Sweetie, sleep with me tonight.

He Zhuo stiffened slightly and turned his head to look.

What are you doing here?

The man adjusted his glasses, his smile gentle: "Today is your birthday, I've come to pick you up and take you home."

"No need, I can reply myself if I want."

"So, do you want to go back today?"

He Zhuo paused slightly, silently looking at the man in front of him who bore a resemblance to himself.

He was dressed in a black suit with a black trench coat, and wore gold-rimmed glasses. He had a friendly smile on his face.

Compared to his dissolute and unrestrained nature, his half-brother was more mature and steady, possessing a businessman's wisdom and strategic acumen.

"In no mood."

He Zhuo ignored him and turned to leave, but was stopped by him.

"Dad and the others have been waiting at home for your birthday celebration." He Mingli's tone was pleading. "They all miss you so much since you haven't been home, especially Weiwei."

"..."

He Zhuo finally got into He Mingli's car.

The car started and drove away.

The man was in a good mood and kept making small talk with him: "How's work lately? Startups are always busy in the early stages. If you're short-staffed, just let me know and I can arrange a few people for you."

He Zhuo leaned back and closed his eyes to rest: "It's nothing, I'm not busy, I don't need it."

He Mingli chuckled softly: "It's rare for you to answer my question so seriously."

The man's tone was full of satisfaction.

He Zhuo opened his eyes, glanced at him, chuckled, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a puff.

"Smoke less, it's bad for your health." He Mingli rolled down the car window. "How's your sleep lately? Has it gotten any better?"

"He won't die."

"Don't say that, you have a long life ahead of you. But you seem to be in good spirits today, you must have been sleeping well lately, right?"

As if remembering something, He Zhuo smiled and said, "You slept quite well."

"Is there a new method?"

"Um."

"What method?"

"A very cute thing."

Seeing the tenderness in his eyes, He Mingli sensed something: "You have a girl you like?"

He Zhuo glanced at him lazily: "When did you develop this habit of relentlessly asking questions?"

He Mingli laughed out loud: "I'm just curious, after trying so many methods over the years, none of them have been able to improve your sleep disorder symptoms. What kind of girl is so amazing that she can make your mental state improve so suddenly?"

As if remembering something, He Zhuo leaned back: "Indeed impressive, eloquent, can talk to a trash can all day long."

Oh, so she's a very boisterous little girl.

He Mingli was very pleased: "Azhuo, I'm really happy for you that you're in such good spirits now."

He Zhuo fiddled with the lighter in his hand, his expression indifferent.

-

The car arrived at the He family villa.

He Zhuo got out of the car and entered the house, where he saw a family of three sitting on the carpet playing with Lego.

The three chatted and laughed, creating a warm and loving atmosphere.

"Dad, how do I do this? I don't know how. Can you help me?"

The little girl wore a small crown and a beautiful princess dress, the hem of which spread out on the carpet, and red Mary Jane shoes studded with rhinestones.

She squatted on the ground playing with Lego, like a beautiful and delicate little princess.

"Okay, let Dad take a look." The man stepped forward with a kind smile to help.

Yu Huilin, standing to the side, smiled broadly, her tone both helpless and full of doting affection: "Jingyao, you spoil Weiwei too much. Look at her, she's got her tail wagging in the air."

"Weiwei is my daughter, who else should I spoil if not her?" He Jingyao ruffled the little girl's hair, his eyes full of affection. "Today is Weiwei's birthday, the birthday girl is the most important, no matter what she says, Daddy has to do it!"

The little girl beamed with joy, clinging to He Jingyao's neck and whining, "Who said I'm the only one who's the biggest? Today is also my brother's birthday, he's the biggest person today, just like me!"

"Oh right, Dad almost forgot. Didn't my older brother say he was going to pick up my older brother? Why hasn't he come back yet?"

"Second Young Master?" A maid entered just then, and seeing He Zhuo, she was somewhat surprised. "When did you return?"

The three people, who were originally enjoying a warm and loving atmosphere, all looked up at each other upon hearing this.

Upon seeing He Zhuo, He Jingyao's eyes sharpened, and his expression instantly turned stern: "You're back?"

"Second Brother, you're back?!" He Yunwei threw down the Lego she was holding, ran over happily, and jumped into the man's arms. "You're finally back, Second Brother! Have you been very busy lately? Why did it take you so long to come home?"

"Yes, I'm very busy."

"Alright, second brother, remember to eat and sleep even when you're busy, don't ruin your health."

