This sea of flowers perfectly embodied the visual sensation of the term "dazzling."
After walking about ten meters, Bai Youwei saw lotuses within the flowerbeds. Their petals were as white as snow, their stamens golden yellow. Three or five blossoms stood gracefully amidst the other flowers, elegant and charming.
Bai Youwei tugged on Shen Mo's clothes, asking him to help her up. She wanted to pick a lotus.
"You've already chosen?" Wu Lili beside them asked in surprise. "There are many more flowers ahead."
"I like this one." Bai Youwei, supported by Shen Mo, stood up, steadied herself with one crutch, and used the other to hook a lotus from the flowerbed.
Pulling it closer, she grasped the deep green stem, thick, strong, and covered in small thorns.
She had expected to exert some effort, but the stem snapped easily with a gentle pinch, and the white lotus landed in Bai Youwei's hand.
The others looked at her incredulously, unable to comprehend why someone would pick a flower so quickly without further consideration. There were so many beautiful flowers ahead!
Then, in the next second, Bai Youwei reached out again!
"You can only pick one!" someone couldn't help but remind her.
This time it wasn't Zhang Qi, but a plump older woman. The look she gave Bai Youwei practically screamed "fool."
Ignoring her, Bai Youwei reached out and hooked a lotus seed pod next to the lotus, picking it just as swiftly.
Shen Mo: "…"
"Do you think the lotus seeds here are edible?" Bai Youwei asked him, holding up the fresh pod.
Shen Mo remained silent, then glanced around. Sure enough, everyone else was staring at them in astonishment.
He looked down again and saw Bai Youwei already peeling the lotus seed pod.
Everyone: "…"
Sitting in her wheelchair, Bai Youwei plucked out the tender, plump lotus seeds one by one, placing them on her skirt, then peeling and eating them one at a time.
"A little bland, not as sweet as the ones you picked for me last time." She peeled one and offered it to Shen Mo without a second thought. "Try it."
Shen Mo pursed his lips and looked at her.
The others likely thought this pair of siblings was crazy. They gave them a complicated look before turning away to find their own flowers.
Bai Youwei held the lotus seed out for a while. When Shen Mo didn't take it, her arm grew tired, and she retracted her hand, eating the lotus seed herself, a little unhappy.
Shen Mo asked, "Aren't you afraid of breaking the rules?"
"I picked a lotus seed pod, not a flower. What's there to be afraid of?" She curled her lip dismissively. "Besides, there's still the puzzle."
Shen Mo was at a loss with her. He shook his head and continued walking forward.
Bai Youwei wheeled herself after him and asked curiously, "Which flower are you going to pick?"
Shen Mo's gaze slowly scanned both sides of the path. He said calmly, "There are 450,000 species of flowers in the world. Even with a rough classification, there are 5,000. Choosing the most beautiful 10 from so many is unrealistic in itself. However…"
He bent down and picked a bright pink flower from the flowerbed. Its petals were layered like a princess's skirt, magnificent, elegant, and vibrant.
"The peony has always been known as the king of flowers. Few flowers can compare. Choosing a peony should increase the chances of winning."
"Wow… Brother, you make so much sense." Bai Youwei looked at the flower in his hand. "But, I think the one you're holding is a herbaceous peony."
"…" Shen Mo raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "It's a herbaceous peony?"
Bai Youwei: "Yes, it's a herbaceous peony."
Shen Mo: "Then what does a tree peony look like?"
Bai Youwei thought for a moment. "Actually, it's quite similar to this one."
"That's fine then." Shen Mo pushed her wheelchair. "Let's go back."