For this trip, two cars were used. One car was for the bodyguard and Jiang Chengfeng, and the other car was driven by the bodyguard, with Butler Bai and Wan Qiu sitting in the back seat.
To put Yang Xiaoyu at ease, Chu Jianshu deliberately arranged for two people to follow her.
"Wanqiu, have you thought about where to hold your birthday party?" Inside the car, Butler Bai said, deciding to help Wanqiu simplify the options. "It can be held at home, or at a restaurant, or even a karaoke-style restaurant where you can sing."
Among those invited by Wan Qiu this time, besides family members, there were quite a few small shop owners and school gatekeepers.
To achieve a happy ending for everyone, Butler Bai wouldn't suggest a place that's too upscale for Wan Qiu.
but……
Wanqiu had no concept of it.
Wan Qiu had no idea how a restaurant hosted a birthday party or what a KTV-style restaurant was.
"Then I'll take you to see it," Butler Bai said with a smile. "There's quite a lot of social practice to do today, so Wanqiu might have a bit of a hard time."
Will it be hard?
Wan Qiu felt that since arriving at the Chu family, he hadn't encountered anything particularly difficult.
Even if you're so tired you fall asleep, it's not a hardship.
Butler Bai took Wanqiu to several locations that had been selected, and any place Wanqiu chose would be suitable.
Jiang Chengfeng was caught up in it all, merely holding the title of teacher, yet he couldn't actually do anything about it.
As a teacher, it is very important to instill a sense of money in children, but Butler Bai is preventing him from doing so.
Butler Bai completely obscured everything related to money.
"Because of his past experiences, the Third Young Master understands the importance of money very well. Now, both the Master and Madam hope that the Third Young Master will prioritize his own desires over money. Of course, Dr. Yan agrees as well, so you don't need to worry."
The elegant butler spoke to Jiang Chengfeng in a deliberately lowered voice.
Jiang Chengfeng could understand that the Chu family's concern for Wanqiu was like layering melting sugar water, slowly and meticulously seeping into the visible bitterness.
Wanqiu didn't know what to choose.
However, if home is among the options, Wanqiu will choose home directly before even seeing these other locations.
For Wanqiu, there was no place in the world better than home.
"Then it will be held at home," Butler Bai replied with a smile to Wan Qiu. "Should we prepare some decorations at home?"
Wan Qiu looked at Butler Bai blankly: "Decorations?"
"For example, pretty ribbons, flowers made of colored paper," Jiang Chengfeng said. These are common in elementary school craft classes and often appear on holidays such as Children's Day.
Butler Bai raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and decided to remain silent, even though he originally wanted to take Wan Qiu to the flower shop to order some fresh-cut flowers suitable for her birthday to be delivered to their home on that day.
Alternatively, you could choose new tablecloths, tea sets, and cups that match the atmosphere and setting.
Handmade flowers.
Butler Bai also has some skills in this area.
Butler Bai noticed that a bodyguard who wasn't nearby was on the phone, and guessed that Yang Xiaoyu was anxiously asking about the situation.
When Yang Ze took Wan Qiu out, it was because the master helped to keep it a secret; otherwise, the madam would have been so anxious that she kept calling to inquire.
"Shall we go order a cake next?" Butler Bai asked Wan Qiu. "What kind of cake does Wan Qiu like?"
cake?
Wan Qiu recalled a time when Yang Ze seemed to really enjoy bringing him cakes when he came home at night.
There are many, many flavors, some are whole, and some are just a small piece.
“It has to be something that everyone likes,” Wan Qiu replied.
Butler Bai noticed that the driver smiled because of Wan Qiu's answer, and couldn't help but smile as well.
"Everyone has their own tastes, and there's only one birthday cake, so Wanqiu just needs to choose the one she likes," Butler Bai explained earnestly to Wanqiu.
What's your favorite birthday cake?
While Wanqiu was secretly inquiring about how to celebrate a birthday, she also learned that eating cake is a must on birthdays.
Is it any different from the cakes I usually eat?
