The next day in class, Wang Muman proactively greeted Yan Cheng, which made him feel flattered, and he quickly replied, "Morning."
Wang Muman had already adjusted her mood. In middle school, many people had asked her when her birthday was. Back then, it hadn't been a big deal, but she didn't know why she had reacted so strongly when Yan Cheng asked her.
"Manman, we're going back tomorrow. Let's play games. Last time Li Zhentao was here, I was busy sleeping! This opportunity cannot be missed!" He Lele was completely different from her mood yesterday, returning to her energetic self.
Wang Muman took out her books. "Today hasn't even passed, and I'm already thinking about the holiday."
"It's human nature, hehe!" He Lele suddenly saw the teacher walking outside the window, the dean of students. She immediately composed herself, opened her book, and started reading. She also nudged Wang Muman, "It's Director Deng!"
Wang Muman glanced at the dean of students and was surprised when he mouthed words at her. The shape of his lips was "Come out for a moment." Wang Muman stood up and walked out of the classroom.
The dean of students smiled and asked Wang Muman, "Are you interested in giving a speech at next week's flag-raising ceremony?"
Wang Muman directly replied, "Please ask Yan Cheng to do it. I get nervous easily, as you know."
"Haha, I know, but still, try to get involved!" The dean of students patted Wang Muman's shoulder. "Alright, call that kid out."
Wang Muman breathed a sigh of relief, returned to her seat, and asked Yan Cheng to go over.
The dean of students did not smile at Yan Cheng; he was serious. "You will give the speech next week!"
"I thought you were looking for Wang Muman for something! Got it. Will I have to find the speech material myself again?" Yan Cheng had already given a speech last semester, and he had found the materials himself.
"If Wang Muman were speaking, I would have the speech material. You, kid, do it yourself." The dean of students walked away haughtily.
Yan Cheng returned to the classroom helplessly. Wang Muman, who was diligently reciting a book, looked up at him. His puppy-dog eyes also looked at her. She smiled slightly, deciding that such difficult tasks were best left to him.
When Yan Cheng went home for the weekend, he visited his grandmother's house. It was mainly because Wang Muman's emotions that day had made him feel something was not right. He knew his grandmother understood more than he did, so he asked her about Wang Muman during dinner.
"Why are you asking all of a sudden?" His grandmother looked at Yan Cheng with confusion.
"Her birthday is coming up, isn't it? You said that a girl's birthday isn't like mine, where a bowl of noodles is enough. So I asked her, and she didn't say anything." Yan Cheng recalled that evening, her emotions had changed suddenly, which was very strange.
His grandmother began to frown and tapped Yan Cheng's head.
"See, you've hit a sore spot! You brat!"
Yan Cheng was surprised. "What's wrong? Shouldn't birthdays be happy occasions?"
"Do you think everyone likes celebrating their birthday as much as you do?" His grandmother took a bite of her food, then sighed and put down her chopsticks.
"You know that Manman doesn't have a mother, right?" his grandmother began to explain.
Yan Cheng had also noticed during previous meals that Wang Muman had never mentioned her mother. He nodded.
"Alas, her mother had a difficult labor when she was born. She gave birth to her at night and couldn't hold on the next day, passing away. Her father loved her mother very much, and perhaps he blamed Manman for his wife's death, neglecting her all along." His grandmother lowered her eyelids. "So how do you expect her to celebrate her birthday? She has to visit her mother's grave the next day." She shook her head again.