Chapter 35 Birthday
In the midsummer of S City, the air is so thick that it seems like water can be squeezed out of it, and the chirping of cicadas tears apart the tranquility of the afternoon.
Chu Yan sat in the cloud-controlled office, his fingertips tapping the desk unconsciously. Outside the window was the dazzling sunlight, which reflected in his calm eyes, but did not cause the slightest ripple. On the system panel, Gu Ye's learning progress bar rose steadily, but his mental state was marked with a tiny exclamation mark - avoidance of birthdays. A very faint, almost calculating arc appeared at the corner of Chu Yan's lips. Forgot? How can this be. The coming-of-age ceremony is an important milestone in the mission node. Besides, a well-trained puppy that can wag its tail should get a piece of carefully cooked meat bone occasionally, right?
The sun was still scorching hot on Wednesday afternoon.
Chu Yan showed up at the apartment building on time, driving his understated black sedan. Gu Ye, carrying a schoolbag, wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans. His forehead was slightly damp with sweat, and he exuded a youthful freshness and a subtle nervousness—after all, he was going to a lecture.
"Where is the lecture?" Gu Ye sat in the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt.
"It's an academic exchange center, so the environment is relatively quiet." Chu Yan started the car, his tone calm and unperturbed. "I heard that Academician Wang doesn't like to be disturbed, so he put his phone on silent."
Gu Ye said "Oh," obediently turned his phone to silent mode, and stuffed it into his trouser pocket. He looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene, his mind a little wandering. Eighteen years old... just passed by so uneventfully? So what? Anyway, no one cared. He shook his head, trying to shake off this inexplicable depression.
The car zigzagged around and finally stopped in front of an elegant building nestled among green trees. A sign reading "Qingyaxuan" hung above the door, making it look like a high-end private club or cultural exchange center. Gu Ye, unsuspecting, followed Chu Yan inside.
Chu Yan walked through a dimly lit corridor covered in thick carpet and stopped in front of a heavy carved wooden door. He glanced sideways at Gu Ye, his eyes filled with encouragement. Gu Ye's heartbeat suddenly quickened.
"We're here." Chu Yan raised his hand and gently pushed open the door.
“Bang! Bang! Bang—!”
“Surprise! Happy birthday!!!”
Deafening cheers accompanied the simultaneous explosion of several fireworks tubes! Countless colorful sequins and ribbons rained down from the sky, instantly enveloping the unsuspecting Gu Ye!
Gu Ye froze in place, as if under a spell. A dazzling display of colors and confetti filled his vision, and the familiar, exaggerated shouts of Aliang, Huangmao, the bartender, Lao Chen, and even a few of his close basketball classmates filled his ears. A cheerful birthday song blared from the giant speakers. The private room was meticulously decorated—a lighted sign reading "Happy 18th Birthday, Gu Ye" hung on the wall, colorful balls and balloons floated from the ceiling, and a long table was piled high with snacks, drinks, and a massive double-layered cream cake adorned with fresh strawberries. Candlelight flickered.
Time seemed to stand still.
Gu Ye's mind went blank, his ears ringing. He instinctively raised his hand to wipe away the ribbon that had fallen from his eyelashes, his movements stiff. He stared blankly at the faces before him, each one beaming with genuine smiles, at this grand and boisterous scene that was completely beyond his comprehension. The immense shock left him speechless, and he simply stood there, his eyes wide open.
He had never imagined that someone would prepare a birthday surprise for him, and he had never imagined it would be so lively.
At that moment, a hand gently rested on his stiff shoulder. Gu Ye turned around abruptly and met Chu Yan's smiling eyes. Those eyes were gentle, with a hint of mischief, as if they saw through all his shock and helplessness.
"Stupid?" Chu Yan's voice was filled with laughter, penetrating the clamor of the birthday song. "Your friends begged me for a long time, insisting that I help 'trick' you over here. They said it was a surprise for you to come as a grown-up." He shrugged, his attitude relaxed. "I can't help it. They were so enthusiastic, so I just had to do a small favor."
