My Sweet Little Flower Turned Out to Be a Sinister Ghost - Chapter 20

“You can ask anything you want to know…”

“Who did you find, Senior? Was it Director Zhang? Or another highly skilled doctor?” Song Yuehua looked up and asked, even slowing her steps.

Bai Qingyu turned to her, her fingertips gently brushing through the wind-tousled hair on Song’s head, her tone soft and warm: “It’s another doctor, surnamed Li. Her experience is no less than Director Zhang’s.”

“That’s great! That’s great!” Song Yuehua let out a sigh of relief, her joy lifting the corners of her eyebrows. Then, as if remembering something, she muttered quietly, “When did Dr. Li agree? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’ve been so worried these past few days that I couldn’t sleep, afraid you were carrying the burden and blaming yourself…” As she spoke, she stole a glance at Bai Qingyu.

Seeing her dejected little expression, Bai Qingyu couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out and ruffled Song’s hair, her fingertips lightly grazing the soft strands: “It was just settled this morning. I was planning to tell you when you arrived, I wasn’t deliberately hiding it from you.”

“Ah?” Song Yuehua abruptly lifted her head, her eyes widening slightly before she lowered them again.

So, Bai Qingyu had likely been just as anxious as she was yesterday, it wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to tell her. And here she had been secretly wondering if Bai Qingyu had forgotten. Instantly, she felt even more guilty.

“Then… how did you manage to contact Dr. Li? She sounds amazing, she must be hard to book, right?” As she spoke, she looked up again, her eyes filled with admiration, sparkling brightly.

“You know about that program Shi Li and I were working on, right?”

Song Yuehua nodded immediately. “Of course I remember! You two were holed up in the study room every day back then. I brought you meals, and several times when I went, I saw you rubbing your eyes while typing on the computer.”

“That program sold,” Bai Qingyu said, a slight smile curling her lips. “As part of the deal, Dr. Li agreed to perform the surgery.”

“Wow! Senior, you’re incredible!” Song Yuehua’s eyes lit up as she listened, and she couldn’t help but clap her hands. “Not only did you make the program so well, but you also managed to get such an amazing doctor to treat your mom. You’re seriously amazing!”

“It took a lot of time, and we had to revise it many times,” Bai Qingyu said, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise. She gently took Song’s hand. “Are you hungry? Let’s go eat.”

Song Yuehua nodded.

After breakfast, they returned to the hospital room to find Bai’s mother awake, resting against her pillow with her eyes closed.

Bai Qingyu walked over and carefully tucked in the edges of her mother’s blanket.

Strangely enough, Bai Qingyu was a gentle person who could chat easily with others, but in front of her mother, she became unusually quiet, expressing her care through actions rather than words.

The doctor had specifically advised that Bai’s mother should stay in good spirits to aid her recovery.

With Bai Qingyu and her mother being so reserved around each other, the task of lightening the mood naturally fell to Song Yuehua.

Fortunately, if there was one thing Song Yuehua excelled at, it was cheering people up.

She leaned close to Bai’s mother’s bedside, animatedly recounting little everyday stories, about the new breakfast stall that had opened near the school, how crispy the fried crackers in the pancakes were, and how the soy milk was perfectly sweet without being cloying.

She told them about the previous week, when she’d teased Song Xiaomi with a cat teaser. The kitten had chased the feather so intently that it accidentally dashed into a pile of clothes, got tangled in yarn, and meowed frantically. When she pulled it out, strands of thread were still stuck to its face.

Even the most trivial matters came alive when she recounted them with such animated expressions, making the very air in the room feel vibrant.

Bai’s mother leaned against the hospital bed, her fingers resting lightly on the covers as she watched Song Yuehua, a slow smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Bai Qingyu sat on a nearby chair peeling an apple, occasionally glancing at Song Yuehua. The warmth in her eyes was as soft as melting sugar, and her movements slowed almost imperceptibly.

Suddenly, the door to the hospital room creaked open with a sharp sound. Bai Qingyuan stood there, backpack slung over her shoulder, one hand gripping the door handle, her chest heaving as if she had run all the way there. She was about to speak but swallowed her words upon noticing the quiet atmosphere in the room, instinctively trying to hold back the tears welling in her eyes.

But when Bai’s mother turned her head and softly called out “Qingyuan,” her composure shattered. Without even taking off her backpack, she rushed to the bedside and gently touched her mother’s arm, her voice trembling slightly. “Mom, how are you really feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

“I’m much better,” Bai’s mother replied, patting her hand gently.