Wan Qiu pondered deeply, then looked up at Butler Bai and said, "I like what everyone likes."
"Hmm..." Butler Bai's smile held a hint of helplessness. "This time, I'll have the chef make more cakes of different flavors so that everyone can have what they like. So Wan Qiu only needs to choose what she likes this time."
Wan Qiu blinked, lowered his head, and seemed to have encountered a great problem.
“We’ll go directly to a cake shop that sells cakes. Wanqiu, just choose the one you like best, understand?” Butler Bai said to Wanqiu with a smile.
Wan Qiu nodded.
When Wanqiu stepped into the cake shop, it was as if she had entered another world.
The air was filled with a sweet aroma, and the shop assistants who greeted them were as beautiful as princesses from a cake kingdom.
There were many cakes for tasting in the store. Wanqiu got to try some, and her mouth was filled with the indescribable sweet taste of the different cakes.
After tasting a small piece of cake, Jiang Chengfeng was amazed by its exquisite texture.
I secretly glimpsed the price from behind and instantly swallowed nervously.
"Does Wanqiu have a favorite?"
Upon hearing Butler Bai's voice, Wan Qiu stopped chewing.
He couldn't choose.
He enjoyed all the small cakes he had sampled from the beginning until now.
It's difficult to make a choice among things you like.
"Wanqiu, we need to consider the number of people when making the selection," Jiang Chengfeng said to Wanqiu from the side. "We need to make sure that everyone can have a birthday cake."
Wanqiu hesitated.
If possible, Wanqiu hopes that everyone can enjoy cakes of many different flavors.
But if there were a choice.
Wan Qiu stood in front of the glass door, looking at the coffee-colored chocolate cake that seemed to reflect a faint light under the sun. Its simple design was adorned with some brightly colored fruits.
"Shall we choose this one?" Butler Bai asked.
"Is this chocolate?" Wan Qiu received confirmation from the cake shop clerk. "I'll have this."
"Why did you choose this option?" Jiang Chengfeng asked Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu said, "The fruit is delicious."
So I hope everyone can enjoy delicious food.
Jiang Chengfeng nodded: "What about the chocolate?"
"They say on TV that chocolate tastes like happiness."
Wanqiu wanted her birthday cake to taste like happiness.
Jiang Chengfeng was taken aback; he remembered that advertising slogan.
"Oh, I see. Yes, the chocolate is delicious." Jiang Chengfeng couldn't help but laugh out loud.
We can't let Wanqiu watch TV shopping programs before she's fully aware of things.
Wanqiu would believe anything the television said.
Butler Bai, standing to the side, also showed a helpless expression.
"Following you guys feels like I've had a real social practice lesson," Jiang Chengfeng couldn't help but say to Butler Bai.
"It's good to broaden one's horizons," Butler Bai said with a gentle smile.
"Aren't you spoiling Wanqiu too much?" Giving a child who is not yet fully formed such unrestrained authority may not necessarily lead to good results.
Butler Bai shook his head, not denying Jiang Chengfeng's concerns.
"This is the life that the Third Young Master should be living; it's just a little late now." Butler Bai didn't say much to Jiang Chengfeng, and Jiang Chengfeng didn't need to know too much either.
In wealthy families, balance is very important.
Chu Zhang and Yang Ze will inherit the businesses of Yang Xiaoyu and Chu Jianshu respectively, while Wan Qiu is an unplanned pregnancy.
Wanqiu is probably enjoying life with love and affection, but she may not necessarily be able to challenge the power of her children in the family.
If Wan Qiu himself has a strong fighting spirit and competitiveness, which directly affects Chu Zhang and Yang Ze, then more complicated things will happen.
Wanqiu has lost the ability to compete.
The Chu family members felt more affection for Wan Qiu than anything else, but as a semi-outsider, Butler Bai could certainly see it clearly.
Similarly, as an adopted son of the Chu family, Chu Yigui was also very clear about his role, neither competing nor fighting, but assisting his older brothers who would inherit the family business.
If Wanqiu hadn't returned, the Chu family might have continued in this state.