Gu Ye's gaze was fixed on Chu Yan's face. It was him, the one who had brought him here, the one who had orchestrated all of this. An indescribable, scorching torrent instantly overwhelmed all his defenses. Surprise, emotion, disbelief—a myriad of emotions surged through his chest, ultimately converging into a searing, bitter feeling that rushed straight into his eyes.
He looked at Chu Yan, his lips moving as if to say something, but his throat seemed blocked, and no sound came out. Only those bright eyes reflected Chu Yan's figure clearly, and an extremely complex light surged in them, as if there were thousands of words to express.
"Alright, stop standing there! Birthday boy!" Ah Liang rushed over with a laugh, put his arm around Gu Ye's neck, and dragged him into the crowd. "Quick! Blow out the candles! Cut the cake! Don't go home until you're drunk tonight!"
"Yes! Don't go home until you're drunk!"
"Brother Ye is an adult now! He must drink!"
The noise instantly drowned out Gu Ye. His friends surrounded him, pushed him in front of the cake, coaxed him into wearing a funny birthday hat, and had a knife thrust into his hand to cut the cake. The candlelight illuminated his still dazed face. As the crowd counted down, he mechanically blew out the candles. The cheers rang out again, deafening.
Chu Yan retreated to the outskirts of the crowd, leaning against a decorative pillar, a glass of juice in hand, quietly watching Gu Ye, enveloped in joy. The bewilderment on the boy's face gradually faded, replaced by an awkward, bewildered joy. He awkwardly responded to his friend's teasing, his hands still trembling as he cut the cake. When the cream was smeared on his face, he finally smiled a slightly silly, yet incredibly genuine smile.
A faint smile played on Chu Yan's lips. The effect was good. The puppy was happy. He sipped his juice slowly, like a detached director, admiring his carefully choreographed play unfolding as planned. The excitement was theirs; he only needed to ensure the plot flowed smoothly and the protagonist's emotions were on point.
The carnival lasted a long time.
Beer, drinks, and various snacks were devoured. Truth or Dare was played until faces flushed, and the sounds of ghosts and wolves howling in the KTV filled the private room. Gu Ye was forced to drink quite a bit, and initially resisted, but later, influenced by the atmosphere, he relaxed a little. He wasn't a big drinker, but after a few beers, his cheeks flushed, his eyes blurred, and he became more talkative, though still with a touch of youthful shyness.
As the night deepened, friends began to say goodbye. Ah Liang and Huang Mao walked away arm in arm, while Lao Chen patted Gu Ye on the shoulder and said, "Happy coming of age, kid." The noisy box gradually quieted down, leaving only the floor littered with streamers, empty bottles, and food debris, and the air thick with the scent of a sweet, creamy mixture of alcohol.
Gu Ye slumped on the sofa, his eyes hazy and his breath reeking of alcohol. He looked at the mess, then at Chu Yan, who was standing not far away, explaining something to the waiter, and chuckled foolishly.
Chu Yan finished paying the bill and walked over. He looked at the drunken boy with a silly smile on the sofa and sighed helplessly. He bent down and neatly put one of Gu Ye's arms around his neck. "Let's go home."
"Well... go home..." Gu Ye responded vaguely, his body leaning softly towards Chu Yan, his head rubbing against Chu Yan's neck unconsciously, like a young animal seeking support.
Chu Yan half-helped, half-carried the boy into the car. As the car drove towards the apartment, Gu Ye seemed to have fallen asleep in the passenger seat, snoring softly.
Back at the apartment, Chu Yan took some effort to get Gu Ye to the sofa in the living room. Just as he was about to turn around to get a glass of water, he saw Gu Ye struggling to sit up. His eyes were still blurry, but he seemed to be attracted by something.
There are birthday gifts in various packaging piled up in a corner of the coffee table.
"Gifts," Gu Ye muttered, clumsily unpacking the boxes like a curious child. Basketball shoes from Aliang, a game controller from Huangmao, a hardcover rock band biography from Lao Chen... He opened them slowly, his movements slow and slow from drunkenness. After opening each one, he stared blankly for a moment, then chuckled twice before putting it aside.
