Happy Birthday, Ning!
[Ahhh, Ding Ziyue is such a princess today!]
[This setup is so dreamy; it’s the kind of life that makes people envious!]
…
[I spotted Sister Ning!!]
[Ahhh, Ning-jie, Ning-jie, Ning-jie!]
[I’m only able to catch glimpses of Ning-jie through gaps—who can understand this struggle?]
Today, netizens were especially enthusiastic.
Ding Ziyue’s grand birthday party was livestreamed, and with many popular guests in attendance, the viewership was incredibly high, with comments flooding the screen non-stop.
When Ning Yi appeared, the audience engagement skyrocketed.
Ning Yi dressed very simply today—a white knit dress with her clean, soft hair loose around her shoulders. Yet her exquisitely striking features created a stunning contrast on camera, leaving a deep impression.
However, Ning Yi’s goal for today was clear: eat some cake, enjoy the spectacle, and leave.
Still, it felt a bit wrong to freeload someone else’s cake. To address this, the butler and the chef prepared a set of tableware for Ning Yi to bring as a gift for Miss Ding. They assured her that they’d make her a lavish dinner at home to celebrate later.
The chef joked, “Madam, take this with you. If any of those socialite ladies or young masters are rude to you, just open it up and use it to eat cake!”
Ning Yi was amused by their banter but could feel their genuine concern. They were aware of her awkward status in the elite circle and tried to account for her challenges.
With a small laugh, Ning Yi took the tableware and got into the luxurious car her husband had arranged.
Arriving at the European-style palace hosting the “Ding Princess” birthday party, she stepped out to a crowd already adorned in their finery.
The livestream cameras were set up, broadcasting directly on CMore.
Scanning the area, Ning Yi quickly spotted Song Qingmei, who looked visibly stressed.
Ning Yi’s gift was deliberately casual, but Song Qingmei was clearly under pressure. Over the past few days, Song Qingmei had struggled to choose a gift that wouldn’t send the wrong signals to Ding Ziyue or complicate her dynamic with Jiang Linyi. She hadn’t been sleeping well because of it.
Her fatigue lent her delicate, understated features a poignant quality, which paired unexpectedly well with Ning Yi’s bold and vivid beauty.
Viewers were captivated by the contrast:
“Ahhh, beauties being close to each other is just *chef’s kiss*!”
“Qingmei doesn’t seem as melancholic when she’s near Ning-jie.”
The moment Song Qingmei saw Ning Yi, she inexplicably felt relieved.
She thought to herself, People’s aura is such a curious thing. I’ve met plenty of high-powered individuals with intense and icy presences, but Ning Yi’s aura is entirely different. It’s the kind of calm confidence that comes from seeing it all, letting go of much, and only pursuing happiness and contentment.
Standing next to Ning Yi made her feel much less tense.
Ning Yi smiled warmly, “Relax a bit.”
Song Qingmei nodded, only to see Ding Ziyue approaching in her dreamy bubble princess dress, surrounded by the scent of luxury.
“Big sister, Qingmei, you’re here!”
Ding Ziyue’s gown was extravagantly detailed, making her entrance feel like a scene from a fairy tale.
Meanwhile, the other socialites and heirs presenting their gifts were locked in an unspoken competition—whose gift was from the most exclusive luxury brand? Was it from this season? Anything too outdated would inevitably invite subtle ridicule. Lavishly wrapped boxes stacked by the entrance showcased how surrounded by affection Ding Ziyue was.
In contrast, Ning Yi and Song Qingmei’s gifts stood out—one was plain, the other artistic.
Covering her mouth with a sweet laugh, Ding Ziyue said, “You both brought me gifts? I’m so happy~! I never care about the value of gifts; what matters most to me is the thought behind them.”
Some netizens were immediately touched by her words:
“Wow, no wonder Jiang Linyi fell for her!”
“Yueyue is amazing!”
Song Qingmei handed over her gift with a soft voice, “This is a piece by a photographer I admire.”
She hoped it wouldn’t create any misunderstandings or push Ding Ziyue into an awkward position between her and Jiang Linyi.
Ding Ziyue appeared delighted as she accepted it. Opening the gift, she found a black-and-white landscape photo.
