svetikya Chapter 38 The flower language of lily of the valley is the return of happiness.
Chapter 38 The flower language of lily of the valley is the return of happiness.
At 6:30 a.m., just as dawn broke, pale golden morning light spilled over the eaves of Tokyo's streets.
Wang Yueling ran back slowly along the familiar path with steady breathing, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and the collar of her sportswear was lifted slightly by the wind.
Even though he didn't go to bed until 2 a.m. last night, his biological clock for morning exercise still woke him up promptly at 5:30 a.m., a habit from two lifetimes ago. For him, morning exercise is not a burden, but proof that he is still healthy.
When I got home, the gate to the courtyard was half-closed, and a faint fragrance of flowers wafted out.
Wang Yueling pushed open the door and immediately saw her maternal grandmother in the courtyard.
My grandmother, wearing a light beige knitted cardigan, was squatting by the lily of the valley bushes, gently tending to the branches and leaves, holding a small silver pair of pruning shears in her hand.
"Grandma." Wang Yueling walked over quietly.
Grandmother turned around at the sound, a gentle smile spreading across her face. She raised her hand and beckoned to him, her eyes crinkling into crescents, her voice full of surprise: "Ling, you're back from your morning exercise? Come and see me."
"Hmm." Wang Yueling squatted down next to her, followed her gaze and looked down, her eyes landing on the white lily of the valley at the innermost part of the flower bed.
Clusters of white flowers drooped their heads, like tiny bells hanging from the stems, their edges still glistening with dew, shimmering faintly in the morning light. Up close, a very faint fragrance wafted through the air, not an overpowering sweetness, but a clean, refreshing scent of grass and wood, neither strong nor overpowering, bringing a sense of peace.
"Yesterday it was just buds, and today it's bloomed." Grandmother gently tapped the fullest cluster with her fingertip, her voice full of joy. "It bloomed earlier and more beautifully this year than in previous years."
Wang Yueling reached out and gently touched the petals. They were cool and soft, and a genuine look of amazement appeared in her eyes: "Mondieu, it's so beautiful, like little houses of fairies."
As soon as he finished speaking, his grandmother picked up her pruning shears, bent down, and selected a few lily-of-the-valley flowers in full bloom, snipping them a few times. She then moved to the flowerbed next door and cut a few white tulips, a few hazel clover leaves, and a few eucalyptus leaves.
Wang Yueling watched quietly from the side, without making a sound to disturb them.
His maternal grandmother was his first teacher in floral design.
My maternal grandmother was a renowned florist in Tokyo when she was young. Her bouquets, without resorting to exaggerated color schemes, captivated hearts with their layers and fragrance alone. As she has grown older, she hasn't made bouquets in a long time.
Watching her still gracefully and skillfully trim, match, and adjust the angles, Wang Yueling felt a deep sense of nostalgia.
In just a few minutes, a fresh and elegant bouquet was created. White lilies of the valley were the main element, complemented by tulips, with rabbit's tail grass adding a touch of softness and eucalyptus leaves enhancing the texture—simple yet sophisticated.
Grandmother tied the flower stem with a cream-colored cotton rope, turned around and solemnly handed it to him, her eyes filled with an undisguised smile.
Wang Yueling was taken aback for a moment, then reached out to catch it. Her fingertips touched the cool flower stem, and she looked at her in confusion: "Grandma, is this for me?"
"Silly child." His grandmother reached out and tapped his forehead, her eyes gentle and clear. "I just saw the vanilla pudding and lemon tart in the kitchen fridge. They weren't for you, were they?"
He instantly understood and felt a little embarrassed, his ears burning.
"Take this bouquet to Seishi." His grandmother first tidied a stray strand of hair behind his ear, then looked tenderly at the lily of the valley in his hand. "White lily of the valley symbolizes the return of happiness. I heard you say he's having surgery this weekend, right?"
Wang Yueling paused, her hand holding the bouquet of flowers still, her eyes filled with surprise.
He had only casually mentioned Yukimura's surgery date last time, yet his grandmother remembered it all this time. And this patch of lilies of the valley was his grandfather's life's work; his grandmother usually treasured it and almost never cut it for cut flowers, but today she took the initiative to cut it and arranged it so carefully.
"Grandma..." He choked slightly, looking into his grandmother's gentle eyes, his heart felt warm and soft as if it had been washed by warm water. "You've always been reluctant to cut the lily of the valley."
"To me, it's a treasure; to Seishi, it's a blessing."
Grandma patted the back of his hand and smiled sincerely, "That child has suffered. I'm giving him these flowers so he can get through this difficult time, be safe and healthy, and be happy every day from now on."