When Song Yuehua first met Bai’s mother, she could barely speak without gasping for breath, her face as pale as paper, leaving one to worry whether she would even make it to surgery. But under Bai Qingyu’s meticulous care these past few days, her complexion had gradually regained color, her voice had grown stronger, and on her better days, she could even take slow walks in the hallway.

But Bai Qingyuan didn’t seem relieved. She turned to Bai Qingyu, her voice tinged with a hint of grievance, the first time she had ever spoken to her beloved older sister in such a tone. “Sis, why didn’t you tell me about something this important?”

“It was me who asked your sister not to tell you,” Bai’s mother interjected, gently squeezing Bai Qingyuan’s hand, her tone carrying a touch of helpless tenderness. “You’re still young. Your focus should be on your studies at school. Telling you would only make you worry from afar without being able to help.”

“But even if I couldn’t help, it’s better than knowing nothing at all!” Bai Qingyuan pouted, the lingering hurt in her eyes finally revealing a trace of the innocence typical of her age.

Seeing her like this, Bai’s mother couldn’t help but smile, reaching out to adjust her crooked backpack strap. “Alright, alright, it’s not too late for you to know now. See? I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?”

Bai Qingyuan let out a soft sigh and whispered, “Then I’ll come talk with you every day from now on.”

Footsteps echoed from outside the door as Aunt Qin and a young girl arrived belatedly. Pushing the door open, Aunt Qin carried a fruit basket and a bouquet of sunflowers, her face apologetic. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Qingyuan somehow found out about your serious condition, and I just couldn’t stop her.”

Song Yuehua looked up and saw a tall woman accompanied by a girl with a low ponytail. The girl’s hair ends were slightly wavy, and she wore a light pink hair clip. Her cheeks still held a hint of baby fat, but the contours of her face already hinted at the softness of youth.

As soon as the girl entered the room, her eyes lit up. She quickly walked over to stand behind Bai Qingyuan, her fingers gently clutching the hem of Bai Qingyuan’s clothes.

Auntie Qin placed the strawberry basket and sunflowers on the bedside table. “It’s alright, Qingyuan would have found out sooner or later anyway,” Bai Qingyu said gently, her gaze sweeping over the faint weariness in Auntie Qin’s eyes. “You’ve already done so much by keeping it from her until now.”

“It’s nothing,” Auntie Qin replied, leaning closer to the hospital bed. She reached out and lightly touched the edge of Bai’s mother’s blanket, her fingertips cautious, a clear look of concern flashing in her eyes. “Are you feeling any better?”

“Much better, thanks to you looking after Qingyuan all this time,” Bai’s mother said.

“We’ve been friends for so many years, no need for such formalities,” Auntie Qin waved her hand dismissively, then pulled Qin Zhen forward and gave her a gentle nudge. “Zhenzhen, say hello to Auntie Bai.”

Pushed to the front, Qin Zhen shrank back behind Bai Qingyuan as everyone’s eyes turned to her, her elbow lightly bumping against Bai Qingyuan’s arm.

“Don’t be scared,” Bai Qingyuan whispered softly.

Qin Zhen slowly peeked out, her voice carrying a delicate, girlish softness. “Auntie Bai, are… are you feeling better now?”

Bai’s mother smiled warmly. “Much better, thank you for your concern, Zhenzhen.”

Auntie Qin then turned and noticed Song Yuehua standing to the side, her eyes curious. “And who is this young lady?”

“This is my friend, Song Yuehua,” Bai Qingyu said, gesturing naturally toward her.

Song Yuehua quickly smiled and greeted, “Hello, Auntie Qin. Hello, Zhenzhen.”

Qin Zhen stole a glance, her eyes filled with curiosity, then quickly lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning pink as her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her shirt.

“Good, good, this girl looks so pleasant, her features are especially clear and bright,” Auntie Qin praised warmly. Song Yuehua’s ears flushed with embarrassment, and she scratched her head a little sheepishly.

Bai Qingyu glanced at her phone to check the time and casually asked, “Auntie Qin, have you and Zhenzhen had lunch yet?”

“Not yet,” Auntie Qin replied. “Qingyuan said early this morning that she wanted to come to the hospital to see you all. I wasn’t comfortable with her coming alone, so I said I’d bring her.”

“Then Yuehua and I will go downstairs to get some lunch for you,” Bai Qingyu said, taking Song Yuehua’s hand and gently brushing her thumb over the back of it. “You and my mom don’t get to chat often, so take this chance to catch up.”

“Sounds good, thank you for your trouble. Be careful on your way,” Auntie Qin agreed, not forgetting to add a word of caution.

