Lu Yu didn't like celebrating his birthday?
But Shu Qingqing clearly remembered that in the original novel, when the female lead celebrated Lu Yu's birthday, he was extremely happy and touched.
Could it be that Lu Yu was only willing to let the female lead celebrate his birthday?
But the female lead hadn't even appeared yet at this point in time.
So was Lu Yu just going to skip his seventeenth birthday?
On the drive home, a thought suddenly occurred to Shu Qingqing.
Exactly one week after Lu Yu's birthday was Lu Xun's birthday. If she only threw a party for Lu Xun and not for Lu Yu, wouldn't Lu Yu's fragile young heart feel hurt?
Shu Qingqing had grown up in an orphanage. Almost none of the children there knew their actual birth dates, so the orphanage director, whom they called Mother, would celebrate all their birthdays together on New Year's Day. It was always a lively occasion and the happiest day of the year for Shu Qingqing.
Because of this, she had loved celebrating birthdays since she was a child, and she loved helping others celebrate theirs, too.
After hesitating for a moment, she decided to ask Lu Yu directly. If he truly didn't want to celebrate, she would just give him a present and leave it at that.
Shu Qingqing looked toward the passenger seat. Lu Yu, I saw your ID card earlier. Tomorrow is your birthday. How do you want to celebrate it?
She cleverly asked how he wanted to celebrate, rather than if he wanted to.
Then she added, Tomorrow is your seventeenth birthday. A person only gets one seventeenth birthday in their lifetime. We have to celebrate it properly.
Hearing this, Lu Yu froze for a moment.
Was his birthday approaching again?
His thoughts traveled through the endless night, drifting back to his childhood.
Back then, he was still living at his maternal grandmother's house. After attending another child's birthday party and learning the meaning of birthdays for the first time, he went home and excitedly shared his wish to have a birthday party with his grandmother and aunt.
But all he received in return was a barrage of scolding.
What birthday! You eat our food and drink our water every day without bringing a single penny into this house, and you still want to celebrate a birthday?
Do you know how your mother died? If she hadn't ruined her health giving birth to you, would she have died so young? How do you have the nerve to celebrate your birthday?
Your mother sure had it easy, dying and leaving behind a burden like you.
Go stand over there in the corner. You won't eat until you realize what you did wrong!
In that dark, cramped little room, he stood for an entire day without food or water.
Only when he finally opened his mouth to admit his mistake was he allowed to come out.
Even though his father later took him home, and even though he learned that his mother's passing wasn't his fault, by then, he had long stopped liking birthdays.
His father had always respected his wishes. When he said he didn't like celebrating birthdays, his father didn't press the matter.
But now, Shu Qingqing was telling him that a person only turns seventeen once in their life, and it was worth celebrating properly.
Seeing him stay quiet, Shu Qingqing assumed his silence was a refusal. She had no choice but to say, Well, if you really don't want to celebrate, then we'll let it go.
The car was quiet for a long time before Lu Yu suddenly spoke up. We don't need a big ceremony. Just having a meal together is enough.
Did that mean he agreed to celebrate his birthday?
Shu Qingqing instantly perked up. How could we do that? We have to throw a proper celebration for you. Don't worry, you can count on me.
Watching her excitedly make plans, Lu Yu suddenly felt a pang of sourness in his heart, but he also started to feel a glimmer of anticipation.
Early the next morning, Shu Qingqing began making preparations.
As soon as Zheng Binyang arrived, he mysteriously pulled her into a corner. Auntie Shu, how did you convince Lu Yu to celebrate his birthday?
He had known Lu Yu for almost ten years and had tried countless times to help him celebrate his birthday, only to be rejected every time. He was incredibly curious about how Shu Qingqing had managed it.
It's a secret. Shu Qingqing blinked mysteriously and pointed at a pile of packages on the floor. Later, I'll send Lu Yu out on an errand to buy drinks, and you can help me set all this up.
Zheng Binyang took one look and saw it was all balloons and similar decorations. He quickly declared that he wanted to go buy drinks too.
No, you don't. Shu Qingqing pulled him over and started opening the packages.
The housekeeper also came over to help. The balloons were quickly inflated and arranged into shapes, instantly bringing out a festive atmosphere.
Shu Qingqing stood with her hands on her hips, looking at her masterpiece with great satisfaction.
Upon learning that Lu Yu was about to return, she quickly pulled Lu Bochuan and the old madam to stand off to the side, while she, Lu Xun, and Zheng Binyang waited by the door with party poppers.
Seeing this, the old madam also grabbed one.
The front door opened, and Lu Yu bent down to change his shoes.
Suddenly, countless party poppers exploded above his head.
He looked up, and the slogan on the red banner caught his eye—
Congratulations Brother Yu on turning 17!
Brother Yu must work hard and succeed, and take Qingqing for a ride in a G-Wagon.
Next to it stood a cute, chibi-style cardboard cutout featuring his photo.
Lu Xun came pattering over and handed him a bouquet made out of steel wool. For you, brother. This is my rust-proof love for you.
Lu Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Walking further inside, he saw the living room filled with decorative balloons, and many gifts placed on the coffee table.
Lu Yu was surprised. Why are there so many?
Zheng Binyang threw an arm over his shoulder. Well, the biggest pile over there is from Auntie Shu. She said boys need a sense of ceremony too, so she prepared a gift for every year from your first birthday to your seventeenth. The rest are from the rest of us.
Lu Xun quickly chimed in, Brother, I got you your favorite Transformer! It's super cool!
Zheng Binyang pinched his cheek. I think you mean it's your favorite.
Everyone instantly burst into laughter.
Seeing that it was about time, Shu Qingqing ushered everyone into the dining room to eat.
As they were walking, Lu Bochuan suddenly grabbed her hand. You like driving a G-Wagon?
Shu Qingqing was blank for a moment before she quickly understood.
Lu Bochuan was probably talking about the banner from earlier.
It was a custom greeting she had ordered online. It wasn't that she actually liked G-Wagons; it was purely because it rhymed in Chinese.
Before she had a chance to explain, Lu Bochuan squeezed her fingers. You don't need to wait for Lu Yu to succeed. I'll take you to buy one tomorrow.
The words Shu Qingqing was about to say were instantly swallowed back down. Okay.
The meal prepared by the chefs was incredibly lavish, and Shu Qingqing had even baked the cake herself.
Just as everyone was eating and chatting happily, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Shu Qingqing had already sent the housekeepers back to rest, so upon hearing the bell, she stood up to get the door.
But Lu Yu stood up first. I'll go.
However, after waiting for quite a while, Lu Yu still hadn't returned.
Shu Qingqing called out to Lu Xun, Go see why your brother hasn't come back to eat.
Lu Xun pattered over and quickly returned. Mom, there's an auntie, a grandma, and an older brother standing at the door. They're talking to my brother.
Shu Qingqing was wondering who it could be when she noticed both Lu Bochuan and the old madam's expressions change.
Why are they here! the old madam said, her tone somewhat displeased.
I'll go take a look. Lu Bochuan had just stood up.
Then, a woman's voice drifted in from the doorway: Xiao Yu, your aunt and grandmother came specifically to celebrate your birthday. Why are you blocking the door, child? Is it that stepmother of yours who won't let us in?
