When Cen Zhengnian opened the door in the evening, he saw Chu Xia sitting at the dining table, illuminated by candlelight, her chin resting on her hand, smiling at him. His heart skipped a beat.

“Chu Xia.”

“Did you forget it’s your birthday today?”

Chu Xia stood up, walked over, took the bag of documents from his hand and set it aside.

She was about to bend down to get his slippers when Cen Zhengnian stopped her.

He felt a bit overwhelmed by her actions. Usually, he was the one taking care of her, rarely letting her help him with anything.

“You don’t have to go to all this trouble just for my birthday.”

Chu Xia rolled her eyes and poked his chest. “Do you understand the concept of romance? You really don’t know how to enjoy yourself. You won’t get another chance for me to bring you your slippers.”

Cen Zhengnian didn’t feel regret at all. “Then it won’t happen again.”

To be honest, his earlier surprise made him think she had become a different person until she rolled her eyes, and he relaxed.

“Cake, steak, soup, candlelight, and the plum blossoms I specially found—doesn’t it all look nice?”

“It looks great. I’m very happy,” Cen Zhengnian replied, holding her hand, his voice low and sincere.

He placed her hand on his chest, letting her feel his quickening heartbeat.

Although Cen Zhengnian knew how to eat with proper etiquette, it was just the two of them at home, so comfort was the priority.

“Try the soup I made; I worked hard on it, and it’s really delicious.”

Cen Zhengnian scooped a bowl of soup and slowly drank it.

The taste was rich and smooth, with delicious ingredients that made him finish the whole bowl without realizing it.

Chu Xia looked at his empty bowl proudly. “I knew you’d like it. I’ll make it for you again next year on your birthday.”

Cen Zhengnian responded with a “hm,” helping her cut the steak as they began to enjoy their romantic candlelight dinner.

After dinner, Chu Xia turned on some music, dimmed the lights, and left only a few small colorful lights she had specifically bought, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Cen Zhengnian immediately understood her intention.

He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her waist, and they began to dance slowly to the soft music.

Chu Xia wasn’t a great dancer, stepping on his feet several times, but he didn’t mind and continued to hold her close.

As they swayed to the music, their faces drew closer together.

Under the colorful lights, accompanied by beautiful melodies, they kissed, dancing a more passionate dance.

The atmosphere became quite intimate, their figures entwined in the light, making them blush.

However, that night was just for the two of them, and there was no need to hold back.

Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian enjoyed a wonderful night together.

As for the birthday gift, Chu Xia only remembered the next day that she had forgotten to give it to him.

By then, Cen Zhengnian had already left for work.

When he arrived at work, it was obvious to everyone that he was in a great mood.

Ye Xingxu, who hadn’t slept well all night due to his daughter’s cries, looked tired as he tried to soothe her, and when he saw Cen Zhengnian looking so lively, he couldn’t help but feel envious. “When will I be able to survive until Zhu Zhu is as old as your An An?”

“Just wait another twelve years.”

Ye Xingxu sighed. “That’s no help at all.”

He yawned heavily. “What happened yesterday that has you so cheerful today?”

“Nothing much,” Cen Zhengnian replied casually. “Just my wife went out of her way to celebrate my birthday.”

Ye Xingxu shot him a resentful look: while he had spent the whole night trying to soothe his daughter, Cen Zhengnian had enjoyed a wonderfully happy birthday.

The gap between people was always so vast!

“When my daughter grows up, she’ll celebrate my birthday too.”

“Yeah, she will,” Cen Zhengnian replied.

At that moment, Yan Heping called Cen Zhengnian over to look at some data, and he patted Ye Xingxu on the shoulder, smiling as he walked away.

Ye Xingxu felt no comfort at all.

When Cen Huai’an returned home on Sunday, he also brought a birthday gift for Cen Zhengnian—a rocket model he had made himself.

“Dad, I didn’t know what to get you, but I thought you’d like this since I made it myself.”

Cen Zhengnian opened his arms and carefully accepted the model. “I really like it. Out of all my models, this is the only one that’s handmade by you.”

He placed the model from Cen Huai’an alongside the gifts he had received previously, feeling joyful just looking at them.

After Cen Zhengnian’s birthday, the New Year was drawing closer.

Jiang Zhida made a trip to Yangcheng before the New Year, bringing along messages from Uncle Jiang Er and Zhou Huaying for Jiang Zhiyi.

After hearing them, Jiang Zhiyi shook her head in refusal. “Brother, I won’t be going back for the New Year this year. Our newspaper office is really busy.”

She was afraid that if she went back, her parents would try to control her again.

Jiang Zhida didn’t try to persuade her further.

If it weren’t for Jiang’s second uncle and his wife pressuring Jiang Zhiyi so hard, she wouldn’t be so afraid of going home now.

Jiang Zhiyi was selecting photos from her recent shoot on the table, her eyes shining with a light that wasn’t there when she was in the capital.

“Brother, you don’t know how free and happy my life is now. I miss Mom and Dad, Grandpa, and you all, but I crave freedom even more.”

Jiang Zhiyi had finished selecting her photos and looked up at Jiang Zhida.

At this moment, Qian Ran came out of the kitchen and served everyone a cup of hot tea, naturally sitting down beside Jiang Zhiyi.

Jiang Zhida looked at Qian Ran and Jiang Zhiyi with suspicion, feeling that something was off between them.

