The line above the photo was still He Xiang wishing her a happy birthday.
At this moment, He Xiang, who was solving problems under his desk lamp in the dorm, heard his phone vibrate. He tilted his head, picked it up, and opened the photo Ji Nian had sent.
The smiling faces of their friends filled the screen.
In the front, Ji Nian was making a heart gesture with one hand, her wrist adorned with three intertwined bracelets, the most eye-catching of which was a white floral chain with an oil-painting-like texture dangling in the middle.
He Xiang smirked and replied with a ‘chick spinning in circles’ sticker.
Glancing at the time, he stretched his stiff neck, stood up, and grabbed the down jacket hanging nearby before heading out to grab a bite.
Just as he stepped out of the dorm building, someone called his name.
A man in uniform hurried over. "Are you He Xiang?"
"That’s me."
"Ah, perfect. This is an urgent express delivery from S City."
With that, he handed over the package and left.
He Xiang took it, glanced down, then slowly turned back to his dorm. After closing the door, he cleared his desk of books and placed the package on it.
Inside was a slice of cake.
The rich, sweet aroma instantly transported him from the quiet dorm to the luxurious, warm, and fragrant banquet hall.
He sat down, unwrapped the fork, and began eating in silence.
A little cold, but delicious.
...
"You guys chat first, I’m going to the restroom."
Ji Nian excused herself and walked away.
Before leaving, she glanced around and felt reassured seeing Ji Tingzhou talking with Lu Zhi.
Yes, Lu Zhi had come too.
Ji Nian had been pleasantly surprised to see him earlier and exchanged a few words.
"Young miss, stepping out for some air?"
A household servant noticed her and asked softly.
Ji Nian nodded. "Yeah, it’s too crowded inside. I need a breather."
The servant understood and discreetly covered for her.
Ji Nian wandered around looking for Lu Jinghuai. Near the courtyard, a group of children were gazing up at fireworks, and they soon spotted her, clustering around her with excited chatter.
She called someone to distribute candies to the kids before finally breaking free.
Just as she was about to call Lu Jinghuai, a tapping sound came from the window beside her.
She turned and, through the carved wooden windowpane, met Lu Jinghuai’s smiling eyes.
Instinctively, she grinned and circled around to meet him.
He looked exceptionally handsome today—not in a traditional suit, but in an elegant, refined outfit inspired by O Country’s traditional attire, giving off a princely aura.
But what surprised Ji Nian the most was...
"You cut your hair."
She stepped closer, studying him.
His previously shoulder-length hair was now much shorter, with strands barely grazing his earlobes. The change erased the faint androgyny he once had, replacing it with a striking, almost magnetic intensity. His face remained beautiful, his gaze still tender, but now underscored by a newfound masculine allure.
It suddenly dawned on Ji Nian.
Lu Jinghuai had grown up.
The delicate youthfulness was fading, replaced by the intoxicating maturity of a man.
"Do you like it?"
He seemed slightly nervous, fingers brushing his hair.
Ji Nian immediately reassured him. "It looks great. Really handsome."
"Like a prince."
Lu Jinghuai smiled faintly and extended his arm in an inviting gesture.
"Well then, Princess, would you honor me with a dance?"
The faint sound of violins drifted from the banquet hall. Ji Nian looped her arm through his and led him toward the bamboo grove. "Of course."
Deep in the grove, Lu Jinghuai held Ji Nian’s waist as they swayed to the fragmented melody carried by the wind.
"Look at my bracelet—He Xiang’s birthday gift. What do you think?"
During a spin, Ji Nian raised her wrist to show him.
Lu Jinghuai glanced at it, then took her hand for a closer look. "It’s lovely. He has good taste."
"Too bad he couldn’t make it today."
"Mm, but we can visit him next weekend."
"Great idea!"
They chatted as they danced.
Lu Jinghuai even taught Ji Nian a traditional O Country dance—lively, full of spins, and thrilling.
Once she got the hang of it, they turned it into a competition: whoever got dizzy first would get their belly button poked.
In the end, Ji Nian, despite her heels, spun one more time than Lu Jinghuai and narrowly won.
