Lily Bai politely saw him out the door.
But as they walked into the courtyard, Colin Grant's eyes were glued to Evan Lan's potted plant. He even asked, "Where did you buy this bonsai?"
Lily asked, "Since when did Young Master Grant get interested in bonsai?"
"My grandfather is obsessed with these, especially rare varieties. I’ve honestly never seen this kind before. If I could bring one home, he’d be thrilled."
"As for the source... I really don’t know. Evan brought it back himself."
"Then, can I shamelessly ask you for it?" Colin asked with a laugh.
Why don’t you just ask for the moon while you’re at it?
Lily said, "This is Evan’s absolute favorite bonsai. I’m afraid it’s not really something I can just give away."
"Forget it then," Colin said. "I’ll just ask him later where he got it."
Lily nodded.
Not long after she saw him off, Evan’s phone actually received his inquiry.
Lisa asked Lily how she should respond.
Lily, feeling a headache coming on, said, “Check which bonsai species looks most like a First Spirit Tree.”
Lisa said, "Found it."
"Just tell him it’s a mutated variety of that bonsai. You can only get one by luck—it’s not something you can buy."
"Got it," Lisa replied.
Still uneasy, Lily called her own grandfather to ask if Colin Grant’s grandfather, Mr. Bernard An, was really a bonsai enthusiast.
Colin’s interest in Evan’s bonsai made her worry he might know something.
Her grandfather confirmed that Bernard An really does have that hobby.
Whenever people bring him gifts, they always try to find rare and exotic plants for him.
Only then did Lily finally relax. She walked over to Evan’s plant and teased, "Look at you—in human form, you attracted all kinds of girls. Now you’re a bonsai and still draw so much attention."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a sharp prick on her arm.
"Ouch! Did I say something wrong? Are you stabbing me now?"
Another prick followed.
This time, it really hurt.
"Again?" Lily stepped back a few paces. "Do you want me to yank your leaves?"
"Huh? You can reach me even from this far away?" Lily stepped back again.
She got pricked several more times.
"Evan! Did you get stronger from drinking Moonrise Spring water lately? Why don’t you use your power for something else? Is poking me supposed to be fun?"
The pricking continued relentlessly.
"Are you done yet?"
Still more pricks.
"Evan! I get it! You’re jealous! You saw Colin and got jealous!"
Prick...
"He came on his own! I didn’t ask him to come!"
Prick...
No matter where she ran, she couldn’t escape.
Clutching her backside, Lily dashed wildly around the courtyard: "Wow, you’re in great spirits today! If you keep poking me, I won’t be so nice to you..."
"Hee hee hee!" Their baby, held by Lisa at the doorway, burst into giggles at the sight.
"You think this is funny? Little guy, aren’t you the only one who can talk to your dad’s spirit? Hurry up and tell him to stop!"
The baby reached out for her to hold him.
Despite her sore backside, Lily picked the baby up.
Once she was holding the baby, Evan finally stopped pricking her.
"Evan! You’re absolutely inhuman! When Martin visits, you prick me! When Colin comes, you prick me again! What did I do wrong?" Lily pointed accusingly at him.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp prick on her lips.
Lily bit her lip and glared sideways at him.
His leaves rustled, looking smug.
Lily never imagined that one day, she’d end up flirting with a tree…
...