I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

"Ah, so that's what it is..."

Upon seeing the red-fleshed melons in front of him, Bai Zhantang immediately understood.

But realizing this didn't make her feel better; instead, it made her feel even more ashamed.

She really couldn't change her thieving nature. The sight of short sleeves immediately conjured up images of bare arms, fruit, and...

Ah, indeed, it's definitely easier to be reincarnated.

"Miss Zhan Tang, please ask whatever you wish. If I know the answer, I will answer it without reservation."

"This matter... is a long story... so I'll make it short."

After gathering his thoughts, Bai Zhantang began to tell Bai Zhou about his troubles.

■

"It turns out that the shopkeeper's birthday is approaching, but Miss Zhan Tang doesn't know what to give him as a gift."

After listening to Bai Zhantang's words, Bai Zhou pinched his fingertips and pondered carefully.

"What does the shopkeeper like?"

"Rouge and face powder? Or clothing and skirts? Or perhaps pearls and jewelry?"

Girls usually only like a few guys.

"As for clothes... the shopkeeper is quite stingy; I've never seen her buy herself many new outfits..."

"Rouge and face powder... forget about that, her makeup skills... even the best rouge would be wasted..."

"As for jewelry... I think I really like the new hairpin from the Jade Pavilion."

Bai Zhantang seemed to have come up with a suitable gift.

"Thank you so much! You explained it to me so quickly, hahaha!"

Once she figured out what gift to give, Bai Zhantang was overjoyed. She didn't even want to stay in the house or eat the melon anymore; she couldn't wait to go and buy the hairpin right now.

"It's just that bystanders have a clearer view; I, Bai, didn't put in any effort."

"I'm sorry to have bothered you today. There aren't many of those hairpins left, and many have already been bought up in the past few days. I need to hurry and reserve a spot. Thank you for your great kindness, Mr. Bai, another day!"

"Take care, Miss Zhan Tang."

Bai Zhantang left in a hurry.

"Oh dear, really."

"There are gifts too, and people offering advice. How wonderful!"

Nian, who was watching the melon seeds on the side, said with a smile.

"By the way, does Sister know when Mr. [Sir's] birthday is?"

The questioning during the day made Nian eat a spoonful of melon with a vengeance. Afterwards, the angry immortal didn't even look at the young man's face, and just kept eating the melon spoonful after spoonful.

"Hmph, is that all you ask? Sincerity, where's the sincerity? I don't see any sincerity at all!"

"Sister, please calm down. It was my oversight."

A gentle force moved lightly across her leg, followed by a series of apologies, attempting to extinguish her anger.

"Humph……"

She handed him the melon, then crossed her arms over her chest, closed her eyes slightly, and parted her red lips slightly.

"Sister, let's eat some melon."

During the day, he would offer her a piece of melon at just the right time.

"Hmph, you're quick-witted."

After eating the melon pulp, he asked:

"Silly Little White, do you know why 'Silly Eleven' is eleven?"

"Well...it's because you're the eleventh child in the family."

"Only half right."

He swallowed the melon flesh and then opened his mouth again.

During the day, continue feeding her.

"Because the birthday of the eleventh person is November 11th."

"I see."

Although he had spent two years with Xi, Bai Zhou had never seen Xi celebrate her birthday, so he did not know when Xi's birthday was.

Now, after years of guidance, he has learned a little more about Xi.

"Um...cough cough."

Looking at the still daylight, Nian frowned in dissatisfaction.

"Hmm, and then what?"

"Ah. Sister, you've worked hard. Sister, have some melon."

Bai Zhou hurriedly offered Nian a piece of melon pulp, but Nian refused to eat it.

"You silly little white rabbit! I'm so angry! I'm ignoring you!"

Without looking back, he plopped down on the bed, pulled the covers over himself, and prepared to sleep.

"Sister..."

Seemingly remembering something, Nian suddenly sat up, ate the melon on her spoon in one bite, and then lay back down in bed, refusing to speak no matter how Bai Zhou asked her.

"..."

There were no more greetings in my ears, only the faint sound of a spoon rubbing against the melon pulp.

That wretched, stupid newbie!

I'm doing this on purpose to annoy her!

The year had almost made it clear, but he paid no attention to her words, only thinking about Ben Shiyi's birthday.

Is it so hard to ask her? Or is it that her birthday doesn't matter at all?

"..."

Bai Zhou looked at Nian, who was silently carrying him on his back, and then at the restless tail, a smile appearing on his lips.

"Don't touch me. I won't let you touch me!"

Nian swayed, trying to break free from that embrace.

"What gift would you like to receive on your birthday, sister?"

"So what? I don't want to talk to my stupid brother who doesn't care about his sister."

With his eyes closed, he looked like he didn't recognize him.

"Should we enjoy the delicious food to our heart's content, or go out and have some fun?"

"Or should I have them all?"

He put his arm around Nian's waist and whispered in her ear during the day.

"What's the point of telling you? You wouldn't care about the barely noticeable birthday of a complete stranger anyway."

"How could I not care?"

His left palm released her waist, instead grasping the base of the white tail, and he whispered in the daytime:

“I care a lot about my older sister’s birthday. And I know when it is.”

Does he know? (O?O)

I didn't say that! r(?x?)???

Did I say that? ( ?ω?)

Years later, I had some doubts.

"The ninth day of the ninth month happens to be the Double Ninth Festival."

Remembering loved ones on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

Bai Zhou seemed to have thought of something, and his voice became much softer.

"When that time comes, sister, how about we go for some chrysanthemum tea? We can bring a pot of tea, then climb to a high place to enjoy the view, admire the flowers, and appreciate the moon."

"Why drink tea? Isn't there chrysanthemum wine?"

Nian was intrigued by Bai Zhou's words and even forgot to ask why Bai Zhou knew her birthday.

"Hmm, I think so. I'm not sure though, so how about you, sister, choose what we drink?"

Gently stroking the slightly plump tail, Bai Zhou's voice became soft and sweet, like a younger brother coaxing his older sister.

"Okay... cough cough, it's alright."

Just as he was about to celebrate the New Year, he thought of his current situation, so he coughed twice and agreed to Bai Zhou's words as if he didn't care.

"So, is my sister happy now?"

"I'm not angry, so why would I be unhappy?"

Hearing her stubborn explanation, Bai Zhou didn't say much, but simply hugged her tighter.

"Loosen up a bit, you're hugging me too tightly. It's too hot!"

Nian, who was already feeling unbearably hot wearing only a robe, felt even more restless as Bai Zhou held her like this.

"Sister...you won't leave me, will you?"

Bai Zhou suddenly asked a strange question.

"What kind of talk is that?"

"Where in the world is there such a thing as..."

He had only uttered half a sentence when his voice softened.