Chapter 13: Approaching

Is there anything more difficult for a flower fairy than trying to act like a lady?

“Mo Sheng, which one looks better—this one, this one, or this one?”

At a clothing store, the Flower Fairy held up several outfits, seeking Mo Sheng’s opinion. She had dragged Mo Sheng out early in the morning to be her fashion consultant.

“This one,” Mo Sheng replied absentmindedly.

The Flower Fairy’s face darkened.

“That’s what I’m already wearing today. Ah Sheng, are you still half-asleep? You seem distracted and out of it this early in the morning.”

“Uh…” Mo Sheng laughed guiltily and quickly changed the subject. Putting on a serious expression, she said, “Xiaohong, dressing like a lady isn’t the most important thing.”

“Then what is?”

“Your speech and behavior.” Mo Sheng gave an example. “For instance, if someone asks what kind of music you like, you absolutely cannot say heavy metal rock.”

“I don’t listen to rock music,” the Flower Fairy said proudly. “My favorite is Xiao Qi and Ah Niu’s Waves in the Sky.”

Mo Sheng was momentarily stunned. In her mind, she pictured three men in colorful floral shorts, grinning foolishly as they chased bikini-clad girls across a beach with guitars in hand. The Flower Fairy’s excited voice echoed in her head: “Especially the line ‘the beautiful woman turned into an old woman’—it perfectly captures my expectations for the future!”

“…Maybe it’s best not to talk about music during your date,” Mo Sheng said firmly.

“You could talk about movies instead. Since you’re going to see one tonight, it would be a good way to show your taste and refinement.”

“Movies?” The Flower Fairy’s eyes sparkled.

“I love A Chinese Odyssey! Luo Jiaying was so handsome in that movie, and his lines were so deep—especially the one that says, ‘Humans are born from human mothers, and monsters are born from monster mothers.’ That quote touches on ethics, love, medicine, and religion all at once. It’s the perfect interpretation of the ‘equality of all beings’—”

“…Xiaohong.” Mo Sheng interrupted with difficulty.

“I think… maybe you shouldn’t talk at all tonight.”

It was already two in the afternoon by the time the Flower Fairy finally let her go. Mo Sheng went home, took a nap, and then went straight into the darkroom. When she came out, the sky was already dark. She glanced at the clock on the wall—it was half past seven.She was starving, but when she opened the refrigerator, she found nothing to eat.

Grabbing her wallet and keys, she decided to head to the supermarket.As she walked down the stairs and passed through the flower garden, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

He was standing under the dim streetlight across from her, silently watching through the swirling cigarette smoke.

Yi Chen.

He didn’t move closer, nor did he rush to speak. He was dressed casually—a simple shirt and trousers—yet he carried an undeniable air of strength and confidence.

Mo Sheng remembered how she used to gaze at him admiringly, saying, “Yi Chen, why do you look good in everything you wear?”

To which Yi Chen would respond with an annoyed roll of his eyes.That was the past! Again with the past! Zhao Mo Sheng, get a grip! Stop thinking about it!

Yi Chen put out his cigarette and walked toward her. She remained frozen in place.

“Can you take a walk with me?”

Silence stretched between them. They walked for a long time before Mo Sheng couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We’re here.”She looked up. A bus stop? Were they taking the bus?

“Do you have any coins?”

“Yes.” Mo Sheng pulled a few coins from her wallet and held them out in her palm.

“Give me one.” Yi Chen took a coin from her open hand, his fingertips brushing against her skin.Mo Sheng was stunned and quickly withdrew her hand, but he seemed unfazed.

He turned slightly, eyes fixed on the approaching bus.

“Get on.”

There was no time for questions. She followed him onto the crowded Saturday evening bus.

A few people stood between them, making it hard for her to move or breathe comfortably.After eight or nine stops, Yi Chen suddenly reached out and pulled her off the bus.

The moment they stepped onto the pavement, he let go and strode ahead without looking back.Mo Sheng glanced around at the unfamiliar streets and towering buildings.

“Where is this?”

Yi Chen stopped and turned to face her.

“You don’t recognize it?”

Should she recognize this place? City A was vast, and there were many areas she had never visited. But why did he look so displeased, as if she had done something terribly wrong?