She strongly suspected he had gone easy on her, but she didn’t mind—she’d much rather poke someone else’s belly button than have hers poked.
Lu Jinghuai shed his jacket, sitting beside Ji Nian in just his shirt, and even helped her out of her heels.
They sat shoulder to shoulder in comfortable silence, watching the moon’s reflection ripple on the lake.
"A belated birthday gift."
Suddenly, he spoke, extending his hand toward her.
His fingers unfurled to reveal a strange yet mesmerizing stone, its surface glowing with an otherworldly luminescence.
Ji Nian gasped. "The Jialan Stone?"
Lu Jinghuai nodded.
"It’s not mine. This one is for you."
The realization that he had braved the sea—despite his deep-seated trauma—just for this struck Ji Nian. She looked up at him.
But Lu Jinghuai seemed perfectly calm.
"I wanted to give you this blessing, just as my parents did for me."
He placed the stone in her palm and closed her fingers around it.
Leaning in, he kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and her cheeks, whispering, "May the one I cherish most be free from sorrow, forever surrounded by joy."
It was a line from the picture book about the warrior and the Jialan Stone that Lu Jinghuai had loved as a child.
Ji Nian clenched the stone. "Thank you."
Their eyes locked, reflections of each other drawing closer.
Just as their lips were about to meet, a firework exploded overhead with a loud bang.
Ji Nian jolted and pulled back. "Wait, it’s already this late? I need to find Dad and Mo, or someone will come looking for me."
Lu Jinghuai propped his elbow on the bench, resting his chin on his hand as he tilted his head to look at her. His silence radiated mild resentment.
"I’ll be quick. I’ll come back soon."
Ji Nian grabbed her shoes, bending to put them on.
Lu Jinghuai sighed softly. "Fine. I’ll wait here."
He knelt, letting her step onto his knee as he helped her into her heels.
Ji Nian dashed off like Cinderella fleeing before the magic faded at midnight.
"Took you long enough for a bathroom break."
On the balcony, Ji Tingzhou crossed his arms and gave her a sidelong glance.
Ji Nian grinned and sidled up to him. "Had a massive poop."
"Boundaries, child. I don’t need the details."
His tone was half-annoyed, half-embarrassed.
Ji Nian giggled and slung an arm around her uncle’s shoulder.
Chen Mo smiled gently. "Alright."
"It’s time."
"Happy birthday, Ji Nian. Welcome to adulthood."
As Chen Mo’s last word faded, dazzling lights burst across the night sky, drawing gasps from the crowd.
A dazzling, fluorescent dragon composed of shimmering lights soared across the sky, its jaws clutching a tiny chick as it let out a mighty roar before exploding into a shower of falling stars. The words "Happy Birthday, Ji Nian" then lit up the night.
At that moment, nearly the entire city witnessed the breathtaking spectacle.
Ji Nian laughed and hugged Ji Tingzhou and Chen Mo. "Thank you, Dad and Uncle. I love it."
Ji Tingzhou gazed at the girl who now stood up to his chest, remembering the little one who used to toddle over, chirping "Daddy, Daddy" just for a bite of dessert. A tender smile unconsciously curled at his lips.
...
After savoring the fireworks specially arranged for her birthday, Ji Nian clutched the gift Lu Jinghuai had given her and went off to find him.
Before she could spot him, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and yanked her into a secluded corner. Instinctively, Ji Nian swung a punch—only to freeze mid-motion as she recognized the familiar presence.
Lu Jinghuai pinned her against the wall, his silver eyes glinting with mischief. "Now," he murmured, "your time belongs to me."
With that, he leaned down and kissed her.
Ji Nian tilted her head up, yielding to him.
It was their first kiss, and both were clumsy at first. But Lu Jinghuai was a quick learner, soon mastering the rhythm.
Pulling back just enough to let her catch her breath, he looked at her with lips now flushed deep red. "Did you like it?" he asked softly.
"Like it? Then let's try again."
Ji Nian: "……"
Did I even say anything?
Before she could protest, Lu Jinghuai dipped his head once more—only to be interrupted by a furious shout from nearby.
"Ji Nian!"
Her mind went blank with panic.
[Oh shit.]
