Yěhuā
A Xiān Kè Lái Extras Collection
By: Aviantei
[Shibuya Operation – Story Storm]
29. Wildflowers (2)
"We're delaying the trip, then?"
Jeanne pulled a strand of silver hair back over her shoulder. Marco, CEO of the company and her boss, adjusted his glasses with an apologetic smile. Jeanne could smell his tea from across the room. "I know it's an inconvenience, Jeanne," he said. "But we need you here to finish up the rest of the contracts. You'll be able to take your trip to China in a month or so, but it's best to have you here."
Jeanne smiled in return, keeping her voice calm. "I understand," she said. "I trust your judgement, Marco."
The CEO shuffled some papers on his desk, glancing at them as he spoke. "I'm glad to hear that, Jeanne. The travel department is already rearranging your flight and stay, so no need to worry about that. I'll let you know of the particulars when they're finalized."
"Thank you, sir." Jeanne paused, thinking over her schedule. "Would you like to have lunch together today? It's been some time since we've had a meal together."
Marco tapped his pen twice to the paper before letting it clatter to his desk. "I'd like that very much."
30. Lotus (22)
"Afternoon, Ms. Xia!" Bai calls. It may just be me, but she seems to be missing a bit of her usual vigor. I wait beside Bai in the doorway. There's enough fresh pollen in the air to choke someone. Every corner of my vision is caught up in the swirl of colors dotted over the background of green leaves. The sole corners of the wall visible are those inching towards the ceiling. If it weren't for the pots and fertilizer for sale near the front counter, I'd guess we were in another greenhouse.
By the time I've taken all this in Bai's still standing beside me. It's such a contrast from her normal energetic approach to plants I don't even have to call her out on it. Bai's eyes stare unfocused into space, leaving enough of an opening for me to push her a step forward.
Bai stumbles a bit, then turns back to me, her face mirroring a dejected rat's. "I really can't buy you one without help," I remind her. "Find one you like. Hell, find a bunch of them. I'll take care of it, so don't worry about price." Even if that's not what she's worried about.
I take enough steps forward to let the door close in a fresh jingle of bells. Bai watches me another second before taking a deep breath. "Right," she says through her exhale. She cups her hands around her mouth and forages deeper into the shop. "Mrs. Xia!"
"Over here, Cuì Jú," an older voice calls from the right side of the shop. I follow Bai's experienced path through the tables, weaving back to a collection of potted trees along a wall. Long, broad leaves sway under the care of an older woman. She looks old enough to be from the same generation as Grandfather Zhang. I bow my head in respect. "Ah, and this young man is…?"
"Ren," Bai introduces before I can even open my mouth. "You're lucky, Mrs. Xia. He convinced me to buy a plant, so you're gonna get business from me!" As promised, Bai does frequent this place. She just hasn't bought anything. Listening to her during Christmas, I don't blame her, but there's a limit to how much you can wallow in the past.
Mrs. Xia's expression holds at pleasant before shifting to an outright smile. "It's about time. You owe me at least three years' worth of business, girl. Get to buyin'." There's a teasing love to her tone. Someone else that Bai has looking out for her.
"Hm." Bai plants her index finger on her chin. "I'll give you the business, but at least let Ren share my discount. That's a lot of flowers, otherwise." I almost protest that money isn't an issue, even less so in this circumstance. I save most of my earnings anyways. But Bai's already skipped off, singing some nonsense tune to herself as she greets plants in her customary touches and whispers.
Mrs. Xia watches as the girl goes on, nodding twice with a grunt of satisfaction. Then she turns to me. It's a significant lower to match my eye level to hers. "I don't know how you got it into that girl's head to stop being so silly and get herself a plant already, but thank you," she says.
"She needs it," I find myself saying. She does need it. A way to move on from the pain her father gave her. A way to indulge in the things she loves. "I'm sure once she gets one, she'll want twenty. Sorry if it's any hassle."
The old woman laughs, closer to a witch's cackle than any benevolent chuckle. "Oh, no hassle at all. I'd carry one-hundred pots to that girl's doorstep by hand if it'd help her." It's not too far from Bai's apartment to here, but that would be quite the pilgrimage nonetheless. "I can sell her the plants, so you take care of the rest."
