“Zhixian, I feel a little tired today. Can I rest for a bit first?”
The exquisitely dressed black-haired girl twisted her shoulders, her body stiff from sitting in the same position for so long.
“Ah, of course you can.”
Ruan Zhixian snapped out of her focus and glanced out the window—night had already fallen.
“Sorry, Lingling, I got so caught up in drawing that I didn’t notice how you were feeling.”
“It’s alright.” The black-haired girl shook her head.
“It seems it’s already getting late. Lingling, you go and change your clothes first, I’ll tidy up here and come make dinner soon.”
“Very soon…ahem! Actually, Zhixian, you don’t have to hurry out here for my sake!”
Because of the girl’s words, Su Ling’s motion to dash out of the studio paused ever so slightly.
“?”
“But if I don’t hurry out, what are we going to eat for dinner tonight?”
Ruan Zhixian looked quite puzzled.
“Ahem, I’ll… I’ll figure something out!”
“You?”
The blonde girl’s tone became more and more uncertain:
“Um, Lingling, are you going to try cooking dinner all by yourself again?”
“No, no! I, um… I’ll order takeout! Yes, takeout!”
“Oh, okay then…”
Ruan Zhixian agreed a bit hesitantly, then watched as the black-haired girl practically flew out the door.
Something’s off…why does it feel like Lingling has been acting strange all day…ever since this morning…
Hmm…ah, I know! Lingling must be worried about me! After all, she likes me so much!
The blonde girl quickly reached a conclusion that left her extremely satisfied, and subconsciously began to tidy up even faster.
Ah, even though Lingling told me to take my time, I’m sure she actually wants me to finish up quickly, so we can decide what to have for dinner together~
Hehe, I really am just too considerate!
“Lingling, I’m done tidying up, let’s…”
“Eh?”
The scene in the living room was nothing like what Ruan Zhixian expected: strings of warm white fairy lights twisted across the curtains, half of a strand of colorful sequin garlands hung on the wall, while the other half waited curled on the sofa.
Most eye-catching of all was the half-completed “HAPPY BIRT” letter balloon in the center, and a black-haired girl standing next to it, cheeks puffed red as she strained to blow up the unfinished letter “H”.
“Lingling, what are you…”
“!”
Hearing Ruan Zhixian’s voice, Su Ling whipped her head around, face full of shock, shoulders starting to shake uncontrollably, then—
The black-haired girl suddenly burst into loud wails right there, still gripping the half-inflated balloon tightly.
“Eh, eh, Lingling, why are you crying?”
Ruan Zhixian panicked, rushing over in just a few big strides to embrace the sobbing black-haired girl.
“So-sorry, Zhixian, I, I wanted to give you a surprise… but, but the balloon pump suddenly broke… I-I couldn’t finish in time”
The black-haired girl sobbed and sniffled, explaining to Ruan Zhixian through her tears.
“So, Lingling, all of this today was actually to give me a surprise?”
Ruan Zhixian looked in astonishment at Su Ling, whose face was streaked with tears.
“Mm… mm… but, but I ruined everything”
“I, this morning I wanted to cook for you, but ended up making a mess of the kitchen…”
“… I, I wanted to play games with you during the day, but the moment you kissed me I ran away…”
“I, tonight I wanted to prepare a birthday surprise, but you found out early”
“I even wanted to confess my love when wishing you happy birthday, but now, even that seems like it’s ruined!”
“Aren’t I just useless, Zhixian…”
***
The black-haired girl lifted her tear-stained face, the rims of her eyes and the tip of her nose red, making her look just like a little kitten caught in the rain.
“How could you be, silly Lingling.”
Ruan Zhixian couldn’t help but smile at those tear-filled black eyes.
“You were willing to get up early and make breakfast for me today just to make me happy. I think that’s very sweet of you, Lingling.”
“You ran away after I kissed you earlier, but I don’t feel upset or disappointed at all—because a fleeing Lingling is still so cute.”
“And you prepared a birthday surprise for me tonight, which is even more wonderful~”
Ruan Zhixian gently took out a tissue and wiped the girl’s tear-streaked face.
“I had forgotten all about this myself, but you still remembered for me. That just shows how much you care. The moment I stepped out of the studio and saw it, I was already more than surprised enough~”
Su Ling stared blankly at the blonde girl so close in front of her, nose stinging, her just-dried tears welling up again.
“Alright, alright, now that all the misunderstandings are cleared up, no more crying.”
“More importantly, Lingling, isn’t there still one last thing you haven’t done yet?”
Ruan Zhixian gently pinched Su Ling’s slightly reddened, delicate nose and smiled at her in reminder.
That’s right! The final confession!
Hearing this, Su Ling immediately got up and ran toward the kitchen. In no time, she returned carrying a birthday cake she had prepared in advance, with large “22” number candles burning atop it.
“Zhixian, happy birthday!”
The black-haired girl’s eyes were still tinged with a rosy flush from her earlier emotions, but now they curved into sweet crescent moons.
In the slightly dim living room, candlelight danced on her damp eyelashes, making the starlight in her eyes shine even brighter.
“Mm! Thank you, Lingling!”
Ruan Zhixian nodded with a bright smile.
“And… also…”
Holding the cake, the black-haired girl gathered her courage and straightened her petite chest.
“Zhixian, I want to say, I like you!”
“I like you. I’ve liked you since I was very young! That summer, in h City, even before I was Su Ling, I already liked you!”
“When the Su family found me, I lost my fate with you.”
“In fact, I went to look for you the very next day after I returned to the Su family, but you were already gone…”
“But it doesn’t matter, because I still found you! As soon as I finished all my duties as the Su family heir, I came straight to c City to find you.”
“I, I still really like you, Zhixian… Now that I’m grown up, Zhixian, will you still keep our childhood promise? When we grow up, will you be with me?”
“What are you saying, Lingling?”
Ruan Zhixian gazed at the black-haired girl, her eyes full of hope, her voice soft and warm.
“Weren’t we already together a long time ago?”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.