At the airport, Li Si picked up Bai Shasha, who had co from afar. Her mood was excited, but upon seeing her friend’s emaciated cheeks, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.
However, Bai Shasha acted as if nothing was wrong. After making a quick phone call to Mrs. Bai to reassure her, she imdiately began asking endless questions about what the two had done in Bali. The atmosphere along the way was quite cheerful.
Mrs. Su’s birthday party was held at Long Wu’s western-style restaurant.
When the three of them changed course to pick up the preordered gift and entered the venue, the entire hall had only one large table, clearly reserved for the occasion. Seeing Su ng and her mother, Xu Er, and Long Wu already seated there, Li Si quietly whispered to Bai Shasha, "Looks like Brother Wu really went all out this ti!"
"You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing the sheep!" Bai Shasha responded astoundingly. Li Si secretly gave her a thumbs-up.
When Li Si had gotten engaged, Bai Shasha had already learned about Su ng and Long Wu’s connection—clearly, this was a classic case of buttering up the future mother-in-law.
Leng Mochen walked ahead elegantly. Hearing the two chatting away behind him, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Seeing the three arrive, Long Wu, who was already familiar with everyone, greeted them. Although he had only t Bai Shasha once and wasn’t particularly close, no one should forget who Long Wu was. Thanks to the ti he and Xu Er had escorted Bai Shasha and Jiang Fan to the airport, they had forged a deep revolutionary friendship.
"Shasha, welco to Beijing! Leng Er, you’ve finally arrived, so you’ll have to self-punish with three drinks later! Sisi, what do you think—am I right?" There! Long Wu managed to address all three people simultaneously; this was classic Long Wu.
"Wensong! You’ll have to drive later, so don’t overdo it! Sisi, co sit next to Auntie! Shasha, are you staying for good this ti?" Mrs. Su spoke before Li Si and the others could get a word in, her tone decidedly authoritative—not sothing Long Wu dared to defy.
"Auntie, I was just joking! Of course I wouldn’t make him drink for real!" Long Wu exaggeratedly proclaid while pretending to surrender, causing everyone to burst into laughter. The atmosphere instantly grew lively.
"I’m staying! After a few days of rest, I’ll begin my internship. Auntie, happy birthday!" Bai Shasha responded sweetly. Li Si pulled Bai Shasha over to sit beside Mrs. Su.
The table was ford by connecting two square tables together, so everyone sat facing each other. Mrs. Su had Su ng on one side, while Leng Mochen ended up sitting next to Long Wu. Xu Er, who had a great impression of Bai Shasha from their first eting, was seated directly across from her, and the two were soon deep in conversation.
At that mont, the lights dimd, and a waiter rolled out a three-tiered cake. Everyone began singing the birthday song in unison as Mrs. Su closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and made a wish. Then she blew out the candles, and everyone presented their gifts.
Though the presents differed, each represented heartfelt intentions.
After raising their glasses and having a few drinks together, everyone began chatting and exchanging birthday blessings.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, Mrs. Su beca visibly emotional, her eyes moist with gratitude. Her heart was filled with warmth. "Thank you all for rembering to celebrate Auntie’s birthday. You’re all such good kids! Do you want to hear my birthday wish?"
Li Si instinctively glanced at Su ng, noticing her lowered head and strange quietness throughout the evening.
"Of course! Tell us, Auntie, so we younger ones can hear you out!" Long Wu was the first to go along, silently hoping that her wish would sohow involve him.
Mrs. Su scanned the room, seeing everyone eagerly awaiting her next words. "My birthday wish is that by this ti next year, I hope my ng ng will be settled down with soone, in a good relationship. That way, even if I leave this world, I can be at peace!"
"Mom! What are you doing?! Why would you say this in such a good vibe? It’s a birthday—can’t we just celebrate as is? How long are you going to keep pressing on this?" Su ng’s face turned slightly sour. She had already been on edge, fearing her mother would bring this up—and her worst fears were confird.
She and Long Wensong were simply impossible together. How could her mother keep indulging in such unattainable fantasies, always trying to push the two of them together?
Seeing the look of resentnt on her daughter’s face, Mrs. Su felt deeply wronged. No longer holding back, she decided to seize the opportunity with everyone present to resolve this once and for all. The unresolved tension was sothing she could simply no longer tolerate.
"Why shouldn’t I talk about it? Is it the wrong occasion? Or did I say sothing wrong? Isn’t this the most important matter for our family right now? ng ng, with everyone here today, I’ll ask you just one last ti—what exactly do you think?
If you truly don’t have feelings for Wensong, let’s be clear today. From now on, bridge stays bridge, road stays road—let’s avoid dragging this out any further!"
"Auntie! Please don’t press ng ng! I can..."
Long Wu grew anxious. He hadn’t anticipated the evening to take such a turn. His initial intention had simply been for them all to have a joyful celebration for the old lady’s birthday. He admitted he wasn’t without personal motives, but those were based on respecting and not forcing Su ng. How had things escalated to demanding a definitive answer from her on the spot?
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