Only with you

Su Huilan had no friends or relatives over for her birthday, and no lavish feast, but she had cake, food and drinks, and her son to keep her company.

The cake was only the size of a grown man's palm, just enough for the two of them to finish.

The curtains were drawn and the lights were off. Only the candles on the cake lit the dark room.

Yan Wen put a birthday hat on Su Huilan. "Mom, happy birthday. Make a wish."

Su Huilan nodded, closed her eyes, and held her hands in front of her as she silently made a wish only she knew. Then she opened her eyes, leaned toward the cake, and blew out all the candles.

Yan Wen turned on the lights and said with a smile, "Mom, your wish will definitely come true."

Su Huilan's eyes curved with her smile. "I hope so."

Yan Wen took out the plates. "Let's cut the cake!"

The streetlights cast a dull yellow glow over the ground. Shadows of trees swayed gently in the breeze, cars came and went along the road, and pedestrians hurried past.

Su Huilan had wanted to help Yan Wen clean up, but he insisted that she go back to her room and rest. She was the birthday girl today. How could he let her do any work?

Seeing how adamant her son was, Su Huilan listened to him and returned to her room to rest.

She opened her phone and saw a message from Xie Yunshu. [Huilan, did Xiao Wen's inner thoughts reveal anything?]

Su Huilan replied, [Yes. Lin went missing in Zhuli. We'll receive news on the 17th of next month.]

[If we'll get news on the 17th, I'll have Xingfeng send people over a few days ahead of time to search.