He could even still rember Lin Xiaolu lying in the crib, or in her swaddling clothes, being held in his arms. That small child had unknowingly grown up, beco sensible, and even was able to give gifts on his birthday.
Lin Yun was very aware that he hadn't been the best father. His own father had been sowhat unserious, a bit idle, and passed away prematurely. So when Lin Yun beca a father himself, he felt it necessary to be strict with his child, even if it ant sacrificing so parent-child harmony, all to be responsible for the child's future.
At that ti, he didn't want his child to get involved with the magical side of things, and he especially didn't want her to beco a Magical Girl, facing those dangerous matters. So even when An Ya said soft words like, "Being a Magical Girl isn't bad, I'll protect Lulu," Lin Yun insisted on raising Lin Xiaolu to be a standard white-collar worker.
As a result, whenever Lin Yun and Lin Xiaolu were together back then, the topics would always be about studying, the school performance, and tutoring classes. Over ti, even Lin Yun didn't know what else to discuss with his daughter, apart from, "Have you finished your howork?" and "Why didn't you do well on the test?"
Eventually, Lin Xiaolu, who used to cling to him and enjoyed acting spoiled, gradually distanced herself from her father.
Undoubtedly, all of this was Lin Yun's fault.
He had, at one point, imposed his own avoidance of the past, his alienation from the identity of a Magical Girl and everything related to it, onto his child. Even for his daughter's safety, even if he didn't want her to get involved with magical matters, he shouldn't have used such a tough attitude that hurt his daughter's feelings.
He didn't even notice that if it weren't for An Ya always acting as the glue in the family, his relationship with Lin Xiaolu would have grown cold even faster.
It wasn't until An Ya passed away that the father-daughter relationship hit rock bottom.
At that mont, when he realized that the only family he had left was Lin Xiaolu, and began to reexamine his relationship with his daughter, he found that regret ca too late.
No matter how much he regretted, no matter how guilty he felt, the hurt he'd caused his daughter wouldn't simply vanish; the bonds of family were near breaking. Whatever he did to make ands and try to please her was already futile.
He had almost resigned himself to the thought that Lin Xiaolu would never be willing to get along with him again.
So, compared to that darkest hour, today's cake and the candle's light on it seed so dreamy and dazzling.
"Thank you, Lulu."
Lin Yun pursed his lips and forced a sowhat awkward smile: "Dad… I'm sorry for before."
This had nothing to do with the identity of a Magical Girl; this was simply what he wanted to say to his daughter as a father.
"Um… huh? Why the sudden apology?"
Lin Xiaolu was a bit confused, scratching her head, and then seed to realize sothing, pouting slightly: "Oh, you're talking about the past? Well, the past is the past. To be honest, I also have my faults."
Just like Lin Yun, at this mont, Lin Xiaolu was simply talking to her father as a daughter.
"I've told you before, once I actually beca a Magical Girl, I realized that so of the things you said and did weren't entirely without reason."
She gradually lowered her hand from her head, her fingers fiddling with the ends of her hair: "If it weren't for my good luck eting the Erald Sparrow, I might have already encountered sothing very dangerous, maybe even died. So, I kind of understand why you didn't want to talk about the Magical Girl stuff with . Your concerns weren't unfounded."
The words were laid bare, and the two of them fell silent for a mont.
Although the relationship had sowhat eased, Lin Yun and Lin Xiaolu still couldn't be called close, and after the candid words, continuing the conversation would require sincerity, warmth, perhaps even words that might feel cheesy. It was clear Lin Xiaolu couldn't say them just yet.
Fortunately, the awkward silence didn't last long, as Lin Xiaolu quickly changed the subject:
"Ah, by the way, this candle isn't just any ordinary candle."
Instead of looking at the cara, she awkwardly pointed to the cake beside her: "When we were buying it, the store clerk specially recomnded it, saying it's a magic tool, sothing about… the Heart-cutting Technique?"
[It's Astrology.] Xia Liang's voice ca from off-screen again.
"Oh, Astrology, plus a bunch of other techniques. Anyway, it's high-tech. It supposedly has a miraculous function."
Lin Xiaolu followed Xia Liang's cue and continued: "They said that the candle doesn't need lighting. As long as the birthday person gets close, it'll light up on its own and start playing the birthday song."
She moved the phone closer to the cake: "Let try it out right now."
On the screen in front of Lin Yun, the cake was the only thing visible.
A waiter approached just at that mont, placing a glass of wine in front of Lin Yun, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Silver Moon Spring Butterfly," then walked away slowly.
Lin Yun picked up the wine and took a sip. The mild alcohol aroma mixed with the refreshing lemongrass scent filled his nostrils, the slightly bitter finish lingered in his throat, feeling invigorating.
While he was drinking, Lin Xiaolu pulled the phone's cara away from the cake, puzzled: "The candle's not reacting? Did I get tricked?"
[I think it probably doesn't work over the phone…] Now it was Bai Jingxuan's turn to speak from off-screen.
"Not working over the phone? Isn't that Astrology a bit useless?"
Lin Xiaolu didn't give up: "Uh… Dad? Why don't you say a few words to it over the phone?"
"Hehe, never mind."
Lin Yun didn't plan on doing anything silly like talking to a cake candle, so he just chuckled a little: "No need, Dad understands your intentions."
"But it's not lighting up, what do we do?"
Lin Xiaolu was still not satisfied: "For a birthday, the cake candle definitely has to be lit."
[Since you plan to mail it back anyway, why not just leave it on top? When you mail it back, it'll light up.] Xia Liang suggested from the side.
"Oh, that sounds right."
Lin Xiaolu clapped her arm: "Then, Dad, I'll send it back to Fangting City in a few days, make sure to receive it."
"Forget it, no need."
Lin Yun chuckled wryly: "It's too much trouble, you should just eat it now."
"How can that be?"
Lin Xiaolu raised an eyebrow: "It's a birthday cake specially made for you. If you don't eat it, what kind of birthday is it? I thought it over a lot. Instead of ordering a cake from Fangting City and having it delivered today, making it myself is more aningful!"
"Really, no need. I'm at an age where I'm not craving cake that much, and such a big piece, I can't finish it alone. Knowing you made a cake for and calling to celebrate my birthday makes happy enough already."
Lin Yun smiled at the screen: "Now, instead of you mailing it back, I'd rather watch you all eat it. Seeing you all have cake would make happier."
"… What do you think?"
Undoubtedly, Lin Yun's final words sowhat convinced Lin Xiaolu, so she began to look around, seeking help from her two teammates.
[I think we can save a piece for Dad… Uncle and send it separately.] Bai Jingxuan suggested.
[I think that works, just rember to save a piece for little senior, then everyone can have so.] Xia Liang suggested.
"You don't have to say it. If we're dividing the cake, I'd definitely save a piece for the Erald Sparrow."
Lin Xiaolu rolled her eyes at Xia Liang and then brought the phone back to her face, speaking into the cara: "So, Dad, should we just eat it?"
"Mm, divide it up."
Lin Yun took a sip from his wine glass and made a toasting gesture to the screen: "Thank you all."
The three juniors exchanged glances and then all said in unison to the screen:
—"Happy Birthday!"
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