The three-day, two-night trip began.
Song Qinian was overjoyed when she heard they were going to see the stars. La Mu Qijia Bu was rather cold, so she had packed her clothes long in advance.
However, she hadn't expected Lin Qiutong to be going as well.
In retrospect, Shen Chiyan's birthday was such a significant event; Lin Qiutong couldn't possibly miss it.
While boarding the vehicle, Lin Qiutong stood beside Shen Chiyan, her intention clear: she wanted to ride in the same car as Shen Chiyan.
Song Qinian didn't want to witness them flaunting their affection in front of her. Moreover, Shen Chiyan kept staring at her, as if expecting her to be sensible and leave. Her chest felt tight with a suffocating frustration.
Just then, Shen Keqin walked over.
Upon seeing Shen Keqin, Lin Qiutong handed her a square box with exquisite packaging. "Qinqin, happy birthday."
A gift was a gift, and it would be a shame not to accept it. Shen Keqin took it and gave a forced smile. "Thank you, Miss Lin."
Then, she affectionately linked arms with Song Qinian. "Sister-in-law, I'd like to invite you to ride in my car."
Song Qinian smiled and nodded. The two of them, hand in hand like primary school students, ambled towards the car in front.
Shen Chiyan: "..."
Lin Qiutong, on the other hand, hadn't anticipated Song Qinian being so sensible as to yield the car to her and Shen Chiyan. She felt a surge of secret delight and smiled at Shen Chiyan. "Ayan, let's get in the car. I've prepared a gift for you too."
Shen Chiyan seemed lost in thought, his dark eyes fixed on Song Qinian.
For a moment, Lin Qiutong thought Shen Chiyan would call out to Song Qinian, but he merely watched Song Qinian board the car, his mind elsewhere. After a while, he turned to her and said indifferently, "Let's get in."
Lin Qiutong's brow furrowed. She was clearly the victor, yet inexplicably, she felt as though she had lost.
But it was alright, as long as Ayan still liked her.
As soon as she got into the car, Lin Qiutong produced an exquisite box. "Happy birthday to our big birthday star."
Lin Qiutong desperately wanted to say "my big birthday star," but she was unsure of Shen Chiyan's attitude and dared not be too overt.
"Thank you."
Shen Chiyan accepted the box, but his mind was on Song Qinian's gift.
He wondered if that woman had brought him a gift.
Seeing that Shen Chiyan didn't even open the box, nor did he seem curious about its contents, Lin Qiutong's heart sank.
What was going on?
Why didn't Ayan seem the least bit excited about her gift?
"Ayan, aren't you going to open it and see?"
Shen Chiyan opened it to reveal a limited edition watch, clearly worth a fortune.
"It's just a birthday; there's no need for such an expensive gift."
"That won't do. Your birthday is very important to me. Didn't I tell you before? I want to give you a complete set, from the clothes you wear to the accessories you adorn."
Lin Qiutong's words only made Shen Chiyan feel more conflicted and agitated.
Logically, he should have been looking forward to Qiuqiu's birthday gift. But for some reason, he wasn't as excited as he had imagined.
"Ayan, do you like this watch?"
Shen Chiyan replied with a faint "Mm."
"Then let me help you put it on."
Saying this, Lin Qiutong reached out to take the watch, but Shen Chiyan gently refused. "No need. Gifts should be cherished."
Lin Qiutong's heart leaped. Indeed, Ayan still cared about her.
Then, she playfully slapped Shen Chiyan's arm. "It's not like I won't be giving you gifts in the future."
Shen Chiyan said nothing more. Instead, he looked through the windshield at the car in front.
He wondered what Song Qinian was doing.
Song Qinian was beautiful and cute, with charming dimples when she smiled, her eyes crinkling. From the moment she got into the car, she became the darling of everyone.
Shen Keqin's friends were all warm and generous. They didn't mind at all that Song Qinian was mute, and to ensure she wouldn't feel awkward, they tried various ways to cheer her up.
"I've always thought people who know sign language are amazing. It's like having an extra skill."
"If that's the case, then I know sign language too."
"Shao Feibai, stop showing off!"
"Hey, why is it showing off? You can guess what I'm saying as soon as I make a gesture!"
"Come on, show us your sign language."
Shao Feibai raised his middle finger.
Two seconds later, he was being held down on his seat and playfully beaten by the others.
"If that's your logic, then I know it too."
A girl named Qi Miaomiao made a throat-slitting gesture, and everyone instantly understood what she meant.
"So, sign language isn't that difficult after all."
"Hahahaha..."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Song Qinian felt relaxed and happy when she was with them.
Ever since she lost her voice, people around her had been disgusted. Her classmates feigned sympathy, but behind her back, they would hurl all sorts of vulgar insults.
Some said she was beautiful and had seduced the boys at school, and even heaven couldn't stand it, so it struck her mute.
Others said she was always seeking attention and had been punished.
She had never done anything to wrong those people, yet she was surrounded by their malice.
Initially, she still believed in the inherent goodness of human nature and even made a good female friend.
That girl treated her very well, completely ignoring the rumors and gossip, and continued to be her friend.
They studied together, went to the cafeteria together, and played together.
But later, she was betrayed by that girl.
The girl invited her to her home. Naively, Song Qinian went. As it turned out, the girl had been long abused and humiliated by her stepfather. The girl had brought Song Qinian home for her stepfather to abuse, hoping he would spare the girl.
At the time, Song Qinian was only fifteen. Unable to speak, she had no one to call out to.
Fortunately, after the incident with the cat, she had been carrying a fruit knife. She had used the fruit knife to injure the girl's father and then fled.
After that, the girl's family disappeared, and Song Qinian no longer dared to open her heart to people so easily.
In college, everyone was growing. The four girls in the dormitory came from different parts of the country. The other three were fairly decent to her after they learned she couldn't speak.
She gradually emerged from that horrifying memory, but the only close friend she had was Mu Yuxin.
Therefore, seeing them so young and vibrant, speaking their minds so freely, she felt envious and happy.
Shen Keqin leaned over to Song Qinian's ear and smiled. "Sister-in-law, they're just like this. Please bear with them."
Song Qinian smiled and gestured. "I really like them this way. They're so unrestrained and sincere. Being with them makes me very happy."
"That's good. They might not have many other skills, but they're full of ways to make people happy."
Before long, everyone began presenting Shen Keqin with gifts. Song Qinian also took out the present she had prepared.
While others brought exquisite gift boxes, Song Qinian presented a document envelope.