Mu Qiu wanted to say "Happy Birthday," but now it’s stuck in her throat, unable to come out. She can only watch his peaceful sleeping face.
Then, his hand patted her back repeatedly, making her drowsy. Not long after, she fell asleep.
The next day, Mu Qiu woke up at 7:30. When she got up, she pushed Cheng Zhirang, who was preparing to wake up, back onto the bed.
And warned him, "Wait until I call you to get up. For now, sleep a little longer."
Cheng Zhirang always listened to her. After being pushed back onto the bed, he didn’t struggle, and watched as she put on a black dress.
The dress was casual, but too fitting, with white stripes on both sides. Now, the white stripes were slightly stretched at the chest, clinging tightly at the waist, and slightly stretched again at the hips.
Perfectly measuring the curves of her figure.
She was humming a song while tying her hair, and before he could see clearly, her hair was twisted into a wobbly bun in no time.
"Don’t get up, okay?"
She said it again.
Cheng Zhirang nodded while lying in bed: "Okay. Are you going to surprise me?"
"This is just one of the small surprises."
The sound of slippers tapping on the steps echoed as the room’s mistress left. The master propped himself up and sat up, his face beaming with interest.
Mu Qiu planned to make Cheng Zhirang a bowl of longevity noodles, paired with two fried eggs.
This was her favorite dish when she lived alone before. Because it was simple, convenient, and delicious.
She drained the noodles, rinsed them with cold water, and put them into a bowl with prepared condiments. As the aroma of the sizzling fried eggs wafted from the frying pan, she shouted up the stairs with full voice:
"You can get up now!!!"
It was as if this shout started the birthday morning.
Outside the window, bird calls transformed from noisy to melodious, the scorching sun turned into a symbol of good weather, and the dust dancing in the sunlight was jubilant.
He got dressed and went downstairs, a fragrant aroma filled the living room. Mu Qiu was holding a special bowl, placing it in front of him.
"Good morning, I made the bowl myself, the noodles with my exclusive method, and even paired them with double portions of reunion love heart~"
He picked up the bowl and took a look, the words "Cheng Zhirang’s exclusive" were slightly crooked, but looking at it made his mouth edge upward, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing.
"Thank you, I really like it."
"Hold on," she raised her phone, aiming it at the bowl and him, and took a picture, "Although I can’t publicly wish you birthday blessings exactly, your every morning has my blessings."
Cheng Zhirang laughed softly and first took a bite of the fried egg.
She sat opposite him, holding her phone, posting this picture on Weibo.
[Mu Qiu V: Happy birthday Brother Cheng~]
Many acquaintances came to comment below.
[Guan Yu V: Can we not be so over-the-top early in the morning? Consider our eternally single Brother Huai’s feelings, okay?]
[Li Yang V: Happy birthday Brother Cheng! Those noodles look pretty good, Mu Qiu you honestly say didn’t Brother Cheng make them himself.]
[Mu Qiu V replied to Li Yang V: I’m telling lies with my eyes wide open, of course, these immortal noodles were made by me!]
[Shu Ran V: It’s even an exclusive bowl, tsk tsk tsk]
[Shi Yuhuai V replied to Guan Yu V: Pay back the money, pay back the ice cream.]
[Li Yang V replied to Shi Yuhuai V: Brother Huai, why do I feel like what you really want to say is bring your life hahahaha]
[Brother Cheng smiles too gently, his eyes look like they have stars in them]
[Indeed, waiting for Mu Qiu’s Weibo can get you pictures]
[Happy Birthday Brother Cheng! Sister-in-law, you’re amazing, even made an exclusive for Brother Cheng]
[Finally, there’s a year where the birthday morning isn’t spent alone at the hotel eating takeout]
[Eating noodles, handsome brother, want want]
[Reduplicating words, disgusting heart]
[Brother Cheng’s face expresses "This year someone spoils me"]
Mu Qiu didn’t finish browsing, she put down her phone and went to eat noodles with Cheng Zhirang.
"Is it delicious?" she asked.
Cheng Zhirang nodded, swallowed the noodles, and said, "It’s very delicious. Can I have it again tonight when I come back?"
Mu Qiu thought for a moment, "Sure, today the birthday person can have whatever they want."
His eyes flashed, his mouth curled up into another smile: "Really? So after I return from the livestream, can I propose any request?"
"Like what?"
"Like tonight... sitting with me on the balcony at midnight?"
Mu Qiu breathed a sigh of relief... okay, she didn’t know why she was relieved, it felt quite awkward.
She coughed slightly, nodded and said she could.
"Midnight is the perfect time for heart-to-heart talks, maybe I can chat with you about life, from poetry and songs to life goals."
He smiled, "Sounds great."
If you still have energy.
Lunch was at the Cheng Family’s place, Cheng Xun and He Jia were there. But the meal didn’t last long. After eating, Cheng Zhirang had to leave quickly to prepare for the live broadcast.
He Jia seemed used to the inconveniences of his career, waved her hand to let him leave, but kept Mu Qiu behind.
Mu Qiu thought that every time she came here, she always ran into Lin Huanyue, not really wanting to stay, but didn’t know how Cheng Zhirang negotiated with He Jia. Ultimately, she stayed.
Luckily, this time she didn’t run into Lin Huanyue, the loose cannon. Instead, she met another of Cheng Zhirang’s friends.
"I’m Jiang Kai, a friend of Cheng Zhirang."
Jiang Kai looked like a flirtatious person at first glance, though it’s quite impolite to judge solely by appearances. Mu Qiu tried not to notice his flirtatious brows and simply asked, "Ah, is there anything you need?"
When meeting sane people, she was still willing to spend some patience to converse.
Jiang Kai took out a car key and handed it to her.
"For his birthday gift... and to congratulate him on ending his noble bachelor status. Don’t rush to refuse, I’ve talked to him about it, he said you’re here and can help hold onto it."
To prevent her doubt, he showed her a glimpse of their chat interface.
Only then did Mu Qiu accept the keys, thinking for a moment, she thanked him on Cheng Zhirang’s behalf: "Thank you."
Upper-tier people have different levels, giving a car as a birthday gift.
"There’s nothing to thank for," Jiang Kai said while discreetly sizing her up with a permanent smile,
"I already told Cheng Zhirang to bring you out for us to see, but he never had time. When he did, he didn’t think of us, so I’ve never seen you—except on your show."
"Why look at me? Could he possibly choose an odd girlfriend?" she joked casually, "Or curious to see which sparrow dreaming of climbing high temporarily captured Cheng Zhirang this big catch?"
Jiang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"From your tone, you’ve talked to Lin Huanyue and Wei Ling, haven’t you?"
"You also know they speak with that distinctive flavor?"
"Of course, smiling face saying bitter words is an inherent skill for them. Ten of my previous girlfriends have all vanished this way. But it seems like you handle it well."
He eyed her with amusement, "Last time I even saw Lin Huanyue rushing home with a gloomy face. You’re an expert."