49. Happy Birthday

Xu Wenqiang watched the clerk wrap the two pens in beautiful wrapping paper and tie them with a pretty bow. She asked Xiao Cheng uncertainly, "Just one pen?"

Xiao Cheng said, "I give pens as gifts every year. Just give me the same."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Xu Wenqiang felt she was being tricked. "If you want to buy a pen, I'll buy it myself."

"Are you sure?" Xiao Cheng glanced at Xu Wenqiang meaningfully, "I don't mind dressing the same as you."

Xu Wenqiang stopped talking.

Xiao Cheng and Xu Wenqiang rode their motorcycle for about half an hour before finally arriving at Xing Jiaqi's villa. The villa had a medium-sized courtyard with a few tables and chairs, and a number of people were already chatting in the yard.

As Xiao Cheng and Xu Wenqiang entered the yard, Gao Zhe ran over and asked, "Xiao Cheng, why are you here just now? Xu Wenqiang, why are you here?"

"Something delayed me. Xu Wenqiang was invited by Xing Jiaqi." Xiao Cheng answered at the same time.

"Xu Wenqiang, when did you meet Xing Jiaqi? And what's wrong with your hair? Are you heartbroken?" Gao Zhe asked another series of questions.

"Xing Jiaqi and I just met a couple of days ago when she came to see Xiao Chenggang," Xu Wenqiang said, "but what does my hair have to do with a broken heart?"

Xiao Cheng said, "Doesn't Gigi Leung have a song called 'Short Hair'? It's about a broken heart."

Xu Wenqiang rolled her eyes and said to Gao Zhe, "Yes, I had a crush on you but failed, and then I fell out of love."

"Xu Wenqiang, speak nicely, someone is watching us." Gao Zhe glanced at Xiao Cheng. He did not forget that time when he kissed Xu Wenqiang on the head and Xiao Cheng threw a basketball at him.

Xiao Cheng smiled at Gao Zhe, and Gao Zhe moved to the side.

"But," Gao Zhe looked at Xu Wenqiang, "you look like that guy in Slam Dunk..."

"Gao Zhe, stop it." Xu Wenqiang was anxious when she heard it. "I cut my hair short just to get rid of Akagi Haruko. Don't drag me into Slam Dunk anymore."

"How did Akagi Haruko and Slam Dunk offend you?" Gao Zhe, who had watched Slam Dunk no less than three times, became anxious.

"Who said they offended me? It's because I'm not worthy of them."

As soon as Xu Wenqiang finished speaking, she heard a cheer, "Oh my God, isn't that my favorite Fujima Kenji?"

This cheer reminded Gao Zhe, and he excitedly pointed at Xu Wenqiang and said, "Yes, that's Kenji Fujima. Xu Wenqiang, you are now the living Kenji Fujima."

"Xu Wenqiang, it's you." The person who cheered just now, today's birthday girl Xing Jiaqi, rushed in front of Xu Wenqiang in the blink of an eye.

Xing Jiaqi wore a pure white little dress, with her soft hair draped over her shoulders and only a bow headband, looking like a rich lady.

"Xu Wenqiang, you look so much like Fujima Kenji.

You don’t know that my favorite is Kenji Fujima.

At school that day, my biggest regret was that Fujima Kenji hadn’t appeared yet. I didn’t expect that you would become Fujima Kenji now…”

Xing Jiaqi spoke enthusiastically and non-stop, leaving Xu Wenqiang unable to get a word in. She could only pull her hair aside, wishing she could return it to its original shape. It was Xiao Cheng who reminded her, "Xu Wenqiang, birthday present."

Xu Wenqiang quickly handed the pen in her hand to Xing Jiaqi, "Xing Jiaqi, happy birthday! It's a birthday present, don't despise it." This interrupted Xing Jiaqi.

"I won't be disgusted. I like whatever you give me." Xing Jiaqi took the gift with a sweet smile, looked at it, and then said to Xiao Cheng, "Xiao Cheng, this gift looks familiar. It seems a bit like the gift you give every year."

"You must have received so many gifts that you look familiar." Xiao Cheng handed his pen to Xing Jiaqi, "Happy birthday!"

Xing Jiaqi held two identical gifts in her hands, her smile growing even sweeter. "Xiao Cheng, even if you and Xu Wenqiang buy the same pen, you should at least use two different colors of wrapping paper."

Xiao Cheng suddenly realized: "Thanks for the reminder, I will definitely change it next time. Fortunately, the pens Xu Wenqiang and I gave each other are different colors."

"Really? Then I really have to thank you."

"You are welcome."

Xiao Cheng and Xing Jiaqi exchanged sharp words with each other. Xu Wenqiang lowered her head and Gao Zhe tried hard to hold back his laughter.

The four of them were laughing and joking when a cute girl with a round face came over with a smile, "Xiao Cheng, you're here." But when she saw Xu Wenqiang, her expression suddenly changed, "Why are you here too?"

Xu Wenqiang looked at the girl and felt that she looked familiar. "Do we know each other?"

"You don't know me, but I know you." The girl said hatefully.

