“I’ll love whatever you decorate, Flora.”
“Hehe, don't worry, I’ve been thinking about this very seriously. There won't be any ‘what ifs,’” Flora said, tilting her head up with a serious expression.
Chen Mian took the opportunity while her face was tilted up to give her a light kiss on the cheek.
Flora’s eyes darted around slightly as she checked their surroundings. Then, she quietly turned her face and whispered, “...This side too.”
Looking at her slightly turned face, Chen Mian leaned down and gently touched the spot she indicated.
Flora’s eyelashes fluttered, and the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Flora, how come you aren't shy anymore?”
“...Because it’s normal to let your boyfriend kiss your cheek.”
“People are already watching, you know,” Chen Mian said with a laugh.
“Eh?” She quickly scanned the area and saw quite a few passersby glancing their way.
“Let’s go!” Flora hooked her arm through Chen Mian’s and lowered her head, walking forward at a brisk pace.
“Hahahaha!”
After running a short distance, Flora looked back and breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, let’s keep going. We still have places to visit.”
Chen Mian didn't rush to walk but looked at her for a moment.
Noticing his gaze, Flora turned her head. “What’s wrong?”
He looked at her and smiled. “I just feel like you’ve gotten bolder.”
“Because I know Chen Mian likes me.”
Looking into her lively eyes, Chen Mian stepped forward and ruffled her hair. “It’s good that you know.”
Flora simply smiled, hooked her arm through his, and led him forward.
As they passed a shop selling handmade woven goods, she slowed her pace. Her gaze swept over a row of grass-woven ornaments hanging outside the door, finally landing on a small grass-woven bird the size of a palm.
The bird’s wings were woven with several intersecting light and dark patterns, and its tail was decorated with a small cluster of dried flowers.
She let go of Chen Mian’s hand, stepped forward, and gently touched the bird’s wings. Then, she turned back to look at him. “Is it pretty?”
“It is.”
She handed a few copper coins to the stall owner, took down the grass-woven bird, and walked back to Chen Mian. She naturally pressed the bird into his hand. “Hold this for me. I want to hang it under the eaves of the terrace when we get back.”
“Didn't you say you wanted to buy decorations? How did it turn into a hanging ornament?”
“One thing at a time.” Flora hooked her arm through his again, her steps light as she continued walking. “You have to slowly collect the things you like. That way, before you know it, you’ll have a whole lot.”
Chen Mian looked down at the grass-woven bird in his hand, then looked up at her lively back before stowing the item in his storage space.
The two of them wandered the streets for a long time. For every item Flora bought, she would earnestly ask him if it looked good before paying and putting it away.
Chen Mian watched her pick things out so seriously—sometimes hesitating over the price and other times bargaining earnestly because she liked something. He didn't rush her, simply standing by her side and helping her store the items once she had chosen them.
“Chen Mian, do you find this boring?” Flora turned her head, a hint of seriousness in her eyes. “I’ve been picking and choosing everything, and I’m walking so slowly...”
Looking at her slightly furrowed brows, Chen Mian reached out and gave her forehead a gentle flick.
“Eh?” Flora covered her forehead, her eyes widening slightly.
“I’m watching how you choose things.” Chen Mian chuckled and put an arm around her shoulder. “The way Flora shops is also very beautiful. Just as you want to know more about me, I want to know more about you, too. So, it’s not boring at all.”
Flora’s hand was still over her forehead, her mouth slightly agape. Then, she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “That’s your reward!”
“Not enough.”
“There are so many people around...” Flora shook her head gently. “I’ll owe you.”
“Owe me what?”
“Nothing!” Flora turned her head away with a blush, then added in a small voice, “I’m not thick-skinned enough. I’d be embarrassed to kiss you in front of so many people.”
“Then why did you just kiss me?”
“That was different. I checked—no one was looking this way just now,” Flora whispered, leaning close to his ear on her tiptoes.
After saying that, she excitedly pulled Chen Mian forward again. “Let’s go buy today’s most important decoration!”
Flora was much more active today, seemingly possessing inexhaustible energy, much like Velyan. Like an ordinary girl in love, passersby could only admire Flora’s beauty; they couldn't possibly associate her with a powerful peak Red Jade Rank mage.
She pulled Chen Mian into a narrow alley. The shops on either side of the alley were smaller and older than those on the main street, but the signs hanging at their doors were varied and colorful. Without exception, they all basically sold decorations.
Chen Mian looked at Flora again. “You’re quite capable, aren't you? Finding such a secluded decoration shop?”
“Mhm.” Her gaze swept across the storefronts on both sides of the street, and she smiled. “I discovered it by chance while wandering around Linyu Port with Loviki before... Have you been here?”
“I have. Over all these years, I’ve basically walked through every corner of Linyu Port.” Chen Mian nodded, then looked down and added, “But it’s rare for me to go shopping with a girl as beautiful as Flora.”
“Rare?” Flora looked up at him and gave a soft huff. “That means there have been others!”
“Well, aside from Louise, I’ve only ever gone shopping with you.” Chen Mian looked at her and offered a rare explanation with a smile.
Hearing his words, the corners of Flora’s mouth curled up, and she squeezed his arm even tighter. “If it’s Louise or Loviki, then it’s fine!”
As she moved, Chen Mian clearly felt the soft sensation against his arm. He glanced at Flora. She was currently looking ahead with her face tilted up, completely oblivious to how tightly she was holding him.
Chen Mian withdrew his gaze and didn't remind her. Even with the current Flora, saying such a thing would only make her panic. Besides, this was nice. When it came to the person he liked, there was no reason not to enjoy the little perks.
“Chen Mian, Chen Mian~ what are you thinking about? Can we go to that shop?” Flora looked up and pointed toward a storefront with great interest. “The wall decorations there are very pretty. They have picture frames, wall hangings, dried flowers, and things like that.”
“Sure... I was thinking about Flora.”
“About what?”
“Guess.”
Flora tilted her head, her eyes filled with obvious curiosity as she shook his arms. “I want to know.”
“Doing that is cheating,” Chen Mian said with a laugh, tapping her forehead with his finger.
“Then can you tell me even if it’s cheating?”
“Do you really want to know?” A hint of mischief flashed in Chen Mian’s eyes.
“Yes!”
“Then after we finish shopping, I’ll consider it.”
Rate on N.U.