Suspicion flickered in her mind—could this be a place Song Qingmei and Jiang Linyi had visited together? Why gift a landscape photo? Was there an underlying message?
Still, whatever the implication, it wouldn’t matter soon.
Because today, Brother Linyi was going to publicly announce their relationship in front of everyone and the entire nation!
Ding Ziyue smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Qingmei, I love it. Brother Linyi will love it too~.”
Song Qingmei, sensitive to the hint in her tone, stiffened slightly and wanted to leave the scene as soon as possible.
Ning Yi, meanwhile, understood Ding Ziyue perfectly—after all, she was the bold heroine of a brainless romance novel. Her world operated on a completely different logic from normal people!
Ding Ziyue turned to Ning Yi. “Wow, little sister, I bet the gift you brought me is especially thoughtful!”
Ning Yi lifted her gift and smiled faintly. “It’s a set of tableware. Whether it’s thoughtful or not, at least it’s practical.”
Ding Ziyue’s smile twitched. Are you planning to use it yourself later?? Can’t you say anything more elegant, Ning Yi? No wonder no one throws you a birthday party or loves and spoils you!
But netizens were thoroughly amused by Ning Yi’s no-nonsense attitude.
[Haha, honestly, the tableware is pretty nice.]
[Lol, our Ning-jie isn’t here to show off like those fake friends in the elite circle!]
Beside her, Song Qingmei was momentarily stunned.
The relaxed demeanour Ning Yi maintained in front of Ding Ziyue seemed to affect her as well.
Ding Ziyue adjusted her expression, carrying herself with superiority as she invited them inside. “Make sure to truly enjoy yourselves~ Especially you, little sister. I hope you have a wonderful time today!”
Ning Yi lifted her utensils. “I will.”
—By eating a lot (fist pump).
After the two entered, the livestream comments quieted for a moment before reaching a new peak.
[Ahhh, Brother Wan is here!]
[Damn, he’s so handsome! Young Master Gu might be in trouble!]
Wander was also dressed in a suit, but his style lacked the traditional formality. His hair was swept back, with a few strands falling casually over his forehead. A silver diamond earring glittered by his ear as he nonchalantly carried a large box, exuding the air of a carefree, rebellious aristocrat.
[Even though Wander was definitely invited by Ding Ziyue, I don’t care—let’s ship ‘Wan Shi Ru Yi’!]
[Let’s go, Wander x Ning supremacy!]
[Young Master Gu is arriving on the battlefield in 10 seconds.]
[Haha, Young Master Gu is way too busy. He’s definitely not coming.]
Wander arrived at the entrance.
Ding Ziyue blushed slightly at the sight of him. Wander had an aura unlike other men, as though he’d lived through fire and ash, viewing the world with a certain nonchalance. Yet, he could still evoke an inexplicable sense of safety.
Face flushed, Ding Ziyue reached out to accept the large box he was carrying. “Brother Wan, thank you so much for coming…”
But before she could touch it, Wander casually sidestepped her and pulled a small, perfunctory gift box from his pocket. Handing it to her, he said, “Happy birthday.”
Ding Ziyue froze. The big box isn’t for me???
Before she could react further, Wander had already turned and entered the venue.
01 would be here today.
Wander thought to himself, People kept joking about Wander x Ning being tragically doomed. Hilarious.
He and 01 had a pure bromance—how could it possibly end badly? Absolutely not.
After Wander’s arrival, the guest list was mostly complete.
However, Ding Ziyue remained by the entrance, eagerly scanning the crowd. When is Young Master Gu coming?
Surely, he would make his grand entrance after Jiang Linyi publicly announced their relationship. That’s how the story went, right?
In this part of the plot, Eldest Young Master Gu’s actions would influence the Ding family’s future. But Jiang Linyi would fill in the gaps, proving his devotion and love for her. The nation would witness their love and be envious of their bond!
Still—Eldest Young Master Gu not showing up right now was a good thing. It meant he wasn’t accompanying Ning Yi either.
Poor Ning Yi, no one to celebrate her birthday with. How pitiful. I’ll give her some love later!
