My Sweet Little Flower Turned Out to Be a Sinister Ghost - Chapter 45

Song Yuehua mechanically chewed the apple in her mouth, holding the two remaining small pieces up to her eyes and staring at them blankly.

After staring for a long while, she stuffed them all into her mouth.

Dinner was quickly laid out on the table: a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes and a plate of scrambled eggs with green peppers.

Bai Qingyu didn’t want Song Yuehua to drink too many beverages, but Song Yuehua couldn’t resist, so she bought fruit to make juice for her.

In the glass beside them was a pink smoothie that Bai Qingyu had made with bananas, dragon fruit, and yogurt.

“Don’t you want to know what happened between me and that man in the past?” Bai Qingyu asked, watching Song Yuehua eat happily.

Song Yuehua looked up at her, eyes wide, and said softly, “I do, a little… but if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine. I won’t force you.”

Bai Qingyu lowered her gaze. “If you want to hear it, I’ll tell you.”

“Don’t force yourself,” Song Yuehua said. “If talking about it will make you uncomfortable, I’d rather not hear it.”

Bai Qingyu’s pupils trembled slightly, and her fingertips tightened around her chopsticks. “It’s been a long time.”

Song Yuehua seemed to see through the gentle mask on Bai Qingyu’s face to the decay within. She softened her voice. “Pain doesn’t fade with time.”

Bai Qingyu lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting faint shadows beneath them. Her heart felt as if it were being gently squeezed, aching slightly, yet also warm.

“It’s okay. If one day you really want to talk, I’d be happy to listen,” Song Yuehua said, a little embarrassed.

It had been a long time since she’d been so serious. After speaking, she lowered her head to pick up food, pretending to be nonchalant.

Bai Qingyu also fell silent.

After a long while, she softly said, “Mm.”

After dinner, the two sat side by side on the sofa watching TV. The floor lamp in the living room cast a warm yellow glow, and a lighthearted sitcom played on the screen.

Song Xiaomi curled up between them, its tail occasionally brushing against the backs of their hands. From time to time, it lifted its head to nuzzle Song Yuehua’s hand, then turned to nuzzle Bai Qingyu’s arm.

“You…”

“I…”

They spoke at the same time, then paused.

Song Yuehua said, “You go first.”

Bai Qingyu said, “This time, I think that man’s return must be Song Yuelan’s doing. That man managed to escape back then, he wouldn’t come back for no reason.”

Song Yuehua was surprised by her sharpness.

After all, she herself had only learned about it from a book, while Bai Qingyu had guessed it directly.

“I think so too. The fact that he could track us down near the company means someone must have guided him,” Song Yuehua nodded. “Why can’t she just let go?” she said, troubled.

Bai Qingyu’s hand quietly rested on the sofa arm behind Song Yuehua, her fingertips playing with the loose strands of her hair, gently twirling them. Her tone, however, was casual. “She won’t be arrogant for much longer. There’s a big trouble waiting for her right now.”

Song Yuehua turned to her in confusion. Bai Qingyu released the strands of hair she’d been holding.

The corners of Bai Qingyu’s eyes curved, carrying a hint of indifferent coldness. “Right now, it’s a case of the dog biting the dog.”

Song Yuehua grew even more curious. She picked up Song Xiaomi, moved to sit closer to Bai Qingyu, and leaned in. “Dear Qingqing, tell me, what exactly is going on?”

Bai Qingyu watched as she leaned in close, the faint scent of shampoo from her hair reaching his nose. He deliberately reached out and gently brushed her cheek, but his expression turned serious as he pretended to scare her: “Are you sure you want to hear it? It’s a very cruel story, and it might frighten you.”

Song Yuehua blinked her round eyes, her eyelashes fluttering lightly. “Can’t you tell me even a little bit? I’m not scared.”

Bai Qingyu thought back to the first time he had lost control, his expression turning earnest as he said, “Do you remember when you moved last time? You kept saying you felt like someone was following you, that was someone sent by Song Yuelan. Later, after you moved here, the strangers occasionally loitering at the entrance of the neighborhood were also hired by her. Those people were never good to begin with. Recently, I heard the leader somehow disappeared, and the rest turned against Song Yuelan. They’re now gathering evidence to sue her, and the trial is about to start.”

Song Yuehua gasped in surprise, “So it was her all along!”

Hearing that Song Yuelan was facing a lawsuit, Song Yuehua asked, “Will Song Yuelan go to prison? If she’s convicted, will she stop bothering us?”

Bai Qingyu looked at Song Yuehua, who was focused on her questions, and unabashedly picked up a strand of her loose hair, twirling it in his fingers. “It’s not that simple. She has people backing her up; she won’t fall easily.”

“Ah?” Song Yuehua pouted. “Then we still have to be cautious of her.”

Bai Qingyu raised his hand to pat her head and said, “There are people helping her, but naturally, there are also those who want to kick her while she’s down. It all depends on which side comes out on top in the end.”

Song Yuehua nodded dizzily. “So, it seems it doesn’t really involve us. We’ll just handle things as they come, like soldiers blocking water with earth!”

“Mm.” Bai Qingyu withdrew his hand and glanced at the bracelet on Song Yuehua’s wrist. “Do you like this bracelet?”

Song Yuehua nodded vigorously. “Yes, I do!”

