speak at all.

This time, the mysterious customer finally reacted.

He folded up his umbrella.

The edge of it lifted slowly upward.

The downpour surged behind him, the rain slanting across his pitch-black long coat but he remained motionless, the raindrops glancing off and rolling away without leaving a trace.

With the soft tap of the umbrella against the floor—

The man’s face was revealed, and it was one that could astonish the world: sharply defined brows, refined and stern features, thin lips tinged with crimson, a tall and upright figure radiating an aloof, noble air that made others instinctively keep their distance.

Only his deep, elegant black eyes softened for an instant when they fell upon the flowers by the door, a fleeting trace of warmth breaking through the ice.

But the next moment—

Before the flower shop owner could recover from her surprise, those cold, quiet eyes glanced her way. Just that look made her spine stiffen in fright.

How could someone so beautiful feel so terrifying? His chill was sharper than the storm outside, his presence more intimidating than the wind and rain.

The shop owner, who a moment ago had been wide-eyed in admiration, instantly abandoned her silly thought of asking him to pose for a photo with one of her flowers, something she’d thought would make the perfect advertisement for her shop.

She’d even thought, if the guest agreed, she’d gladly give him any bouquet for free, no matter how expensive, just for one photo.

But now she wouldn’t dare mention it.

Still, having such a mysterious and striking customer come to buy flowers was in itself a blessing. On a day like this, when she hadn’t sold much and half her stock had been soaked by rain, she had been ready to close early.

Gathering her courage, she put on a bright, welcoming smile and said, “Sir, if there’s a flower you like since it’s been such a slow day because of the rain, I can give you a special discount.”

Gu Heng frowned slightly, finally shifting his gaze away from that orange-gold blossom. Turning to her, he asked, “Do you have any recommendations?”

The shop owner replied, “May I ask if it’s a gift, or for decoration at home?”

Gu Heng said, “It’s for my boyfriend.”

The shop owner blinked in surprise.

Although most people who came to buy flowers were buying them for lovers, somehow, when this particular man said it, she couldn’t help but feel startled, curious about what kind of person could be on the receiving end of his flowers.

Still, being a professional, she didn’t pry into her customer’s private affairs and simply nodded in understanding.

With a cheerful, professional smile, she said, “Then please, come inside. We carry a wide range of high-quality blooms from across the planets, classic choices like romantic red roses, tulips, and violets are always great for gifts.”

However, Gu Heng didn’t react much.

Noticing that he seemed uninterested in the usual classics, the shop owner brought out a small display device.

With advances in technology, holographic projectors had become common household items, perfect for demonstrations.

For the flower shop owner, showing flowers through holographic projection made everything easier. After a few quick taps—

The air beneath the shop’s awning shimmered, and vivid, lifelike flowers appeared all around them, as if both she and the customer had stepped into a vast sea of blossoms.

A single tap could zoom in—

Dewy petals seemed close enough to touch, the fragrance almost tangible, and each bloom could be viewed from every angle, displaying its graceful form.

“Let me introduce them to you,” she said brightly. “This area features our classic varieties: roses, sunflowers, orchids, tulips, and more. Over here are our rarer and more delicate species such as the crystal night-blooming flower from the Roman Star, the cloud blossoms that float like mist, and the genetically modified glowing roses or briars that emit light both day and night. And on this side, we have unique species from different planets across the galaxy…”

“Some guests also prefer custom-designed flowers, we can engrave names on petals or even grow flowers in the color, shape, or form the customer requests. Our partner flower cultivation planets can prepare and deliver the customized bouquet in the shortest possible time.”

The scene of all those rare and exquisite flowers unfolding before them was dreamlike like a painting, like stepping into a fairytale garden of blooms.

The flower shop owner was halfway through her explanation when she secretly glanced at Gu Heng, only to find that this seemingly cold and distant customer was actually frowning in deep concentration. Each time she introduced a new variety of flower, he would carefully observe, then pause to think and consider.

It even stirred up the shop owner’s rare enthusiasm for giving detailed explanations because it was rare to meet a customer who actually listened seriously.

Usually, people came in impatiently, listened to a few sentences, then bought the most common flowers, hurrying in and out.

Frequent customers who came to her shop often changed the names on the cards attached to their bouquets, the recipients rotated one after another.

But this mysterious guest was different. He truly remembered every variety she introduced, along with the stories behind them. His knowledge was so deep that he even asked about several rare and unusual flowers the owner couldn’t identify.

