NOVPUBGu Xiuyuan found himself sandwiched in the middle as the others gathered around him, facing the camera for a group photo.
He Xiang’s home was small, so Gu Xiuyuan immediately noticed the unusual decorations—letters spelling "happy birthday" plastered on the wall, balloons scattered across the floor, the sofa pushed aside to make room for a table set up with a hotpot and ingredients.
It looked like preparations had been underway for a while, likely planned well in advance—the so-called "surprise."
Recalling how he’d seen them sneaking off campus earlier, Gu Xiuyuan figured this was what they’d been up to. He smirked.
Seriously, making such a fuss over a birthday.
"Come on, sit down!" Shen Qingtang pulled him to the table while He Xiang checked the cups they’d brought for chips before washing them in the sink.
Lu Jinghuai was busy uncorking the champagne.
Gu Xiuyuan glanced over and laughed for the second time that day. "Couldn’t you just buy a new bottle?"
Shen Qingtang, still snapping photos, replied, "Why waste money when we have this?"
Just then, Ji Nian wheeled out the cake.
Gu Xiuyuan eyed the little cart she was pushing and grinned.
Unless he was mistaken, that was the serving cart from his own kitchen. He had no idea when she’d swiped it. Ji Nian was petite, but she handled the cart effortlessly—though it looked more like she was plowing a field.
Lu Jinghuai pressed his lips together, suppressing a smile.
Adorable.
He stood and took over pushing the cart.
"Where’s He Xiang? Hurry up!"
Someone turned off the lights while another whispered that the candles hadn’t been lit yet. Ji Nian, ever direct, called out for the birthday boy to help toss the ingredients into the boiling pot.
The kids eagerly sang "Happy Birthday" to Gu Xiuyuan in hushed tones, careful not to disturb the neighbors.
Ji Nian had even prepared a novelty peach-shaped cake that bloomed and played a tune when lit.
The fan whirred at full speed, oscillating as the steam from the hotpot flushed their faces red. They fished out ingredients glistening with spicy oil, sweating profusely but unable to stop eating.
The teenagers raised their glasses, champagne bubbles fizzing as they clinked together.
Cheers!
Their bright eyes turned to Gu Xiuyuan, silent well-wishes carried on the hotpot’s steam, seeping into his heart and igniting a warmth that crackled like fireworks.
As if sensing he hadn’t eaten much at the earlier banquet, Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang took turns loading his bowl with food.
Gu Xiuyuan listened to their chatter as he polished off every bite, dipping each morsel into the sauce.
With school the next day, they didn’t stay up too late. After eating, they helped He Xiang clean up, restoring the room to its original state.
Ji Nian volunteered to take out the trash. Just as He Xiang set down the cleaning supplies, he spotted her and grabbed two bags.
"Let’s go together."
He deftly picked up the plastic bags and quietly unlocked the door.
The two tiptoed downstairs, sorting the trash into the appropriate bins.
As they turned to leave, He Xiang stopped her and pressed something into her palm.
Ji Nian looked down—digestive tablets.
"You ate too much."
It wasn’t a criticism, just an observation that she’d overdone it.
Now that he mentioned it, Ji Nian realized her stomach did feel uncomfortably full. No wonder she’d nearly thrown up while bending over earlier.
"Thanks." She smiled, her cheeks still flushed from the heat.
He Xiang’s dark eyes lingered on her face before he looked away.
Next time she came over, he’d make sure to save up for an AC.
By the time they finished the hotpot, the cursed singing peach Ji Nian had bought still hadn’t stopped. In the end, Gu Xiuyuan took it home along with their gift—a collaborative painting of him "ascending the throne."
As he slipped on his shoes, Gu Xiuyuan paused.
The milk stains that had splattered across them earlier were gone—not dried, but completely wiped away.
Glancing back, he saw He Xiang leaning against the wall, idly playing with a balloon, lost in thought.
Gu Xiuyuan slid his feet into the now-clean shoes.
The courier who’d been sent to deliver new shoes was already at the door when he received a message telling him to turn back—along with a double refund.
This time, they didn’t torture themselves with the bike ride home. A chauffeur waited by the curb to drive them back.
Exhausted from the day’s antics, they dozed off quickly—even Lu Jinghuai, who rarely slept in cars.
Gu Xiuyuan watched them, amused. Kids. Then, quick as lightning, he shoved Lu Jinghuai away before his head could land on Ji Nian’s shoulder.
The only sound in the car was the cursed peach’s muffled birthday tune from its plastic prison. The teenagers slept like logs, undisturbed by the bumps in the road.
Unconsciously, Gu Xiuyuan’s lips curved into a smile.
He turned to the oil painting buckled into the seat beside him, running his fingers over the textured, dried paint.
The somewhat abstract yet vivid portrait depicted a young man seated high on an ornate throne. It should have felt lonely, but the boy in the painting wasn’t alone.
Surrounding him were spirit-like animals: a black cat with a red tie and emerald-green eyes, a pink bear grinning under a ribbon, a strikingly handsome golden retriever, and a bird that looked regal at first glance but slightly dopey on closer inspection.
Gu Xiuyuan tapped the black cat’s raised paw—its expression screaming "I’m awesome"—and muttered, "Definitely her handiwork."
Anyone else would’ve painted a proud little yellow chick with wings outstretched.
The thought made his smile widen.
A short laugh escaped him.
Across from him, Ji Nian’s head bobbed, nearly sending her tumbling off the seat before she caught herself.
Gu Xiuyuan exhaled, retracting the hand he’d instinctively reached out with.
"...Niu Niu... that’s cow dung... not cake... don’t... don’t eat it..."
Gu Xiuyuan closed his eyes.
...
"Uncle Ji, I’ll head off now."
When the car arrived at the Ji residence, Ji Tingzhou was already waiting outside. He bent down to lift Ji Nian, still dead to the world, out of the car.
Unsure of Lu Jinghuai’s address, Gu Xiuyuan had him dropped off there too.
Zhiliao carried Shen Qingtang while Wei Yang hoisted Lu Jinghuai onto his back.
Sensing an unfamiliar presence, Lu Jinghuai’s arm instinctively rose in his sleep, fingers hovering over Wei Yang’s neck.
But after blearily recognizing the face, he let his arm drop.
Wei Yang chuckled, adjusting his grip as he walked alongside Zhiliao. "Kid’s got instincts. Almost went for my pressure point."
Zhiliao, effortlessly carrying Shen Qingtang, side-eyed Wei Yang’s amused grin.
Years ago, Lu Zhi had asked if she wanted to take on a side gig teaching kids, but Zhiliao had declined—she already had Ji Nian.
But considering Lu Zhi often sent gifts to their child during holidays, they couldn’t outright refuse. So, they introduced a colleague from their days as an assassin instead.
Presumably, Lu Jinghuai had been trained by that person since childhood.
Though it was unclear how skilled they were—perhaps they could spar with Ji Nian someday to find out.
She even mused that if Ji Nian couldn’t completely overpower them, she might need to ramp up her training intensity.
With her head resting on Ji Tingzhou’s shoulder, Ji Nian, deep in sleep, suddenly shivered as if sensing some mysterious force in her dreams.
