Cen Wei hadn’t been this eager to unwrap a gift in many years.

This was the first birthday he and Chu Lai had spent together since meeting. Cen Wei’s birthday was in late March, while Chu Lai’s was in August.

Before meeting Chu Lai, Cen Wei didn’t think birthdays were that special. As a kid, receiving gifts was exciting because he wasn’t financially independent yet, so there was always some expectation and joy.

After going abroad for studies, Cen Wei stopped celebrating birthdays altogether. His family from the Cen household would send him birthday messages, and he’d take pictures of any gifts they sent, upload them, and say a quick thank you.

He never thought, after all these years, that a gift would have him so on edge.

But Chu Lai wasn’t much better off. Cen Wei guessed that his grandpa didn’t know that romantic movies could be this bad. Chu Lai was already falling asleep from boredom.

Next to him, Cen Wei seemed to be watching very seriously. The dim light from the screen fell on him, and Chu Lai glanced over, wondering if he just didn’t get the appeal of romance movies.

Maybe Chu Lai’s confusion was too obvious, because Cen Wei turned to look at him. In the dark, their eyes met. Chu Lai lowered his voice and asked, “Is it good?”

Right at that moment, the male and female leads on the screen kissed. It was a Monday, and the cinema wasn’t crowded, with lots of empty seats around them. Cen Wei also whispered back, “Not really.”

Chu Lai said, “Then should we go? Are you hungry?”

They had planned to eat after the movie, but since the film was so dull, the second option quickly became more appealing.

Cen Wei replied, “Let’s go.”

He didn’t forget to pick up the paper bag, and on the way out, he tried his best not to glance at it too often. But of course, Chu Lai noticed him sneaking looks.

Chu Lai thought, At this age? I was already over this in elementary school.

But seeing someone like Cen Wei, so composed and mature, acting so childishly showed just how much he was looking forward to the gift. Chu Lai nearly burst out laughing.

Cen Wei said, “Don’t laugh.”

Standing beside Chu Lai, he seriously explained his behavior: “I really want to open it.”

The last time Chu Lai had seen him trying this hard to hold back… Chu Lai didn’t want to think too much about it. He felt like it was torture for himself too.

The restaurant was a Thai place set up on a shopping mall’s terrace, like a faux tent. They ended up there purely because all the places Chu Lai wanted to eat had long wait times. Despite his unsuccessful pleas, Cen Wei sat across from Chu Lai and watched him order.

Chu Lai had taken off his coat, and the suit vest he wore underneath looked completely out of place in this setting, as if he should be holding a glass of champagne instead.

Chu Lai was the same, whether before or after marriage. He didn’t get anxious about the Cen family’s starkly different background from his own. He always had his own carefree way of living.

Chu Lai said, “I saw online that this volcano ramen is supposed to taste terrible, so let’s skip it.”

Cen Wei gave a soft “hmm” in response, his fingers tapping the paper bag. It was clear there was a long box inside. I wonder what kind of carving Lai Lai made?

Chu Lai asked, “Do you want some coconut toast?”

Then he glanced over at Cen Wei, “I’m thinking of ordering mango ice. No problem, right?”

Right now, Chu Lai was being cautious only because, ever since living with the Cen family, he had lost the right to eat ice-cold foods before summer.

Since quitting his job, even though Chu Lai spent time in his workshop and had courses to study, the Cen family had made sure his diet was luxurious and healthy. But what he missed most from his office days was his daily iced coffee.

He and Cen Wei were in the same boat. Even though it sounded like he was asking, Chu Lai had already made up his mind.

Cen Wei, pretending to protest, said, “There is a problem.”

“I’ll tell Grandma.”

Chu Lai shot him a glare and muttered, “I wanted ice earlier this afternoon. If I’d known, I would’ve grabbed an ice cream before you arrived.”

Being on the receiving end of Chu Lai’s glare put Cen Wei in a great mood. He said, “Then go ahead and order it, just make sure to crop it out of the photo.”

Today was Cen Wei’s birthday. Last year, his birthday had also fallen on a weekday. He was out of town, and the only company he had was his department supervisor.

