Chapter 10: Birthday Party

When Jian Mingzhou woke up, he felt like he was resting in a very comfortable position.

A warm temperature emanated from the touching point, carrying a faint fragrance of shower gel. In a daze, he subconsciously moved a bit and brushed against something—

Immediately, the area below tightened suddenly.

“…” His consciousness suddenly became a bit clearer.

Jian Mingzhou opened his eyes and saw that he was leaning on Xie Jing’s shoulder, his forehead pressed against the hollow of the man’s shoulder. The other person was quietly scrolling on his phone with his eyes downcast.

Hearts skipped a beat! Jian Mingzhou abruptly sat upright.

Wait a minute, how… why?

Did he fall asleep, leaning on Xie Jing? And, did he just accidentally brush against him…

“Uncle.” A voice brought him back to reality.

As Xie Jing turned off his phone screen, he looked over with a natural expression and a faint smile on his face.

“Did you sleep well?” Xie Jing asked.

Jian Mingzhou steadied his expression and held his breath. “Reasonably well.”

Xie Jing’s gaze lingered for a moment, then he casually leaned back on the sofa. The light illuminated his broad shoulders.

“If you’re tired, you can take a nap again,” Xie Jing suggested.

While he said “take a nap again,” it almost sounded like he was saying you can lean on me and take a nap again.

A flash of an image crossed Jian Mingzhou’s mind, and he quickly suppressed it.

But when he looked at Xie Jing, his expression seemed natural, as if there was no hidden meaning. Jian Mingzhou sighed inwardly. Xie Jing is indeed straightforward; there are no hidden intentions at all.

Trying to ease the tension, he said, “No need; I’m already awake.”

Xie Jing just nodded and stood up.

“Let’s tidy up and have dinner.”

He bent down to pick up the nearly dry towel.

His broad shoulders expanded and contracted. At such a close distance, it felt like you could sense the thin layer of muscle beneath the black T-shirt covering his back.

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him. “Did I make your shoulder sore?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“…”

No politeness at all.

Jian Mingzhou raised his hand. “Let me massage it for you.”

As his fingertips touched the shoulder through the edge of the T-shirt, the shoulder tensed briefly and quickly withdrew from his touch.

Xie Jing turned around, smiled, and said, “Just kidding. It’s not that serious.”

Jian Mingzhou: …Athlete. Fine.

The hamburger combo had already cooled down.

Jian Mingzhou reheated it, and the two finally sat down at the dining table for dinner.

Xie Jing had good table manners. Even eating this kind of fast food, he managed to bring out an air of luxury.

While biting into the burger, Jian Mingzhou observed him.

His hands were also large enough to easily grip the burger…

Just as he was watching, the person across from him suddenly lifted his eyelids and looked over. Their eyes met, and Xie Jing spoke.

“Uncle, what are you looking at?”

Before Jian Mingzhou could respond, the gaze dropped again.

Xie Jing looked at a piece of tomato that had fallen out and kindly reminded him, “Your vegetable sashimi is falling off.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou.

He turned and took a bite. “Thanks.”

–

The accumulated workload suddenly halved after crossing the middle of the month.

These days, Jian Mingzhou finally felt a bit more relaxed.

He hadn’t figured out how to arrange his weekend when He Yi’s WeChat messages came in cheerfully.

【He Yi】: Brother Mingzhou! It’s my birthday this weekend, and I’m having a birthday party at home. Do you and Xie Jing want to come and join the fun?

【He Yi】: [Bright and cheerful smile]

The birthday party was on Saturday.

Jian Mingzhou calculated that there was still time to buy a birthday gift for He Yi and replied with an “okay.”

In the evening, when Xie Jing returned from training camp, Jian Mingzhou was drinking water by the kitchen counter and heard the door close. He poked his head out and said, “Xiao Jing, He Yi is having a birthday party this weekend.”

Xie Jing was changing shoes, and he looked up at the news. “Yeah, he already messaged you about it privately.”

“He did, mentioning that he invited many friends.”

