Chapter 39 Birthday

On the way back, Yan Yi said, "It's rare to see you so outspoken and full of energy."

Bai He sullenly kicked a pebble away from the roadside. "I didn't want to tell you at first, considering how much Qi Lang likes her. But since you've already started the fight, I can only help. Otherwise, with the heated confrontation between you and Qi Lang just now, he definitely won't listen to you and we'll even start a fight."

"It seems you are trying to maintain our relationship."

"I find it strange." Bai He looked at him, "You and Qi Lang are the worst offenders, yet you're the first person to want to help him."

"I'm not helping him either."

Yan Yi just didn't want Bai He to feel uncomfortable because of Xu Li's presence.

It might be beneficial for Xu Li to stay with Qi Lang. The more disappointed Bai He is with Qi Lang, the greater his chances of success.

But Yan Yi was reluctant to win in this way. If Bai He was sad, he would die too.

If it means her heart is broken, Yan Yi would rather continue to maintain the delicate friendship between the three of them and keep this stable iron triangle together forever.

Yan Yi suddenly changed the subject: "Do you know what's the fastest way to forget someone?"

Bai He: "Time and distance?"

“Time and distance are good healers, but they are not the fastest cure.”

Bai He became interested and looked at him: "The fastest, what do you mean?"

"Hurry into a new relationship," Yan Yi said decisively. "Let another person occupy every bit of your life. Even if you don't like them that much at first, once the new love becomes a habit in your life, you'll slowly forget the old one. It's human nature to get tired of the old and fall in love with the new."

"You have a point."

"so…"

"So should I agree to Fu Siwei's pursuit?"

“…”

I almost forgot about Cheng Yaojin who came along halfway.

After the military training, Bai He continued to contact Fu Siwei, but it was limited to friendship and there was no intimacy beyond that.

Bai He is a person who warms up very slowly. It is impossible for her to fall in love immediately.

"Actually, through our interactions, I've discovered that I'm not really attracted to Fu Siwei." Bai He spoke her mind to Yan Yi. "He's very nice and gentle, but too nice. He's a bit... how should I put it... he's the same type as me..."

"Honest?" Yan Yi hit the nail on the head.

"Uh, yes."

Because Bai He has a passive personality and has been following the rules for eighteen years, she needs someone who can break the rules and has a strong personality to lead and arrange her.

Yan Yi said, "If there is another choice besides Fu Siwei, are you willing to take this step and give it a try?"

Bai He lowered her head and thought: "I don't know either, but liking him is really tiring."

…

During those days, Bai He and Su Xiaojing went together to choose a birthday present for Yan Yi.

Although Yan Yi said that he didn't need to give gifts after agreeing to his three wishes, it was his coming-of-age ceremony when he turned 18 after all. No matter how tight Bai He's finances were, he wanted to give him a birthday surprise.

After walking back and forth on the pedestrian street, Bai He still couldn't choose a suitable gift.

To please Bai He, Yan Yi likes to collect porcelain, but a set of good porcelain is too expensive and Bai He can't afford it.

Su Xiaojing gave her a good idea and asked her to customize a set of fireworks.

Yan Yi is usually a very serious kid, so it would be nice to give him a romantic surprise on his birthday.

Customized fireworks can be written with words or drawn with patterns and released into the sky. When the time comes, put the words "Yan Yi Da Shuai Bi" into the sky to make this guy suffer a social demise.

Su Xiaojing and Bai He really couldn't wait to see his expression.

Bai He did what he said and found a fireworks customization seller on the Internet with good reviews and beautiful patterns shown by buyers, and placed an order.

At the beginning, she was quite worried about the production period and delivery time, whether it could arrive before Yanyi's birthday. She would go to the e-commerce platform every day to urge the progress. Fortunately, she finally received the fireworks on the eve of her birthday.

Bai He received the goods and couldn't wait to find Qi Lang to discuss how to plan the fireworks.

When it comes to event planning, Qi Lang is the most professional. He joined the Student Union as soon as he entered the school. The Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Galas were organized and planned by him. The stage effects are unique and eye-catching.

In the milk tea shop, Bai He ordered milk tea for him, personally inserted a straw, and brought it to the gentleman's mouth. He sincerely asked him for advice: "How should we set off fireworks to create a sense of surprise? Does Mr. Qi have any good ideas?"

"Considering that tomorrow's schedule is packed with activities, including an escape room and bungee jumping, it's best if we set off the fireworks at night."

Bai He: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

If not at night, could it be during the day?

She spent hundreds of dollars on custom fireworks.

