Chapter 61 P - Birthday

Chu Beiling was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Why would you think that!"

Xing Yu stared at him intently, as if wanting to know the answer yet afraid of getting it. "Then..." He opened his mouth, then paused for a moment before continuing, "Why are you avoiding me?"

Chu Beiling was speechless for a moment.

He was hiding from Xing Yu because he was preparing a birthday surprise for him, but if he told Xing Yu, would the surprise still be a surprise? But looking at Xing Yu now, he looked like a fish jumping on a chopping board, waiting for the knife to fall, filled with despair and fear.

He wasn't sure what to do.

As Xing Yu stared at Chu Beiling's unwilling and somewhat resistant expression, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, gradually sank to the bottom.

He twitched the corners of his mouth and slowly and relievedly uttered the words "I'm sorry".

Chu Beiling froze, his actions faster than his thoughts. By the time he came to his senses, he had already stepped forward and grabbed Xing Yu's wrist: "Why are you apologizing to me?"

The words had barely left his mouth—

Chu Beiling realized that they had almost argued on Sunday. After that, he prepared a birthday surprise for Xing Yu and would hide in the empty art equipment room to make lily of the valley whenever he had free time. He didn't have time to think about what had happened before.

He asked, "Do you think I'm still angry with you?"

Xing Yu looked down at the hand that was gripping his wrist. In the dim light, he could see the prominent blue veins on the hand and the round, red fingernails that were gripping tightly.

Chu Beiling noticed his gaze, but instead of letting go, she tightened her grip: "I'm not angry with you..." After a pause, she continued, "It's just that if you don't consider me your best friend, I'll be sad and I'll lie on the floor crying."

Xing Yu's eyelids twitched, and his long eyelashes trembled slightly like cicada wings: "Yes, I know, I know."

So, things are good as they are now. He shouldn't be greedy and ask for more.

Further down the line is something he might not be able to afford.

A moment of silence—

Xing Yu said, "I was in a bad mood that day. It wasn't that I didn't want to respond to you right away, but... I'm not very good at talking." His voice was muffled, carrying an indescribable heaviness and confusion: "It won't happen again next time. Don't be sad or unhappy. You will always be my best friend. It's not that you need me, but that I need you."

Xing Yu's slightly cool skin was gradually warmed by Chu Beiling's grip, and the warmth of Chu Beiling's palm gradually transferred to him. Then, a strange soreness and swelling flowed to his limbs and bones with each heartbeat, and even his bones ached slightly.

After a moment's thought, Chu Beiling decided to tell Xing Yu the reason he had been avoiding him recently—

If the surprise is built on Xing Yu's pain and despair, then the surprise he finally receives will probably just be wishful thinking and self-delusion.

Moreover, his original intention was to make Xing Yu happy; he didn't want Xing Yu to feel even the slightest bit disappointed or unhappy.

Chu Beiling explained, "I've been busy preparing a birthday gift for you lately. I originally wanted to avoid you and surprise you on your birthday. It was my fault for making you sad."

He slowly slid his hand down to grasp Xing Yu's hand, his fingertips gently stroking Xing Yu's palm: "You don't need to change, you don't need to change anything. I don't need you to change anything for me, and don't compromise. I just want you to be happy, do whatever you want, just be happy and joyful."

"I..." Xing Yu opened his mouth, but before he could finish speaking, he hadn't said the rest of the sentence.

Ma Qiu was accompanied by two teachers on duty. The bright lights shone on them, and everything within sight was clearly visible. When the wind blew, the shadows of the lights and people overlapped on the walls and steps. The two of them raised their hands to shield their eyes at the same time.

"It's you two again! Lights out is almost here, why aren't you back in the dorm? Are you two going to look at the moon or the kittens tonight?" Thinking of Li Dong and Sheng Xia, who had been following each other closely in the grove, reluctant to go back to the dorm.

Before Chu Beiling could respond, Ma Qiu, looking at the two troublemakers, said, "You two, acting out the Liang-Zhu farewell scene so late at night! Should I drive you to the West Lake Long Bridge right now and let you perform a farewell scene?!"

He started urging people to go back to sleep: "Go back to sleep now."

Chu Beiling and Xing Yu: "..."

"What are you still standing here for? If you really want to go, hurry up and go back to your dorm." Seeing the two turn around and walk upstairs, Maqiu turned off his blinding flashlight and went off with the two teachers to catch those who were dating early and those who were breaking the rules.

The two walked uphill side by side, their footsteps lighting up white lamps. It was probably just as Ma Qiu mentioned Liang Zhu that Chu Beiling suddenly thought of a selection from the Yue Opera "Eighteen Farewell Scenes".

His off-key voice sang out: "Three years of classmates, our friendship is as deep as the sea, Shanbo is reluctant to part with Zhu Yingtai, we accompany each other down the mountain, and then come up the road to Qiantang, Brother Liang..."

