Fists alone can’t fight against many hands.

No matter how strong you are, if you face too many people, especially with weapons, you can still fall.

Zhang Lu, in pain, covered her ear and moved away, saying defiantly, “Are there really such ruthless people in Beijing?”

Chuxia brought up the incident with the human meat bun in Xidan again. “Sometimes, desperate criminals appear suddenly and unpredictably. As your mother said, even if you have high martial skills, you must be cautious and not recklessly try to help others. The premise of helping others is to protect yourself first.”

Zhang Lu shuddered at the thought of the human meat bun incident.

Even now, it still seemed frightening.

When Chuxia and Cen Huai’an went home, she asked Cen Huai’an, “You had such a big incident at the swimming class, but why didn’t you tell me about it when you got home?”

This was something Jiang Zhida could handle, but as adults, they had a right to know since the children were in danger, and they would be concerned.

Cen Huai’an glanced at Chuxia, noticing that she wasn’t angry but was frowning, which relieved him.

“Mom, I thought it was Zhang Lu’s privacy,” Cen Huai’an said.

Chuxia was momentarily stunned, not having considered this aspect, but upon hearing Cen Huai’an’s explanation, she felt relieved.

She reached out to pat Cen Huai’an’s slightly stiff hair. “You did the right thing. It’s indeed Zhang Lu’s privacy, and you shouldn’t have mentioned it without her consent. But next time, if you encounter difficulties, I hope you and your dad can let us know sooner, rather than waiting until it’s resolved.”

Cen Huai’an nodded firmly in agreement.

Summer is not only hot for children but also for adults.

Chuxia found the walk to the hospital under the sun with an umbrella the most unpleasant part of her day because it was so hot.

Today, as she sat down, Shi Qin came over with Zhu Zhu in her arms.

Zhu Zhu had just turned one year old, and at this moment, she didn’t understand much, lying in Shi Qin’s arms with a droopy face.

Chuxia asked her to sit down, and Shi Qin exposed Zhu Zhu’s arm so Chuxia could check her pulse.

“Chuxia, please take a look at Zhu Zhu. She hasn’t been eating well these past two days and doesn’t seem energetic.”

Chuxia checked her pulse and examined Zhu Zhu’s tongue and eyes. After releasing her hand, she said, “It’s nothing serious. She’s been affected by the heat, which is impacting her stomach. No need for medication; she wouldn’t eat it anyway. When you get home…”

Chuxia provided a solution to Shi Qin. “Try this method. If it doesn’t work, bring the child to my house again.”

“Okay.” Shi Qin put down the snacks and left with her child.

Chuxia’s afternoon consultations began.

It was also hot in the hospital, but fortunately, there were fans overhead to make it bearable.

Perhaps because it was the hottest time of the year, many came to Chuxia for heat-relief medicines, and some came to get their health adjusted after suffering from heat.

When An’an went to Yunmengze to learn swimming, Chuxia always had him bring heat-relief tea.

Although it wasn’t needed during the swimming lessons, it was useful for the journey there.

---

In mid-August, Zhang Lu’s birthday was approaching.

With the start of school not far off, Zhang Lu planned to invite many friends for a big celebration.

Jiang Zhida had reserved a large private room on the fourth floor for her, which could accommodate dozens of classmates comfortably.

“How do you like the support from your uncle?” Jiang Zhida asked with a proud expression when he showed Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an the private room.

Zhang Lu was very satisfied.

She immediately ran inside to look around happily. “Uncle, I love it here!”

On her birthday, Zhang Lu invited Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixian to the private room early. “You’re my best younger brothers, so we get to enter the room first.”

In reality, she wanted them to help decorate the room.

Although there were staff to assist, Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixian did minimal work, just hanging some pretty flowers and writing birthday wishes on the walls.

Originally, Jiang Zhida had planned to prepare everything, but Zhang Lu wanted to do it herself.

She worried that Jiang Zhida might not get it exactly right.

When the time was almost up, Zhang Lu pulled Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixian to sit on the sofa, waiting for her birthday friends to arrive.

The tables in the room were already filled with various foods and drinks, all specially prepared by Yunmengze’s chefs.

Cen Huai’an held a small bowl filled with different fruits and milk, cooled in cold water, which was very refreshing in the summer.

Every time they visited Yunmengze, Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu, along with Jiang Weixian, had to have some.

But because Chuxia had said that they shouldn’t eat too many cold things in summer, Jiang Zhida only allowed them one bowl each.

As they were eating, the door to the private room was knocked on.

Zhang Lu immediately jumped up from the sofa and ran to open the door.

Two girls stood outside; they were Zhang Lu’s classmates from middle school.

When they saw Zhang Lu, their initial caution and awe of Yunmengze faded.

They hugged Zhang Lu excitedly and said, “Lu Lu, how did you manage to have your birthday party at Yunmengze? And on the fourth floor! I heard from my mom that the rooms upstairs are very expensive!”

Zhang Lu didn’t think it was a secret and said directly, “Yunmengze is run by my uncle. He gave me a special arrangement.”

Her classmates didn’t know this.

Zhang Lu rarely boasted about such things at school and had never invited her classmates to Yunmengze for a birthday before.

Hearing this, the two girls exclaimed, “Wow, Lu Lu, this is amazing! Does that mean you can eat and play with everything at Yunmengze?”

“It’s not like that,” Zhang Lu shook her head. “We still have to pay.”

This wasn’t true, but Zhang Lu wouldn’t tell others about the special card she and Cen Huai’an had for Yunmengze.

She understood the boundaries.

The special card was a privilege from her uncle for her and An’an and Jiang Weixian.

If she lent it out, it would be considered inconsiderate.

The two girls didn’t ask further.

They were already amazed by the room’s decorations and eagerly ran in to explore.

