Chapter 53: You Are the Exception

Qi Yanjing’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Zhixian, I don’t celebrate my birthday.”

Wen Zhixian smiled. “Well, you still have to eat, right?”

During dinner, she shared some funny stories to ease the atmosphere.

Qi Yanjing wasn’t in the mood to eat, having only a few bites. He just sat there, watching her eat and serving her food.

After finishing, he cleared the table. Perhaps feeling a bit calmer, he returned to the living room and said to Wen Zhixian, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let my personal emotions affect you.”

Wen Zhixian glanced at the cake on the table. Since Qi Yanjing didn’t like it and didn’t want to bother him, she wondered what to do with it.

Suddenly, she heard him speak again, and turned to look at him. “It’s okay, everyone has moments when they feel down.”

It wasn’t like this happened every day.

She didn’t understand it at first, but she’d get it next time.

Qi Yanjing moved to sit beside her, placing his hands on his knees. After a long pause, he said, “Zhixian, today is not just my birthday; it’s also the birthday of a friend who passed away a long time ago.”

He didn’t want to talk to anyone about it, but Zhixian was his wife, his forever exception.

Wen Zhixian looked at him, and it made sense now.

She guessed it was the friend he had mentioned before who died in front of him.

That was his trauma. It was understandable that he was upset.

She sat on Qi Yanjing’s lap, holding him as if trying to comfort him.

He placed his hand on her back. “He and I were the same age, and we shared the same birthday. On my ninth birthday, after we saw an astronomy exhibit, we were kidnapped.”

He paused for a few seconds before continuing, “After the kidnappers got the ransom, they didn’t release us. When the knife was raised against him, I tried to provoke the kidnappers, hoping they’d direct the knife at me instead, but it didn’t happen. I wasn’t fast enough, and he died in front of me in that minute.”

“The next one was me. The knife came down on my shoulder, but help arrived just in time, and I was saved.”

The more he spoke, the hoarser his voice became. “It’s been so many years, but the images are still etched in my mind, and I can’t erase them. The rescue was so close, but I couldn’t think of any other way to handle the kidnappers.”

It had been so long, but he still had psychological scars.

Wen Zhixian placed her palm on his shoulder, gently rubbing it through the fabric of his clothes. She had seen the scar on his shoulder; it was a shallow scar, but back then, it had been much deeper.

“You were facing ruthless kidnappers who wouldn’t hesitate to kill. You were already brave just trying to figure out a way. No one will blame you,” she softly patted his back, comforting him.

His birthday was also the day he was kidnapped, and it was the anniversary of his friend’s death. Just thinking about it was so sad.

Yes, no one blamed him. Even when Xie’s parents saw him, covered in wounds, they only cried, relieved he was still alive.

Qi Yanjing pulled her tightly into his arms, seeking comfort. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you share in my sadness. I’m not a very interesting person.”

“I like you just the way you are.”

Hearing this during the most vulnerable moment brought a sense of relief to her heart.

Wen Zhixian squatted next to the coffee table and unwrapped the cake, cutting a piece for Qi Yanjing. “Eating something sweet might make you feel better.”

It wasn’t his birthday, but she hoped it could serve as a way to comfort him, to cheer him up.

Qi Yanjing gently stroked her cheek, understanding her intentions. He didn’t reject her kindness, picking up the fork to take a bite.

When he saw Wen Zhixian cut a second piece, he assumed it was for herself, but instead, she placed it on the opposite side of the table and set the fork beside the plate. Then, unexpectedly, she cut a third piece.

She didn’t touch the second piece but ate the third herself.

Qi Yanjing stared for a moment, seemingly understanding. He watched as Wen Zhixian ate the cake, taking small bites, and his gaze deepened.

She always knew how to capture his attention with the smallest details…

As she finished the last bite of the cake, Qi Yanjing finally put down his fork. He immediately lifted Wen Zhixian into his arms, eagerly kissing her lips as he removed his jacket and laid it on the cold marble table, placing her on top.

Wen Zhixian opened her eyes, a little shocked. Right here?

Qi Yanjing’s teasing little tricks soon made her surrender.

…

Afterward, he carried her to the bathroom and gave her a bath.

Wen Zhixian, exhausted, rested her head on Qi Yanjing’s arm.

It had to be said that Qi Yanjing was truly strong. Again and again, it was like he was releasing his emotions, yet his movements were controlled.

“Does it still hurt?” Qi Yanjing turned his head to ask her.

“It’s fine,” she replied. Fortunately, he remained rational and didn’t go too far.

Qi Yanjing sighed in relief and tightened his arm around her.

“I’ll remember next time.”

Wen Zhixian’s sudden words made him look at her sideways. “Remember what?”

“Not celebrating birthdays.”

Celebrating his birthday really didn’t seem appropriate.

Qi Yanjing gently turned her over, placing her on top of him. He lifted her chin to meet her eyes and softly said, “You are the exception.”

She kissed him on the cheek, a soft peck. So sweet, I love hearing it.

“I bought you something,” she said as she climbed off him, putting on her slippers and immediately running out of the bedroom.

Qi Yanjing sat up, propping himself up with his hands, looking toward the door with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

Less than two minutes later, Wen Zhixian returned, sitting beside him and handing him the birthday gift.

She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. “Remember I said I’d get you a new car? Think of this as the gift I was going to give you last time.”

Qi Yanjing lightly brushed her delicate face with his fingers. “Whatever you say is fine.”

“See if you like it,” she said, then added, “I think it really suits you.”

Qi Yanjing opened the package to reveal a Vacheron Constantin watch, worth several hundred thousand yuan, something she had bought for herself.

He couldn’t help but joke, “I’m starting to wonder if I’m being kept by you.”

She was talking about buying him a new car and now a watch—he really did feel like he was being spoiled.

“Being kept? That doesn’t seem quite enough,” Wen Zhixian said. Though she didn’t know much about Qi Yanjing’s wealth, university professors were usually quite modest. She had heard that his parents were in business, so his family seemed to have some background. But Qi Yanjing didn’t strike her as someone who relied on his parents. Even if they insisted on giving him money, it probably came from a property they bought years ago.

Qi Yanjing smiled without responding. He was practically spending his own money now.

He put the watch on and showed it to Zhixian. She smiled and said, “I knew it would look good on you.”

Of course, with his looks, anything would look good on him.

“I really like it,” he said, then removed the watch and placed it back in its box.

Wen Zhixian thought for a moment and asked, “Is it because of today that you couldn’t sleep last night?”

Qi Yanjing softly replied, “Yeah, just had a lot on my mind, but luckily, I have you.”

She had stayed with him, and his mood wasn’t as bad.