Chapter 110 Congratulations to President Shang on achieving his wish

Shangqiu Zhu's movements were too big and too hasty, and the cake in Yan Shuang's hand was knocked off and fell to the ground.

The exquisite buttercream frosting was ruined, and the candles went out.

He held her tightly.

His entire body was trembling uncontrollably.

She felt the man in her arms still holding her tightly, and heard his suppressed, hot breath on her neck.

Yan Shuang slowly raised her hand and patted his back gently.

Her face was buried in his firm chest, and tears rolled down her cheeks silently.

Du Yunchuan stood at the edge of the crowd not far away, his initial smugness and "praise me!" expression turning into a look of utter disbelief as he watched the two embrace tightly, Shang Qiuzhu's almost uncontrollable expression as if she wanted to meld them into her very bones...

The smile on his face slowly froze, and his nose felt sore.

Damn, this is so difficult.

"Damn..." he muttered under his breath, but the corners of his mouth were turned up in a smile.

Seeing that the two were still immersed in their own world, completely forgetting that there was a large group of dumbfounded guests around them, Du Yunchuan sniffed and forcibly suppressed the lump in his throat.

He whirled around and, in a low, urgent voice, commanded, "What are you all looking at! Disperse! Hurry up!"

Under Du Yunchuan's rude intervention, the lights in the banquet hall were gently and slowly brightened, and the soothing background music began to flow again.

The curious guests were politely guided by the waiters back into their respective social circles, though their gazes still lingered curiously on the two people in the center of the hall.

-

I don't know how much time has passed, maybe just a few heartbeats, or maybe another three years.

Only when the ecstasy and fear that almost tore him apart gradually settled into a perceptible reality did Shangqiu Zhu finally muster a bit of courage.

He trembled and loosened his embrace slightly, just so he could see her face clearly.

His gaze greedily traced her features, and when he spoke again, his voice was so soft it was as if he were afraid of disturbing this beautiful dream.

"You're back..."

Yan Shuang's tears flowed again, and she nodded vigorously.

All the words stuck in her throat; she could only tell him through the most direct action.

Shangqiu Bamboo, I'm back.

But he still seemed trapped in that long nightmare, having seen too many illusory reflections, so much so that when reality was within reach, he hesitated to move forward.

His deep eyes glistened with tears, and he asked another question, his voice even hoarser than before.

She nodded vigorously, again and again, tears streaming down her face with each movement.

"Mmm!" she uttered, her voice thick with nasal tone, yet perfectly clear.

Yan Shuang raised her hand and gently stroked his face, trying to soothe the unease there.

"I'm back, Shangqiu Zhu... I'm back. I won't leave again, I'll never leave again..."

I'm back. I'm here.

After receiving her confirmation again and again, the last shred of strength that Shangqiu Zhu had been holding onto crumbled.

He tightened his arms again, pulling her into a deeper embrace.

At this moment, his world was so complete that it consisted only of the person in his arms.

Silence flowed between them in their embrace, yet it was more intense than any words.

After a long while, she raised her head again, her eyes still moist, but the corners of her lips curved into a smile that was both a little apologetic and incredibly happy.

Yan Shuang hugged him and spoke softly and solemnly once again.

"Shangqiu Zhu, happy birthday," she paused slightly, tears welling up in her eyes again, "You're 32 now."

The man, who was being held tightly in her arms, let out a low groan: "Mmm."

Just one word, yet it carries an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

This is his real happy birthday.

32 years old.

To others, the passage of time is merely an age that needs updating on his resume, or a unit of measurement for the increase in the value of his assets over the past year, for someone who has already reached the pinnacle of wealth and power.

It did not etch the marks of time on his sharply defined face, nor could it shake his authority in the slightest.

But for him, this number was a cold and cruel reminder, repeating itself over and over again.

Another year has passed since she left.

Each birthday is like another lonely ring etched into the deep well of his heart.

For more than a thousand days and nights, he breathed mechanically and moved forward numbly.

This road has no end. He guards the memories of the past and the traces she left behind, preparing himself to walk alone to the end of his life.

But at this moment, as he held her in his arms, those scenes he had deliberately buried in the past suddenly resurfaced clearly before his eyes because of the warmth he had regained in her embrace.

