Just like in previous years, breakfast was a single long noodle cooked in egg broth. It had to be eaten in one continuous bite without breaking.

Having done this for years, Shi Buyu was quite experienced by now. She slurped the noodle playfully, flicking it around with her chin, and successfully swallowed it in one go. She also finished off the egg soup.

Wanxia, standing beside her, offered some auspicious words: “May the young lady enjoy a new year free of illness, disaster, worry, and sorrow.”

“What Auntie says will all come true,” Shi Buyu replied.

Wanxia smiled. “The weather’s nice today, and the wind’s not strong. Would you like to go out and play?”

“No!” Shi Buyu refused without hesitation. “I’m waiting for Seventh Brother.”

“So now you trust that Seventh Young Master won’t forget?”

“He wouldn’t dare!” Shi Buyu huffed. Truth be told, she had quite a bit of faith in her Seventh Brother. These past few years, he had always remembered her birthday whenever he returned to the capital. How could he possibly forget now that he was so close?

So Wanxia didn’t make other arrangements. After all, the young lady was just as good at entertaining herself as she was at anything else.

Qingzhi came forward to report, “Aunt Wanxia, the gatekeeper says someone came to deliver something for the young lady.”

“It must be someone sent by Seventh Brother!” Shi Buyu was both delighted and annoyed. “The other brothers are far away and can’t help it, but he’s so close—why won’t he come keep me company?”

“Seventh Young Master spoils you the most. Unless he’s truly tied up, he wouldn’t stay away,” Wanxia consoled her as she handed the dishes to Qingzhi and quickly made her way to the front courtyard.

But the person she brought back was not who Shi Buyu had expected.

Shi Xu had a fake beard glued on, a hat on his head, and carried a bundle on his back. He looked just like a traveling merchant. Even former acquaintances might not have recognized him.

He smiled with squinted eyes and said, “Another year older. Happy birthday, little sister.”

It took Shi Buyu a moment to react. “Shi Xu? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve traveled all over the place. How could I skip visiting when I’m actually nearby?”

“Are you still going to paint a portrait?” Shi Buyu asked instinctively. After so many years, she’d come to associate his visits with having her portrait done. But as soon as she asked, something felt off.

Before, she didn’t understand why he painted her every year. But now she did—it was so their family could see how she had grown over the year. But now, she could send a portrait back to them herself. And yet… she never thought to do it. She hadn’t even thought of them.

Shi Xu was momentarily taken aback, but quickly replied upon seeing the distant look on his sister’s face, “Of course I’ll paint you. It’s a pity the old portraits are gone.”

As if trying to make up for her earlier slip, Shi Buyu called out, “Auntie!”

Wanxia, understanding her well, went into the inner room and returned carrying a tube of rolled-up paintings—thirteen in total.

Shi Xu counted them in a glance and immediately understood. Surprised, he asked, “You went home?”

“Mm. I heard… her mention it, so I wanted to take a look.” She still couldn’t bring herself to say that title, and didn’t force herself to. “Some were damaged, so I repaired them.”

Shi Xu, ever perceptive, didn’t press further. Instead, he followed her lead. “You can restore paintings now?”

“I learned by watching the old man with the white beard fix books and paintings all the time.”

“That old gentleman really can do everything.” Shi Xu steered the conversation back. “We don’t have anything fancy right now, but we had more free time lately, so we made you a few things you might find useful.”

He opened the bundle and showed her the contents. These were clothes made by their sister-in-law—not fancy in material, but in the latest style and colors. This was a hand warmer made by their mother, which would come in handy soon. This item was from one aunt, that one from another…

“I found a nice piece of stone and carved a seal from the best part for you. You can stamp with it for fun.” Shi Xu put the items back one by one and tied up the bundle. “These are gifts from everyone. Use the ones you like.”

Shi Buyu pulled the bundle toward her. “You can draw now.”

Now understanding the meaning behind the portraits, Shi Buyu didn’t just sit down casually like in previous years. She knew she had to sit still for a while and chose a better background. She went to the covered walkway and picked a spot with a nice angle. Then she sat quietly and let him draw, motionless. No one knew what she was thinking during that time.

Yan Shian entered the courtyard. When he saw an unfamiliar person, he was momentarily confused. Then he saw him painting—and saw that Miss Shi was sitting obediently as the subject. He thought, Could this be an acquaintance? Maybe someone a bit older?

He stepped forward and asked, “Cousin, did you invite a portrait artist?”

Shi Buyu glanced at Shi Xu, mischief sparking in her eyes. “Why don’t you guess?”

Guess? Yan Shian followed her mood and thought it through. He quickly realized this man couldn’t be a stranger. Taking a closer look, the man indeed seemed vaguely familiar.

Shi Xu paused for just a second but continued drawing.

He had previously discussed with their Third Great-Uncle what attitude to take with Yan Shian. For long-term considerations, they’d agreed to treat him with respect. But seeing how his sister interacted with him now, Shi Xu decided to wait and observe a bit more. So he cooperated by keeping silent.

Yan Shian looked at the portrait—it was clearly Miss Shi. But with her personality, she wouldn’t let just anyone paint her. Then he looked at the painter’s hand. So youthful! Not the hands of someone that age!

If he hadn’t sensed the connection between this man and Miss Shi, he might have already called someone to apprehend him.

Just then, Shi Xu suddenly looked up and smiled at him. His features were already somewhat familiar, but with that smile, it became clear.

Yan Shian had a flash of realization. “Shi Xu?”

“Master Yan, sorry to intrude,” Shi Xu said politely.

Shi Buyu piped up, “Aiya, how did you recognize him?”

“He’s easier to recognize when he smiles.” Yan Shian smiled and asked, “When did you arrive?”

This was the Yan household, yet he hadn’t even known when Shi Xu got there. Thinking back, Wanxia had gone to fetch him—it showed how much autonomy his cousin had here. That alone gave Shi Xu plenty to consider.

While these thoughts raced through his mind, Shi Xu answered calmly, “Not long ago. I’ll be leaving once the portrait’s done.”

“You just got here—what’s the rush?” Shi Buyu frowned slightly. “If you’re going to come to the capital and take risks, you might as well not worry about the danger. It’s too late now anyway.”

Shi Xu sighed. “You could’ve left out that last part.”

“If you can do it, why can’t I say it?” Though she said that, Shi Buyu didn’t press the issue further. She wasn’t heartless—she knew Shi Xu was good to her.

When she was first sent away, she couldn’t understand how it was for her own good. She thought the Shi family had abandoned her, so she decided she didn’t need them either. But on her birthday, a still half-grown Shi Xu came to visit, bringing gifts from the family. He stayed with her for a few days, and before leaving, he promised he’d come again the next year.

Back then, she wasn’t quite right in the head. Words would take ages to sink in, and even once she understood them, her actions often didn’t match. But even so, she began to look forward to her birthday the following year.

That next year, she was moved to a different place. It didn’t occur to her that changing locations might make it harder for Shi Xu to find her.

But Shi Xu, just as he promised, appeared before her again on her birthday the next year—and every year since.

Including this one.