Birthday
The sun rose quietly, a faint ray of light seeping through the curtains and hitting Gu Tinglan's face directly. His long eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyelids. The light was not strong, but the boy in the bed could not withstand it. He gently opened his eyes.
He immediately turned his head and looked to his side, and only when he confirmed that Xixi had not quietly left again did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Gu Tinglan felt the girl's body temperature beside him and the touch that made him feel safe. She was sleeping soundly, peacefully and beautifully, and didn't seem to have a nightmare. Realizing this, Gu Tinglan raised the corners of his mouth, forming a very small arc.
He subconsciously moved his face closer, wanting to touch Xixi's face, but stopped just before it got too close, as he was afraid of waking her up.
Gu Tinglan got up and washed, recalling what happened last night.
The situation of his parents was probably that they were trapped by something, but he didn't want to care about it. He had no way to care about it at all. There was too little useful information. In short, nothing would happen to them.
The root of everything lies in the curse on Xixi. Once the curse is resolved, everything will return to normal.
After breakfast, Gu Tinglan returned to the library that had been hidden at home to look up information. Time passed little by little until it was almost time for Xixi to get up.
Go to the kitchen and prepare a hot meal for her.
When Xixi walked barefoot to the kitchen door, she saw the boy's broad back. She couldn't help but tiptoe, quietly walked behind him, and then unexpectedly put her arms around his waist.
Gu Tinglan froze for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and smiled. He was not frightened by her, but pretended to be frightened by her, "Wow, you scared me." The tone was like a robot reciting lines numbly.
"Do you think I'm a fool?" Xixi twisted his waist with one hand without using much strength.
"You're not?" Gu Tinglan looked at her sideways, his eyes full of teasing. Seeing that she was about to get angry, he shook the food in his hand and urged, "Go sit down and wait for me to feed you."
Sure enough, Xixi's attention was immediately diverted, and for the sake of delicious food, Xixi let him go.
Gu Tinglan carried the last dish and placed it on the table. He asked her with a relaxed look, "What are you going to do next?"
Xixi knew that he was asking her how to complete the task assigned by Xiyin, but Xixi didn't want to mention it. She said dissatisfiedly, "No matter what we do, we have to wait for the full moon night, right? Also, don't talk about this while I'm eating."
"I have no appetite."
"Okay," Gu Tinglan was not angry at her words, but just said it jokingly, "Since you have no appetite, don't eat."
“…Just eat it!”
*****
Xixi said she wouldn't mention it, so she didn't. Although she was sometimes absent-minded in the following period, her state was the same as before, and the way they got along hadn't changed.
As the full moon drew closer, only three days remained, right before Gu Tinglan's birthday. During these days, Xixi seemed to have completely put that heavy mission behind her. She no longer stared at the Tree of Life in a trance, nor did she suffer from restless dreams. Instead, she became unusually clingy.
While Gu Tinglan was in his study, perusing the brittle, yellowed pages and illegible handwriting of ancient books, she would pull up a small stool and sit beside him, quietly flipping through the colorful comic books of humans. Occasionally, when she came across something interesting, she would tug at his sleeve and insist on pointing it out. At her feet lay a pile of snack wrappers—all of which she had recently collected and found delicious human snacks.
He immersed himself in the difficult rune formations, searching for that glimmer of hope, and often lost track of time. Every time this happened, Xixi would touch the back of his neck with her cold fingertips, or put a peeled candy into his mouth, mumbling, "Gu Tinglan, I'm hungry" or "Gu Tinglan, it's time to go to bed."
He indulged her rare "willfulness" and cherished the almost luxurious tranquility before the storm. Only his furrowed brow and the diligent flipping through the pages under the lamplight late at night revealed the unending anxiety in his heart.
On his birthday, Gu Tinglan woke up early as usual, only to find his side empty. His heart tightened for some reason, and he hurried out of the bedroom.
The living room was quiet, and the breakfast he'd made wasn't laid out on the table as usual. Just as he was wondering, Xixi poked her head out from the balcony, a mysterious yet cheerful smile on her face. "Are you awake? Close your eyes!"
Gu Tinglan raised an eyebrow, but still closed his eyes as he was told. Xixi stood on tiptoe to cover him with a silk scarf, then took his hand with her cold, soft hand and led him forward.
"You can open your eyes now."
He opened his eyes and found himself on the balcony. The morning light was dim, and a gentle breeze caressed his face. The hardy green plants he had planted on the balcony had been slightly moved, and a small round table covered with a fresh tablecloth was placed in the middle.
Instead of an elaborate breakfast, the table was piled high with a myriad of...snacks. Chips of various flavors, chocolate bars, jellies, small cakes, and several bottles of different colored soda. They were meticulously arranged into what looked like...a barely recognizable cake shape, with a thin, gleaming silver "candle" poked crookedly on top. Upon closer inspection, it was a Pocky stick wrapped in silver candy paper.
Xixi touched her nose a little embarrassedly, looking at him with sparkling eyes: "I, I can't cook... You said you were born today, right? Humans always eat cake and blow out candles on their birthdays. These... these are the most delicious ones I think! They're all for you!"
She picked up the "pocky candle," a small, faint purple flame flickered from her fingertips. She carefully lit it (actually, it was a bit of chocolate that melted at the end), and then nervously urged, "Hurry, make a wish! And then blow it out!"
Gu Tinglan looked at the pile of "cakes" that were devoid of nutrition but colorful, looked at the pocky stick that was burning with magic flames, and then looked at Xixi's eyes that were full of anticipation, afraid that he would not like it, and trying to give him a "surprise" in the most clumsy way.
