After seeing the emotion color, they all turned pink.

"Little Star, how much is the rent where you live?"

Su Ling neatly cut a slice of cake, pushed the plate in front of Xu Wanxing's table, and spoke softly, "This plate has a lot of strawberries, eat slowly..."

"Six hundred... thank... thank you, Auntie..."

"You're welcome, little star~"

"..."

Meanwhile, Xu Chuan, wearing a birthday hat askew on his head, had an empty table in front of him...

I think today... is my birthday...

"Rustling sound".

Just as he was thinking this, a small plate of cake with a chocolate crust was suddenly pushed onto the table.

Old Xu cut it for him after letting out a soft sigh.

Oh, my father, true friendship is revealed in times of trouble...

Xu Chuan was deeply moved.

He ate his cake in silence.

From now on, at home, I'll be closest to you, Old Xu, and Empress Dowager Su can go to the side!

"Six hundred for this place is a bit expensive. Little Star, why don't you pack up and move into the empty bedroom in Xu Chuan's room... This place is free..."

Su Ling pointed to the empty bedroom where the two of them had just been talking.

what?

Xu Chuan raised his head.

Empress Dowager Su, we are best friends! Old Xu, get out of here!

The room where the two of them went in to talk was the second bedroom of this apartment. If it weren't for the mysterious couple coming today, Xu Chuan would have basically never been inside it, and it had been empty all this time.

Actually, it would be great if the little star could move in.

Xu Chuan had long felt that leaving a room empty was a waste, and he had even considered renting it out himself to earn some extra money.

But I was afraid of being matched with an amazing roommate, so I gave up.

Secondly, Little Star is already facing financial difficulties.

Every time she asks her parents for money, she has to swallow her pride, what a shameful young woman. Saving her the monthly rent would indeed save her a significant amount of money.

Third, and most importantly, Xu Chuan is a good guy, living next door to him is absolutely safe!!

Xu Chuan turned his head and looked at Xu Wanxing with some anticipation.

Perhaps it was because Old Xu and Empress Dowager Su were also present,

Little Star sat a little further away from him. Before, the two of them sat next to each other, but now there was about half an arm's length between them.

She had just been sipping from a small plastic fork covered in cream when she heard Empress Dowager Su's suggestion, and the orange hue of her mood instantly brightened.

But, once you put down the fork, what comes out is...

"Thank you, Auntie... but... I think it's better not to. I'm afraid it might disturb Xu Chuan's studies. He might be quieter and more free living alone..."

"What is he studying?"

Su Ling looked at Xu Chuan with droopy eyes, "By the way... what was your ranking in last week's test?"

"A little over two hundred..." Xu Chuan mumbled, only saying "a little over two hundred" when asked.

"How much is two hundred?"

Su Ling then asked.

"..."

This is pointless, isn't it, Empress Dowager Su...

"Xiao Xu, you can stay here. It's fine. I don't study much when I get home at night anyway..."

Xu Chuan did not reply to Empress Dowager Su, but turned to speak to Xu Wanxing. He continued, "Oh, if you think I'll affect your study habits or your study pace, then forget it..."

Although he couldn't defeat Empress Dowager Su, Xu Chuan was still quite adept at handling Xiao Xingxing.

Guilt-based PUA and moral blackmail—they'll all be on the menu!

"No..." Xu Wanxing waved her hand hastily, looking at Xu Chuan, she explained, "It won't affect me, I'm just afraid I'll bother you..."

"No, just let me know when your lease expires, and I'll help you pack up."

Xu Chuan summed it up in just a few words, and that was it.

Xu Wanxing's lips opened and closed twice.

She looked at Su Ling again and received a loving and encouraging look from her. Little Star finally pursed her lips and hummed in agreement.

"Thank you... Auntie, Xu Chuan, I'll pay the rent..."

"Little Star, don't be so polite! Why pay rent?"

"Exactly, exactly," Xu Chuan echoed. "Why pay rent? Not a single penny..."

All I need to do is wait for you to come home, wear a little apron, cook for me, feed the cat, clean up the house, and let me pinch your little cheeks...

Su Ling moved her chair and sat down next to Xu Wanxing, continuing what she had just said: "Little Xingxing doesn't need to pay a single penny. After you move in, Xu Chuan will cook for you and clean the house..."

"Yes, yes... Hmm? No, no!" Xu Chuan straightened up.

"Auntie...you can't do this..." Xu Wanxing became noticeably flustered, waving her hands repeatedly. "Then I'd better not come..."

"what?"

Su Ling was stunned for a moment.

This girl is so kind...

Unexpectedly, despite her strong support for her, the other woman didn't come. Su Ling hesitated for a moment, then, "Ah, well..."

"I just hope Xiao Xu can tutor me sometime, my science subjects are so-so..."

Xu Chuan said casually while eating cake.

After saying that, Xu Wanxing seemed more at ease. She looked at Xu Chuan and nodded seriously, "Sure, Xu Chuan, these subjects are my strengths, I can teach you..."

"Teach him? Xu Chuan's grades... Little Star, do you know that...?" Su Ling's lips twitched unconsciously as she asked.

