"I'm ho."
Lin Yue stepped inside her house, noticing the lights were off and the curtains drawn. Despite it being dusk, the interior was pitch dark.
Raising an eyebrow, Lin Yue found the situation odd. Normally, her ho was bright and welcoming. How had things turned so dark in just a day?
Although puzzled, Lin Yue entered the house. She groped around the wall for the light switch, but instead of finding the familiar button, her hand landed on sothing cold—a hand.
Startled, Lin Yue recoiled.
Before she could react further, the lights flickered on, banishing the darkness.
"Happy Birthday!"
Chen Ruo shouted with excitent, simultaneously popping a party popper. A burst of colorful strears showered Lin Yue’s face.
Before Lin Yue could say anything, a second pop echoed. Turning, she saw Ling Ning holding another party popper. Lin Yue gave her an exasperated look. "What are you doing here?"
"Chen Ruo told it was your birthday, so I ca over right away," Ling Ning replied with a cheerful grin.
After their exuberant welco, Lin Yue walked into the living room. The room was decorated with strears, giving it an almost festive atmosphere—though upon closer inspection, it was clear the decorations had been haphazardly thrown together.
"Co, co! To celebrate your birthday, I made a feast."
Lin Yue’s eyes shifted to the table in the living room, laden with steaming dishes freshly prepared. She finally understood why her mother had kept calling to confirm her arrival ti.
So, that’s what this was all about.
"Th-thank you."
"Hm? What was that, Xiao Yue?"
"Nothing!"
Ling Ning tilted her head but decided not to press further.
Ling Ning’s cooking skills had clearly improved. Lin Yue found herself eating more than usual, thoroughly enjoying the al. She even considered asking Ling Ning for the recipes, but her pride stopped her.
Noticing Lin Yue’s hesitation, Ling Ning leaned closer with a sly smile. "Is there sothing you’d like to ask, Xiao Yue?"
"N-no!"
"Really? I thought you were going to ask about the recipes for these dishes," Ling Ning said, feigning disappointnt.
When Lin Yue remained silent, Ling Ning chuckled softly. "If you ever want to know, just ask anyti. I’ll happily share."
"I-it’s not like I want to know or anything."
After dinner, Ling Ning began clearing the table and washing the dishes. Despite her protests, Lin Yue insisted on helping.
As they worked, Ling Ning asked curiously, "Did you spend today hanging out with friends?"
"Yeah, why? And what’s with that ‘you actually have friends?’ expression?"
"Nothing, just curious."
"Hmph."
Lin Yue turned her head away, feeling that Ling Ning was acting a bit strange.
When the dishes were almost done, Ling Ning shooed Lin Yue out of the kitchen, insisting she could handle the rest.
Returning to the living room, Lin Yue found her mother arranging sothing on the table. A beautifully wrapped box had appeared—likely the cake.
When Lin Yue entered, Chen Ruo smiled warmly. "Once Ling Ning finishes up, we’ll start."
"We just ate dinner. Are you sure about this?"
"It’s fine! Desserts and snacks go into a different stomach," Chen Ruo declared matter-of-factly.
Sighing softly, Lin Yue resigned herself. If her mom was so insistent, she wouldn’t argue.
"This cake was chosen by Ling Ning, and she even helped pick out a gift," Chen Ruo said proudly.
"So you snuck out again, got lost, and called her for help, didn’t you?"
Chen Ruo blinked innocently. "Oh, co on, Xiao Yue. I didn’t get lost. I just asked Ling Ning for her expert opinion."
"Heh."
Lin Yue shot her mom a knowing look. She might believe the sun would rise in the west before believing her mother didn’t get lost.
As the two chatted, Ling Ning erged from the kitchen. Noticing them, she asked, "Are we ready to start?"
"Yes, now that you’re here, let’s begin."
The cake was unboxed, and candles were arranged on it—just a few, not too many. After the lights were turned off, Chen Ruo’s face lit up with anticipation. "Xiao Yue, make a wish!"
"There’s no need. I don’t believe in placing hopes on sothing as intangible as wishes. If you want sothing, you have to work for it yourself," Lin Yue said matter-of-factly before blowing out the candles in one swift breath.
Chen Ruo looked at the extinguished candles with a hint of regret. If it were her birthday, she would have made three wishes, at least. It felt like such a waste.
With the lights back on, Lin Yue cut the cake.
Watching her mother’s eager expression, Ling Ning chuckled. "Chen Ruo, do you really like cake that much?"
"Not really, but it’s been a while since I’ve had any. So I’m a little excited."
"I see."
As they ate, a smudge of white frosting appeared on Lin Yue’s cheek, though she didn’t seem to notice.
Ling Ning noticed imdiately. Leaning closer, she said, "Xiao Yue, hold still!"
"What?"
Lin Yue glanced at her in confusion but stopped eating, waiting to see what Ling Ning would do.
"You’ve got frosting on your face~"
Ling Ning said. She reached out with her finger, swiped the frosting off Lin Yue’s cheek, and popped it into her mouth.
Lin Yue stared at her, wide-eyed, utterly speechless. She hadn’t expected Ling Ning to do sothing like that.
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