As soon as the two stepped out of the room, Song Yuehua’s curiosity got the better of her. She quickened her pace to catch up with Bai Qingyu. “Does Qingyuan usually live with Auntie Qin?”

“Sometimes,” Bai Qingyu answered.

“What do you mean, sometimes?” Song Yuehua pressed.

Bai Qingyu explained, “Auntie Qin’s family lives next door to us. When we were younger and my mom was in the hospital, I often had to work and couldn’t be home. Qingyuan was still little, and it wasn’t safe for her to be alone. Auntie Qin was very kind and took her in to look after her. Now that Qingyuan is older, she still has a close relationship with Auntie Qin, so she sometimes stays over at their place.”

“Oh… I see,” Song Yuehua blinked, still unable to hold back her curiosity. “And what about Zhenzhen?”

“Zhenzhen has always been timid since she was little,” Bai Qingyu said. “When they played together as children, she’d always hide behind Qingyuan, even buying cotton candy required Qingyuan to speak up for her. Not much has changed now that she’s grown up; she’s still closest to Qingyuan and blushes if anyone else asks her too many questions.”

“So that’s how it is,” Song Yuehua finally understood the relationship. As she looked up, she met Bai Qingyu’s gaze. Bai Qingyu was looking at her, a smile in her eyes like scattered starlight.

“How about it? Anything else you’d like to know?”

“N-no, nothing!” Song Yuehua’s ears turned pink, and she waved her hands a bit too quickly, thinking to herself: Oh no, I was so focused on asking about her earlier, did I ask too much and annoy her?

“It’s alright,” Bai Qingyu said, looking at her. “You can ask me anything you want. As long as I know the answer, I’ll tell you honestly.”

Song Yuehua looked up at her. Bai Qingyu’s eyes shone like a galaxy filled with starlight, and gazing into them felt like being wrapped in warmth. She stared for a few seconds, then suddenly froze.

Bai Qingyu is so, so good to me.

Bai Qingyu couldn’t help but wave a hand gently in front of her eyes, her voice tinged with laughter. “Back with us? What would you like to eat?”

“Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles!” Song Yuehua blurted out without thinking.

“Alright, let’s go now,” Bai Qingyu said.

As they walked, Bai Qingyu’s phone chimed with a new message.

[Bai Qingyuan: Sis.]
[Bai Qingyuan: Can you bring a bowl of noodles for Qin Zhen? No scallions, no cilantro, no spice.]

“What’s wrong? Is it… is it something about your mom?” Song Yuehua was on edge, worried that something might happen before Bai’s mother’s surgery.

“Don’t panic, it’s nothing,” Bai Qingyu replied to Bai Qingyuan with an “Okay,” then turned to Song Yuehua. “Qingyuan was just reminding me about Zhenzhen’s dietary restrictions, so we don’t order wrong.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Song Yuehua sighed in relief, unconsciously patting her chest. Once the tension faded, she leaned in curiously. “So, what does Qin Zhen want to eat?”

Bai Qingyu tapped her phone screen and held it out for Song Yuehua to see, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Take a look for yourself. It’s exactly the same as a certain picky eater’s preferences.”

Song Yuehua read the message, her ears turning pink again. She straightened her neck defensively. “I’m not picky!”

“Of course, of course, you’re not picky,” Bai Qingyu said, putting her phone away and wrapping an arm around Song Yuehua’s shoulders, her fingers resting lightly there. Her tone was teasing. “Our Yuehua is the best, never fussy about celery or carrots at all.”

Song Yuehua puffed out her cheeks, swallowing the rest of her retort, and pressed her lips together in silence.

“Then we’ll get the same for you and Qin Zhen,” Bai Qingyu said.

“Okay,” Song Yuehua agreed.

To reach the noodle shop, they had to cross an intersection. As they approached the crosswalk, the red light had just a few seconds left. A breeze swept fallen leaves across their ankles, carrying a hint of winter chill, while the distant hum of traffic drifted over.

When the light turned green, Song Yuehua had barely taken half a step forward when she spotted a black Maybach approaching from the right.

It wasn’t speeding, but it happened to stop right where Bai Qingyu and she were about to cross.

Song Yuehua’s pupils dilated abruptly, her fingers instinctively tightening around Bai Qingyu’s wrist until her fingertips turned cold. Images from the original book flashed through her mind in an instant.

In the story, Song Yuelan had repeatedly forced Bai Qingyu into a black Maybach just like this one.

Bai Qingyu noticed her tension, glancing down at the tightly gripped wrist before lifting her gaze to the Maybach. Her voice softened, “Yuehua? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”