"Happy birthday!"
Today was the fifth birthday Feng Chuxun had been eagerly awaiting. At noon, as etiquette required, they hosted relatives, friends, and prominent family business partners from the Northern Continent. Crystal chandeliers scattered dazzling light over the venue, and Feng Chuxun, dressed in a custom-made little suit, received enough birthday presents to build a wall.
He did not open a single one, distractedly glancing toward the entrance again and again. As soon as the banquet ended, he urged Feng Wanting to go home, saying they needed to decorate properly before inviting Mom over.
Feng Wanting hired a few people to follow Feng Chuxun's instructions, turning the villa's large living room and the bedroom they would sleep in that night into a riot of decorations, with balloons and dolls everywhere.
After an entire afternoon of fussing, even the stair railings were wrapped in star-shaped string lights. Feng Chuxun finally agreed to rest for a while, sitting amid a heap of colorful balloons as he nervously called Pei Yang.
Like a thief, Feng Wanting casually crept up behind Feng Chuxun, holding his breath and pricking up his ears.
The call connected, and Feng Chuxun immediately cried happily, "Pei Yang!"
"Xile, happy birthday." Pei Yang's gentle voice came through the receiver. "I was just about to call you."
"Thank you, Pei Yang. Are you free tonight, then?" Feng Chuxun grabbed a balloon, making the plastic squeak.
"Of course. It's your birthday. Even if I weren't free, I'd make time."
Feng Chuxun flushed with excitement, waving his arms and rolling around in the pile of balloons. "Yay! Be careful on your way here, Mom. Dad and I are both really looking forward to seeing you!"
Feng Wanting abruptly interjected, "You're looking forward to it. I'm... not that bothered."
"What...? If you're not that