"On behalf of Seishi, thank you." Mochizuki Ryou hugged the bouquet, her eyes crinkling into a smile, her bright blue eyes shining as if bathed in light, her little tiger teeth peeking out.
Seeing his appearance, his grandmother shook her head helplessly yet affectionately, then turned and walked into the house: "Hurry up and take a shower and change your clothes. Breakfast is almost ready. You have to go to the hospital this morning, right? Don't waste any time."
Today, Grandma prepared a Chinese breakfast: white porridge with several side dishes and a basket of freshly steamed shumai. Mochizuki Ryou, having finished her bath and changed into her Hyotei school uniform, her hair still half-wet, stood at the table preparing desserts to take home.
"You didn't even dry your hair." His grandmother placed a bowl of porridge in front of him and tossed him a towel in an annoyed tone.
"It'll be dry in a bit." Wang Yueling took the towel and casually rubbed it on her head, picked up a shumai, took a bite, and mumbled a reply.
After finishing her meal, Wang Yueling packed the lunchbox into her bag, carefully placed the bouquet into a paper bag, picked up the food container containing the dessert, and hurriedly said goodbye to her grandmother: "I'm going to the hospital now, I won't be late for class."
"Take care on the road." Grandma waved from the doorway. "Remember to say hello for me."
Stepping outside, the sun was already shining brightly.
Wang Yueling got into the car, gently placed the bouquet of flowers on the seat next to her, glanced at the time, it was 7 o'clock sharp, and she could spend twenty minutes at the hospital before class started at eight.
Then I remembered that today was his first day as the head coach of the Hyotei tennis team, and he skipped training. It just didn't seem right.
He pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen as he sent a message to Atobe, his tone deliberately playful:
[Wang Yueling]: Keigo~ Urgent report! This genius is taking a last-minute leave today, my first day on the job! I need to visit an important patient at the hospital first, and then go to Hyotei later to receive your adoration! (Little golden retriever wagging its tail.jpg)
After sending the message, he raised an eyebrow smugly, completely unaware that he had clicked the wrong chat box. Without waiting for a reply, he put his phone back in his pocket and focused on getting on his way.
Atobe had just arrived at the school when he saw the message. He frowned and replied with a mixture of disdain and helplessness.
[The Grandpa with a Glamorous Demeanor]: Being late on the first day is really not glamorous at all.
The moment they exchanged those two messages, the previously quiet group chat exploded.
【Cilang Just Wants to Sleep】: Ling, you've joined the group!!! When did this happen?!
【How could Yueren not eat cake?】: Really? Mochizuki Ryo joined the tennis club?
[Shinobu is never a womanizer]: Oh, I didn't expect Kei to act so quickly. It's only been a few days and she's already got someone hooked up with you. Welcome! (adjusts glasses.jpg)
【Ootori Chotaro】: Good morning, Mochizuki-senpai! Welcome to the team!!
[Hiyoshi likes to overthrow his superiors]: Overthrowing superiors is welcome.
[Kabaji]: ...
Messages kept popping up, and notification sounds kept coming in.
Wang Yueling heard the noise when she reached the hospital building. She took out her phone and froze for a second, her pupils shrinking slightly.
...Sent to the wrong group.
He clicked into the group chat and glanced at the group name, "Hyotei Tennis Club Regular Team Group (Dare to skip training and you're dead)," and remained silent for three seconds.
When did he join this group?
Last night?!
It must have been Atobe who pulled him in. He glanced at the group name and thought it was some kind of class notification group, so he didn't pay attention. Now, looking at the screen full of messages, he couldn't help but twitch his lips.
He scrolled through the chat history and found that Atobe had sent a message after adding him to the group last night.
[The Grandpa]: Starting today, Mochizuki Ryo has joined the tennis club. Attention everyone.
He was probably already asleep and didn't see it at all. Now, he sent such a cringeworthy message in the group chat early this morning, and all the regulars saw it.
He, who considered himself not thick-skinned, coughed lightly and quickly replied with a few words, trying to salvage his image.
[Wangyue Ling]: Thank you everyone. I accidentally clicked the button this morning. Please pretend you didn't see it.
[Jiro just wants to sleep]: I've already seen it! So you really joined the tennis club? Are you on our team?
【望月凌】：Yes, I promised yesterday.
[Jiro just wants to sleep]: Aaaaaaaahh ...
[How could Yueren not eat cake?]: Jilang, calm down.
[Ci Lang just wants to sleep]: I can't calm down!!! (Little lamb running around like crazy.jpg)
……
Besides Cilang's constant posting, the group chat went wild again, becoming incredibly lively.
Wang Yueling smiled and shook her head, muted her phone, and walked into the inpatient department with the bouquet of flowers.