Mister Zero, Her Story: Chapter 9 – “Flower Shop”
“Luo Yan, Luo Yan? What are you thinking about?”
Hua Qiling waved her hand in front of the dazed Luo Yan.
They had been walking down the street when Luo Yan suddenly slowed down and stopped, staring blankly ahead.
Luo Yan came back to her senses, frowning slightly.
“I just felt… like someone was watching me,” she said hesitantly.
This feeling of being watched was familiar, as if she had experienced it before.
Hua Qiling looked around. The street was crowded with people, some casting curious glances at them.
After all, two beautiful girls, each with a distinct type of beauty, walking hand in hand, were quite eye-catching.
Especially Luo Yan, who seemed completely unaware of her captivating, almost intimidating, charm.
“It’s nothing, just a lot of people around, it’s the core district of Yan City, nothing to worry about,” Hua Qiling waved her hand dismissively. “If you don’t like the crowds, we can leave quickly.”
Luo Yan focused for a moment, the feeling of being watched seemingly gone.
Perhaps… it really was just her imagination…
Luo Yan dismissed her doubts and nodded.
“Let’s hurry then.”
Besides the feeling of being watched, Luo Yan genuinely disliked crowded places.
Although she was interested in the novelties around her, the noisy environment was overwhelming.
Hua Qiling didn’t dare delay any longer and quickly led Luo Yan through the crowd, hand in hand.
…
Their destination was a quiet little shop tucked away in an inconspicuous corner at the end of Flower Street. Its simple, worn exterior looked out of place amidst the surrounding businesses.
It reminded Luo Yan of her cottage in the town, a similar small wooden structure, though even more dilapidated.
At least this shop had been carefully tended to by its owner.
Beautiful wisteria vines climbed the walls, and pots of delicate flowers lined the entrance, bathed in the soft sunlight.
The shop’s sign was made of small flowers. Although slightly overgrown due to neglect, Luo Yan could still make out the characters.
“…Flower Shop?”
Luo Yan read the sign aloud, confused.
Weren’t they going to buy clothes? Why had they come to a flower shop…?
“Yes,” Hua Qiling nodded proudly. “Actually, to be more precise, it should be called ‘Hua’s Shop.’ Hua is a family name!”
“You own this shop?”
Luo Yan raised an eyebrow.
“Of course not, I don’t have the time for that,” Hua Qiling said sheepishly. “My sister opened it a long time ago, when Flower Street was first established, but she doesn’t have time to manage it anymore.
“So now… it’s been entrusted to…”
Before Hua Qiling could finish, a surprised voice called out from inside the shop.
“Second Sister Hua!”
A figure darted out and threw itself at Hua Qiling.
It was an ordinary-looking little girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, younger than Luo Yan.
With two long braids and freckles dusting her cheeks, the girl exuded a lively energy.
“Second… Sister Hua?” Luo Yan turned slightly, her eyes, hidden behind the white cloth, seeming to smile, the corners of her lips twitching upwards. “What a lovely name.”
Hua Qiling’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“Um, just call me Sister Hua, or Sister Qiling…”
“Okay, Second Sister Hua!” the little girl chattered. “By the way, why do you have time to come here today? Aren’t you busy with work? And where’s Big Sister Hua? I haven’t seen her in a while. Is she also busy?”
The barrage of questions left Hua Qiling flustered. Under Luo Yan’s amused gaze, she quickly covered the little girl’s mouth.
“Alright, alright, Anna, let’s go inside first, then you can talk…”
And so, in a slightly awkward atmosphere, Hua Qiling half-dragged, half-carried the little girl named “Anna” back into the shop, Luo Yan following behind.
The shop’s interior was decorated in a refreshing style, adorned with various flowers, a light, pleasant floral scent filling the air.
But what caught the eye were the rows and rows of clothes, practically filling the entire shop.
Despite the abundance of flowers, this wasn’t a flower shop.
Anna’s excitement gradually subsided, though she was still visibly happy, staring intently at Hua Qiling with her chin in her hand.
“Ahem, actually, I brought a… friend… to buy some clothes,” Hua Qiling coughed, gesturing to Luo Yan. “This is her. Just call her Miss Luo Yan.”
“Hello, Miss Anna.”
Luo Yan nodded slightly, this time refraining from her usual, exaggerated curtsy.
Hua Qiling had advised her against it, explaining that such Western etiquette might be misinterpreted as overly formal or even subservient.
Anna finally looked away from Hua Qiling and towards Luo Yan.
“Oh, a guest! I’m sorry I didn’t notice you earlier… Huh? Lady Luo Yan! You’re so beautiful!”
Anna’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Luo Yan’s face.
She immediately stood up and rushed to Luo Yan’s side, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Lady Luo Yan, you’re… soooooo beautiful! Are you here to buy clothes? No problem! Leave it to me! Let me see… Ugh, who put you in such a drab outfit? This is an outrage! A crime against beauty!”
“This dress? I chose it myself…”
“No way! Someone as beautiful as you can’t wear this! Absolutely not! This is destruction! Destroying something beautiful!”
“Ah, is it that serious? I think it’s fine…”
Upon seeing Luo Yan, Anna completely forgot about Hua Qiling, leaving her standing awkwardly to the side as they chatted.
Hua Qiling: “…”
She had wanted this little chatterbox to stop bothering her, but now… why did she feel a strange sense of disappointment and a tinge of jealousy?
As Anna grew more and more excited, her face flushing red, Hua Qiling quickly pulled her away.
“Wait, wait, Anna, don’t scare her. You just met!”
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