Xu Wanxing nodded. "I know, Xu Chuan is very smart."

"..."

Sigh—Awesome!

Seeing Empress Dowager Su get the short end of the stick, Xu Chuan felt secretly pleased.

but……

Xu Chuan suddenly remembered something else. This girl had previously said her English wasn't good, that it was only around 130, but now she was saying these subjects were her strengths…

How terrifying must it be...?

Or is it that this little star is actually a bit scheming, wanting to show off in front of Empress Dowager Su and Old Xu?

But Xu Chuan didn't care anymore; now he had a good opportunity to fight back.

He looked at Empress Dowager Su with a provocative smile.

"Look at you, you don't even trust your own son, really!"

"Exactly, exactly, I really trust Xiaochuan," Old Xu chimed in. "He'll definitely get into a junior college!"

"..."

Su Ling choked for a moment.

She glanced at Xu Chuan, who looked like he was about to get punched, still eating cake, and then looked at the well-behaved Xu Wanxing next to her.

At that moment, she suddenly realized something.

From the very beginning, it seems that Little Star's rhythm has been controlled by this kid, and he seems to listen to him exceptionally well.

This brat has really gotten to work!

Su Ling gently held Xu Wanxing's small hand, then took out her phone, opened the settings, and brought up the phone number.

"Little Star, this is Auntie's phone number. If Xu Chuan bullies you in the future, just call me..."

Su Ling looked up at Xu Chuan, who was eating cake across from her, her eyes filled with a dangerous smile.

"I chopped him up."

"Cough cough..."

That's too much! My dear Feng Feng, just because I bent you in front of Little Star, you're going to retaliate like this?

"Xu Chuan didn't bully me..."

Just as Xu Chuan was preparing his words and thinking of a rebuttal, Xu Wanxing suddenly spoke up.

Turning her head slightly, the girl looked at Su Ling beside her, her dark eyes flashing, and shook her head earnestly.

"He won't bully me..."

Su Ling was taken aback again. She stared at Xu Wanxing's face for a moment, then unconsciously sighed.

The pity and sadness that hadn't completely subsided after I left the bedroom seemed to surge up again.

She raised her hand and gently touched Xu Wanxing's head.

"call--"

Xu Chuan also breathed a sigh of relief.

I really didn't spoil this little star for nothing.

awesome!

Since Xu Chuan and Xu Wanxing had already eaten, they weren't very hungry, so a small plate of cake each was enough to fill them up.

The remaining cake was put in the refrigerator to chill.

While tidying up the table, Su Ling suddenly noticed the shoebox that was half-open on the top of the table.

"this……"

Su Ling also saw the invoice in the shoebox.

She frowned and looked at Xu Chuan. "Xu Chuan, these shoes... who gave them to you? A classmate? Youzi? Is this receipt real or just a joke...?"

Old Xu also went over to take a look, and when he saw the price, he raised his eyebrows and clicked his tongue, saying, "Hiss... these young people nowadays..."

"This is……"

Xu Chuan observed the emotions of the elderly couple.

Old Xu's is alright, a mix of doubtful purple and expectant orange, with a touch of envious and jealous silver-white.

But Empress Dowager Su's was quite subtle, with a lot of doubtful purple and light red representing anxiety.

So, should we say that Little Star bought this...?

Will telling Little Star increase her favorability?

"You didn't... Xu Chuan, you bought this for yourself, did you?!"

Su Ling suddenly looked up at Xu Chuan, her eyes narrowing into slits.

"Heh, you're that rich now, Young Master Chuan? Shoes that cost over three thousand... you just bought them like that? Looks like you're usually quite generous..."

Oh no! This is my future living expenses!

Xu Chuan scratched his face, about to say something, but was interrupted by a soft female voice beside him.

"Auntie, that was for Xu Chuan, he... he doesn't know..."

Xu Wanxing still spoke up.

Seeing this, she could tell that Su Ling seemed a little angry, but she didn't want Xu Chuan to be implicated because of her...

At the same time, she could also see Su Ling's disgust for these flashy but impractical items. She felt that she had done something wrong and lowered her head nervously after speaking.

Empress Dowager Su was silent for a moment, then pointed a finger at Xu Wanxing.

"Little Star, Xu Chuan doesn't like things like that~"

"?"

Xu Chuan raised an eyebrow.

When did I say I didn't like it?!

Xu Wanxing also raised her head, blinking, seemingly a little confused, but it was Xu Chuan's mother's personal confirmation...

Did Xu Chuan not like it in the first place?

But when we tried it last time, Xu Chuan seemed to really like it.

"How do you like it?"

Su Ling picked up a shoe worth 1,700 yuan from the shoebox and looked at Xu Chuan with a smile. "Hmm?"

"I don't like...this kind of thing; it's all a trap of consumerism!"

Xu Chuan shook his head violently, raised his finger, and spoke righteously.

"Three thousand yuan—how much rice? How much flour? How many vegetables? How much meat? It could buy a whole wall of books for children in mountainous areas..."

"..."

Xu Wanxing looked at Xu Chuan, listening in a daze.

So, this was Xu Chuan's true thought?

