Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Jing Xi, holding the tie: "But it's my birthday today. Are you really going to be that cruel, that cold, that heartless? I don't have any ulterior motives. I just want to see if the tie fits my neck."

Xie Qingfeng's brow twitched: "Don't you have hands yourself?"

Jing Xi showed his hands, holding the gift: "No third hand, though."

Xie Qingfeng: "..."

But seeing his pitiful look, Xie Qingfeng reluctantly stepped forward to finish tying the tie. Sure enough, as soon as he was done, he was ambushed. Stepping back, he touched his lips: "Are you a dog or something?"

Jing Xi, with drooping eyelids: "Qingfeng, you're so fierce."

Fearing another reminder of 'it's my birthday today,' Xie Qingfeng waved his hand, preferring out of sight, out of mind. Yet, thinking of the remaining two gifts, he had an ominous premonition.

As expected, Jing Xi opened the second item – a jade amulet, imbued with his spiritual energy to create a longevity charm. These were not easy to make and had drained much of his cultivation, but Xie Qingfeng found it worth the effort.

Looking at the jade amulet and Jing Xi's puppy-dog eyes holding it up: "..."

Just destroy it!

But despite saying this, Xie Qingfeng sighed, stepped forward, and hung it up for him, bracing himself for another sneak attack – this time, he was prepared.

Jing Xi, failing in his ambush, sighed with disappointment, but quickly began unwrapping the third gift with a smile. When he saw it was a belt, he slowly lifted his head...

Xie Qingfeng, sensing trouble, retreated several steps: "It's late, I have class tomorrow. You clean up, I'm off to bed."

Before Jing Xi could speak, Xie Qingfeng was already heading to his room. Reaching the door, Jing Xi finally spoke: "You forgot your return gift."

Xie Qingfeng turned around: "Return gift?" What return gift?

Jing Xi flashed a big smile at him, pointing to himself: "Me."

Xie Qingfeng: "..."

His response to Jing Xi was the sound of the door closing with a snap. If this went on any longer, he feared he wouldn't get any sleep that night.

Xie Qingfeng didn't fall asleep as quickly as usual after returning to his room. When he finally drifted off in the late night, he felt uneasily watched in his sleep. Waking up the next day, he closed his eyes again from fatigue, but then suddenly reopened them, turning his head in disbelief at the person sitting cross-legged by the bed, watching him.

Xie Qingfeng: "Don't tell me you didn't sleep all night?"

Jing Xi, supporting his chin with one hand: "I was too excited to sleep." Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the National Teacher giving him gifts, feeling like he'd lose a billion just by blinking.

Xie Qingfeng, feeling a mix of helplessness and a strange emotion, checked the time. There was enough, so he scooted over and patted the bed: "Come up."

Jing Xi immediately lay down, pulling up the covers and holding the warm National Teacher, contentedly: "You're so good to me, what if I get used to it?"

Xie Qingfeng: "Then maybe I should stop being good to you."

Jing Xi hugged him tighter: "No, you promised to make it up to me. It's not manly to go back on your word."

Xie Qingfeng: "So stop talking nonsense and sleep. I'll watch you fall asleep before I go to school."

Jing Xi, humming and hawing: "Can I get a good morning kiss before I sleep?"

Xie Qingfeng, deadpan: "No."

Jing Xi: "But it's my birthday today..."

Xie Qingfeng's eyelid twitched, turning to look at him: "Are you going to use that line until tonight at twel... mmm!" Before he could finish, Jing Xi kissed him.

Xie Qingfeng's mind ran wild, and when finally released, he was still dazed. The next moment, however, he saw Jing Xi's face close to his, smiling meaningfully. Jing Xi moved closer: "Early in the morning, little Qingfeng seems more passionate than the National Teacher."

Xie Qingfeng hadn't realized what was happening, but the next moment he stiffened... and angrily said: "Let go!"

Jing Xi, refusing to release him, resulted in a morning ruckus, almost making Xie Qingfeng late. Jing Xi drove him to school, arriving just ten minutes before the bell.

Jing Xi, looking sheepishly at Xie Qingfeng opening the door with a dark expression and slamming it shut, poked his head out the window: "Shall we have lunch together?"

Xie Qingfeng looked at him, then at his hand resting on the car window, recalling a recent scene, his ears turning red in an instant. He shot him a look: "In your dreams!"