"How have I offended you?" Xu Wenqiang felt puzzled and wanted to ask for clarification, but Xing Jiaqi interrupted.

"Chen Mengyao, today is my birthday and Xu Wenqiang is my guest. If there is anything, we can talk about it later." Xing Jiaqi smiled and took Chen Mengyao's hand, and winked at Gao Zhe.

Gao Zhe walked over and said, "Chen Mengyao, let's go see if the cake has been delivered."

Chen Mengyao was coaxed away by Xing Jiaqi and Gao Zhe.

Looking at the backs of Chen Mengyao and Xing Jiaqi holding hands, Xu Wenqiang suddenly remembered that Xing Jiaqi and Chen Mengyao had come to see Xiao Cheng and Gao Zhe together on the first day of school. She and Chen Mengyao had also run into each other in the corridor outside the classroom. But why did Chen Mengyao have such strong hostility towards her?

As if knowing what she was thinking, Xiao Cheng said, "Xing Jiaqi, Chen Mengyao, and Chen Yang are in the same class. Xing Jiaqi said that Chen Mengyao and Chen Yang are very close. She must be treating you badly because of Chen Yang."

"So that's how it is." Xu Wenqiang felt a little uncomfortable. Chen Yang had been tormenting her for years, and she had never complained or shared her suffering with anyone. She thought these were just trivial matters from the farmers' market, something she could just keep to herself. But she hadn't expected Chen Yang to tell some unrelated people about it. Telling them would have been fine, but what made her feel uncomfortable was that these unrelated people actually gave her a cold shoulder.

Seeing Xu Wenqiang's gloomy face, Xiao Cheng said, "Anyway, we've already said happy birthday and given the gift. If you don't think it's interesting, we won't go in."

Xiao Cheng was very considerate and was willing to go through thick and thin with her, but Xu Wenqiang said, "Since you've finally come here, you might as well consider it a trip to this wealthy place to broaden your horizons."

If she had come alone, she would have definitely gone back. But Xiao Cheng had brought her here on his motorcycle, so if she wanted to go back, she would have to take Xiao Cheng with her. This was a bit of a letdown, so Xu Wenqiang decided to make the best of it.

"What kind of knowledge can they have? What they say are all the same old things," said Xiao Cheng.

"That's better than those dirty jokes at the farmers' market, right?"

Xiao Cheng thought about what he had heard at the farmers' market a few days ago and said, "Maybe it's not as interesting as the dirty jokes."

Xu Wenqiang coughed dryly twice. "The food in the farmers' market is all heavy, so it must be lighter here. The taste is different."

"In that case, then follow me and I'll take you to change your taste."

"Then let's go."

Xu Wenqiang followed Xiao Cheng into the yard.

Among the guests invited by Xing Jiaqi, in addition to her classmates from Qingshi No. 1 Middle School, there were also some of her old junior high school classmates who were admitted to other high schools, and even some seniors from Qingshi High School in their second and third years.

Most of the people present knew Xiao Cheng, and when they saw him, they all came over to greet him.

While dealing with the situation, Xiao Cheng took the time to look at Xu Wenqiang, signaling her to start.

Xu Wenqiang nodded to indicate that she understood.

At first, Xu Wenqiang found it quite amusing. These people were all proud and confident. The men either had their hands in their pockets or crossed their chests, while the women would occasionally tidy up their hair and then toss it. But whether they were boys or girls, they all held their heads slightly high when they spoke, and no matter what they talked about, their tone was always tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

The topics they discussed were all about further studies and the college entrance exam, with the occasional news and current events, as well as discussions about the educational policies of different schools.

These topics are indeed in line with students' identities, but as Xiao Cheng said, they are indeed not as interesting as dirty jokes.

Bored, Xu Wenqiang looked at Xiao Cheng from the side.

Xiao Cheng also looked very proud and confident, and spoke with sarcasm. The only difference between him and them was that when he occasionally turned around to look at Xu Wenqiang, his pride, confidence, and sarcasm would disappear briefly, and then when he turned around, they would return to normal.

Xu Wenqiang woke up early in the morning and couldn't help but yawn a few times. Although she had reduced the amplitude of her movements, she was still noticed by the sharp-eyed people.

"Who is this?" A boy in a formal suit looked at Xu Wenqiang and asked.

"I am Xing Jiaqi's friend at Qingshi No. 1 Middle School." Xu Wenqiang said.

The man in the suit looked at Xu Wenqiang with burning eyes, "Your short hair is very special."

Xu Wenqiang scratched the hair on her forehead and said, "Nothing special, just a little shorter."

Xu Wenqiang's action made the boys' eyes tighten. "There are very few girls with short hair nowadays."

"That's because people think girls are beautiful only when they have long hair."

"That's true. After seeing so much tacky long flowing hair, not everyone can appreciate this kind of pretty short hair."

Xu Wenqiang was a little annoyed. It was just a hairstyle, yet she had to make a distinction between elegant and vulgar. However, due to the occasion, she couldn't argue about who was right or wrong. She could only smile at the man in the suit and end the conversation alone.

She tugged at Xiao Cheng and whispered to him, "Do you have any other flavors?"