He Zhuo looked at the little girl who only reached his waist, reached out and ruffled her hair: "Alright, you're so young, why worry so much? Go play with your Lego."

He Yunwei puffed out her cheeks and said in a mature tone, "Who told you to be so troublesome? I can't control you now, and I don't know if my future sister-in-law can either."

You Huilin pulled He Yunwei to her side and said with a smile, "Alright, the food will get cold if we keep talking. Let's all sit down and eat."

"Yes, please sit down." He Jingyao invited everyone to take their seats.

He Zhuo casually found a seat and sat down, watching the heartwarming scene of a family of four across from him.

You Huilin was He Jingyao's second wife, and the two had two children.

One of them was He Mingli, who was six years older than He Zhuo.

The other one is He Yunwei, who is twelve years younger than He Zhuo.

The four of them are family members bound by blood.

On the contrary, he seemed like an outsider who only spied on other people's happiness.

"Ah Zhuo, today is your and Weiwei's birthday. I specially asked the chef to make two portions of each dish. Try them and see if they suit your taste." He Mingli handed him chopsticks.

He Yunwei was pampered from a young age and was the little princess of the He family, showered with love and affection.

In previous years, He Jingyao and You Huilin would hold a grand birthday banquet for her at this time, inviting celebrities and bigwigs from all walks of life to celebrate.

Every year on this day, He Yunwei is a happy little birthday star who receives congratulations from relatives and friends from all sides.

He Zhuo, on the other hand, was an inconspicuous weed in the corner.

No one passed by.

Nobody cared.

Since being found by the He family at the age of thirteen, he has never properly celebrated his birthday.

Especially at home.

In front of these so-called "family members".

Whether it's a lavish birthday party or not.

It was still the blessings and concern from family.

It all belongs to He Yunwei alone.

At He Yunwei's request, although there was no grand birthday banquet this year, the family simply had a meal at home.

But none of the necessary ceremonies and solemnities were omitted.

For example, a wide variety of dolls and crystals.

For example, this table is mostly filled with He Yunwei's favorite dishes.

All of this speaks to the couple's deep love for their youngest daughter.

He Zhuo did not reach out to take it.

He Mingli wasn't annoyed: "Aren't you hungry? How about we cut the cake first?"

"I think that's a good idea!" He Yunwei chimed in. "Big brother, let's blow out the candles first, otherwise it'll be too late, and I'm afraid second brother will run away again!"

He Yunwei immediately ordered someone to bring the cake in.

The cake is small, with only two layers, but it is exquisitely and gorgeously made, with a fairytale feel.

A typical cake for girls.

After waiting for a while without seeing a second cake, He Mingli frowned: "Just one cake?"

"Yes, young master, the young lady said to keep her birthday simple this year, so the cake will be made to the standard size," the butler explained.

"But didn't I tell you to order two cakes? One for me and one for my second brother?" He Yunwei didn't understand the adults' complicated relationship. "Why is there still only one cake?"

Yu Huilin, who was standing nearby, explained, "Weiwei, it was Mom who asked them to order it this way. In previous years, you always said that it was too wasteful to celebrate your birthday. This year, we didn't want to be extravagant. Mom thought that we couldn't finish two cakes, so we just ordered one."

"What about my second brother's?"

You Huilin said gently, "If you'd like, let your second brother blow out the candles with you."

"Mom, today is also my second brother's birthday. If we can't finish the cake, we can share it with others. You shouldn't order only one cake under the pretext of being extravagant. How is my second brother supposed to celebrate his birthday without a birthday cake?" He Mingli was helpless about his mother's behavior.

"I'm so sorry, young master," the butler apologized, "I've been busy preparing for the birthday party lately, and I completely forgot. I'm truly sorry."

"I'll call the cake shop owner right now and order another one."

"No."

As soon as He Zhuo said this, everyone looked at him.

He Mingli asked, puzzled, "Why not use it? Today is also your birthday."

"unnecessary."

We've gotten through so many years already, one more won't make a difference.

Feeling bored, He Zhuo stood up and said, "Let's go, you guys enjoy your meal."

"Stop right there, where are you going?"

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, He Jingyao got angry. "You've only been back a short time, and you're leaving again? It's your birthday today, even if you don't want to celebrate, you have to stay and spend it with your sister!"

"Your sister has missed you so much lately, and all you do is call, either your phone is off or busy, and even when you do answer, you have a hundred excuses to avoid coming home. I think you've gotten too big for your britches! You don't consider this home your home anymore!!"

He Zhuo turned around, his gaze fixed intently on him.

