After making her wish, Jiang Mianmian continued eating cake and dishes with Zhou Nanye.

However, even after eating to their fill, half the cake remained. Zhou Nanye looked regretful, saying, “S-still… still some left… must… must finish it…”

“It’s Mianmian’s… own handiwork… c-can’t waste it…”

Jiang Mianmian’s lips curved upward involuntarily.

“You little dummy~ If you want to eat it, I can always make more for you. Don’t force yourself.”

What a good little puppy.

“…Mm.” Hearing Mianmian’s words, Zhou Nanye’s eyes lit up for a moment.

Yet he still looked pitifully at the remaining cake, like a heartbroken little puppy.

Seeing this, Jiang Mianmian had no choice but to change the topic.

“Alright, isn’t Nanye curious about the gift I prepared for you?”

Zhou Nanye seemed to just realize this and stammered nervously, “M-Mianmian… y-your cake… isn’t it… the gift…?”

Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but laugh.

“So you thought the birthday cake I made for you was your gift?”

“Y-yeah… I-I think it’s… the best… b-birthday gift… I’ve ever received in… my life…”

Zhou Nanye truly felt this way. This was the best birthday he’d had in over a decade.

“Then, does that mean you don’t want the other birthday gift I prepared for you?” Jiang Mianmian teased, smirking at the boy.

Zhou Nanye panicked and stammered, “I-I want… I want it…”

Realizing how eager he sounded, and noticing the teasing glint in the girl’s peach blossom eyes, Zhou Nanye’s cheeks flushed slightly. “M-Mianmian, d-don’t tease me…”

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Do you really think I’d just make you a cake and call it a day? Close your eyes—I’ll go get your gift!”

Jiang Mianmian looked at his obedient and shy demeanor, feeling a sudden urge to “bully” him.

“Okay…”

Zhou Nanye obediently closed his eyes without peeking even a little.

Before long, he sensed the girl approaching step by step.

For some reason, his heartbeat quickened, and he nervously curled his fingers. Unable to see anything, his mind was filled with endless guesses about what would happen.

Until he felt something soft touch his lips. The taut string in his mind suddenly snapped.

Before the girl could say anything, Zhou Nanye opened his eyes in a rush, his heart racing wildly.

What he saw was the girl holding two cute, chibi-style plush dolls, one male and one female. The female doll was closer to him.

Zhou Nanye quickly realized that what had touched his lips earlier was likely the plush doll.

He couldn’t tell if he felt relieved or disappointed—though it seemed the disappointment weighed a little more.

Internally scolding himself for such improper thoughts, Zhou Nanye turned to Jiang Mianmian and stammered, “M-Mianmian, t-this is…?”

“Cute, right? I had these chibi dolls custom-made based on our likenesses~”

“Don’t you think they look just like us?”

Jiang Mianmian held the two dolls, noticing Zhou Nanye’s subtle disappointment upon discovering the “truth” behind the kiss. She smiled knowingly.

“Mm…”

Zhou Nanye finally looked at the female doll for the first time. It was adorable and lively, with large chibi-style eyes that perfectly captured Mianmian’s charm.

“V-very cute…”

Zhou Nanye quickly grew fond of the doll that resembled Mianmian.

“Actually, I like this one that looks like Nanye even more…”

Seeing Zhou Nanye focusing only on the female doll, Jiang Mianmian pointed out the male doll.

Only then did Zhou Nanye shift his gaze to the male doll. It had a round face, a pair of black chibi eyes, and slightly blushing cheeks, looking especially endearing and meek.

“So cute… I love it~”

Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but lean in and rub her cheek affectionately against the doll that resembled Zhou Nanye.

“M-Mianmian…”

Zhou Nanye didn’t know how to describe his feelings. Watching Mianmian press her cheek against the doll that resembled him, he felt both shy and slightly jealous.

Yes, jealous…

Jealous of the doll that could snuggle up to Mianmian like that.