With the noise in his ears, Xing Yu couldn't take it anymore and interrupted in time: "Don't you know how bad your singing is? How dare you sing Yue Opera?"

"..." Chu Beiling pointed at him, and sang angrily, "Don't you see the female goose smiling at you? It's laughing at you, Brother Liang, for being such a silly goose!"

Xing Yu couldn't help but burst out laughing, glancing at him sideways: "Chu Beiling, who's more of a goose, you or me?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake, but it was too late to take them back.

Xing Yu pursed his lips into a straight line, looking at Chu Beiling uneasily.

However, after being speechless for a while, Young Master Chu finally managed to say, "Fine, I'm like a silly goose. Tell me, where am I like a silly goose?"

Xing Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't reply.

Chu Beiling reached out and lifted his chin: "Hmm, tell me, what makes me look like a goose?"

Xing Yu reached out and removed his restless paws, paused for a moment, but still couldn't help but ask, "Do you know what the opera excerpt 'The Eighteen Farewell Scenes' means?"

Chu Beiling glanced at him sideways, looking at him with an expression that said, "You're questioning my intelligence." "What nonsense is that? Of course I know."

He leaned closer, almost touching Xing Yu's face, scrutinizing him closely: "Or are you like Zhu Yingtai, a girl disguised as a boy to attend school? That can't be, can it?"

Xing Yu raised his hand and moved his face away: "You're a silly goose, just as stupid as Liang Shanbo."

Chu Beiling said irritably, "Since I'm a blockhead, don't bother with me anymore. I'm boring and unromantic."

Xing Yu felt a sour and numb sensation on the tip of his tongue. He sighed and comforted himself, saying with relief, "Oh well, being a little dazed isn't so bad."

Chu Beiling was so angry that she was practically fuming, and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

This person's mouth can only be good for half a second before it's poisoned again. If this were ancient times, there would be no need to poison him; he could kill someone with just one word. There would be no need to use a silver needle to test for poison.

Xing Yu opened his mouth to say something, but Chu Beiling quickly covered his mouth with her hand: "Little mouth, don't talk."

Chu Beiling released his hand: "For the sake of our friendship to continue to develop harmoniously and stably, you'd better not say anything. It's better for you, me, and everyone else to be happy."

Xing Yu smiled, then shook his head in a helpless and disappointed manner, deliberately slowing his pace to be half a step behind him.

For the next two days, Chu Beiling still disappeared as soon as get out of class ended. Knowing that he wasn't deliberately avoiding him, Xing Yu felt much relieved, but at the same time, he also felt somewhat conflicted, as if he were being roasted over a fire.

Xing Yu was fully aware that he had developed inappropriate feelings for Chu Beiling.

He wanted Chu Beiling to know, yet he was also afraid to let him know.

Xing Yu was afraid that if Chu Beiling found out, she would lose him completely, and he himself couldn't accept that he would fall in love with a boy among so many girls in the school.

But that was Chu Beiling, so it seemed somewhat natural.

These complex thoughts would pop up from time to time, and before we knew it, it was December 7th, his birthday.

Having been warned by Chu Beiling beforehand, Xing Yu felt a pang of tenderness in his heart knowing that Chu Beiling had been busy for him lately.

Anticipation and longing.

After entering the second year of high school, they also have classes all day on Saturdays, and they can only go home after finishing four classes in the afternoon.

Originally, it was nothing, but the thought of celebrating his birthday with Chu Beiling that night made Xing Yu wish the day would pass faster than ever before.

Faster.

At lunchtime, a group of teenagers went to the second canteen together. They arrived early, and there weren't many people in the canteen yet, so they could choose any seat they wanted. Li Dong chose a seat in the very center.

The second canteen has good food and a lot of snacks. It is always lively. In just a short while, a lot of hungry wolves poured into the canteen and filled most of it.

They were halfway through their meal when the cafeteria was already packed with heads. Chu Beiling quickly finished the food on her plate.

Xing Yu glanced at him and said, "Eat slowly."

Chu Beiling's mouth was stuffed full like a hamster's. He nodded obediently, slowly swallowed the food in his mouth, then got up, spread out a tissue on the dining chair, and stepped on it.

Xing Yu reached out and tugged at his school uniform sleeve: "What are you doing? Get down here now."

Chu Beiling smiled and said, "You'll find out in a moment."

Li Dong, who was standing next to him, took out a megaphone from his schoolbag and handed it to him. Chu Beiling patted the megaphone and turned it on: "Excuse me for disturbing the students who are having lunch. Please look over here, look over here."

He was already the center of attention, and by doing this, all the teachers and students in the second canteen looked in his direction.

Having achieved the desired effect, Chu Beiling got down to business: "Dear classmates, today is my best friend Xing Yu's birthday. Please sing a birthday song with me and wish him a happy seventeenth birthday, okay?"

After a moment of silence, the students eating in the second canteen responded in unison, "Okay."

