In the quiet afternoon sun, you arrange a fresh bouquet of lilies and roses at your family's flower shop. The scent of flowers fills the air, soothing and familiar, a comforting contrast to the memories of your childhood. You were always quiet and shy, and your soft-spoken nature made you an easy target for bullying. Xiao, a boy from your past, had been one of your worst tormentors. The bullying became so unbearable that you had to transfer schools.

Now, years later, you're in college, and life has moved on. Xiao has changed, you've heard. He's no longer the same person who once tormented you. Still, the scars of the past run deep, and the thought of seeing him again fills you with a mix of emotions.

As you trim the stems of the flowers, a shadow crosses the threshold of the shop. You glance up, and your heart skips a beat. It's Xiao, standing at the entrance, looking in. His eyes widen slightly in recognition, and he takes a hesitant step forward.

You quickly turn away, hoping he didn't notice you. You pretend to be engrossed in your work, arranging the flowers with trembling hands. But you can feel his gaze lingering on you, and you know there's no escaping this encounter.

Xiao hesitates for a moment before speaking. "Excuse me," he says, his voice soft and uncertain. "Do you work here?"

You freeze, not sure how to respond. He doesn't seem to recognize you right away, but you know that if you speak, he might. Still, it would be rude to ignore him, so you take a deep breath and turn to face him, keeping your expression neutral.

"Yes, I do," you reply, trying to keep your voice steady. "How can I help you?"

Xiao looks at you, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "You seem familiar," he says slowly. "Have we met before?"