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath. “And his sister.”

“What’s wrong with his sister? Do you want to be friends with his sister in theory?”

“… Yeah,” Jian Mingzhou said.

Xie Jing was puzzled, but he fell into silence.

Jian Mingzhou skipped that topic and asked what He Yi liked.

Xie Jing said, “Anything is fine, food or something to play with.”

Jian Mingzhou noted it and then asked, “By the way, Xiao Jing, when is your birthday, and what do you like?”

Xie Jing hesitated for a moment. “October 15th. There’s nothing I particularly like.” He bent his lips and leaned against the counter. “Uncle, are you planning to celebrate my birthday?”

The glass reflected fragments of light, falling into his eyes.

“If your family is hosting a birthday party, it’s convenient to invite me,” Jian Mingzhou said.

“I’ve never had a birthday party like that.”

The voice nearby was very soft, and Jian Mingzhou almost thought he had misheard. He looked up and speculated after a while,

“…Then, your ‘birthday feast’?”

“…” Xie Jing lowered his eyes gently. “I’m only twenty, Uncle.”

The weekend arrived quickly.

Jian Mingzhou, carrying a carefully selected birthday gift, set out with Xie Jing for the birthday party.

He bought a pea shooter that would shoot chocolate.

It was both something to eat and something to play with.

Upon seeing it, Xie Jing, who usually maintained a calm and indifferent expression, showed a rare hint of amazement on his face.

They took a taxi together. When they arrived at their destination, Jian Mingzhou only then realized that He Yi was also a hidden second-generation rich kid.

In the southern part of the city, there was a large villa with a swimming pool.

When they arrived, many guests had already come.

It was evident that He Yi had a good social circle, inviting many friends, both male and female. The scene was lively and full of youthful vigor.

Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing walked into the villa to find He Yi.

However, just as they passed through the living room and turned a corner, they saw a girl with twin ponytails clinging to He Yi’s arm, being exceptionally affectionate.

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

He paused his steps, and his eyes trembled: The CP is collapsing!

Noticing Jian Mingzhou not moving, Xie Jing called, “Uncle?”

This call attracted the attention of two people.

He Yi turned his head and said, “Xie Jing, Brother Mingzhou, you’re here! Oh, this is my sister, He Yu!”

Jian Mingzhou’s thoughts revived: So it’s his sister.

At that moment, Zhou Xuyang came over from the other side and called, “He Yi, the pizza’s here. Where should I put it?”

“Just put it in the living room.”

“Oh, Brother Xuyang!” He Yi’s sister immediately clung to He Yi, giving Zhou Xuyang a teasing look. “Today, my brother belongs to me. Don’t be unhappy, okay~”

Zhou Xuyang, bewildered, said, “Oh, sure.”

“…”

Jian Mingzhou held back a smile. Sister, it seems you’re into this too!

Casually, he handed over the gift. “Xiao Yi, happy birthday.”

Xie Jing also handed over his gift. “Here.”

“Wow, thank you! Ah, Brother Mingzhou, you finally came…” He Yi was interrupted halfway when his sister, He Yu, curiously leaned in. He suddenly remembered the introduction he left unfinished.

“Oh, Xiaoyu, this is Brother Mingzhou I told you about, and that’s my friend, Xie Jing, who is currently living with Brother Mingzhou.”

With this announcement, He Yu’s lips curled upwards, and she couldn’t resist twisting He Yi’s waist.

“Hiss!” He exclaimed. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, hehehe~” He Yu laughed playfully.

Jian Mingzhou: …Alright, he got it.

He glanced at Xie Jing, who showed no change in expression. Fortunately, Xie Jing didn’t understand; otherwise, it would be more awkward. Jian Mingzhou quickly called Xie Jing to leave before his sister’s gaze became even more intense.

“Let’s go outside,” Jian Mingzhou suggested.

“Okay.”

–

Now it was morning.

The weather was good, and sunlight illuminated the room brightly. Birthday banners and balloon decorations were hung around.

