The wait continued until ten o'clock at night.
Lu Cong was getting sleepy. He yawned and slumped onto the table, utterly listless. "When is Xiu Ge coming back?"
Shen Muyuan glanced at his watch and calculated the time. "He should be back in about two more hours."
"Then will we still make it for his birthday?" he sighed slowly, feeling as if his bones had gone soft from sitting.
Chang Qing put down the cards in her hand. "Why don't I call Mian Mian? She hasn't come back yet either."
Chang Qin glanced at her. "Go ahead."
Chang Qing took out her phone, found Jiang Mian's number, and dialed.
Lu Cong's eyes widened, staring intently. "Well?"
Chang Qing shook her head. "The phone is turned off."
Lu Cong slumped back down. "How could this happen? Didn't Sister-in-law invite us?"
Chang Qin: "Yes, so why are we here and neither of the main characters is to be seen?"
Shen Muyuan poured a glass of water. "It seems something has happened. Let's just wait a bit longer."
"Then let's wait. We've already waited this long, no harm in waiting a little more," Lu Cong grumbled.
Eleven-thirty.
Ji Zhixiu returned home, a chill clinging to him.
Hearing footsteps, Lu Cong quickly peeked out and, upon seeing the familiar figure, breathed a sigh of relief. "Xiu Ge, you're finally back!"
Chang Qin: "We've been waiting for you all day."
Ji Zhixiu looked up and saw them, looking quite surprised. "Why are you all at my place?"
Lu Cong said nonchalantly, "Don't you know, Xiu Ge? Today's your birthday. Sister-in-law invited us to celebrate with you."
Hearing Jiang Mian's name, Ji Zhixiu's heart ached involuntarily.
Shen Muyuan observed his expression closely. "Zhixiu, did something happen?"
"Yes, you were nowhere to be seen all day. Aunt Song said you left for abroad in a hurry. What happened?" Chang Qin asked with concern.
Ji Zhixiu put down his luggage, loosened his tie, and exhaled, remaining silent.
Chang Qin frowned. "If something's bothering you, don't keep it to yourself. Tell us, maybe we can help?"
Lu Cong eagerly nodded. "Yeah, Xiu Ge, we're all family."
Chang Qing nodded silently.
Ji Zhixiu sat down, his voice weary. "Jiang Mian is missing."
Shen Muyuan stood up abruptly. "Missing?"
Ji Zhixiu's gaze fell on him, his sharp eyes seeming to pierce through Shen Muyuan's thoughts.
As Shen Muyuan stood up, he realized he had lost his composure. He was about to speak.
Lu Cong quickly piped up in his usual boisterous manner, "What? Sister-in-law is missing? What happened? Who the hell has the nerve to touch someone belonging to our Xiu Ge?"
Ji Zhixiu rubbed his forehead, devoid of any playful mood. "I've already had my people investigate, but there's been no progress. She went to Paris to shoot a magazine, and disappeared on the Champs-Élysées after work."
Chang Qin said in a deep voice, "I have a group of people in Paris too. I'll have them investigate immediately."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble."
"We're family, don't say that." Chang Qin gave him a helpless look.
Chang Qing thought for a moment. "Do you have any leads? Knowing who might be responsible would make the search easier."
Ji Zhixiu looked at Shen Muyuan again, his voice cool. "Is Shen Tingyu at home?"
Shen Muyuan was taken aback and immediately retorted, "Zhixiu, you suspect Tingyu? Don't worry, it couldn't have been her."
"I'm asking you, is she at home?" He didn't say whether he believed him or not, just repeated the question.
Seeing the situation turning awkward, Lu Cong tried to smooth things over. "Let's talk calmly. Muyuan, why don't you check?"
Shen Muyuan closed his eyes. "She was at home when I left."
As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly added, "Zhixiu, I know you're anxious now, but I guarantee this has absolutely nothing to do with her. Tingyu told me the other day that she's moved on. Besides, she has limited mobility right now, what could she possibly do?"
Ji Zhixiu nodded slightly, his expression blank. "I understand. I'm not in the mood to entertain you today. I'll treat you to a meal another time. You should go now."
Lu Cong knew he was worried. He scratched his head. "Then we'll be going, Xiu Ge. Let me know if you need anything. I'll be home these days."
Chang Qin hummed in agreement. "Then we'll be leaving. The kids are still at home. Don't get too worked up. Call us if you need anything. Also, happy birthday."
Lu Cong: "Right, right, happy birthday! Maybe Sister-in-law will be back tomorrow!"
Ji Zhixiu accepted their well wishes one by one, touched. "Okay, be careful on your way back."
Shen Muyuan remained standing, his brow furrowed. "Zhixiu."
"Go ahead."
Shen Muyuan had intended to say something unrelated to Tingyu, but his mouth opened and he changed his mind. "It's nothing. Take care of yourself. How long have you not rested? The bloodshot eyes are severe, don't ruin your health. Jiang Mian is still waiting for you."
Ji Zhixiu responded with a dull tone, "I know."
"Call me if you need anything. I'm leaving now."
