My Sweet Little Flower Turned Out to Be a Sinister Ghost - Chapter 33.2

She couldn’t bring herself to prioritize style over comfort anymore.

But as she glanced down at her round, puffy figure and met Bai Qingyu’s gaze, she couldn’t help feeling self-conscious. She muttered under her breath, “Does it make me look fat? I shouldn’t have listened to that salesperson! She praised me to the skies, saying it was slimming and youthful, but when I got home, I realized the mirror had tricked me! The store mirrors are angled to elongate your body. In reality, it’s just bulky and puffy… warm, yes, but slimming? Not at all!”

Her words came faster and faster, like beans spilling out of a bag, and she even stomped her foot lightly, her face full of grievance.

Bai Qingyu’s expression softened as he watched her pouting, and the corners of his lips curved upward. “You’re not fat. You look adorable.”

Song Yuehua’s next complaint got stuck in her throat. Her mouth hung slightly open, but no words came out.

“I saw this pink one in the closet and thought it would suit you,” Bai Qingyu added, his gaze sincere and without a hint of insincerity. “It’s so pink and lively.”

“R-really?” Song Yuehua lowered her head, staring at the puffy hem of her jacket and lightly poking the down-filled fabric with her fingertip.

“Really,” Bai Qingyu said. “Like a pink peach.”

Song Yuehua froze for a moment. Was being compared to a peach a compliment?

“Oh,” she replied flatly.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Bai Qingyu couldn’t resist gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. “Let’s go.”

The two headed toward the nearest mall. Outside the car window, the streets were already bustling with the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival. Crowds of people filled the sidewalks, some carrying freshly bought Spring Festival couplets and “fortune” characters, others linking arms with family members as they squeezed into supermarkets. Even the biting wind couldn’t dampen the warm, eager anticipation for the New Year.

Shops along the street played “Congratulations on Getting Rich” on loop, the lively melody drifting out through open doors. Red couplets with golden characters adorned the glass doors, bearing auspicious phrases like “May All Your Wishes Come True” and “May Wealth Flow In Abundantly,” dazzling to the eyes.

Red lanterns hung from the tree branches, their tassels swaying gently in the wind. One could imagine how festive the streets would look at night when all the red lanterns lit up.

Song Yuehua leaned against the car window, her warm breath fogging the cold glass with a thin layer of mist. She poked at the condensation, amused, and began drawing carefully.

First, she drew a taller stick figure, then a shorter one beside it. After finishing, she secretly grinned at the two figures side by side, her lips curving like crescent moons.

Bai Qingyu’s peripheral gaze never left her. He watched her leaning against the window, but since she was turned sideways, her oversized down jacket hood blocked the drawing on the glass, making it impossible to see what she had drawn.

So, Bai Qingyu turned slightly, leaning closer, and asked softly, “What are you drawing? So focused.”

Song Yuehua was just about to draw a circle to encase the two little figures when she suddenly felt a warm breath against her neck.

It came from Bai Qingyu leaning in. Startled, she flinched, her fingertip slipping and leaving a crooked line on the glass.

She hurriedly turned her head and met Bai Qingyu’s eyes. Song Yuehua’s ears instantly grew warm, and she stammered, pointing at the glass, “I-I was drawing you and me… See, does it look like us?”

The two little figures on the glass each had only a round nose and two round eyes. The only difference was that one was taller and the other shorter, simple and almost childish.

But Bai Qingyu took one look and, without a moment’s hesitation, nodded seriously. “Yes, very much so.”

Her gaze fell on the crooked line next to the figures, and she asked, “And this, what were you trying to draw here?”

“I wanted to draw a circle to encircle the two of us…” Song Yuehua scratched her head, a little embarrassed. “But I got startled just now, and my hand slipped.”

The line, which should have been a smooth circle, now dipped downward in the middle, making it look more like half a heart.

Bai Qingyu didn’t say anything. Instead, she raised her hand and gently touched the glass with her fingertip. Slowly, she traced along the crooked line, completing the other half.

Her fingertip glided over the misted glass, leaving a clear trail. The two lines gradually connected, forming a slightly irregular but unmistakable heart-shaped circle that perfectly enclosed the two little figures.

Song Yuehua blinked, staring at the drawing on the glass, suddenly speechless.

Her heart raced, her thoughts a jumbled mess. One moment she thought, “It’s just a coincidence, right?” The next, she couldn’t help but wonder, “Did she draw it as a heart on purpose?” Finally, she shook her head quickly, admonishing herself inwardly: You’re definitely overthinking it. Bai Qingyu was just helping you finish it, there’s no deeper meaning.

“How is it? Now it’s complete.” Bai Qingyu withdrew her hand and turned to look at her, her tone betraying no particular emotion.

“It’s… it’s good.” Song Yuehua stammered in reply, her eyes not daring to meet Bai Qingyu’s.

Just then, the driver up front reminded them, “Ladies, we’ve arrived at the mall.”

Song Yuehua, not wanting anyone else to see her drawing, instinctively reached out and pressed her palm against the glass, gently wiping away the two little figures and the heart-shaped circle.

The mist dissipated, and the glass returned to its transparent state, clearly revealing the bustling crowd outside.

Bai Qingyu watched her actions, a faint shadow flickering in her eyes, so fleeting it was almost imperceptible, before she returned to her usual demeanor.

“Let’s get out,” Song Yuehua said, opening the car door.

Bai Qingyu replied with an “Okay” and followed her out of the car.

The mall entrance was crowded with people. Families in small groups came and went, carrying bulging shopping bags. Children, held by their parents, stared wide-eyed at the cartoon lanterns by the entrance, their faces glowing with excitement. Everyone had a similar purpose “to shop for New Year’s supplies” and the air was thick with the lively atmosphere of the approaching holiday.

