Chapter Nineteen: Birthday

The system speculated: “He must have gone to buy you a gift.”
...“He always prepares his gifts in advance,” the girl retorted. “Besides, how could he possibly be indifferent to me?”
The system was speechless. Jiujiu was becoming increasingly narcissistic.

As Mu Zichen was about to enter the living room, the girl quickly started down the stairs, pretending she had just woken up. Her fair and delicate feet were encased in high heels; with each step, her heels tensed, forming a perfect arch. Her toenails, painted a pale pink, curled ever so slightly as they peeked out, making her feet appear even daintier. A sparkling anklet glinted around her ankle, chiming crisply with her every movement, as if striking directly at the heart.

Mu Zichen walked into the living room and was greeted by this scene. His hurried steps slowed unconsciously at the sight of the girl. She kept her head lowered, watching the stairs, but at the sound of footsteps in the living room, she looked up in confusion.

Her lips parted softly. “Zichen, brother?”

When he met her bright, dewy eyes, Mu Zichen’s smile became more genuine, his expression tender as he stepped forward, took her hand, and asked, “Awake? Did you sleep well?”

“I slept wonderfully!” The girl beamed with happiness, joy sparkling in her eyes, nearly overflowing.

Mu Zichen chuckled softly, a subtle, unreadable smile flashing by. With a protective arm around her, he led her to the dining room and said, “Let’s have breakfast first.”

“Hm? Aren’t we waiting for Uncle and Aunt?” The girl glanced around, searching for the Mu couple.

Where had they gone?

In years past, on her birthday, they would always be waiting in the living room to greet her, say their blessings, and give her gifts. But today, she hadn’t seen them at all.

Mu Zichen’s gaze shifted casually. “They just got back from traveling. An old friend missed them, so they went to visit.”

Hearing this, the girl’s head drooped; her lashes, as soft as feathers, lowered to cast a shadow across her face. Her teeth gently bit her pink lips as she murmured, a hint of disappointment in her voice, “I see...”

Mu Zichen kissed her silky hair in a gesture of comfort, sighing helplessly, his heart aching a little.

His parents had said today was the little girl’s eighteenth birthday, and they wanted to make it different from before, secretly preparing a surprise and asking him to keep it secret.

He had agreed at first, but now, seeing her looking so pitiful and downcast, he was tempted to tell her everything. Truly, whenever it came to her, all his calm composure vanished; her happiness was his happiness, her sorrow his greater sorrow. He knew she was his fate, and yet he willingly surrendered to it.

“It’s all right, Zichen, brother. Let’s go have breakfast,” the girl suddenly lifted her head with a wide, bright smile, feigning nonchalance to hide her sadness.

But Mu Zichen could hear, beneath her calm tone, the faintest tremble of impending tears. He lowered his gaze to her face, where a forced smile lingered. Her clear eyes were clouded with an unspoken mist, a few drops gathering at the corners, threatening to fall at any moment, stirring his heart with pain.

He turned away awkwardly, unable to bear the sight, his fists clenched as he tried to mask the unrest within with the best of his acting.

Exhaling softly, he gently but firmly drew her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed the tears from the corners of her eyes with deep affection. He was about to speak when a tentative, tearful voice reached him.

“Zichen, brother, will you also—”

“I won’t,” he interrupted her hastily, a note of panic in his voice.

In truth, he’d agreed with his parents to find an excuse to leave as well, but in the end, he couldn’t bear to let her be sad. Stroking her slender back, he promised softly, “I’ll always be here with you.”

Not just today, but always!

“Really?” The girl looked up in delight, her face radiant, dispelling the gloom that clung to him.

Seeing how just a few words from him could make her so happy, Mu Zichen felt an uncontrollable joy inside. His little girl was never lovelier than at this moment; there was no place for sorrow or grievance on her face.

Gentle as jade, he wrapped his arms around her slim waist, while she nestled close, her fair face pressed to his chest, listening to his heartbeat with a faint smile, the mood just right.

A rumbling sound suddenly interrupted their embrace.

“Zichen... brother...” the girl said, embarrassed, bowing her head as if she could disappear into the floor.

Mu Zichen lowered his head and laughed softly. Without a word, he took her hand and led her to the table, pulling out a chair for her in a gentlemanly fashion.

The long dining table was already set with a fragrant array of breakfast dishes; each one was something the girl loved.

She noticed this, and smiled quietly to herself. No one had forgotten her birthday, after all. The Mu couple might be away, but clearly there was a big surprise in store. Since they wanted to keep it secret, she decided to play along—and enjoy a little more of Mu Zichen’s tender concern.

“How sumptuous!” she exclaimed between bites, her starry eyes blinking at him.

“Yes. And it’s all for you. Take your time,” he replied, his face full of warmth.

“Zichen, brother, aren’t you eating with me?”

“I’ve already eaten. Go ahead, I’ll sit with you.”

“All right.”

And so, the scene at the table was: the girl delicately holding her knife and fork, taking small bites of her food, occasionally flashing the man across from her a smile as he served her more. One eating, one watching, one head down in contentment, one gazing at her with tenderness...

“Mmm, I can’t eat anymore, Zichen, brother,” she murmured after swallowing her last bite of poached egg.

“Are you full?”

“I’m really full,” she nodded emphatically, and to convince him, she patted her rounded stomach and even stuck it out for him to see.

Mu Zichen’s gaze dropped slowly. His hand, gleaming pale, came into view against the soft pink of her skin—a sharp contrast, white and dazzling against vivid pink, the combination strangely alluring.

“Zichen, brother?” Noticing his gaze lingering on her stomach, the girl waved her hand before his eyes.

Mu Zichen withdrew his gaze with casual grace. “You’re too thin,” he said firmly, cutting off her hopes of not eating more.

“But I’m really full, Zichen, brother, I can’t eat another bite,” she protested anxiously, seeking some way to prove herself, and could only grab his sleeve and tug at it.

“Zichen, brother~” she called softly, her voice sweetly plaintive.

Seeing her like this, Mu Zichen felt entirely at ease. He knew she was truly full, but he just wanted to see her act spoiled and sweet with him.