Chapter 14: Birthday Edition

“I’ve decided what I want for my birthday gift,” Kui Ming said, poking Xie Jun’s arm.

Xie Jun turned around, “What is it?”

Kui Ming responded mysteriously, “I can’t tell you yet. You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Xie Jun could probably guess what was on his mind, so he didn’t press further.

After a while, Kui Ming poked his arm again. “Can I ask for one more?”

“Sure.” Xie Jun nodded, figuring that he might as well indulge him a bit since it was his birthday.

Kui Ming, satisfied, leaned back and started tapping away on his phone.

But after a while, he leaned over again. “Can I add one more?”

Xie Jun lifted his foot and kicked him lightly. Kui Ming quickly said, “I’ll take care of all the housework this month!”

Xie Jun reluctantly nodded. “Fine.”

“Jun Jun, can I still…” Kui Ming leaned over again, but Xie Jun grabbed his mouth, squeezing it into a flat little duck beak, and said coldly, “No.”

Kui Ming struggled to speak, “I’ll take care of the housework next month and the month after that too.”

“No.”

“All my life, my parents never properly celebrated my birthday with me. I’m so pitiful.” Kui Ming began to put on a pitiful act.

Xie Jun was speechless, unable to handle his persistence, and finally gave in.

A series of mysterious packages started arriving at their home. They were ordinary delivery boxes, but with blank store names and item descriptions, clearly not typical packages. Kui Ming opened them and then quietly hid the contents in the closet.

Xie Jun couldn’t be bothered to comment, turning a page of the book in his hand without even looking up as he directed, “The laundry’s done, go hang it up.”

Kui Ming ran out of the room, “On it.”