Happy Birthday, Arlecchino
Every August, the children rack their brains to prepare gifts for their father's birthday.
They discussed and selected carefully, hoping to present a gift that would elicit a different expression from their father.
But each time Arlecchino accepted the gift box, her expression was almost identical, and the children could never truly discern her inner feelings.
The hallway of the House of the Hearth was quiet, with only soft whispers drifting between the stone pillars.
Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet huddled together in a corner, their heads pressed together, whispering amongst themselves.
"In previous years, Father's reaction to the gifts we prepared was always pretty much the same. This time, we need to choose something different." Lyney gathered the group together to discuss it.
He frowned, his tone tinged with a hint of stubbornness. Over the years, the children had tried their best to choose all sorts of gifts, but they still couldn't figure out what their father was thinking.
"But... we still don't know what Father likes... whether it's pastries, ornaments, or handicrafts, how about trying something different this year?" Freminet, standing to the side, clenched her sleeves and scratched her head lightly.
"..."
"..."
Lyney and Lynette suddenly fell silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance.
Lyney composed herself, turned and patted the bewildered Freminet on the shoulder:
"Freminet, wait for us here."
Lynette nodded slightly and added:
"My brother and I will be back in a bit."
Freminet blinked her clear eyes, looking at the two people's suddenly confident expressions, her heart filled with doubt.
But he obediently stood still, nodding politely, "Oh, okay..."
Freminet didn't understand, but Freminet was obedient.
"Lord Xingsu!"
"Teacher Xingsu!"
The door was gently pushed open, and Lyney and Lynette walked in one after the other, cautiously greeting Xingsu.
"Hmm?" Xingsu was fiddling with something in her room when she looked at the two little ones who came in.
"Um... we wanted to ask you, do you know what Father likes?"
Of course they like me... cough cough, I definitely can't tell the kids.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when he suppressed it, maintaining his gentle and composed demeanor as he deliberately softened his tone and asked, "Oh? Then why are you asking me?"
"..."
"..."
The brother and sister were speechless.
At this point, Teacher Xingsu, what are you pretending to be stupid for?
"Because Father treats you... differently than he treats us. When she looks at you, well... we've never seen her look at anyone else like that."
"Teacher Xingsu... stop pretending. Lyney and I have known about your affair with Father for a long time."
Xingsu paused, her ears burning slightly. She chuckled helplessly and surrendered, "Ah... alright, alright, you all saw right through me. But to be honest, I can't really say what kind of gift she'd truly like."
"How does Xingsu Su usually please Father? We want to learn!"
Xingsu lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, her tone carrying a hint of tenderness and a touch of mischief. "Hmm... I can handle pleasing her on my own."
"..."
"..."
It seems that the two of them didn't get any answers other than being fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you guys."
Seeing the two children's helpless expressions, Xingsu finally suppressed the teasing in his eyes:
"She used to own a spider named Bambi. She actually prefers quiet, cold-blooded small animals to docile, lively cats and dogs. You could consider that as a gift for this occasion."
Lyney and Lynette's eyes lit up instantly, their hearts filled with relief, and their anxieties of the past few days vanished. They both sincerely thanked, "Thank you, Teacher Xingsu!"
Just as the two were about to turn and leave, Xingsu suddenly spoke softly:
"By the way... how many children know about me and her?"
Lynette gently shook her head and answered truthfully, "Most children are still just guessing, not sure, and it hasn't spread yet."
Xingsu calmly instructed, "Don't make a sound."
"Clear!"
The two children immediately and obediently responded.
Freminet, cradling the ventilated enclosure, her ear tips tinged with a pale red, said, "I searched for a long time before finally finding a gentle gecko."
Lynette's tail swayed gently as she added softly, "I made a soft pad to put in the terrarium."
Lyney pulled out a neatly bound reptile care notebook. "I collected information from Fontaine and organized the temperature and feeding schedules."
Freminet carefully cradled the transparent enclosure in his hands, inside which the small gecko lay quietly. He whispered, "Father, will Father really like this...?"
Seeing this, Lyney raised her hand and gently patted his shoulder, exuding confidence and assurance. "Trust us, Freminet. This time, there will be no mistakes. Don't underestimate my intelligence network."
In the warmly lit center of the hall, simple yet exquisite birthday decorations were laid out. The children all came forward to present their gifts. Lyney, holding a reptile terrarium, stepped forward, her voice tinged with nervousness. "Father, happy birthday. We heard you have experience raising reptiles, so we prepared this gift especially for you."
Arlecchino looked down at the gecko resting peacefully in the box. Her crimson eyelashes trembled slightly, but her face remained as calm as ever, revealing little emotion.
Xingsu stood to the side, quietly watching her.
Arlecchino reached out and took the enclosure, her fingertips gently tracing the edge. She glanced furtively at Xingsu and smiled, a smile she hadn't shown in a long time, "How thoughtful."
Wow! It actually works!
The father, who always simply offered a polite thank you, actually smiled!
The three little ones were overjoyed, their eyes shining like a galaxy, barely able to contain their excitement, they almost jumped up on the spot.
The heartwarming birthday party slowly came to an end, and the children of the House of the Hearth returned to their rooms one after another. The laughter and chatter in the courtyard gradually subsided, leaving only the evening breeze gently rustling the pillars.
The noise subsided, and all around was quiet and peaceful.
Xingsu stood sideways beside Arlecchino, a barely perceptible gentle smile hidden in her eyes, "Come with me, there's one last gift just for you."
He led her through the empty corridor and stopped in front of a room that was usually empty. The warm glow of the wall lamp cast a gentle and tranquil light on the door. Xingsu slightly to the side, raised her hand in a gesture, and whispered, "Open it. This is... a surprise specially prepared for you."
Arlecchino paused, a hint of doubt in her crimson eyes, and gently pushed open the tightly closed door.
The next instant, a gentle, bright candlelight enveloped me.
The room was filled with soft, warm lights and blooming flowers, and desserts and refreshments were neatly arranged on the table in front of the door.
A familiar figure stood in the center of the candlelight, her bright and radiant smile as gentle and soothing as a spring breeze, her soft pink hair swaying gently in the evening wind.
The Damselette's eyes curved into crescents, and her clear, gentle voice rang out:
Happy birthday, Pepe!
Arlecchino's body suddenly stiffened.
She stared blankly at the bright the Damselette before her, her throat trembling slightly, her eyes surging with disbelief, astonishment, and overwhelming emotion.
"... Clervie?"