Chapter 44

The two held each other for a long time, not in a strong, forceful embrace that seemed to want to meld into each other's bones, but rather a gentle and tender one. Lin Ting had once planned to grow old alone, but the thought of being able to have such an embrace anytime at that time was truly a beautiful thing.

"Are you hungry?" Chen Zhiyi asked abruptly.

Lin Ting then realized it was already dinnertime and felt hungry.

So she opened her arms and said to him, "Hmm, do you have any ingredients here? I'll go make some."

"Alright, alright, you're the birthday person today, I'll do it."

"Huh? Are you sure you can do it?" Lin Ting recalled his glorious history of not being able to cut meat or kill fish, and only being able to pick vegetables.

Chen Zhiyi was adamant: "Even if it doesn't work out, it has to work out. Being able to grace a formal occasion and cook a delicious meal are essential skills for a good man of the new generation."

Lin Ting couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly. A man, indeed? Is he even mentally mature?

That's how male animals are. When they're young, they're eager to grow up and feel like they can do anything. But when they get older, they start reminiscing about their youth and refuse to admit they're getting old.

To put it bluntly, it's about not being willing to admit defeat, especially when it comes to showing off in front of girls he likes.

"Then I'll help you out," Lin said upon hearing this.

Chen Zhiyi refused outright, "No need, I can handle it by myself. Your help will only make things more complicated for me."

Tsk, that's a really good question. Lin Ting didn't know how to respond. "So what should I do now?"

"Please accept these gifts; I'll prepare dinner soon."

After speaking, Chen Zhiyi ran up to the rooftop.

Lin Ting squatted down to sort through the unwrapped gifts. As she sorted, she thought Chen Zhiyi was truly amazing. Giving gifts to girls is normal, but being able to find gifts suitable for girls of different ages all at once is impressive.

Honestly, she genuinely liked those gifts. If she could go back in time and receive the same gifts back then, she would have been happy and fulfilled.

Looking at the gifts scattered all over the ground, Lin Ting's heart felt as sweet and tender as a piece of candy.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside, "It's snowing!"

Children raised in the south have an inexplicable love for snow. Whenever it snows on her birthday, Lin Ting feels it is a gift from heaven. The snowflakes falling from the sky are like countless fairies dancing gracefully. They twirl and flutter in the wind before gently landing on the ground.

The best memory of my birthday is when my family sits around the table for a meal and we watch the snowflakes dance a birthday dance for me.

Lin Ting rushed outside. The moonlight was like water, the stars were scattered, and the night was poetic, beautiful and profound, without any trace of snow.

"Turn around, and it's snowing!"

Lin Ting turned around and saw Chen Zhiyi waving sprayer downwards on the rooftop. Instantly, white foam rose and fell like a poem or a painting.

Lin Ting tilted her head back slightly, letting the "snowflakes" fall on her cheeks. The soft light from the doorway bathed her in its glow, and the "snowflakes" shimmered with a crystal-clear light, as if draping her in a warm and mysterious glow. They gently drifted down onto Lin Ting's hair and shoulders, adding a touch of haziness and dreaminess to her silhouette.

The "snowflakes" under the lights, the girl, and the surrounding tranquility and beauty together create a breathtaking scene.

"Do you like this snow that fell especially for you?" Chen Zhiyi shouted.

Lin Ting nodded vigorously and responded loudly, "I like it, I like it."

After the snowfall, the two sat on the rooftop for dinner, Lin Ting's favorite spicy hot pot, with luncheon meat, tripe, shrimp paste, and beef rolls—all her favorites.

The aroma of hot pot is like a lively and unrestrained symphony playing on a cold winter night, making one's mouth water.

Lin Ting couldn't help but exclaim, "It smells so good!"

"My cooking skills are limited, so I can only make something simple," Chen Zhiyi pouted, looking somewhat apologetic.

Lin Ting smiled sweetly, "The hot pot is very good, and it's all my favorite dishes."

Ren Jingjing and the others knew what she liked to eat; they could find out by asking around.

"The broth is spicy, can you eat it?" Lin Ting remembered the last time he ate fish hot pot, he choked and coughed for a while before he recovered.

"Yes, I can actually handle some spice. Jinshi is more on the spicy side. Last time, because it was extra spicy, I bit into a peppercorn and choked. This broth is also spicy, but the flavor is not overpowering and is very fragrant."

"That's good!"

So the two of them began to enjoy their meal.

Just as Chen Zhiyi had said, the broth wasn't particularly spicy but was very fragrant, making it irresistible. Soon, the two of them had eaten a lot.

Lin Ting looked up at the boy across from her. He was wearing a white down jacket and ate very politely, almost chewing slowly. She had eaten with him several times and had never noticed him pouting, crossing his legs, or doing anything else inappropriate in terms of dining etiquette.