"Okay."
"Happy birthday," he said earnestly.
Ji Zhixiu glanced at him. "Thank you."
Shen Muyuan sighed inwardly, gave him a deep look, and turned to leave.
The spacious living room suddenly felt empty.
Ji Zhixiu opened the refrigerator and took out the simple birthday cake.
Even after being refrigerated for several days, it lacked some freshness.
Though it was a small cake, Ji Zhixiu used both hands to hold it.
He steadily carried it to the table and uncovered the transparent box.
Holding a knife and fork in one hand, he examined the cake, then raised his hand to cut it.
In the dim light of the room, the shadows sculpted his profile, highlighting his sharp features.
His expression, devoid of a smile, appeared even more stern, his jawline sharp and defined.
He exuded an aura of sharpness.
Ji Zhixiu carefully cut the cake and then slowly brought it to his mouth.
The cream wasn't as cloying as he'd expected.
The cake wasn't as sweet as he'd thought.
Everything was fine, except she wasn't here.
Halfway through eating, a hint of annoyance flickered across Ji Zhixiu's brow.
He stood up, found a candle, inserted it, and lit it.
Then, with a sincerity he'd never felt before, he clasped his hands and made a wish.
After a moment, he blew out the candle and continued eating the cake.
The entire living room was silent and cold.
His tall figure, bathed in the light and shadow, appeared exceptionally lonely.
Until Xiao Yugan leaped onto the dining table, its round eyes blinking, then sprawled on the table, revealing its fluffy belly.
This brought a touch of liveliness to the scene.
Ji Zhixiu paused. He extended his palm to stroke Xiao Yugan's belly, speaking either to the cat or to himself, "I will find her, right?"
"Meow~"
Xiao Yugan rolled over, its paw embracing his hand.
Ji Zhixiu, who never ate such sweet food, finished the entire cake without wasting a single bite, a first in his life.
He put down the fork, stood up, and walked upstairs.
Xiao Yugan leaped lightly off the table and followed.
Ji Zhixiu entered his room and turned on the light. He walked to the bed, lifted the quilt, and lay down.
As soon as he lay down, something hard poked his back.
He frowned, lifted the entire quilt, and discovered a wax seal on the bed.
He recognized it as something used to seal envelopes. He removed the pillow and found another one underneath.
Ji Zhixiu got up and searched around. As he bent down, his gaze inadvertently swept under the bed, where he discovered a large cardboard box.
He eagerly pulled out the box and rummaged through its contents.
The box contained various small trinkets, nothing useful.
Ji Zhixiu was somewhat disappointed but continued to search, unwilling to give up.
Finally, he saw a letter at the very bottom of the box.
Ji Zhixiu sat back against the headboard and, without hesitation, tore open the letter.
It was a letter Jiang Mian had written five days ago.
Ji Zhixiu's throat bobbed. He read it word by word.
"Ah Xiu, today is your birthday. I'm so happy I can spend your birthday with you today.
I just realized today how little attention I've paid to you. All along, it's been you who has taken care of everything for me and supported all my endeavors.
Even our getting together in the first place was a deliberate plan by Mr. Ji.
Meeting you is the greatest luck of my life.
When I learned about my origins, do you know what my first reaction was? I was really worried that you would look at me differently.
I was so afraid that in your eyes, my image would become imperfect.
Because I thought you wouldn't like the status of being born out of wedlock, and who would like such a status anyway?
After days of anxiety, I realized you had always known.
I often feel like I owe you so much. When I get busy and can't come home for a long time, it's always you waiting for me at home.
I often think of you while filming. Ah Xiu, if meeting is destiny,
then your existence is the greatest miracle of my life.
I hope I can accompany you for your birthday every year from now on.
Happy birthday, my cake is actually pretty good too?"
The closing was: Your loving wife.
Ji Zhixiu's heart ached to the point of suffocation. He could almost imagine Jiang Mian's excitement as she prepared this surprise for him.
Yet now, she wasn't by his side.
He closed his eyes, a hint of red coloring the corners of his eyes.
Mian Mian, Mian Mian, he repeated silently in his heart.
A birthday without her was not a happy one.
Xiao Yugan climbed onto his lap, as if sensing his bad mood, and rubbed its head against his chest.
That feeling of powerlessness and pain surged from all directions, enveloping Ji Zhixiu.
Heaven knew how terrified he was of not being able to see Jiang Mian again.
There was still no news about the intentional kidnapping targeting Jiang Mian, and he couldn't guess what the perpetrators would do to her next.
There was nothing he could do but search.
Ji Zhixiu did not sleep all night.
The next day, he went to the company as usual.
Fan Cheng had never seen Ji Zhixiu so despondent, radiating an aura of despair.
He opened his mouth, but before he could speak.
Ji Zhixiu coldly asked, "Any news?"
Fan Cheng lowered his head, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, President. There's no news yet. I suspect the young lady has already been taken out of Paris."
"I haven't ruled out that possibility, but I've arranged for people everywhere. No matter what mode of transport they take, I will receive a message."
Ji Zhixiu said in a low voice.