Soft violin music began to play, marking the official start of Ding Ziyue’s birthday party.
First, Ding Ziyue stood in the centre of the palatial banquet hall and gave a speech—brief by her standards at 3,000 words.
Every word highlighted her parents’ love, her brother’s care, Jiang Linyi’s devotion, and the world’s adoration for her!
Meanwhile, Ning Yi casually poured herself a pot of jasmine tea that paired perfectly with cake.
In the corner, waitstaff discreetly wheeled out an extravagant eight-layer dreamlike cake, while Jiang Linyi prepared to step out and deliver his ultimate display of affection.
Just as Ning Yi was savouring her anticipation, she suddenly heard Ding Ziyue mention her name—
“Everyone might not know, but today is also my sister Ning Yi’s birthday.”
Spotlights instantly turned to Ning Yi.
Ning Yi, who had been chatting with Song Qingmei, blinked. Wow, Ding Ziyue, you’re so busy yet still found time to give me a bit of screen time? Truly touching.
Ding Ziyue’s voice was filled with tenderness. “What many don’t know is that my sister grew up in the countryside and has never had a proper celebration. I’ve always felt so sorry for her. So this time, since no one else is celebrating for her, I’ll give her this bit of love!”
The crowd of socialites erupted in quiet laughter.
“Wow, Ning Yi really is pitiful.”
“Ziyue is so kind-hearted.”
“Look, even Young Master Gu didn’t show up. Their marriage is basically non-existent—just as we expected.”
“Honestly, Ning Yi doesn’t belong in our circle. Maybe she’s better suited for the athletic games coming up; her countryside stamina should be great, haha!”
Jiang Linyi, preparing to make his grand appearance, didn’t intend to mock Ning Yi. Watching Ding Ziyue’s profile as she spoke, he felt a warm surge of affection. This is why she’s the girl I’m announcing my love for today—so kind and pure.
Song Qingmei, unfamiliar with the dynamics between Ning Yi and Ding Ziyue, instinctively felt that being publicly spoken about in this manner wasn’t a good thing. She thought about how she would feel if someone aired her personal history in front of so many people—she’d want to run away and cry on the spot.
Turning to look at Ning Yi, she was shocked to see Ning Yi as calm as ever. Not only that, but Ning Yi patted Song Qingmei’s shoulder when she noticed her sympathy.
What even is this?!
Ning Yi was clearly more interested in the drama. Any juicy scenes coming up? Even a good dish would do.
Meanwhile, Wander, leaning casually against a wall, frowned unhappily. This Ding Ziyue… I thought she was just a harmless narcissist, but it seems she has quite a bit of malice toward 01.
Who said no one’s celebrating 01’s birthday? I specifically brought a gift for her.
Is her husband even doing his job?
Ding Ziyue lifted her gown gracefully, walking toward Ning Yi under the gaze of the crowd and cameras, and handed her a gift box.
“Sister, this is the birthday gift I carefully picked for you. I’m truly happy you could attend my party. I don’t know if you’ll like it, but—”
Ning Yi was just about to reach for it and give it a curious shake when the grand palace doors suddenly creaked open.
With a loud “squeak,” a cool and detached voice echoed through the room.
“What gift?”
“If it’s for my wife, it has to go through me first.”
For several seconds, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
Then the livestream chat exploded.
[Ahhh, it’s Young Master Gu!]
[OMG so handsome, so handsome, so handsome ahhhh!]
[Let’s go! Gu’s Ning supremacy!!!]
The man had high-arched brows, deep-set eyes, and an indifferent gaze that swept across the room with a presence so overwhelming it felt like the deep sea itself. Though seated in a wheelchair, the perfectly tailored suit on his chest and legs gave the impression of restrained power, ready to be unleashed.
It was hard to imagine how someone could command such kingly authority even from a wheelchair, yet Gu Cheng did.
All the socialite ladies in the room were instantly reminded of their days spent admiring Eldest Young Master Gu—he was the ideal man, their unattainable dream, the one they all wished to marry.
And now, he was as dazzlingly handsome and regal as ever.
Ning Yi scratched her head and glanced around at the stunned expressions.
Perfect, everyone was struck by the domineering aura of their king.
