My Sweet Little Flower Turned Out to Be a Sinister Ghost - Chapter 36

Starting a business is never an easy task. Even for a small startup team, the details to consider can pile up into stacks.

From the dimensions of office desks and chairs to the choice of company location, every step requires repeated deliberation.

In Bai Qingyu’s team, most members were fresh graduates with limited startup capital. The rent for office spaces in the city’s inner ring was alarmingly high, a small office alone could consume nearly half their budget.

After nearly ten days of comparisons, she finally settled on a location in the suburbs.

Although it was farther from the university, the same budget could secure twice the space.

More importantly, the area was surrounded by affordable apartments, making it convenient for team members to rent nearby and avoid the hassle of a two- to three-hour commute.

On the day of the opening ceremony, Song Yuehua sat in the passenger seat, feeling somewhat uneasy. But upon second thought, she realized this was the most practical choice under the circumstances.

Bai Qingyu, who was driving, glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and turned to look at her. “Does it feel too far?”

“Not at all,” Song Yuehua shook her head. “As long as it meets everyone’s needs, it’s fine.”

Bai Qingyu’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly before she tentatively asked, “Then… would you consider moving?”

Song Yuehua was surprised. “Huh?”

She had only moved to her current place a few months ago. Was she going to move again already?

Bai Qingyu explained, “My mom has mostly recovered now, so I don’t need to go home every day to take care of her. With the company just starting, there’s a lot to handle, and we’ll often be working late. Commuting back and forth would waste too much time, so I plan to rent a place nearby.”

“Since we’re working together, I thought I’d ask if you’d like to share the rent,” Bai Qingyu added.

“But what about my current place?” Song Yuehua had rented it for two years.

Bai Qingyu suggested, “You could sublet it.”

“Let me think about it,” Song Yuehua said.

As Bai Qingyu’s secretary, they already spent their workdays together. If they shared an apartment, wouldn’t that mean they’d be together after work too?

Seeing Song Yuehua fall silent, Bai Qingyu pursed her lips.

By the time they got out of the car, Song Yuehua still hadn’t given her an answer.

Bai Qingyu said, “It’s okay if you’re not willing.”

Song Yuehua, who had already been mentally packing her belongings: …

“I-I can do it,” Song Yuehua replied. “But I’m afraid you might not like my living habits.”

Around Bai Qingyu, Song Yuehua always worried there might be something about her that the other would find unsatisfactory.

Bai Qingyu laughed. “Are there any habits of yours I don’t already know?”

Song Yuehua’s face flushed from the tips of her ears to her cheeks.

Ever since moving near Bai Qingyu’s home, the two had grown increasingly close.

They often found themselves together again just hours after parting.

In the end, Song Yuehua had even given Bai Qingyu a key to her apartment, just in case she missed a message and left Bai Qingyu waiting at the door for a few minutes.

Sometimes, when Song Yuehua stayed up late and slept in, she’d open her eyes the next morning to find Bai Qingyu standing beside her, urging her to eat breakfast.

It could be said that Bai Qingyu had already seen every side of Song Yuehua.

Song Yuehua mumbled, “You never know.”

Bai Qingyu replied, “I’d be more than happy to find out.”

Song Yuehua stared at her smiling face, the tips of her ears suddenly burning, her heart fluttering like a startled rabbit. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

As Bai Qingyu pushed the car door open and stepped out first, Song Yuehua quickly raised her hand to pat her cheeks.

The cool touch helped clear her head a little, and she muttered to herself, Why am I feeling so unsettled? We’ve been friends for so long, maybe I just haven’t been sleeping well lately?

But before she could sort out her thoughts, she saw Bai Qingyu walk around to the passenger side. With slender fingers, she hooked the door handle and gently pulled it open, raising her other hand to shield the top edge of the doorframe, as though worried Song Yuehua might bump her head when she got out.

It suddenly dawned on Song Yuehua, this was a unique kind of thoughtfulness.

What kind of friend acts like this?

“Come on, get out already. What are you spacing out for?” Bai Qingyu said.

Song Yuehua blinked, thinking she must have read too many romance novels lately, leaving her heart all aflutter.

Bai Qingyu is just a kind person, she’s considerate to everyone. What does that have to do with having feelings for someone?

Song Yuehua hurriedly got out of the car.

She took a deep breath and bent down to step out, but her mind was still tangled up in those little thoughts. Her foot slipped, and before she could even let out a gasp, she stumbled forward.

The next moment, her cheek pressed against soft fabric, carrying the faint, familiar scent of Bai Qingyu’s perfume. It drifted into her nostrils, light and clean.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms tightly around Bai Qingyu’s waist. Her fingertips brushed against the soft sweater beneath her trench coat and the subtle curve of her waistline. Her heart pounded like a drum, thumping so loudly she could hear it.

“Be careful!” Bai Qingyu quickly reached out to steady her arm, pulling her upright with a hint of lingering fear in her voice. “What were you thinking about just now? So lost in thought you didn’t even watch your step.”

Song Yuehua’s cheeks burned hot enough to fry an egg. She took a small breath, pursed her lips, and shook her head.

Bai Qingyu watched her crimson ears and the way she kept her head lowered, too embarrassed to look up. A subtle shift flickered in her gaze, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she reached out and gently smoothed Song Yuehua’s wind-tousled bangs, saying softly, “Alright, just be more careful next time. It’d be a real hassle if you got hurt.”

Song Yuehua nodded.

As she followed Bai Qingyu toward the office building, her gaze kept drifting in her direction. But the moment she sensed Bai Qingyu might turn around, she’d quickly lower her head, pretending to be intently studying the tips of her shoes.