Wanqiu's arrival, however, became special.
The child who embraces the whole world with just a little bit of love is influencing his family, who are bound together by interests, little by little, making them discover things beyond status and money.
"I'm actually very grateful to the Third Young Master." Suddenly, Butler Bai's seemingly random words reached Jiang Chengfeng's ears.
Jiang Chengfeng turned around in confusion: "Which aspect are you referring to?"
"Well, for example, when you work at a school, would you prefer a leader who is always smiling, kind, and doesn't cause trouble, or a leader who is always serious, creates a deathly atmosphere in the office, and makes you constantly watch out for other people's eyes?"
Jiang Chengfeng choked for a moment, stammering, "You...you..."
Butler Bai laughed out loud, a hearty laugh quite different from his usual stern demeanor in the mansion: "Everyone is a little selfish. Only when you are well can you be better to others, right?"
Jiang Chengfeng was taken aback.
That's certainly true. Butler Bai's personal experience, as someone who's been through it all, is far more convincing than someone as young as him.
Wanqiu turned around blankly, looking at the laughing butler Bai with great confusion.
Wanqiu stood in the familiar street, having not smelled the surrounding area for a long time.
The uneven ground, the air filled with dust, rotting vegetables, and the smell of fish, the dim lighting, and the chaotic crowd—these familiar senses surrounded the familiar shop in front of me.
Wan Qiu stood in front of the familiar store and pushed the door open to enter.
The shop owner glanced back at the store, just once, and then continued calculating the bills for the other customers.
After calculating the money, I looked back at the child who had come in.
The child stood still, not looking around, only at him.
"Is there anything you need?" the shop owner asked, glancing at the stranger standing behind the child.
"It's...my birthday," Wan Qiu murmured.
The shop owner was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Uh, happy birthday?"
Wan Qiu was very nervous.
This was an attempt to extend an invitation, for Wanqiu.
"It's my birthday." Wan Qiu's fingers secretly clenched a corner of her clothes, the wrinkles created by the pinching mirroring her chaotic and erratic mood.
Shop owner: "...?"
Wan Qiu finally looked up, her gaze so tense she couldn't focus: "Are you coming?"
The shop owner looked bewildered: "What would I do there for your birthday?"
Is this a rejection?
Wanqiu was bewildered, staring blankly at the familiar shop owner.
However, the shop owner was also looking at Wanqiu.
Suddenly, the shop owner noticed something in those beautiful eyes.
"Wait, are you the one who picks up trash?" The shop owner, who didn't even know Wan Qiu's name, suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "My god, I didn't recognize you at all! You've changed so much in just a few months!"
Wanqiu tried her best to explain to the shop owner using an unfamiliar communication style.
The shop owner would occasionally glance at the two people standing not far away.
"I... I'll think about it." The shop owner found it strange, but he really wasn't that familiar with Wan Qiu. He felt a little awkward and wanted to refuse, but he couldn't refuse directly in front of the owner of those eyes.
Wan Qiu handed over his phone.
"You have a cell phone now? That's great." The shop owner entered his phone number into the phone. "I'll come over if I'm free that day."
It's not a direct rejection, but in adult social interactions, this is basically a signal of rejection.
Wan Qiu was unaware of this.
Jiang Chengfeng saw Wan Qiu put her phone away and carefully hold it in her arms.
The small promise he received was like being handed a rope that led to an unknown destination.
But as long as Wanqiu knows that the end of this rope may be the end of happiness, it is the most beautiful rope for her, and she will never let go of it no matter what.
"We'll confirm that beforehand. If you'd like to come, we'll send a car to pick you up," said Butler Bai.
Jiang Chengfeng was well aware that Butler Bai could easily understand the subtext in the shop owner's tone.
The people Wanqiu wanted to invite were mostly located on this street.
It's actually quite quick to find.
However, what Jiang Chengfeng saw in Wan Qiu's promise was nothing more than her joyfully collecting beautiful ice blocks; Wan Qiu did not realize that the ice blocks would melt.
For Wanqiu, these are the people he loves.
