My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 184 Birthday Gift
The end of summer vacation.

The heatwave twisted into a sticky, hissing mass, clinging to people's ears and impossible to shake off.

Lu Yuan's house has a north-south facing layout, and the cross breeze carries the fragrance of plants and trees from the garden downstairs, bringing a rare touch of coolness to this hot and dry place.

In the kitchen, Chen Xiaomiao was busy working in an orderly manner.

On the cutting board in front of her, a lump of white dough was repeatedly kneaded and slapped under her hands, making a dull but rhythmic "bang, bang" sound.

Today is Lu Yang's third birthday, and she herself is about to step into her senior year of college.

"I mean, do we really need to make such a big fuss about our college students?"

Lu Yuan leaned against the kitchen door frame, holding a cucumber in his hand. He took a crunchy bite, and it was crisp and juicy.

In recent years, Chen Xiaomiao's changes have been visible to the naked eye.

The initial timidity and curiosity about everything that I felt when I first arrived have faded, replaced by a calm and composed demeanor.

Especially after she went to university, she seemed to have gained a unique scholarly air, which blended with her inherent simple and resilient nature, making her even more charming.

"That's different."

Chen Xiaomiao continued working without turning her head, replying, "No matter how precious things are outside, nothing is as heartfelt as something I make myself."

When I was a child, my master would always make noodles and dumplings for my birthday, especially longevity noodles. You had to eat a single noodle from beginning to end, without breaking it, because that meant good fortune would last forever.

As she spoke, she covered the kneaded dough with a damp cloth and began preparing the toppings.

Tomatoes, eggs, and minced meat are all ordinary ingredients, but in her hands, she cuts, chops, and stir-fries them with effortless skill.

Lu Yuan walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder: "Okay, whatever you say."

"Go away, you're all sweaty, don't come near me."

Chen Xiaomiao said she was disgusted, but she didn't actually push him away; the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up.

Around 4 PM, Mr. and Mrs. Lu Jianguo, Song Jia, Lü Jiaxin, and others arrived one after another.
The last to arrive were Zhao Qiang's family.

"Yuanzi, open the door!"

As soon as the door opened, Zhao Qiang's dark face squeezed in, carrying a Transformers box that was half his height, followed by his wife and daughter.

"Yangyang! Yangyang!"

As soon as Zhao Moli entered the house, her little radar automatically turned on. She let go of her mother's hand and rushed towards Lu Yang's room.

She is now four and a half years old, and has grown quite a bit taller. She wears two pigtails and speaks more fluently than before, but her obsession with Lu Yang has only grown stronger.

Lu Yang was sitting on the floor mat reading a book, an illustrated copy of "Journey to the West".

Hearing the noise, he closed his book and opened the door: "Jasmine."

Happy birthday, Yangyang!

Zhao Moli rushed over and pulled a crookedly wrapped gift box from behind her back: "Here you go!"

Lu Yang took it and opened it. It was a slightly asymmetrical ceramic water cup with the character "Yang" crookedly engraved on the bottom.

Last month, Qi Lili took her daughter to Jingdezhen for a trip, and Zhao Moli made the pottery herself.

"Thank you."

Lu Yang solemnly placed the water glass on the desk and led Zhao Moli back to the living room.

Inside, the adults were already chatting.

"Yuanzi, look at this! I bought it for my godson—a limited edition Bumblebee!"

Zhao Qiang patted the huge toy box as if presenting a treasure, his face full of pride.

Lu Yuan was both amused and exasperated: "Yangyang isn't interested in these things."

Zhao Qiang refused to believe it: "What boy doesn't like Transformers!"

Qi Lili rolled her eyes at her husband and turned the topic to Chen Xiaomiao: "Xiaomiao, you'll be starting school soon, right? What are your plans after graduation? Will you still be in Jiangcheng?"

For Qi Lili, the fact that Lu Yuan's family stayed in Jiangcheng brought her and her family immense benefits.

Chen Xiaomiao served up a slice of watermelon: "It depends on Lu Yuan. We should follow him wherever he goes, no matter what."

Song Jia chimed in, "How's your graduation thesis coming along?"

"It's alright. I've already chosen my target: rural economy during the Republic of China era."

When Chen Xiaomiao mentioned her graduation thesis, a confident smile appeared on her face: "Back then... oh no, it was during the Republic of China era..."

She occasionally lets slip something, but she's now able to cover it up quite naturally.

At university, her classmates only saw her as a "retro" girl with a special interest in the history of the Republic of China.

Qi Lili, who had never been to university, was stunned: "Tsk tsk tsk, Xiao Miao, you're different now that you've graduated from university. You're really a cultured person now!"

At dinner, the birthday cake was brought out.

Three candles were lit, the lights were turned off, and the flickering flames reflected the smiling faces of the crowd.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

After singing the birthday song, Zhao Moli kept urging, "Yangyang, make a wish and then blow out the candles!"

Lu Yang closed his eyes, waited calmly for a few seconds, and did not make any wishes.

Finally, he opened his eyes, puffed out his cheeks, and with a "whoosh," blew out all three candles at once.

……

As night deepened, after seeing everyone off, the house returned to silence.

After helping his mother tidy up the table, Lu Yang said "Goodnight, Mom and Dad" and went back to his room to wash up and go to sleep. He was independent throughout the whole process, unlike a child who had just turned three.

Lu Yuan and Chen Xiaomiao sat on the balcony to cool off.

The evening breeze dispelled the daytime heat, bringing a touch of comfort.

"I really don't know who Yangyang takes after..."

"He's like you in temperament; both of you prefer quiet."

Chen Xiaomiao leaned on Lu Yuan's shoulder, looking at the moon in the sky.