At most, a boss would say “Happy Birthday.” After the socializing was over, Cen Wei had gone back to his hotel, replied to his family’s birthday messages, and went to sleep.

Holidays are, by nature, just ordinary days, except humans attach special meaning to them. But this year, he was married. His spouse was right there with him, someone with a laid-back personality who still prioritized his own comfort even on Cen Wei’s birthday.

Chu Lai might ask what he wanted to eat, but in truth, he already knew what Cen Wei liked.

From inside the tent, you could still see the starry sky overhead. Cen Wei, trying to shift his attention, said something like small talk, “This roof doesn’t compare to the one at the guesthouse in the woodcarving town.”

It was like he was deliberately bringing up a sore spot. Chu Lai’s finger paused on the screen, and he looked up at Cen Wei, “Do you think I had time to admire the scenery back then?”

Though they hadn’t been apart for long after marriage, one was away on a business trip, the other off for studies. Chu Lai had managed to avoid the intensity of midnight passions, but had been defeated by the early morning’s demands.

Cen Wei had even commented back then, “Look, there’s a bird on the roof.” Chu Lai had wanted to say, You should go outside, but soon enough, the words were swallowed.

That was how they ended up missing their flight, having to buy new tickets. On his arrival at the woodcarving town, Chu Lai hadn’t anticipated that his study trip would end like this.

Cen Wei’s gaze wandered. “We could always go again next time.”

Chu Lai replied, “You better not come next time.”

Switching topics, Cen Wei asked, “How do you feel about the current collaboration?”

Chu Lai said, “Pretty good. Liu Yuan even asked me if I’d continue integrating livestreams with my work.”

Outside the tent, a singer was playing the piano and singing under the open sky. The city lights lit up the night. Cen Wei said, “Lai Lai looks really good when he’s working.”

Chu Lai didn’t quite know how to handle such compliments, especially when they came from Cen Wei, accompanied by that intense gaze.

He lowered his eyes and said, “Take off your rose-colored glasses.”

Cen Wei smiled and replied, “I’m serious.”

Of course, Chu Lai knew that, but he felt a bit embarrassed. All he could do was urge Cen Wei to hurry up and make his birthday wish.

Cen Wei’s 30th birthday cake had been picked up earlier when they left the cinema. Chu Lai had gone to a dessert shop on the mall’s fourth floor to collect it.

When Chu Lai walked in, the store clerk gave him an extra glance, probably deducing from the packaging that it was a cake.

The shop had seen its share of strange-shaped cakes, but a bell pepper-shaped one was new even for them. While Chu Lai and Cen Wei were collecting the cake outside the store, a child waiting for his own cake asked his mother why a bell pepper could be a cake too.

Cen Wei still found it funny. “I need to take a picture of this.”

Chu Lai said, “I’ll take it for you.”

Somewhat surprised, Cen Wei asked, “Lai Lai’s going to officially announce me in his Moments?”

That was said too intentionally, and Chu Lai quickly retorted, “I posted when we got the marriage certificate.”

Cen Wei countered, “But you didn’t post when we got married.”

Chu Lai tilted his head slightly and realized that Cen Wei kept mental notes of these little things. “Any other complaints you want to air?”

There was no way Cen Wei would admit that, so he shook his head.

His smile hadn’t faded the entire time. The tent was lit with twinkling bulbs all around, but they merely accentuated the sparkle in his eyes.

Chu Lai took out the candles from the paper bag. Cen Wei had assumed that the bell pepper cake wouldn’t have a stem, but it turned out that Chu Lai had made the candle the pepper’s stem.

He couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

Chu Lai nodded seriously, “I agree, it’s funny. The cake artist here is pretty impressive.”

Cen Wei said, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

Chu Lai said, “I ordered it in advance, luckily it didn’t flop.”

He focused intently while lighting the candle. Once it was lit, the waiter outside cooperated by turning off the tent lights.

The surroundings darkened, and the two of them sat across from each other, faces illuminated by candlelight. Chu Lai urged Cen Wei to make a wish.

Cen Wei asked, “No ‘Happy Birthday’ song?”

Chu Lai couldn’t bring himself to sing it. “If you insist, I can play one.”

