☆ The most unforgettable birthday in seven years
Two figures emerged from the hospital entrance. One had white bandages wrapped around her knees, while the other carried the latest LV bag in her left hand and supported the grimacing woman with her right, incessantly berating her: "What happened to you? How could you fall like this while walking? Have you been under too much work pressure lately?"
"Yes, a little." Gu Li nodded.
Song Nian lowered her head, glanced at her slightly drooping eyelids, and noticed a few unnatural red veins in her eyes. She complained with heartache, "Did you stay up late again? You're almost thirty, no car, no house, no savings, and you have a child. With your conditions, it's already difficult to marry a good man. If you don't take care of yourself, even a ugly duckling will run away. Tomorrow's the weekend, I'll cancel my date and go with you to the SP (Special Treatment) office. My silly sister, work is never-ending. A woman's greatest achievement is investing in herself. Otherwise, why do you think those women are so desperate to become stars? Isn't it all to marry a wealthy husband who will never have to worry about food or clothing?"
Gu Li looked up unexpectedly and saw the new LV bag in her left hand. He asked, "Niannian, can material things really make you happy?"
“Of course,” Song Nian replied immediately. “When you get old and lose your looks, your period will leave you, let alone a man. Nobody knows whether an accident or tomorrow will come first, so enjoying the present is the most important thing.”
"Yes." Gu Li was deeply moved by her words. Having already died once, she was not afraid of accidents! But if she were to live again and be so cowardly, it would be too unfair to God's favor.
"You're right." The most tragic thing for a woman is to treat men well while being harsh on herself, giving her heart to them only to receive no response in return.
"Xiao Li, what's wrong?" Song Nian noticed that she seemed preoccupied.
"It's nothing." I've just come to terms with some things and seen through some people.
Song Nian waved and hailed a taxi. The two got in, and after Song Nian gave him the restaurant address, Gu Li suddenly remembered something. "Oh no, today is Chengcheng's birthday. I promised him I would call him after get off work."
Damn it, I actually forgot something so important, it's all those two jerks' fault.
Hopefully Chengcheng won't be angry with her.
"It's Chengcheng's birthday! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I didn't even get a gift for him. Master, let's skip XX restaurant and go to the nearby toy store instead."
Gu Li hurriedly took out her phone, but to her surprise, it was turned off.
"Take mine and call him." Song Nian handed over her iPhone 6.
Gu Li didn't stand on ceremony and quickly dialed Chengcheng's phone number. It seemed like the other end was waiting for the call to be answered, and it was connected after one ring.
"Aunt Niannian, have you seen my mom? She's gone missing, and I'm very worried about her."
Hearing the little guy's anxious voice, Gu Li felt a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath before saying, "Chengcheng, it's Mommy. I'm with Aunt Niannian. We'll come pick you up right away."
"Hurrah."
The little one hung up the phone excitedly, turned around and snuggled into the arms of the man sitting on the sofa, giggling as he said, "Uncle, I found Mommy! She's with Aunt Niannian and will be back soon."
Chu Yaofeng held him close, relieved to know his mother was safe and sound. Only then did he have the leisure to look around the room. It was a two-bedroom apartment, probably only the size of two living rooms compared to his villa, but it was small yet fully functional, and the living room was decorated very warmly.
Chu Yaofeng couldn't help but wonder what kind of woman Chengcheng's mother was. As he thought about it, the image of the landlady from Kung Fu Hustle popped into his mind, and he couldn't help but shudder.
"Uncle, are you cold? I'll go get you a blanket."
“Chengcheng…”
Chu Yaofeng tried to call him back, but Chengcheng had already rushed into the room like a cannonball.
He got up and followed him inside, wanting to see if the little guy's room was filthy and messy. In his subconscious, children were all little devils.
The result was far beyond his expectations. Chengcheng's room was clean and tidy. He opened the wardrobe, and the clothes inside were neatly folded, with small underwear, socks, thick clothes, and thin clothes clearly separated and easy to see.
"Chengcheng, you cleaned all this yourself?" Chu Yaofeng was incredulous and deeply shocked.
“Yes.” Chengcheng looked completely at ease, without any pride in his virtuousness. He picked up the blanket from the bed and handed it to him, “Uncle, it’s just Mommy and me living here. No man has ever come here. There are no men’s clothes in the house, so you can just make do with this.”
Chu Yaofeng frowned, feeling that the little guy was implying something, perhaps trying to tell him that his mother was very virtuous.
He knew what Chengcheng was thinking a long time ago.
It's true that he likes Chengcheng, but there's no law that says you have to like someone's whole family just because you like them.
"Chengcheng, I'm not cold." He pulled the blanket over the bed, and as soon as he sat down, his eyes were drawn to a photo on the bedside table.
"Who is she to you?" he asked the little boy, holding up the photo.
Chengcheng glanced at the photo, saw the shock in his eyes, and said honestly, "My mom."
