Chapter 9

The day I landed at the airport happened to be my birthday.

Shao Lingchuan had everything prepared early on, insisting on throwing me a grand and unforgettable twenty-seventh birthday celebration to mark my entry into the ranks of aging bachelors.

I scoffed lightly, choosing not to banter with him. Something crossed my mind, and the curve of my lips flattened slightly. I asked him, “You didn’t invite him, did you?”

I didn’t name names, but we both knew who I meant.

Shao Lingchuan patted his chest confidently. “Relax, how could I possibly invite him on my own?”

Hearing this, I felt reassured.

That was, until I stepped through the door and caught sight of Duan Chen’s face among the crowd.

It was then I realized Shao Lingchuan had been playing word games with me. He said he wouldn’t invite him proactively, but that didn’t include Duan Chen showing up on his own initiative.

I should have known. From my fifteenth birthday until now, Duan Chen had never missed one.

Before I turned fifteen, I had no concept of birthdays-because no one cared.

After I turned fifteen, Duan Chen cared for me.

Today, Duan Chen was unusually dressed up. A white shirt, black trousers, topped with a camel-colored coat, and even his hair was styled with gel.

He looked more formal than the birthday boy himself.

His eyes lit up slightly when they landed on me, his posture straightened, and his hand lifted slightly, as if he was about to greet me.

I waved in his direction and quickened my pace.

Then, I brushed past him, ignoring the arm he had raised to embrace me.

Instead, I pulled the little boy running toward me into my arms and smiled at everyone. “Let me introduce you-this is my boyfriend.”