The movie theater lights stayed dim as Lila coughed violently, a popcorn kernel lodged in her throat. Her face flushed red, eyes watering as she struggled.
Lu Zhe's sharp instincts kicked in. He leaned over, gently patting her back. "What, you let a popcorn choke you senseless?"
Lila finally swallowed, gasping, her voice weak. "Says the guy who picked a horror flick just to mock me."
He glanced at her, a rare smirk tugging at his lips. This woman's kind of… cute when she's a mess. He coughed, hiding the grin, and looked away.
Outside, Lila darted to a milk tea stand. Lu Zhe, seizing the moment, led her to the bustling commercial street to check on a brand store he'd recently invested in.
He eyed her outfit—fresh yet quirky, simple yet oddly ethereal. In a word: weird. Not that the clothes were bad; her styling was just… incomprehensible. Lu Zhe had impeccable taste, but Lila's fashion seemed chosen by rolling dice.
She ordered a taro pearl milk tea and, on impulse, got him a red date and goji berry blend. Lu Zhe, a coffee purist, took it with a blank stare, secretly pleased.
"Red date and goji?" He raised a brow, reading the label. "Trying to turn me into a health nut?"
Lila grinned as he sipped, holding the tea in his mouth like a connoisseur. "What, you secretly love this stuff?"
He didn't answer—just tossed his cup in the trash and swiped hers, drinking deeply.
Lila gaped. "Did you skip your meds today? Your company's not collapsing without you? Why waste time on me?"
Lu Zhe's eyes glinted. "I'm on my meds, and this is business."
Lila's heart twisted. She still loved him, but his constant distrust cut deep. Was this "business" another jab, or was he dangling hope just to crush her again? She couldn't tell if he'd carved out this day for her or if he had an ulterior motive.
At the brand store, a bubbly clerk greeted them. "Welcome! We've got new arrivals—care to browse?"
"You're not seriously shopping for me, are you?" Lila asked, trailing Lu Zhe.
"Yup." He scanned the racks, his frown deepening, as if her dice-rolled wardrobe offended him personally.
Lila's smile stiffened. "I'm good."
Ignoring her, Lu Zhe thrust a pile of clothes into her arms. "Try these. I'm paying."
Lila blinked, speechless.
In the fitting room, she wasn't broke—she could afford this—but accepting his "kindness" felt like a trap. She tried on a blue halter dress, then a sleek blazer. Each time she stepped out, Lu Zhe nodded approvingly. "Not bad, right?"
The clerk beamed. "You've got great taste, sir! You two look like you're in love!"
Lila choked, while Lu Zhe's face stayed stone-cold.
"His eyes need checking," Lila muttered, tugging the dress hem.
Outside, she checked her phone. "Your 'business' done? I've got work at eight."
"Canceled," Lu Zhe said coolly. "We're eating."
No room for debate. Lila texted Wendy to cover her shift, reluctantly following him to his favorite upscale steakhouse, where he ordered a bottle of red wine.
"Lu Zhe, what's your deal today?" Lila asked, baffled.
"Just dinner." He handed her the menu, casually adding dishes she might like.
Soft piano music filled the air, elegant and soothing. Lila hummed along, caught in the melody.
"You like it?" Lu Zhe asked, his tone curious.
She shook her head. "Not really."
She could play—brilliantly—but didn't want to admit it.
He sensed her shift. "Love piano? I'll buy you one."
"No thanks," she said, shutting him down. Today's Lu Zhe was too much—movies, milk tea, clothes, dinner. Was this a sugar-coated setup for another slap?
But he pressed. "I'll get you lessons then."
Lila nearly spat her wine. "Sorry, bathroom break."
In the restroom, she whipped out her phone, frantically Googling: "Guy suddenly super nice—what's his game? Off his meds?"
User A: "Ever heard of love-bombing? He makes you feel like you're in paradise, then drops you into hell."
User B: "Don't buy it too fast. Could be a test."
User C: "Maybe he's catching feelings."
The comments were a mess. Lila shut her phone, fuming. Lu Zhe's fishing, and I'm no fool.
Back at the table, Lu Zhe lounged, chin propped lazily, swirling his wine glass, eyes half-lidded—dangerously handsome, like a sleek, icy panther.
"Fighting a war in there?" he drawled.
Lila: "…"
He ate in silence, the awkward air lingering. Dinner ended, and instead of heading home, he detoured to a piano store.
"Now what?" Lila groaned.
"Just looking," he said, striding in.
He zeroed in on the priciest model. The clerk gushed, "Want to try it, sir?"
Lu Zhe turned to Lila, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Your turn." He ruffled her hair lightly. "Don't worry, I won't laugh if it's awful."
Lila's temper flared. Jerk. She sat at the piano, closing her eyes. Her fingers brushed the keys, and a haunting, ethereal melody flowed out.
It was his favorite piece from her past life. She'd practiced until her fingers bled, only for him to snap, "Stop. It's annoying." Today, she played for herself.
Lu Zhe froze, expecting a fumble. Instead, the music hit him like a tidal wave—beautiful, raw, stirring something deep. For the first time, he saw her: fragile yet fierce, her slim back carrying a quiet strength. Regret flickered in his chest.
The song ended, and he clapped softly. "Not bad. The piano's decent—buy it. Grab some top-tier sheet music too." He flashed her a rare, genuine smile.
Lila blinked. He smiled? Was this real? A sweet gesture—or a prelude to betrayal?
In the car, silence reigned. Lila's mind churned with questions; Lu Zhe, for once, kept quiet.
At home, as he headed to the guest room, Lila called out, "I don't care what you're scheming. I'm not falling for it."
"Oh?" He turned, his smirk back, mood oddly bright.
He grabbed his phone and dialed his assistant. "Dig into Lila's real background."
In her room, Lila opened a forum post she'd made about Lu Zhe's behavior, stunned to find a new comment: "My fiancée's changed lately. Kinda don't hate her. Thoughts?"
She gaped. Who hijacks my thread? She fired back: "Can't you start your own post? Gotta ride my coattails?"
The user replied, unfazed: "Nope. My question's not cramping your style, is it? Be a gracious host."
Lila shot back: "No way. Stop clogging my thread."
"Why's everyone else allowed?" the user teased.
"Because you're annoying," Lila typed, exasperated.
"Your question's more my speed. Just borrowing the spotlight," they replied.
After a few volleys, Lila deleted the post, fuming. Trolls.