"His brain is like Little Tree's, he's incredibly bright... but luckily he has Jasmine by his side, so he doesn't have to live a lonely life like Little Tree."

"I hope he can live a more comfortable life than his grandfather."

"Children have their own destiny, we should just watch and see."

……

Meanwhile, downstairs.

Zheng Qingtong lay on her princess bed, but could clearly hear her parents arguing again in the living room.

"I've told you so many times, that project is too risky, you can't invest! But you just wouldn't listen!"

It was the voice of Zheng Zhifeng, the father, suppressing his anger.

"High risk, high reward! Zheng Zhifeng, you're just a coward! You'll spend your whole life clinging to your lousy company, what future can you have! Look at the people upstairs, and then look at yourself!"

Gao Rong's sharp voice pierced my eardrums like an awl.

Zheng Qingtong covered her head with the blanket, not wanting to listen anymore.

She knew it was Lu Yang's birthday today. In the afternoon, she saw Zhao Qiang's family carrying large bags and small packages upstairs and heard laughter coming from upstairs.

That lively and warm atmosphere was something she had never experienced in her home.

After an unknown amount of time, the arguing outside finally subsided. Zheng Qingtong quietly climbed out of bed, opened the bedroom door, and found the living room in a mess. Her mother had gone back to her room, and her father sat alone on the sofa, looking desolate.

She didn't disturb her father, but tiptoed out of the house after putting on her shoes, grabbing the things she had prepared earlier.

The community garden was deserted, with only a few dim streetlights casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Zheng Qingtong sat on the swing again and swayed gently.

She didn't know why she came out, nor did she know if she would be able to see the person she wanted to see.

About ten minutes later, a familiar figure walked out of the building entrance.

It’s Lu Yang.

He was wearing pajamas, so he probably sneaked out.

Seeing Zheng Qingtong on the swing, Lu Yang was not surprised and walked straight over to sit down.

"Still not asleep?"

"I can't sleep." Zheng Qingtong stared at her toes, her voice low. "How about you? Were you happy on your birthday?"

"I'm quite happy," Lu Yang replied, "but it's still a bit noisy."

Zheng Qingtong took a small square box out of her pocket and stiffly handed it to Lu Yang: "Here you go."

When Lu Yang opened it, he found a palm-sized mechanical bearing inside, its silvery-white reflective surface speckled with rust.

“I bought it at a flea market. The owner said it was salvaged from an excavator.”

Compared to Transformers, this bearing is definitely more to Lu Yang's liking.

Throughout his birthday, Zheng Qingtong seemed to be the only person who understood his preferences.

"Um... cylindrical roller bearing, thank you."

Lu Yang accepted the bearing and examined it carefully under the streetlight.

"How do you like it?"

"Want to hear the truth?"

"Um……"

"This is the second best gift I received today."

"What about number one?"

"My mom made dumplings and noodles for me."

"Well……"

Zheng Qingtong turned her head away, her face slightly flushed.

As the little girl secretly rejoiced, her heart began to race.

"So...you like the gift Jasmine gave you..."

Zheng Qingtong tried to press for more information, but Lu Yang suddenly changed the subject.

"My mom made some dumplings, do you want some?"

Zheng Qingtong froze, swallowing hard involuntarily.

The parents, caught up in their argument, had forgotten that their daughter hadn't eaten dinner.

She shook her head and said softly, "No, my mother said I can't just eat food from other people's houses."

There it is again.

“It’s not someone else’s house.” Lu Yang looked at her, his tone natural: “Aren’t we friends?”

It's not someone else's house...

friend……

A storm was brewing in Zheng Qingtong's heart.

She bit her lip, neither agreeing nor refusing.

"Wait."

After Lu Yang finished speaking, he turned around and ran upstairs.

A few minutes later, he returned to Zheng Qingtong, holding a thermos bowl in his hand.

He placed the bowl on the stone bench in front of Zheng Qingtong, lifted the lid, and a steaming aroma wafted out.

"Eat up, dumplings should be eaten hot."

Looking at the steaming dumplings in the bowl, Zheng Qingtong suddenly felt a lump in her throat and her eyes welled up with tears.

She quickly lowered her head, not wanting Lu Yang to see.

"I...I'm not hungry."

Her voice trembled slightly with a hint of tears.

Lu Yang didn't try to persuade her any further. He simply placed a pair of chopsticks in Zheng Qingtong's hand, then sat down quietly, looking at the stars in the sky, giving her enough space and time.

After a long while, Zheng Qingtong finally picked up her chopsticks, picked up a dumpling, blew on it, and carefully put it into her mouth.

The chive and pork filling, with its rich and comforting broth wrapped beneath the dough, instantly dispels all the grievances and loneliness in one's heart.

She ate slowly and carefully, taking small bites at a time.

"Thank you."

After swallowing the last dumpling, Zheng Qingtong returned the empty bowl to Lu Yang.

"You're welcome."

Why did you share your dumplings with me?

"Um……"

Lu Yang began to recite in a serious tone.

“My mom said that when she was a child, she could only eat dumplings on holidays and her birthday. Her master told her to share them with everyone so that the good fortune would be multiplied.”

"real or fake?"

Do you really have to ask?

Zheng Qingtong burst out laughing; this was the first time she had laughed all night.

"Why did you make up an excuse to lie to me?"

"I wouldn't say I'm lying to you... My mom did say that when she was little, she only got to eat dumplings on holidays and her birthday."

"and then."

"Then she added that being hungry is a terrible feeling."

Zheng Qingtong's smile vanished abruptly.

It turned out that Lu Yang had noticed she hadn't eaten dinner long ago...

"Lu Yang!"

Zheng Qingtong stood up: "Happy birthday."

The girl's voice was clear and loud.

(End of this chapter)