Chapter 83

Leng Xiang leaned against the tree, with the cool breeze of early spring blowing gently through the night.

The tree bark was somewhat rough, but Jiang Sisi pinned her against it, cushioning the back of her head with one hand to keep her from feeling uncomfortable.

Their lips touched another pair—sometimes shallow, sometimes deep, sometimes light, sometimes heavy.

For a new couple who had just gotten together, no amount of kissing was ever enough.

After one kiss ended, Jiang Sisi reluctantly released her lips, and Leng Xiang breathed lightly.

She still hadn’t learned how to breathe during a kiss.

Leng Xiang whispered softly, “Have they left?”

Jiang Sisi listened to the sounds outside the tree. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

Not only had the group led by Wang Linlin not left, but another group had arrived as well.

Yi Jing seemed to have drunk a bit, and he was hyped up, his voice three octaves higher. “Has anyone seen Jiang Sisi? We’ve looked everywhere, but the birthday girl herself has vanished.”

Someone chimed in, “Yeah, I haven’t seen her all evening.”

Jiang Sisi, hiding behind the tree, felt a bit troubled.

Sigh, she just wanted to enjoy her romance in peace, but so many people kept interrupting.

What was the point of a birthday? Was it as fun as being in love?

Leng Xiang whispered, “What do we do? Why don’t you go back first?”

If Jiang Sisi went back, these two groups would naturally follow.

Jiang Sisi held her hand casually. “They’re not as important as you. Ignore them.”

Leng Xiang: “…”

How could this person say something like that so matter-of-factly, as if it were the most righteous thing in the world?

Her face flushed slightly as she secretly lifted her eyes to glance at Jiang Sisi.

Jiang Sisi leaned down and kissed her lips again, unable to get enough no matter how much.

Jiang Sisi said, “The garden has a back gate. We can slip out directly. They’re having plenty of fun on their own anyway—let’s not worry about them.”

It was just like Jiang Sisi to ignore the friends who had rushed over to celebrate her birthday because she wanted to focus on romance.

Leng Xiang tugged at her. “Don’t…”

Jiang Sisi took her hand. “It’s fine. Listen to me.”

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Just as Jiang Sisi pulled Leng Xiang out from behind the tree with a small step, Yi Jing spotted them with his sharp eyes.

Yi Jing grinned sleazily, squinting his eyes. “Hey everyone, looks like there’s a familiar friend behind that tree—and her new friend too.”

“Jiang Sisi, what shady business are you up to hiding behind the tree?”

Jiang Sisi: “…”

Tsk tsk tsk, this little jerk.

I’ll remember this.

Everyone’s gazes turned to Jiang Sisi, who was still holding Leng Xiang’s hand.

Leng Xiang immediately felt all eyes on her.

She had been able to walk right up to Xiao Yue and chat openly in front of her, but being suddenly exposed like this to Jiang Sisi’s friends was a whole different story.

Leng Xiang instinctively took two steps back, wanting to hide, but Jiang Sisi held her hand firmly.

Jiang Sisi pulled Leng Xiang out from behind the tree, striding forward openly without any intention of hiding.

Jiang Sisi complained, “Is it that easy for me to sneak around and enjoy my romance? Why do you all have to come looking? Alright, alright, head back now.”

She had always been open with her friends and never hidden her orientation. They weren’t surprised she had a girlfriend; their focus was just on who it was.

And with Jiang Sisi’s recent Weibo headlines making such a splash, Leng Xiang was already familiar to everyone.

The crowd started teasing.

“We’re here celebrating your birthday, and you’re off hiding in the garden making out? Jiang Sisi, have some shame!”

“Jiang Sisi, that’s too much! Classic case of ditching friends for love!”

Amid the chaotic voices, someone whispered, “Is that Leng Xiang? The one from Weibo?”

“Wait, Sisi’s really with her?”

“When did this happen?”

Leng Xiang listened to the noisy chatter, her hand still firmly held by Jiang Sisi the whole time.

Due to her family—having a mother like Liu Lingshu and an abusive, alcoholic so-called father—she had strong defenses against strangers.

On top of that, she’d dropped out after junior high and entered the entertainment industry young. Aside from Shen Cheng, she’d never really had friends growing up.

She knew Jiang Sisi had tons of friends in the industry, from big shots in the capital circle to bit-part actors—it seemed like she knew everyone.

Leng Xiang instinctively wanted to duck behind Jiang Sisi.

Her tough shell had never been cracked by anyone before. Now, someone had suddenly pried open a seam, revealing that her world had always been just her alone. With another person suddenly entering, it took her a long time to adjust, and she wasn’t ready for prying eyes from others.

She wasn’t prepared for more people to enter her world.

But these people meant well.

They were Jiang Sisi’s friends.

She even felt a bit nervous.

Jiang Sisi turned her head and planted a quick, dragonfly-like kiss on her lips.

“They’re a bunch of nosy busybodies—annoying sometimes—but they’re not bad people, good at heart. If you want, I’ll tell you about them later.”

Everyone had seen it—they weren’t blind. Jiang Sisi had turned to kiss Leng Xiang and whispered something in her ear.

“You two over there, with all these people around, can you tone it down?”

“I can’t watch this. I can’t stand seeing Jiang Sisi with that look on her face. Tsk.”

“Damn it, let’s go. What’s the fun in watching them show off their love? Any point to it?”

Jiang Sisi held Leng Xiang’s hand, walking at the very back of the group.

Though everyone complained about them flaunting their affection in public, they tacitly gave the couple their space, no one bothering them.

