It was Chang Qin’s birthday in the blink of an eye.
His mother had intended to throw a grand party for her son at home, but Chang Qin, with his legs crossed, refused, "Mom, it's not like I'm celebrating a milestone, why make such a fuss?"
Chang Qin's mother was displeased by his rejection and shot him a glare.
Chang Qin put an arm around his mother's shoulders and said, "Don't be angry, Mom. Don't worry, when you turn eighty, I'll definitely send out invitations to everyone to attend your birthday banquet."
"Get lost," Chang Qin's mother was utterly exasperated by her son's irreverence.
Chang Qin grinned and got up to leave, "Then I'm off, Mom. I've made plans with Xiu ge and the others. I'm leaving now. Oh, and Mom, they say a child's birthday is a mother's day of suffering. I've picked out a gift for you, selected with Qingqing. You can sign for it when it arrives later."
Chang Qin's mother couldn't help but chuckle softly, "At least this brat has a conscience. Apart from insisting on being with Qingqing back then, he hasn't caused me any trouble otherwise."
His father, seated on the sofa, unfolded the newspaper and shook it, "What's the point of bringing up the past? Qin'er and Qingqing are doing well now, aren't they? I told you our son is quite filial."
"Of course, who do you think he got it from?"
Before heading to Seattle, Chang Qin had to make a stop at the hospital to pick up his wife.
Chang Qingqing was an obstetrician.
When Chang Qin arrived, Chang Qingqing had just finished a fetal heart monitoring session for a pregnant patient.
After handing over her duties to her night shift colleagues, Chang Qingqing, her face beaming with joy, rushed into Chang Qin's embrace.
Chang Qin wrapped his arms around her slender waist, "When you're working, I can't tell at all that my wife is socially anxious."
Chang Qingqing pouted her lips, "That's different. Everyone who comes here is my patient. I only need to interact with them using my professional knowledge, so of course I wouldn't be socially anxious."
The couple walked out of the hospital hand in hand, and Chang Qin smiled, "Wife, what's my birthday present?"
Chang Qingqing's cheeks flushed red, and she whispered, "It's a secret for now. I'll tell you when we get home tonight."
Chang Qin boldly stole a kiss on her cheek, earning a playful glare from Chang Qingqing, "Then I'll be waiting."
By the time they arrived in Seattle, Jiang Mian, Ji Zhixiu, and Lu Cong were already waiting.
For a casual birthday, Chang Qin didn't want anything too high-profile, just a gathering with a few friends.
Lu Cong stealthily approached Ji Zhixiu, "Xiu ge, guess what birthday gift I got for Chang Qin?"
Jiang Mian looked over curiously.
Lu Cong puffed out his chest proudly. He had gone to great lengths to find this birthday gift, it was definitely a heartfelt gesture.
Ji Zhixiu glanced at him, "You don't have to tell me. I can just ask Chang Qin later."
"No, no, no, I'll tell you. I got him some health wine," Lu Cong announced with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Health wine?" Jiang Mian asked suspiciously.
Lu Cong's gaze darted away, not daring to meet her eyes, and he mumbled, "Yes, health wine. The kind that improves your health when you drink it. Strengthens the body."
Jiang Mian looked confused and was about to ask more.
Ji Zhixiu had already figured it out. He cupped Jiang Mian's face with his large hand, "Don't believe him, he's bragging."
Lu Cong was indignant. What did he mean bragging?
He was single and hadn't tested it himself, but everyone who had used it said it was great!
"If you don't believe me, I have two bottles of vintage stock left. I'll have someone deliver them later. You can try it after drinking," Lu Cong grumbled. He only had two bottles left.
Rather than keeping them and waiting an indeterminate amount of time to use them, it was better to give them to their younger sister-in-law, which could also foster their marital harmony.
"No need, you keep it for yourself," Ji Zhixiu said coolly.
Jiang Mian pulled away from Ji Zhixiu's hand, and in front of others, she had to defend her husband's honor, "A Xiu's health is very good."