Gu Cheng, you truly are the King of All Drama Kings!
For a moment, Ning Yi even wanted to switch bodies with him to fully experience it.
Ding Ziyue, meanwhile, was frozen by Gu Cheng’s comment.
Was Young Master Gu here to play his part in the plot, or… was he really here? He couldn’t possibly be here to support Ning Yi, could he? She refused to believe it!
Meanwhile, the livestream chat was buzzing with excitement:
[Young Master Gu is here to chase his wife! Ahhhh, I’m screaming!]
[Gu’s Ning supremacy is leveling up!]
[Fight, fight, fight! I love this love triangle drama!]
Ding Ziyue’s gift instantly became awkward—neither giving it nor taking it back felt right.
Of course, she hadn’t chosen anything too expensive for Ning Yi. The gift was meant to be a token, something that would subtly make Ning Yi feel out of place. But now that Young Master Gu wanted to inspect it, it would be utterly embarrassing if he mocked it in front of everyone!
Her mind raced before she forced a smile and began retracting the gift. “In that case, I’ll just—”
“Huh?” Ning Yi asked bluntly. “You’re not giving it to me?”
Since when was taking back a gift part of proper etiquette?
Her straightforwardness and the genuine confusion in her bright eyes sent the livestream viewers into hysterics. Even the people at the scene couldn’t hold back their laughter.
Wander discreetly covered his mouth to suppress a grin. Too cute, Little 01.
But then he glanced at Eldest Young Master Gu, who was slowly wheeling himself over to Ning Yi’s side, and ground his teeth.
If I had known, I would’ve given her my gift first. But no matter, there’s still time.
Standing nearby, Jiang Linyi noticed the growing tension and smoothed down his tailored, vintage tuxedo. As the lights dimmed for dramatic effect, he stepped into the spotlight.
Ding Ziyue, knowing this was the moment he would make their relationship public, turned with a look of wide-eyed innocence and curiosity.
She pouted into the microphone. “Excuse me, is the lighting technician here? Why did the lights go dim?”
Jiang Linyi, with a face full of affection, walked to the centre of the hall, earning cheers from the crowd.
[Oooohhh!]
[What’s Film Emperor Jiang planning for Ziyue?]
This moment, where Jiang Linyi and Ding Ziyue’s relationship would be announced to the nation, was a highlight for the elite social circle in attendance.
But the livestream audience’s attention wasn’t on them.
Their focus was on the corner of the screen, where Gu Cheng, Wander, and Ning Yi were stealing the show.
[Wander just walked up to Ning Yi! He’s handing her a gift! Wander x Ning +1 point!]
[But Young Master Gu pulled his wife close and held her wrist! Ahhhh, true love! This must be possessiveness, right?! Right?!]
Though the trio was in a corner of the hall, the camera still managed to capture their every move, much to the delight of netizens armed with metaphorical magnifying glasses.
Public confession to the nation? The livestream chat couldn’t care less. They’d known about Jiang Linyi and Ding Ziyue’s relationship forever. What could compare to the drama of a love triangle featuring a billionaire CEO and a top-tier eSports player?
[But Ning Yi clearly loves Wander’s gift! Look at her smiling! Wander x Ning takes the lead!]
[Young Master Gu’s move ultimately fell short!]
Standing about three meters diagonally behind Young Master Gu, Assistant Zhou kept a close eye on the live stream comments on his tablet.
He was practically fuming. Young Master, you’re losing ground here! You’re being undervalued!
Our Young Master’s gift isn’t something that can even be carried, okay?!
Gu’s Ning supremacy is the most epic!!!
Ning Yi, on the other hand, was thoroughly entertained by the contents of Wander’s large box.
Inside was a custom-made jade sculpture—a combination of pink Hetian peach blossom jade and natural purple agate. The jade was fine and glossy, while the agate reflected subtle mineral glimmers. The design was highly unique—
Hahahaha, what even is this?!
Ning Yi couldn’t help but like the gift. Say what you will, but back at the jewellery fair when Wander bought jade to swat flies, he’d proven himself to be a true joker.
