“Third Brother, is Second Brother alright?” Wanwan couldn’t help but worry about Li Mobi, patting Li Moyi’s shoulder.
Li Moyi furrowed his brow slightly. After being struck with such a long whip, how could he possibly be okay?
“Third Brother?” Wanwan tilted her head, asking again when he didn’t respond.
Li Moyi didn’t want to answer. Holding her little bottom, he scowled and warned, “He got beaten because he didn’t listen. If you don’t behave in the future, watch your little bottom too!”
Wanwan immediately covered her bottom: “Wanwan will listen, don’t hit my little bottom!”
Li Mobi snorted lightly, warning her: “Then you better keep your mouth shut. Don’t ask everything.”
Wanwan quickly covered her mouth, her big dark eyes full of concern as she glanced toward the main house, worried for Second Brother.
Li Moyi carried her back to the East Courtyard, pulling out toys to distract her attention. Soon, Old Madam Li sent Wang Ma over to notify Wanwan to prepare; she would be going to the flower and bird market, which made her forget all about Second Brother getting punished.
“Yay! Going to buy flowers! Third Brother, are you coming too?” Wanwan ran over excitedly.
Li Moyi pinched her little cheek and went to get a parasol for shade.
“I’m not going. If you can’t walk, who will carry you?”
Though he spoke coldly with a hint of complaint, he honestly held her in his arms and propped the parasol to block the scorching sun, preventing her skin from getting burned.
Soon, Old Madam Li arrived with Wang Ma. Learning that Li Moyi would also go, and realizing one car couldn’t fit everyone, she arranged for a second vehicle.
Old Madam Li, Li Moyi, and Wanwan got into one car. Watching Old Madam Li relaxed, Li Moyi guessed that Li Mobi’s punishment hadn’t been too severe.
…
With Port City’s booming economy, the flower, bird, and fish markets had developed into a thriving industry, forming a complete supply chain that promoted specialty businesses and became a city hallmark.
Streets like Goldfish Street and Flower Bazaar gradually became iconic landmarks of Port City, cultural symbols that drew visitors from all over.
Old Madam Li stepped out of the car, Wang Ma quickly opening a parasol for her.
Behind her, Li Moyi carried Wanwan, with Wang Ma holding a parasol for them as well, followed by bodyguards, all heading straight for Flower Bazaar Street.
Walking along, shops stood closely together, their floral fragrances filling the air. Old Madam Li went directly to her favorite shop. The owner, seeing a regular, immediately began introducing the latest flowers.
Today, however, Old Madam Li wasn’t choosing flowers for herself. She held Wanwan, pointing at every flower in the shop: “Wanwan, which do you like? Great-Grandma will take them all home for you!”
Wanwan’s big dark eyes lit up like two little lanterns, fixed on a pot of pink-and-white roses.
“Ah Nai, cotton candy!”
Old Madam Li chuckled and asked the staff to bring that rose over.
The shop owner, noticing that the buyer today was the little girl in Old Madam Li’s arms, praised her endlessly: “Your granddaughter has excellent taste! This is our rare Swedish Queen, the only one we have.”
Old Madam Li, hearing the praise directed at her granddaughter rather than herself, was even happier.
“Then we’ll take this one!” she declared.
She then asked the little girl again: “Wanwan, which else do you like?”
Wanwan sniffed, detecting a strong floral scent. Following it with her finger, she pointed: “Ah Nai, little flower!”
The shop owner and Old Madam Li looked at her tiny hand. It was a potted orchid with delicate green leaves and small pink flowers, elegant and unique.
The shop owner hurriedly explained: “This is a Mokran. It only blooms around New Year, and this one was specially cultivated for an off-season bloom. It’s a rare Daruma variety, very difficult to find in the market.”
“Really? Then we’ll take this one too!”
One by one, Wanwan pointed at a pot, and Old Madam Li bought it. They continued until Wanwan shook her head, signaling to move to the next shop. The owner couldn’t help but glance at the little girl in awe.
“Madam, your granddaughter has extraordinary talent—she picked all our rare varieties.”
“Of course! My granddaughter is amazing, right?” Old Madam Li beamed, kissing Wanwan on the cheek.
In the entire Li family, besides herself, there was no one who shared her passion for flowers.
Alone, she couldn’t manage much, which was why the large flower garden had been neglected.
But now, she had a little girl who loved flowers just like her—a companion far better than those rowdy boys!
Old Madam Li, in high spirits, went through more than ten shops with Wanwan until the cars were full before she stopped.
On the way home, she hummed happily. Wanwan, tired from playing, rested on Li Moyi’s chest, closing her eyes for a short nap.
Arriving home, just as Old Madam Li’s car stopped, she noticed Lu Jiefang’s servant standing at the main gate. Her good mood immediately vanished.
“Your sister really has refined taste. I heard Mobi was whipped until his back was raw, and you still have the heart to shop at the flower market?”
Lu Jiefang must have heard the car and come out to gloat, aware that Li Mobi had been disciplined.
Old Madam Li didn’t even need to ask; she knew Lu Jiefang had come to witness misfortune.
“Obviously, far better than someone so vulgar as you!” Old Madam Li wasn’t fooled.
The more Lu Jiefang hoped to see a mishap, the less she got.
“Wang Ma, don’t wake Third Brother or Wanwan. Go to the courtyard and have people move the flowers inside first.”
With a command, Wang Ma and Liu Ma sprang into action. Over ten people carried roughly fifty pots from the two cars, filling every empty spot, leaving no gaps.
“Hey, be careful! These flowers are precious! If you knock one over, you’ll owe a fortune!”
Lu Jiefang, jealous of Old Madam Li’s control over the household expenses and her lavish spending, sneered, trying to undermine her authority.
Old Madam Li let out a humph.
Since Grandfather fell ill, she focused on stabilizing the family, rarely bothered by the second branch’s antics, leaving Lu Jiefang feeling she could ride over her?
“Just a few flower pots, Jiefang. You’re my family too; don’t open your mouth talking about losing everything, it only makes you look petty and miserly!”