Chapter Fourteen: Buying Flowers

Zhou Chen and his family of three entered the large classroom. Once inside, they realized that there were indeed many people; besides the students, parents made up about half the crowd, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere.

It was clear that the school placed great importance on this literary and art competition.

The family found seats near the front row and settled in to wait for the event to begin.

Soon, the program started. Watching the elementary school students perform on stage, Zhou Chen was quite interested. He thought back to his own school days—there was nothing like this back then.

Nowadays, children had far more opportunities economically and in extracurricular activities compared to his time.

One performance followed another. After about an hour, it was finally Huanhuan’s turn to perform.

Huanhuan was singing in a choir, but she was the lead vocalist. Zhou Chen and Nan Li raised their phones to record her performance, filming until she finished.

“I’ll send the video to Mom and Dad,” Nan Li said.

After Huanhuan stepped off the stage, Nan Li started sending the video to her mother, Zhao Na, and father, Nan Jianlong, while Zhou Chen, holding their youngest, Chaochao, continued to enjoy the performances.

Just as Zhou Chen was engrossed in watching, Nan Li nudged him.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Nan Li said, “Huanhuan did so well today—she’s definitely going to win an award. We should prepare something. I’ll take care of Chaochao; you go buy a bouquet from a flower shop near the school to give to Huanhuan when she comes out, as encouragement.”

“Buy flowers? Isn’t that unnecessary? It’s not a big deal,” Zhou Chen replied, feeling it was a bit excessive to buy flowers before even confirming she had won.

Nan Li looked at him strangely. “What’s gotten into you today? You’re usually the most enthusiastic about this kind of thing. Why the change?”

Zhou Chen explained, “It’s not that I’m acting strange. I just think buying flowers is unnecessary. At worst, we can cook her a grand meal later. Buying flowers should be for you.”

To be honest, he felt that Huanhuan’s spoiled nature was a result of how both he and Nan Li had indulged her, and he intended to start changing that gradually.

But Nan Li didn’t know what Zhou Chen was thinking. She only felt that her husband was no longer spoiling Huanhuan as before but was paying more attention to her. Every day before work, he called her, and at night he insisted on holding her face to face as they slept.

In a way, it felt like their early days of romance, when he was especially clingy—a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

She remembered the last time they were this affectionate was before Huanhuan was born. After their daughter arrived, her husband’s attention naturally shifted a lot toward her.

Though that was normal, at first she felt a bit uncomfortable, but over the years she had gotten used to it.

Recently, however, her husband’s behavior changed again. He was better and more affectionate with her, but no longer as indulgent toward Huanhuan.

Even Huanhuan noticed and secretly asked her if she had done something to upset her father.

Nan Li didn’t know the reason for the change, but she was happy because her husband’s love for her had deepened. Still, she worried about the relationship between her husband and daughter, and so her feelings were complicated.

Like now, when Zhou Chen refused to buy flowers for Huanhuan, insisting it was unnecessary but wanting flowers for Nan Li instead, she felt both amused and a little annoyed.

“Don’t make a fuss. Today is very important for Huanhuan. We can’t let her down. If you don’t go, I will.”

“All right, I’ll go, I’ll go,” Zhou Chen agreed quickly, standing up and leaving the classroom.

At the school entrance, after asking around, he found the nearest flower shop and walked there.

After a few minutes, he arrived at the shop.

“Hello, sir, are you here to buy flowers?” a female clerk greeted him warmly as he entered.

“Yes, flowers,” he replied.

“Are they for someone or just for decoration at home?”

“For my daughter. I’m not sure which flowers to get.”

If it were flowers for a girlfriend, Zhou Chen could easily say—red roses, of course. But what kind of flowers did a father give his daughter? He really didn’t know.

The clerk enthusiastically introduced, “If it’s for your daughter’s birthday, you could choose white roses, sunflowers, gerbera daisies, hyacinths… White roses symbolize… sunflowers mean…”

“Wait, wait,” Zhou Chen interrupted. Listening to her rapid explanation gave him a headache. It was just flowers—why so complicated? So many types and meanings—who could remember all that?

“White roses. Just white roses.”

“All right, sir, how many would you like?”

“How many should I buy for my daughter?”

“Eleven is a good number. I’ll also add some other flowers as a complimentary arrangement.”

“Okay, that works. Also, wrap a bouquet of red roses for my wife.”

