Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 115 Happy Birthday, Aci
The next day.

During lunch break, colleagues from the dance troupe sat in the break room, drinking coffee and chatting.

"Gui Ning, are you getting used to it here?" someone asked.

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Yes, thank you everyone for taking such good care of me."

"No, it's because you have a strong ability to adapt."

After asking a few questions, they started talking about other things.

"I heard that the troupe has a global tour in the second half of the year to promote Chinese classical dance culture."

"Really? Does that mean I need to travel abroad frequently? I have elderly people and children at home, so I can't travel."

"That's not certain yet. If it's a global tour, it will definitely be voluntary, and there won't be any coercion."

"It's perfect for unmarried young people like them, who have no worries and can go see the world. It's like a free trip, what a great opportunity!"

"If I didn't have kids, I would definitely be the first to sign up."

"I hope it's true, I really want to go!"

"Let's wait for the commander's instructions."

Shen Guining didn't dwell on the uncertainties for the time being.

At six o'clock in the afternoon, the rehearsal ended, and she hurried home.

We need to finish making the cake before Qu Yanci returns.

Fortunately, with the experience from the previous times, making this cake went much more smoothly today, and it was a success on the first try.

She was busy in the kitchen, and Ruby circled around her feet.

Shen Guining fed it the extra fruit.

Ruby loves to eat blueberries and apples, and she wags her tail as she eats them.

After the cake is made, put it in the refrigerator to chill.

It was already past eight o'clock, and Shen Guining was so busy that she forgot she hadn't eaten dinner yet, so she just cooked some noodles to fill her stomach.

Qu Yanci had told her in advance that he expected to arrive home around 10 o'clock.

Shen Guining sat on the carpet with Ruby in her arms, watching TV and waiting.

Perhaps she was too tired from dancing during the day, and she fell asleep on the sofa without realizing it.

Ruby obediently didn't disturb her, quietly curling up in a ball with her eyelids drooping.

The TV was on, but the volume wasn't too loud, which just filled the overly quiet atmosphere.

The flight was delayed, and Qu Yanci didn't get home until after 11 p.m.

The sound of the door opening was drowned out by the television.

He walked into the living room and saw the little girl sitting on the carpet, her head resting on the sofa, asleep.

The man and his dog were sleeping soundly.

The light cast a warm tone, and loose strands of hair fell across her face, making her skin appear as if it were flushed with a light pink.

The scene presents a sense of tranquility and peace.

Qu Yanci unbuttoned his cuffs, took off his wristwatch, walked over, bent down, and picked the person up.

Despite the gentle movements, Shen Guining still woke up.

A familiar face appeared in my drowsy vision.

"You're back..." she mumbled, then woke up. "How did I fall asleep... What time is it?"

Qu Yanci: "It's past 11:10. I'm sorry I'm late."

Shen Guining suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that it's not past midnight yet."

She smiled and called out, "Happy birthday, Aci!"

Her clear eyes sparkled, as if stars had been scattered within them.

Those peach blossom eyes are beautiful and captivating.

Qu Yanci kissed her forehead, "Thank you, baby."

Shen Guining pushed him, "Put me down, I made you a cake."

"You did this?" Qu Yanci put her down.

"Okay." Shen Guining ran barefoot towards the kitchen.

"Put on your shoes." Qu Yanci picked up her slippers and followed her.

Shen Guining opened the refrigerator, took out the cake, and placed it on the dining table.

Knowing he doesn't like sweets, I deliberately used less sugar and only made it five inches big, so as not to waste food that he couldn't finish.

Qu Yanci placed the slippers beside her feet. Shen Guining casually slipped them on, turned to get candles and a lighter, returned, lit one on the cake, and said, "Make a wish!"

The last time he wished to eat cake was when he was a child and his mother was by his side.

After a moment of distraction, Qu Yanci spoke up: "You help me make the promise."

"I'll make the vow for you?" Shen Guining looked at him in confusion. "I'm not the birthday boy, of course you have to make the vow yourself."

Qu Yanci smiled and said, "It's the same. Your wish is my wish."

Shen Guining hesitated for a moment, then stopped refusing, "Alright then, I'll make the promise for you."

She sat in the chair, eyes closed, fingers clasped together and pressed against her forehead.

—May he always be pure and upright, like the bright moon over a high platform.

The candlelight before me flickered gently, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, its soft glow shifting.

Two overlapping figures landed beside them.

Qu Yanci stood beside her, his hands resting on the edge of the table, leaning slightly forward. "What promise was made?"

"It's a secret." Shen Guining blinked, picked up the cutlery next to her, and cut off a small piece of cake. "Try it and see if it's good."

Qu Yanci hadn't eaten sweets in a long time and really didn't like them, but he couldn't disappoint the girl's kind intentions.

Shen Guining asked expectantly, "Is it delicious?"

"Yes," Qu Yanci affirmed. "My girlfriend also has a talent for making cakes."

The lingering tone reached my ears.

Shen Guining's ears were a little itchy, and she confessed, "I failed several times yesterday, wasting a lot of ingredients."

“That’s already great.” Qu Yanci scooped a spoonful and fed it to her.

Shen Guining opened her mouth and ate it. The cream was delicate and smooth, the cake base was soft, and a light sweetness spread in her mouth.

It tastes good, almost the same as what you buy outside, but it doesn't look as good.

She got a little cream on the corner of her mouth but didn't notice.

Qu Yanci pinched her chin, lifted it up, and kissed it away.

The figure loomed over them.

The tip of the tongue licks the edge of the lips, leaving a tingling sensation on the skin.

Before Shen Guining could react, he had already let go.

"Ow..."

Ruby saw that they were eating delicious food, so she came over and pawed at the chair with her two front paws.

Shen Guining lowered her head. "Didn't you already eat?"

Ruby stuck out her tongue, looking like she was craving something.

Shen Guining chuckled, "There's cream in it, you can't eat it. I'll get you some yogurt instead."

Qu Yanci put down his plate. "You eat, I'll get it."

As he went into the kitchen, Shen Guining remembered and ran back to the bedroom to get his birthday present.

Qu Yanci tore open the yogurt packaging and put it on the ground for Ruby to eat.

Shen Guining returned to the restaurant carrying a black leather box. "Aci, this is a gift for you."

Qu Yanci's gaze fell on her hands. "What did you buy for me?"

Shen Guining took the contents out of the box.

He only saw it clearly when he got closer.

A platinum tie clip, engraved with a Damascus dragon motif, is exquisitely crafted and, as if polished, reflects a soft glow under the light.

This design was customized after Shen Guining communicated with the designer, making it unique.

He wasn't wearing a tie at the time, and his shirt collar was open, revealing glimpses of his shoulders and neck, exuding a refined casualness.

Shen Guining could only clip the tie clip to his breast pocket.

This color suits him well, making him look even more refined and aloof.

"It looks good." She was very satisfied.

Qu Yanci pulled the little girl close to his chest, asking, "Do you still want some cake?"

Shen Guining pressed against his chest, about to speak, when a warm, deep voice came from beside her ear, "Eat quickly, I'm hungry too."

"Hmm? Then you eat it."

Qu Yanci chuckled softly, "You know what I want to eat?"

He took her hand and pulled it down.