Jiang Sisi quietly hooked her pinky with Leng Xiang’s. “When we get back, if it gets too noisy, you can head upstairs for a bit. First room on the left at the top of the stairs on the second floor is my bedroom.”

They’d only been together for less than an hour, and she’d already met most of Jiang Sisi’s close friends.

It wasn’t a formal introduction, but it was close enough.

All of Jiang Sisi’s friends would now know they were a couple.

It didn’t feel bad at all.

Her heart suddenly stirred.

It wasn’t the hormones from the moonlight or the sugar rush in her brain—it was something quieter, gentler, flowing between people, quietly reviving without notice.

Leng Xiang said, “It’s fine.”

She hesitated, feeling it sounded too curt, and added, “I think it’s pretty good.”

…

The group returned to the villa.

The birthday cake was custom-made from a lesser-known but top-tier cake shop twenty kilometers away. It had been finished just half an hour ago and rushed over to ensure freshness and quality.

The three-tiered cake, covered in fruits and cream, sat on the living room coffee table. The group sat in a circle on the rug around it.

Someone turned off the bright ceiling lights.

In the darkness, Jiang Sisi looked around, staring wide-eyed at everyone else.

Candles were lit on the cake, the fine cream giving off a sweet, rich aroma.

Jiang Sisi said in disbelief, “No way? You’re gonna sing Happy Birthday? We’re all nearly thirty—still treating ourselves like kids?”

Yi Jing said, “Shut up and listen if you know what’s good for you.”

Wang Linlin was probably really drunk, clapping wildly on the side. “Sing! Sing! Sing!”

Jiang Sisi glanced around and breathed a sigh of relief.

At least Pei Shuang and Zhong Xin were out of the country and hadn’t come.

But the group really did start singing Happy Birthday to Jiang Sisi.

The familiar tune filled the living room, and under the candlelight, Jiang Sisi’s features softened.

When the song ended, everyone clapped.

Yi Jing said, “Make a wish.”

Jiang Sisi sat on the rug, Leng Xiang beside her, their hands never letting go.

Staring at the flickering candlelight, Jiang Sisi closed her eyes and clasped her hands.

May every year be like today.

May my family be healthy and happy.

May you stay by my side forever, never parting.

Jiang Sisi opened her eyes and blew out the candles in one breath.

…

At one in the morning, the party broke up, everyone heading home.

Jiang Sisi stood at the door, Leng Xiang still by her side, as she saw people off one by one.

Several came over to chat with Leng Xiang too—they were Jiang Sisi’s genuine friends, so their curiosity was natural.

Leng Xiang smiled faintly, never refusing.

Jiang Sisi chatted with Xiao Yue at the door.

Jiang Sisi said, “Why haven’t you left? It’s one o’clock—I thought you’d gone ages ago.”

Xiao Yue: “Waiting for my ride.”

Jiang Sisi asked, “Tang Hui?”

Xiao Yue nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

Just then, a Ferrari pulled up to the villa gate.

A woman got out and walked toward the door.

The woman had a gentle, delicate face, stunningly beautiful, like a fairy.

Spotting Xiao Yue, her eyes lit up, and she quickened her pace.

It was Tang Hui.

Jiang Sisi knew Tang Hui—she’d even had her on her show before.

She remembered after that recording, Xiao Yue had just gotten back with Tang Hui. They’d gone for late-night snacks afterward, and Xiao Yue had come to pick her up.

Back then, wallowing in her self-proclaimed heartbreak, she hadn’t paid much attention to Tang Hui’s face.

She was pretty—a real beauty.

As soon as Tang Hui arrived, she threw herself straight into Xiao Yue’s arms.

Xiao Yue smoothly caught her, pulling her close.

Jiang Sisi: “…”

Tch, nearly thirty and still so shameless, one after another.

As if proving what she’d told Jiang Sisi earlier—”If Huihui shows up, no chance for you to show off with me”—Xiao Yue got affectionate with Tang Hui right there, oblivious to others.

Xiao Yue pretended to complain, “Why so late? I’ve been waiting all evening.”

Tang Hui whispered, “Sorry, the night scene dragged on—the director wouldn’t let me leave.”

Xiao Yue kissed her cheek. “No more dramas with night shoots next time.”

Tang Hui giggled. “Then I’d have no dramas to film.”

Xiao Yue went full domineering CEO: “No problem. I’ll invest in one without night shoots for you.”

Tang Hui: “Might as well just say you want to keep me.”

Xiao Yue: “I already am.”

Jiang Sisi couldn’t take it anymore.

So cheesy, so contrived.

Jiang Sisi rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. “Get out of here already. Stop talking.”

Xiao Yue had no interest in sticking around, hopping in the car and speeding off, leaving exhaust in her wake.

Before leaving, she tossed out that she’d hold a wedding with Tang Hui someday and invited Jiang Sisi and her partner.

…

After seeing everyone off, with the early spring chill still in the air, Jiang Sisi and Leng Xiang went back inside.

In the dead of night, with the perfect atmosphere, bright moonlight, and her beloved right there, romantic thoughts were inevitable.

Jiang Sisi coughed lightly, feigning casualness. “Want me to drive you home?”

The first floor was a mess, just the two of them in the living room. Leng Xiang’s face quietly flushed as she glanced around. “I…”

She’d only said one word when a noise came from the door.

The faint sound of a key turning in the lock echoed in the quiet living room, amplified in the ambiguous atmosphere.

Who could it be at this hour?

Leng Xiang looked puzzled at the door too.

Jiang Sisi: “…”

She remembered—her dad had called earlier, saying he’d be home late, to enjoy her birthday.

Late didn’t mean not at all.

Her dad had come back right then.