"Wow! Yaya, you're so adorable like this!" Seeing Yaya's beaming smile, Yuhan He felt utterly melted. If they weren't on a busy street, she'd have scooped her up and cuddled her close.

"No way! Hehe!" Yaya blushed deeply at the praise, fidgeting shyly as she spoke.

"So cute!" Yuhan He couldn't resist; Yaya's rosy, chubby cheeks and awkward movements made her want to squeeze her.

Behind Yuhan He, Lin Ming watched with a deadpan expression. 'Just a little kid? What's so cute? She looks like a middle-aged man.'

"Oh, by the way, Sister Yuhan, Brother, thank you for helping me pick up the flowers earlier. Let me give you a bouquet!" Yaya pulled a white flower from her basket, then took out wrapping paper and sat to wrap it.

"Yaya, no need. It was just a small favor. These flowers are for sale; don't give them away," Yuhan He hurriedly tried to stop her.

"It's okay, Sister! Father taught me to repay kindness. One flower is nothing. Besides, I've already wrapped it." Yaya smiled brightly, having finished while Yuhan He spoke.

"Here, Sister." Yaya handed the wrapped flower to Yuhan He, her face glowing.

Yuhan He hesitated, unsure what to do for such a small deed. Lin Ming spoke up: "Junior, you can't refuse someone's heartfelt gift!"

"Sister, don't you like flowers?" Yaya's lips trembled, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"No, no! I'm just... embarrassed," Yuhan He panicked and quickly took the flower.

"Yaya, this flower is beautiful. Thank you." Yuhan He smiled warmly.

"Hehe! I'm glad you like it, Sister." Yaya's frown vanished, replaced by a bright smile.

"So adorable," Yuhan He cooed again, much to Lin Ming's exasperation.

Then Yuhan He remembered something. "Yaya, why are you selling flowers so young? Where are your parents?"

Lin Ming slapped his palm over his face. 'My Junior, can't you see the obvious? Asking that will upset her. Is she really that naive?'

Sure enough, Yaya's face fell instantly, her eyes welling up. "Six years ago, Mother passed away when I was born. I had two older brothers and Father, but a few months ago, Father disappeared too. Now it's just me and my brothers. But a week after he vanished, men came saying he owed them money. I know he borrowed once to treat my illness... but... but... waaah!" Yaya burst into tears. Yuhan He panicked, pulling her into a hug. "Don't cry, Yaya. I believe Father will come back."

'Disappeared?!' Lin Ming's mind raced. His mission involved disappearances, but now wasn't the time to ask.

Calmed by the embrace, Yaya looked up. "Sister, do you really mean it?"

"Yes, really! So don't cry anymore," Yuhan He said, wiping Yaya's tears as she set her down.

"Okay! Yaya won't cry." Yaya wiped her eyes and smiled.

"Mm!"

Lin Ming watched with a faint smile. 'My Junior may not grasp social cues, but she's good at comforting people. Her voice alone can calm others—thanks to her Melodic Magic enhancement. Impressive.'

"Alright, Sister! I need to go sell flowers now. Thank you for helping and comforting me." Yaya bowed as she got off the chair.

"Eh? So soon!" Yuhan He sounded disappointed.

Lin Ming cut in, "What do you mean 'soon'? She needs to earn money, not stroll like you. Don't hold her up. By the time she finishes, it'll be dark."

"Senior..." Yuhan He felt chastised. She realized she'd wasted Yaya's time. A five-year-old alone at night was dangerous.

"It's fine! I was happy talking with you," Yaya quickly defended Yuhan He.

"Yaya..." Yuhan He was touched.

"Sister, it's okay. The flowers will sell quickly," Yaya reassured her with a smile.

But Yuhan He remembered Yaya struggling earlier. An idea struck her. "Yaya, how about this: let me help you sell the flowers."

"Eh?!" Yaya gasped.

"Whoa! You really came up with that?" Lin Ming was taken aback.

"Hmph! Of course! Yaya, what do you think?" Yuhan He huffed at Lin Ming first, then smiled at Yaya.

"But Sister! I can't pay you!" Yaya stammered.

Yuhan He chuckled, crouching to pat Yaya's head. "Yaya, I wouldn't ask for payment."

"But... Sister, you have no reason!"

"Reason? Of course! I wasted your time and made you cry. Isn't that enough?" Yuhan He counted on her fingers.

"But Sister, I don't mind..."

Yuhan He's face turned serious. "Yaya, please let me help. Otherwise, I won't forgive myself."

Seeing her earnest expression, Yaya reluctantly nodded.

"Okay."