Chapter 33 Birthday
Early that morning, I was lost in a sweet dream, caught up on some weekend sleep, feeling like I was being entangled by an octopus, strangling me so hard I couldn't breathe. I blearily opened my eyes and met Lin Yan's handsome face, magnified and smiling gently.
"Baby, wake up." He kissed my forehead, his voice filled with the lazy magnetism of waking up in the morning.
“Ugh… stop it… I’m sleepy…” I tried to bury my face in the pillow, but it was dug out mercilessly.
"Be good, I have plans for today." Lin Yan unleashed me from my warm bed and dressed me like a giant doll. I kept my eyes closed, letting him toss me around. I had a single thought: This bastard better have some important plans, or I'm going to give him hell!
I was tucked into the passenger seat, the seatbelt clicked shut, and I fell asleep again in seconds. I had no idea how long the car had been driving or where we had passed. It wasn't until I felt the car stop that Lin Yan gently patted my face: "Ruirui, we're here."
I rubbed my eyes and blearily got off the bus. The cool morning air sobered me up a bit. Before me was a high-end, high-tech exhibition hall, its glass walls gleaming in the sun. I was completely bewildered: "Where... where is this? What are we doing here?"
Lin Yan took my hand, interlocking our fingers, with a smile on his face and his eyes shining brightly: "Baby, today is your birthday! Happy birthday!"
I:"???"
Birthday? My birthday? I took out my phone and glanced at the date in confusion. Shit! It really is! I've been so caught up in Lin Yan's mysterious behavior and all sorts of messy things lately that I even forgot my own birthday!
"You...you brought me here to celebrate my birthday?" I pointed at the exhibition hall in front of me that looked like a future base, feeling a little confused.
"Okay, first stop." Lin Yan pulled me inside, explaining as we walked. It turned out he'd sold the results of a lab project he'd been involved in developing to this immersive experience company. As part of the deal, he'd secured exclusive access to the entire exhibition hall for us today!
As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, my eyes were wide open!
The latest VR equipment, a simulated flight chamber, a holographic interactive area, and even an automated robotic arm display—the entire space was transformed into a futuristic, immersive amusement park! There were no other visitors, just Lin Yan and me, along with a few uniformed, smiling staff members (presumably Lin Yan had greeted them).
"Holy crap! Lin Yan! This! This VR roller coaster is so realistic! I feel like I'm really going to fly out!"
"Look! That robotic arm! It can draw the Mona Lisa! Holy crap!"
"Lin Yanlin Yan! This holographic projection allows you to design your own scenes! I want to make a goblin battle against the Jade Bodhisattva!"
I was like a kid at Disneyland for the first time, dragging Lin Yan around like crazy, screaming, laughing, having a blast! I was so eager to share, I wanted to cramm every awe-inspiring moment into Lin Yan's head! Lin Yan smiled and stayed by my side the entire time, helping me adjust the equipment and taking photos (even though I was wearing the VR headset like an idiot most of the time), his eyes so gentle they could bring tears to my eyes.
After a very enjoyable morning, I still felt like I hadn't had enough. Lin Yan checked the time and pulled me, reluctantly, out of the exhibition hall.
"Don't look anymore, there's another stop." He winked mysteriously.
The car pulled up to a restaurant that looked incredibly expensive, with doormen in tuxedos. I looked down at my T-shirt and jeans, which were a bit messy from all the fun, and felt a little scared. "Hey... Lin Yan, is this place... is it okay for me to go in like this?"
"If I say it's suitable, then it's suitable." Lin Yan took me in without saying anything.
The restaurant was elegant and quiet, with soft lighting. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the faint sound of a piano. We were ushered to a prime window seat. As soon as we sat down, a violinist in a black tuxedo approached, stood not far from our table, and set up his instrument.
I was a little embarrassed. This scene was... too formal, wasn't it? Just as I was feeling uncomfortable and wondering if I should pretend to go to the bathroom, a melodious, holy, and ethereal melody flowed from the violin strings.
My whole body froze and I suddenly looked up at the violinist!
This melody... is so familiar!
It's the background music for the most sacred and beautiful cathedral scene in my favorite game! For countless days and nights, my character gazed up at the stained glass windows to the sound of this magnificent music, feeling the faith and awe of the game world. It carries so much emotion and memories for me!
Lin Yan...he actually...
Shocked, I turned to look at him. He was smiling at me, his eyes filled with fondness and understanding. The soft light of the restaurant fell on him, casting a warm golden glow on him, like a god from a game. At this moment, the line between reality and fiction blurred. Familiar sacred music filled my ears, and before my eyes was the person I loved most... An indescribable feeling of emotion and happiness, like a warm tide, instantly flooded my heart, and my eyes heated uncontrollably.
