Early the next morning, the day's date pairings were announced in the livestream.
(Shen Siyi and Song Nianxing successfully paired up)
(Chen Mingyi and Yuan Man successfully paired up)
(Du Yuesi and Yu Xinyan successfully paired up)
(Jiang Jingzhe and Qiu Bailu successfully paired up)
[I knew it still had to be "Gleaming Starlight" and "Flustered but Unbroken Dew."]
[I really want to ask what those four are even trying to do. Is Chen Mingyi really into Yuan Man? Is Yu Xinyan really into Du Yuesi? What a pair of archrival sisters, breaking up my ships.]
[So what exactly are those four's sexual orientations? Why did Du Yuesi and Yuan Man choose to give out invitation tickets this time too?]
[What a four-way love brawl. Can someone tell me what all four of them are doing crammed into the kitchen now?]
Shen Siyi had thought he was up very early, only to find a whole crowd when he reached the kitchen.
He did not understand, but said nothing, merely finding a small spot to make longevity noodles.
Only when Song Nianxing came downstairs did he learn what those four had been doing.
Looking at the five bowls of longevity noodles set before him, Song Nianxing's mind instantly went blank.
Yet these people just had to start making a fuss.
"Little Star, eat mine first. I specially added two fried eggs. Happy birthday, and may you live to a hundred!" Chen Mingyi pushed her bowl toward Song Nianxing as she spoke.
But she had only pushed it halfway when Yu Xinyan blocked her. "What do you mean, eat yours first? Eat mine first. I made mine with clear broth. Hers is spicy, and eating it will give you pimples."
He pushed his own bowl forward as he spoke, only for Du Yuesi to stop him. "What's so interesting about clear broth? Little Star, I added matsutake mushrooms to mine. It's so savory. Hurry and try it. It won't taste good cold."
This time, before Du Yuesi could push hers forward, Yuan Man interrupted with a "Hey!" "Matsutake gets cloying. Mine has leafy greens. You should get some vitamins first thing in the morning."
"Is it any of you four's turn? Eat what you made yourselves. Nianxing can just eat mine. If I'd known you were trying to steal my thunder, I would've turned off your stove." Shen Siyi swept a somewhat impatient glance over the four of them.
Chen Mingyi immediately huffed twice, rather unconvinced. "Isn't that going too far, Senior Shen? I was the first to finish mine. Little Star, look at them. Mine isn't spicy, it only looks spicy."
Yu Xinyan could not help scoffing. "My clear broth is the most interesting. Song Nianxing, you'll regret it if you don't eat mine."
Du Yuesi finally found an opening to push her noodles forward. "I didn't even add that much matsutake. How could it be cloying? Little Star ought to get some nourishment."
Yuan Man clicked his tongue. "Are you saying he said Little Star looks weak? If you ask me, getting more vitamins is best."
"Enough. I said he's eating mine. We still have a date to go on after he finishes."
"Little Star, eat mine."
"No, eat mine!"
The five of them chattered around Song Nianxing. He glanced at the five bowls of noodles on the table, then looked up at their endlessly opening and closing mouths, hurriedly trying to smooth things over:
"Stop arguing, stop arguing. I'll eat yours, then yours, then yours, and then yours. Don't worry, I can eat them."
The livestream chat was laughing too.
[Noodle makers? A little interesting.]
[Can you please not make Song Nianxing eat so many noodles!]
[Okay, I'll have a word with them later.]
[Hahahaha, person above, please take this seriously, okay?]
After hearing Song Nianxing's evenhanded response, everyone finally stopped fussing and came up with a compromise: they fetched a new bowl, and each put a little of their own longevity noodles into it for Song Nianxing.
Looking at the steaming noodles in his bowl, then at the five people who had now sat down to eat with him, Song Nianxing felt a sting in his nose.
"Thank you, everyone."
This was the first time so many people had celebrated for him.
Chen Mingyi immediately waved her hand. "What are you thanking us for? You're the birthday boy today."
Yu Xinyan immediately nodded along. "Exactly. Come on, happy birthday. Let's all finish this bowl of noodles together!"
A chorus of agreement immediately rose around the dining table, with laughter ringing out nonstop.
The weather was lovely that day. Golden sunlight streamed in, and the fine dust in the air mingled and swirled with the steam from the bowls, warmth spilling everywhere.
When Jiang Jingzhe came downstairs, the villa seemed somewhat empty. He glanced upstairs. Song Nianxing's bedroom door was tightly shut.
Not up yet? Right, Song Nianxing used to treat himself to a rare lie-in on this day too.
With that thought, Jiang Jingzhe's lips curved slightly as he tied on his apron.
After frying two eggs and setting them aside, Jiang Jingzhe prepared to cook the noodles.
The livestream viewers realized what he was making and grew excited too.
[Happy birthday, Jiang Jingzhe!! Is he making longevity noodles for himself? He's even making two bowls. I won't say who the other one is for.]
[Obviously it's for Qiu Bailu! Does your "Flustered but Unbroken Dew" have to be this sweet? It's my birthday, and I'm making a bowl of longevity noodles for both you and me, ahhhh, sharing my blessings with you.]
[Is it really for Qiu Bailu? Why do I feel like he knows it's Song Nianxing's birthday too and is making it for him? Didn't he happen to hear that Song Nianxing shared his birthday when he came back last night?]
[You're overthinking it. Do you really think Song Nianxing is everyone's darling now, and everyone has to make him noodles? Obviously Chen Mingyi and the others only did it because they saw how close Shen Siyi was to Song Nianxing, and wanted to win Shen Siyi over by sucking up to Song Nianxing. My poor Jingzhe. Those people clearly knew it was his birthday and didn't even wish him well.]
[Is there something wrong with you Jiang Jingzhe fans? Maybe Chen Mingyi and the others know your Jiang Jingzhe is no good and don't want to wish him a happy birthday?]
[Oh, there's nothing to say. Anyway, Jiang Jingzhe made it for Qiu Bailu. The couple will sweetly eat longevity noodles together and then go on their date. The other fandoms are just too jealous that our "Flustered but Unbroken Dew" chose each other again and are going toward each other.]
[Ha, that's hilarious. Who's jealous? Your Qiu Bailu seems to be allergic to eggs, but Jiang Jingzhe made fried eggs. You've shipped so much manufactured sweetness you've lost your minds.]
Just then, the villa door opened, and Chen Mingyi rushed in, constantly muttering things like, "Forgot something, hurry, hurry, can't keep Brother Yuan Man waiting." Yet her steps still paused slightly when she saw Jiang Jingzhe.
"Oh, making longevity noodles? Oh, right, I almost forgot it's your birthday today too. We made some for Nianxing this morning too. If you'd gotten up a little earlier, you might've been able to eat with us. What a shame."
As Jiang Jingzhe listened, his movements instantly stiffened. He raised his eyes to look at Chen Mingyi, a layer of coldness already settling in their depths. "What... did you say?"
Chen Mingyi glanced at him in confusion, simply assuming he was unhappy about not receiving any birthday wishes, then repeated:
"I said we made longevity noodles for Nianxing this morning. Oh, happy birthday to you too, okay? Hurry up and eat, then go on your date with Qiu Bailu. Nianxing and Senior Shen left ages ago. Damn! I've spent all this time talking to you, and Brother Yuan Man is still waiting for me."
As she spoke, she hurried upstairs again, only to stop halfway and lean her head out toward the floor below.
"Oh, the cake Senior Shen bought for Nianxing is in the fridge, the one you saw when you came back last night. Senior Shen said he and Nianxing might not come back to the villa after their date today. You and Qiu Bailu can eat the cake."
Before you continue