After he finished speaking, he hugged Yuan Yuan and ruffled its head. Looking at the remaining cake, he put it in the refrigerator in his room. He took out his phone to message Jiang Rang, typed for a long while, then deleted it, and finally just sent a few words.
[Xu Si]: Received it, thank you.
He stared at their chat background for a very long time. His phone vibrated, and he saw Jiang Rang’s reply.
[Little Teacher]: Happy birthday, not just today.
Before Hao Ming and the others arrived that evening, someone had already ordered a large cake for Xu Si. A group of people sang him the birthday song and then shared the cake. The private room was very lively, but Xu Si couldn’t feel happy. Because these people weren’t sincere – they only wanted to associate with his current status.
So he took one bite of cake and sat in the corner, listening to those people complimenting each other and chatting. The cake was quickly cleared away by the server, as if it was just a formality.
Only when he was with Yang Shikun and Hao Ming in the afternoon did he feel like it was actually his birthday. But he felt like someone was missing. Missing Jiang Rang.
He looked at Jiang Rang’s message, typed for a long while, and finally replied with one sentence.
[Xu Si]: I wish you happiness too.
There was a knock at the door. Xu Si opened it to see Liang Jieran standing there. He looked down at him: “What is it?”
Liang Jieran took out a small cake hidden behind his back: “Happy birthday, big brother.”
Xu Si looked at the cake in his hands: “How did you know?”
“I was next to Mom when you called her today.”
Xu Si made a sound of understanding and then took the cake from his hands, softly saying thank you.
At noon, Shen Yuchun had said she’d come back to celebrate his birthday with him, but he said he’d celebrate outside, so he didn’t go back.
Liang Jieran stood at the door without leaving, his tone cautious: “Can I come in? Big brother, I’ll just play for a while, I won’t bother you.”
Xu Si opened the door to let him in. He tossed the tablet to Liang Jieran: “Find whatever you want to play.”
Liang Jieran secretly glanced at him, then found some small games to play.
Another knock sounded at the door. Xu Si said: “Come in.”
Shen Yuchun stood at the door holding something: “Xiao Si, this is Mom’s gift for you, happy birthday.”
Xu Si looked at the luxury brand shopping bag in her hand: “Put it there.”
Shen Yuchun moved her lips, wanting to say something more, but Xu Si had already stood up to take the thing from her hands and said coldly: “Please leave.”
He closed the door and stuffed the gift directly into the cabinet, without any intention of opening it to look.
Liang Jieran played games for a while: “Big brother, I don’t know how to play this part.”
Xu Si glanced over and demonstrated for him: “Understand now?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Xu Si watched him play games, then looked away. He opened the cake Liang Jieran bought: “I don’t like sweet things, you eat it.”
Liang Jieran scooped up a spoonful and held it to Xu Si’s mouth: “Big brother, I haven’t eaten yet, it’s a clean spoon. Please have a bite.”
Xu Si met his expectant gaze and ate that bite of cake. Liang Jieran’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled, then went to eat the rest of the cake.
…
Jiang Rang lay in bed, tossing and turning unable to sleep, her mind full of the scene from the private room today. She took out her phone and saw Xu Si’s reply saying he wished her happiness too. Jiang Rang looked at it for a while, then stuffed the phone back under her pillow.
She thought back to when she first met the young man. The way he lowered his head and asked if she was scared. The way he smiled and called her a little prude. The way he told her not to be afraid. The way he pulled her behind him and said “who the hell are you talking to.” The way he turned back to smile at her while riding his motorcycle.
Everyone said Xu Si from Sixth High was fierce, but only Jiang Rang knew that deep down he was a very gentle, warm, and kind person. And very smart too.
She hadn’t even realized it herself, but when Luo Xing asked her what kind of person she liked, she subconsciously described everything about Xu Si in her mind.
His goodness and kindness weren’t selective – he would stand up for people being bullied, would choose to bear a bad reputation himself to protect a girl’s name, and didn’t care what others said about him.
At sixteen or seventeen, he was free-spirited and bold. He was the young man she liked.
Beauty has no definition, and sixteen or seventeen is the most beautiful age. She hoped he would forever remain free-spirited and bold, forever living uninhibited.
He shouldn’t fall into darkness. He didn’t belong in darkness.
…
Xu Si lay in bed, thinking of how Jiang Rang looked today, just like a startled little white rabbit. At the bottom of her building after sending her back, he had almost impulsively hugged her. Even if she just patted his head, that would have been enough.
He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
She wished him eternal happiness. He wished even more for her eternal happiness.
…
Hao Ming couldn’t fall asleep, as Yang Shikun kept burrowing into his arms. At first it was just putting his leg on top of him, then using both arms and legs, his whole body clinging to him like an octopus.
His legs were restless too. Hao Ming looked at his face pressed close, staring at him for a while in the darkness.
He felt the change and tried to push Yang Shikun away, but he was holding on too tight. Yang Shikun comfortably wrapped his legs around his waist as he slept, making a contented humming sound.
Hao Ming felt the body pressed against him, pushed at Yang Shikun’s waist, felt the soft waist under his hand, his breathing growing heavier. He pushed Yang Shikun away and got out of bed.
Really didn’t know how he could eat so much yet not gain any weight. His waist was as slim as a girl’s.
Just as he got out of bed, he felt someone grab his clothes. He turned back to look at Yang Shikun and asked: “What?”
Yang Shikun hadn’t woken up, just held onto his clothes without letting go. Hao Ming pried his hand off and went into the bathroom.
He took a cold shower, looking at how things showed no sign of calming down. He let out a light sigh.
…
Morning.
Yang Shikun woke up to find Hao Ming already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed staring at him.
“What’s wrong?” Yang Shikun asked him.
“Nothing, get up and eat.”
While drinking porridge, Yang Shikun asked him: “Did you take another shower last night?”
Hearing this, Hao Ming’s chopsticks paused as he was picking up a xiaolongbao. He looked up waiting for what else he would say.
Yang Shikun had some doubts: “Don’t tell me I threw up on you last night while I was sleeping?”
Hao Ming stared at him without speaking.
“I really threw up on you?” Yang Shikun hugged his neck: “I’m so sorry, I was too drunk last night.”
Hao Ming pushed his arm away: “Just eat and shut up.”
Seeing Yang Shikun about to speak again, Hao Ming looked at him: “Do you want to admire what you were like when drunk yesterday?”
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