“No need, I’ll just make the wish.”

Thirty, in Cen Jiansun’s eyes, was the age to establish oneself. As a member of the Cen family, it was time to build a career and start a family. Cen Wei used to think he could focus on his career, and that starting a family wasn’t necessary, but now both had been realized.

In a low, gentle voice, he said, “I want to be with Chu Lai for a lifetime.”

Chu Lai coughed lightly, “You know, saying it out loud makes it not come true.”

Cen Wei smiled, “If ‘for a lifetime’ won’t come true, then I’ll wish for ‘forever.’”

Just as he was about to blow out the candles, Chu Lai stopped him, “Wait, don’t move. Let me take a picture.”

Chu Lai muttered, “I promised Grandpa and Grandma before I left; I’ll make sure to send them a photo.”

Cen Wei said, “Then let’s take one together.”

Right at that moment, their food arrived. Under the tent’s star lights, with the bell pepper-shaped cake glazed with fruit syrup, Cen Wei wrapped an arm around Chu Lai’s shoulders and asked the waiter to take a picture for them.

Once the photo was sent, Chu Lai let out a sigh of relief, “Finally, it’s over.”

He looked like someone who had just finished an obligatory social engagement. Cen Wei asked, “Am I like work to you?”

Chu Lai said, “No, it’s the sense of ritual, okay?”

Content, Chu Lai cut into the bell pepper cake, even asking Cen Wei to take a few more detailed shots of the cake. Cen Wei asked, “So what kind of cake do you want for your birthday?”

Chu Lai shook his head, “I haven’t thought about it yet. If I do want something, I’ll just tell you.”

“Guessing is too much trouble. Why not just tell you directly what I want?”

Cen Wei nodded in agreement, and Chu Lai glanced at the cake, “We should take a piece home for Da Cai.”

Whatever Chu Lai did, he never forgot about the dog. Cen Wei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, once again questioning his place in the family hierarchy.

As they continued eating, they chatted briefly about games. Chu Lai noticed that Cen Wei didn’t seem to have much of an appetite. He asked, “Not to your taste?”

The man’s usually neat hair from work was now a bit messy, and when he looked over, his gaze seemed somewhat indifferent. His fingers tapped the gift bag, the hint not just obvious but practically blatant.

Chu Lai couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer, “Go ahead, open it.”

“Really?” Cen Wei asked.

Chu Lai nodded and took a sip of his cucumber juice with extra ice, keeping an eye on Cen Wei’s reaction.

The wooden box opened to reveal a woodcarving that was clearly much more intricate than the one Liu Yuan had shown off as a gift. The carving depicted their first meeting at the sunken bar, with Cen Wei viewed from Chu Lai’s perspective, partially obscured by greenery, but his side profile full of charm.

Looking at it now, Cen Wei was surprised, “Did I really look that…”

Chu Lai fed him a spoonful of veggies and nodded, “It’s an artistic interpretation. You did look really tired that day.”

Delighted, yet curious, Cen Wei asked, “Why isn’t there a carving of you?”

Chu Lai replied, “Look closer, there’s more.”

The next layer of the box revealed a pair of cute wooden figurines. It was much more obvious this time; the figures were displayed together with a miniature scene, complete with a realistically crafted barbecue stand.

It was nothing like what Cen Wei had imagined, nor like the sketches he had seen Chu Lai drawing in the workshop earlier.

Chu Lai explained, “When I was little, my dad used to make these for me. Back then, I thought making human figures was boring. I’d always make little animals instead.”

He bit his straw, his gaze filled with a distant look, as if stars had fallen into his eyes. He glanced over at the person in front of him, and for a moment, it was as if Cen Wei was gazing into a vast sea of stars, a sea on the verge of boiling over.

Chu Lai continued, “Now I realize how hard it actually is. My dad was really amazing.”

Gently touching the round face of the small wooden figure, Cen Wei said, “Lai Lai is amazing too.”

Starting something new isn’t easy, and sticking with it is even harder. When he was a child, Cen Wei didn’t like making umbrellas either. He didn’t understand why he had to keep crafting the same umbrella for a hundred years. But later, he grew to love the time spent alone in the workshop.

