Though Liu Wan smiled, her eyes were filled with tenderness and love, along with a faint sheen of tears.
Her heart ached for what that girl had suffered, too.
Xia Wanwan pursed her lips and nodded her little head furiously.
A maid brought paste so they could make paper clothes.
Mother and daughter sat beneath the Coral Tree, busy all afternoon until evening fell.
Xia Wanwan held up the clothes she had pasted together. They were all crooked, with the sleeves stuck to the chest. She muttered, "Ugly... ugly. Don't want them!"
She tossed them carelessly aside.
Beside her lay a whole pile of her failed attempts.
Fortunately, Liu Wan was deft with her hands and had made several finished outfits in different colors. They were beautiful.
She had even drawn flowers and some cute patterns on the paper.
Warmth filled Xia Wanwan's heart at the sight. She picked up the clothes Liu Wan had made and flashed her two teeth. "Pretty... good thing Mother's are pretty..."
[When I die someday, I'll have Mother make clothes for me, too!]
The instant that inner thought rang out-
Liu Wan's hands trembled in fright, and she hurriedly covered her daughter's mouth with her paste-scented hand.
"My sweet baby, words can come true like a prophecy. You mustn't just say anything that comes into your head!"
Xia Wanwan tilted her head, utterly bewildered.
Was saying Mother's paper clothes were pretty a bad thing, too?
Oh, then she'd remember that from now on.
Once the paste had dried-
Liu Wan had someone bring a brazier and set it beneath the Coral Tree. She sighed. "It's just a shame we don't know that girl's name!"
"No need... I can..."
Xia Wanwan waved her little hands and walked over to the brazier.
*[I can sense her