The Woman I Was Flirting With Turned Out To Be A Chaebol Heiress - Chapter 36

Along the small path stood two rows of golden ginkgo trees. When the wind blew, they produced a light rustling sound.

In sharp contrast was the crisp crackling made by stepping on the withered fallen leaves, a sound that carried a sense of fragmentation, even triggering a vague anxiety.

Compared to many other seasons, Li Nianyi particularly disliked autumn. It was as if many stories that hadn’t yet become more exciting were forced to come to a rushed ending at this moment.

Autumn is cold, but not as cold as winter. It’s a kind of monotonous and boring cold, exuding a somewhat whining and pretentious feeling.

Of course, the most important reason was that she lost many things in this season. For example, her grandmother who passed away in autumn.

Thinking of this, Li Nianyi crushed the leaves beneath her feet harder, almost as if crushing them completely.

She still remembered that before coming to Japan, she had sat for a long time in front of her grandmother’s grave, with the old lady’s favorite alcohol laid out in front of her.

Drunkenness was also a legacy passed down, wasn’t it?

“I didn’t expect, I’m also leaving, going outside, to a farther place.”

She said.

Her voice didn’t sound particularly sorrowful; rather, it was like chatting casually with a good friend. That was how their relationship always was not like parent and child, but after the shouting and quarrels were set aside, just casual chatting.

She took a deep gulp of the wine, feeling it burn in her stomach, her mind growing increasingly foggy.

“These two years, I probably can’t come to see you, flying here and there, tickets are so expensive. But I’ve asked many people to come over and help sweep your grave, bring offerings; it’ll definitely be livelier than when I was there.”

“You know those people, all the kids you bullied before. If they secretly wanted to get revenge by not bringing the food and drinks you like, there’s nothing I can do after all, you were pretty mean before.”

“But if you appear in a dream to tell me, I’ll help scold them for you.”

Once the box of memories was opened, it could no longer be closed.

Li Nianyi started recalling more details from the past. When people are fragile, they always think of home. Even now, facing huge troubles, if that high-energy old lady was still here, she would surely smile and tell her these were nothing.

Except death, there was probably nothing in this world she couldn’t handle.

Suddenly, the urge to drink grew stronger. Luckily, she no longer had to go to some bar or convenience store to buy alcohol, as Jiang Ji had given her the keys.

Besides the house key, there was also the key to her small shop.

On the road, Li Nianyi met a junior schoolmate she had added contact info for before. The girl was holding a bouquet of bright red flowers, a splash of vivid color in this lonely season.

The little girl ran over and greeted her.

“Senpai! Did you just finish class?”

“Almost, just finished in the lab. They finally let us off early today.”

Li Nianyi’s eyes fell on the bouquet: “Very pretty.”

The girl immediately brightened up.

“Right? Right? I’m preparing to give it to my partner.”

Anyone seeing such a gift would surely be happy.

After parting with the junior, Li Nianyi contacted friends back home and transferred a few hundred yuan.

“If you have time, please send a bouquet to my grandmother. The brighter the colors, the better. She liked things lively.”

They replied quickly. Luckily she hadn’t gone far the two countries were close, with only about an hour time difference, so communication was convenient.

Putting away her phone, she prepared to head to BAR Y. Passing by a flower shop, Li Nianyi involuntarily stopped.

Come to think of it, she had never given flowers to Jiang Ji before.

If Jiang Ji received such a gift, she would be happy too.

Thinking this, Li Nianyi entered the flower shop, decorated in a gentle and romantic style.

Pushing open the door, a strong but not overpowering fragrance greeted her. The whole Tokyo was already deep in autumn, but here it felt like time was still favored by spring.

This was a very beautiful world; Li Nianyi felt she could see all the colors here.

Only one person was busy arranging flowers inside. Hearing the door, she put down her work.

“Welcome, miss. What kind of flowers would you like to order?”

Li Nianyi was a bit caught off guard. She wasn’t very familiar with this kind of romance. After thinking a few seconds, she said, “If it’s for a lover, do you have any recommendations?”

“Complex and gorgeous bouquets or gift flower boxes either is fine. If you want something with a sense of design, we have plenty for reference.”