His eyes were full of sarcasm: "This family is fine with just you few. What do you need me for? If your family is at odds because of me, you'll end up blaming me."

Yu Huilin sensed something was wrong: "Ali, Weiwei's clothes are dirty. Take her to change them."

He Mingli glanced at them and gently advised, "Dad, it's rare for A-Zhuo to come back. Talk things out calmly and don't argue."

"You take your sister up first."

He Mingli didn't say anything and led He Yunwei upstairs.

After they went upstairs, He Jingyao's expression grew even colder: "You think you're all grown up now? Say that again if you dare!"

"Didn't you hear everything? Why are you pretending to be deaf?"

"you--"

"Xiaozhuo, how can you say that?" You Huilin's tone remained gentle. "Your father has worried a lot about you these past few days, and his hair has turned quite white. You may not care about what he has done, but you shouldn't argue with him as soon as you come back."

He Zhuo scoffed coldly: "You're quite understanding."

You Huilin frowned, clearly displeased: "He Zhuo, I'm not your mother, so I don't have the right to say anything to you, but he's my husband. If you upset him, then I should speak up."

He Zhuo remained unmoved: "I'm not interested in hearing that."

"What kind of attitude is this? Huilin is just concerned about you, don't be ungrateful!" He Jingyao was furious. "What happened when you hit someone with your car the other day? Don't you have any respect for the law?"

"Can you please change your reckless ways? You cause trouble outside, and I have to clean up your messes at home. Am I supposed to take it all for granted?!"

"If it were something trivial, I wouldn't mind, but you've gone too far this time! If someone had died, would you still be sitting here peacefully?"

"So what if I die? It doesn't matter."

boom!

A hand slammed on the table: "If you want to die, don't drag the He family down with you!!"

"You bastard! You're just like your mother, a complete madwoman, never satisfied until you've turned the house upside down!"

Upon hearing this, He Zhuo's expression instantly turned serious.

He chuckled, his dark eyes filled with a venomous glint: "He Jingyao, you dare mention her?"

"Why can't I mention her? If she were a mother, would she have abandoned you and left you to wander for so many years?"

He Zhuo's veins bulged, his fingers clenched tightly at his sides: "And what about you? Do you look like a father?!"

"you--"

He Zhuo kicked the chair away and strode away.

"You bastard! Get back here!"

"Alright, Jingyao, don't be angry anymore," You Huilin gently patted his chest to help him catch his breath. "The child is immature, and as his father, you should be understanding and tolerant. Talk things out calmly and don't be sarcastic."

"You know perfectly well that this person is taboo for He Zhuo, yet you still bring it up in front of him. Aren't you just trying to start a fight?"

"Am I wrong? His mother is an extremely controlling lunatic. If she were still alive, who knows what kind of mess she would have made of the He family!"

……

"Second Brother!"

He Zhuo stopped in his tracks and turned around.

A little girl in a princess dress ran over breathlessly and handed him a cake: "Second brother, this is for you."

"Need not."

He Zhuo was in a bad mood and didn't want to deal with her.

"Second Brother, I'm sorry!" He Yunwei said, looking at the man's back. "I knew it was your birthday today, but I was so happy that I forgot to tell them to order a cake for you."

"Can you forgive me?"

He Yunwei was filled with remorse.

Knowing that my second brother rarely comes back, I finally managed to get him back today, and we should have a happy birthday together.

But she still messed things up.

Not only did the second brother not get to eat his birthday cake, but his relationship with his parents also became even more strained because of this incident.

Although she is still young, she has the ability to perceive.

She could tell that her second brother was in a bad mood and very unhappy.

He Zhuo gazed at the distant, secluded road.

The road was deserted and desolate, stretching as far as the eye could see.

He remained silent for a long time before turning to look at her.

"It's not your fault, you don't need to apologize."

No matter how hard she tries, a child like her can't influence the decisions of adults.

The little girl held out the cake with both hands: "Can you accept this cake?"

Looking at the expectation in the little girl's eyes, He Zhuo couldn't bear to reach out and take it.

"Alright, it's cold outside, let's go back inside."

"Okay!" The little girl was overjoyed. "Then be careful on your way back, bye-bye!"

After saying that, he ran back into the house.

He Zhuo glanced at the cake in his hand, then turned and left.

He Zhuo got into the car and was about to put the cake aside when something fell out from the gap in the cake box.

He was taken aback, bent down to pick it up, and opened it to take a look.

It's an earmuff.

There was also a piece of paper pasted on it.

Happy birthday, brother. May you have sweet dreams tonight, and every night to come.