Words bunch in my mouth like cotton. I'm saved from speaking by Bai calling "Ren!" Her cheerful voice echoes up to the ceiling. "Over here!" I catch sight of her waving hand amongst the foliage, the rest of her plant-patterned attire blending in too much with the surroundings. A few accidental run-ins with dead ends amongst the display, I make it to Bai's side. "I found it. This one. They're coming home."
She points to a small pot, not even the size of my palm. I can't even tell what flower it's going to be, the identification tag smeared in the soil. All I can see is a tiny sprig of life, a single sprout with a single leaf, green against the dark brown and white speckled dirt.
"It's me," Bai whispers as I stand by her side. For a moment, her fingers brush into mine—then the fluttering sensation's gone as she cradles the small pot with a smile.
And she is a plant, sprouting from the earth and ready to store up light in preparation to bloom.
31. Aster (7)
I go for a walk across the Tao's courtyard. Biting winter wind funnels down from the mountains. The sky, drizzled in clouds, is a hazy gray, the sun not high enough to be visible yet. Ren didn't believe me at first when I told him I wake up around five on most mornings. Sure, part of that's to get ready for classes, but I still like getting up to watch the sun rise. With the view from Tao castle, it's a sight to behold out here.
But past that, I like getting up to stretch my legs in the morning, even if it involves getting chilled to the core over Christmas weekend. The mountains are just as different from the city as you'd think, and I love every second of it.
Mountain grass, tough and persisting to a dark green that borders on hard brown, refuses to yield under my boots. I've been out here for ten minutes and the opposite wall of the courtyard looks just as far away as when I started. I swear, it's bigger than my university campus. Since most of the Tao family seems occupied with their own morning routines, I'll take the time-sink.
Their home looms over me. Since I'm on the east end of the estate, I'm treated to the shorter shadows of the surrounding walls, which are less intimidating. No matter how many times I look at Tao Castle, it doesn't look like anything real, so I focus on the path stretching out before me. Stone decorations are placed at regular intervals, and the beds of the gardens lie in their dormant state, well maintained until spring arrives.
I want to see them in bloom. Ran's extensive endangered species garden upstairs is amazing and all, but all gardens have their own charm. Maybe I'll convince Ren to bring me back later on, or just ask his mother to send pictures.
Nah, seeing them in person is better, even if Ren would—
Oh, I see.
I come to a stop and squat at the side of a pond, though that's a modest term considering the sheer size of the thing. A pump maintains an artificial current that spills over rock formations in a miniature waterfall. Frost has nipped at the air but not settled into ice. The water is clean, with just the right amount of algae to show a healthy ecosystem. This leaves a clear view to them.
The lotus pots rest in huge circular discs, each at least a meter in size. The flower spreads must be huge when in bloom. Squinting, I catch sight of the dormant tubers, white lines snaking in and out of each other against the dark soil, kept away from winter's chill. I tug off my glove and dip a finger into the water, not even minding my finger's protest as I pull it out. The temperature's just right. While the garden inside shows it, Tao family gardeners know their stuff.
"Maybe I should ask them for tips…" I mumble, trying to rub feeling back into my finger. When it stops feeling so numb, I tuck it back into my pocket. I stand and roll my neck. There's still a lot of ground to cover, and I bet I can do it before breakfast. Ready, I set back off on my courtyard expedition.
"Definitely gotta come back and check this place out when they're blooming, though…"
32. Lotus (23)
Bai skips into my apartment after taking off her shoes, each bounce causing rattles from beaded bracelets, all in bright pastel colors. I shut up the door behind and follow her course into the living room. My guest comes do a dead halt, and when I pass her, Bai's jaw is hanging open like a Venus flytrap, minus the intensity.
"Whoa…" she marvels, eyes just as wide. I go to retrieve the kettle from the kitchen, her voice still audible over the distance. "It's huge in here! What do you even do with all this space?"
"It's good to have space of your own," I retort, heading to the couch and coffee table. Bai picks up on my trail and follows as the smell of milk tea wafts through the air. I've also brought out sugar, to prepare for her sweet tooth. I can make allowances, even when I'm bringing her to my playing field. Bai's in position by the time I put the tray down. "What's that face for?"