With a deafening crash, it felt as if a city had collapsed in his heart. His hand trembled, and the photo frame fell from his grasp, shattering into pieces of glass on the floor.
"Uncle." Chengcheng seemed startled, her small body trembled violently, and she squatted down to pick up the photo frame from the ground.
The photo was taken when he was five years old. His mother was holding him as they sat on the lawn in the park flying a kite, and both of them were smiling very happily.
"Chengcheng... I... I can't be with you for your birthday." Chu Yaofeng, slowly recovering from his shock, had deep-set eyes and a noticeably pale face.
"Uncle, don't go." Chengcheng chased after him, hugged his leg at the door, and said in a trembling voice, "Uncle, do you dislike me?"
"I didn't." Chu Yaofeng frowned deeply, his large hands hanging at his sides clenched into fists.
"Then you stay here, don't go." Chengcheng's big, bright eyes were filled with tears that evoked pity in me.
Chu Yaofeng genuinely loved and cherished this child and couldn't bear to see him suffer any grievances or harm. However, he wasn't mentally prepared and couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't lose control of his emotions when he saw Gu Li. Pretending to be indifferent was too difficult; he couldn't do it, at least not now.
"Chengcheng, happy birthday. Uncle will make you the gift another day."
He gently pried open the little guy's hands, and Chengcheng kept crying, tears streaming down his face, breaking his heart.
Why does Chengcheng have to be that woman's child? If he weren't, how much better it would be.
"Uncle, please don't go, please..."
This was the first time Chengcheng had ever cried so bitterly in his life; his little face turned bright red and tears streamed down his face.
Chu Yaofeng left resolutely, without looking back. He was afraid that if he turned back, he would soften his heart. Just hearing the child's cries was already heartbreaking for him. If he saw the child's pitiful appearance again, he would definitely be heartbroken.
When Gu Li and Song Nian returned home, they were greeted by the sight of their usually stoic and resilient daughter, Xiao Chaoren, sitting on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, leaving a wet patch on the floor.
The two adults were terrified. Had the child been robbed or assaulted? Why was she crying so sadly?
"son."
“Chengcheng”.
The little one glanced at the two adults, then burst into tears in Gu Li's arms.
“My darling, what’s wrong? Have you been bullied? Tell Aunt Niannian and I’ll get justice for you.”
Chengcheng hid in Gu Li's arms, just crying without saying a word.
Gu Li gestured for Song Nian, who was filled with righteous indignation, to be quiet.
She knew her own son well; what could make him cry so bitterly was definitely not physical pain.
After Chengcheng fell asleep, Gu Li used a hot towel to apply heat to his face. When she saw that her son's eyes were swollen to the size of walnuts, her heart felt like it had been ripped open.
I still can't understand what Chengcheng went through.
Song Nian went to the nearby Yuanzu Cake Shop to buy the little guy an ice cream cake and froze it in the refrigerator. She also bought him several beautiful new outfits and a model airplane.
When Gu Li saw this, she scolded her, saying that she had wasted money again.
Song Nian rolled her eyes at her and said, "I like it. You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Chengcheng is a potential stock I'm investing in."
"My son is just a seedling, please have mercy."
After the two joked and played around for a while, Song Nian saw that she was in a much better mood before she dared to ask, "What's wrong with Chengcheng?"
"She's asleep. I didn't ask."
Song Nian sighed; this child's thoughts were really hard to guess.
"Niannian," Gu Li suddenly called out to her.
Song Nian looked blankly at her and said, "I'm here."
"I resigned."
After saying that, Gu Li shrugged, waiting for Song Nian to scold her, her mind racing.
As a result, Song Nian simply said "Oh" indifferently, "Well, look how haggard you look. Chengcheng is in a sensitive period and needs someone to take care of him."
As she spoke, Song Nian reached out and grabbed the LV bag on the coffee table, opened it, and took out two thick stacks of hundred-yuan bills. "Take this money and buy Chengcheng some good food and fun things."
Gu Li was taken aback and quickly pushed the money back, saying, "Why would you give me money? I have enough."
"Don't lie to me. You used all your money to buy a house. Here, this money is for Chengcheng, not for you. Chengcheng is like a son to me. I can't just watch her be abused to death by you." Song Nian said in a serious tone.
Gu Li's eyes reddened slightly. "Niannian, thank you."
"Hey! We're like brothers. When you get rich, take care of me. I definitely won't hold back." Song Nian said casually.
…………………………
In the latter half of the night, Gu Li stayed by her son's bedside, her heart aching with guilt.
She never gave Chengcheng a proper birthday.
Niannian is right—no one can predict whether tomorrow or an accident will come first; enjoying the happiness of the present moment is the most important thing.
"Baby, Mommy has a surprise for you as your birthday present." Gu Li whispered these words in Chengcheng's ear, then gently kissed his forehead.
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