Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Mission in Progress
Yun Zijin took the receipt and casually placed it in her handbag.
Once they were out of the flower shop, Lu Yunque finally couldn’t help but ask, "What made you suddenly decide to buy flowers?"
Setting aside the question of why she bought roses, the fact that each stem was individually wrapped made Lu Yunque rule out the possibility that they were for him.
"It’s National Day. I wanted to spread a little warmth to everyone."
The cost of a few roses was less than the pocket change in her savings account, but perhaps someone would feel a flicker of warmth upon receiving one from her.
’In any case, it counts as a good deed, right?’
"You’re planning to give flowers to passersby? Then why only buy roses?"
He had just seen that some of the other flowers in the shop were quite beautiful as well.
"Roses are beautiful."
"You like roses?"
Lu Yunque suddenly got the hint.
"I do. Of all the different colored roses, I like red ones the most."
Many people find red roses gaudy, but Yun Zijin still liked them best.
"So, have you thought about where you’ll hand them out? Not many people will dare to accept a free flower, you know."
Don’t they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch? People are so afraid of being scammed nowadays that they just ignore anyone handing out flowers or little trinkets on the street.
"I’ll just carry them around and hand them out as I go."
’If adults don’t fall for it, I’ll just look for children.’
’Little kids will always want a pretty flower when they see one.’
"Alright, then. I suppose I’ll be your loyal companion for this little adventure."
Lu Yunque never imagined that at almost thirty years old, he would one day be accompanying the woman he adored on such a ridiculous escapade.
"If you feel awkward, you can go back to the hotel first. I’ll head back as soon as I’ve given out the flowers."
Yun Zijin initially felt it wasn’t right to leave Lu Yunque behind, but now, the thought of a man as distinguished as him following her around handing out flowers on the street just seemed inappropriate.
"I said I’d accompany you, and I will. Not many people in C City know me."
So he didn’t have to worry about running into an acquaintance every five steps.
Since Lu Yunque insisted, Yun Zijin let him be. In any case, if he really couldn’t stand it later, he could go back to the hotel at any time.
Half an hour passed quickly, and Yun Zijin, Lu Yunque, and their retinue of bodyguards returned to the flower shop.
Seeing Yun Zijin, the sales associate who had helped them earlier hurried over with a smile.
"Miss Yun, your flowers are all wrapped. We’ve arranged them in a basket for you. Please, take a look."
The associate brought out the basket of wrapped roses. 120 stems was quite heavy.
"Please check them. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can adjust it for you right away."
"They’re lovely."
Without a word from Yun Zijin, Ling Qi had already stepped forward and taken the basket.
Yun Zijin took a champagne-colored rose from the basket and handed it to the sales associate.
"Thank you for your help today. This is for you. Happy National Day."
The associate was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. ’Why is she suddenly giving me a flower?’
"These are the flowers I plan to give to passersby today. You’re the first person to receive one."
Hearing Yun Zijin’s explanation, the associate’s face lit up in understanding. "Thank you! This is the first time I’ve ever received a flower from a customer."
They were always the ones giving flowers to customers; she never thought she’d receive one in return.
"Then it seems I made the right decision. See if your colleagues would like one. I can give one to each of them."
There weren’t many customers in the shop at the moment. Hearing Yun Zijin’s words, the other employees all rushed over.
The roses Yun Zijin had chosen were all of the highest quality and freshest stock; a single stem wasn’t cheap.
Besides, all the employees were young women, and what young woman doesn’t like receiving flowers?
"Miss Yun, you’re as kind as you are beautiful!"
"Miss Yun, I hope you’re happy every day!"
...
Compliments and well-wishes filled the air. Regardless of whether they were sincere, Yun Zijin was happy to hear them.
There was still one customer and the employee attending to her who hadn’t received a flower, though they were now both stealing glances in their direction.
Yun Zijin took a ’Pink Beauty’ and a ’Zixia fairies’ and walked over.
"Hello, these are for you. Happy National Day."
Yun Zijin gave the ’Zixia fairies’ to the customer and the ’Pink Beauty’ to the employee.
"Thank you for the flower! And... you’re so beautiful!"
The customer happily accepted the ’Zixia fairies’ from Yun Zijin, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.
"Thank you. You’re very beautiful too."
With that, Yun Zijin and Lu Yunque left the flower shop with Zero One and the others.
Yun Zijin held one rose of each variety in her hand, approaching and offering one to anyone who looked friendly.
At first, she was repeatedly rejected, and Yun Zijin started to feel a bit discouraged.
’People in this country really are traumatized by "free trial" scams.’
"Mommy, the flowers are so pretty!"
Just then, feeling tired from walking, Yun Zijin was pulling Lu Yunque into a milk tea shop by the roadside when a young mother with a little girl of about three happened to pass by.
The colorful assortment of roses in Yun Zijin’s hand immediately caught the little girl’s attention.
Hearing the little girl’s words, Yun Zijin’s eyes lit up. "You like the pretty flowers?"
The young mother watched Yun Zijin with a hint of suspicion, but the little girl, clearly oblivious, toddled closer to her.
"I do! But Mommy never buys them for me~"
As she spoke, she pouted her lips pitifully.
"Well, I have a lot here. I can give one to you. Which color do you like?"
"Red!"
"Here! Red is my favorite, too. This one’s for you."
"Wow! It’s so pretty!"
The little girl took the red rose, unable to tear her eyes away.
You could tell she genuinely loved it.
"I’m so sorry, she adores flowers. Every time we pass a flower shop, she refuses to move."
"How much is this flower? Let me pay you for it."
The young mother was a bit embarrassed. She could tell at a glance that the roses Yun Zijin was holding were high-end and not cheap.
She couldn’t just let her child take a flower from a stranger for free.
"It’s alright. I was planning on giving these flowers away anyway. See those few behind the counter? I gave those to them."
"Why don’t you see if there’s one you like? Pick one and take it."
To prove she wasn’t lying, Yun Zijin pointed to several roses arranged behind the milk tea shop’s counter.
The young mother looked up and, sure enough, saw several roses sitting on the counter.
"In that case... I’ll take this pink one, then."
The young mother pointed to the ’Pink Beauty’ in Yun Zijin’s hand.
"Of course! Here you go."
Yun Zijin handed the ’Pink Beauty’ to the young mother. "Happy National Day!"
"Happy National Day!"
The young mother replied instinctively. Only after she spoke did she realize what she’d said. She smiled at Yun Zijin, then looked down at the little girl.
"Sweetie, what do you say when the nice lady gives you a flower?"
"Thank you, Miss! The flower is pretty, and you’re pretty!"
The little girl’s eyes seemed to hold the stars, and hearing her words, Yun Zijin felt her entire heart melt.
"You’re welcome! You’re very cute, too."
Yun Zijin gave a little wave, her voice unconsciously taking on a cutesy, high-pitched tone.
The sky was getting dark, so the young mother left with her little girl. Yun Zijin, Lu Yunque, and the others sat down to wait for their milk tea.
"Hey, beautiful, are you really giving away free flowers here?"
However, before their milk tea arrived, someone else who wanted a flower did.
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