Ying Chen let out a playful hum, kneeling on one knee in front of Qiao Chuchu’s sofa, softening his tone as he pleaded, "Teacher Chuchu, teach , please. I don’t know how to bake a cake. Do you know how?"
Qiao Chuchu blinked in surprise and nodded. "I do."
Ying Chen’s erald-green eyes locked onto her, like a sleek black panther slowly rising from below.
He shifted from his low position, gradually towering over her, pinning her against the backrest of the sofa.
Trapped within the circle of his arms, Qiao Chuchu stared blankly at Ying Chen’s increasingly intense gaze.
He looked as if he wanted to devour her whole, his voice deliberately slow. "Then teach , won’t you? Weisheng Lin and Weisheng Biehe aren’t taking my lessons seriously."
Weisheng Lin raised an eyebrow and sidled up to her. "Yeah, be our strict cooking teacher."
He licked his lips in anticipation, leaning close to her ear. "If I don’t do well, you can punish —make face the wall, tie up, scold , discipline . With your guidance, I’m sure I’ll improve quickly."
Ying Chen shot him a disgusted look. "Why do you have to make everything sound so perverted? We’re here to learn, not to indulge."
He turned back to Qiao Chuchu with utmost seriousness. "Cooking teacher, I want to improve, so please punish as much as necessary."
Qiao Chuchu’s face darkened as her gaze shifted to the space between the two n, where Weisheng Biehe stood.
Weisheng Biehe’s temple throbbed visibly as he slipped a string of prayer beads onto his wrist, his expression stormy. "You two…"
Unaware, Weisheng Lin and Ying Chen clung to Qiao Chuchu’s arms, whining in unison. "Cooking teacher~ Teach us how to bake a cake~ We want to improve~"
Weisheng Biehe punched each of them hard. "Get your asses to the kitchen!!"
The two collapsed onto the sofa.
Weisheng Biehe gritted his teeth in frustration before turning to Qiao Chuchu with determination. "I’ll make the most delicious food for you."
He leaned down, trapping her against the sofa, his beautiful eyes filled with resolve. "I don’t need your help. Just wait and enjoy. There’s nothing Weisheng Biehe can’t do if he sets his mind to it!"
With that, he dragged Weisheng Lin and Ying Chen away by force.
Qiao Chuchu remained utterly bewildered.
What was she supposed to enjoy?
What exactly was she enjoying?!
Ti skipped to evening.
Qiao Chuchu was suddenly whisked away by a makeup artist, dressed in a soft yellow princess gown, standing at the entrance of the manor, ready for a party.
Weisheng Yucan, clad in a sleek black high-slit dress, her curls dancing in the wind, bead at her with a radiant smile. "Chuchu, co here!"
Lifting the hem of her yellow dress, Qiao Chuchu happily ran over. "Yucan!"
Yucan pulled her into a hug, admiring her from head to toe. "Our Chuchu is so beautiful! Co on, let’s get in the car."
Qiao Chuchu couldn’t contain her excitent. "Where are we going? What’s the occasion today?"
Weisheng Yucan tilted her chin up, deliberately teasing. "You’ll find out when we get there."
The car headed toward Lan City’s finest thed theater.
Qiao Chuchu eagerly peered out the window as they approached, spotting the theater illuminated in dazzling lights, with sothing flickering in bold letters.
The car stopped at the entrance.
She quickly stepped out and looked up at the marquee.
It read: "Happy 24th Birthday, Qiao Chuchu!!"
Her hands flew to her mouth in shock as she turned to Yucan. "It’s my birthday?!"
Yucan grinned. "Yes! Your actual birthday. Don’t tell you forgot?"
Qiao Chuchu checked her phone. "Oh my god, I really did forget. It really is my birthday today."
[I completely blanked on it!]
Yucan chuckled and gestured ahead. "Look, what’s that?"
Following her finger, Qiao Chuchu gasped in delight.
A sparkling, real-life replica of Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage—complete with two white horses!
Weisheng Yucan opened the carriage door with a flourish. "I had this custom-made last year. Hop in, Princess."
Qiao Chuchu’s eyes welled up as she stepped inside. "Yucan, aren’t you coming?"
Yucan shook her head with a smile. "I’ll et you up ahead."
The carriage rolled forward as enchanting music filled the courtyard.
She leaned out the window, marveling at the sight.
The castle-thed theater had been transford into a dreamlike wonderland, with golden light strips paving a glittering path.
Elegantly dressed dancers stood in formation, moving gracefully to the lody.
The entire theater had only one guest—her!
Bathed in golden light, she gaped at the dancers and decorations, utterly speechless.
The carriage halted at the theater entrance.
She stepped out, smoothing her gown.
A waiter smiled warmly and opened the door. "Happy Birthday, Miss Qiao."
Blinking against the dazzling lights, she stepped inside to find Shen Zhuoyan standing on a central platform.
Dressed in a magician’s flamboyant hat, he announced, "Next, I shall perform a magic trick for Chuchu!"
He removed his hat. "As you can see, it’s empty, right?"
Qiao Chuchu played along enthusiastically. "Right!"
Shen Zhuoyan’s nerves eased at her response, and he slipped into character, delivering his lines with exaggerated seriousness.
"Give three seconds, and I’ll show you what a real surprise is."
He placed the hat on a table, waved a silk scarf over it, and—
With a dramatic flick—
Several doves burst from the hat, fluttering toward Qiao Chuchu!
She gasped. "Wow! Shen Zhuoyan, you learned magic?!"
His eyes sparkled as he pulled one last dove from his sleeve—transforming it into a pink lily of the valley!
Her jaw dropped.
Sure, she’d seen magic shows before, and tricks like this weren’t rare. But when it ca from soone she loved, it felt entirely different!
[He learned all this just for my birthday?!]
Relieved by her reaction, Shen Zhuoyan finally allowed himself to smile. "I’m glad you like it. I—"
"Don’t celebrate too soon!" Pei Buxian strode out, brandishing a flaming torch!
Qiao Chuchu paled—until Pei Buxian transford the fire into a bouquet of flowers!
She clapped in amazent. "No way, that’s incredible!"
Pei Buxian smirked, shooting Shen Zhuoyan a smug look. "Mine’s way more impressive than his."
Shen Zhuoyan scoffed. "Hmph."
Qiao Chuchu giggled, but then sniffed the air. "Wait… do I sll sothing burning?"
Pei Buxian’s face fell as he whirled around. "Oh no, I forgot to put out the fire again!"
Without hesitation, Shen Zhuoyan grabbed a fire extinguisher and doused the flas, coolly reassuring Qiao Chuchu. "No worries. I ca prepared. He always forgets."
Pei Buxian fud. "Why’d you have to expose ?!"
Ignoring him, Shen Zhuoyan turned to Qiao Chuchu, practically preening for praise.
She exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness for Shen Zhuoyan. We almost had a disaster."
Shen Zhuoyan shot Pei Buxian a triumphant glance.
Pei Buxian: "…"
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