CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 452: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Zhen Yan didn’t look back, but he couldn’t help but halt in his steps and said, "Mom! Take care of yourself!"

Mrs. Zhen was stricken silent.

Zhen Yan, however, only waited for her for a moment.

Seeing that she truly had nothing to say, he finally let out a sigh, "...Then let’s leave it at that."

Accompanied by the sound of his brother’s footsteps approaching, from behind in the hospital room came the faint sound of Mrs. Zhen’s loud sobbing. Zhen Yu glanced at Zhen Yan expressionlessly and, seeing not a hint of regret on his face, continued forward with a hardened heart.

The group of four walked in silence, with only the heavy and uniform sound of footsteps echoing in the desolate corridor.

"Pat... Pat..."

This wasn’t the first time Zhen Yu had broken ties with her mother, and she had already said everything there was to say to her.

So from this day, from this moment, she would no longer care about Mrs. Zhen’s affairs.

Two lives as mother and daughter, totaling less than sixteen years.

Perhaps it was because their bond was too shallow... that the feelings were shallow too.

Even if Mrs. Zhen were to face death again, Zhen Yu had no intention of interfering.

Let her mother... leave her fate to heaven and wealth to the gods!

——

They came as three people, but returned as four! It was just right for taking a taxi back to school.

The passengers stayed quiet throughout the car ride.

Not until they got out of the car did Zhen Yu take the initiative to speak up: "Let’s go! I’ll treat everyone to dinner!"

At her words, Han Mingyue was the first to respond!

"Let me treat you to longevity noodles! Today is your birthday."

Zhen Yu was surprised! She glanced subconsciously at Han Mingyue. Seeing him nod, Zhen Yu then turned to look at her brother, seeking confirmation from Zhen Yan again.

Zhen Yan was also taken aback!

His initial plan was to take the day off on his sister’s birthday and take her to the zoo! But after what happened with their mother... These past few days, he had been living day and night in reverse and had forgotten what day it was!

Even though it should be Sunday tomorrow, his sister probably wasn’t in the mood for fun anymore... Seeing that she was still looking at him, Zhen Yan had no choice but to ask, "Is today Saturday?"

"Yes." Zhen Yu nodded.

Zhen Yan quickly mustered a smile and said, "Happy birthday, Xiao Yu."

Although Zhen Yan said it first, Han Mingyue followed suit: "Happy birthday, Xiao Yu."

Bai Xue had always been a carefree and childish big kid, and at this moment, she could not at all relate to the feelings of the Zhen siblings! She even naively thought they were just angry with Mrs. Zhen! But they’re blood relatives, after all! In a couple of days, once the anger subsides, they’ll naturally reconcile, right?

So her smile was genuinely joyful from the heart, "Happy birthday, Xiao Yu! I even prepared a birthday gift for you! I’ve had it ready since the New Year!"

Bai Xue’s smile was contagious, causing Zhen Yu to involuntarily soften her expression, and she asked softly, "What is it? You’ve been preparing since the New Year?!"

"Hehe! Guess!" Bai Xue intentionally chuckled to tease, aiming to lighten the mood.

As a result, Zhen Yu directly shook her head and said, "I can’t guess."

"You didn’t even try to guess at all, did you?" Bai Xue puckered her lips and pretended to be unhappy.

"I’ll try to guess!" Bai Xue’s intention was too obvious. To make sure her sister had a happier birthday dinner, Zhen Yan forced a smile and joked, "A gift prepared for the New Year, could it possibly be a headband? Too bad... both of you don’t have any hair now!"

"It’s you who doesn’t have hair! You’re the one, huh?!" Bai Xue suddenly remembered something! Then she immediately smirked and said, "Stinky Zhen Yan! Wait till you get a crew cut tomorrow, I’ll see how I can tease you! I bet! You’ll definitely look hideously ugly!"

Zhen Yan: "...I almost forgot about that! Luckily you reminded me! But you might be destined for disappointment, I’m certain I’ll look even more handsome with a shaved head! Just like a real soldier!"

"You are the most handsome!" Zhen Yu suddenly felt hungry, and she guessed the other three must be too! So she perfunctorily dismissed her brother and quickly changed the subject: "Let’s find a noodle shop and go eat noodles first! We can talk more after filling our stomachs."

Han Mingyue, who had scouted the place days ago, immediately grabbed her hand and started walking!

"There’s one right across the street!"

"Ah? Oh!" Zhen Yu quickly confirmed, then hurriedly called out to her brother and Bai Xue who were behind her: "Hurry up and follow!"

"Coming, coming! I’m almost starving to death!" Bai Xue didn’t wait for Zhen Yu to finish and immediately caught up!

Zhen Yan glanced at Han Mingyue holding his sister’s hand, then casually responded: "Coming."

——

After eating their fill, Zhen Yu leaned back in her chair and asked, "Bai Xue, where is my gift?"

Since it was a token of friendship from a good friend, Zhen Yu of course remembered to ask for it!

"It’s in the dormitory! I’ll give it to you once we get back there!" Bai Xue breathed a sigh of relief with satisfaction and explained with a smile: "It’s a red scarf! When I went shopping with my mom over the New Year, I set my eyes on it right away! I begged my mom to buy two of them! When it gets cold after October, we both can wear matching ones! How does that sound?"

Being stared at by Bai Xue’s bright and expectant eyes, what else could Zhen Yu say?!

Naturally, she would follow her heart and gently agreed with a ’good’!

After hearing this response, Bai Xue’s smile grew even wider than before! Then, she suddenly leaned in towards Zhen Yu and gave her a big kiss on the face!

"Muah!"

"!"

Zhen Yu instantly covered her face! Looking slightly uncomfortable, she glanced at Bai Xue.

"Ha ha! I knew you’d react like this! Consider it a counter-gift! This counts as a counter-gift, okay!" Bai Xue laughed heartily, defending her own action, as she knew Zhen Yu wouldn’t get mad at her.

Don’t assume Zhen Yu is always so prim and proper! In fact, Bai Xue, who had been her desk mate for a year, had already figured her out! Zhen Yu couldn’t resist teasing at all! Whenever Bai Xue used such tactics to provoke her, she would reveal her true nature! The blank expression on her face would instantly come to life...

Zhen Yu had no way to deal with Bai Xue and could only sigh with exasperation: "We are already sixteen or seventeen! We’re in high school now! Can’t you stop being so childish?"

"I’m seventeen! You just turned sixteen today! Can’t you stop acting like an old lady?!"

Unable to argue with Bai Xue, Zhen Yu turned her head to the other side. Sitting there was Han Mingyue, who pursed his lips and said, "I also have a gift for you!"

"?" Zhen Yu blinked in surprise, then extended her right hand with the palm up and said, "Hand it over!"

Han Mingyue smiled silently, reached into his chest and pulled out a thin red string.

"What is this thing you’re giving my sister?" Zhen Yan, never having seen anyone give a string as a birthday present before, couldn’t help but ask.