Seeing the amusement on Ning Yi’s face, Gu Cheng scoffed. “This gift… what’s the meaning behind it?”
At most, it was worth a few hundred thousand. Its bizarre design ensured it had no resale value. From the perspective of a successful businessman, this gift was completely insignificant.
Gu Cheng’s expression was as icy as ever.
Wander remained calm. “As long as she understands it, that’s enough.”
Ning Yi stifled her laughter and thanked him sincerely, “Alright, alright, thank you, big bro.”
Surviving the apocalypse until today—those memories are precious.
Gu Cheng glanced at her sideways, his irritation creeping up his spine.
What exactly had they experienced together to form such a bond?
Young Master Gu wanted to know—but Young Master Gu wasn’t about to ask.
Hmph.
She’s this happy over a piece of jade?
She better cry tonight when she sees my gift, or this won’t end here.
“Hubby, why are you here?”
“I had time.”
“?”
Ning Yi didn’t really care to ask further.
Then again, she reasoned that tonight’s plotline was probably trivial for Gu Cheng. However, participating in the plot could expedite his recovery, so it wasn’t entirely meaningless.
Having finished accepting Wander’s gift, Ning Yi turned her attention back to the scene.
Jiang Linyi and Ding Ziyue’s heartfelt confession was drawing to a close, with both of them teary-eyed and embracing each other as the eight-layer dream cake was finally brought out!
At the very top of the cake sat a dazzling diamond crown.
Ding Ziyue was over the moon.
Surely this will dominate the national trending topics! I’ve even thought of the hashtags!
#JiangLinyiAnnouncesGirlfriendDingZiyue
#DingZiyueTheMostCherishedPrincess
#WhoDoesn’tWantToBeDingZiyue
Meanwhile, the top trending topic on CMore was:
#Gu’sNingVsWanderAndNing—WhoWins?!
Gu Cheng, arms crossed and seated in his wheelchair, glanced dismissively at the crown atop the cake that Ning Yi seemed to admire.
Right now, he felt disdain for every gift anyone gave.
A crown? A flashy, useless thing.
Hah.
Beside him, Ning Yi clapped her hands. “Wow, so beautiful, so sweet—so enviable.”
Gu Cheng: “?”
He let out a cold laugh. You just wait. You’ll cry later.
Jiang Linyi and Ding Ziyue held the knife together, ceremoniously slicing into the cake. The rich and intricate layers were revealed: chocolate mousse with dragon fruit chunks, Earl Grey tea cake with dense cream cheese, dark chocolate cake with caramelized nuts, and Uji matcha mille crepes…
This time, Ning Yi let out a heartfelt “Wow—”
She loved it all.
Ding Ziyue, holding a wine glass, glided through the banquet hall with Jiang Linyi doting on her every step. The whole atmosphere felt as though they were getting married.
With her cheeks glowing, Ding Ziyue originally intended to use this radiant moment to make Ning Yi feel thoroughly envious.
But when she looked over, she was stunned.
Gu Cheng was seated closely beside Ning Yi, while Wander stood just two steps away, also watching her. The scene looked like the two men were fighting for Ning Yi’s attention!
Ding Ziyue was baffled.
Wait a minute—who’s the protagonist here?!
Looking around at the expressions of the wealthy elites present, all of whom showed a mix of envy and frustration toward Ning Yi, Ding Ziyue grew even more displeased. She scanned the crowd and finally locked onto Song Qingmei as her next target.
Song Qingmei was currently watching Ning Yi devour five different flavours of cake in one go, cutting slice after slice with gusto.
After observing her for a while, Song Qingmei let out a breath and smiled.
She suddenly understood why Ning Yi was so relaxed, so carefree, and why she was so captivating.
Because Ning Yi believed the problem was with everyone else, not herself.
That’s why she treated everything as a source of amusement.
“Oh, Qingmei, I’m so sorry,” Ding Ziyue said as she approached, feigning concern. “I didn’t expect Brother Linyi to suddenly… I hope I didn’t neglect you. He’ll scold me for not being a good host!”
“It’s fine,” Song Qingmei said with a light smile. “Let him scold if he wants.”
She thought to herself, Ning Yi really is different from everyone else in this world. Just watching her makes me feel so much lighter.
