Chapter 22

The lingering effects of final exams haven't completely faded, and the lazy atmosphere of summer vacation has already crept into every corner of life like vines.

Just as this leisurely beginning was beginning, a special notification sound from a mobile phone broke the tranquility of Sangsui's afternoon.

It's Cheng Xiao.

He quickly created a new group chat, which he named "Rongcheng F18 Base" in a flash, carrying his unique blend of chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) and boldness.

Sang Sui opened the group member list, her heart racing slightly. A dozen or so avatars were densely packed together, all belonging to friends she was close to on a regular basis.

Zhao Yanqi, He Lili, and Qiao Chunzhao were naturally among them, as were Zhang Da, Luo Kewei, and Song Shiyue... Her gaze swept over one familiar name after another, finally settling on a simple owl head icon.

Liang Fengshen was also there.

Surprisingly, he was also pulled into this small group by Cheng Xiao, which was clearly meant to be "fun".

A secret joy welled up in Sang Sui's heart.

The group chat quickly became lively.

Xiaoshao: (Appears with a rose in his mouth.jpg) Meteor Garden has F4, we have Rongcheng F18! From now on, this will be our revolutionary base. Let's meet up this summer, everyone!

"You'll be rich by 18" (Zhang Da): (Picking nose emoji) F18, my foot! You should be thinking about how you won't get beaten by me in the basketball game next semester! Cheng Xiao, practice your basketball skills this summer, don't slack off!

Kewei Kewei Luo Kewei: @You'll be rich at eighteen, where do you get your confidence? Liang Fengshen could beat you with one hand.

Xiaosai de Xiao: @Keweikeweiluokewei, you understand me! /handshake

He Meili herself: Wow, we have a small group chat now! Where to have fun this summer? How about some murder mystery games?

Yan Qi will definitely win: @He Meili herself seconded this. I know a newly opened one, and I heard the scene is super scary.

It's "Spring Morning" not "Early Spring": Ah... Is this a horror story? (shivering.jpg)

Everyone was joking and discussing their summer vacation plans, and messages were flying by.

Sang Sui curled up in a chair in the room, watching the text and emojis constantly flashing on the screen, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

This feeling of being surrounded by friends is like the warm sun in winter, making you feel great.

After a bit of commotion, Zhang Da, unusually serious, posted: "You'll be rich by eighteen: Alright, the group is here anyway, you can't run away. Happy summer vacation everyone!"

As soon as the message was sent, it was followed by a string of "Happy Summer Vacation". Then, a new message notification appeared below the owl icon.

LFS: Happy Summer Vacation.

It's just four simple words, and they're even stingy with punctuation.

But Sang Sui's heart felt as if it had been gently tickled by a feather, tickling and tingling.

Almost reflexively, her fingers flew across the screen as she replied to him:

Sang Sui: Happy summer vacation.

-

Summer vacation officially began. Sang Sui packed a few things, took a long-distance bus, and returned to her grandmother's house in Linchuan.

As the car drove away from the bustling city, the scenery outside the window was gradually replaced by rolling rice paddies, verdant mountains, and winding rivers. The air became fresh and moist, carrying the fragrance of soil and plants.

Grandma Mo Luying was already waiting at the town's bus station. When she saw her granddaughter, a kind smile bloomed on her wrinkled face, and she hurriedly took the bag from her hand.

My grandmother's house is an old house with a small courtyard. The gardenias in the corner are in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance.

Life here seems to slow down; she actually prefers staying in Linchuan to Rongcheng.

During the day, I listened to the cicadas and birds chirping, and accompanied my grandmother to pick some fresh vegetables in the garden. In the evening, I sat in the yard, fanning myself with a palm leaf fan to cool off, and listened to my grandmother tell those old stories that I had heard countless times.

Unlike the fast-paced city of Rongcheng, time in Linchuan flows quietly and slowly, like a mountain stream.

Soon, it was Sang Sui's birthday.

She didn't specifically mention it in the "Rongcheng F18" group, but only told her closest friends Zhao Yanqi, He Lili, and Qiao Chunzhao in private.

On the evening of her birthday, her grandmother made her a bowl of longevity noodles and also specially stewed her favorite corn and pork rib soup. It was simple, but full of the taste of home.

After dinner, Grandma brought out a small cream cake decorated with fresh fruit, the candlelight flickering gently in the darkening sky.

"Our Sui Sui has grown another year older," Grandma said with a smile, her eyes full of love.

Just then, Sang Sui's phone rang. It was a video call invitation from Zhao Yanqi in the "Four Golden Flowers" group chat.

As soon as she answered the phone, three smiling faces appeared on the other end of the screen.

Happy birthday, Sang Sui.

"Birthday girl, look at your cake, isn't it beautiful?"

"Hello, Grandma, I'm Sang Sui's good friend."

It turned out that they had timed it perfectly and made a special video call to give her a "virtual birthday celebration".

"The cake is actually quite simple, but I think it looks pretty good." Sang Sui pointed the camera at the cake on the table and her grandmother next to her.

"Wow, the cake looks delicious, I really want to eat it."