These years.

On countless sleepless nights, he repeatedly watched an old movie that she had once raved about, but which he had once dismissed as boring.

He habitually ordered her favorite dishes, but found no appetite while facing the empty seat opposite him.

He bought the jewelry that suited her at the auction and then silently locked it deep inside a safe.

......

He tried his best to forget these images because they meant endless loss.

But at this moment, he couldn't help but wonder if it was because of all this that fate had finally cleared away the clouds and seen his longing wait, and that it had finally returned the girl he had been yearning for day and night to him in such perfect condition.

And time, that monster he thought had long since stopped.

Finally, after a cycle of three years and one day, it began to turn again in his life.

She really came back.

Yan Shuang nestled in his arms, her cheek pressed against his warm chest. A thousand words surged within her, yet she could not find an outlet to express them.

She didn't want him to dwell on those heavy memories anymore, and she didn't want him to feel any discomfort because of anything.

She wanted to tell him that after making a birthday wish and eating the birthday cake, the past should remain before the moment the candles were blown out.

She would dedicate her entire future to making up for the lost past, staying by his side, and extending their happiness indefinitely.

Yan Shuang slightly raised her head from his embrace, her gaze unconsciously searching for the cake that symbolized a new beginning.

However, what came into view was not the exquisite buttercream frosting and flickering candlelight that I had expected.

On the floor, there was only a completely ruined crime scene; the meticulously made cake was now a mushy mess, pitifully lying amidst the chaos.

Her words almost came out of her mouth, “Shangqiu bamboo,” she gently punched him, “I spent all day making this, the decorating almost blinded me, and you just knocked it to the ground like that!”

Shangqiu Zhu was taken aback by her sudden accusation. She looked in the direction the woman was pointing at the mess, then looked down at the person in her arms.

Almost instinctively, without any hesitation, he immediately apologized.

Yan Shuang felt it was such a pity. "It's not that I blame you, it's just that I really wanted to give you a proper birthday celebration."

Three years of regret and bitterness welled up in her heart. The clearest memory was that her birthday that year could not be celebrated. The wine she secretly brewed was still missing the last step of the process, and the gift she carefully prepared could not be given to her in person.

That unfinished birthday remains a knot in her heart.

Compared to everything he silently endured for her, she often felt that what she could give back was so little, so insignificant.

Even a complete birthday seems to be full of twists and turns.

Shangqiu Zhu stared at her and instantly understood the deep regret hidden in her words.

He didn't say anything, but simply released her, and then did something that completely surprised everyone present.

He crouched down and carefully picked out a few candles that weren't completely broken from the mangled cake wreckage.

Then, he knelt on one knee and carefully placed the candles, one by one, back into the ruins that could still be barely identified as the main body of the cake.

After doing all this, Shangqiu Zhu raised her head and looked at Yan Shuang, who was still standing there in a daze.

His deep eyes, illuminated by the flickering candlelight, shone with an almost expectant light.

"Aren't you going to sing me a birthday song?" he asked softly, his voice tender and gentle.

Yan Shuang watched him squatting in front of the cake ruins, holding a few crooked candles with a serious expression. His eyes, which were always filled with indifference, now only reflected her and the flickering candlelight.

She squatted down almost without hesitation.

The two of them, amidst the chaos, under the watchful eyes of everyone, in the dim light and soft background music, squatted together like two children on a treasure hunt, oblivious to everyone else.

Yan Shuang reached out and gently supported the teetering candle, looked into his eyes, and began to sing earnestly:

"Happy birthday to you……"

Her voice wasn't loud, and even trembled slightly, but it was incredibly clear.

Every note resonated in his heart, more beautiful than any perfect performance.

Shangqiu Zhu squatted in front of her, listening quietly, his gaze fixed on her without blinking.

The banquet hall, which was originally filled with elegant ladies and glamorous women, seemed to have been put on a strange pause.

All the guests' eyes were involuntarily drawn to that unusual corner.

The usually aloof and arrogant head of the Shang family was seen kneeling on one knee in front of the mess of cake remnants, completely unconcerned.

Beside him, Miss Yan, who had stunned the entire audience upon her arrival, was also squatting down without regard for decorum. The two of them were facing a few flickering candlelight, creating an extremely intimate scene.

