Chapter 282: Make the Best of a Mistake
"There are good wishes in the hot candlelight."
"The moon and the stars weave a crown of your years."
"May the fragrance of flowers and honey accompany you year after year."
"Happy birthday to you, no matter where your heart is, blessings are always there--"
The exaggerated beautiful canto voice sang the birthday song that was widely circulated in the magic kingdom. The sound echoed in the cottage and, along with the burning candles, reached everyone's ears.
The entire Fangting City team, no matter what they were doing before, put down what they were doing and looked at the "37" that was burning brightly on the top of the cake.
No one spoke, because whether it was Lin Xiaolu, Xia Liang, Bai Jingxuan, or Cui Que herself, they were all digesting the actual meaning of this scene. As for Cui Que, she had to think about more than her juniors.
There is no doubt that the immediate test she faces now is how to explain the candle's reaction next.
Should he pretend to be ignorant and lie that there was something wrong with the candle itself; or should he immediately point out that the candle had just tested the magic activity, proving that this was not "astrology" at all; or should he forcefully say that he did it because he saw that the candle was not used up, so he used the ritual to light it? All three options seemed unreliable. First of all, the first option was undoubtedly using his own credibility to forcibly distort the facts: because although this candle was undoubtedly a cheap product, it was indeed functioning normally. If another junior used this kind of candle for his birthday in the future, his lie would be exposed, triggering more suspicion.
The second option, not to mention that she is now a delphinium, she should not know the function of the candle that her daughter and others revealed to Lin Yun. Even if she bypassed this issue and pointed out the true function of the candle, how could she explain the increased magic activity due to nervousness?
As for the third option, it was logically untenable, and he had only passed by and the candle was ignited, without any prior actions of using the spell. Using this reason to fool his daughter was like treating her as a fool.
Behind all the plans, there was a bigger contradiction. That was, if she refused to admit that today was her birthday, what day should she answer if she was asked about her real birthday? If she made up a date, would she have to make up for the fake birthday with more lies in the future? Delphinium was a little undecided for a moment.
Just because she didn't react, it didn't mean that the younger generations would remain silent. When Lin Xiaolu gradually realized what the scene in front of her meant, she first slowly opened her mouth, and then said in great surprise: "Is today also your birthday? Delphinium!"
These words immediately made the air, which had been almost stagnant, flow again.
Bai Jingxuan, who was also surprised by this, first looked at the candle, then shook the arm of Cuique that was wrapped around her, obviously wanting an explanation. Xia Liang, who already knew part of the truth, pretended to be surprised and followed Lin Xiaolu in saying, "Is it such a coincidence?"
"No, Delphinium, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Lin Xiaolu, who was standing by, had already stood up: "We didn't even know it was your birthday today!"
"No, how should I put it, today is not actually my birthday..." Before she knew it, it was confirmed that today was her birthday. The rapid development of events made Delphinium feel a little out of pace. She tried to put aside the plans in her mind and tried to withdraw the conclusion that "today is my birthday", but at this moment, she suddenly realized that language was so powerless at this time.
"This is such a coincidence, it's the same day as my dad's?"
Lin Xiaolu was so intrigued by the shocking facts that she didn't even notice Cuique's attempt to refute: "I've never met someone I know who has a birthday on the same day before!"
"Why didn't you tell us, teacher?"
Bai Jingxuan also spoke with a little dissatisfaction: "If there were no candles, would we not know that today is your birthday?"
"I've already said it. It's not that I don't want to say it, but today it's not mine..." Delphinium sighed, trying to remain calm and explain everything calmly. However, she found that her voice was not as loud as the birthday song played by the candles, and was completely covered.
She really wanted to raise her voice, but doing so might make her seem like she had something to hide, and for a moment she was at a loss.
"Okay, let's get to work, team members!"
Lin Xiaolu sat up from her chair without caring about anything, rubbing her hands together, "Fortunately, there is still half of the cake left. It's time to prepare for the second half of the birthday party!"
As she said this, she walked to Delphinium and pushed her shoulder: "Birthday boy, go sit over there. Now that we know it's your birthday, we must celebrate it properly."
Is no one really curious why "Delphinium" and "Lin Yun" have the same birthday?
Delphinium was speechless.
Once again, she felt the difference in thinking between herself and young people. When she found that Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan didn't seem to doubt anything at all, Cuique thought it was so ridiculous that she was still weighing the pros and cons.
So, should she just go along with it and admit that today is her birthday?
I have to say, this would be an option that would greatly reduce her pressure.
If she insists on not admitting that today is her birthday, she will have to make up a false date to make up for it. Then, as the lies to make up for it increase, more lies will be needed to make up for the false date. However, false things will never become true just because of the accumulation of numbers. Too many lies piled together will increase the risk of being exposed.
After thinking about it, Cuique realized that since the accident had already happened and Lin Xiaolu did not doubt too much, perhaps admitting it would be much less risky than denying it.
This comparison of risks ultimately made her accept the cake handed to her by Lin Xiaolu.
"I'm sorry, because I haven't celebrated my birthday for many years. To be honest, sometimes I even forget that I have a birthday."
She held the cake plate and said something that was half true and half excused: "So I originally felt that I didn't need to celebrate this birthday..."
"I'm already making a cake for my dad?"
Lin Xiaolu widened her eyes and said to Cuique with a rare look of reproach: "It has come to this, Cuique, and you still don't want to tell us. Aren't you deliberately trying to make us miss your birthday?"
"After all, it was the cake you made for your father."
Delphinium was helpless: "If I go up to you and say that today is my birthday, it will only add to your burden."
"But if the teacher hadn't said that, if it wasn't for Dad...Uncle's birthday, then we would have really missed it."
Bai Jingxuan still held Cuique's other arm: "Birthdays are very important. It would be a shame not to celebrate them."
"That's right, Delphinium, you are too indifferent to your own affairs!"
Lin Xiaolu nodded: "This kind of thing must be said out loud, otherwise it will be a real pity for everyone!"
Delphinium didn't know what the regret was.
But she knew that she shouldn't ask such a question now, so in the end, she could only sigh in compromise:
"Okay, I understand. Next time there is something similar, I will tell you in advance."
After saying this, she sat down at the table, picked up her fork, looked at the cake, and for a moment she felt a little amused.
Celebrating my birthday twice on the same day with the same group of people but in different identities is probably an extremely rare and strange experience.
Amid the younger generations' repeated "Happy Birthday" blessings, it all seemed like a continuation of the video call in the pub, and Cuiqiao walked into the picture instead of Lin Yun, sat in front of the cake, and put the piece of cake into her mouth.
Thus, February 14th, a day that was very special to Delphinium in the past and remains so today, has finally come to an end.
"The cake is sweet."
(End of this chapter)
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