Her disbelief has grown in the short span of time since I stepped away. "You know, before I would've questioned it, but I guess it makes sense." I raise an eyebrow. Bai waits for me to serve her a cup before reaching for the sugar spoon. "Well, you grew up in a literal castle. Of course this seems small to you."
"I know my limits," I retort, not adding any embellishments to my own cup. The brew's fine as comes.
"Oh, yeah?" The challenge seems to have lifted her back to perkiness. Bai grins. "Have you even ever lived in a place as small as mine?"
"I have. When I stayed overseas, I had nothing the size of this. Conversion rates aren't our friend, you know."
"Because everyone has that problem." Bai snickers at her own sarcasm. "Let's face it, Ren, you're a rich kid. Nothin' wrong with that. I think it's a great quality to have."
I provide an eye roll. "Because I can pay for tea."
Bai hums in consideration, watching my ceiling even though it's as plain as any other. "And flowers," she decides. "Flowers definitely help, too." She grins. "So since you can buy so many, you should do so. Mrs. Xia will appreciate it, I'm sure." She's even picked out her florist for me.
"Don't you already have a greenhouse for an apartment?" I take another sip of my tea, enjoying the creamy counterbalance to the black tea in the brew. Why Bai needs sugar when it's sweet enough on its own is beyond me.
"Oh, I know." Bai's cup reaches the table with a thud, though she's drank enough it doesn't spill over. "We buy some for your apartment, then. Come on, you don't have many decorations. It'll do you a lot of good! A home with plants is a happy one."
I return my own teacup to the table and cast my eyes over the room. Though I have the space, I kept the décor minimal because it's easier to maintain. Rich kid or no, having all that to clean up on one's own is a hassle, and I like keeping things tidy. My shelves carry books and a few pieces of China Mother passed onto me. The patterns match across my furniture in subtle color combinations. Simple is a style, but I guess adding a few plants wouldn't hurt.
But if I say that now, Bai will drag me out to buy some without any consideration for the time or tea. She'll make a big production of it, too. And while I've grown used to the bustle, she said it was my turn to pick the evening's schedule, and my plans involve staying indoors.
So I let a small smile on my lips, just to appease her, and raise my cup for a fresh drink. "I'll think about it."
[Author's Notes]
Week eight already, huh? Time sure seems to be flying all over the place lately. Well, two months into [SOSS] or no, this story isn't done yet. We have a few more sets of extras to go, but it's not quite over yet.
This week, I must thank Chronic Guardian once more for his reviews (two, though one was registered as a guest review for some reason?) as well as his favorite. Your kind words (and editing notes) make my day when I see them. I'll be sure to return the favor soon!
29. Wildflowers (2) - Since Jeannine gets delayed in Xiān Kè Lái, I figured a little look at what was happening on her end would be nice. It's also an opportunity to look at what the X-Laws are doing in this AU. As it is, they run a car company.
30. Lotus (22) - Ren and Bai actually go buy that plant together. I also normally don't do symbolism, but some snuck into this piece, but it was much needed.
31. Aster (7) - Bai noticing the lotuses on the Tao family estate. I realized when checking my timeline that they wouldn't be blooming around Christmastime, but the pot setup is pretty noticeable.
32. Lotus (23) - Bai visiting Ren's place for the first time. As noted, he's a rich kid. (He's also learned how to navigate Bai's whimsicality without outright rejecting it.)
For this week's [Shibuya Operation - Story Storm] recommendation, I'm gonna dig back to the first year and suggest Airhead259's Balance. While not complete, Air-chan's writing is always a delight to read, so do check it out and pass on some encouragement. Heck, while you're at it, read the rest of Air-chan's work, too. She's got some good ones in there.
And with two more weeks to go, I'll toss in a reminder that if you have any requests for additional extras, do send those in! I'll be compiling a bonus chapter in Week Eleven of [SOSS]. I have a few ideas myself, but it'll flourish if you guys give me some seeds to tend to as well. Until that time, though, the Saturday updates will continue. Please look forward to it!
-Avi
[02.12.2018]