“Brother Dazi,” Qian Ran spoke up, interrupting Jiang Zhida’s thoughts, “When you go back, please let my parents know that I won’t be coming home for the New Year this year. I’ll visit them when I have time.”

Jiang Zhida glanced at him and then at Jiang Zhiyi, leaning back on the sofa: “You didn’t go home for the New Year last year, just like Zhiyi. If you don’t go back this year, your parents might come all the way to Yangcheng to find you.”

Qian Ran smiled and said, “Let them come. I’ll show them the sights of Yangcheng and Shenzhen.”

Jiang Zhida didn’t say anything but stared at him for a while. Qian Ran continued smiling and asked, “Brother Dazi, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Zhida shook his head: “Nothing. I’m going to check on the factory. Xiaoran, come with me.”

As they walked out the door, Jiang Zhida pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Qian Ran.

Qian Ran pushed the cigarette back: “Brother Dazi, I’ve quit smoking.”

Jiang Zhida raised an eyebrow, lit his own cigarette, took a puff, and put his arm around Qian Ran’s shoulder: “Xiaoran, you’re acting strange.”

Qian Ran looked down and chuckled: “I knew you wouldn’t be fooled.”

Jiang Zhida: “What’s going on with you and my sister?”

Qian Ran walked alongside him, his smile making Jiang Zhida feel uncomfortable: “Just what you see. We’re together.”

“Damn!” Jiang Zhida elbowed Qian Ran hard, sending him sprawling.

“Is this how you take care of my sister? You’ve gone and become my brother-in-law already?”

Qian Ran rubbed his sore belly but kept smiling, showing no sign of anger: “Brother Dazi, I think being your brother-in-law is quite good. Look, I have a career, I used to smoke but I’ve quit now, I don’t go to red-light districts, and I have no bad habits…”

Jiang Zhida stubbed out his cigarette: “If it weren’t for that, you think I’d only hit you once? But if you dare to wrong my sister, you know how I, Jiang Zhida, handle things.”

Qian Ran nodded: “I understand. Brother, don’t worry, I’ll treat Zhiyi well for the rest of my life.”

Jiang Zhida looked into his eyes, seeing his seriousness before he said: “Remember your words. And don’t call me brother just yet, you’re not married to my sister.”

Qian Ran: “That’s just a matter of time.”

Jiang Zhida elbowed him again: “Shut up!”

Aside from inspecting the factory, Jiang Zhida came to Yangcheng to hand over some special orders to Qian Ran.

These orders were quite specific and demanding.

“Brother, where did you get these orders? The work is tough.”

Since the last time, Qian Ran had started calling him “Brother” instead of his old name, despite Jiang Zhida’s cold stares.

Qian Ran looked at the orders with each detail specified, furrowing his brow as he thought about how to handle them.

Jiang Zhida exhaled smoke and watched the busy workers in the factory: “Don’t worry about these. As long as we do a good job, we won’t have to worry about future orders.”

And they’re all big orders.

Qian Ran’s face relaxed, showing a confident smile: “Brother, leave these orders to me.”

Jiang Zhida trusted Qian Ran.

At the start of the orders, he stayed to supervise for two days to ensure the work met the standards, then prepared to return to the capital.

In the capital, there was still Yunmengze, and the New Year was a peak time for business but also a time when trouble could arise.

He needed to return to keep an eye on things.

As Jiang Zhida was about to leave, Qian Ran stopped him: “Brother, didn’t you say you wanted to change cars? Recently, Sister Su said she intercepted a batch of new cars.”

Jiang Zhida’s eyes lit up instantly, giving Qian Ran a hearty pat on the back: “Why didn’t you mention this sooner?”

Qian Ran coughed from the pat: “Brother, go easy on me.”

Jiang Zhida ignored his comment and had him take him to see the cars.

The cars were all good, smuggled but cheaper due to being intercepted by the authorities.

Jiang Zhida looked around and chose a Jeep.

Sister Su, who was in charge here, smiled at his choice: “Why do all the men who come here like Jeeps?”

Jiang Zhida patted the black car: “The look is impressive. Sister Su, may I use the phone here?”

“Sure!”

Sister Su had dealt with Jiang Zhida and Qian Ran before and had a good relationship with them, so she directly took them to her office for Jiang Zhida to make the call.

Jiang Zhida called Chuxia.

Unsure if she would answer, he first called her home.

No one answered, so he had to call Cen Zhengnian.

Cen Zhengnian had just finished a job, or he wouldn’t have been able to answer the phone.

Hearing Jiang Zhida’s voice, she was a bit surprised. “Dazi? What’s up?”

“Cousin, it’s like this…”

Earlier, Chu Xia had mentioned to Jiang Zhida that she wanted to buy a car.

Although she could take the bus for everyday trips, having a car would be convenient for rainy days or when moving things.

Now that she had the money, she didn’t want to compromise on it.

Cen Zhengnian had heard Chu Xia talk about her opportunity to buy a car at home; she shared all her thoughts with him and An An, especially when it came to big decisions.

“I’ll go back and let Chu Xia know. She’ll call you back.”

“Okay!”

When Chu Xia returned from the hospital, Cen Zhengnian told her about Jiang Zhida’s call.

Her face lit up with excitement. “Is there news about the car already?”

Without waiting for Cen Zhengnian to respond, she turned and quickly jogged to the public phone in the family courtyard to call Jiang Zhida.