The moment the private room door swung open, a blast of cold air swept out along with the deafening music and raucous laughter, sending a shiver down Jian Suiying's spine.
He glanced up to see at least twenty or thirty people packed into the large private room. The moment they entered, the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Oh oh, the birthday boy's here!" "Looking sharp today, birthday boy!"
Several people swarmed around him—some slung their arms around his shoulders, others shoved beers into his hands. Over there, someone quickly turned down the
turned down the TV volume.
Jian Suilin's face was all smiles, his tone tinged with pride. "Let me introduce you all to my brother." Jian Suijing smiled and greeted the group of kids.
A chorus of girls screamed, "He's so handsome!"
Jian Suiying's eyelid twitched uncontrollably, and he instinctively moved closer to Li Yu.
Li Yu didn't notice him at all, laughing as he draped an arm around Jian Suilin. "Sit down first." Jian Suilin hurriedly said to Jian Suying, "Bro, sit down first. What would you like to drink?"
He glanced at Li Yu and decided he'd sit wherever Li Yu sat. He'd only come up here for his sake, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity to get closer.
would be a waste.
Just then, an adorable little girl carried a large box over and placed it on the big tea table. When she opened it, it was a birthday cake.
the lights, and led the singing of "Happy Birthday."
After making a wish and blowing out the candles, Jian Suilin offered the first slice of cake to Jian Suying.
Li Yu’s face softened into a gentle smile, making Jian Suiying’s mouth water.
Jian Suiying paid her little mind, instead focusing on what Li Yu had given Jian Suilin. He glanced at the box—its size suggested it might be a phone.
When it came time to open Li Yu's gift, Jian Suiying leaned in to take a closer look. Sure enough, it was a phone. Jian Suilin smiled at Li Yu, "Hey, it's not the same as yours."
Li Yu chuckled back, "But you said mine was great." Jian Suilin happily tucked it into his pocket, "Thanks."
Jian Suying had expected such a charming beauty like Li Yu to give something creative. Not only was he disappointed,
. With the last shred of interest in staying here now gone, Jian Suiying didn't want to linger a single second longer.
Following her up here had been a mistake to begin with; staying would only compound it.
Jian Suiying grew impatient. "What am I doing sitting here? Wasting my time?" Disappointment flashed in Jian Suilin's eyes. "Then... then let me walk you downstairs."
Jian Suying waved his hand. "No need. You stay here."
Jian Suilin hesitated to speak further when Li Yu interjected: "You stay here. I'll walk your brother out."
Jian Suiying casually bid farewell to the children and walked away without looking back.
On the way to the parking lot, Jian Suiying remarked: "Xiao Linzi must be popular at school—he invited quite a few people."
Li Yu seemed lost in thought, replying absently: "He is, yes."
"How long has it been since you last saw each other? You two seem so close, like you've been together for over a decade."
"I left when I was in elementary school. We didn't see each other for nearly ten years in between, but we always stayed in touch." "Oh, were you two really close back then?"
"Yeah, we used to hang out a lot." "Really? I don't remember you."
A barely perceptible sneer touched Li Yu's lips. "We were way too far apart in age, and you never hung out with Sui Lin anyway." "True..."
Li Yu smiled faintly, bent down to crush a still-glowing cigarette butt underfoot, and murmured softly: "Brother Jian, you didn't know
that today is Sui Lin's birthday."
"Huh, didn't remember." Jian Suiying replied casually.
Li Yu said flatly: "Sui Lin has looked up to you since he was little. You came today. Saying 'Happy Birthday' to him means more than anything you could give him."
anything else."
Jian Suiying found the whole thing rather amusing. These two really got along well. He couldn't even recall if he'd been this innocent and adorable when he was seventeen or eighteen.
was that innocent and adorable.
"Fine, fine. I'll do as you say, Brother Jian." Jian Suiying winked at Li Yu with a smile, pulled out his phone, and sent Jian Suilin a text message:
"Little Lin, happy birthday—from your big bro."
Barely ten seconds later, he received a reply: "Thanks, bro! I'm really glad you could come today."
Jian Suiying tucked his phone away, glancing up at Li Yu with a half-smile. "Satisfied?" Li Yu nodded. "Thanks."
Jian Suiying shook her head with a smile, opened the car door, then pulled her foot back before stepping in. Turning to Li Yu, she said,
"Once your exams are over, I'll take you guys out. Then it won't be like you're not giving Brother Jian face." "Alright, no problem." Li Yu met his gaze without flinching.
Jian Suiying hummed a tune as he drove away.