The shop owner handed her a plastic booklet. Li Nianyi flipped through and saw most were designed by the shop owner for customers. The owner’s aesthetic was excellent; even an amateur like Li Nianyi could feel the creator’s abundant love.

Her gaze stopped at a picture of a very special gift box.

At first glance, it was a cold toned pure black rectangular box, with silver floral English lettering on the lid. Opening it revealed flowers in deep blue shades like the ocean, clustered in groups, like a deep and lonely soul staring at you.

“I’ll take this one.”

Her finger tapped on the picture.

“Can you make it now?”

The shop owner nodded: “Will you wait here? It might take a while.”

“That’s fine, I have time.”

Having nothing else to do, Li Nianyi decided to watch the making of the flower box.

The shop owner’s movements were smooth; even the plastic paper crinkling while wrapping didn’t feel so sharp. The sound of cutting flower foam had a strangely relaxing effect.

Li Nianyi could only name a few flowers, and tried to identify the species she recognized.

Hydrangea, violet and rose dyed blue, hmm… and gladiolus, what was that white flower with blue threads on the petals? The patterns looked like veins spreading over the pure white petals.

“That’s lisianthus.”

Seeing Li Nianyi’s curious gaze, the owner introduced the flowers while arranging.

“This one is mouse thorn, quite cute, right?”

“And African daisy, a very beautiful child too.”

Li Nianyi chatted with her: “I know this one it’s a butterfly orchid.”

“Correct.”

The owner was as gentle as a mother with these flowers. Li Nianyi’s restless heart strangely calmed here.

An hour passed quickly. The flower box was done, and the owner handed Li Nianyi a beautiful card.

“You can write something you want to say to her. Surely you have some words.”

Li Nianyi took the card and pen, thought for a moment, then asked: “Do you deliver flowers?”

After receiving confirmation, she wrote two short sentences on the card, closed it, and put it in the box. Then she took out a note.

“Please deliver this to this address, to Miss Jiang here.”

At that time, Jiang Ji was at the casino, checking the day’s accounts, occasionally glancing at the clock on the wall, noting the times Li Nianyi finished class or lab work.

She was addicted to driving Li Nianyi to and from school or home after all, it was something family members did, and it showed her identity as Li Nianyi’s girlfriend.

But she could feel that Li Nianyi’s mood hadn’t been good lately. Jiang Ji had tried to ask indirectly a few times, but Li Nianyi seemed reluctant to share. This left Jiang Ji restless for some time.

They still held hands, kissed, and were close physically, but Jiang Ji felt her sense of security slipping away.

Maybe she should talk to Li Nianyi; this feeling could drive anyone crazy.

Before Jiang Ji could make a move, a beautiful bouquet and an invitation were delivered to her.

It was an ordinary afternoon, the rush hour when most office workers left work, the trains were crowded, and many families began cooking at home.

The secretary carried a huge black rectangular box into the office.

“Miss Jiang, someone sent this for you.”

Jiang Ji’s body stiffened. Suddenly her fingertips tingled, realizing who the gift might be from. This also meant many secrets she had hidden were now known by that person.

“Put it down and leave.”

Trying to keep her voice steady, once alone, Jiang Ji opened the box with a nearly reverent attitude.

What met her eyes was the ocean-like blue. The beautiful flowers gave off all their life force but were imprisoned inside the black box, giving a sense of drowning in the sea and despair.

She saw a small card between the blue rose petals, on which was written:

I’m waiting for you at the bar tonight.

No signature, but the handwriting was unmistakably Li Nianyi’s.

Li Nianyi’s distracted mood these days, her hesitation, and countless meaningful looks toward Jiang Ji all made sense now.

It turned out her Nianyi had already seen through her secrets.

Jiang Ji suddenly thought of the tears she shed that day in the car — what was she crying for? Because of her secrets?

She closed the box and sat stiffly in the soft swivel chair for a long time, seeming to contemplate something, or perhaps her mind was already blank even she didn’t know.

After a long time, she moved her neck, dragged her heavy body out, and walked toward the trial she had rehearsed countless times in her mind.

It was really cold that day.