"Fireworks are banned in the city. To avoid another day trip to the police station after the 18th birthday ceremony, we have to go to the suburbs after the bungee jumping in Happy Valley."

"Alright, where are we going?"

Qi Lang thought for a moment and said, "Let's go to the beach. You take him to the beach, and I'll charter a boat. We'll set off the fireworks on the boat."

"Sure!" Bai He agreed with his plan, thinking that with the reflection of the sea water, the dazzling fireworks effect would definitely be maximized, which would be worthy of her customization fee of several hundred yuan.

"But wouldn't chartering a boat be very expensive? It's probably beyond our budget."

"Don't worry." Qi Lang said, "My sister has a private yacht, just borrow it."

Bai He was shocked: "Your sister is so rich."

But think about it, Qi Lang is originally a super rich young man from a wealthy family. It's just because the three of them usually hang out together, Bai He always forgets that his family is the richest man in Hong Kong.

"However, will Sister Jian Ni lend us such a valuable item?"

"It's nothing." Qi Lang said lightly, "She usually stays at home, and her boat is almost rusting in the harbor. Besides, she has always had some bad intentions towards Yan Yi, so if it's for that boy's birthday, she will definitely lend it."

"Sister Jian Ni likes Yi so much?"

"For that lousy poll, she created ten accounts to vote for him, canvassed for votes in WeChat Moments and family groups, and even paid to hire online influencers to vote for him."

Bai He: "Wow!"

Bai He: "It seems like it would be impolite not to bring them together."

Qi Lang's eyes flashed with meaning: "Are you willing to give it up?"

"Why would I be reluctant to give it up?" Bai He said innocently, "Maybe our family will like a girl who is like an older sister."

Qi Lang sneered and thought to himself: "He likes my sister, but he doesn't like my sister."

Bai He finalized the plan with him and prepared to go to class.

"Don't you think it's strange?" Qi Lang suddenly said, "He's a guy who usually finds crowded places noisy, so why would he take the initiative to suggest playing in a horror room? To him, this thing should be very boring. I guess he wouldn't show any expression even if a ghost was face to face with him."

Bai He imagined the scene Qi Lang described: "Yes."

Yan Yi, that guy, probably thought that even though everyone was scared to death by the ghost and screaming, he would just stand there calmly and watch coldly.

It was really unexpected that he suggested playing a horror escape room.

"Bungee jumping is even weirder. Does Yan Yi look like someone who would go bungee jumping?"

Bai He shook his head: "Not like that."

"So you've never suspected that he has some purpose?"

"What's the purpose?"

"How would I know? You're his sister."

"How would I know what you guys are thinking? You're his buddy, shouldn't you know him best?"

The only thing Qi Lang was sure of was that Yan Yi would not rashly make such an unusual proposal, he must have a plan.

He needs to figure out his plan.

Bai He looked at the watch and said, "It's two o'clock. I have to go to class!"

"Together, I have classes too."

Before going out, Bai He held up a small parasol and also tried to shade Qi Lang. Qi Lang said in a long tone, "It can't cover it. My hands are getting sunburned."

So she moved closer to him.

"It still can't be covered."

"If you can't cover yourself, just get sunburned." The little girl got angry and said, "I'm too lazy to serve you."

Qi Lang moved closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

The refreshing lemon scent invaded her entire world. His body was very hot. Bai He felt his heat quickly transferred into her body, and the fever began from her ears.

"Don't pull it." Bai He tried to push him away, "This is at school."

"What are you afraid of?" Qi Lang didn't care at all.

"I don't want to be misunderstood."

"You don't want to be seen by your beloved instructor, right?" There was a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"What are you talking about, instructor? We are just friends, and I have made it clear to him that we will only be good friends from now on."

"Good friend." Qi Lang sneered, "Be friends with someone who likes you, how dare you keep calling me a scumbag."

"That's nothing."

Bai He thought, I have been good friends with the person I like for so many years.

When she reached the teaching building, she folded her umbrella and waved to him: "Bye."

"Hey." Qi Lang called her.

She looked back.

"After Yan Yi's birthday tomorrow, let's find a time to meet alone. I have something to tell you."

"What's the matter? Tell me now."

"It's too busy now, it's hard to say." Qi Lang thought for a moment and asked again, "Are you free tonight? I'll treat you to a Western meal."

"Not tonight, I have a public class."

"Then...after the birthday celebration tomorrow night, come back to school and we'll meet at the Lakeside Pavilion."

Bai He nodded: "Okay, but give me a heads up on what you're going to tell me so I can be mentally prepared."

"No need to prepare."