As he was dismantling, his hands stopped.
He stopped looking at the gifts and turned his head slowly and straight, his eyes like two searchlights, fixed firmly on Chu Yan who was pouring water for him.
That look was focused to the point of being stubborn, with the frankness of drunkenness and a desire that could not be ignored.
Chu Yan walked over with a cup of water in his hand. Meeting Gu Ye's burning gaze, he paused. He placed the cup on the coffee table in front of Gu Ye, making a slight clinking sound.
"What's wrong?" Chu Yan's voice was calm, with a hint of teasing as if he knew the answer. "Is there something on my face?" He deliberately misinterpreted Gu Ye's gaze.
Gu Ye didn't say anything, just blinked. The alcohol amplified his emotions, and in his eyes, besides stubbornness, a sense of obvious grievance gradually emerged. He was like a puppy who saw his owner holding a meat bone, but the owner pretended not to see it.
Chu Yan was amused by his stubborn and aggrieved look. The deep laughter spread in the quiet living room, with a kind of magnetic and tickling magic.
He chuckled softly and finally stopped teasing him, "Okay, I won't tease you anymore."
Chu Yan walked to the sofa, bent down, took out a rectangular black gift box with simple but textured packaging from behind the sofa backrest, and handed it to Gu Ye.
"Here, your coming-of-age ceremony."
Gu Ye almost snatched the gift box, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement and drunkenness, and he tore open the wrapping paper clumsily and eagerly.
Lying quietly inside was neither expensive electronics nor luxury jewelry, but a natural-wood acoustic guitar. Its body had smooth lines, a warm, natural wood grain, and a faint woody fragrance. But that wasn't the point.
The point is that on the smooth body of the guitar, a unique pattern was hand-painted with extremely delicate brushstrokes.
The backdrop is a deep, vast, inky blue sky, dotted with tiny silver stars. Amidst the starry sky, a majestic eagle with sleek lines and full wings soars, its posture free and powerful. The edges of the eagle's wings are cleverly infused with flaming flames, symbolizing indomitable will and nirvana. At the base of the guitar's neck, near where it meets the body, two small letters are engraved in flowing cursive script: "GY."
The entire picture is full of the tension of wildness and freedom, the color transition is natural, and the brushstrokes are delicate and vivid. It is obvious at a glance that a lot of effort and time have been poured into it.
Gu Ye's fingers carefully traced the raised, lifelike lines of paint on the smooth guitar. The touch felt both cool and scorching beneath his fingertips. He recognized it: Chu Yan's handwriting! Only he could paint an eagle with such power, a starry sky with such depth and beauty. This guitar was no longer a cold instrument, but a unique work of art, imbued with heart and soul.
"This... this is..." Gu Ye raised his head, his voice trembling with disbelief, his eyes surprisingly bright, filled with brilliant starlight and emotion that was almost overflowing.
Chu Yan looked at him like this, a hint of satisfaction flashing across his eyes. He reached out his hand, with a touch of intimacy and indulgence, and vigorously rubbed Gu Ye's soft and fluffy hair, which was now particularly messy and curly due to surprise.
"Do you like it?" His voice was filled with smile, and his warm palm brushed across the top of my hair.
"I like it!" Gu Ye nodded vigorously, his voice hoarse with sobs, he hugged the guitar tightly, "I like it so much! Thank you Chu Yan!" For the first time, he called out Chu Yan's name clearly and completely, no longer a vague "Hey" or "You".
Chu Yan withdrew his hand and looked at the boy holding the guitar, unable to let go. The smile in his eyes deepened. He picked up the glass of water on the coffee table and handed it to Gu Ye. His voice was particularly clear and gentle in the silent night, with a strange power that seemed to penetrate time:
"Gu Ye, happy eighteenth birthday."
"I wish you—"
"Bright as the wind, free from restraint, all paths are smooth."
“Travel thousands of mountains and cross thousands of rivers, and you will finally see the rising sun in your heart.”