Just as I was immersed in this great surprise and emotion, greedily listening to every note, Lin Yan suddenly took out a small and exquisite velvet box from his pocket.
He opened the box, revealing a platinum ring of simple yet exquisite quality. Without further questioning, without any kneeling ceremony, he naturally took my left hand, with an undeniable possessiveness, and gently slipped the cool ring onto my ring finger. It was a perfect fit.
I looked down at the metal ring that suddenly appeared on my finger, shining with a restrained luster. My mind was a little dazed, and I blurted out subconsciously: "Hey... Lin Yan... you... you shouldn't have knelt on one knee and asked 'will you marry me'? The procedure is not right..."
As soon as I said that, I suddenly realized - marry? Marry! I'm a man! And... this isn't even a proposal, right?
Lin Yan chuckled softly, reached out and pinched my face, his eyes gentle and teasing: "Little fool, what are you thinking? I can't expect a ring to make such a heavy word as 'a lifetime' so light." He paused, stroking his fingers on my finger wearing the ring, his voice low and solemn, "The ring is just a symbol. It symbolizes that you are mine and I am yours. That's all."
Looking at his smiling eyes, it suddenly dawned on me!
This isn't some kind of engagement ring! It's clearly Lin Yan's "declaration of ownership"! It's stamped "Lin Yan Exclusive" on me! It's telling the world—Chen Rui has a partner, no one's allowed!
Even though I understood his "sinister intentions," a strange sense of satisfaction and belonging instantly filled my heart. My face flushed, but I couldn't help but stroke the small ring with my fingers, and the corners of my mouth curled up uncontrollably.
"Hmph...you're pretty picky..." I muttered softly, my heart feeling as sweet as if it were filled with honey.
That afternoon, Lin Yan took me to a high-end hotel in the city center. Looking at the magnificent lobby and the elevator leading to the guest rooms, my face flushed again. I nudged him sheepishly, "Hey... starting this afternoon? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Lin Yan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. He raised his hand and ruffled my hair, his eyes mischievous: "Baby, what are you thinking about all day long?" He pulled me towards a banquet hall and said, "The birthday party isn't over yet."
Pushing open the heavy door of the banquet hall, I was instantly overwhelmed by the deafening cheers and sounds of fireworks!
"Surprise! Happy birthday, Rui-ge!"
"Happy birthday, Chen Rui!"
Lao Si, Xiao You, Wang Dandan, even the Berserker Old Dog! A group of people jumped out from every corner, laughing and shouting, and streamers fluttered all over my head and body! A huge birthday cake was placed in the center, with number candles on it.
I was completely stunned, dizzy from the constant stream of surprises. I was surrounded by the cake, and the fourth child led the way in singing the birthday song off-key, and everyone clapped along. The lights dimmed, leaving only the flickering candle flames, reflecting the sincere smiles of the well-wishers.
"Make a wish! Make a wish! Brother Rui, make a wish quickly!" Xiaoyou shouted excitedly.
I closed my eyes. A wish? I really didn't know what to wish for. After being with Lin Yan, the happiness, warmth, and sense of belonging that once seemed out of reach became readily available. I was already... very happy.
Just then, my eyes flicked over to Xiaoyou and Lao Si, who were smiling at me from beside me. Xiaoyou snuggled up to Lao Si, occasionally disdaining his clumsiness, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable. Lao Si, though dressed up like a giant doll by Xiaoyou (today he was wearing a T-shirt with a giant cartoon cat head printed on it, clearly his girlfriend's creation), looked at Xiaoyou with a look of indulgence.
A warm feeling came over me. I closed my eyes and said to myself:
"I hope... all those who love me, and those I love, can continue to be happy like we are now."
The candles were blown out, the lights came on, and the party atmosphere instantly reached its climax! The cake was cut, drinks were shared, and people chatted and joked, drinking and singing (mostly with Lao Si and Lao Gou doing the whining). Wang Dandan recounted embarrassing moments from high school, while Xiao You and Lao Gou enthusiastically debated the plot of the latest anime series. Lin Yan stayed by my side, shielding me from the alcohol (he didn't drink much himself), helping me with food, and occasionally brushing his fingers against my ring finger, which was covered in a ring.
This was the first time I'd ever celebrated a birthday this lively and joyful. Surrounded by friends, protected by my loved ones, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of cake and the scent of joy. After three rounds of drinks, I was already feeling a bit dizzy, leaning against Lin Yan with a silly grin.