"Yes, yes! I'm a very anxious person. I'll panic if you don't warn me."

Qi Lang smiled faintly: "I'm going to confess my love to the best friend I told you about before."

Bai He's heart suddenly felt stabbed.

He looked at her deeply and said, "Before that, I need my best friend to help me rehearse it in advance."

She knew that this day would come sooner or later, and it had happened many times. Every time he entered into a new relationship, Bai He got used to it and accepted it.

This time, she won't be sad for too long.

"Do you still need me to help you rehearse?" She hid the disappointment in her eyes, "Aren't you an experienced person? Confessions are a piece of cake for you."

"Because that person means so much to me that no one else can." Qi Lang looked at her seriously, "I must be extremely careful and not make any mistakes."

He loves it so much.

Her heart ached and numbed.

"If it's you, there will be no mistake. No girl will reject you." She said dully, and every word was full of love and appreciation.

Sadly, it's worthless.

Qi Lang stared at her deeply: "I guess she just wants to be friends with me."

Bai He was afraid that if she continued listening, she might burst into tears on the spot, so she lowered her head, holding back her tears without saying a word.

Qi Lang thought she had heard something and was embarrassed, so she looked dazed. He immediately restrained his emotions and said, "Anyway, do me a favor. You must come to the Lakeside Pavilion on my birthday night."

"What should I do?"

Give me a chance, or hear my confession.

He thought so in his heart.

"Just like in those script-killing games, put yourself in that person's shoes and tell me with your most instinctive reaction, would you say yes or no to the confession of my old friend of ten years?"

If the piece of chocolate with the words "Watch the sky in the morning and the clouds in the evening" was just a hint, then this sentence is an explicit statement.

Bai He nodded sadly: "Okay, I'll come."

"real?"

"Um."

"Then..." He was a little excited, looking back at her as he walked, as if afraid that she would change her mind, "Sayuri, it's a deal!"

"It's a deal, Qi Lang."

…

Yan Yi's birthday happened to be a Saturday. After having lunch in the school cafeteria, she went to find Yan Yi. The two of them took the bus to an escape room store in the city center.

Su Xiaojing had lunch at her cousin's restaurant at noon and said she would come over with her brother when the time came.

Next to the escape room shop is a rabbit cafe. Bai He squatted by the floor-to-ceiling window, bored, playing with a little rabbit by the window.

Yan Yi searched the group buying website and said to Bai He, "It's only 10 yuan for half an hour. Do you want to go in and play?"

"No, let's just look at the door."

So Yan Yi squatted down with her, and the two of them teased the little rabbit together through the window.

She smiled happily, with a sweet curve at the corner of her mouth and a shallow dimple on her right cheek.

A young woman from the store came out and said, "I just saw you two playing with a rabbit and it was so heartwarming, so I took a picture of you two. You look so good together! I'll send it to you via Bluetooth."

Bai He quickly said, "Great! But by the way, we are not a couple, we are brother and sister."

"Ah?" The little sister looked surprised. "Sister and brother? They don't look like that."

"They are not siblings, so they don't look alike."

The young lady looked at the photo and thought that it was more than just the appearance that was different.

Bai He connected her to Bluetooth, and soon the photo was transferred over: "Thank you, I will treasure this photo."

"It's okay, bye."

After the young lady left, Bai He opened the photo and took a look. He instantly understood why the young lady was so surprised when she heard that they were siblings.

In this photo, Bai He is smiling and teasing the little rabbit, while Yan Yi beside her is looking at her, his dark eyes filled with concentration and affection.

Bai He's heart felt like it was scratched by a cat's claws, and his ears suddenly turned red.

She is not an idiot who is hopelessly slow to react. Even if she is slow to warm up, if she can't see the burning affection in the boy's eyes in this photo... she would be a fool.

"How about the photos? Send them to me." Yan Yi took out his cell phone.

"Uh, no, I didn't take the picture well, I have deleted it." Bai He quickly hid his phone.

Yan Yi's eyes became profound.

If the photo wasn't taken well, why would someone send it to them specifically? It should be a very beautiful photo.

But Bai He didn't like it, so he didn't force it.

Bai He went to sit on the sofa in the escape room store for a while, drank a sip of water, but still felt dry mouth.

The secret she suddenly discovered... caught her off guard and made her panic, but 60% of her mind was inclined to believe that she was overthinking it.

Maybe, maybe he just glanced at her unintentionally.

Yes, that’s definitely the case.