Their company was located on a floor not too high up. After taking the elevator, the entire level was the area Bai Qingyu had rented.

Song Yuehua scanned the space and recognized several familiar faces. The nervousness she’d felt about the “new environment” instantly faded, and she quietly let out a sigh of relief.

“Let me show you to your spot first,” Bai Qingyu said.

Song Yuehua was pleasantly surprised. “I get my own space?” She had assumed she’d be squeezed into an open-plan area with everyone else and never expected to have a dedicated spot.

Bai Qingyu didn’t answer directly. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and led her toward the innermost room. “Would you like your own office?”

The moment the door swung open, Song Yuehua couldn’t help but gasp, “Wow!”

The office was far more spacious than she had imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows facing south bathed the room in sunlight. Two large desks stood by the window, clean and tidy, with computers already set up and ready to use.

Two deep brown filing cabinets stood nearby, with a small pot of pothos perched on top, its leaves vibrant green and refreshing to behold.

“There’s no need for a separate one, this is perfect as it is!”

“I thought sharing an office would make work more convenient for us,” Bai Qingyu explained.

“I know,” Song Yuehua replied. “I don’t mind sharing an office with you at all. In fact, I’m quite happy about it.”

“Oh, there’s another place I want to show you,” Bai Qingyu said suddenly, taking her by the wrist and leading her toward a small door in the corner of the room. “Behind this is a rest area. It’s fully furnished with a bed and a private bathroom. Don’t you always like to take a short nap at noon? Now you won’t have to sleep slumped over your desk anymore.”

“Really?” Song Yuehua’s eyes lit up as she pushed the door open. “Let me see.”

Inside, the layout closely resembled that of her own room, and even the beanbag chair Bai Qingyu had praised so highly was there.

“This… this is way too comfortable!” Song Yuehua hurried over and threw herself into the beanbag chair. The soft fabric enveloped her, and she couldn’t help but snuggle into it. Tilting her head back, she squinted at Bai Qingyu standing by the door, her lips curving into a crescent moon smile, her voice soft and sweet as if coaxing.

“I love it so much.”

Bai Qingyu stood at the doorway, watching her nestled in the beanbag, half of her fair neck exposed. Her pupils unconsciously dilated, and the tips of her ears flushed pink. Without thinking, she pressed further, “What… did you say you liked?”

“I like this rest area!” Song Yuehua, oblivious to her reaction, patted the empty space beside her on the beanbag, her tone cheerful. “Come sit for a bit! This beanbag is super soft, way more comfortable than the office chairs!”

Bai Qingyu replied calmly, “No, I can’t. The others are waiting outside to go over the opening procedures. I need to get back to work. If you’re tired, rest here for a while. I’ll come get you when I’m done.”

“Okay~” Song Yuehua nodded obediently, not overthinking it and simply assuming she was genuinely busy.

After Bai Qingyu left, Song Yuehua remained alone in the rest area. She had only intended to rest briefly, but the sunlight was too warm and the beanbag too comfortable. Before long, she drifted into a drowsy sleep.

When Bai Qingyu returned after a busy half-day and pushed open the rest area door, the first thing she saw was a stray lock of hair resting on the beanbag. Song Yuehua was curled up in the soft chair, legs tucked, head tilted against the cushion, her breathing light and even. Her eyelashes fluttered faintly with each breath, completely unguarded.

Sunlight slanted in through the floor-to-ceiling window, falling precisely by her cheek, illuminating the fine down on her skin.

Bai Qingyu tiptoed over, bent down, and gently lifted her into her arms, carefully supporting her back and the bend of her knees. Afraid of jostling her awake, she moved with the lightest of steps.

The double bed was spread with soft sheets. She laid her down gently, then pulled a thin blanket up to Song Yuehua’s waist. Her fingertips accidentally brushed against the back of Song Yuehua’s hand, it felt warm.

By the time Song Yuehua stirred awake, rubbing her eyes as she stepped out of the rest area, Bai Qingyu was already working on her laptop.

“Awake?” Bai Qingyu looked up first, casually handing her a cup of warm water. “I was just about to wake you, but I was afraid you hadn’t slept enough.”

Song Yuehua took the cup, her face slightly flushed. She quickly pinched her cheeks to wake herself up and replied softly, “I’m awake. Time to get back to work.”

She quickly walked to her seat and began working.

At the end of the day, Bai Qingyu drove Song Yuehua home.

After dropping Song Yuehua off at her doorstep, Bai Qingyu said, “School is about to start. How about accompanying me to look at apartments tomorrow?”

Song Yuehua replied, “Sure.”

The next day, they went apartment hunting. Bai Qingyu had already preselected the options, so Song Yuehua simply viewed a few units and made her choice.

They ultimately settled on a three-bedroom apartment. Its location was conveniently situated between the school and the company, making it easy to commute to both places.

On the first day of school, when Song Yuehua opened her bedroom door, she saw breakfast already prepared on the dining table.

Bai Qingyu said, “Come and eat quickly.”

Song Yuehua walked over with practiced ease.

This scene had occurred even before they started living together.

Song Yuehua thought to herself, “This isn’t much different from before.”

After finishing their meal, as they were about to part ways, Song Yuehua thought of Song Yuelan and reminded Bai Qingyu, “Avoid remote areas and stick to crowded places.”

Though Bai Qingyu felt somewhat helpless inside, she still replied calmly, “Understood, I’ll be careful.”

With the company now open, the first task was to recruit employees.

However, when Song Yuehua went to the company after her classes, she noticed that not only had the number of people not increased, it had actually decreased.