Chang Yue nodded repeatedly, "Yes, we never expected you to forget your own birthday! At first, we thought you wanted to celebrate your birthday with Zong Jia and not include us!"
Dafu laughed and replied, "If I hadn't asked Brother Zong, we would have all thought that you two were going to act alone today."
Zong Jia affectionately ruffled her hair, "You remember everyone's birthday so clearly, how come you forgot your own?"
In recent years, Jiang Xiaoli has prepared gifts in advance for everyone around her on their birthdays, and sometimes she will organize a dinner party to celebrate with everyone.
So when everyone realized she had forgotten her birthday, they spontaneously gathered together to celebrate it for her.
Jiang Xiaoli shook her head, knocking his hand away.
Then she said in a deliberately sad tone, "Every birthday reminds me that I'm getting a year older. Thinking about it, I'm getting further and further away from being an 18-year-old beauty."
The people present burst into laughter, and Hu Jingxin put her arm around her and said, "No matter how many birthdays you have, you will always be our beautiful 18-year-old girl!"
Zhong Yuan chimed in, "Yeah, Little Pear, with that face of yours, if you went out and people said you were 16, no one would doubt it."
Hu Jingxin couldn't help but touch her face and exclaimed, "Xiao Li, I haven't seen you use any high-end skincare products, how come your face is so supple and smooth?"
Jiang Xiaoli raised an eyebrow smugly, "Maybe this is what natural beauty is all about, hahaha!"
Yan Chengcheng ran over and took her other arm. "Xiao Li, let me stick this on and absorb some of the essence of heaven and earth around you so that I can become more supple too."
Jiang Xiaoli exaggeratedly tried to pull her arm away, shouting, "You life-sucking monster, get away from me!"
In an instant, the girls started making a ruckus.
Li Guizhi started preparing dinner in the afternoon, and the dishes were being served very quickly. In no time, the entire round table was filled with various dishes.
Even Jiang Xiaoli couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Mom, I think our family's private restaurant has really been a waste of your talent. Your skills deserve a better platform."
Li Guizhi was overjoyed, but she said, "I think my little restaurant is great. I didn't want to go to any better platform. I'm happy as long as I can share my cooking skills with people who love food."
After saying that, she turned around and went back to the kitchen to bring out the cake. Zong Jiayu got up and put two candles, one for the number one and one for the number nine, on the cake and lit them.
Dafu went to turn off the lights in the room, and instantly only the flickering candlelight remained.
After singing "Happy Birthday," Jiang Xiaoli closed her eyes, made a wish, and then blew out the candles.
Let's put the cake aside for now, and the birthday dinner will officially begin.
Watching her subordinates quickly pick up their chopsticks, Jiang Xiaoli couldn't help but ask, "Why isn't anyone curious about what I wished for?"
Zhong Yuan interrupted, "We'll ask you, but you won't tell us anyway, so we won't waste our time. Besides, aren't you just about to jump out and tell us anyway?"
Jiang Xiaoli was speechless. She snorted, "I'll tell all of them, but I won't tell you!"
Zhong Yuan chuckled and tugged at his ear, "It's okay, I'll be listening intently as you talk to them."
Since being accepted by Hu Jingxin's parents, Zhong Yuan has become increasingly unrestrained. Now, Jiang Xiaoli often finds herself unable to control him.
Finally, Zong Jiayu stepped in to smooth things over, "What did Little Pear wish for? Would you like to tell us?"
Jiang Xiaoli said with a smile, "My wish just now was to retire as soon as possible!"
Ren Zhiyi asked curiously, "Retire early? Xiaoli, you're already thinking about things that far ahead? How old do you plan to retire?"
Jiang Xiaoli thought for a moment and replied, "30 years old! Actually, I'm already earning enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life, but people still need to have some pursuits. Just making money isn't enough; you need to achieve some life goals. I think I'll have 11 years left until I'm 30, which should be enough."
Hu Jingxin was curious, "Xiao Li, what do you plan to do after you retire?"
Without a second thought, she exclaimed, "Enjoy life! Travel the world! See beautiful scenery, eat delicious food, go wherever you want, sleep whenever you want!"
Her simple description made everyone present yearn for it.
Yan Chengcheng rested her chin on her hand and said, "This kind of life sounds too wonderful! I wonder if I'll be able to do it when I'm 30?"
Ren Zhiyi said confidently, "I believe we can do it!"
Zhong Yuan saw the longing in Hu Jingxin's eyes. He took her hand and said, "If Xinxin also wants to retire early, I'll go with you."
Dafu said the same thing to Changyue.
Suddenly, everyone was discussing the topic of retiring early at the age of 30.
In the end, they even made a pact to travel around the world together as a group.
Li Guizhi watched with a smile as a group of children dreamed about the future.
Jiang Xiaoli picked some food for her, saying, "Mom, you must take good care of yourself. I'll be taking you with me wherever I go."
She nodded. "Don't worry, I promise I won't hold you back!"
They chatted and laughed, and the dinner lasted for almost three hours.
After cleaning up the dishes in the evening, Jiang Xiaoli and the others escorted the girls back to school.
A group of people went out, but when they returned home, only Zong Jia and Jiang Xiaoli remained.
Dafu and Zhongyuan were both having romantic conversations with their girlfriends in some corner of Peking University.
Jiang Xiaoli shook Zong Jiayu's hand, "Ayu, if I want to retire at 30, would you be reluctant to give up everything and set sail with me?"
Zong Jia looked at her with doting eyes and answered firmly, "No, I'll go wherever Xiao Lizi goes. Have you forgotten? I'm the love-obsessed person you've signed off on."
She burst out laughing. "Why do you still look so proud?"
Zong Jia nodded matter-of-factly, "Of course!"
She couldn't help but recall her past life, "Ayu, what do you think the world will be like when we turn 30?"
Zong Jiayu shook his head. "I can't explain it, but I know that as long as Xiaolizi is by my side, the world will be wonderful no matter what it becomes."
Jiang Xiaoli couldn't help but stop. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said with a smile, "Why are your words so sweet today?"
Zong Jia lowered her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of seduction, "Whether it's been coated with honey or not, Little Pear will know after she tastes it."
She chuckled, actually tasted it, and then commented, "Hmm, not bad. Today's honey might be acacia flavored."
Seeing her serious expression, Zong Jiayu smiled and her eyes crinkled, then she lowered her head and deepened the kiss.
After the kiss ended, Zong Jiayu commented, "Little Pear is sweeter than honey."
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