Yan Yi sat next to her and took out his phone to check the group messages. Bai He lowered her head and drank water silently. In an instant, she felt that the little rabbit that grew up in the same nest with her was no longer a little rabbit, but a big bad wolf.

She even felt the skin of him touching her thigh...becoming extremely hot.

The man next to her was out of her comfort zone, and the hormonal aura emanating from him became so strong and fierce, with the intention of invading.

No, no, stop imagining that!

"Why don't you speak?" Yan Yi seemed to have noticed something and asked her.

"Um, I was wondering..."

"What are you thinking about?"

"No, nothing."

"Then let me tell you what I'm thinking." Yan Yi said.

"Okay." Bai He felt that Yan Yi was too close to her, but... they were usually this close.

"Today's my birthday, and I just want to spend it with you. Let's play an escape room and add some strangers to play with us."

"ah?"

"You messed it up. You called Qi Lang and other friends." Yan Yi's voice and emotions showed no emotion.

"But..." Bai He argued, "What's the difference between playing an escape room with friends and playing an escape room with strangers?"

Yan Yi patiently explained, "The difference is that strangers and we are in two different worlds, but friends and we are in the same world. Do you understand?"

Bai He understood: "Ayi only wants to be in the same world with me."

Yan Yi smiled: "Yes."

Bai He's heart was pounding against the wall.

What does this mean, ahhhhhhhhh!

She's going crazy.

"They haven't come yet. How about I ask them not to come?" She took out her phone. "It's your birthday. You're the biggest."

Yan Yi still smiled gently, "How is that possible? Xiao Jing and the others have already left."

"That…"

"I want to punish you." He whispered in her ear, his breath hot, "Can I, sister?"

Bai He suddenly opened his eyes wide, and his soul was gone.

"I'll punish you. Go grab a doll for me." He looked at the claw machine at the door of the store and teased her earlobe, which was red and almost bleeding, with his breath. "Next time you make a mistake, I will punish you again. You have to get used to this, sister."

Bai He stood up stiffly and walked to the claw machine like a robot.

Help, God!

Her brother...

Was she possessed by some male demon?!

Bai He scanned the code, exchanged a few coins, and put them into the machine. As the music started, she aimed at a yellow Pikachu doll.

My mind was confused and all my actions were just conditioned reflexes. I caught a few fish, but all my hooks missed.

At this time, Yan Yi came over, grasped the back of her hand with his large hand, and whispered softly into her ear: "Being fickle will only lead to nothing in the end. Sister, can you please focus a little more?"

Her back was pressed against the boy's broad chest, and Bai He felt nothing except heat.

He was scorching her, almost melting her.

"Normally I don't even like to call you 'sister.'" She cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure. "Why do you keep calling me 'sister.'"

Yan Yi scoffed lightly: "Because after today, I will be a grown-up, and I won't have the chance to shout anymore."

"Now that you've grown up, you don't want a sister anymore?"

"Why, of course I want you."

The ambiguity in the last sentence can be said to be completely hidden.

"Yanyi...you..."

"It's coming."

Yan Yi put in a coin, controlled her hand, and slowly controlled the hook, aiming for Pikachu, which had failed several times before. "What does it mean if I can't catch it?"

"What does it mean?"

His voice seemed to have a magical power that attracted her, making her want to get closer and know more.

"That means he's not worthy." Yan Yi used force to move the joystick towards the other yellow Psyduck. "There will be a better one who deserves your love."

Bai He pressed the grab button, the hook fell down and closed, and indeed caught the huge duck head of Psyduck.

The little girl's heart tightened, and she stared at the grappling hook intently, watching it move back to its original position. When the grappling hook loosened, Psyduck fell into the box.

"Ah!" she cheered in surprise, "I actually caught it!"

Yan Yi took out the Psyduck doll from the box and handed it to Bai He: "Look, it's more blessed when it's dumb."

Bai He took the little duck and said, "Yan Yi, please get back to normal! Don't scare your sister, okay?"

Yan Yi didn't want her to feel uncomfortable today, so he took advantage of the situation and said, "It was just a joke. I scared you like this."

"Your joke... is very sinful, okay."

"Isn't it exciting?"

Bai He glared at him speechlessly: "You should watch less porn."

At this time, a message came from the WeChat group reminding that Qi Lang had added a girl named "Xiao Lizi" to the escape room group organized by the store.

7: "@小梨子, I added someone, now we're all here."

Little Pear: "Hello everyone, I'm Xu Li. [Cat Cat]"

Su Xiaojing and her brother didn't know whether they saw it or not. They didn't say a word and no one replied to her message. The atmosphere became a little awkward.