After she spoke, Bai Qingyu watched her, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, hoping she would say more.

Song Yuehua felt a tickle in her heart under his gaze but didn’t look away.

In the end, it was Bai Qingyu who broke the silence, saying, “I’m glad you like it.”

…

The incident with the man didn’t cause much turbulence in their lives. Song Yuehua continued with school as usual, and Bai Qingyu went about his work as always.

Soon, it was time for the day of the banquet.

Bai Qingyu drove Song Yuehua to the dress shop. As soon as the car pulled over, Song Yuehua couldn’t resist leaning forward to look.

The shop door was a retro carved glass design. The moment she pushed the car door open, a server in a beige pantsuit hurried over, gently resting her fingertips on the handle to open the door for them, her voice soft and welcoming: “This way, please. Would you like me to show you some styles?”

The moment she stepped inside, Song Yuehua froze completely.

Warm golden light filled every corner of the shop, with delicate crystal chandeliers even hanging from the ceiling, their refracted light shimmering over the clothing racks lining the walls. The racks curved halfway around the store, each one laden with a dazzling array of gowns.

Song Yuehua had never seen so many beautiful dresses in her life.

She murmured in awe, “Do I… do I really get to pick one of these to wear?”

Growing up, she had only ever worn school uniforms and casual clothes. She had never encountered so many exquisite dresses before, and she found herself breathing more softly, afraid of accidentally damaging anything.

Bai Qingyu noticed the unease in her eyes and gently patted her arm, his voice softening further. “I don’t have a formal dress either. Let’s pick one out together today, and we won’t stop until you find one you like, alright?”

Song Yuehua gave a slight nod.

Hearing their conversation, the shop assistant showed no sign of negligence, maintaining a sincere smile and professional demeanor.

“We’ll look on our own, no need to follow us,” Bai Qingyu said.

“Of course. If you have any questions, feel free to approach the front desk. We’d be happy to assist you,” the assistant replied, gesturing toward the counter before stepping away gracefully.

Left alone with Bai Qingyu, Song Yuehua visibly relaxed.

“What style do you like?” Bai Qingyu asked.

Song Yuehua shook her head honestly, sticking out her tongue slightly. “I don’t know… I’ve never worn a dress like this before.”

“Then let’s try on a few more until you feel like ‘this is the one,'” Bai Qingyu said with a laugh, ruffling her hair. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, “You don’t have classes or anything else this afternoon, right? Have you finished your group assignment?”

“Mm,” Song Yuehua nodded. “Nothing else to do.”

After discovering what kind of person Lin Xiao truly was in private, Song Yuehua and Guo Feifei immediately sought out other group members for their second project.

Unexpectedly, the randomly chosen group this time turned out to be far more reliable than their carefully selected first one. They had their tasks assigned almost as soon as the assignment was given.

Song Yuehua had completed her part of the group work while finishing her other assignments.

Bai Qingyu walked over to the clothing rack by the window, his fingertips lightly brushing over the fabrics of a row of formal dresses.

His gaze swept slowly across the selection before finally settling on a white, puff-skirted gown.

“Do I really have to wear this?” Song Yuehua stared at the voluminous skirt, feeling both an urge to try it on and a hint of hesitation.

“Wear it,” Bai Qingyu’s tone was resolute. “You won’t know until you try it on. If it doesn’t suit you, we’ll change it.”

Song Yuehua carefully carried the dress into the fitting room.

The fitting room was a small, private space with a heavy velvet curtain that muffled outside noises once drawn shut.

Outside, Bai Qingyu sat on the sofa, leaning back with his hand resting on the armrest. His fingers tapped lightly at first, but the rhythm gradually quickened, his gaze fixed intently on the fitting room curtain.

About ten minutes passed.

The curtain was gently pulled aside, and Song Yuehua stepped out cautiously.

She walked on tiptoe, careful not to step on the long hem of the dress. Her bare arms were pressed lightly against her sides, and the tips of her ears were flushed as if tinted with rouge. When she reached Bai Qingyu, she lifted the skirt slightly and gave him a shy smile. “Is… is it pretty?”

Bai Qingyu froze for a second, then abruptly stood up from the sofa. His hand unconsciously tightened on the armrest, and his breath hitched for a moment.

He looked at Song Yuehua, his gaze drifting from the pearl-adorned neckline, over the perfectly fitted waistline, down to the layers of the skirt billowing like clouds. He couldn’t tear his eyes away.

“Pretty,” Bai Qingyu’s voice was slightly lower than usual, carrying a hint of huskiness he hadn’t noticed himself. He slowly walked toward Song Yuehua and gently grasped her bare arms.

The warmth of his palms met her cool skin, and Song Yuehua’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.

Bai Qingyu guided her to turn around and led her to the full-length mirror.

In the mirror, the white gown shimmered like moonlight woven into silk, clinging to Song Yuehua’s figure. The three-dimensional floral embellishment at the shoulder gracefully concealed a small mole, accentuating the delicate lines of her collarbone.

Layer upon layer of organza skirt were adorned with hand-sewn pearl flowers, while the bodice’s lace and embroidery intertwined into an intricate web. A pearl chain cascaded in a sleek line from her chest, merging seamlessly with the floral details at her waist, cinching it into a slender, graceful curve.

She looked like a beautiful bride.