Lotus Leaf, Golden Needle Mushrooms, Cloud Ears, and Steamed Chicken.

Wen Chongyue replied, “I believe that, whether in the original phrase or in the current context, it should not be a noun.”

Xia Jiao: “…Huh.”

Wen Chongyue thoughtfully added, “The only difference is that one is fed grass, while the other is the grass itself.”

Xia Jiao called out, “Teacher Wen! You, you, you—”

She had long known what Wen Chongyue was like when he got in the mood. He never swore and was always polite and gentle. However, on certain occasions, he would suddenly take on a different personality, using crude language that made Xia Jiao blush and feel too embarrassed to speak.

But now, it was daytime. Even werewolves and vampires couldn’t reveal their true nature in broad daylight.

Xia Jiao glared at him reproachfully. Wen Chongyue only smiled, tapping her forehead lightly with his wrist. “Alright, go outside and keep Xia Mi or Wen Quan company. The birthday star doesn’t have to lift a finger today—just wait to eat.”

Xia Jiao finally left the kitchen.

The birthday cake had already arrived and was temporarily placed in another room, well-protected. The two kittens loved the smell of the cake, so she had to watch out for them to prevent them from knocking it over.

Xia Jiao went to the balcony to check on the flowers she had planted. She watered the plants that needed it and quietly moved those that required a new position, making sure each leaf that liked sunlight could get an equal share of warmth.

The sun was warm and gentle. She hummed a song as she peered through the glass window and unexpectedly saw Chen Zhouren and Jiang Wanju downstairs.

They had been walking separately, but suddenly, Chen Zhouren quickened his pace and reached out his hand to Jiang Wanju, as if he were going to hold her hand. Jiang Wanju hesitated for a moment, then handed him the water bottle she was holding. The two of them each grabbed an end of the bottle and awkwardly walked side by side.

Xia Jiao looked away. The kittens were playfully rolling on the table, and she struggled to lift them both down with one hand on each.

Feeling a bit restless, she wandered into the kitchen. Wen Chongyue had taken out a fresh bottle gourd, with fuzzy skin on both ends. It was thick, long, and straight, and he was peeling it.

“Is that a bottle gourd?” Xia Jiao asked without thinking.

It was a vegetable she recognized. Her mother liked to stir-fry it with shrimp, and Xia Jiao often had trouble distinguishing it from gourds or zucchinis.

“Yes,” Wen Chongyue answered, “In Shanghai, Ningbo, and Suzhou, they call it ‘night bloom.’”

“Wow,” Xia Jiao said with a surprised tone, “What a strange name.”

Wen Chongyue, who had been searching for a suitable peeler, paused and looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “Jiao Jiao.”

“Hmm?” Xia Jiao replied.

Wen Chongyue smiled. “Your imagination is great. I really like it.”

Xia Jiao: “…”

The bottle gourd Wen Chongyue had bought was still tender enough that he didn’t need a peeler. He gently scraped off the outer green layer with the back of his knife, leaving the skin spotless.

Xia Jiao watched him carefully. His cutting was very even, with each slice about half an inch long, all white inside, and the seeds were hollowed out. He then filled them with minced meat that had been pre-ground, packing it tightly.

Xia Jiao asked, “Hmm? Are you going to fry them like stuffed eggplants?”

Wen Chongyue shook his head. “First fry them, then braise with water and reduce the sauce.”

Just hearing his simple explanation made Xia Jiao’s mouth water. Wen Chongyue laughed. “Once it’s fried, do you want to try one first? It tastes pretty good.”

Xia Jiao nodded eagerly.

She wasn’t able to stay in the kitchen waiting for Wen Chongyue’s food offering. The phone in the living room rang, and the kittens mewed loudly, serving as a reminder for her to answer the call. She hurried out and answered seriously, “Dad?”

It was Father Wen on the phone, calmly wishing Xia Jiao a happy birthday and asking if she had received his gift. The birthday gift had been delivered yesterday: a dress with camellia flowers and a framed painting by her favorite artist, signed by the artist. Xia Jiao loved it and had already hung it in the house.

However, the dress was still in the wardrobe because she couldn’t think of an occasion suitable to wear it.

Xia Jiao thanked him and ran to the kitchen, holding the phone up so Wen Chongyue and Wen Qiming could also talk. As usual, Wen Chongyue reminded his father to take his medicine and go for walks. Only at the end did he add, “In the future, you don’t have to let Jiao Jiao pick out her gifts.”

Xia Jiao couldn’t hear exactly what his father said, but she did hear Wen Chongyue firmly add, “I understand you feel guilty about what happened back then… yes, the death of my sister had nothing to do with it… alright, goodbye.”

Xia Jiao asked, “What sister?”

Wen Chongyue looked at her, then lowered his head and reassured her, “It’s nothing. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Xia Jiao obediently said, “Okay.” She was always very obedient. If the other party didn’t want to continue a conversation, she would never press the issue.

Wen Chongyue insisted that the “birthday star” not lift a finger. Once Jiang Wanju and Chen Zhouren returned with the fruits and beer, Xia Jiao went to the living room to happily play a game with Jiang Wanju. The two of them played “It Takes Two” while each of them had a kitten by their side. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Chen Zhouren and Wen Chongyue were washing and chopping vegetables while chatting.

Chen Zhouren said with some implication, “Recently, my aunt has been going to Uncle Wen’s place quite often.”

Wen Chongyue didn’t look up. He responded with a low sound.

Chen Zhouren continued, “Uncle Wen is a good man, but he’s clear about where to draw the line in situations like this…”

The fresh cherry tomatoes were being washed clean under the faucet as Chen Zhouren said, “You and I both know, Aunt has always been fixated on the sister who didn’t survive… She treats Song Xiao like her own daughter, and it’s a bit obsessive.”

