After the lotus root snaps, the fibers are still attached
To still have feelings after the relationship is over; for the relationship to be formally over, but for those involved to remain connected
Neutral
他们已经离婚了，但仍然藕断丝连地保持联系 | Tāmen yǐjīng líhūn le, dàn réngrán ǒuduànsīlián de bǎochí liánxì
They've divorced, but they still remain in contact because some feelings remain
[Source]
虽几十年不见，但他们的友谊仍藕断丝连 | Suī jǐ shí nián bùjiàn, dàn tāmen de yǒuyì réng ǒuduànsīlián
Despite the fact that they haven't seen each other in over ten years, their friendly feelings remain
[Source]
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《去妇》(Qù Fù), a poem by Táng Dynasty (唐, 618 - 907) poet and essayist 孟郊 (Mèng Jiāo)
This chengyu is from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above