“Lu Lu, this is really eye-opening. It’s so beautiful here! No wonder so many of our classmates like to come here to skate. I heard the skates are sanitized daily, so it’s really clean.”

Not every skating rink can manage this.

Most roller skating rinks don’t bother to clean or disinfect their skates, so over time, especially in summer, a foul smell permeates the shoes, making it unbearable for many people.

Even though the prices at Yunmengze Skating Rink are high, it’s always packed.

Zhang Lu told the two girls to relax: “You can play whatever you want, and feel free to grab anything from the table.”

The two girls cheered, hugged Zhang Lu, and went to check out the pool table nearby.

Then Zhang Lu’s friends gradually arrived, all shocked by the setup in the private room.

They had already been surprised when they first entered Yunmengze, but now, enjoying delicious specialty food and playing various fun games in the private room, their exclamations of wonder seemed never-ending.

Zhang Lu joined in the fun, while Cen Huai’an preferred peace and quiet.

He didn’t know any of Zhang Lu’s many friends who had come today, apart from their classmates from high school.

So, Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixian just sat on the sofa, not moving, and started watching a drama quietly together.

The noise in the private room was too loud; even with the TV at maximum volume, they couldn’t hear it.

“Why aren’t you guys playing? We’re about to start Truth or Dare!” Zhang Lu said excitedly, her smile unwavering as she plopped down between Cen Huai’an and Jiang Weixian and took a sip from a drink on the table.

Cen Huai’an wasn’t interested, but Jiang Weixian was eager to join, following Zhang Lu over.

They noticed a circle of people gathered around a large table, and saw Cen Huai’an sitting quietly on the sofa, watching Journey to the West.

“Lu Lu, is that your classmate? Why isn’t he coming to play?” a student who didn’t know Cen Huai’an asked.

“He’s my brother; he doesn’t want to play. We’re going to play!”

Tang Song also sat at the table; he didn’t like the game either but was curious to hear some truths.

A drink bottle was placed in the middle of the table, and Zhang Lu began to spin it.

Laughter, applause, and cheers from the other side occasionally reached Cen Huai’an, making him want to escape.

However, the birthday cake hadn’t been cut yet, and Zhang Lu’s birthday wasn’t over, so he couldn’t leave.

Before long, someone lost and had to do a dare. A boy stood up, pointed at Cen Huai’an, and jokingly said to a girl, “Go get Zhang Lu’s brother to join our game; you must succeed!”

The girl who lost looked troubled: “He clearly said he didn’t want to play!”

“Fu Yizhi, what’s wrong with you? It’s just a game; why drag my brother into it?”

“It’s just a game,” Fu Yizhi shrugged. “Don’t take it so seriously; plus, your brother looks so lonely sitting there all by himself.”

Fu Yizhi thought he was being kind, trying to help Cen Huai’an, who seemed unable to blend in, but didn’t expect to provoke Zhang Lu’s anger.

Zhang Lu insisted, “Just change the dare; it can’t involve my brother.”

Everyone else chimed in to persuade Fu Yizhi.

“It’s Lu Lu’s birthday today; just change it as she says.”

“Yeah, come on, change it quickly!”

“Lu Lu’s the birthday girl; let her decide.”

Seeing that Zhang Lu was serious and others were urging him to change, Fu Yizhi quickly agreed to a different dare.

A birthday party definitely shouldn’t upset the birthday girl.

Cen Huai’an heard some commotion but didn’t go over.

Before long, the game ended, and Zhang Lu returned to sit beside Cen Huai’an: “An An, Truth or Dare is so much fun; you should play with us later!”

Cen Huai’an shook his head: “I don’t want to do a dare or tell the truth.”

Zhang Lu didn’t push him any further but went outside to call the waiter to bring the cake.

Fu Yizhi had somehow sat down next to Cen Huai’an, staring at him with scrutiny: “Are you really Zhang Lu’s brother?”

Cen Huai’an simply responded with a “hm.”

“Then how come you two don’t look alike at all?” Fu Yizhi couldn’t understand; Zhang Lu was so cheerful and lively, how could she have such a quiet brother?

Cen Huai’an didn’t want to answer that question.

Just like how dragons have nine different sons, he and Zhang Lu didn’t have the same parents, so isn’t it normal to be different?

Just then, the cake was wheeled in, and Zhang Lu called for him to come over. Cen Huai’an got up and walked toward the cake.

Fu Yizhi’s expression darkened a bit, but because Cen Huai’an was under Zhang Lu’s protection, he didn’t say anything.

The cake was enormous, and Jiang Zhida helped push it in, telling Zhang Lu’s friends, “Everyone enjoy the food and drinks, and call the waiter if you need anything.”

They first sang Happy Birthday to Zhang Lu, then she made a wish, blew out the candles, and cut the cake.

Zhang Lu gave the first slice to Jiang Zhida, who took it and patted her head as he left.

Kids play better without adults around.

Next, they served slices to Cen Huai’an, Jiang Weixian, and then to other classmates in order of proximity.

After eating cake, everyone began to give gifts to Zhang Lu.

They had all brought their gifts in earlier, waiting to give them to her face-to-face when it was time for the cake.

Zhang Lu was happily smiling; she loved receiving gifts, regardless of what they were, as they were all blessings for her.

When it was Fu Yizhi’s turn, he handed a small gift box to Zhang Lu and, somehow managing to find a bouquet of flowers, directly confessed to her.

“Lu Lu, I’ve liked you since middle school. I know you’ve never understood my feelings, and maybe you don’t have any feelings for me beyond friendship. But now that we’re not at the same high school anymore, there won’t be many chances for gatherings like this in the future. So, in case you really forget me, I want to express my feelings. Even if you reject me, I’ll still feel like I’ve fulfilled my wish!”