Bai He is a person with embarrassment anxiety, so he had to take the initiative to break the deadlock.

Lily: "Welcome! [Applause]"

She opened her mouth, and Su Xiaojing and her cousin replied immediately—

Susu: "Welcome, welcome, let's play together."

Northeast Dumpling House Customer Service No. 0: "Welcome! [Hehe]"

Xu Li: "[Happy]"

Xu Li: "@1, happy birthday to Yanyi!"

Yan Yi didn't say anything. Bai He glanced over secretly and saw that the message about him had popped up on the homepage of the screen, but he remained indifferent.

Bai He poked him with his knee: "Reply."

Yan Yi didn't even raise his head, searching for the secret room guide: "Fuck back."

Bai He: ...

When this kid gets willful, he's even more willful than Qi Lang.

Seeing that the group had become silent again, Bai He had no choice but to help Yan Yi reply.

Lily: "He's playing games. Let me say thank you. @小梨子."

Little Pear: "Hmm!"

7: "People are addicted to being bad."

1: "None of your business."

Yan Yi's reply of "None of your business" was so quick that Bai He's "lie" was completely exposed.

Bai He couldn't help but raised her leg and kicked him: "You're trying to sabotage me, aren't you?"

Translation: "Other people are embarrassed for other people, it's none of your business. Why should you be embarrassed for others?"

"So why do you hate Xu Li?"

"I think she's a little cunning."

"She doesn't have any particular feelings for you. Her heart and eyes are all on Qi Lang."

Yan Yi glanced at her and said, "But she makes you uncomfortable. Your enemy is me."

"I don't regard her as an enemy, okay? Don't make random assumptions here!" Bai He said dissatisfiedly, "At most, I hate Qi Lang, but I won't hate her. Anyway, there are others without her."

I will not say more about the translation.

After a while, Su Xiaojing and her cousin came over. As soon as Su Xiaojing arrived at the store, she grabbed Bai He's hand and complained, "Don't be so awkward in the group chat just now! Damn, I don't know if Xu Li will come over. If I were her, I would definitely find an excuse to slip away! Your brother is so energetic, he's almost as good as having the word "Not Welcome" on his profile picture."

Bai He sighed: "This is so embarrassing."

Ten minutes later, Qi Lang and Xu Li walked into the store.

Qi Lang wore a loose light mint green sweatshirt, with a clean temperament. Xu Li stood beside him obediently, with red lips and white teeth, and seemed to be wearing light makeup, with her lips naturally pink. There was a big height difference between the two of them, one was strong and the other was petite, and they looked like a good couple.

In fact, Yan's translation was not wrong.

The two of them didn't even need any interaction; just standing in front of Bai He was enough to make her uncomfortable.

She forced herself to wave and greet them: "Fill out the safety responsibility form, and we can go in and play."

Qi Lang and Xu Li signed the safety responsibility letter, and the store owner came over to explain the precautions -

"There are two NPCs in the secret room, a female ghost and a security guard. When you encounter the female ghost, just squat down. Never make eye contact with her, or she will take you away."

Bai He's heart tightened. He was extremely afraid of the ghost aliens and started to sweat coldly.

A delicate voice came from my ear: "Brother Qi Lang, I'm scared!"

You don't need to look to know who is acting coquettishly.

Unexpectedly, Qi Lang said, "Fuck, I'm scared too. Brother Pang Yi, how are you?"

My eldest cousin said: "It's okay. I've never played it before, but they are all human actors. I shouldn't be scared."

"Okay, then Xu Li is in your hands. Keep her safe."

Cousin: "Okay! Leave it to me."

Xu Li: ...

Seeing the eldest cousin coming over, he smiled innocently and said, "Big sister, just stay with me and my sister, we will protect you."

Xu Li: "Uh, actually, I'm fine."

The shop owner continued, "If you encounter a security guard, you must run. Don't let him catch you. Hiding in a safe house and blocking the door is the best way. Remember, don't get caught! Otherwise, he will lock you up in a small dark room."

Qi Lang calmly walked over to Bai He and took her wrist: "Let's team up and walk together, two cowards."

Bai He slapped his hand away: "Just don't scare me on purpose."

"How could I scare you? Wait until the security comes out, and I'll run behind you and take the blame for you."

"I doubt you'll get away with stepping over my dead body."

"What you said..." Qi Lang said disdainfully, "Could partners trust each other more?"

Bai He smiled: "Then we two cowards can only rely on verbal translation."

Qi Lang said to Yan Yi, "Protect me and your sister well."

The disgust in Yan Yi's eyes could not be hidden.