The entire room fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

No one dared to make a sound to disturb them.

His deep eyes reflected only her image, and the whole world was filled only with the song she sang for him.

This song is many years overdue.

The candles on the ground were burning brightly.

No one cared how the grand birthday party, which had fallen into an eerie silence due to this unexpected incident, would continue.

Shangqiu Zhu had already pulled Yan Shuang away from the still noisy crowd downstairs and returned to the room on the second floor, which was like a treasure vault.

At first, she dismantled it herself.

She carefully tore open the plastic film, opened the cardboard box, and took out the various dolls inside. Every time she unpacked a hidden or particularly favorite doll, she would happily show it off to Shangqiu Zhu like a treasure.

Shangqiu Zhu stood beside her, his gaze rarely falling on the doll, but almost entirely focused on her lively and excited face.

Later, we were so tired from dismantling that our arms ached.

Yan Shuang then snuggled into a corner of the sofa with several of her favorite plush toys in her arms and began to direct the Shang Group president, whose net worth was immeasurable.

Shangqiu Zhu had no objection to being used as a "human box-opening machine".

He walked to the spot she indicated, took down the box, and then, with great patience under her bright, sparkling gaze, carefully unpacked it, took out the plush toy inside, and handed it to her.

She took it, gave a cheerful critique, and then directed the next target.

He silently and efficiently carried out her every instruction, finding it endlessly enjoyable.

During the process, he frequently looked back at her.

She was nestled on the sofa, hugging several plush toys, and smiling with complete satisfaction.

Because of her arrival, this room, which had been silent for three years and resembled a frozen memorial hall, finally gained meaning.

It seems that what he was unpacking wasn't just blind boxes, but rather gradually filling the empty time after she left with color again.

Later, she reached out to him and gently tugged at his sleeve, saying, "Don't take it off."

He must be exhausted today.

Before he could respond, she used a little force, pulling him down into the sofa with her.

The space suddenly felt intimate and cramped, and the two could only lean against each other sideways.

Moonlight quietly seeped in through the window, gently enveloping this small space and the corner of the display shelf not far away.

In that corner, the two small dolls that Yan Shuang had just placed stood quietly.

One of them was wearing a sharp black suit, with furrowed brows, downturned lips, and a grumpy face, displaying an awkward yet arrogant demeanor.

The other doll is wearing a beautiful starry sky dress, its eyes are smiling into crescent moons, its lips are upturned, revealing cute little tiger teeth, and it has a warm smile.

They squeezed together on the not-so-spacious sofa, and she nestled into his warm embrace, adjusting herself into a comfortable position. Then she began to whisper and share her experiences of the past three years in a foreign country.

She spoke of the complex experiment that had finally succeeded in the lab, her eyes brimming with a hint of pride. She talked about the Italian old lady who always borrowed candy from her apartment neighbor, mimicking her exaggerated tone and laughing out loud herself. She even recounted the embarrassing incident of getting on the wrong bus when she first arrived because she wasn't familiar with the traffic, her tone tinged with regret.

In fact, he knew most of what she said through various means.

He didn't want to miss any part of her growth, no matter how far apart they were.

But at this moment, as the person in his arms shared these stories with him one by one, seeing the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of something joyful, and even pausing occasionally to look at him with a gaze filled with expectation and dependence, seeking his response or approval...

All of this was a completely different feeling from everything he had learned in the past from cold, hard reports and still photographs.

The report wouldn't tell him that he was the first person she wanted to share her joy with when she succeeded.

The photos cannot convey the joy in her voice as she recounted the funny stories, nor can the assessment measure the trust and warmth she felt as she completely relied on him at that moment.

Shangqiu Zhu tightened his arms around her, his gaze always tenderly fixed on her, occasionally letting out a soft "hmm" to indicate that he was listening.

As Yan Shuang was speaking, her voice suddenly choked up.

Shangqiu Zhu immediately lowered her head and asked her what was wrong.

Yan Shuang gently shook her head in his arms, "I just feel...so happy..."

Her voice trembled slightly, and tears silently streamed down her face. "These trivial things," she sniffed, trying to smile, but only causing more tears to well up, "I can actually... tell you about them one by one."

