Everything unfolded exactly as Cheng Hao had predicted—the flower shop truly sparked a fresh wave of popularity.

Sales were booming. There was no sign of the "massive loss" Cheng Hao had feared earlier. In fact, over half of today’s lilies had already sold out.

Of course, it was all thanks to Li Shiying’s flower arrangement skills. Customers, seeing the uniquely styled shop and those exquisite, artistic lilies, couldn’t help but reach for their wallets.

Hmm, hiring this employee was totally worth it!

"Shiying, why don’t you take a break? You’ve been arranging flowers all day," Cheng Hao said, glancing at Li Shiying crouched nearby, meticulously working on a bouquet.

"N-no… it’s fine… I’m not tired," Li Shiying replied without turning to look at him. She still seemed flustered over their accidental hug earlier.

It wasn’t that she was being petty—anyone would feel awkward after such a thing.

So Cheng Hao didn’t push her. He stood up to wander around; staying put would only make her more uncomfortable.

*Ding-ding-ding…*

Just as Cheng Hao rose, Li Shiying’s phone suddenly rang.

He instantly noticed something was off. Li Shiying froze the moment she saw the screen, her face flushed crimson.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Unease filled her expression, her arms trembling faintly—as if facing something terrifying.

She abandoned the flowers, stood up abruptly, and rushed out of the shop.

Cheng Hao didn’t follow. Everyone had their privacy. If she truly needed help with a tough problem, he—her classmate and boss—wouldn’t stand by.

"Hello… Dad…" Li Shiying took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, steeling herself against whatever scared her.

"You haven’t contacted me for so long. I called, but you didn’t answer. I thought you didn’t recognize me as your father anymore," came a solemn, stern voice.

Li Shiying shrank back, trembling like a cornered rabbit. She knew why he’d called: to force her to meet her fiancé and honor the arranged marriage.

"I… I won’t marry him. Just give up. Even if you pressure me, it won’t work. I’d rather never return to the Li family—pretend you don’t have a daughter," she blurted out.

These words had been bottled up for years. Out of respect and years of control, she’d never dared rebel. Only recently had she discovered her parents arranged this fiancé behind her back, no discussion allowed. That’s why she’d started working here—to fight back.

"Do you know what you’re saying? Do you still see the Li family? Do you still see me as your father?" Her father’s voice crackled with rage. He’d never expected his obedient daughter to speak like this.

"Dad… I’m sorry… I know this disappoints you, but I’m not wrong. I just don’t want to marry a stranger—a rich heir. I want normal happiness. That’s all. I’m a person, your daughter… yet you treat me like a commodity on a shelf…" Her voice choked. She clamped a hand over her mouth, fighting tears.

Her father sensed her distress. He softened his tone, sighing. "Dad understands. But we do this for your good. Born into comfort, could you really handle tightening your belt like ordinary people?"

"I’m fed up—with your ‘for your good,’ with this moral blackmail. You never cared about my feelings. I won’t accept this marriage. I won’t meet him." Li Shiying burst into tears, releasing years of pent-up sorrow.

Silence stretched for minutes. Finally, her father spoke again. "Fine. You want ordinary happiness? I’ll give you the chance. Show me what that looks like."

"I… I…" Li Shiying stammered, speechless.

"Why silent now? You claimed you wanted normal happiness," he sighed, about to persuade her further.

Before he could, she cut in: "Okay… I’ll have my boyfriend talk to you."

"Boyfriend?" His tone turned heavy, anger barely contained. He knew his daughter too well—she barely spoke to boys at school. This lie was obvious. "Fine. Put him on."

"He’s not here. Wait a minute." Li Shiying hung up and hurried back to the shop.

"Shiying, what’s wrong?" Cheng Hao asked, spotting her red-rimmed eyes. He knew she’d been crying.

"Um… Cheng Hao, I need a favor…" Li Shiying bit her lip, gazing at him with pleading eyes.

"Hmm, go ahead," Cheng Hao nodded, listening intently as she explained everything.

"...You mean… pretend to be my boyfriend and talk to my father?" Cheng Hao stared at her, doubtful.

"Y-yes. I know it’s too much, but you know my situation. No one else can help…"

Cheng Hao hesitated, shaking his head awkwardly. "Shiying, I want to help, but this is beyond me. How about I talk as a friend or classmate? I can’t handle the boyfriend role."

"Cheng Hao… please. Just once… help me just this once?" Tears glistened on her long lashes. Her usually bright eyes were dull, hollow, melancholic—like a tear-soaked flower, heartbreakingly fragile.

Perhaps pity, perhaps empathy, made Cheng Hao pause. After a long moment, he slowly said: "Okay."

"Mm, thank you, Cheng Hao." Li Shiying nodded firmly, gratitude shining in her eyes.

"Thank me after the call. I don’t know if he’ll believe it anyway," Cheng Hao shrugged helplessly.

*Beep-beep-beep…* The phone connected. Cheng Hao’s heart hammered wildly.

He felt no calmer than Li Shiying—only intense nerves. Pretending to be a boyfriend was one thing. But impersonating hers, handling her parents, maybe even breaking off an engagement?

He felt overwhelmed. Being a boss was truly tough.

Before he could prepare his words, the call went through…