They were just passersby in the other person's life, people they didn't care about, and who weren't even acquaintances.
Jiang Chengfeng wanted to discuss it with Butler Bai, but he saw Butler Bai's helpless expression.
This is... something that can't be changed.
Wan Qiu has always enjoyed the process of hosting a birthday party.
While Jiang Chengfeng and Wan Qiu were learning paper flower making from Butler Bai, Jiang Chengfeng teased Wan Qiu, "Are you so happy to be celebrating your birthday?"
"Mmm." The boy's bright, adorable eyes were filled with anticipation for that day.
"What if, I mean, what if..." Jiang Chengfeng said to Wan Qiu, "the people you invited don't come, what would you do?"
Wan Qiu didn't even stop making paper flowers: "It's alright."
"Won't you be sad?" Jiang Chengfeng pressed.
Wan Qiu stopped what he was doing, thought for a moment, and said, "Everyone will be happy to come and celebrate my birthday."
"Yes, that's right." Jiang Chengfeng was familiar with Wan Qiu and knew that Wan Qiu would think this way.
"If I don't come, there's definitely something even happier than my birthday."
Jiang Chengfeng was taken aback.
Wan Qiu pursed her lips, showing no reluctance, and even when she thought of this outcome, she was not disappointed.
"Anywhere is fine as long as you're happy."
Wanqiu is still working hard to make paper flowers.
However, Jiang Chengfeng's consciousness always seemed to be out of control.
It seems that what Wanqiu is truly happy about is not that it is his birthday.
Rather, it's for the sake of 'happiness'.
Even if I'm not by his side, even if it's not because of him.
Jiang Chengfeng suddenly wondered if he, as a normal person, was being too selfish.
Jiang Chengfeng scratched his head, looking somewhat irritated.
——
Wanqiu's birthday arrived, and Jiang Chengfeng was picking people up on the shuttle bus.
According to Butler Bai's plan, different drivers were to pick up different people and bring them back.
These are the people who truly helped Wanqiu, whose help was ultimately recorded in Wanqiu's notebook. They helped without considering the cost, simply out of kindness, and Jiang Chengfeng respected them from the bottom of his heart.
Jiang Chengfeng felt it was best not to pick them up and drop them off individually, as they could get to know each other better while in the same car.
Those who helped Wanqiu were scattered and didn't know each other. Chatting with them beforehand could make the atmosphere of the banquet more relaxed.
Butler Bai agreed with his suggestion, and after receiving Chu Jianshu's approval, they rented a brand new bus.
This time, everyone was present.
It was an unexpected result, but Jiang Chengfeng had tried his best.
Even if no one comes, Wanqiu will not be sad.
But as an adult, Jiang Chengfeng hoped that Wanqiu's first birthday would be one that he wouldn't regret looking back on in the future.
So after get off work, Jiang Chengfeng went to see those people one by one.
The situation has been explained.
Please be able to attend if you are free of commitments.
Jiang Chengfeng knew very well that what he was doing was nothing more than self-gratification.
But seeing Wanqiu sometimes makes me want to do things like that.
Jiang Chengfeng still remembers that when he and Wan Qiu went to look for these people, their expressions were all very strange.
It seems they genuinely never imagined that the people they helped would one day defy fate and return to repay them; some were even quite hesitant and wanted to refuse.
Butler Bai simply wanted to give everyone some time to consider; if they really didn't want to, he wouldn't force them.
A person who is willing to help others may refuse to reciprocate, but they will not necessarily refuse a kind offer.
Ultimately, everyone agreed.
Even after returning home late at night, Jiang Chengfeng would still feel that his behavior that day was meddlesome and audacious.
Although I was annoyed by my childish behavior, I was surprisingly happy.
It is a pure joy, untainted by any self-interest, a joy experienced only in childhood.
Even if everyone Wan Qiu invited was willing to attend the banquet, there were still fewer than ten people.
Inside the car, Jiang Chengfeng smiled at each person who got on and asked them to introduce themselves briefly.
