Chapter 28
Once in the car, Xyliana, feeling a bit annoyed, instructed the driver, “Head to Eastside Mall.”
Eastside Mall was the largest shopping center. Whenever Xyliana visited her grandparents, she would go there to personally pick out gifts. She was familiar with the place, allowing her to choose gifts quickly and grab breakfast for herself.
Rosalie didn’t mind where they were going, so she stayed quiet.
Soon, they arrived at the Eastside Mall. Xyliana looked at Rosalie and said, “This is Eastside Mall. It’s huge, right? Have you been here before?”
Rosalie glanced at the proud Xyliana, taking in the surroundings. She wasn’t here for shopping. She promptly asked, “Where’s the flower shop?”
Xyliana was planning to give Rosalie a proper introduction to this place. After all, with Rosalie’s previous status, she probably had never been to such a luxurious mall.
But seeing Rosalie wasn’t interested, with no curiosity in her eyes, as if she only wanted to buy a gift, Xyliana’s sense of superiority suddenly vanished.
She felt a bit annoyed for no reason but could only respond, “Come with me.” Xyliana said this, a bit displeased, and led the way.
Watching Xyliana navigate effortlessly ahead, Rosalie knew she must come here often. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so familiar with the place.
Soon, Xyliana brought Rosalie to the flower shop. “This place has the best selection of potted plants. You can go in and pick,” Xyliana said to Rosalie before heading off in another direction.
Xyliana figured she might as well pick something nice since she was choosing flowers herself. Visiting grandma with Rosalie, Xyliana naturally wanted to bring a beautiful plant. Then they’d see if grandma liked hers better or Rosalie’s.
Xyliana smiled at the thought. She had years of affection with her grandparents and knew their tastes well. Surely, Rosalie’s choice wouldn’t top hers.
With so many flowers around, Rosalie found it a bit overwhelming to pick just one. She wandered through the flower beds, determined to find the perfect, most beautiful flower.
As she walked, a flower caught her eye, and she moved closer for a better look. The blooming carnations were stunning, and seeing those pink blossoms lifted Rosalie’s spirits.
“Please wrap this carnation for me,” Rosalie told the shop assistant “And those too,” she added, deciding to buy several different kinds of flowers at
once.
The owner, seeing a big spender, was all smiles and quickly went to pack her selections.
Soon, Xyliana came over, holding the flowers she had chosen. “Why so many flowers? Did you buy all these?” she asked, surprised to see a heap of
flowers in front of Rosalie.
“Yes, do you think these are enough?” Rosalie asked, looking over the variety of flowers laid out before her.
“Honestly, I think there are too many, and I don’t see any flowers Grandma likes here,” Xyliana noted after checking through the selection. None of them were what she usually bought for Grandma.
“I think you should get some orchids or longevity flowers for Grandma,” Xyliana suggested kindly. “She really loves those. These ones you picked… I’ve never given them to her, so I’m guessing she wouldn’t like them as much. I’d recommend choosing some different flowers.”
Among the flowers Rosalie picked, there wasn’t a single one Xyliana had given her grandma before. She thought Rosalie should pick again according to her suggestions.
“Okay.” Rosalie nodded.
Xyliana thought Rosalie was going to pick again, but to her surprise, Rosalie turned to the shop owner and said, “I’ll take all of these. Have someone help
1/2
Chapter 28
move them to the car.”
Xyliana paused after hearing what Rosalie said, and then asked, “You’re taking all of them? Aren’t you going to choose again?”
“No need, I like all these flowers,” Rosalie said, looking at the flowers with a satisfied smile.
Xyliana was surprised by Rosalie’s words. She thought, ‘She likes them? Isn’t she here to pick flowers for Grandma? Why did she choose only the ones she liked?‘
“Where can I find the supplements and coffee?” Rosalie asked Xyliana.
“Over there, I’ll show you,” Xyliana said, looking puzzled as she led Rosalie to the section with supplements.
“I’ll take all of these,” Rosalie said, pointing to the shelves with supplements.
“Xyliana, could you help me get some?” Rosalie said, handing the supplements to Xyliana.
Rosalie didn’t find these things heavy at all, but it was a different story for Xyliana, who had never carried so much before. Her arms were aching, and she couldn’t stop herself from complaining, “Rosalie, why did you buy so much stuff?” Especially when none of it was what their grandparents liked.
But Rosalie didn’t care. “It’s not much, let’s go,” she said casually, grabbing the supplements as the two of them headed straight for the elevator.
Seeing Rosalie was about to go downstairs without buying the tobacco leaves, Xyliana quickly reminded her, “Rosalie, you haven’t bought the tobacco leaves yet. Why are you going downstairs?”
“Forget it, let’s just go,” Rosalie replied, walking into the elevator without looking back.
Xyliana was momentarily stunned and said, “Alright, you head down first. I’ll go get them.”
Xyliana couldn’t understand why Rosalie suddenly decided not to buy the tobacco leaves. She had bought their grandmother a gift; why not their grandfather?
Xyliana wondered to herself, ‘I have told Rosalie that Grandpa liked smoking, yet Rosalie didn’t bought any. Does this mean she doesn’t care about him? Regardless, even if Rosalie didn’t buy them, I would have to.‘ Even if her hands were full, she had to go.
Rosalie hesitated for a moment, thinking about convincing Xyliana again. But seeing Xyliana’s determined expression, she decided to let her go.
Rosalie didn’t have a chance to take the things Xyliana was holding because the elevator doors closed. She quickly went downstairs alone, where the driver was busily arranging flowers. When he saw Rosalie approaching with the supplements, he hurried over to take them from her.
“You get in the car first, we’ll be done soon,” the driver said, and then went back to arranging the gifts.
After a few minutes, once the driver had finished arranging the gifts, Xyliana, looking worn out, showed up with the supplements.
Seeing Xyliana, who usually wouldn’t lift a finger for manual work, lugging so many things, the driver rushed over to help her. “Miss, why are you carrying all this by yourself?”
Xyliana was too exhausted to even talk, just motioning for him to hurry up and stow everything, and then she collapsed into the car seat. In her life, she
had
herself b