Whether it’s being by yourself or being with someone else, there’s always a need for moments of solitude.

Each person doing their own thing, without disturbing the other, but still keeping each other in their hearts, and finding ways to improve together.

“Though…” Cen Wei stared at the version of himself that Chu Lai had carved. “I don’t think I look that serious, do I?”

Chu Lai took another sip of cucumber juice. He had ordered it without sugar, so it was a bit bitter. He handed it to Cen Wei, “Here, taste this.”

As soon as the cold hit him, Cen Wei instinctively furrowed his brow. Chu Lai laughed, “That’s exactly the expression you had.”

“That day, when you were standing at the barbecue stand choosing food, you looked like you were there to inspect their license.”

Chu Lai rested his chin on his hand, gazing at Cen Wei with a hint of nostalgia, “You didn’t look like a customer at all.”

Cen Wei had no words. The cucumber juice was bitter, but he still chuckled. The weariness in the wooden figure’s expression had long since faded, replaced by the joy of finding the right person.

Chu Lai asked, “So, do you like it?”

He still remembered the words Shen Quanzhang had thrown at him when they broke up.

“You’re not romantic. You only pick movies you like, and you don’t even remember anniversaries.”

Romance was too abstract for Chu Lai. He preferred the routine of three meals a day. Sharing mealtimes together was precious enough.

No one knows when life will throw a curveball, so all you can do is cherish the present.

The feelings of grievance from back then had long since dissipated. Chu Lai never defended himself. But this time, the gift was different.

It was his way of fully stepping out, trying something new—different from the birthday gift he had conveniently given Liu Yuan when he happened to draw a free session at a woodcarving studio.

This gift was for himself, and for Cen Wei.

Chu Lai didn’t even realize that as he spoke, his posture had become a little tense, his head lowered, his whole demeanor seeming to scream, You’d better like it.

His hand, which had been clenched, was suddenly held by someone else, who then clasped it tightly. The man’s palm was broad, and back when they were abroad, Cen Wei had often warmed Chu Lai’s hands with his breath on the street, or casually brushed off willow fluff from his shoulders while strolling through the small town.

“I like it,” said Cen Wei.

He carefully laid out all the wooden figures, feeling a sense of satisfaction from having left an indelible mark on Chu Lai’s heart. “I like it a lot.”

Chu Lai looked up, just in time for both him and the woodcarvings to be captured in a photo.

Cen Wei repeated, “I like Lai Lai.”

Chu Lai sniffed, “Alright, eat up. Satisfied now?”

“Like a little kid.”

Cen Wei didn’t argue. After finishing their meal, the two wandered around the mall for a bit. Maybe it was because the movie had been so bad, but it was still early.

Chu Lai asked, “Shall we head home?”

Cen Wei thought about how Chu Lai had ignored him all morning, as well as the barrage of heated posts Sun Yangxu had been sending him from online forums, suggesting things like Suspected marriage problems for the owner of the Cen umbrella company.

What nonsense.

Looking at Chu Lai, he asked, “Are you upset because of what happened at the hotel yesterday?”

Chu Lai swung his hand, “I’m not upset. That VIP card hotel with the high school classroom theme? Perfect for self-study, plus they gave me a fruit platter and covered all three meals.”

Cen Wei had a feeling that wasn’t meant as a compliment, but Chu Lai had already let go of his hand and walked a few steps ahead. Cen Wei called out to him as they exited the mall, where a vendor selling balloon bouquets was stationed.

Chu Lai was walking unusually fast, probably the most uncharacteristically energetic thing he had done in a while.

Maybe it was because Cen Wei looked like he was chasing after a girlfriend, but the child following the adult selling balloons called out, “Uncle, do you want to buy a bouquet? Ours are different from others—super romantic.”

It was already dark, and the bouquet had lights wrapped around it, with an overall pink theme—peach pink, light pink, with a few bits of cream white peeking through. It was topped with a big pink bow.

As it happened, Cen Wei had 100 yuan in his pocket, money he had won from playing mahjong with his grandpa. He gave it to the child, who pressed a button to light up the bouquet and handed it to him. The man hurried after Chu Lai.

