Kuang Xingran studied hotel management and partnered with friends to open this restaurant during her freshman year. Though she didn’t ultimately work in the field, the dividends were still impressive.

The group was stunned.

They all instinctively took a step back, glancing around at the hotel’s opulent interior—so lavish that even the tiles seemed to exude the scent of money. A collective question arose in their minds: What kind of background does their captain really have?

Zhang Qinan and Yang An exchanged glances. Wasn’t this the underdog they’d picked up from a random internet café? What kind of plot twist happened in between?

—

In the end, Kuang Xingran didn’t get to treat the team to dinner.

Even if she had the money, Zhang Qinan wasn’t about to let a teammate’s family member foot the bill for their celebration dinner—especially after the team had gone all out ordering the most expensive dishes.

Once the meal ended, everyone went their separate ways.

Feeling a bit guilty, Kuang Xingran shrank her neck and whispered to Mu Wan, “Wan wan, did I say something wrong earlier?”

She was referring to her earlier comment about owning shares in the hotel, which had caused quite a stir.

Kuang Ye wrapped an arm around Mu Wan, pulling her close, and gestured dismissively toward his sister. “They’re just surprised I have a rich little sister. Now, it’s time for me and Wan wan to have our couple’s time. Third wheel, you’re excused.”

Kuang Xingran pouted in protest. “Hey, I cheered for you from the stands! Forgetting your sister just because of a girl—don’t you feel guilty?”

Kuang Ye spun her around and pushed her gently toward the exit. “Not one bit. Interrupting a couple’s time is a surefire way to get struck by lightning. Bye!”

Kuang Xingran, convinced that her once-rocky relationship with Kuang Ye might have also been due to his personality, fished a small box out of her pocket with a grumble.

“Birthday gift.”

She had already given the team members their presents yesterday. This was the first time Kuang Ye had ever received a gift from a family member.

He was momentarily stunned but reached out to accept it. The box was heavy. Upon opening it, he found a trophy inside. It was an exact replica of the Fall Championship trophy—just smaller.

Kuang Xingran seemed a little embarrassed. “I really didn’t know what to get you. I figured if you won today, this could be a keepsake, and if you lost, it could be a consolation prize.”

She quickly added, “And don’t think this is the cheap alloy trophy you just got. This one’s pure gold—several pounds of it. If you ever hit rock bottom, you can sell it… No, wait! That’s bad luck. You’ll never hit rock bottom!”

“Anyway, it cost me both time and money, so you’d better treasure it.”

Kuang Ye studied the finely crafted golden trophy, a sly smile playing on his lips. But his words, as always, were teasing. “Thanks. When my kid has their one-month celebration, I’ll use this to serve wine.”^[1]T/L note: This really got me laughing hahahaha

Kuang Xingran: “…”

She turned to Mu Wan with a serious expression. “Wan wan, how did you end up falling for him?”

Kuang Ye raised an eyebrow. “Show some respect—call her ‘sister-in-law.’”

Kuang Xingran stuck her tongue out mockingly and made a “blah-blah-blah” sound. She then flagged down a taxi, and as the window rolled down, she winked playfully at Mu Wan.

“Sister-in-law, don’t forget my gift~”

The taxi sped off.

Kuang Ye looked puzzled as he asked Mu Wan, “She gave you a gift too? That’s unusually thoughtful of her.”

Mu Wan knew Kuang Xingran wasn’t referring to an ordinary gift. Her heart raced a little, but she feigned calmness and pulled Kuang Ye toward their home.

“Come on. I’ve prepared a gift for you at home too.”

Kuang Ye, of course, was looking forward to her gift. In his mind, no matter what Wan Wan gave him, he would love it—he was just curious.

When they reached the apartment door, Mu Wan swallowed nervously and suddenly pulled a silk scarf out of her bag.

“To keep the surprise intact, I need to blindfold you first.”

Kuang Ye chuckled. “So mysterious?”

He crouched down obediently, allowing Mu Wan to blindfold him, much like a well-behaved puppy letting its owner put on a collar.

Mu Wan’s face flushed, her heart racing at the thought of what was about to happen. Yet, amidst her nervousness, a faint excitement bubbled within her. Her trembling hands covered his eyes with the blindfold, and she used her fingerprint to unlock the door.

As soon as they entered, her hand hooked onto the waistband of his pants, gently tugging him forward step by step.

Kuang Ye’s breathing instantly grew heavier. Familiar with the layout of the apartment, he realized they had passed the living room and were heading up the spiral staircase to the second floor. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

“Wan wan, is the gift upstairs?”

“Yes!”

The bedroom door creaked open, and Kuang Ye was pushed onto the bed.

Just as he was expecting Mu Wan’s next line to be something like, “Your gift is me,” and was preparing to rip off the blindfold to unleash his inner beast—

Click!

His wrists were suddenly raised above his head. He gave a slight tug, and the sound of clinking metal echoed.

Kuang Ye: “???”

Something felt off.

“Wan wan, what’s this?”

Soft lips brushed against his pronounced Adam’s apple, sending a tingling sensation through him. Mu Wan recalled the fanfictions she had read the previous night, a strange sense of anticipation welling up within her.

She answered, “Your birthday gift.”

“A one-of-a-kind experience.”