Xiang Zhilan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that today was February 29th, her birthday!
Because she only celebrates her birthday once every few years, she doesn't really remember her own birthday.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." Shen Muzhi also joined in the children's chorus.
The cake was pushed in front of her, and Hengheng and Xiaokui said in unison, "Happy birthday, Mom."
"Thank you." Xiang Zhilan's heart was warmed by their kindness. She walked over, squatted down, and hugged the two darlings into her arms.
"Come on, make a wish and blow out the candles." Shen Muzhi took Xiang Zhilan's hand.
Xiang Zhilan looked down at the beautiful cake, clasped her hands together, and made a wish: "My first wish is that Hengheng and Xiaokui can grow up healthy and happy; my second wish is that the children's father can also be healthy; my third wish is..."
She didn't say it aloud, but silently wished in her heart that their family could stay together for a long time to come.
"What is your third wish?" Shen Muzhi asked curiously as she opened her eyes.
"I won't tell you." She smiled and then bent down to blow out the candles on the cake.
After blowing it all out in one breath, the lights in the banquet hall came on.
The two children were seated in high chairs on either side.
"Mom, this is your birthday present." Xiao Kui's speech was much clearer than before. She took out a large bunny lollipop with a pink ribbon tied into a bow.
"Thank you, Xiao Kui." Xiang Zhilan accepted it.
"Mom, I have a present for you too." Hengheng took out a toy car, which was his favorite toy car.
"Thank you, Hengheng." Xiang Zhilan felt the warmth from the children, and her heart was filled with joy.
Then she looked at Shen Muzhi, who had thought he would deliver the food, but it seemed he didn't intend to. He pressed the bell to signal the delivery of the dishes.
The meals were served one after another, and the family happily enjoyed their dinner.
After dinner, Butler Chen and Afang came in and took the two children away.
The lights in the room dimmed again, leaving only the flickering candlelight, and the music resumed.
Shen Muzhi stood up, walked up to her, bowed slightly, and extended his hand to her. "May I?"
"Yes." Xiang Zhilan handed him her hand.
The two danced slowly to the accompaniment of a melodious concerto.
Xiang Zhilan remembered that they had a terrible dance once on the ship. She never expected that they could dance so well together, with every step as if they had rehearsed it.
After the dance ended, he led her back to her chair, and the musician withdrew.
The two of them were the only ones left in the entire banquet hall.
Xiang Zhilan looked at him with a smile and asked, "Have you kept me in suspense enough? Where's your gift?"
Shen Muzhi took out a long, thin velvet box and pushed it across the table to her.
"Is it a necklace? A bracelet?" Xiang Zhilan looked at the box and guessed, feeling that if it was, it didn't seem to be a thoughtful gift.
Shen Muzhi shook his head and said, "Open it and take a look."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Zhilan lowered her head and opened the box, revealing a piece of white paper rolled into a thin tube.
"Happy birthday." Shen Muzhi smiled gently, encouraging her with his gaze to unfold the paper.
Xiang Zhilan guessed it would be something like real estate. She took it out of the box, slowly opened it, and found it was a picture.
His gastroscopy results?
She looked down at the list of medical terms, not quite understanding them, so she went straight to the diagnosis: chronic gastric ulcer.
Xiang Zhilan suddenly raised her head and looked at Shen Muzhi in surprise.
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