After seeing off the last guest (mainly to stuff the drunken Old Four into a taxi), Lin Yan half-supported and half-carried me, who was also walking unsteadily, back to the hotel room (he booked a suite, saying it would be convenient for me to rest).
After placing me on the soft sofa, Lin Yan poured me a glass of warm water and handed it to me. He looked at my face, which was flushed from alcohol and excitement, and asked softly, "Baby, what wish did you make today?"
I took the water and took a long sip, feeling even more dizzy. I shook my ringed hand and chuckled, "A wish? I don't believe in gods..." I leaned in, my alcoholic breath blasting across his face. Looking at him through hazy eyes, I said word by word, "You...you are my god. I leave...my future...to you..."
Lin Yan's body froze noticeably, his deep eyes swirling with a complex mix of emotions: shock, emotion, and a hint of the heaviness of being completely entrusted. He was about to speak, perhaps to lecture me for my "bold words" or to tell me not to speak so harshly, but I kept to myself, my voice lowering with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction, almost a whisper:
"Lin Yan... This is my first... birthday... I'm so happy..."
All of Lin Yan's words were stuck in his throat. He looked at me, and the complex emotions in his eyes settled into a deep, probing heartache. He held me in his arms, his chin resting on the top of my head, and spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing something:
"...What about before? How did you celebrate your birthday...?"
Maybe it was the alcohol that numbed my nerves, or maybe it was the wonderful atmosphere today that had let down my guard. For the first time, I broached topics that I usually brushed off with a smile, speaking so naturally and even with a touch of lightheartedness.
"Before?" I leaned in his arms, found a comfortable position, and said lazily, "At most... I would go to the cake shop by myself and buy a small cake... the smallest one." I gestured, "Then... I ate it alone... I couldn't finish it even when I got tired of it... Later I felt... it was such a waste..." I smiled, and that smile seemed a little lonely under the warm yellow light, "I found out... that the money I spent on buying cakes... was not as good as krypton gold... buying two new skins... or doing a ten-draw..."
Lin Yan's arms around me suddenly tightened! His breathing stopped for a moment. I could feel his chest rising and falling violently and his body temperature suddenly dropping. He lowered his head and looked at me in disbelief, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible tremor: "...alone? Your parents...they...?"
“They…” I burped, my tone as flat as if I were talking about someone else’s business, “They never cared about me… When I went to college… At most… They gave me some living expenses on time… No more, no less… Not enough to starve me…” I tried to recall, “The last time I went home… Was last winter vacation… Home… It was cold… Like a hotel…” I felt sleepy, the alcohol completely taking over my brain, and my voice became lower and lower, “… Might as well… Play games… in the dorm…”
As the last word fell, I tilted my head, fell completely drunk in his arms, and fell into a deep sleep.
Lin Yan held me, motionless. The only sound in the room was the steady breathing of my breath. The warm yellow light fell on my sleeping face, and my long eyelashes cast a small shadow under my eyes, making me look quiet and fragile. Lin Yan lowered his head and stared at me for a long time, his eyes filled with a turbulent sea of pain, anger, disbelief, and a heavy pity that threatened to crush him.
For the first time, he had so clearly touched the cold wasteland of my heart, the "original family," which he had masked with joy and excitement. It turned out that behind those heartless laughter and jokes, there lay such a past.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and gently picked me up and walked to the bathroom. He carefully wiped my face and hands with a warm towel, as if he were treating a fragile treasure. Then he helped me change into soft pajamas and tucked me into the warm bed.
After doing all this, he didn't lie down immediately. Instead, he sat by the bed, staring at my sleeping face in the dim night light for a long time. His fingers unconsciously stroked the ring on my ring finger, a symbol of belonging and commitment, over and over again.
The neon lights of the city outside the window shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting flickering shadows on his hard-lined profile. His eyes were as deep as the sea, churning with countless unspoken thoughts and a firmer determination.
I don't know how long it was before he gently lifted the quilt and lay down, carefully holding me in his arms, like guarding a rare treasure that had been lost and found. His arms were warm and firm, as if he wanted to make up for all the warmth I had lost in the past.
"Ruirui..." He whispered in my sleeping ear, in a voice only I could hear, and promised solemnly, "From now on... on every birthday, I will make you happier than today."
The night was deep, and all was silent. Only the steady breathing of the man in my arms, and the violent beating of his heart in his chest, pounding with heartache and love, were remarkably clear in the silence. The future seemed to have grown heavier, but the warmth in my arms was more real and more powerful than ever.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