Chu Beiling glanced down at Xing Yu, who was blushing so deeply he wanted to disappear into the ground, took his hand, and then said to everyone, "Then everyone sing with me, three, two, one."

"Happy birthday to you……"

Chu Beiling, holding a megaphone, led the students in singing "Happy Birthday" in his off-key voice. After that, he started singing "Birthday Blessing Song".

Wishing you happiness and peace, say goodbye to all your troubles, and hello to all your happiness...

A grand chorus of 100 people singing "Happy Birthday" echoed through the West High School No. 2 cafeteria, one wave higher than the next.

Xing Yu was unable to calm down; he felt ashamed and embarrassed, wishing he could disappear into the ground, yet an endless tenderness welled up in his heart.

He looked up at the person beside him.

Under the blazing sun, Chu Beiling beside him was passionate and unrestrained, directing the entire scene.

The light and shadow slanted across his gentle face, and his amber eyes, brimming with smiles, shone like dazzling gemstones, their luster impossible to ignore.

Xing Yu's heart softened completely.

On his seventeenth birthday, led by Chu Beiling, all the students in the second canteen sang him a birthday song, making it the most lively birthday he had ever had.

It was also the most unforgettable birthday.

Xing Yu thought Chu Beiling's surprise was that the five of them would go out to celebrate his birthday after school, but he didn't expect that Chu Beiling would directly ask all the students to sing him a birthday song in the second canteen.

After singing two songs, Chu Beiling jumped off the dining chair, hooked her arm around Xing Yu's neck, and pulled him towards her: "Happy birthday, Brother Yu."

Xing Yu's heart skipped a beat.

But the surprises didn't end there. After he finished his meal and walked out of the second canteen...

Li Dong handed him a handmade lily of the valley and wished him, "Happy birthday, Xing Yu, may you be happy forever." He also handed him a colorful card that read "May you be happy forever."

Xing Yu recognized that this was Chu Beiling's handwriting. It was neat and clear, close to running script, and elegant yet lively and cute. The handwriting was just like the man, and like his paintings, it was very distinctive.

He turned to look for Chu Beiling, but the man had already disappeared without him noticing.

Xing Yu looked at Li Dong with a puzzled expression. She shrugged and smiled, saying, "Let's move forward. Chu Fanfan is waiting for you in the classroom."

"..." Xing Yu walked forward with a puzzled look in his eyes.

Before they had gone five meters, Shengxia handed him the lily of the valley flowers she had hidden behind her back: "Xing Yu, happy birthday, may you be happy every day."

Then, Xu Tunan chuckled and said, "Xing Yu, happy birthday, and may everything go well for you."

From the second canteen to the art building, a distance of several hundred meters, every five meters a student would hand him a lily of the valley, wish him a happy birthday, and bless him with various words, along with a colorful card with wishes for peace, happiness, joy, health, and good fortune.

On his way to the classroom, he received a total of 65 lilies of the valley flowers and 65 colored cards. In addition to those from his own class, there were also students from other classes in the art building. Some were familiar, some were not. Everyone gave him a card, and each one was different.

When they finally arrived at the classroom, Xing Yu was carrying a large amount of handmade lily of the valley flowers, and he almost couldn't hold them all.

Chu Beiling handed over the last one: "Xing Yu, happy birthday. May all your wishes come true, may your path be smooth, may you be free from worries year after year, and may you always be happy in Chang'an."

He handed Xing Yu a colorful card: "Today, the day you were born, is truly a very important day. Thank you for coming into this world."

Xing Yu's nose stung with tears. His heart, which felt empty and hopeless, was cradled in Chu Beiling's hands and protected, receiving the most sincere tenderness. For a moment, he felt an urge to cry.

then,

Uncontrollably—my heart is pounding.

"Wait a minute." Chu Beiling turned around, took a cake made of chocolate pie from the back of the classroom, and walked up to him.

He had ordered a birthday cake, but when it was delivered through the broken railing at the west gate of the school, it wasn't handled properly and bumped, causing the whole cake to shift and dent a corner.

With her obsessive-compulsive disorder and high aesthetic standards, Chu Beiling would absolutely not allow such garbage to be delivered to Xing Yu, so she had to scavenge all the chocolate pies in the school supermarket and hastily put together a birthday cake.

"We're at school for your birthday this year. I saw that your birthday is next year, which falls on a Sunday. If we don't go to training camp next year, I'll definitely make it up to you with a beautiful cake. For now, please bear with this and don't nitpick."

Chu Beiling presented the chocolate tower to Xing Yu: "Make a wish."

Xing Yu clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and silently made a wish: 'May Chu Beiling be safe and happy, year after year, day and night, forever blessed with sunshine.'

Then he opened his eyes and met Chu Beiling's bright, shining eyes, and blew out the candle.

From then on, his birthday was no longer something that was forgotten, and neither was his.