Making the Best of a Mistake

"Beautiful wishes are contained in the warm candlelight."

"The moon and stars weave your crown of longevity."

May the fragrance of flowers and the sweetness of honey accompany you year after year.

Happy birthday! No matter where your heart is, my blessings will always be with you.

An exaggerated, bel canto-style singing performance of a birthday song widely popular in the Magic Kingdom echoed through the cottage, reaching everyone's ears along with the burning candles.

The entire Fangting City Squad, regardless of what they were doing before, all put down what they were doing and looked at the "37" that was burning brightly on top of the cake.

No one spoke, because Lin Xiaolu, Xia Liang, Bai Jingxuan, and Larkspur herself were all processing the true meaning of this scene. As for Larkspur, she had even more to think about than her juniors.

Undoubtedly, the immediate challenge she faces now is how to explain the candle's reaction.

Should one feign ignorance and claim the candle itself is faulty; or immediately point out that the candle was just testing magical activity, proving it wasn't "Astrology" at all; or forcefully claim it was their doing, lighting the candle with Spell Formula since it wasn't used?

None of the three options seem very reliable. First, the first option is undoubtedly distorting the facts by using one's own credibility: although the candle is undoubtedly a cheap, low-quality item, it does work properly. If a younger person uses this candle for their birthday in the future, one's lie will be exposed, leading to even more suspicion.

The second option, setting aside the fact that she is now the Larkspur and shouldn't know the candle's function that her daughter and others revealed to Lin Yun, even if she bypassed this issue and pointed out the candle's true function, how would she explain her increased magical activity due to nervousness?

As for the third option, it is logically untenable. Moreover, he only happened to be passing by when the candle was lit, without any prior action of using any Spell Formula. Using such a reason to fool his daughter is tantamount to treating her like a fool.

Behind every plan lies a greater contradiction: if she stubbornly denies that today is her birthday, what should she say if she's asked about her real birthday? If she makes up a date, will she have to resort to more lies to cover up that false birthday later?

Larkspur was momentarily undecided.

Her silence didn't mean the younger generation would remain silent. As Lin Xiaolu gradually realized what the scene before her meant, she first slowly opened her mouth wide, then exclaimed in utter astonishment:

"Is today your birthday too, Larkspur?"

This one sentence immediately put the previously stagnant air back into motion.

Equally surprised, Bai Jingxuan first glanced at the candle, then shook Larkspur's arm, which was entwined with hers, clearly wanting an explanation. Xia Liang, who already knew part of the truth, feigned surprise and echoed Lin Xiaolu, "What a coincidence!"

"No, Larkspur, why didn't you say so sooner?"

Lin Xiaolu, who was standing to the side, exclaimed, "We had no idea it was your birthday today!"

"No, how should I put it, today isn't actually my birthday..." Before she knew it, she had been told that today was her birthday. The rapid pace of events left Larkspur feeling a little overwhelmed. She tried to put aside the preconceived notions in her mind and retract the conclusion that "today is my birthday." However, at that moment, she suddenly realized how powerless language could be in such a situation.

"What a coincidence! It's the same day as my dad's?"

Lin Xiaolu was so captivated by the shocking fact that she completely missed Larkspur's attempt to retort, "I've never met anyone I know who shares a birthday before!"

"Why didn't you tell us, teacher?"

Bai Jingxuan also spoke up with a hint of dissatisfaction, "If there weren't candles, would we not have known it was your birthday today?"

"I already said it, it's not that I didn't want to say it, it's just that today isn't my day..." Larkspur sighed, trying to remain calm and explain everything in a composed manner. However, she found that her voice was completely drowned out by the birthday song playing from the candles.

She really wanted to raise her voice, but raising her voice at this moment might make her seem guilty, so she was at a loss for words.

"Alright, here's a job, team members!"

Lin Xiaolu, completely ignoring everything, jumped up from her chair, rubbing her hands together excitedly. "Luckily, there's still half a cake left. Time to get started on the second half of the birthday party!"

As she said this, she walked over to Larkspur and nudged Larkspur shoulder, saying, "The birthday girl should sit over there. Now that we know it's your birthday, we definitely have to celebrate it properly."

Does nobody really wonder why "Larkspur" and "Lin Yun" share the same birthday?

The Larkspur was speechless.

Once again, Cui Que felt the difference in thinking between herself and young people. When she realized that Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan didn't seem to suspect anything at all, Larkspur felt that she was ridiculous for even weighing the pros and cons just now.

So, should she just go along with it and admit that today is her birthday?

It must be said that this would be a choice that greatly reduces her stress.

If she insists on denying that today is her birthday and insists on making up a false date to cover it up, then as more and more lies are added to cover it up, even more lies will be needed to compensate for the false date. And falsehoods never become truth simply by accumulating quantity; too many lies only increase the risk of being exposed.

After much thought, Larkspur realized that since the accident had already happened, but Lin Xiaolu hadn't questioned anything, admitting it might be much less risky than stubbornly denying it.

This comparison of risks ultimately led her to accept the cake that Lin Xiaolu offered.

"I'm sorry, because I haven't celebrated my birthday in many years. To be honest, sometimes I even forget that I have a birthday."

Holding the cake plate, she said something that was half true and half just an excuse, "So I originally felt that I didn't need to celebrate this birthday..."

"I'm already making a cake for my dad!"

Lin Xiaolu widened her eyes, and said to Larkspur with a rare hint of reproach, "Even now, Larkspur, you still won't tell us. Are you deliberately trying to make us miss your birthday?"

"After all, it was a cake you made for your dad."

Larkspur sighed, "If I were to go up and say it's my birthday today, it would only add to your burdens."

"But if the teacher hadn't mentioned it, and if it weren't for Dad... Uncle's birthday, we would have really missed it."

Bai Jingxuan still held onto Larkspur's other arm. "Birthdays are very important; it would be a shame not to celebrate."

"That's right, Larkspur, you're too indifferent to your own affairs!"

Lin Xiaolu nodded. "This kind of thing absolutely needs to be said, otherwise it will be a huge regret for everyone!"

The Larkspur had no idea what it regretted.

But she knew she shouldn't bring up such a question right now, so in the end, she could only sigh in resignation.

"Okay, I understand. Next time something similar happens, I'll let you know in advance."

After saying that, she sat down at the table, picked up her fork, looked at the cake, and felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Celebrating one's birthday twice on the same day with the same group of people, but under different identities, is a strange experience that is probably extremely rare.

Amidst the younger generation's repeated "Happy Birthday" wishes, it all seemed like a continuation of the video call in the pub. At this moment, Larkspur stepped into the frame in place of Lin Yun, sat in front of the cake, and put a bite of cake into her mouth.

Thus, February 14th, a day that was very special to Larkspur in the past and remains so today, has finally come to a complete end.

"The cake is very sweet."