December 5. Clear skies.
After a hundred alarms had finally managed to wake her, Xie Mi drifted downstairs with huge dark circles under her eyes. The sight of the living room instantly jolted her mostly awake.
"What the heck is all this?!"
The living room, normally spacious enough to race cars around its corners, was now practically overflowing with gift boxes.
And that wasn't all. Old Bai and Diao Mao were still huffing and puffing as they carried more inside.
"Sister Xie, you're awake!"
After bringing in the last one, Diao Mao ran over excitedly to introduce the gifts to Xie Mi.
"These are birthday presents from your friends and all the major brands!"
"This complete set of home appliances is from Director Niu. This giant bronze statue of you is from the assistant director. And these Hermès, Gucci, Chanel, Givenchy, Dior, Balenciaga, Patek Philippe, Burberry, Valentino, and Rolex gifts are from Miss Si Wenhua and her useless fiancé, Qiu Chengye..."
Xie Mi lunged forward excitedly and raised her cupped hands. "Your subject-accepts the imperial decree!!!"
These weren't mere presents. This was Her Majesty bestowing her grace!
After rattling off the entire list of presents in one breath, Diao Mao's throat was practically smoking. He chuckled and spoke in an extraordinarily gravelly, throat-catching bass.
"Sister Xie, happy birthday!"
Old Bai walked over with a smile too. "Happy birthday, miss."
"It's been so long since I last saw you looking this unsophisticated."
"You could've left that last part out, Old Bai."
But that did nothing to dampen Xie Mi's delight. She swam happily through the sea of gifts before finally bouncing onto the soft sofa and sprawling out.
"Heaven."
She opened her phone. Weibo was already filled with birthday wishes.
[Numb and Spicy]: Old Xie! Happy birthday!
[Criminal Slacker]: I wasn't