She had typed and deleted these words countless times on a cold phone screen in a foreign land, but in the end, she could only bury them deep in her heart.

Shang Qiuzhu didn't say anything. All he had asked for over the years was to know that Du Xiwei was doing well in the distant East, through his assistant's meticulous reports or the occasional messages from her.

I know she is doing well in her studies, I know she is in good health, and I know she has never been troubled by life.

He told himself that was enough.

He should be content.

He could no longer selfishly disturb her life.

He told himself this over and over again.

But at this moment, feeling her body temperature, he was finally able to confess to himself how much he had been deceiving himself.

Shangqiu Zhu lowered his head and gently kissed away the tears on her cheeks.

Yan Shuang could no longer hold back.

She raised her hand, gently cupped his face, and kissed his lips.

Shangqiu Zhu immediately gave an even deeper response.

The two kissed tenderly under the quiet moonlight, the time stretching out endlessly, leaving only the lingering warmth between their lips and the intense, resonant heartbeats in their chests.

Just then, a faint commotion and laughter came from the garden downstairs.

Du Yunchuan, on a whim, called for people to light the fireworks that had been prepared beforehand.

"Whoosh—Bang!"

The first dazzling firework suddenly pierced the night sky, its brilliant light instantly illuminating the balcony.

Shangqiu Zhu draped a coat over her shoulders and led her by the hand toward the open-air balcony.

Under a sky ablaze with color, fireworks burst forth one after another in the night sky above them, illuminating their eyes as brightly as stars.

Yan Shuang nestled in his arms, looking up at the dreamlike scene, feeling the steady heartbeat from his chest.

She turned her head, looked into his deep eyes, and solemnly said again, "Happy birthday, Shangqiu Zhu."

Fireworks burst forth behind her, but her smile shone brighter than any light.

That night, Yan Shuang said "Happy Birthday" to him four times.

These four blessings, each softer and gentler than the last, resonated more deeply in the quietest corner of his heart.

She repeated those four words almost devoutly, as if performing a ritual that was far too late.

All the blessings that could not be sent, all the companionship that was absent, all the heartfelt wishes that were prepared in the dead of night but could not be sent, all the candles that could not be lit by hand.

That night, she made it up to him in every way.

"These words," Yan Shuang promised softly, her voice filled with utmost seriousness and anticipation, "I will say them to you personally every year from now on, okay?"

Shangqiu Zhu felt as if he had been gently bumped by the tip of the softest feather, and then completely submerged by a warm current.

She stood before him, her eyes reflecting the brilliance of starlight, clearly and solemnly promising him a future in which she would be present.

They will have many three-year periods together, and she will celebrate countless birthdays with him.

Each one will be better than today.

He had been waiting for those words as if he had been waiting his whole life.

Shangqiu Zhu tightened the arms around her.

“Okay,” he finally said.

In the garden downstairs, the last rays of fireworks had not yet completely faded from the sky.

With a smile on his face, Du Yunchuan clapped his hands and immediately signaled his assistant to launch the second wave of the offensive.

"Quick! Drone! Keep up, keep up!" he urged in a low voice, his smile growing even brighter.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Du Yunchuan must seize it.

This is the perfect opportunity to curry favor with Shangqiu Zhu. If this gentleman is happy tonight, he might slip in some project resources, and we'll make a fortune.

His meticulously prepared drone swarm quickly took off, flexibly forming a formation in the night sky, flashing dazzling LED lights that lasted much longer than the fireworks.

The lights shifted in the air, forming a large and clear message of blessing:

Happy birthday, Mr. Shang! May your career soar like a ladder to the clouds, with each step opening up new horizons!

Wishing the General Manager of the Business Association every year great success and happiness!

"The frost and snow have all melted away, but the bamboo and cypress remain steadfast. Wishing Mr. Shang and Ms. Yan a lifetime of happiness together, and a blessed marriage soon!"

May you two walk hand in hand through the years, enjoying harmonious music and peaceful times.

"May we be like mirrors, day and night, knowing each other as if we were one, year after year, traveling together like boats on the same boat."

"Congratulations to Mr. Shang on achieving his wish. From now on, we will watch the rain and mist together, travel the mountains and rivers hand in hand, and be together for life."