So, was his surprised and happy expression just an act to avoid disappointing me?

Compared to this... I'm so materialistic... I thought buying him expensive things would make him happy...

Xu Wanxing lowered her eyes and pursed her lips.

"Hmm..." Su Ling nodded in satisfaction.

Xu Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.

This year's living expenses... have been saved.

"Little Star, where did you buy this?" Su Ling asked Xu Wanxing.

"This...this is across from the amusement park..."

"Oh, over there, no wonder it's so expensive..." Old Xu suddenly realized. "You remember my tie last time, right? I bought it there."

Su Ling frowned, turned around and started tidying up the shoebox.

"I understand. Lao Xu, drive over later, and we'll go return this."

"These shoes can't be returned, right...?"

Xu Chuan still wanted to try, after all, it was the first birthday gift Xiao Xingxing had given him, so it was still very meaningful.

He went on to say that.

"These commemorative editions, I think their stores usually have them registered or something..."

"I have to get a refund even if I can't. It's a waste of money. I'll go get a refund. You and Little Star could use that money to go out and have something nice to eat."

Su Ling packed the shoes, picked up the bag, and called Lao Xu to come downstairs and get the car.

Before leaving, she glanced at Xu Chuan and Xu Wanxing. "Little Star, if you want to go home, let Xu Chuan take you. It's dark outside, get some rest, you have school tomorrow, Monday..."

"Okay... Goodbye, Auntie..." Xu Wanxing walked towards the door and waved to Empress Dowager Su's back.

"Little Star".

Xu Chuan called out to Xu Wanxing's retreating figure.

Xu Wanxing turned around and looked at him with a "Hmm?"

The two stared at each other for a while, and Xu Chuan suddenly felt a burning sensation in his earlobe.

Why does Empress Dowager Su use that title so naturally? I feel a little embarrassed when I use it...

Xu Wanxing, who was a beat slow to react, suddenly realized that Xu Chuan had called her "Little Star" instead of "Little Xu".

The girl's earlobes began to turn red.

"Let's go, I'll take you home. We can take a walk to digest your food..."

Xu Chuan took a few steps out the door, turned his back, and closed it.

Then, looking out from the second-floor balcony, I saw Lao Xu's car with its lights on and started. Once I was sure they had driven far away,

Xu Chuan whistled lightly as he walked back to Xiao Xingxing's side, then took her hand and led her downstairs.

"Xu Chuan, Auntie returned the shoes..."

As they walked home hand in hand, Xu Wanxing spoke cautiously.

"Does this mean I didn't give you a birthday present at all...?"

"Um……"

Xu Chuan pondered for a moment, then remained silent.

Simply because at this moment, he felt incredibly joyful.

The evening breeze was slightly cool at the end of October, and my stomach was full.

Gently holding Little Star's hand, their shadows passed under one streetlamp after another. The wind let Xu Wanxing's loose hair fall loosely, blowing towards him.

The air was filled with the familiar scent of his shampoo.

This is the best gift, isn't it...?

Moreover, Xu Chuan slightly turned his head to look at the girl's pretty and delicate profile.

The vibrant colors that outline Xu Wanxing's emotions pulsate under the clear white light, radiating an indescribable beauty.

"Ha, whatever..."

The two walked slowly, remaining silent throughout, and Xu Chuan enjoyed this tranquil gentleness.

"Xu Chuan..."

As they reached the intersection of the street where her house was located, under the cold white streetlights, Xu Wanxing suddenly stopped, and the two of them straightened their clasped arms slightly.

"Um?"

Xu Chuan also stopped and turned to look at her.

Xu Wanxing pursed her lips, swallowed, and then raised her eyes. Her eyes, glistening with a faint moisture, met Xu Chuan's gaze. Her voice was soft and husky.

"Thank you... thank you so much..."

"..."

Xu Chuan didn't speak, just watched her quietly. He could see the intense emotional fluctuations Xu Wanxing was experiencing at that moment.

The two repeated sentences conveyed the girl's most sincere gratitude.

So... she finally didn't want to leave...

"Thank you……"

Xu Wanxing exhaled a trembling breath and repeated it again.

"I don't know what to do... I..."

She tried her best to control her emotions and not lose her composure in front of Xu Chuan as she continued speaking.

"Xu Chuan, I... I heard a story when I was little... The story was about a little fairy who was sealed in a bottle for a very long time. Then, someone rescued him, and then... he granted that person three wishes..."

Xu Wanxing also grabbed Xu Chuan's hand with her other hand. She looked up at Xu Chuan, her watery eyes sparkling, and clenched her hands together.

Xu Chuan was slightly stunned as he looked at the girl in front of him.

The wind whipped her loose hair behind her, her lips parted, and a glistening sheen graced her fair, delicate cheeks. Her hands gripped his tightly, her palms soft yet her grip firm.

Under the cold white streetlights, the two shadows were compressed into two clumps. Behind the old buildings, the night sky was filled with twinkling stars, and Xu Wanxing's voice was soft and nasal.

"So... Xu Chuan, your birthday present... I... I want to give you... three wishes, and I'll try my best to fulfill them!"