As they stepped into the mall, warmth enveloped them instantly. The central air conditioning was set at just the right temperature. Song Yuehua couldn’t help but loosen the zipper of her down jacket and secretly rub her hands together. The tips of her fingers, frozen stiff from the cold outside, finally began to thaw.

She had always been sensitive to the cold, and now she let out a comfortable sigh, her steps noticeably lighter.

The first floor sold gold and other jewelry, the upper floors featured shoes and clothing, and the basement level was a shopping mall.

Song Yuehua immediately headed toward the descending escalator.

Bai Qingyu stopped her, saying, “Let’s go upstairs instead. I want to buy some New Year gifts for Qingyuan and the others.”

“Sure!” Song Yuehua obediently followed her upstairs.

Song Yuehua walked alongside Bai Qingyu, watching her browse.

“What are you planning to get them?” Song Yuehua asked. “Maybe I can give you some suggestions.”

Bai Qingyu’s gaze lingered on Song Yuehua’s ears, which still carried a faint redness from the cold outside and hadn’t fully faded in the warmth indoors. She couldn’t help but murmur softly, “I was thinking of something practical, like scarves or ear muffs. It’s so cold out, they’ll keep them warm.”

“That’s a great idea!” Song Yuehua nodded enthusiastically, her eyes instantly lighting up. She scanned the floor directory and quickly spotted the section selling scarves and ear muffs. Grabbing Bai Qingyu’s hand, she tugged her along, saying, “I see it! Over there, let’s hurry!”

The area was filled with an array of scarves, gloves, and ear muffs in bright colors, most of them fluffy and looking incredibly cozy.

Song Yuehua crouched in front of the shelves, carefully sifting through the items until her eyes lit up as she pulled out two scarves.

She examined them closely, finally settling on two adorable animal-themed scarves, fluffy, with small animal designs stitched at the ends: one a little white rabbit, the other a small fox.

Holding them up, she asked, “What do you think? Aren’t they perfect for them?”

Bai Qingyu looked at her beaming face, the smile in her own eyes deepening as she nodded. “Yes, they’re very suitable. Let’s get these two.”

“Eh?” Song Yuehua urged, “Aren’t you going to look around a bit more?”

“Hmm…” Bai Qingyu’s eyes drifted to a pair of pink ear muffs. “Then I’ll take another look.”

They were a soft pink, edged with a short, fluffy trim that looked incredibly soft. She reached out, picked them up, and gently placed them over Song Yuehua’s ears.

“What do you think of these?”

Song Yuehua’s ears were instantly enveloped in the soft, warm fur, the heat slowly spreading across her earlobes.

She froze for a moment, then reached up to touch the ear muffs, her fingertips brushing against the plush texture. A smile tugged unconsciously at her lips, her voice tinged with surprise. “Why are you buying these for me? I thought you were getting gifts for Qingyuan and the others?”

“I thought they suited you,” Bai Qingyu replied.

“Well then… I’ll take these.” Song Yuehua tried to suppress her grin, but a sweet warmth spread through her heart.

“No need for you to pay,” Bai Qingyu said with a smile, shaking her head. Then, changing the subject, she added, “But since I’m buying you ear muffs, how about you help me pick a pair too? Consider it… a small New Year’s gift exchange.”

“Gladly!” Song Yuehua replied happily.

She carefully browsed through the options, finally selecting the same style in a different color, a deliberate choice.

As Bai Qingyu held the ear muffs, preparing to try them on, Song Yuehua’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

She unconsciously licked her lower lip, her voice softer than usual. “H-how about this color? Does it… not look good?”

Bai Qingyu put on the ear muffs and turned to look at the pink pair in Song Yuehua’s hands. “They look great. I really like them.”

Song Yuehua smiled with satisfaction.

Later, Bai Qingyu went to the women’s clothing section and picked out a camel-colored wool coat for his mother before heading with her to the supermarket on the basement level.

“Yuehua,” Bai Qingyu called out.

“Hmm?” Song Yuehua was just about to start shopping for her own New Year’s goods.

In the past, she had always celebrated the New Year with the director and the children at the orphanage. Even though she was alone now, she didn’t intend to rush through the festivities.

Her shopping cart was already filled with all the things Song Yuehua wanted to eat on New Year’s Eve.

“This year… why not come to my place for the New Year?” Bai Qingyu suggested. “My mom has mentioned several times that she’d like to invite you over for a meal. Auntie Qin and Zhenzhen will be there too. With more people, it’ll be livelier.”

Song Yuehua’s hand, which had been picking out candies, froze mid-air.

She had long hoped to spend the New Year with Bai Qingyu, but she felt it might be too presumptuous to bring up the idea of celebrating at a friend’s house. Now that Bai Qingyu had taken the initiative, her hesitation vanished instantly, and she nodded without a second thought.

“Let’s buy a bit more,” Bai Qingyu added, tossing several handfuls of soft candies into the bag.

The two of them walked out of the mall carrying bulging shopping bags. While waiting for their ride-hailing car at the intersection, a black car slowly pulled up in front of them.

Song Yuehua instinctively glanced at the license plate of the car she had booked on her phone, frowned, and tugged at Bai Qingyu’s sleeve. “That’s not our ride, don’t…”

Before she could finish, the car’s window rolled down, revealing Song Yuelan in the driver’s seat and Song’s mother in the passenger seat.

Song’s mother wore an unusually affectionate smile, her voice soft and coaxing, as if speaking to a child. “Yuehua, come home with Mom, okay? Let’s celebrate the New Year together as a family this year.”