Xiao Cheng smiled and whispered, "No more."

Xu Wenqiang pursed her lips and stopped talking.

The man in the suit saw Xu Wenqiang and Xiao Cheng acting so intimately and was about to ask what was going on when he heard Xing Jiaqi standing in front of the villa say, "Please come in and take your seats."

Xu Wenqiang and Xiao Cheng looked at each other, and walked towards the villa tacitly and quickly.

The living room of Xing Jiaqi's villa is two-story high. In the middle of the living room is a long dining table several meters long, and opposite the dining table is a huge floor-to-ceiling glass window.

As soon as Xiao Cheng and Xu Wenqiang found a place to sit down, Gao Zhe hurriedly squeezed next to Xiao Cheng.

Xu Wenqiang watched Xing Jiaqi busying around and asked Xiao Cheng, "Why didn't I see Xing Jiaqi's parents?"

Just as Xiao Cheng was about to speak, Gao Zhe leaned over and said, "Xing Jiaqi's parents divorced a few years ago, and Xing Jiaqi lives with her mother now. Her mother runs a factory and is busy from morning till night, so you rarely see her."

"What about her father?"

"His father remarried and hasn't been seen in years."

When Xu Wenqiang and Gao Zhe spoke, they both lowered their voices. In order to hear what the other said, they both desperately moved closer to Xiao Cheng in the middle. Gao Zhe was fine, but Xu Wenqiang—

Xiao Cheng looked down at Xu Wenqiang, who had half of her body resting on his arm. He could almost feel the softness of her body.

"Xu Wenqiang, the banquet hasn't officially started yet. Could you please leave now?"

Xu Wenqiang raised her body and looked at the person who was speaking. It was Chen Mengyao.

"Chen Mengyao, Xu Wenqiang is a guest invited by Xing Jiaqi. It's inappropriate for you to do this, right?" Xiao Cheng said.

Gao Zhe also tried to persuade her, "Chen Mengyao, everyone here is a guest, stop making trouble."

"I'm not making a fuss." Even when Chen Mengyao wasn't smiling, her round face became sharp. "She's sitting here, and I feel sick. Can't you smell it? She smells fishy."

"Chen Mengyao, stop it!" Xiao Cheng pushed the chair away and stood up. The friction between the chair and the ground made a loud noise.

There were already people talking about it. Many of them were freshmen from Qingshi No. 1 High School, and many people knew about the recent uproar.

"Xiao Cheng, are you going to support her?" Chen Mengyao sneered.

"I don't need anyone to support me." Learning from Xiao Cheng's experience of standing up and making a noise, Xu Wenqiang first moved the chair away and then stood up.

"Chen Mengyao, many people have said behind my back that I smell fishy and foul, but no one has ever mentioned it to me, so I couldn't explain it directly, and I've always felt very frustrated. Finally, you've said it to my face today, so I'll take this opportunity to clarify. My family sells seafood at the farmers' market, but I don't smell fishy or foul. Believe it or not, I've explained it anyway."

"What's going on?" Xing Jiaqi sighed and walked over. "Today is my birthday, are you so disrespectful to me?"

Seeing Xing Jiaqi coming, Chen Mengyao suddenly became confident, "Xing Jiaqi, it's not that I don't give you face, it's that Xu Wenqiang and her mother are too immoral. Her mother destroyed other people's families, seduced other people's husbands, and even killed a life——"

Snap——

Xu Wenqiang slapped Chen Mengyao on the left cheek.

Chen Mengyao raised her face and burst into tears, "You hit people, you hit me, my parents don't hit me..."

Girls who are usually spoiled will just cry and make a fuss when they are beaten, and they don’t know how to fight back.

Snap——

Xu Wenqiang slapped Chen Mengyao on the right cheek again.

Chen Mengyao was so stunned that she even forgot to cry.

The people around seemed confused as well.

When Xu Wenqiang raised her hand to hit the third one, Xiao Cheng stopped her.

"Xu Wenqiang, that's enough."

"She destroyed someone's family, seduced someone's husband, and even killed someone," Xu Wenqiang held up three fingers. "She said three nonsense sentences, and I gave her three slaps, which was considered a good punishment. She still needs one more."

"Xu Wenqiang, please leave some room for everything so that we can meet again in the future," Xiao Cheng said.

But Xu Wenqiang didn't move. She looked at the crying Chen Mengyao, then at the guests in the room, "If we just leave, will Xing Jiaqi be left with this mess?"

Xing Jiaqi smiled bitterly upon hearing this. "Xu Wenqiang, thank you very much for finding a solution for me, but if you stay here, Chen Mengyao will continue to make trouble, and that will be a real mess. So you should just go with Xiao Cheng."

"Xing Jiaqi, I'll make it up to you on your birthday another day." Xiao Cheng said.

"I'll buy you a new birthday present," said Xu Wenqiang.

Xing Jiaqi was at a loss for words. "How could there be a protagonist as slow as you? If you don't just leave, this mess will never end."

"Come with me." Xiao Cheng pulled Xu Wenqiang up again, and this time Xu Wenqiang walked out with him.