"Nian Nian, the light's green," Yun Longyue's voice pulled Song Qinian's thoughts back. Song Qinian nodded, and the two of them walked across the crosswalk.
"Knock, knock, knock..." Song Qinian knocked on the door from the outside.
Lin Zhuyin's expression changed slightly when she saw Song Qinian through the glass door. Jian Mubai immediately put away the things in his hands. After composing herself, Lin Zhuyin walked over and opened the door, smiling as she welcomed Song Qinian in. "Nian Nian, why are you here?"
Lin Zhuyin had always been aloof and not talkative. Her unusual warmth made Song Qinian feel a little uneasy, but she didn't overthink it and smiled, "My friend and I were eating nearby and thought of your shop being here, so I came to take a look and buy some flowers."
Lin Zhuyin: "If you want any flowers, just call me, and I'll have someone deliver them directly."
"Okay, I'll do that next time." As she spoke, Song Qinian's gaze fell on Jian Mubai. "Mubai, long time no see. Are you here to buy flowers too?"
Jian Mubai nodded indifferently, "My workplace needs a flower basket, so I came to place an order."
Lin Zhuyin also chimed in, "I happened to have a document to mail, so I asked Mubai to help me send it out."
Song Qinian chuckled, "Oh, that's good. You're even supporting sister-in-law's business." Song Qinian didn't ask Jian Mubai where he was currently working or mention Shen Keqin. Instead, she started looking at flowers in Lin Zhuyin's shop.
"Yueyue, what flowers do you like?"
"Me? I don't have a particular favorite. As long as they look good and smell nice, I like them. How about you?"
"I like baby's breath."
Watching them chat, Lin Zhuyin and Jian Mubai exchanged a look. Thinking that nothing had happened to Shen Chi Yan, Lin Zhuyin breathed a sigh of relief, but her expression remained grim.
"By the way, sister-in-law, do you know what Qin Qin likes?" Lin Zhuyin was suddenly put on the spot and felt a pang of panic. "Qin Qin, she seems to like oriental lilies, right?"
Song Qinian smiled, "I thought so too, but I'm not sure. From what you said, it seems you're not entirely sure either." Lin Zhuyin gave a dry laugh, "Qin Qin likes many kinds of flowers. It's hard for me to say what her absolute favorite is."
Song Qinian turned to Jian Mubai, "Mubai, you've been Qin Qin's bodyguard for so many years, you must know, right?" Upon mentioning Shen Keqin, Jian Mubai's expression changed subtly. Then, he said calmly, "You guessed right. She likes oriental lilies the most."
Song Qinian looked relieved. "That's good. Qin Qin's birthday is in a few days. We'll decorate a warm venue with oriental lilies and give her an unforgettable birthday."
Lin Zhuyin nodded, "Yes, I'll arrange it."
Afterward, Jian Mubai left first. Song Qinian and Yun Longyue picked two bouquets. When Song Qinian went to pay, Lin Zhuyin absolutely refused to accept the money. "Nian Nian, this is your first time visiting my shop, it would be rude to pay!"
"That's too kind of you."
"It's just two bouquets of flowers, nothing to be embarrassed about. Besides, we're family. We don't stand on ceremony with family."
"Alright then, I'll accept them. By the way, sister-in-law, I haven't seen eldest brother in a long time. Is he very busy lately?" The thought of Shen Liubai made Lin Zhuyin's chest feel a little heavy. Quickly, she composed herself. "Yes, he seems to be working on some project. He hasn't been home for several days."
"Then he must be working too hard. When he has time to rest, let's all have a meal together!" Lin Zhuyin smiled, "Okay."
After they left the flower shop, Yun Longyue exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, birds of a feather really flock together! Nian Nian, your family's looks are amazing! You and CEO Shen are already stunning, and your sister-in-law is so beautiful. And even your family's bodyguard is so handsome."
Song Qinian smiled and pinched Yun Longyue's cheek. "You're my friend, and you're beautiful too!"
"Right, right? It seems I need to spend more time with you, and I'll become even more beautiful." The two of them smiled at each other. As they were about to leave, Song Qinian glanced back at the flower shop, feeling that she must have been overthinking. How could Lin Zhuyin be involved with Jian Mubai?
After Song Qinian left, Lin Zhuyin called Jian Mubai. "Why did Song Qinian suddenly come to the shop? Did she find out anything? What if..." Before she could finish, Jian Mubai interrupted her calmly, "Calm down. Song Qinian might have just passed by."
"But why would she mention Qin Qin and Liubai?" Song Qinian mentioning Shen Keqin and Shen Liubai was normal, but at this critical juncture, Lin Zhuyin felt like she was walking on thin ice, as if she was being watched no matter what she did. She had been lying low for so many years, and she was close to success. She absolutely couldn't let it all go to waste at this point.
"Alright, calm down, calm down. If you're really worried, I'll keep an eye on her." Lin Zhuyin had been under too much pressure lately. Song Qinian's visit had made her even more anxious. She said with anguish, "Mubai, tell me, I haven't done anything wrong, have I?" Jian Mubai took a deep breath. "No, you haven't."
Under Jian Mubai's comfort, Lin Zhuyin slowly calmed down. They hadn't been talking for long when a call came in. Seeing that it was Shen Liubai calling, she immediately hung up on Jian Mubai and answered Shen Liubai's call.
"Hello..."
"Look outside." Lin Zhuyin instinctively looked back and saw Shen Liubai in a black trench coat, wearing glasses, holding newly bought lychees, and waving at her. Shen Liubai had a handsome smile on his face. Lin Zhuyin's heart ached. Without thinking further, she dropped her phone and rushed out of the flower shop.
Shen Liubai opened his arms to her, and Lin Zhuyin rushed into his embrace. It was rare for his wife to throw herself into his arms. Shen Liubai lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, thinking inwardly, indeed, absence makes the heart grow fonder. His little wife had become more clingy lately.
"You said you wouldn't be home for another week. How did you get back so soon?" Lin Zhuyin's voice was muffled with a slight nasal tone. Shen Liubai's heart softened. "I missed you too much, so I had to sneak out to see you. I bought your favorite lychees."
"It's not lychee season now." Shen Liubai smiled, "As long as my wife likes to eat them, fresh lychees are available all year round." Lin Zhuyin looked up at Shen Liubai's handsome and refined face, her heart filled with a complex emotion. The better Shen Liubai was to her, the more pain she felt.
Shen Liubai, unaware of Lin Zhuyin's inner turmoil, lowered his head and kissed her lips gently. "Ms. Lin, can you get off work now? Your husband wants to treat you to dinner." Lin Zhuyin nodded, "Okay." She didn't know how many more days she would have to have meals with Shen Liubai, so she could only spend the limited time well with him.