This year, Song Jie was heavily pregnant and staying at a maternity center to rest, making it difficult for her to move around. She had already bought a cake and a watch in advance and sent them over.

Song Yi was at home alone, enjoying the cake while having a video call with Song Jie. They chatted casually, and he felt quite content.

Noticing Song Yi was by himself in the video, Song Jie furrowed her brow. “Where’s Mom? Isn’t she at your place lately?”

“Probably out playing cards,” Song Yi replied, glancing at his phone; it was only four in the afternoon, not yet time for Zhao Hongyan to finish her game.

Song Jie frowned and huffed, “Does she not know it’s your birthday? I told her about it two weeks ago! How could she forget again?”

Song Yi chuckled. “I’m not a kid anymore. I don’t need a crowd to celebrate my birthday. Having you here makes me really happy.”

But Song Jie was still upset. She pounded her fist into the pillow in frustration. “Is this how a mother should act? She forgets your birthday every year, and once she even got the date wrong! It drives me crazy!”

Song Yi slowly took a sip of water and shook his head with a smile. “If I’m not upset, why are you? You should try not to get worked up.”

“When have you ever gotten angry?” Song Jie bit her lip, unable to shake her frustration. “She eats your food, uses your money, but can’t even cook a meal for you! Who acts like that?”

Song Yi shrugged, indifferent. “I invited her to my house to keep her safe from those people, not to have her as a maid. I don’t mind how she lived before; if she wants to maintain that lifestyle now, that’s fine by me. Don’t worry about it—just take care of yourself.”

He had made peace with the situation. In the past, when they didn’t have much money, Zhao Hongyan enjoyed playing cards but couldn’t afford good venues. Instead, she would sit at the entrance of their neighborhood and play flower cards. Now that their circumstances had improved, she could afford to visit high-end entertainment spots where they provided meals and massages—much more comfortable.

Song Yi felt quite pleased. Back then, she would spend all her time out, and he would worry that she’d come home sick, leaving him to deal with the fallout. Now, at least she wasn’t getting sick.

He had no real expectations of Zhao Hongyan. As long as she stayed healthy, didn’t cause any trouble, and spent money freely, he was fine with whatever she wanted to do.

After hanging up with Song Jie, his phone buzzed with a message from Gu Xinchuan. It contained a photo that looked all too familiar—the scene was right outside Song Yi’s building.

Song Yi took a quick glance and decided to head downstairs, wanting to avoid Gu Xinchuan coming to his door and once again letting a wolf into the house.

Gu Xinchuan had switched to a different car—an orange McLaren that was more understated than the flashy Bugatti he had before. The window was partially rolled down, and to shield his eyes from the bright sun, he wore a pair of cool round sunglasses. The proud curve of his jawline made him look like a model from a fashion magazine.

When he spotted Song Yi, he lowered the window even further, resting his elbow on the edge of the glass. “Get in, bro. I’ll take you out for a boat ride.”

Song Yi thought to himself, who does he think he was calling him “bro”? He was just a kid thinking he could act like an older brother. Although he was tempted by the idea of going out on the water—this weather was perfect for a breeze and fishing—he hesitated, after all, he memory of that threatening kiss from last time was still fresh in his mind.

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