Ding Ziyue: Why does Qingmei seem different too?
Could it be that Qingmei didn’t feel her position was threatened by Ding Ziyue and Jiang Linyi’s relationship? Well, once Jiang Linyi used his box office earnings to save the Ding family and they weathered the storm together, their story would surely make Qingmei’s childhood connection to him pale in comparison!
Tonight, with Young Master Gu here, surely the dramatic plotline would move forward!
Ding Ziyue glanced toward Gu Cheng—
And there, Ning Yi was eating her fifth slice of cake.
Gu Cheng sighed. “Finish this slice and stop.”
Ning Yi, cheeks puffed with cake, widened her eyes and mumbled, “You’re even controlling how much cake I eat at someone else’s party?”
Gu Cheng responded helplessly, “I’m not concerned about the cake. I’m concerned about your stomach.”
Who cares about the cake?
The livestream audience couldn’t hear their conversation, but they could see their expressions.
[Ning-jie is too adorable; I’m melting!]
[Am I the only one who thinks that even though Young Master Gu’s expression doesn’t change much, he seems so doting?!]
[Me, me, me! +1! It’s so heart-warming, I’m crying!]
Gu Cheng truly felt defeated by Ning Yi’s famine-style eating habits. Eating this much cake wasn’t a problem in itself, but given that she’d definitely go all out at dinner later, it was better to save her stomach.
In the end, Ning Yi stopped after six slices of cake.
Luckily, the remaining two flavours weren’t ones she liked anyway.
Wander, who had joined her in eating a mountain of cake, casually handed her a cup of jasmine tea as she finished. With a playful smile, he said, “Why is your husband even controlling your food? Not like me—I’d just feel sorry for you, 01.”
Ning Yi nearly choked on her tea from laughing.
[Ahhh, Wander x Ning supremacy! Wander’s version of doting is on another level!]
[Both ships are so sweet. I’m surrendering—just let all this sugar crush me!]
Unaware of what the netizens were thinking, Ning Yi happily patted her full stomach and glanced at her husband, who was seated in his wheelchair with a calm yet clearly impatient expression toward everything happening at the banquet.
Gu Cheng looked back at her.
Their gazes met.
Ning Yi: “Why haven’t you done *that* yet?”
Gu Cheng: “What *that*?”
Wave your hand and obliterate Ding Ziyue’s world, of course! That’s the most exciting part of tonight’s plot!
Gu Cheng watched her expressive face, clearly trying to convey something.
“Did you eat too much?” he asked objectively.
Ning Yi: “???”
Are you insulting me right now?!
In the end, despite Ding Ziyue’s hopeful anticipation, Gu Cheng didn’t wave his hand to complicate the main couple’s love story.
Gu Cheng’s purpose for attending the banquet was singular: to bring Ning Yi home with him. Mission accomplished.
The socialites and heiresses could only seethe with envy as they watched Gu Cheng leave with Ning Yi by his side. They desperately sought solace by gossiping in their private chat groups.
[Look, Young Master Gu didn’t even give Ning Yi a birthday gift, right?]
[Of course not. If he did, Ning Yi would act all smug!]
[See? Ziyue is still the happiest!]
[Exactly!]
As Ning Yi prepared to leave, Wander waved from the back of the hall. “Make sure to put it somewhere you can see it, 01.”
Ning Yi replied, “Got it~”
Gu Cheng, with a frosty expression, interrupted their farewell. “Are we leaving or not?”
Ning Yi grinned. “Okay, okay, let’s go!”
If my stingy husband is in such a rush, you’d better have a gift for me later. Otherwise, this isn’t over!! (Cue a roaring tiger sound effect.)
Gu Cheng first took Ning Yi to his office to handle some work.
Ning Yi wasn’t bored though; the bodyguards were too familiar with her by now. Knowing it was her birthday, Wang Wu rallied Song Yan and a few other brothers to put on an impromptu dance performance for her.
Though their moves were utterly tragic, Ning Yi was laughing so hard she couldn’t stop.
Inside his office, Gu Cheng heard Ning Yi’s joyful laughter echoing alongside the eight bodyguards and quickened his work pace, his expression stoic as ever.