Wen Chongyue sighed. “Zhouren, today is Xia Jiao’s birthday. Let’s not talk about this.”

“Sorry,” Chen Zhouren apologized.

It was strange. Before, Wen Chongyue had never cared about these taboos or superstitions. But now, when it came to matters related to Xia Jiao, he had to be careful.

Wen Chongyue didn’t believe in ghosts or spirits, but he didn’t want to bring up such unpleasant topics on Xia Jiao’s birthday.

He thought, perhaps he simply didn’t want those bad conversations to ruin the atmosphere of the celebration.

The Bai family was superstitious and believed strongly in feng shui, including Bai Ruolang. Wen Chongyue didn’t approve of her actions, but now he instinctively avoided anything that might conflict with Xia Jiao’s “taboos.”

With Chen Zhouren’s help, today’s birthday meal was a complete success.

The meal included lotus leaf steamed chicken with golden needle mushrooms and cloud ear mushrooms, steamed duck with taro, phoenix wings, poached shrimp, sweet and sour pork, and stuffed flowers.

Both men were “meat lovers,” but Xia Jiao preferred vegetarian food and couldn’t eat too much meat. Wen Chongyue also prepared dishes like tomato and loofah tofu stew, dipping sauce eggplant, pine nut corn, strawberry arugula salad, and rosemary roasted accordion potatoes.

Xia Jiao ate happily. The people at the table, apart from Chen Zhouren, were her husband and a longtime friend, so there was no need for restraint. After a few beers, she opened up and shared funny stories from her work.

Wen Chongyue listened with a smile.

It was the first time he had seen Xia Jiao in front of her friends, and maybe due to the effects of alcohol and the mood, when talking about something amusing, Xia Jiao raised both hands, much like an Italian who couldn’t speak without gestures.

She had drunk a bit too much, and by the time it was time to make a wish, she was a little tipsy. Wen Chongyue personally brought the cake over, lit the candles, and turned off the lights.

Xia Jiao folded her hands, closed her eyes, and said, “I wish for Teacher Wen to return to…”

Wen Chongyue interrupted her, reminding the slightly drunk Xia Jiao, “Jiao Jiao, you have to keep the wish to yourself. If you say it out loud, it won’t come true.”

Xia Jiao, confused, murmured, “Huh?” She didn’t fully understand, but she obediently kept quiet and silently made her wish. After gathering enough breath, she blew out all the candles. Wen Chongyue turned on the lights and helped her cut the cake.

Xia Jiao felt the warmth and strength of Wen Chongyue’s hand, which was comforting. She wanted to lean into him and let that warmth spread down her body.

She was too drunk to be fully conscious, but she still handed the first piece of cake to Wen Chongyue and said, “Teacher Wen, you eat first.”

Wen Chongyue heard Chen Zhouren’s muffled laugh. He helplessly corrected her, “Wen Chongyue.”

Xia Jiao remained stubborn. “Teacher Wen.”

Wen Chongyue wasn’t going to argue with a drunk little one. He took the cake from her, helped her sit down, and made sure she didn’t smear cream all over herself. In fact, Xia Jiao was quite well-behaved after drinking. She ate the cake in small bites, occasionally looking up and smiling at Wen Chongyue.

Wen Chongyue turned his gaze away.

But Xia Jiao still leaned in and wanted Wen Chongyue to hold her. She whispered softly in his ear, “Do you know what I wished for?”

Wen Chongyue leaned in to listen. “What?”

“I hope Teacher Wen can go back to being like before,” Xia Jiao said quietly, “Don’t be so polite to everyone, Teacher Wen.”

Wen Chongyue didn’t reply.

Xia Jiao added, “I don’t think you’re a robot.”

In fact, she was speaking a little fuzzily. Wen Chongyue gently patted her back and apologized to the other two with a smile, lowering his head, “Jiao Jiao?”

Xia Jiao didn’t respond. People who are drunk often feel tired and want to sleep.

Wen Chongyue took the cake from her hands, helped her settle down, and chatted with Chen Zhouren. Since they knew he needed to care for his drunken wife, they didn’t stay long. They got up and prepared to leave.

Wen Chongyue saw them out and asked where they were staying.

Jiang Wanjun politely replied, “I booked a room at the Hyatt.”

Chen Zhouren said, “What a coincidence, it’s on my way. I’ll give you a ride.”

Jiang Wanjun looked at him. “After all these years, it’s still on your way?”

Chen Zhouren smiled. “Aren’t we always on the same route?”

Seeing they had reached a friendly agreement, Wen Chongyue felt relieved. He didn’t insist on keeping them longer. After sending his friends off, he returned home. He had just closed the door, changed his shoes, and took a few steps when he saw Xia Jiao lying on the sofa, her expression clear and eyes bright as she flipped through a book. The two cats were playing on the floor, pulling and tugging at each other, one cat holding a small piece of something.

Wen Chongyue pinched the bridge of his nose, relieved that he had managed to send the two friends off.

Xia Jiao, unaware, happily jumped off the sofa and bounced into his arms, affectionately calling, “Teacher Wen!”

Wen Chongyue caught her just in time—she was soft, fragrant, and smooth, almost slipping out of his arms.

She clung to his neck and tried to climb up, murmuring, “I want to ride the horse.”

Wen Chongyue said, “You’re drunk now. It’s best to rest for a while—”

Xia Jiao retorted, “I’m not drunk.”

She spoke clearly and argued logically, looking no different from a sober person. “Look, I can still talk to you properly. I’m not drunk at all.”

Wen Chongyue said, “Yes, I believe you’re not drunk.”

He helped his wife, who was struggling like a koala climbing a tree, “So, Jiao Jiao, can you at least put on some clothes before we talk? I might not be able to hold back.”