Seeing their affectionate display, Lu Cong's eyes stung. He tapped his phone a couple of times and huffed, "I don't care, I've already had someone deliver it to your villa. You have to try it. Good health doesn't mean you can't drink it."
He emphasized the last few words through gritted teeth.
Chang Qin pushed open the door, "What are you guys talking about?"
Lu Cong, like he was presenting a treasure, brought out the gift he had prepared, "Here, birthday present, birthday star."
Chang Qin took it and looked at it, "What is this?"
Lu Cong tilted his head up, "You'll see when you get home. Let there be some surprise."
Jiang Mian handed the gift box to Chang Qingqing, "This is from us, a couple."
Ji Zhixiu's lips curved into a smile, "Happy birthday, Chang Qin."
Chang Qin nodded, "We're not sitting in a private room tonight. The bar has arranged singing activities. Shall we go to a booth?"
Lu Cong was the first to stand up, "Let's go, let's go, I want to go see some beautiful women outside."
The group followed suit.
In the main hall, a resident singer was belting out passionate love songs, and on stage, lively dancers were performing. Men and women alike were immersed in the atmosphere.
Chang Qin had reserved a booth in advance, and the group took their seats.
Lu Cong smacked his lips, "Next time we should sit in the main hall, it's more lively with more people."
Chang Qin casually asked an employee to take the gift to the car and then turned back, "Drink whatever you want, it's on me."
Ji Zhixiu's gaze drifted to Jiang Mian, and he stared at her meaningfully.
Jiang Mian coughed lightly, her small face looking exceptionally demure.
Chang Qingqing leaned over and whispered something into Chang Qin's ear before standing up and leaving. A short while later, she reappeared holding a cake.
It was a six-inch small cake, shaped like Chang Qin's favorite anime character.
Chang Qingqing placed it on the table and said softly, "I made it."
"Wow, sister-in-law, you're amazing," Lu Cong said, looking at it enviously.
Chang Qin pulled her down to sit, his voice filled with concern, "Didn't you work all day today? When did you make it? How did I not know?"
"I made it during my lunch break. As soon as it was done, I had someone bring it here to store."
As she spoke, Chang Qingqing nudged Chang Qin, about to ask him to make a wish.
Just then, a pleasant female voice was heard, "I knew you guys would be here."
Shen Tingyu, her left hand in a cast, was holding something in her right. She didn't even look at Ji Zhixiu, but smiled brightly at Chang Qin, "Did I come late? Brother asked me to bring you a gift."
They say you shouldn't refuse a smiling face, especially when Shen Tingyu mentioned Shen Muyuan.
Chang Qin said calmly, "Sit down first. See what you want to drink."
Shen Tingyu took a seat next to Ji Zhixiu and handed the gift to Chang Qin, "Here, my brother asked me to bring it. I don't know what it is."
Chang Qin took the item, "Thanks."
Ji Zhixiu crossed his legs, his expression inscrutable in the dim light.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, surprised to see Shen Tingyu again so soon.
Lu Cong felt the atmosphere was strangely harmonious and couldn't help but interject, "Make a wish first, Chang Qin. I want to eat cake."
Chang Qin lit the candle and made a wish.
Chang Qingqing looked at him with gentle eyes, "Husband, happy birthday."
Lu Cong, from who knows where, produced two cheering sticks, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you!"
Jiang Mian chuckled, Lu Cong was truly a comedian.
Chang Qin distributed the cake. Shen Tingyu, unable to use one hand, said regretfully, "It's a shame I can't eat it."
Lu Cong licked some cream from his finger and, as if just noticing her cast, asked, "What happened? What's wrong with your hand?"
Shen Tingyu smiled slightly, giving Jiang Mian a fleeting glance, "A few days ago, I accidentally got into a car accident in the middle of the night and injured my hand. Luckily, Xiu ge came to help at the time. Now it's in a cast and I can't move it."
