Chapter 6: Sending Flowers

The sunlight was no longer glaring but had turned warm and gentle, casting a comforting glow. Outside the window, clouds billowed lazily—a scene of serene tranquility.

Gu Yu sat on the sofa and started frantically messaging Tao Tao on WeChat.

【What do I do, what do I do! What do I need to watch out for?】

【What if someone recognizes her?!】

【HELP!!!】

But her messages sank without a trace; Tao Tao didn’t reply for ages.

Gu Yu felt a pang of regret. Why hadn’t she just quietly snuck out alone? Why did she have to open her big mouth and ask? Now she felt like she was carrying a ticking time bomb on her shoulder.

She switched to Weibo and typed a line into the search bar: Jiang Bomu private schedule.

Scrolling casually, the posts were all fans saying: “Sneaking photos is despicable. Please don’t follow private schedules. Support Jiang Bomu’s works instead.”

It seemed she had never been discovered before. Yet Gu Yu panicked even more. What if she was discovered today? Then she’d be a sinner for all eternity!

After five minutes, Jiang Bomu emerged—sunglasses, mask, hat, fully armed from head to toe. She was dressed very simply: a white T-shirt and a black A-line skirt. A casual, comfortable outfit.

But perhaps it was just Gu Yu’s imagination, she felt that Jiang Bomu was still too eye-catching no matter what she did. After a moment’s thought, she suggested, “How about we go out a bit later?”

Summer days were long and nights short. It wasn’t even five yet; they’d need to wait until at least half past six for the sky to darken.

Jiang Bomu had no objections. It was a bit early; getting recognized would be troublesome. She might as well head to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly contacted the flower shop owner to change the time.

Because they were going out, dinner was simple. The dishes from lunch were reheated in the microwave for a few minutes and still tasted good when brought back out.

At half past six, the two headed out punctually.

Standing in the enclosed space of the elevator, Gu Yu suddenly recalled the nervous, helpless emotions from yesterday—they still seemed vivid. She stole a glance at Jiang Bomu beside her. Under the mask, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve up high—It would look weird if only one person wore a mask, so Gu Yu had put one on too.

“There’s a supermarket on Qingsong Road. Let’s go there.”

Jiang Bomu suddenly spoke. Gu Yu agreed instinctively, then realized there was also a supermarket inside the compound. Why go further away?

The other explained: “I feel like a walk.”

Gu Yu checked the route. A fifteen-minute walk—doable. Besides, the flower shop was nearby. She happily agreed.

The elevator soon stopped on the ground floor. They stepped out into the lobby. The evening breeze greeted them, carrying the laughter and playful shouts of children and the sweet scent of candy. Gu Yu closed her eyes in pleasure and took a deep breath.

Jiang Bomu had already descended the steps. Seeing Gu Yu still rooted to the spot, she paused to wait.

Gu Yu opened her eyes and saw that lingering, graceful figure waiting. Her heart fluttered gently.

Yesterday’s radiant, unreachable superstar was accompanying her for a stroll today.

Pink bubbles floated up in Gu Yu’s heart. She quickly caught up to her with light steps, her voice lifting: “Let’s go!”

Nearby was a children’s playground. A few kids were on swings, going down slides, bouncing balls. As they got closer, shrieks and laughter rose and fell. Gu Yu found it noisy and quickened her pace to get away.

She couldn’t help complaining: “Kids between three and seven are the worst, each one more bratty than the next.”

Jiang Bomu, however, glanced back and said softly, “But isn’t that the joy of childhood?”

Gu Yu agreed with the sentiment, laughing. “The most annoying age truly is the happiest. I remember when I was five or six, I loved beauty. I secretly used my mom’s makeup to put on makeup, getting lipstick and foundation everywhere on the floor. Even after I got scolded, I didn’t care. I just admired my own beauty in the mirror.”

The desire to share bubbled up. Gu Yu continued enthusiastically: “I also practiced calligraphy with my dad’s brushes. But I was young and couldn’t control the pressure perfectly, and I flicked ink from the brush tip right onto the wall. I was terrified. In a stroke of genius, I drew a picture and pasted it over the spot. My dad even praised my drawing and never took it down. He probably still doesn’t know what’s hiding behind that painting.”

She smiled smugly, a bit curious about Jiang Bomu’s childhood. So she asked, “What about you, Sister? What embarrassing things did you do when you were little?”

Jiang Bomu lowered her eyes and answered after careful thought: “I don’t think there were any.”

She didn’t want to recall her childhood.

For kids from ordinary families, childhood is mostly carefree, let alone for rich kids. But children of the poor must grow up early; from a very young age, they lose the right to be willful.

As the sky darkened slightly, the streetlights within the compound lit up one by one, laying a path along the route they walked, as if holding a solemn ceremony. A lamp was lit even within the gloominess of the heart.

She took off her sunglasses and gazed at the twilight on the horizon, gently breathing out a sigh.

But now, none of that mattered anymore. She was no longer the seven-year-old Jiang Bomu.

As they exited the compound, the roar of traffic instantly flooded their eardrums, forming a chaotic, clamorous symphony. This was the most prosperous area of Yuning City, ever-boiling, never stopping.

Walking along the sidewalk, Gu Yu deliberately walked on the outside to protect her, constantly alert for any passersby, like a dutiful bodyguard.

But she quickly realized she was overdoing it. It was peak commuting time, filled with white-collar workers in suits, hurrying past without a glance. No one cared who was beside them; they just wanted to get home to a hot meal.

She relaxed. However, the constant honking of cars was grating. Neither felt like talking much, so they picked up the pace toward the supermarket.

The supermarket was also crowded, but everyone was busy picking out products. No one paid attention to their arrival. The scenario Gu Yu had imagined didn’t transpire, and she finally felt completely at ease.

