Huang Zhenhua looked at Su's parents and said, "My eldest son is named Huang Taihe, and his wife is named Liao Shishi. My second son is named Huang Taizhou, and his wife is named Chen Jieyi."
"We're about the same age, so there's no need for any special titles. Calling us by our names is the most appropriate thing to do from now on. Hurry up and start eating, or the food will get cold and won't taste good."
As soon as Huang Zhenhua finished speaking, everyone started eating dinner. It must be said that tonight's meal was very satisfying. Those who had never tried Northeastern cuisine before tried it tonight, and those who had never tried Beijing cuisine also had a taste.
As dinner was winding down, Huang Zhenhua picked up his glass. "Let's all raise a glass and wish Xingran a happy birthday and a happy adulthood!"
People at both tables stood up, even the children, holding their wine glasses and beverage cups. "Happy birthday, Xingran! Happy coming-of-age!" The glasses clinked together, and everyone wore a smile.
This scene filled Su Xingran with a deep sense of happiness, a memory she would recall for a long time to come, a memory that always brought her joy and happiness. Su Xingran remembered this coming-of-age birthday for the rest of her life.
After dinner, a large group of people sat in the main hall chatting. There was no class distinction; they chatted like a big family until after 10 p.m.
After a busy day, Su's mother washed up and lay down on the bed, quickly falling asleep. Su Xingran, however, wasn't sleepy yet because it was her birthday and the day she came of age. Thinking of the gifts she had received that day, she glanced at her sleeping mother and, not wanting to disturb her, slipped into her spatial dimension.
When she came in, Su Xingran had already stored the gifts in her spatial storage. She opened all the gifts; Gu Junru and Liang Yun had jointly given her a watch. Liang Yun herself had given her a cheongsam, the one she had asked Su Xingran to try on at the store last time.
Gu Moyue gave her a fountain pen, Xiao Xue gave her a white shirt with a peony embroidered on the collar. Huang Taihe and Liao Shishi gave her a necklace. Huang Taizhou and Chen Jieyi gave her a bracelet.
The three children gave a notebook, a pen, and a clay figurine. Huang Zhenhua and Duan Yuming didn't buy any gifts but gave a large red envelope. The last gift was from Gu Moli, and Su Xingran stared at it, somewhat lost in thought.
Inside the box was a framed photograph. The photo showed Su Xingran standing at the entrance of the Gu family home, looking up at the house, on the day of Gu Moting and Xiao Xue's wedding. It was unclear who had taken the photo and developed it.
From the perspective of the photo, it's a solo shot of Su Xingran, but a figure from behind is visible to her left. Su Xingran knows whose figure it is—Gu Moli, the person who gave her this gift.
Su Xingran touched the photo of herself; she liked the gift. It was the first framed solo photo of herself in her life, and also the last photo taken before she came of age. It seemed to record Su Xingran before she became a minor.
There was a piece of paper under the photo, which Su Xingran unfolded. On it, written in strong, vigorous strokes, was the message: "Happy coming-of-age birthday, Xingran. May you be healthy and well."
Gu Moli, far away in the military camp, looked up at the moon in the sky. He wondered if the girl who had come of age today had seen the gift he had given her, and whether she liked it.
This photo was taken by Gu Moting's childhood friend. The friend contacted him and said he had a photo of the bridesmaids from that day and asked if he wanted it, and if so, he would print it out for him.
Gu Moli immediately said he wanted it and even asked him to print two copies. His older brother's childhood friend was quick to act; ten days later, Gu Moli received a letter from Beijing. Inside were two identical photos. In the photos was a young girl gazing ahead, as beautiful as a figure in a painting.
Gu Moli thought about framing the photo and giving it to Su Xingran on her birthday. He sent the gift home and asked his mother to deliver it.
Gu Moli breathed a soft sigh of relief. Thinking of Su Xingran's expression when she saw the photo, a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Xingran, happy birthday, may you have a long and healthy life!" Gu Moli silently wished her well.
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