Fang Yuzhe walked to the bedside and kissed Xia Yuluo, just wanting a goodnight kiss.
Xia Yuluo fell asleep sweetly with that kiss. When she woke up the next day, the room was bright, and a faint milk fragrance lingered in the air.
“Please, you’re a girl, and I still have to make breakfast for you!” Fang Yuzhe complained, yet he carefully spread jam on the bread.
“I originally didn’t eat breakfast, but now with a child, it’s better to eat something,” he spoke as if it was for Xia Xiaohao.
“Fang Yuzhe, you’ll definitely be a good dad!” Xia Yuluo praised.
“What are you joking about? I hate kids the most. Who wants to be a dad!”
“Really? I see you like Xiaohao so much.”
“That’s because he’s your brother, okay? Otherwise, who would pay him any attention!”
Yuluo walked to his side, watching him pour milk into various cups. She quickly looked away and said with a smile, “Thank you for working so hard.”
Fang Yuzhe looked at her impatiently, “Stop being so wordy. Hurry up and eat. Can’t you see we’re going to be late again!”
After eating, he took out the game console, letting Xia Xiaohao play at home, instructing him not to touch the home’s power supply.
He called the babysitter to help take care of him, then took Xia Yuluo to school.
“I hope I can bring him home tonight,” Yuluo was very worried.
Fang Yuzhe put his arm around her shoulders, “Don’t worry, I’m here!”
“Fang Yuzhe, are you really only a year older than me?”
“Do I look old?”
“But you really—really—”
“Really give a sense of security, right?”
“Yes!”
Fang Yuzhe looked incredibly proud, “That’s right. My girlfriends usually praise me for being very manly!”
“Then why did your girlfriend leave you?”
“Hey, are you trying to discourage me like this!”
“Sorry, sorry. I just can’t understand, someone like you—”
Never mind, he won’t dwell on this explanation.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to take advantage of you. It’s just that we spend too little time together. Can’t you be a bit more enthusiastic!”
“Am I not enthusiastic?” Xia Yuluo was still unconvinced.
“Yuluo, tomorrow is my birthday. Can you come home a bit later in the evening and attend my birthday party?”
“Your birthday is tomorrow?” Xia Yuluo felt a bit guilty. She had never asked her boyfriend when his birthday was, while he had asked her about hers when they first started dating.
“I’ll let my family know today, and I’ll accompany you tomorrow night.”
“Accompany me all night?”
“All night—”
“Just kidding! I’ll send you home after.”
Xia Yuluo wanted to give Fang Yuzhe a gift. She didn’t have much money and wanted to express her feelings, so she went to a sports store and bought a cotton sports vest.
Fang Yuzhe’s birthday party was held at his family’s villa with a spacious lawn that could accommodate dozens of people and a garden that resembled a Jiangnan-style landscape.
Xia Yuluo originally thought it would be a small gathering with a few friends, but many people had come. Was such a grand celebration necessary for a young person’s birthday?
What was surprising was that Fang Yuzhe’s father was also there, personally greeting guests and showing great respect for his son’s friends. Fang Tianchen looked different from his photos – his hair was black, he was tall and imposing, with a somewhat fierce expression, but because he was constantly smiling, he didn’t seem too intimidating.
Most of the people who came to celebrate Fang Yuzhe’s birthday were strangers to Xia Yuluo, but they were clearly wealthy. The men dressed impressively, and the women were extravagant.
Xia Yuluo came with Fang Yuzhe, still wearing her school uniform.
If she weren’t holding his hand, the doorman probably wouldn’t have let her in.
Despite many elders being present, including his father, Fang Yuzhe didn’t hesitate to hold Xia Yuluo close.
As soon as she entered, Xia Yuluo felt everyone’s eyes on her. She looked up at Fang Yuzhe: “Let go, your father will notice!”
Fang Yuzhe looked surprised. “I’m not trying to hide anything!”
He brought Yuluo to his father and said, “Dad, this is my girlfriend, Xia Yuluo.”
Fang Tianchen smiled and said, “To have a girlfriend that Xiaozhe acknowledges, Miss Yuluo must be quite exceptional!”
Xia Yuluo was so stunned she couldn’t speak. Fang Yuzhe, without any modesty, said, “Of course!” and then led her inside.
Xia Yuluo realized later that she hadn’t even greeted his father, which was quite impolite!
Those wealthy people, what psychology do they have? Not only do they love showing off, but they also must make poor people feel embarrassed in front of them to be happy.
“Please, that’s my privacy! The gift my girlfriend gave me is unique, something money can’t buy, and it can’t be said!”
“Why can’t you say it? Just tell us!” All the girls started to egg him on.
Finally, a few male students who were close to Fang Yuzhe stepped up to calm the situation. “What are you doing? He already said it’s private, why are you pushing him?”
“We’re all friends!”
“If we’re friends, don’t be jealous!”
“Are you crazy, who’s jealous!”
Xia Yuluo regretted a bit; if she had known it would be like this, she wouldn’t have come tonight.
Around ten o’clock, people started to leave slowly. Fang Yuzhe said he wouldn’t accompany everyone for the rest of the night, which provoked protests, but he remained indifferent.
“Yuluo, stay for a while, okay?” Xia Yuluo wanted to leave, but Fang Yuzhe held her back.
“It’s very late,” she felt conflicted.
“It’s fine, I’ll send you home.”
Since it was his birthday, Xia Yuluo felt embarrassed to refuse again. After everyone left, Fang Yuzhe held her hand and said, “Will you come with me to see my mother?”
“So late, aren’t you scared?” It was on the mountaintop.
“I’m not scared, and with me, you don’t need to be afraid.” He pulled her along.
The mountain was near the villa, and they went up from a different side this time, with a well-maintained path and stone steps.
The mountaintop was quiet at night, flowers indistinguishable in color, just shadowy figures in the moonlight.
They sat by the tombstone, and Fang Yuzhe surprisingly brought some pastries, placing them in front of the grave.
“They say a child’s birthday is the mother’s day of suffering, so every year on my birthday, I come here alone. This year, you’re with me.”
“Your mother must be comforted to have such a filial son.”
“My mother had a difficult delivery with me, suffering for a whole day and night. She said she wanted to beat me, but when she first saw me, she felt it was worth the pain.”
“How did your mother pass away?”
Fang Yuzhe seemed reluctant to discuss it but, feeling it would be impolite not to answer, he vaguely said, “An accident.”
Yuluo didn’t want to force him to recall painful memories. She took out her gift, “This is for you, happy birthday!”
Fang Yuzhe was surprised, “You really prepared a gift, but it’s not necessary—”
“Just a small token of appreciation. The item isn’t expensive, so I was too embarrassed to give it earlier.”
“Don’t say that. Even if it’s just a leaf from you, I’ll treasure it.”
“You’re so cheesy,” Xia Yuluo found it a bit unbearable.
“I am a bit cheesy,” Fang Yuzhe laughed, “Actually, I was planning to ask you for a gift.”
Out of Control
Fang Yuzhe said he wanted to ask Yuluo for a gift, and Yuluo said okay, ask for whatever you want and I’ll give it to you!
“You said it? No taking it back!”
“Am I that petty in your heart?”
“Of course not!” Fang Yuzhe smiled warmly at her, they were sitting on the ground, so their eye levels were almost the same.
“Can you kiss me actively?”
Xia Yuluo immediately regretted it, why did she insist on not being petty? She should have been petty!
“No going back, do it quickly.” He actually closed his eyes.