“Sir, you’re truly a good father and husband. Your wife and daughter must be very happy.”

“Thank you.”

With two large bouquets in hand, Zhou Chen headed back toward the school. The last time he had given flowers was years ago, he couldn’t even remember when.

“Hmm, when I get back to the real world, I must buy a bouquet for my mom. After all these years as her son, I’ve never given her a single flower. That’s shameful.”

Though he had only been in this world for a month, he already had many reflections. Before, he was a son; now he was a father. Seeing things from this perspective, he better understood his own parents and felt he owed them a lot.

“I’ll make it up to them when I return.”

Back at the school, he saw Nan Li coming down the stairs with Huanhuan and Chaochao.

“Daddy!” Huanhuan ran over excitedly and hugged him tightly.

Seeing Huanhuan so affectionate made Zhou Chen happy. He crouched down and handed her the bouquet of white roses.

“Huanhuan, these are from Dad. Congratulations on winning first place.”

Nan Li had already messaged him on the way, telling him Huanhuan had won the championship.

“Really? Daddy, you’re the best! I love you so much!” Huanhuan took the flowers, kissed Zhou Chen’s cheek, and happily bounced around with the bouquet.

Nan Li watched the scene with relief. Compared to her, Huanhuan was clearly closer to her father.

“Wife, these are for you.”

Zhou Chen handed Nan Li the red roses. Her face flushed immediately.

“I told you to buy flowers for Huanhuan. Why did you buy a bouquet for me instead?”

“Isn’t it only natural for a husband to buy flowers for his wife?” Zhou Chen said, puzzled. Huanhuan and Chaochao giggled quietly nearby.

“Naughty,” Nan Li said coquettishly, rolling her eyes as she took the roses.

Though she teased him, she was genuinely happy. It had been a long time since she received roses from her husband. She thought he was joking at first but was pleasantly surprised he really bought her flowers.

“Let’s go home.”

The family of four, with the two girls holding flowers and Zhou Chen carrying Chaochao, happily left the school gates.

As soon as they got in the car, a video from Zhao Na arrived. Nan Li answered the call, and Huanhuan loudly shouted, “Grandma, Grandma, I’m the champion!”

“Really? Our Huanhuan is the best! Show Grandma the trophy.”

Huanhuan immediately raised her trophy. “Grandma, look, this is my championship trophy.”

After chatting briefly, Zhao Na reminded Nan Li, “Li Li, I bought some salmon, airlifted from Norway. When you come back later, stop by my place and bring some home.”

“I got it, Mom.”

No sooner had Zhao Na hung up than Nan Jianlong called. Huanhuan boasted to her grandfather, who praised her and then invited them all to come home for dinner.

Nan Li looked unhappy at the idea, but Huanhuan was excited and insisted on going. Nan Li could only agree.

After hanging up, Nan Li wanted to complain but saw the kids were still in the car and gave up. Her good mood was mostly gone.

She knew that if they went, Tian Yulan’s family would probably come too. She didn’t want to see that mother and daughter, so she was reluctant to visit her father’s place.

Zhou Chen drove silently. He didn’t want to go either. He wasn’t the man he used to be; he had little affection for his father-in-law or his father-in-law’s new wife.

He imagined the inevitable battle of wits and subtle clashes between Nan Li and Tian Yulan—an atmosphere charged with tension and rivalry.

When they reached the neighborhood entrance, Nan Li got out to cross the street, while Zhou Chen took Huanhuan and Chaochao home.

He arranged the two bouquets in vases, then opened his computer and resumed writing.

It was almost eleven o’clock when Nan Li returned and immediately became busy again.

“Li Li, it’s not necessary, you could just wear what you had on this morning. Why do I have to change clothes?” Zhou Chen complained, feeling annoyed by the fuss over dinner plans.

“Change as I say,” Nan Li insisted firmly. She had picked out the clothes carefully to maintain appearances.

Zhou Chen resignedly changed into the new outfit. Not only he, but also Huanhuan and Chaochao changed into brand-new matching family outfits.

Seeing the new matching clothes, Zhou Chen felt a little jealous.

“Li Li, you three are all in matching outfits. Why am I the only odd one out?”

Nan Li laughed, “Don’t blame me. They didn’t have your size when I bought them. Or do you want to wear my dress?”

Zhou Chen rolled his eyes. The family of four left the house in high spirits, heading to the grandfather’s home.