She vaguely remembered that those species came from remote regions, exceptionally precious ones, with origins close to the Imperial side.

Still, in her eyes anyone who took such care in choosing flowers must care deeply about the person receiving them.

“Some of the rarer flowers are quite delicate,” she explained, “and can’t keep their best appearance under normal conditions, so we don’t display them outside. They’re stored in our preservation room. If there’s any you’re interested in, I can take you there to have a look.”

“What do you think, sir?”

After her long, enthusiastic explanation, the florist was a bit breathless as she looked at her only customer of the moment.

Gu Heng frowned slightly, fingers resting against his thin lips, his deep black eyes focused seriously on the flowers before him. But in the end, he bit his lower lip in frustration.

He turned toward the florist and asked, “I want something better. I hope he’ll like it.”

The florist was slightly taken aback, not because he seemed unsatisfied after seeing so many flowers, but because of how much importance he placed on the recipient.

This cold-looking man, when it came to his boyfriend, became so careful and earnest that even his dark eyes carried a hint of nervous unease, worried that the flowers he chose might not please or satisfy him.

Something as simple as picking a bouquet had become a struggle of indecision.

Even the florist could see it, and softly comforted, “I’m sure your boyfriend will like anything you give him.”

“But I want to give him the best.”

Gu Heng’s brows furrowed even deeper. His deep, melancholy eyes were filled with stubborn determination. He looked firmly at the shopkeeper and said, “Is there anything better? I can pay more, just have it shipped over as soon as possible.”

Even if his current status in the Federation limited him, prevented him from giving Zuo Shihuan the most precious Imperial flowers, he still wanted to give him the best flowers within his means.

Because today, at the engagement banquet, Zuo Shihuan had already seen too many flowers: petals falling like rain, romantic blooms covering the entire venue, the air saturated with the fragrance of roses.

Gu Heng couldn’t give him that many flowers, but he wanted to give him the best, flowers so beautiful that Zuo Shihuan would love them at first sight.

At least enough to make him like them far more than those from the engagement banquet, ideally, enough to make him forget it altogether.

Gu Heng lowered his eyes, a sour ache swelling in his chest.

Even though he knew it was nearly impossible for Zuo Shihuan to forget the engagement banquet, his heart still burned with restless bitterness, desperate to find the perfect flower.

The florist was troubled by this demanding client. Even if she’d finally met a wealthy customer willing to pay extra for a custom order, there were limits to what she could provide.

Some things just couldn’t be done.

Still, she didn’t dare argue, only whispered, “Although I think all our flowers are excellent, I really can’t promise something like ‘the best.’ Everyone has different tastes: one person’s favorite might be another’s least liked. Even the plainest little daisies are lovingly cared for by someone.”

When Gu Heng’s brow furrowed again, the florist was startled and quickly added, “Maybe you could tell me what kind of flowers your boyfriend likes? Then I can help you pick out the finest ones of that kind.”

Gu Heng paused, pressing his lips together in frustration. “I… I don’t know. He’s never said what kind of flowers he likes.”

The florist hesitated, then suggested, “Then how about some classic red roses? The ‘Marguerite Red’ variety is selling really well lately, it’s a safe choice for couples.”

But Gu Heng’s brow furrowed even deeper, clearly dissatisfied.

Just seeing those bright red and pink roses made him think of the engagement banquet, the petals scattered everywhere, all those same colors of roses and wild roses.

He didn’t want the flowers he gave Zuo Shihuan to resemble those from the banquet in the slightest.

If he had more time, if he didn’t have to hurry back to wake Zuo Shihuan who was still asleep in the bathroom, he would’ve even commissioned a one-of-a-kind custom bloom.

Unfortunately, it was a last-minute decision.

While tidying his apartment earlier, Gu Heng had thought of how Zuo Shihuan would soon be living there with him and suddenly, the place he’d long been used to seemed unbearably plain.

As an independent, solitary Alpha, an Imperial royal long accustomed to battlefields and missions, Gu Heng had never lived a life of luxury, nor liked being attended by servants. He often lived alone, indifferent to such details.

He hadn’t even unwrapped most of the furniture and kitchenware his subordinates had sent him. Those little things never mattered to him; even without a bed, he could sleep just fine.

Usually, after finishing a mission, he’d find a place to crash, sleep on a metal sofa in the living room, and wake up perfectly rested.

But ever since Zuo Shihuan came, everything had changed.