Every word was a precise compliment... no, a precise expression that resonated deeply with Shangqiu Zhu.

Du Yunchuan crossed his arms with satisfaction, looking up at his masterpiece as if he could already see the huge sum of money on his bank card.

On the second floor, Shangqiu Zhu held Yan Shuang in his arms, quietly watching the drone show outside the window, which almost occupied half of the night sky and flashed with blessings.

Yan Shuang looked up at the night sky, her eyes initially filled with smiles and emotion, but the further she looked, the hotter her cheeks became uncontrollably flushed.

This isn't a birthday greeting; it's more like a wedding speech, as if they weren't reunited after a long separation, but rather about to have their wedding of the century tomorrow.

She nestled into the warm embrace behind her, trying to escape the overly direct words.

However, the man holding her remained as steady as a rock, without loosening his grip in the slightest.

Shangqiu Zhu's gaze swept over the flickering words, his eyes lingering on the last sentence.

He raised an eyebrow. Du Yunchuan, that bastard, could occasionally do something absolutely right.

Shangqiu Zhu tightened his arms, pulling the shy person in his arms even closer.

He lowered his head, his warm lips pressed against her burning earlobe, and said slowly in a voice only she could hear, "Well said."

Every word he said was what he wanted to say.

His wish came true.

It was what his heart desired.

It was the fulfillment he had long awaited.

The noise downstairs gradually subsided, the music changed to a soothing tune, and the guests' laughter became a buzzing background sound.

However, Du Yunchuan's distinctive loud voice suddenly rang out, "Qiu Zhu! President Shang! Come down here for a moment!"

Shangqiu Zhu frowned almost imperceptibly, but did not loosen his grip on Yan Shuang's arm. Instead, he rested his chin on Yan Shuang's head, completely ignoring the shouts from downstairs.

Seeing that he didn't move, Yan Shuang gently pushed his chest: "Why don't you go? President Du is calling you. Maybe it's something urgent?"

"What important business could he possibly have?" Shangqiu Zhu's voice was clearly impatient.

"Go quickly," Yan Shuang softened her voice, as if coaxing a child, "I'm a little tired, I'm going to take a shower first. You can show your face, okay?"

Hearing that she was tired, Shangqiu Zhu loosened his arms slightly, looked down at her carefully, and confirmed that she was just a little tired and had no discomfort.

"Wait for me to come back," he whispered.

Yan Shuang smiled and nodded: "Okay."

He turned around, but when he reached the door and his hand was on the doorknob, he turned back.

Before Yan Shuang could react, he pulled her into his arms again, his warm breath brushing against her, and a deep and lingering kiss landed on her lips.

After finally stopping, both of them were breathing heavily.

The eyes of Shangqiu Zhu held an unyielding deep affection.

Downstairs, Du Yunchuan's jarring "deadly call" started ringing again, this time clearly mixed with a few ambiguous whistles and jeering from onlookers who seemed to enjoy the drama.

Clearly, the reluctance of those upstairs to part had been noticed by those downstairs.

Yan Shuang was so ashamed she wanted to disappear. "You should go down now...they're all waiting..."

Shangqiu Zhu glanced downstairs with a hint of anger.

In the end, he couldn't resist Yan Shuang's insistence, so he reluctantly let go of her and turned to walk away.

Yan Shuang walked towards the bathroom, when something suddenly flashed through her mind.

She had planned to cook longevity noodles for him herself, but his sudden appearance had made her forget about it. The noodles were still in the kitchen waiting to be cooked.

Yan Shuang quickly turned around and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

After giving Du Yunchuan a brief explanation downstairs and sending away the conspicuous man who had patted his chest and made a promise, Shangqiu Zhu turned and strode upstairs.

As he walked down the corridor, the soft light from the kitchen inadvertently caught his eye.

He gazed at it quietly.

Yan Shuang was standing in front of the kitchen counter, her head slightly lowered, intently watching the pot bubbling on the stove. She was using a pair of long chopsticks to pick up thin noodles from the boiling water to prevent them from sticking together.

A gentle mist of white fog enveloped her.

This scene had happened as routinely as breathing in his life countless days and nights three years ago.

The lights were so warm then, and her figure was so gentle.

He once thought that he would never see such a scene again in his lifetime.