During the meal, he wouldn't speak unless asked, adhering very well to the rule of "no talking while eating." I remember him saying that this is how they eat at home; focusing on the meal is a way of showing respect to the cook.

After finishing the hotpot, Chen Zhiyi once again refused Lin Ting's request to help wash the dishes, citing today's birthday as the most important reason. He told her to rest on the recliner. She gazed at the black night sky, which resembled an incredibly vast blanket. The twinkling stars were like sparkling gems adorning this blanket, while the moonlight flowed like water onto the ground and windowsill, as if gilding them with silver. She closed her eyes and heard the crackling of the firewood burning in the fireplace and the sounds of pots and pans being washed downstairs.

But at this moment, Lin Ting felt so peaceful and content.

How wonderful it would be to live like this forever: a villa with a yard, a rooftop where you can gaze at the stars, and people always by your side. Every brick, every tile, every blade of grass, every spoonful of rice, every person—a life like a poem, a peaceful and serene existence.

A loud "bang" startled Lin Ting awake. He saw colorful fireworks bursting in the sky. Some looked like shooting stars hovering in the night sky, some looked like marigolds blooming happily, and some looked like fairies scattering flowers, with small flowers falling from the sky.

Lin Ting finally understood why fireworks have always been synonymous with romance, attracting countless women.

Because in the instant the fireworks burst into flames, the dazzling light makes all the darkness seem insignificant.

Chen Zhiyi waved his arms at her from downstairs and shouted, "Lin Ting, let's set off fireworks!"

At that moment, a strong magnetic field was generated between the two, prompting Lin Ting to run towards him and stand beside him.

Chen Zhiyi's profile was tinged with color by the fireworks, creating a slightly distorted yet indescribably beautiful effect.

Her heart was pounding; it was the one time in her life that her heart was racing that she was giving to the person in front of her.

Chen Zhiyi brought over a bunch of sparklers, picked up a bunch and put it in Lin Ting's hand, lit it, and then picked up another bunch and burned it over the sparkler that Lin Ting had lit.

“You told me that when you were a kid, you didn’t have enough sparklers to set off on your birthday, so today you’re having a blast and making up for all the regrets from the past.”

"good!"

These surprises, just as Chen Zhiyi had promised, made up for the thirteen years she had missed.

The two played with sparklers on the vast lawn, each swing accompanied by a burst of joyful laughter. The tiny sparks danced around them, like starlight dance partners tailor-made for them. In this moment of joy, time seemed to stand still, leaving only them and the sky full of "stars."

After setting off their sparklers and getting tired of playing, the two sat side by side on the lawn watching the fireworks rise, bloom, and fade away. Lin Ting's gaze was fixed on the fireworks, while Chen Zhiyi couldn't take his eyes off her profile; the sound of his heartbeat was too loud, and he couldn't even hear the fireworks.

Fireworks disappear very quickly, and the memories they leave are fleeting. That's why you should watch them with others. It doesn't matter if you forget what the fireworks look like or what colors they are; what matters most is that you will remember the faces of the people who were with you at the time.

Chen Zhiyi took out a small cake and placed it in front of Lin Ting, with eighteen candles stuck on it.

Happy birthday, Teacher Lin! May you stay eighteen forever.

Lin Ting couldn't stop laughing. She felt like she was acting like a madwoman tonight, laughing one moment and having tears in her eyes the next.

Make a wish!

Lin Ting closed her eyes to make a wish, and then gently blew out the candles after opening them.

Chen Zhiyi asked, "What did you wish for?"

Lin Ting didn't hide anything, "May every year bring this day again."

The two understood the meaning of those words perfectly, and exchanged a smile.

The cake was small and didn't need to be cut. Lin Ting picked up a fork and started scooping it out. Just as she took a small bite and was about to put it in her mouth, Chen Zhiyi stopped her.

He stammered, "Since it's just for two people, I didn't buy a large one."

"Yes, just right!"

"This one is red bean flavored."

"Yes, I like it."

"Red bean flavored cakes are hard to find on the market."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

"so..."

"So you made this cake?" Lin Ting said it for him. She guessed it the moment she saw the cake. The cream on it was spread crookedly, but it had a unique messy beauty.

"This is the best-looking one."

Lin Ting smiled radiantly, "Yes, she's the most beautiful I've ever seen."

Chen Zhiyi scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

After a while, he made an excuse to go to the toilet and left, while Lin Ting was still focused on enjoying the red bean cake.

Suddenly, Chen Zhiyi called from behind, "Lin Ting, come over and measure your height."

Lin Ting turned her head and looked at Chen Zhiyi standing under the osmanthus tree. In a daze, she saw that strong and upright figure, the one who said to her, "Don't be afraid, Dad will be there for you as you grow up."

At that moment, tears streamed down her face;

At that moment, she was completely content;

At that moment, the child ran towards his father.