Tall, handsome, and now holding this pink balloon bouquet, he was certainly attracting a lot of attention. Especially when, after walking a few steps, the bouquet began to play a song.

Chu Lai was busy googling “How to reasonably sleep in separate beds after marriage” when the giggles around him reached his ears.

The sound of Mouse Loves Rice echoed all around him, and the stares from passersby seemed to freeze in place.

Surprised, Chu Lai looked up to see Cen Wei approaching. As soon as he caught up, he took Chu Lai’s hand and asked, “How about we go get some grilled bell peppers?”

For Chu Lai, it was like being transported back to his childhood. His dad had loved this song. He had gone through multiple cassette tapes of it.

As a kid doing his homework, Chu Lai often heard Yu Ruimei scold his dad, saying, Can’t you buy something else to listen to?

The song brought back distant memories. While Cen Wei fumbled with the bouquet’s switch, the laughter around them was growing louder. Worried that Chu Lai might feel embarrassed, he tried to hurry.

But Chu Lai took the balloon bouquet from him, saying, “My dad used to love this song.”

The two of them made quite a striking pair, but the bouquet playing Mouse Loves Rice was nothing if not a false promise of romance. Sighing, Cen Wei said, “I think I’ve been tricked. That kid said it would be super romantic.”

Chu Lai found the switch. The whole setup was no different from those birthday teddy bears that sing. The only difference was, while the bear could sing 99 songs for 100 yuan, the bouquet could only endlessly loop I love you like a mouse loves rice.

Thinking back to their first meeting, Chu Lai wasn’t too bothered. “It’s fine, we were never romantic types anyway.”

Nodding, Cen Wei took his hand again and asked, “So, should we non-romantic types go get some grilled bell peppers?”

Chu Lai asked, “Where’s your car?”

Only then did Cen Wei realize he had walked past it, so they turned around.

The bouquet of balloon flowers remained in Chu Lai’s arms as they got into the car. He connected to the Bluetooth system, and the playlist randomly shuffled a song. To their surprise, it was also Mouse Loves Rice.

With its catchy melody and nostalgia, Chu Lai was about to make a remark about how big data must be spying on them when the driver suddenly spoke—

“I love you.”

The words came so unexpectedly that it took Chu Lai a moment to process them. “Happy thirtieth birthday.”

Chu Lai had always found saying “I love you” or “I like you” a bit too direct, like a hot potato that burns the tongue. As the red light counted down its final seconds, Chu Lai quickly leaned over and kissed Cen Wei on the cheek, “I’m glad I met you.”

Cen Wei replied, “Shouldn’t I get a proper response?”

He knew Chu Lai’s personality, so he had only said it in jest. But just as he was teasing, Chu Lai’s “I love you” overlapped perfectly with the music, blending in with the rhythm.

It was like the quickened heartbeat of a first encounter, hidden in the wind blowing outside the barbecue stall, landing on just the right person.

Whether romantic or not, this car would drive towards a future of forever. The “lifetime” wish Cen Wei had made would certainly turn into an eternity.

“Is this place closing down?” Chu Lai asked a passerby after they got out of the car.

The old man nodded, “Yeah, the stalls here packed up before the New Year.”

Not able to pick up the familiar smell of the new stalls, Cen Wei looked over at Chu Lai, who raised his head to meet his gaze.

Chu Lai said, “Let’s just forget it, then.”

Wrapping his arms around Chu Lai, Cen Wei asked, “How about we go for a walk?”

Chu Lai replied, “We could have a family barbecue instead. It’s still early. Grandpa’s probably not asleep yet, and Grandma’s probably watching TV.”

“Mom just sent me a picture of Da Cai. They’ve probably finished walking him by now.”

Cen Wei nodded, “But none of them like bell peppers.”

Chu Lai sighed, “We can set up our own grill, then.”

With a sigh, he added, “I guess I really am a weird person.”

Cen Wei said, “I’m your weird other half—also weird.”

Chu Lai said, “Alright then, let’s head home.”

Cen Wei smiled, “Okay.”