By dinnertime, Gu Cheng brought Ning Yi back to the Gu family residence.
The kitchen staff had spent the entire day preparing and were ready to show off their culinary prowess as soon as she arrived!
While the Gu family’s daily meals were already of an incredibly high standard, today they pulled out all the stops for Ning Yi’s birthday, showcasing all sorts of fresh seafood and gourmet dishes. Ning Yi’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the lavish spread.
“Wow!”
“Wow, wow!”
“Look at this one boiled, this one in salt and pepper, and this one with garlic—”
Ning Yi sat by the table, practically glowing with happiness. “Ugh, I’m not even eating yet, and I’m already so happy!”
The birthday cake was intentionally modest in size, as Song Lan and Old Master Gu didn’t eat cake. It was made just for the younger generation and crafted with exquisite detail to suit Ning Yi’s favorite flavours.
The main course, too, was filled with all her favorite. Watching Ning Yi devour her meal with unrestrained joy was enough to tell everyone how much she loved it.
Song Lan and Old Master Gu smiled warmly.
“Being able to eat is a blessing! How wonderful.”
The dining table radiated a joyful atmosphere.
When the meal was almost finished, Song Lan brought out her gift first—a set of ruby jewellery with a maple leaf design, perfect for the season.
Old Master Gu followed with his gift: a house deed. At his age, he had an abundance of properties, so he gifted one to Ning Yi, suggesting it could be a place for her and Gu Cheng to spend some quality time together.
Gu Le also presented his gift—a full PS5 gaming system with pink controllers, a present so thoughtful it would make any guy tear up, let alone Ning Yi.
Ning Yi was overwhelmed by the pile of gifts and didn’t recover for quite a while.
Song Lan smiled as she put the necklace on Ning Yi. “Happy birthday! Thank you for coming into our family.”
Ning Yi didn’t know how to describe how she felt.
Her stomach was full—so full she hadn’t felt hunger in a long time—and she didn’t have that tense, fearful feeling from before either. Her heart was just as satisfied, filled to the brim with a comforting weight.
Ning Yi, a person who could normally spew thousands of words without thinking, was momentarily at a loss for words. “Th-thank you, everyone!”
She had received so much!
She thought she didn’t even care what her husband’s gift was anymore!
Sniff sniff.
Gu Cheng gave her a casual glance, his expression unreadable.
Ning Yi: Okay, maybe I still care a little.
“Hubby,” Ning Yi murmured, rubbing her fingertips together with a cheeky grin.
Gu Cheng’s lips curved into a confident smile.
He tossed his phone to Ning Yi, the screen showing his photo gallery. There were only three pictures.
The first was a luxurious yacht docked by the sea. The second was an enormous, bright, and airy mansion. The third was a photo of two rows of people in formal suits bowing outside a company building.
Gu Cheng’s smirk remained firmly in place.
Surely, this would make her cry.
Ning Yi flipped through the photos a few times, her face blank. “That’s it?”
Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow. “What else were you expecting?”
Ning Yi stared at him, dumbfounded.
Stingy jerk!
You’re giving me three photos as a gift?!
Sensing the mood, the exceptionally tactful Assistant Zhou stepped forward from the corner of the dining room and gently explained, “Madam, these are the actual gifts from Young Master Gu. It’s just that they’re not convenient to display, so he presented them in picture form.”
Having said that, Assistant Zhou wisely retreated to his corner, looking like his life depended on it.
Ning Yi blinked, processing what he said, and then launched herself at Gu Cheng.
“Hub—by—!”
Gu Cheng let out a low chuckle.
Ning Yi, eyes closed, began pouring out compliments. “Hubby, you love me too much! Darling, I’m so moved, so happy—I don’t even know what to say! You’re the most handsome, money-powered man in the world. Marrying you was the best decision of my life! I love you so much!”
When it came to Gu Cheng, Ning Yi was never at a loss for words. Compliments flowed from her like a rainbow waterfall.
Silently vowing to herself, she decided that tomorrow she’d finally learn some proper massage techniques. If her husband gave her gifts worth tens of millions, she could at least give him a massage worth 398 yuan in return!