The house that had once seemed perfectly livable suddenly struck Gu Heng as barren and empty, devoid of warmth, devoid of anything. The cold furnishings lacked even a hint of life or color, as if no one had ever lived there at all.

He rummaged through storage for a long time just to find a soft cushion for the sofa, and in the end could only settle for a car seat pad as a replacement.

At that moment, Gu Heng felt he had wronged Zuo Shihuan.

Zuo Shihuan could have continued living in comfort and luxury, yet he had chosen to be with him, knowing it would only invite the Zuo family’s displeasure.

If Gu Heng couldn’t even provide him with basic material comfort, how was he worthy of the name Gu Heng? What kind of Alpha was he, what kind of so-called Imperial Crown Prince?

If an Alpha couldn’t even meet the most basic needs of the person he loved, he might as well fly straight into a meteor and die on impact.

He wanted to give Zuo Shihuan the best, not have him stay in this cold, lifeless home, not even with a single flower in sight.

That was why Gu Heng had left home so suddenly.

At first, he had planned to buy some everyday items or furnishings for Zuo Shihuan, but when he passed by the flower shop, he stopped the car. He wanted to buy him a bouquet.

But these tangled, complicated thoughts—he would never tell anyone. Not even Zuo Shihuan.

Even though Zuo Shihuan often called him shameless, Gu Heng was, at heart, an Alpha who cared deeply about face, especially in front of Zuo Shihuan. He always wanted to be someone Zuo Shihuan could trust and rely on completely.

And of course, he wouldn’t tell the florist any of that.

Gu Heng immediately rejected the florist’s suggestion of red roses and said, with a faint bitterness, “My boyfriend wouldn’t like those.”

The florist: “……” Are you sure it’s your boyfriend who wouldn’t like them and not you?

This won’t do, that won’t do.

The florist, who had always considered herself a patient Beta, was nearly driven to despair by this impossibly picky customer. Her composure was hanging by a thread!

If she hadn’t been sure that this man was sincerely picking flowers for his boyfriend and if it weren’t for the fact that none of her rival shops could possibly hire such a strikingly handsome actor to mess with her, she would’ve suspected he was a plant sent by competitors to make trouble.

Money’s hard to earn, and this job is h*ll.

If she’d known earlier, she would’ve closed shop a little sooner. She regretted not shutting the doors before this customer arrived. No matter how handsome he was, movie-star handsome, really, she didn’t feel even a flicker of interest. She just wanted to finish the sale and go home.

Then suddenly—

An exhausted idea crossed the florist’s mind, and she said, “Sir, earlier you stood outside the shop for quite a while looking at the flowers, was there one that caught your eye?”

At the mention of that gradient orange-gold flower, Gu Heng’s expression wavered slightly. His gaze drifted instinctively toward the corner outside the shop, where the orange-gold blooms swayed faintly, each petal’s curve seeming to tug at his heart.

Following his line of sight, the florist clapped her hands and explained, “That variety is called Apple Country. It’s a natural variant of a rose. Its gradient hues look like an apple orchard bathed in sunset light, and its fragrance carries a rare fruity note, soft and gentle, with the sweet ripeness of fruit just turning to maturity, like the scent of apples as they begin to ferment.”

Hearing that, Gu Heng finally understood why he had fallen for that rose at first sight, why it felt so familiar.

Because this flower was just like the person he loved, its quiet fragrance unassuming, its surface simple and ordinary, yet beneath that lay a warmth and sweetness so tender it seized his heart, making him fall completely and helplessly for it.

Even its scent resembled Zuo Shihuan’s pheromones: the faint, mellow sweetness of ripening apples with a trace of fermented warmth…

Everything about it reminded him of Zuo Shihuan. He couldn’t let anyone else buy those flowers.

His eyes sharpened as he turned to the florist. “Please wrap up all of the ‘Apple Country’ roses you have. Don’t sell them to anyone else. I’ll pay immediately.”

The florist was, of course, delighted at the chance for a big sale but not selling to anyone else?

“Sir, that’s difficult,” she said awkwardly. “I can’t just refuse other customers. I’m running a business, if someone wants to buy, how could I turn them away?”

Gu Heng’s eyes lowered, his voice cool. “I’ll buy your entire stock for this month. Don’t sell to anyone else.”

The florist froze, unsure what to do. She had never encountered a situation like this before.

But before long, her phone buzzed with a payment notification. She glanced at the number and nearly dropped the phone. The amount was more than what she earned in half a year of business.