Although they don't know each other, they are people who live nearby or even on the same street, so it's not hard to find common ground.
This was also the first time Jiang Chengfeng had met Huang Hu and Lu Qinghe.
"I never imagined that people actually work in this kind of industry!" Jiang Chengfeng was very curious about Huang Hu and Lu Qinghe's professions. "What do you call this? A detective agency? Or a jack-of-all-trades shop?"
Huang Hu flicked his short yellow hair and laughed, "I don't have a special name. I'm just a handyman. There's nothing dangerous about me. I just have a wide network of contacts and information flows quickly."
The people who boarded the bus all looked over curiously, very curious about this profession that only appeared in movies and TV dramas.
"Would there be a real killer?" someone asked.
“No, murder is illegal.” Huang Hu was both amused and exasperated, admiring everyone’s imagination. “It’s just a menial job. In our spare time, we also take on lock-picking services. We’re all registered with the police.”
"How did you find Wan Qiu back then?" someone asked curiously.
Huang Hu is a person who easily gets along with others and is not stingy in sharing things outside of confidentiality agreements.
“Every year, Boss Chu gives people like us a sum of money so that we can keep an eye out for children of the same age in the city. He also has a photo of Wanqiu when he was five years old. Finding one is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
Jiang Chengfeng wiped his sweat: "But back then, Boss Chu really did investigate me thoroughly."
"That's because you abide by the law, have no connections, and do things that can be recorded." As Huang Hu grinned, the people around him instantly felt a chill run down their spines.
"So how did you find it in the ocean?" Jiang Chengfeng asked.
Huang Hu pointed to his eyes: "Wan Qiu's eyes really look exactly like Madam's. He's fourteen years old and looks just like her. We weren't sure at first, and we didn't dare to go up to them and ask for a paternity test, did we? Besides, those parents were like that, so we followed them for a long time."
"Does it look similar?" The others were also curious.
“It’s just like it, it’s exactly like it.” Huang Hu nodded vigorously.
"I've always thought that child has beautiful eyes."
"Indeed, he's too thin. When he came to see me a couple of days ago, he looked like a completely different person. He's so handsome. His mother must be beautiful too."
Jiang Chengfeng breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the crowd, now brimming with conversation thanks to Huang Hu's few words.
Amidst the conversation, Jiang Chengfeng remarked, "Wan Qiu has done a lot of preparation for today's birthday banquet. She was involved in making all the paper flowers for the banquet. Although she doesn't cook directly, she does the plating and helps out..."
Jiang Chengfeng recounted all of Wan Qiu's involvement, implying that everyone should also praise Wan Qiu's efforts in front of him.
Huang Hu leaned back in his chair and turned to Lu Qinghe, saying, "I wonder how the Third Young Master is doing now. He just called me, and everyone said he's grown up to be handsome."
Lu Qinghe thought for a moment: "He's probably gained weight, but it'll be a bit difficult for him to grow taller."
"You can still grow taller at fourteen, boys can grow up to twenty-two." Huang Hu stroked his chin. "Being a little short isn't a bad thing either. Being good-looking can make up for a shortcoming. After all, Madam was a very popular star back in the day."
Suddenly, the entire car fell silent.
Huang Hu noticed that everyone was looking at him, including Jiang Chengfeng.
"You don't know either?" Huang Hu looked at Jiang Chengfeng with some surprise.
Jiang Chengfeng shook his head blankly.
"That's true, you were still wetting the bed when Madam was at her peak." Huang Hu said with a wicked grin, "You can guess for yourselves after you see it, hahaha."
The vehicle smoothly drove into an unfamiliar, extremely bright world.
At night, all the streetlights are turned on, illuminating the vast world brightly under the orange sky before the sun sets, with each streetlight adorned with a colorful little flag.
Amidst the quiet of the passengers, following the path guided by these colorful little flags, we gradually entered a colorful fairytale world.
The protagonist of the fairy tale wears a small crown, just like a little prince. His exquisite and beautiful eyes are like precious gems in the fairy tale, reflecting colorful light and sparkling with joy and anticipation.
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