Looking at the childish handwriting, the man curled his lips into a smile.

-

Jiang Youxi thought Jiang Xu was a troublesome academic failure, and this time she was just letting him try his luck at the school exam. She was prepared to spend money to find him another school if he failed.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xu's grades were exceptionally good! Especially in math, he handed in his paper and came out in less than half an hour.

Jiang Youxi saw that he came out so early and thought he had failed the exam and been kicked out by the teacher.

Until the proctor came out with a big smile, looking at Jiang Xu as if he were a rare genius, he hugged Jiang Xu from the back and patted him hard, exclaiming that this was the first time in all his years of teaching that he had encountered such a math genius, and the first time that Chuanyu No.1 Middle School had ever seen such a person.

and many more?

A mathematical genius?

Jiang Youxi was completely bewildered. After asking, she learned that Jiang Xu was actually so good at math that even simple high school tests were child's play for him.

With his current mathematical knowledge, he is qualified to participate in this year's National Mathematical Olympiad and has a great chance of winning a top-three finish.

Jiang Youxi was both surprised and delighted upon hearing this: "I'm not that good at math either, how could I have given birth to a math genius like you?"

Jiang Xu remained calm about this, clearly immune to such praise.

"Mom, don't worry, I inherited my math skills from Dad, not you."

"For He Zhuo?"

"Yes, Dad got into Bojiang University by winning first place in the National Mathematical Olympiad. Mom, didn't you know that?"

Jiang Youxi was stunned: "I really didn't know."

Jiang Xu looked disgusted: "Mom, you really don't care about Dad! I'm starting to doubt if I'm even your biological son!"

"What? It wasn't me who gave birth to it? Was it He Zhuo who gave birth to it? Could he even have given birth to it?"

"..."

"However, since you behaved well today, I can grant you one request." Jiang Youxi was in a great mood. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"Mom, let's go shopping! I haven't been shopping at all since I came here!"

"You're a grown man, and you still like shopping?"

"Who says men can't go shopping?"

Jiang Youxi leaned closer to him, squinting as she looked him up and down: "Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Tell me, what's the real purpose of this shopping trip?"

Jiang Xu immediately became shy: "I want to celebrate Dad's birthday."

Where is he?

"Arcade".

"..."

Well, after all that detour, it turns out you wanted to play games!

"Can."

"real?"

"Of course!" Jiang Youxi tossed her hair. "It's just playing games, your mom has plenty of money!"

"Mom, that's Dad's money."

"If we're married in the future, his money will be my money, right?"

Jiang Xu gave a thumbs up: "Mom, with your awareness, a wonderful life for you and Dad is just around the corner!"

Jiang Youxi slapped his hand away: "Stop trying to match us up! I'm not familiar with your father!"

"..."

-

The mother and son went to Tianbai Shopping Mall, the largest shopping mall in Jianghai City.

This shopping mall is huge, with ten floors, each with different commercial areas.

The third floor is the game room.

The arcade was large and filled with all kinds of game machines. The sounds of intense battles constantly came from the machines, filling the entire arcade.

Jiang Xu loves shooting basketballs, throwing them one by one into the basket with precision and speed.

"I've been so bored at home lately. Going to school is good too, I can make new friends to play ball with."

"That's not what you said this morning."

"What's done is done, and there's nothing we can do to change it, so we can only be optimistic and take it one day at a time."

"You're quite good at comforting yourself."

As expected of her son, he has such a good attitude.

optimism!

"My dad taught me that."

Jiang Youxi asked in surprise, "He teaches you these things too?"

I never expected He Zhuo to have this kind of mentality.

I didn't see that coming.

"Of course, because you taught him." Jiang Xu pointed at her, then at himself. "You taught Dad, Dad taught me, a perfect closed loop."

"..."

After Jiang Xu finished his last game, he took out all the game tokens he had won and went to exchange them: "Mom, can you buy me a basketball later? I want an NBA professional-grade one."

"How much does one of these basketballs cost?"

"one thousand."

Oh, she thought it was over ten thousand.

"As long as you behave, I'll carry the sun down from the sky for you, let alone a ball!"

"Okay, then I want more..." Jiang Xu suddenly noticed something and frantically tugged at Jiang Youxi's sleeve, "Mom, isn't that Dad?"

Jiang Youxi looked in the direction Jiang Xu pointed.

Sure enough, I saw a familiar figure from behind.

He Zhuo stood with his back to them at the exit, a cigarette between his fingers, and a phone call in his other hand.

"What's wrong with Dad? He doesn't seem to be in a good mood."