Lu Cong snapped his fingers, "What's so difficult about that? Just wait."
He beckoned over a waiter, pointed to the cake on the table, and said, "Here, help me feed this lady, her hand is inconvenient."
Shen Tingyu's cheeks flushed red, "This... isn't it inappropriate?"
The waiter, a handsome young man, was quite perceptive. He picked up the cake, crouched down, and looked at Shen Tingyu, "Go ahead, I'm happy to serve a beauty."
Shen Tingyu glanced at Ji Zhixiu and obediently opened her small mouth.
Jiang Mian acted as if she hadn't heard anything and finished her cake in a few bites. She didn't even notice the cream on the tip of her nose, "Qingqing's cooking is really good."
Chang Qingqing was delighted to be praised by everyone. Seeing the cream on Jiang Mian's nose, she reached out and pointed at her from a distance, "Mian Mian jie, you... you're so funny."
Jiang Mian was taken aback, but then saw Ji Zhixiu's large hand cover hers and gently wipe away the cream from her nose, saying intimately, "Little glutton."
Jiang Mian clearly saw Shen Tingyu's face turn pale.
Jiang Mian thought to herself, she was indeed very funny.
So that night she had disappeared in the middle of the night because Shen Tingyu had called her away.
He had promised her not to see Shen Tingyu in private anymore.
She tried to ignore the sourness in her heart, unsure if it was due to Ji Zhixiu deceiving her, or due to Shen Tingyu's existence.
Jiang Mian gave a strained smile.
Then she thought, what right did she have? Ji Zhixiu didn't like her. He hadn't treated her poorly in terms of material possessions.
She was being greedy, wanting everything.
In an instant, a myriad of emotions flashed through her mind.
Jiang Mian suddenly stood up, "I'm going to the restroom."
After washing her face with cold water, Jiang Mian felt much clearer.
Ji Zhixiu had a white moonlight, she could tolerate that. Ji Zhixiu didn't like her, she could also tolerate that. But she absolutely could not accept Ji Zhixiu using her as a pawn, a tool in his relationship with Shen Tingyu.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Mian reapplied her lipstick. When she returned, Shen Tingyu was already gone.
Lu Cong was flirting with a beautiful woman.
Seeing Jiang Mian, Ji Zhixiu said to Chang Qin, "It's getting late, we should head back too."
Chang Qin nodded, "See you around."
Jiang Mian was silent on the way back.
Upon arriving at their villa, Jiang Mian grabbed her bag and quickly got out of the car.
Aunt Song was still awake, preparing ingredients for the next day. Seeing Jiang Mian return, she poked her head out from the kitchen, "Young Madam, I've put the wine that Third Young Master Lu sent for you on the table."
Jiang Mian was taken aback and looked at the table, "I know."
This was the first time she had the thought of parting ways amicably with Ji Zhixiu.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips and used the wine opener to open the wine Lu Cong had sent.
The wine Lu Cong had sent had simple packaging and no markings. Jiang Mian sniffed the bottle opening, catching a scent of wine mixed with an unknown medicinal smell.
She looked down and poured a glass, taking a small sip.
It didn't seem particularly delicious, but it wasn't that bad either.
When Ji Zhixiu entered after parking the car, Jiang Mian had already drunk half a glass. Seeing her drink again, Ji Zhixiu's gaze sharpened, "Did Lu Cong send that?"
Jiang Mian nodded.
She downed the remaining half glass in one gulp, then curved her lips into a smile, "I'm going to take a bath first. We'll talk later."
While showering, Jiang Mian realized the wine was not right. After drinking it, she felt very hot, and a sense of feverishness permeated her body.
She recalled Lu Cong's words.
"Health wine, it improves your health when you drink it."
At this point, what else didn't she understand? On such a cold day, Jiang Mian dared not take a cold shower, and she silently made a mental note of Lu Cong's deed.
Ji Zhixiu had known about the consequences all along and was leisurely waiting for Jiang Mian in the master bedroom.