"It stands tall and majestic, unattached to others, unbending, and overlooking all living things."
Each word carried warmth, cascading into Gu Ye's heart, stirring immense ripples. This wasn't just a blessing, but rather an expectation, a description and orientation of his future life. "Towering peaks... self-sufficient..." Gu Ye chewed on these words, feeling a scalding heat surge from his heart to every part of his body, carrying with him an unprecedented sense of power.
However, before this surge of enthusiasm subsided, another deeper, darker emotion quietly surfaced. Gu Ye hugged his guitar, his fingers unconsciously stroking the soaring eagle on the instrument. The joy on his face slowly faded like the tide, replaced by an indescribable depression.
The warm yellow light in the living room shone softly, and Chu Yan clearly saw the light in the boy's eyes dim, and his long eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow under his eyes.
"Chu Yan..." Gu Ye's voice was low, vague and drunken, yet strangely sober. "I didn't dare to celebrate my birthday before."
Chu Yan didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly, waiting for what to say next.
Gu Ye took a deep breath, as if he was trying to muster up great courage, and then he continued, "Because I think birthdays are for those who are loved." His voice became lower and lower, with a bitter self-deprecating tone, "It's a day worth living when someone remembers it, someone looks forward to it, and someone sincerely celebrates for you." He raised his head, his eyes confused and fragile, like a little animal that can't find its way home, "But I never seem to be the one who is loved. No one cares about my birthday. After it's over, it's just a reminder to myself that I've grown up another year alone." The last few words were as light as a sigh and dissipated in the silent air.
Chu Yan looked at the young man before him, who, fueled by alcohol and emotion, had shed all pretense and hard shell, revealing his innermost vulnerability and scars. Under the light, Gu Ye's profile appeared a little frail, his usually stubborn and bright eyes now filled with the loneliness and uncertainty of abandonment. He was like a puppy shivering in the rain, trying to curl himself up.
Chu Yan didn't offer any immediate comfort. He remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly contemplating something. Then, he put down his water cup and sat down next to Gu Ye. The sofa sank slightly, instantly closing the distance between them.
He didn't look at Gu Ye, but cast his gaze toward the dark night outside the window. His voice was low and gentle, with a calmness and insight that seemed to transcend time and space:
"Gu Ye," he began, his tone calm, "Humans celebrate birthdays not because they are sacred or to prove who is loved."
“Humans celebrate birthdays because…”
“Humanity needs to mark the moment when it triumphs over nothingness.”
Chu Yan's voice continued to ring out, not loud, but every word was clear, carrying an almost cold philosophical meaning:
"The universe is vast, time is endless, and life is as tiny as a speck of dust. Each day passes by like a drop of water merging silently into the boundless ocean. 'Birthday' is merely a mark we artificially carve on the cold wall of time."
"It signifies that in this chaotic, disordered, and random world, you, as an independent individual, have successfully, once again, resisted the torrent of increasing entropy, snatched the qualification of 'existence' from nothingness, and tenaciously survived for 365 days."
"It signifies that you have triumphed over illness, accidents, loneliness, confusion, and all the forces that have tried to drag you back into the abyss of nothingness. You have survived and are still moving forward."
"This, in itself, is a small yet great victory worth celebrating."
"It's not about whether someone loves you or not, or whether someone remembers you or not. It's just about you—you have conquered time, conquered nothingness, and you exist. That's enough."
Chu Yan finished speaking, turning his head to look at Gu Ye, who was completely stunned beside him. The confusion and vulnerability in the boy's eyes had not yet completely dissipated, but instead, there was an unprecedented shock and confusion. These cold yet profound words were like a key, violently prying open a layer he had never considered, making him realize for the first time the vast and desolate cosmic background behind "birthday".
Gu Ye stared blankly at Chu Yan, his eyes, which seemed especially profound under the light, as if imbued with boundless wisdom. Chu Yan's words were like rain, extinguishing the self-pity in his heart, yet bringing with them a greater, more chilling clarity. He half understood, only to feel his heart seized by a vast, indescribable force.