Startled, she looked at Gu Heng, stammering, “S-sir, this is way too much! Those flowers aren’t worth nearly that much. They’re a new variety, hardly anyone buys them. I don’t even keep much stock! You really don’t have to pay this much, let me refund you some of it.”

Gu Heng’s gaze darkened as he replied, “Those people just have no taste. I think they’re worth every cent and even if I paid more, I’d still be willing.”

Florist: “???” Seriously? Since when were they that valuable?

“B-but sir,” she protested weakly, “the amount you’ve paid could cover me for a whole year without selling another one, but other flower shops carry this variety too. Maybe I should really refund you—”

The florist’s heart raced with guilt; she felt uneasy even holding that much money.

Gu Heng said calmly, “They won’t.”

She blinked. “How could they not? My supplier isn’t exclusive, other shops will definitely have them. As long as you like our shop’s flowers, that’s enough—”

“They won’t,” Gu Heng interrupted, lifting his gaze. His cold eyes were calm, so calm they carried an overwhelming, commanding presence.

The florist froze for a moment, then nodded obediently and said nothing more.

A week later, unable to suppress her curiosity, she quietly asked around to see if any other flower shops were selling that variety called “Apple Country.”

What she found out shocked her— 

That flower had been completely pulled from the market. Some mysterious buyer had bought out its entire patent, monopolizing it so that no one could sell the variety ever again.

But the florist, who had somehow stumbled into this massive transaction, didn’t feel happy about it at all.

Quite the opposite.

Frowning, she carefully began wrapping the flowers. There weren’t that many, barely three hundred Apple Country roses in total and no matter how she counted, the customer had paid far, far too much.

Even after using the best, most expensive wrapping materials she had, even after pouring all her care into arranging and packaging the bouquet, she still felt it didn’t come close to being worth what he’d paid.

Her expression grew solemn as she handed over the beautifully wrapped bouquet and said to Gu Heng, “I’ve done everything I can to make this bouquet as perfect as possible. I hope your boyfriend will like it.”

Gu Heng accepted the bundle of warm orange-gold roses, a smile unconsciously softening his face. His eyes were full of tenderness as he cradled the bouquet gently in his arms.

But when he heard the florist’s last sentence, his brows knitted slightly. He pressed his lips together and said quietly, “It’s not for my boyfriend. Actually, I was hoping you could help me pick another bouquet that he might like.”

The florist was dumbfounded. Her mouth fell open. “You’re not giving it to your boyfriend?!”

Gu Heng stepped back, still holding the flowers, his tone calm. “No. I haven’t decided what kind of flowers to give him yet.”

The florist was at a total loss, scratching her head in disbelief. “Then—then what are you going to do with it if it’s not for your boyfriend?!”

Gu Heng lowered his gaze, hugging the orange-gold bouquet closer. “It’s something I like. I don’t know if he’ll like it. As for what I’ll do with it… the person I like is an Alpha. His pheromones smell like apple wine. I just wanted to keep a flower that reminded me of him. That’s all.”

The florist blinked, realizing that this customer, after all the roundabout talk, was still doing it all for his boyfriend. What surprised her, though, was that his boyfriend was an Alpha.

Not that there was anything wrong with that but this man, for all his noble and imposing air, had no pheromone scent at all. He was clearly a Beta.

Alpha-Beta pairings weren’t unheard of, but the way this customer acted made the florist uneasy. He looked exactly like someone who had fallen headlong, recklessly, into love.

There’s nothing wrong with being love-struck, so long as both people are equally smitten, it can even be blissful.

But the problem is, most of her love-sick customers ended up heartbroken. Many came to her shop in tears, asking to cancel their orders, only to come back later to buy another bouquet for the same person.

The florist frowned deeply, her worry plain. For once, she spoke firmly: “That’s enough. I’m closing the shop for the day. Please just take this bouquet to your boyfriend, he’s sure to love it!”

Gu Heng froze for a second, then seemed to understand. Smiling softly, still holding the flowers, he said, “I understand. Thank you.”

The florist was left speechless, completely motionless.

Even after he had long left, she found herself suddenly covering her flushed face.

Just thinking of that elegant, striking customer, cradling a bouquet of golden-orange roses, smiling so gently and sincerely made her heart skip a beat.

She was a married Beta woman, and yet she couldn’t help blushing, as though transported back to those tender, innocent days of first love in school.

Thank goodness that man didn’t smile often.

Otherwise, the world would have one more walking heartbreaker, a living arsonist of hearts.