Oh no, the aloof school beauty has been reborn too!

The girl lowered her head, her fingertips brushing against his hand.

The movement was gentle, yet it made Lu Xing feel somewhat uneasy.

He instinctively tried to pull his hand back.

"It really doesn't hurt that much."

Lu Xing coughed lightly, trying to make his tone sound more relaxed.

"Look, it's already scabbed over."

As he spoke, he moved his fingers to prove that he was indeed alright.

But Shen Qingyi didn't let go; instead, she gripped his hand even tighter.

Lu Xing paused for a moment, then looked down at her.

The girl lowered her eyelashes, and the candlelight fell on her profile, making her expression soft and serene.

After a long while, Shen Qingyi finally spoke softly:

"Why be so silly?"

It sounded like a reproach, yet also like heartache.

Lu Xing opened his mouth.

The words I was going to say casually suddenly came out.

He finally sighed.

"because……"

I want to give you a special birthday present.

Shen Qingyi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Lu Xing looked down at their clasped hands, his tone serious.

"This is the first birthday I've ever celebrated for you."

"So I don't want you to feel like I just bought something random to appease you."

"I... take this matter very seriously."

After saying that, Lu Xing's ears started to burn again, much to his dismay.

Expressing these feelings word by word is much harder than writing code.

He let out a soft breath and continued:

"I know you don't lack those bags, cosmetics, jewelry and the like."

"But gifts... can't be entirely measured by price, can they?"

Shen Qingyi pursed her lips and nodded gently.

Lu Xing scratched his cheek and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"And I don't know if there's anything you particularly want."

"And you're so smart..."

"I'm afraid that if I ask, you'll guess it."

Shen Qingyi finally raised her eyes and looked at him.

Lu Xing looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Winter is just around the corner."

"I was thinking...wouldn't it be nice to give you a handmade scarf?"

"Although it may not be very well knitted."

At this point, he added in a low voice:

"But at least my intentions were there."

Gentle background music played in the restaurant.

Shen Qingyi listened quietly to him finish speaking, then looked down at the scarf.

Within each imperfect coil lies the boy's clumsy yet earnest affection.

Shen Qingyi slowly inserted her fingers little by little into Lu Xing's fingers.

Lu Xing paused for a moment as their fingers intertwined.

His heart skipped a few beats for no apparent reason.

"Qingyi?"

Lu Xing called out to her somewhat uncertainly.

Shen Qingyi raised her head.

She looked at Lu Xing, her eyes bright, but her lips were slightly pursed.

After a few seconds, the girl whispered:

"fool."

"What should I do if I want to kiss you now?"

Lu Xing subconsciously looked around...

They didn't book a private room.

Although the tables at Suiyunmu are not close together and there are some partitions on the side, there are still quite a few customers around.

Lu Xing withdrew his gaze, his voice becoming somewhat stammering.

"This...this place doesn't seem quite right, does it?"

Shen Qingyi was taken aback when she saw his expression of being on high alert.

Then, she burst out laughing.

The girl raised her hand and gently tapped his arm.

That's why I said you're an idiot~

Lu Xing was even more confused.

"what?"

Shen Qingyi gave a soft snort and turned her head away.

"No exceptions after the expiration date."

"You've already missed your chance to kiss me!"

Lu Xing immediately deflated.

"How could this be?"

Opportunities come suddenly, and they leave just as suddenly.

He looked at the girl's turned profile and whispered to her:

"We can go out later, and then..."

Shen Qingyi immediately turned around.

She looked at him with a smile, her eyes full of teasing.

"What else?"

Lu Xing lowered his head slightly, his ears starting to burn again.

"Again……"

"Let's do some things that couples do."

Shen Qingyi blinked, her smile deepening.

She drawled out her voice and called to him softly:

"Land travel..."

The boy looked up.

"Um?"

Shen Qingyi rested her chin on her hand, like a kitten that had just stolen a fish.

"You're so lecherous~"

"..."

Lu Xing suddenly didn't want to talk anymore.

The girl deliberately dug a pit for him, waiting for him to fall into it.

Shen Qingyi laughed so hard her shoulders were shaking, and finally she simply leaned over and lazily rested her head on Lu Xing's shoulder.

"Oh no, I can't take it anymore."

"I laughed so hard my stomach hurt."

Seeing her smiling happily, Lu Xing smiled helplessly as well.

Oh well, as long as she's happy.

Shen Qingyi laughed until she was tired, then leaned on his shoulder for a while to recover.

She raised her hand to rub the corner of her eye, and finally sat up a little straighter.

"Okay, okay."

"Can we go now?"

Lu Xing glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Can't."

Shen Qingyi was stunned.

"what?"

She blinked, clearly not quite understanding.

Lu Xing did not answer immediately.

Just as Shen Qingyi was about to ask further questions, footsteps suddenly came from behind her.

Several waiters slowly walked over from not far away.

The lead waiter was carrying a small, exquisite birthday cake.

The cake wasn't very big, and it was decorated with a few strawberries and a ring of chocolate shavings.

Shen Qingyi's expression gradually froze.

The waiters came to the table with gentle smiles on their faces.

Then, they said in unison:

"Ms. Shen, happy birthday as the year draws to a close."

May everything go smoothly for you, and may good fortune always be with you!

After saying that, the lead waiter gently placed the cake in the center of the table.

Another waiter took out a candle, carefully inserted it, and lit it with a lighter.

A small flame flickered in front of the glass window.

Shen Qingyi was completely stunned.

The waiters bowed slightly again.

"As the year draws to a close, I wish you a pleasant meal once again."

Then they quietly withdrew.

The commotion wasn't loud, but it still drew the attention of the surrounding guests.

Those unfamiliar yet kind gazes fell upon us, adding another layer of warmth to the night.

The girl looked down at the cake on the table, unusually at a loss for what to do.

Lu Xing squeezed the two hands that were still clasped together.

"Come."

"Make a wish and blow out the candles."

Shen Qingyi's nose suddenly stung with tears.

She quickly lowered her eyes and blinked gently.

But my eyes still started to burn uncontrollably.

Shen Qingyi gave him a deep look and took a breath.

She released Lu Xing's hand and clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

The girl closed her eyes.

The candlelight fell on her eyelashes, making the slight dampness exceptionally clear.

Lu Xing looked at her quietly.

I wonder what the girl will wish for?

But whatever it may be, he hopes it will come true.

Shen Qingyi closed her eyes and repeated the same sentence in her mind over and over again.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, bent down, and gently blew on them.

The candle flame flickered and then went out in the wind.

Lu Xing immediately clapped his hands gently.

"Very good, very good!"

"When the candle goes out, all your wishes will come true."

Shen Qingyi stared blankly at the extinguished candle.

The candle wick was still emitting wisps of white smoke.

I wish my wish would really come true.