Silence stretched between the two of them, only the ticking of the second hand of the wall clock clearly punctuating the silence.
After a long time, so long that the night outside the window seemed even darker, Gu Ye finally seemed to have found his voice. He tightened his arms around the guitar, leaning slightly towards Chu Yan. With a kind of drunken dependence and a hidden temptation, his voice was soft, with a barely perceptible tremor:
"Chu Yan..." He raised his head and looked straight into Chu Yan's deep eyes, as if seeking a crucial promise, "Will you still celebrate my birthday with me next year?"
Chu Yan looked at the longing in Gu Ye's eyes, and a corner of his heart seemed to be gently touched. The mission needed stability, and the puppy's emotions needed to be soothed. He nodded without hesitation, his tone gentle and affirmative:
"Of course." His voice held a soothing power. "Of course I'll be with you." He silently added: "Not just next year, but for the next five years, until you truly take control of the Gu family, I'll be 'with' you." This was a calm and precise commitment from a tasker to a stable target.
Gu Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief after receiving a positive response, a smile that was a mixture of drunkenness, relief, and immense satisfaction spreading across his face. He stopped talking, his body slumping to the side, his head naturally resting on Chu Yan's shoulder. His warmth filtered through the thin fabric, carrying the youth's unique, refreshing scent, mixed with the aroma of alcohol.
Chu Yan didn't push him away, but simply adjusted his sitting position to allow Gu Ye to lean in more comfortably. He extended his arms, gently wrapping them around the boy's shoulders in a protective gesture, pressing his head into the warm crook of his neck. It was a soothing, yet distant, hug.
Gu Ye nestled obediently in the crook of Chu Yan's neck, his nose lingering with Chu Yan's refreshing, pleasant scent. Deep within his eyes, originally hazy from intoxication, lay a deep, possessive desire, roiling and roaring like magma in his drunken heart, yet he forcibly suppressed it beneath the veneer of sleep. He nuzzled Chu Yan's neck contentedly, purring like a kitten.
Chu Yan, feeling the warm breath against his neck and the weight of the young man's body, gazed calmly at a point in the void ahead. The gentleness on his face remained impeccable. However, deep within those deep eyes lay the surface of a frozen lake, unruffled by a single ripple. Only the absolute calmness and indifference of a bystander remained.
He calculated the time, assessed the depth of Gu Ye's emotional dependence, and planned the next steps. Gu Ye's feelings of gratitude, dependence, and even the budding possessiveness he now possessed were all within his expectations; they were all tools he would guide, cultivate, and ultimately use to achieve his goals. Like a skilled gardener, he calmly pruned the plant called "Gu Ye," guiding it to grow in the direction he had set.
【System: He has fallen in love with you.】
【Chu Yan: Yes.】
Chu Yan paused for half a second, as if confirming a fait accompli, or as if stating an objective statistic: "He's fallen in love with me."
In the silent living room, the only sounds were the ticking of the wall clock and Gu Ye's gradually steady breathing. Warm yellow light enveloped the two people cuddling on the sofa, creating a seemingly warm and intimate scene.
However, on the edge of a drunken dream, Gu Ye clung tightly to the obsession called "Chu Yan", greedily absorbing the warmth. The possessiveness in his heart grew wildly like a vine, silently declaring his sovereignty.
Chu Yan, like a chess player, remained aloof, calmly watching the chess piece named "Gu Ye" on the board move according to his will, mentally calculating the gains and losses of each move, assessing the return on his emotional investment. His gentleness was bait, his promises were bargaining chips, and his very existence was a carefully planned strategy.
One who sinks in ignorance and paranoia, and regards false warmth as the light of salvation.
One who operates in clarity and indifference, and regards sincere emotions as a progress bar for the task.
They snuggled together, sharing the quietness under the same light.
But there is the deepest chasm in people's hearts, and the unbridgeable cold gap called "purpose" between mission and reality.
The five-year period has begun. This domestication and backlash, all in the name of "love," has just begun its heavy and dangerous curtain.
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