A lively group of young people chatted animatedly, and Jian Mingzhou, being good at conversations, soon blended in.

A girl with a neat ponytail came over and clapped the table. “Xie Jing’s handsome uncle! I remember you. You even brought his training certificate last time!”

Jian Mingzhou looked at Xie Jing, questioning him with his eyes: Is she your friend?

Xie Jing, leaning against the side, said, “Ni Ran.”

Jian Mingzhou nodded and greeted her, “Hello.”

Ni Ran really liked his face, thinking it was good for her eyes. She was particularly excited. “Hey, uncle, no, should I call you ‘bro’ or ‘uncle’? You…”

“Uncle,” Xie Jing suddenly spoke, “my eyes hurt a bit.”

Jian Mingzhou turned around abruptly. “What happened?”

“Maybe some dust got in; I’ll go get eye drops.” Xie Jing stood up.

Concerned, Jian Mingzhou said, “I’ll accompany you.”

“Thanks, Uncle.”

The two left the living room to find He Yi and get the eye drops. After confirming that Xie Jing was fine, He Yi had other matters to attend to and let them go.

In a side hall, Xie Jing raised his hand to apply the eye drops.

His neck arched back, and his Adam’s apple rolled. After finishing, he blinked, and tears lingered on his lashes.

Jian Mingzhou approached to check. “Is it still hurting?”

Xie Jing, with his lashes fluttering, suddenly lifted his gaze.

Their eyes met closely. The deep black pupils collided with Jian Mingzhou’s eyes.

After two seconds of eye contact, Xie Jing suddenly smiled. “By the way, Uncle, Ni Ran asked me if you have a girlfriend.”

Jian Mingzhou, caught off guard, listened in a daze.

First reaction: This is not good. If it were He Yi’s sister, she would surely ask if he had a boyfriend.

“What are you thinking?” Xie Jing asked.

Jian Mingzhou snapped out of his thoughts. When it came to matters of love, he inexplicably felt a bit green. He could only try to look calm.

“Nothing; I don’t have that kind of intention.”

Xie Jing blinked his eyelashes and then lightly patted him. “Well, Ni Ran just mentioned it casually.”

Jian Mingzhou: …

What was she thinking, playing with him like this!

After applying the eye drops, Xie Jing and Jian Mingzhou returned to the living room together.

It was approaching noon, and the table was already full of food.

All the invited friends had arrived, and the atmosphere was lively. They gathered around a table, with He Yi sitting in the middle.

He raised his glass. “Welcome everyone to my twenty-first birthday celebration!”

The group of people raised their glasses. “Fortune is as boundless as the East Sea!”

Jian Mingzhou, lifting his arm, said to Xie Jing, “Look, a birthday banquet in his twenties.”

Xie Jing, “…”

An untimely toasting session came to an end.

Jian Mingzhou looked around and asked, “Why don’t I see a birthday cake?”

Xie Jing didn’t say anything. He Yu suddenly popped up from the side.

“The big cousin has already gone to get it, but the useless big cousin hasn’t arrived yet!”

“…” Jian Mingzhou praised, “Your family has quite a few brothers and sisters.”

He Yu blushed. “Hey hehe!”

Ignoring the fact that some family members were still missing, He Yi directly let everyone start eating.

The atmosphere was lively and noisy, and Jian Mingzhou was busy biting into a slice of pizza. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Boom, boom, boom, three times.

Elegantly designed and somewhat affected by the sense of art, the sound was almost drowned out by the noisy crowd.

Zhou Xuyang, who was closest to the door, heard it and stood up to open it. “He Yi, your cake has arrived with your cousin.”

As he said this, he opened the door.

Jian Mingzhou looked up while holding the pizza.

The door opened, and a person dressed appropriately carried a large box of cake, accompanied by a silky English greeting:

“Hey~ small Yi, happy birth…”

Their eyes met across the room.

Jian Mingzhou’s hand trembled, and he almost dropped the pizza.

Not again. Isn’t this the Literature Department’s chief editor, He Lucheng!