Chapter 24 Happy Birthday
Sizhui's birthday fell in the middle of December, the coldest time of the year. A heavy snow had fallen a few days before, and long icicles hung from the eaves of the Cloud Recesses, reflecting the sunlight in tiny, fragmented glints.
On his birthday, Sizhui had just finished his morning lessons when he was dragged to the courtyard of the meditation room by Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling. Wei Wuxian was climbing a ladder, hanging red lanterns on the porch. Lan Wangji stood below, holding the ladder and occasionally urging him to "slow down."
"Si Zhui, what do you think of our arrangement?" Lan Jingyi pointed at the red plum blossoms in the yard, their branches tied with colorful ribbons. "Jin Ling and I picked these specially in the back mountains. Are they in full bloom?"
Jin Ling stood aside with his hands behind his back, saying "it's just so-so" but with anticipation in his eyes. Si Zhui looked at the red and white all over the yard, feeling warm in his heart: "It looks great, thank you."
Wei Wuxian jumped down from the ladder and clapped his hands. "That's not all. There's a surprise tonight." He winked at Lan Wangji. "Lan Zhan, what are we having for lunch? I want to make longevity noodles for Si Zhui."
Lan Wangji had already prepared the ingredients and nodded, "They're all in the kitchen."
At lunch, Wei Wuxian served three large bowls of longevity noodles, each containing a round poached egg. He pushed the longest bowl toward Sizhui and said, "Eat more, and you'll live a long life."
Si Zhui was about to pick up his chopsticks when Lan Wangji pulled out a small brocade box from his sleeve and placed it next to him: "Birthday gift."
He opened the brocade box, revealing a jade flute, all white, inlaid with fine cloud patterns and soft to the touch. Si Zhui recognized it as being crafted from warm jade, perfect for someone with a cold constitution like his.
"Thank you, father."
“I have one too!” Wei Wuxian quickly handed over a cloth bag containing several thread-bound books. “Wei Family Talisman Notes” was written on the cover. “This is the talisman notes I compiled. They’re more comprehensive than what’s taught in the academy. Take them and read them carefully.”
Sizhui held the book in his hands, his fingertips tracing his father's handwriting on the cover. Suddenly, his eyes felt warm. He had so much to say, but in the end, he could only say one sentence: "Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Father."
In the evening, Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren also arrived. Lan Xichen brought a jar of his treasured rice wine and said with a smile, "I'm not averse to alcohol today. Let's have a drink together with Sizhui." Lan Qiren handed him a wooden box, which contained a new set of four treasures of the study. The pen holder was engraved with the words "Hold on to the right path and guard the heart."
"Don't slack off in practicing calligraphy." Lan Qiren's tone remained serious, but when Si Zhui thanked him, he nodded slightly, with an imperceptible tenderness in his eyes.
At dinner, everyone gathered around the stove, the table laden with dishes. Wei Wuxian poured everyone a glass of wine, raised his glass, and said with a smile, "Come, let us wish our Sizhui a happy birthday, and peace and success in the years to come!"
"Happy birthday!" Everyone clinked their glasses together, and the soft sound of the glasses clinking mixed with laughter echoed in the warm house.
Lan Jingyi ate with the greatest joy, his mouth stuffed with meat while he kept talking: "Sizhui, let's go night hunting for my birthday next year. I heard there's a valley in the south where peach blossoms bloom even in winter!"
Jin Ling kicked him and said, "Eat your food. Who knows if you'll be free next year?" Although he was being rude, he picked up a piece of pork ribs for Si Zhui and said, "Eat more. We still have to light the lanterns tonight."
The surprise they were talking about was actually releasing river lanterns by the Cold Pond. As night fell, several people arrived at the pond, lanterns in hand. Wei Wuxian had already prepared a variety of lanterns. Sizhui picked up a lotus lantern, lit it over the candlelight, and watched it drift away along the current, like a dancing star.
"What wish did you make?" Wei Wuxian came over and asked.
Si Zhui smiled and said, "It won't work if I say it out loud."
He didn't say it, but in fact his wish was very simple - he hoped that everyone around him would be safe and healthy, and he hoped that the years in the deep clouds would always be warm and stable.
On the way back, Lan Wangji walked in front, holding a lantern to illuminate the snowy path ahead. Wei Wuxian held Sizhui's arm, chattering away about his childhood. Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren walked behind, occasionally exchanging whispers. Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling chased each other in the snow, their laughter carrying far.
Si Zhui looked at the scene in front of him and suddenly felt that the so-called happiness might be like this - the love of family, the company of friends, a warm stove, lights, laughter in the house, and the ordinary days year after year.
He looked up at the sky. Snowflakes had begun to fall again, landing on his hair and eyebrows, bringing a crisp chill, but he didn't feel cold at all. Because he knew that there was enough warmth around him to melt all the snow.
And this kind of warmth will always be there.
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