Sang Sui said with some pride, "Of course, it was made by my grandmother herself."

"Grandma's cooking is really good."

"Quickly make a wish and blow out the candles!"

As Sang Sui listened to the chattering of her friends on the other end of the phone, she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

The candlelight flickered before her eyes, illuminating her slightly flushed cheeks.

My first wish is for my grandmother to be healthy and live a long life.

My second wish is that my friendship with Yaoyue, Yanqi, Lili, Chunzhao, and all my good friends will last forever.

Then, for her third wish—almost without hesitation, that slender and upright figure appeared in her mind.

Sang Sui silently prayed in his heart: his third birthday wish was that Liang Fengshen's wish would come true.

She felt that the phrase "wishes fulfilled" was the best blessing in the world.

She blew out the candles, cut the cake, and chatted with her friends on the video while eating.

Zhao Yanqi and the others also took out their snacks or fruits and shouted that they would "eat cake virtually" to celebrate with her from afar.

Happy birthday! I'll treat you to a big meal when you get back.

"We've prepared your birthday presents, we'll make it up to you when you get back!"

"Have fun at Grandma's house!"

Laughter and joy transcended the distance through the small screen, bringing them closely together.

Even after hanging up the video call, Sang Sui was still in high spirits. She chatted with her grandmother for a long time before washing up and returning to her own room.

She lay on the sun-scented bed, habitually picked up her phone, and opened the QQ app.

What she saw startled her.

The "Rongcheng F18" group, which had quieted down a bit, was now flooded with her name.

It all started when He Lili casually asked Zhang Da about his summer training plans in the group chat. After Zhang Da replied, he added, probably on a whim, "By the way, @Sang Sui, I think I just heard Zhao Yanqi say it's your birthday today? Is that true?"

Zhao Yanqi immediately jumped out: (covering her mouth) Oops, I let it slip.

He Meili herself (He Lili): !!! Happy birthday, Sui Sui!

It's Spring Morning, not Early Spring (Qiao Chunchao): Happy Birthday, Sui Sui!

"You'll be rich by 18" (Zhang Da): Holy crap! Happy birthday, @Sang Sui! I'll give you a ten-point handicap next time we play ball!

Kewei Kewei Luo Kewei (Luo Kewei): @Happy Birthday Sang Sui! Don't listen to Zhang Da's bragging!

Xiaosai de Xiao (Cheng Xiao): @Sang Sui (fireworks emoji) Happy birthday, classmate! Want to come out and have some fun?

...

One blessing after another instantly flooded the chat box.

Sang Sui stared at her name and "Happy Birthday" scrolling across the screen, momentarily at a loss for words to describe her current feelings.

She never imagined that her birthday would be known and remembered by such a group of friends. This feeling of being cared for and accepted by the group moved her to tears.

She quickly replied in the group chat: "Thank you everyone!! I'm so grateful! /touched/heartfelt"

A row of various celebratory emojis followed.

The group chat was buzzing for a while before it gradually calmed down. Sang Sui looked at each of the blessings, her heart filled with gratitude.

However, among those familiar avatars and names, she never saw the owl avatar appear.

Did he see it?

Will he wish her a happy birthday?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she forcibly suppressed it.

She told herself not to be greedy; it was already good enough that he was in this group.

As night deepened, the chirping of insects rose and fell outside the window.

Grandma had already gone to sleep, and the whole courtyard was quiet. Sang Sui lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep.

The light from her phone screen illuminated her face as she repeatedly looked at the chat history in the group, at the warm wishes, and felt a slight sense of loss in her heart because of the absence of a particular blessing.

It would be a lie to say I'm not looking forward to it.

She still hoped he would say something.

It's getting late, and today is almost over.

He still didn't make a move.

Just when she thought the day would end like this and was about to put down her phone and force herself to fall asleep, her phone screen suddenly lit up again, accompanied by a special notification sound—a sound she had only set for one person.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she almost clicked on the new message with trembling hands.

This is not a group message.

It was a private chat.

From LFS.

The timestamp clearly shows: 23:56.

He sent two messages in the last few minutes of the day.

LFS: "I heard it's your birthday?"

LFS: "Happy Birthday (cake)"

...

Sang Sui suddenly sat up in bed, covering his mouth tightly with both hands to suppress the gasp that was about to escape his lips.

He found out.

Not only did he find out, but he also sent her a private message in the last few minutes.

It wasn't just a perfunctory response in the group chat; it was a private message spoken to her alone.

Holding her phone, she laughed silently in the dark room, her mouth wide open, but her eyes were a little moist.

She repeatedly clicked on the two messages, staring at the owl avatar and the brief text, as if she could never get enough of reading them.

Her fingers trembled as she edited and revised, finally replying: "Yes! Thank you! / Happy"

Feeling that wasn't enough, he added, "How did you know?"

But after editing it, I felt a bit silly, considering the discussion in the group was so lively.

So she deleted it again.

Liang Fengshen stopped replying to her.

But that's enough.

She never asks for much.

Those two short sentences were enough to make her happy for a very long time.