Pushing a shopping cart straight to the snack aisle, her beloved chips immediately caught her eye. She threw in two bags of lime-flavored ones. Then spotted beef jerky—mouth watering—and tossed in two bags.

In under five minutes, the cart was half-full.

Gu Yu restrained the urge to continue, tearing her eyes away with difficulty to ask, “Sister, is there anything you want to eat?”

Jiang Bomu finally spoke: “Not going to buy a bit more?”

Her query carried a teasing hint of a smile. Gu Yu flushed slightly, grateful for the mask covering it. She answered without confidence, “All I want to eat is already here.”

But right after saying that, she spotted Wahaha drinks and couldn’t resist adding a row of AD Calcium Milk.

Jiang Bomu didn’t expose her, just said: “Let’s get some fruit.”

Entering the fresh produce section, what greeted their eyes were fresh, juicy grapes.

Gu Yu once again recalled the midday scene, her heart trembling. She quickly looked down.

The next second, a fair, slender hand placed a box of grapes into the shopping cart, followed immediately by another.

“You seem to like grapes,” Jiang Bomu asked, “Are two boxes enough?”

Gu Yu nodded like a pecking chick. As her gaze swept past Jiang Bomu’s masked lips, her ears burned hot.

They also bought a box of kiwi. Jiang Bomu continued forward, adding some vegetables she knew Gu Yu liked. Then asked, “What kind of meat do you like?”

“Fish.”

Jiang Bomu smiled. “No wonder your surname is Yu (similar to fish).”

They bought two more fish. Thinking it was enough to carry—any more would be too much—Gu Yu prepared to head for the checkout.

Jiang Bomu asked as they walked: “Nothing else to buy?”

“Sister, we only have four hands,” Gu Yu said helplessly. And there was still a bouquet of flowers to carry later.

Jiang Bomu glanced back towards the toiletries section. She hesitated for a moment but ultimately let it go.

There were long lines at every cashier. Gu Yu bypassed them directly and headed for the self-checkout area; she preferred doing it herself.

The two cooperated smoothly, quickly emptying the shopping cart. Gu Yu scanned the total; just as she pulled out her phone, Jiang Bomu had already scanned her code and paid.

Each carrying a shopping bag, they exited the supermarket. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Gu Yu said, “How much was it? Let me transfer my share to you.”

“As long as I’m here, there’s no reason for you to pay,” Jiang Bomu said dismissively. “In the future, I’ll pay too. Keep your own money for yourself.”

Gu Yu didn’t insist further and joked playfully, “Thank you, Miss Mu! Miss Mu is truly wealthy and generous!”

She shook her head, laughing. “You sound just like Tao Tao.”

Just as she finished speaking, Gu Yu’s phone buzzed twice. She glanced at it; sure enough, it was from Tao Tao. She couldn’t help sighing—only replied now, when they were almost back at the compound!

She replied simply, “It’s fine now.” Just about to close the phone, another message came from Tao Tao: 【I’m almost at Yue’an Mansion. Need me to give you two a ride on the way?】

Gu Yu was about to refuse when she thought of the flower shop. Blinking lightly, she sent Tao Tao a message back and continued walking.

Night fell like a curtain. The sunset glow had long since been tucked into the night sky, leaving the dome a monotonous deep blue, yet the world beneath it glowed with intermingling lights.

The warm glow of the streetlights persisted. In the distance, the stream of car lights merged into a galaxy. The wind rustled through the leaves, casting dancing tree shadows, also lifting the woman’s long hair and skirt, tangling with the young girl’s heart.

Gu Yu subtly shifted closer to her. The drifting strands of long hair landed on her neck—itch-inducing, fragrant. The sensation traveled from her nose and neck straight to the tip of her heart, where an emotion named ‘fondness’ sprang forth.

“Sister, what perfume do you use?” Gu Yu broke the quiet atmosphere, asking softly.

Jiang Bomu thought for a moment before answering: “Darjeeling Tea.”

Gu Yu blinked. She’d never used perfume, but she’d heard of this one. It was seemingly a men’s fragrance, but many girls loved using it too.

Jiang Bomu glanced at her and said, “If you like it, shall I gift you a bottle?”

Gu Yu politely declined. She preferred the scent on Jiang Bomu herself; that was the unique one.

“Seems I haven’t given you a housewarming gift yet. Let it be this perfume,” Jiang Bomu insisted.

Unable to refuse outright, Gu Yu asked instead: “What perfume does Sister think suits me? Why don’t you pick one to gift me?”

This stumped Jiang Bomu. She thought for a bit, then her expression relaxed as she agreed.

She decided that fast? Excitement creeping in, Gu Yu said, “Then I’ll look forward to the surprise!”

Chatting, they quickly returned to the compound.

Even though she was carrying things, Gu Yu felt the walk was over too soon. She proposed, “Sister, how about we go for a walk together every day from now on?”

The person beside her hesitated a moment before answering: “It depends on the situation.”

Ah, right. She almost forgot—going out was risky for Jiang Bomu. Gu Yu quickly added, “If you ever feel like a walk, you can always ask me to come along.”

Jiang Bomu nodded gently.

On the elevator, Gu Yu stood behind her and sent a message to Tao Tao: 【Ready?】

Tao Tao replied with an OK sign.

The elevator stopped. Gu Yu stepped aside to let Jiang Bomu go first.

Completely unaware, Jiang Bomu exited the elevator. Seeing the flowers hanging on the door handle, she then looked at Gu Yu, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

“It’s my housewarming gift for you.” Gu Yu set down the shopping bag. Smiling brightly, she held the bouquet with both hands and offered it to her.

Gu Yu took a deep breath and enunciated every word clearly: “Happy cohabitation, Jiang Bomu.”