How come you're also my ex-girlfriend?

"Stop pretending, are you trying to play mind games with me?"

"If you don't play tricks, what kind of tricks are you going to play?"

"?"

The driver in front wiped the sweat from his forehead. Good heavens, what are young people talking about these days? I can't understand a word of it!

Fortunately, the journey wasn't very long, and the car soon stopped at the entrance of the residential area.

Xu Yan paid the money voluntarily and didn't try to get involved with Jiang Yiyao at this time.

I already have my own savings, so I don't need this much.

"Are you hungry? Do you want to get something to eat outside?"

That's why we didn't let the car into the community; it would be quite troublesome to get out once it was inside.

Jiang Yiyao glanced at her sideways and asked, "Are you treating?"

"Think bigger. You treated me to this meal, and I will definitely be grateful to you in the future."

"Would you treat them to ten meals back?"

"Aren't you being a little too greedy?"

"Then don't eat."

"You're getting angry now? Fine, fine, I'll treat you."

Xu Yan turned around and walked towards a barbecue restaurant near the neighborhood with an indifferent expression. Watching his decisive back, Jiang Yiyao narrowed her eyes slightly.

Did I remember? Not sure, let me check again.

The two went to a barbecue stall together, ordered some skewers, and then Jiang Yiyao suddenly remembered something.

"It's so hot today, how about some beer?"

"Can you drink alcohol?" Xu Yan asked skeptically.

Beer isn't a big problem, especially since there's no class tomorrow. The problem lies in the other person's alcohol tolerance.

Having a low alcohol tolerance isn't the key issue; the real problem is having poor drinking etiquette.

Jiang Yiyao said irritably, "It's just one bottle of beer, you can't possibly not finish the whole bottle, can you?"

Xu Yan thought about it. He felt fine when he was drinking with that woman named Shu Ying at the bar. Beer was no problem, of course, but... why did she suddenly want to drink? He didn't believe it was just because of the hot weather.

However, since the other party had already put it that way, Xu Yan could only nod in agreement.

Soon, two bottles of chilled beer were served before the barbecue.

"Hiss... It's so cold."

After taking a bite, Jiang Yiyao exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Yan smiled and said, "You asked for it chilled yourself."

"Of course! Why would you drink beer at room temperature if you don't drink it ice-cold?"

"You seem quite experienced..."

"What, do you think I'm a girl who secretly smokes and drinks?"

"Why do you say that? I've never considered you a girl."

"roll!"

After chatting for a while, the barbecue was served, and Xu Yan picked up the beef and pork belly and showed them off.

Brother Xu, who has plenty of money, ordered quite a lot. It wasn't the kind of situation where three or four energetic young men would order one basket of dumplings, so there was no need to be frugal; he could just show off.

October has arrived before we knew it...

As the two were eating and drinking, Jiang Yiyao suddenly sighed.

Xu Yan glanced at her and said, "Why are you getting all sentimental?"

"What does it mean to be melancholic about spring and autumn? Haven't you heard the saying?"

"What are you saying?"

"Time flies by very quickly once you turn eighteen."

"So you're not eighteen yet, are you?"

Jiang Yiyao glared fiercely at Xu Yan.

Forget it, I give up. This good-for-nothing whose brain is only filled with eating and cowering!

A bottle of beer was quickly finished, and there was hardly any barbecue left on the table.

Xu Yan blinked at the girl wiping her mouth with a tissue and asked, "Want some more?"

"Eat my ass! All you ever think about is eating!"

"If you don't want to eat, then don't eat. Why are you cursing?"

"If what I call swearing is wrong, then wasn't I trying to kill you before?"

"That makes sense. You killed my young and innocent heart."

"I'm sorry I didn't kill you while I was at it."

"Haren, are you playing a yandere? That version is over."

"I'll go to you!"

Xu Yan paid the bill, and the two left the barbecue stall together.

Actually, by this point, Jiang Yiyao had given up on hinting at anything to the boy, not because she was disappointed in him.

But at this point, she realized that her birthday hadn't arrived yet, and even if he was the closest man she had ever been since childhood, he had no obligation to remember her birthday every time.

Just like how I can't remember all my friends' phone numbers and birthdays.

Imposing expectations on others can be a form of subtle violence.

Ultimately, the problem wasn't with Xu Yan, but with his own mindset.

Just as Jiang Yiyao was lost in thought and walking forward in silence, not saying a word to Xu Yan, the boy suddenly stopped.

"Oh, by the way, wait here for me a moment, I forgot to pick something up."

"Ok?"

Before Jiang Yiyao could react, the boy had already turned around and walked quickly toward the express delivery locker.

This person is really something; he can forget everything. You can't rely on his memory for the rest of your life.

As the cool night breeze blew, Jiang Yiyao couldn't help but hug her exposed arms.

This is so annoying! Does this person really have to wait here all by themselves? Is this person some kind of child who's afraid of the dark?

Just as Jiang Yiyao was getting impatient, footsteps came from that direction.

In the darkness, the boy's figure gradually became visible.

With a somewhat strange smile, he held a small box in his hand.

"what is this?"

Jiang Yiyao asked out of instinctive curiosity.

Xu Yan opened the box and handed a smaller box to Jiang Yiyao.

"For you."

Jiang Yiyao was stunned for a moment, and without even knowing how, she reached out and took the small box.

My heart began to vibrate.

Looking down, I saw it was an earphone case.

She looked at Xu Yan with some confusion, not understanding why he had suddenly...

The boy, who had always appeared casual and lazy, now touched his hair and neck somewhat awkwardly.

"The headphones you gave me on the bus before... are a bit old, so I was thinking of getting you a new one so I can enjoy them better on the bus from now on."

"..." Jiang Yiyao bit her lower lip, her face turning an unnatural blush. "You want to hear it every day?"

Xu Yan shrugged. "I just said occasionally."

For some reason, his appearance made Jiang Yiyao want to laugh.

It was as if a distant sea breeze was blowing, sweeping up waves of sand and gravel, and those memories surged forth.

It stirred up a storm in my mind.

It seems like so much time has passed, and everyone should have grown up by now, but he's still so clumsy.

The reason he's glib and says strange things without making himself particularly dislike him is probably because... that's not the real him.

So, is it now?

Her fingertips unconsciously traced the edge of the earphone case. She looked down at it and then said softly.

"I can't accept it, these headphones are too expensive."

Xu Yan had already turned around and walked towards the stairwell, seemingly leaving the matter unremarkable.

"How can I refuse a birthday gift? Just do me a favor."

"Pfft..."

The girl, unable to hold back her laughter, looked up.

The moon was high in the sky, and it should have been a cold and quiet night, but her chest felt inexplicably warm.

He didn't say "Happy Birthday," but...

My birthday is over.

……