"Gu Yu, why didn't you stay home and celebrate your birthday with your parents, or spend it with your other friends?" Zhao Qiu asked curiously.
"I already celebrated with them during the day. Besides, birthdays come around every year, so it's not a particularly big occasion for them."
"But this is my first time celebrating with you, so I was really looking forward to it." Gu Yu looked at him, a playful gleam in her bright eyes.
"I didn't expect you to invite me to celebrate with you, either. It was quite a surprise."
He really had been surprised when he first received Gu Yu's invitation.
"What, did you not want to come?" Gu Yu asked.
"No, that's not it. I was really happy you invited me to spend your birthday with you." Zhao Qiu gave a bashful grin.
Gu Yu rolled her eyes at him. "All right, let's order. See what you'd like to eat."
"It's your birthday. You should be the one ordering."
"What if you don't like the dishes I pick?"
"That won't happen. I'll eat whatever you order," Zhao Qiu said without hesitation.
After all, he had such a hearty appetite that there were very few things he couldn't stomach.
"All right, I'll order, then. It's my birthday, anyway, so you're eating with me."
They both thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
After dinner, Gu Yu took Zhao Qiu along for a walk to enjoy the nighttime scenery.
They strolled down a quiet path together, taking in the early spring night.
"It's been ages since I last had a peaceful walk like this. It feels wonderful," Gu Yu said softly, the nighttime scenery reflected in her eyes.
"It really is nice to take a walk like this once in a while. It helps you unwind."
Gu Yu suddenly