^3^
Everyone at the table watched them with warm smiles.
Gu Cheng, nearly choked by Ning Yi’s overflowing affection, patted her arm and said, “There’s one more gift.”
Ning Yi looked up with sparkling eyes. “Really?”
Ten minutes later.
The Gu family gathered at the centre square of the estate, staring at a large fireworks launcher.
Gu Cheng gestured toward Ning Yi. “Light it yourself.”
It was a custom firework, one of her gifts.
Ning Yi rubbed her hands together, thinking it was manageable.
Lighting a firework? Easy for someone like me!
Hopping over to the launcher, she struck a match and lit the fuse.
But the spark was ferocious, bursting into life with an intense crackle. Ning Yi instinctively shut her eyes, thinking, Ahhh, hubby!
To her surprise, the next moment, Gu Cheng was swapped into her place, directly facing the exploding sparks.
Gu Cheng: “…”
Ning Yi: It wasn’t on purpose!
Feeling guilty after receiving so many gifts, she immediately swapped them back within a second or two.
Pretending nothing had happened, Ning Yi clapped her hands. “Wow, so beautiful!”
Gu Cheng: … Do you think I didn’t notice?
Still, they’d swapped bodies enough times for one day, and the cooldown period had kicked in.
When Ning Yi bounced back to his side, Gu Cheng caught her hand and held it in his palm.
“It hasn’t started yet… Wait for it.”
The firework shot up into the sky with a loud *whoosh*, and all eyes followed its glittering trail.
Ning Yi tilted her head back, watching as the firework exploded with a vibrant burst of light, illuminating the night sky with dazzling colours.
The sparkles gradually formed into the shape of… a cake?
Ning Yi: “?”
Beside her, Gu Cheng’s voice rang out with a kingly air. “Hah. Eight-layer cakes? Child’s play.”
“This cake is the height of a fifty-story building.”
Ning Yi: “?”
Hubby, you really love to one-up people, don’t you?
But she had to admit—it was pretty cool. ^3^
—
Meanwhile, the elite group chat buzzed with mockery about Ning Yi’s supposedly miserable birthday.
[Still no sign of Ning Yi. Guess she didn’t get any gifts.]
[Has Yueyue finished organizing all her gifts yet? Post a pic to make netizens jealous!]
[Wait, look outside… at the sky…]
[Isn’t that in the direction of the Gu estate???]
[Holy sh—]
[WHAT???]
That night, the skies over City A lit up with the sight of a spectacular cake-shaped firework and the words “Happy Birthday, Ning Yi” in bold, glittering letters.
[…]
[Logging off, goodnight.]
[Goodnight. Dammit.]
Ning Yi: Hehehehe.
So satisfying. Thanks, hubby! ^3^
—
Under the sparkling fireworks, young Master Gu Le darted around excitedly with a sparkler in hand. “Sister-in-law, come try this one!”
Ning Yi, unable to resist lighting fireworks despite being clumsy at it, eagerly joined him. “Sure, sure!”
The small sparklers crackled and popped in her hands, casting a warm, flickering light across her face.
Gu Cheng leaned back in his chair, watching them quietly, his gaze calm yet soft.
Gradually, he noticed a faint sensation in his legs, like light slowly gathering. He focused on it and suddenly felt a shift.
Looking up, he saw Ning Yi’s flushed cheeks illuminated by the sparkler’s glow. Her bright, sparkling eyes reflected his figure.
“Hubby, here,” Ning Yi said shyly, handing him a small sparkler.
Gu Cheng stared at her for a few seconds before reaching out to take it.
For a moment, he felt something warm—an unfamiliar, yet deeply stirring emotion.
After a while, Gu Cheng called her name softly.
“Ah Yi.”
“Hmm?”
Holding the extinguished sparkler, Gu Cheng sighed.
“If it’s hot, just say so.”
Why must you insist on making me hold it?
Ning Yi took the spent sparkler back, placed it in her mouth like a rose, and gave him a playful, heartfelt smile.
“Love you, hubby.”
—
—Dog-head holding a rose, tonight I won’t let you sleep.
Gu Cheng: Alright then.
Love is love.
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