He suddenly recalled the difficult records of the "heart-to-heart contract" in ancient books, and the enormous risks and costs that needed to be taken. But at this moment, all those heavy burdens seemed to be diluted by the pile of childish yet sincere snacks and this ridiculous "candle".
If he was the only one at risk, he wouldn't be so anxious. But once the Heart Contract is activated, both parties will bear the same risk. From the moment it is activated, the fate of the two will be tied together, and they will live and die together.
He solemnly closed his eyes and made a wish, then leaned over and gently blew out the small flame.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Xixi sighing with relief and smiling very happily. She picked up a bag of potato chips and stuffed it into his hand: "This flavor is the best! Come and try it!"
Gu Tinglan took the chips but didn't open them. He simply reached out and hugged the little succubus who had put so much thought into preparing such a "feast" for him tightly. The sun shone on them, warm and peaceful.
Xixi whispered in his arms, "Do you like it?"
"I like it." His voice was a little hoarse, and he hugged her tighter. "This is the best birthday gift I've ever received."
It was more precious than any other delicacy in the world. Because this gift was her unreserved, clumsy, yet sincere love. And he was willing to give everything to protect this love, in exchange for being able to have such moments year after year.
However, Xixi smiled slyly as if she had succeeded. "You must have been fooled by me. Actually, I did 'buy' the cake. Just close your eyes."
Gu Tinglan chuckled and closed his eyes obediently without asking anything. He felt a silk scarf gently covering his eyes again and teased, "You have a strong sense of ritual."
"What do you care about me?" Xixi stood up and fiddled around for a long time before finally taking out the cake and setting it up. Her voice was filled with a hint of suppressed excitement and nervousness. "Look, look."
The scarf slipped off, and Gu Tinglan blinked, adjusting to the light. Besides the previously arranged items, there was another... extremely "special" cake in the center of the table, placed alongside the previously special cake.
The cake was a bit uneven in shape, the buttercream applied unevenly, and the edges threatened to collapse. On top, "Happy Birthday, Gu Tinglan" was scribbled crookedly in some kind of red jam, and next to it, a small, barely recognizable demonic figure was drawn in chocolate sauce. A candle in the center danced merrily.
"You... did it?" Gu Tinglan looked at Xixi in disbelief. Her eyes shone brightly, as if filled with stars. He asked the question almost instantly, even though Xixi had previously said she 'bought' it.
Seeing she hadn't tricked him this time, Xixi gave up the teasing and admitted it directly. She nodded vigorously, a blush spreading across her face. "I... I've been secretly learning for a long time! It might look a bit... um... abstract? But I think the flavor might... maybe... not be too bad?" She spoke in a lower voice, clearly unsure about her "abstract" work.
Because she had a quarrel with Xiyin, Xixi didn't have any help this time. She looked up videos on the Internet and learned from them.
Gu Tinglan's heart felt like it was being gently brushed by the softest feather, filled with an indescribable warmth and bitterness. He had completely forgotten his birthday, but she had remembered and even made him a cake.
"I like it very much." His voice was low and gentle, with undeniable sincerity. "It looks... very unique."
He leaned over and blew out the candle, silently making his only wish in his heart - that she could be safe and happy, no matter what the cost.
Xixi couldn't wait to hand over the plastic knife: "Try it!"
Gu Tinglan cut off a piece. The cake base seemed a little too solid, the cream too sweet, and the jam in the middle was too tart... The various flavors collided in his mouth. It wasn't really delicious, and even a little weird. But he remained calm and ate one bite after another, earnestly.
"How is it?" Xixi stared at him nervously.
"It's delicious." He smiled, cut off another piece and handed it to her mouth, "You should also taste the fruits of your labor."
Xixi took a small bite from his hand, and her expression instantly became strange. After swallowing it with difficulty, she said with a sad face: "Wow... It's so disgusting! Gu Tinglan, don't eat it!"
"No, I think it's very good." He wanted to eat again, but was stopped by Xixi.
"Really, don't eat it! You'll have diarrhea!" She grabbed the plate, looked at the half-eaten cake, then looked at his sincere eyes, and suddenly felt playful.
She picked up a small amount of cream with her fingertips and smeared it on the tip of his nose when he was not paying attention.
Gu Tinglan was stunned.
Xixi looked at his rare dazed look and giggled triumphantly, like a kitten stealing some fish.
However, the next second, her laughter stopped abruptly. A dangerous and charming light flashed in Gu Tinglan's eyes. He also slowly picked up a large piece of cream, but his movements were as fast as lightning.
Xixi screamed and tried to hide, but he stretched out his long arm, wrapped it around her waist, and pulled her back to him. The warm, sweet cream instantly covered half of her cheek, even a little on her eyelashes.
"Ah! Gu Tinglan!" she screamed and tried to wipe it off in a panic, but he grabbed her wrist.
The air suddenly grew thick and ambiguous, leaving only the sound of their ragged breathing. The soft glow of the wall lamp enveloped them, making the mottled traces of cream on their faces and bodies appear particularly charming.
Gu Tinglan's gaze fell deeply on her cream-covered lips, his Adam's apple moving slightly. He slowly lowered his head and licked the cream off her cheek. The warm, moist touch made Xixi shudder, and tiny bumps instantly appeared on her skin.
"It's a bit too sweet," he commented hoarsely, his breath hot on her skin, but his eyes were fixed on hers, as if he was tasting something more tempting.
Then, his kiss fell, carrying the sweetness of cream and her own scent, gently and powerfully invading all her senses. Xixi's mind was blank, and she closed her eyes obediently, feeling this sweet and heart-pounding kiss.
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