Back in the dorm, Xiao Xiao cut the top off a water bottle, filled it more than halfway with water, then put the Baby's Breath inside.
The vase was makeshift—after all, there wasn't anything resembling a proper vase in a boys' dorm—but the Baby's Breath was lovely in its own right. Its delicate little milky-white flowers were artfully scattered throughout, giving it an especially elegant, charming look.
A faint floral scent filled the air.
Mixed with the moisture drifting in from the balcony, it smelled fresh and pleasant.
"Hey, Third Brother, where'd you get the Baby's Breath?"
"Did you pick it?"
"They're pretty."
Zhang Bo and the others walked into the dorm and immediately noticed the change. They hurried over to the bottle, making appreciative noises.
"It was a gift with an umbrella I bought at a flower shop."
Xiao Xiao's answer made them pause.
"A gift with an umbrella you bought at a flower shop?"
Zhuge Yun repeated, almost unconsciously.
Zhang Bo grinned, looking impressed. "Third Brother, you've got some ideas. Buying an umbrella at a flower shop? I've never heard of anyone doing that."
"I happened to be sheltering from the rain outside the flower shop."
Xiao Xiao explained.
It had just been a coincidence.
He hadn't expected such an unexpected bonus.
It had completely lifted his spirits, which had been dampened by that unreasonable auntie earlier.
Today really was a good day to go out.
"I've sheltered from the rain outside a flower shop before, too."
Zhao Luzheng looked regretful. "But once the rain let up, I just ran straight to the subway station."
"It never even occurred to me to go inside the flower shop and buy an umbrella."
"Most people really wouldn't think of that."
Zhang Bo smacked his lips.
For one