Jing Xi, watching his hurried retreat, couldn't help but chuckle softly. Although he hadn't really gotten his way, savoring the anticipation was satisfying enough.

He was in no rush. Not in the slightest.

Early in the morning, Hao Jixin noticed that President Jing was in an exceptionally good mood, almost as if he had won a jackpot. Seizing a moment while handing him a contract to sign, he curiously asked, "President Jing, what's the good news that has you so cheerful? Share with us and let's all be happy together?"

After signing, Jing Xi hummed in response: "But I prefer to enjoy this happiness alone."

Hao Jixin eagerly pressed: "It's always better to share joy. Come on, tell us."

Jing Xi: "Are you asking for trouble?"

Hao Jixin raised his hands in surrender: "My mistake, my mistake..."

Jing Xi: "Book a restaurant for lunch."

Hao Jixin's eyes lit up: "Am I included?"

Jing Xi: "Sure, if you dare to come, I'll dare to make you run twenty kilometers at five in the morning tomorrow. Won't interfere with starting work at nine."

Hao Jixin immediately zipped his lips and clasped his hands together: "The food at the company is pretty good. I'll stick to that, exceptionally tasty! I'll go book the restaurant now!"

Jing Xi hummed contentedly, not bothering to argue with him given his good mood.

Unfortunately, even though the restaurant was booked, Jing Xi's plans fell through. Xie Qingfeng was caught by a professor after his class and invited to the cafeteria for lunch, and to discuss joining a new project.

Jing Xi looked at WeChat with a sense of grievance, then called out to Hao Jixin: "Let's go."

Hao Jixin's eyes shone: "Are you taking me to the restaurant? Wouldn't it be awkward for me to third-wheel with you and the Master?"

Jing Xi looked skyward: "Forget your wishful thinking, I've already canceled it. Qingfeng's busy, so I'll join you in the company cafeteria."

Hao Jixin: "..." Such a rollercoaster of emotions.

Xie Qingfeng had agreed to join the professor's new project, but he feared he would become quite busy in the coming days.

Feeling a bit guilty for not having lunch with Jing Xi at noon, he bought a small cake from a cake shop on his way home after his evening class.

It was a fancy, elaborate one, and when the clerk packed it in a gift box, knowing it was for his lover, they also offered a heart-shaped card for him to write some sweet nothings.

Xie Qingfeng initially didn't plan to write anything, simply stuffing the card on top of the gift box.

While riding the elevator, he couldn't help but glance at the small cake he was carrying, as the numbers climbed.

The clerk's words echoed in his ears, making his fingers fidget with the handle of the gift bag.

He didn’t enter his apartment immediately upon arriving at the door, instead pulling out a pen and writing on the card pressed against the wall.

Wu Shu, coming out to throw away trash, was startled to see Xie Qingfeng and was about to speak, but Xie Qingfeng turned and shushed him.

Wu Shu glanced at the heart-shaped card and the small cake, covered his mouth with a smile, and quietly tiptoed away with a gesture.

Xie Qingfeng hadn't expected to be seen and felt his ears warm as he entered, though it didn't show on his face.

As soon as the door opened, Jing Xi swung out from the kitchen with a spatula, humming: "You decided to come back, huh?"

He was half an hour later than usual!

It was his birthday, after all. He had let it go that Xie Qingfeng didn't join him for lunch, but coming home this late in the evening?

Xie Qingfeng calmly replied: "Where else could I go?"

Jing Xi looked him up and down, sensing something was off: "What are you hiding in your hand?"

Xie Qingfeng couldn't hide his amusement: "Sharp eyes." He took out the small cake and casually placed it aside, "I saw this new store on my way back. They had a grand opening sale, so I bought it as compensation for missing lunch with you."

Jing Xi hadn't expected another cake, and although he wasn't thrilled that it was bought on sale, he was pleased since it was from Xie Qingfeng. Hiding his joy, he remarked: "Isn't it a bit small?"

Xie Qingfeng glared at him: "If it's too small, don't eat it."

Jing Xi teased as he sized up Xie Qingfeng: "How could I? Everything about the National Teacher is just right..."

Xie Qingfeng, initially not catching on, suddenly turned red with embarrassment and anger when he realized the implication, interrupting: "The food is burning! Keep it up, and I'll give the cake to Mr. Wu next door!"

"Hey, hey, stop! My bad!" Jing Xi quickly backed off, fearing that if Xie Qingfeng really got angry, he might not be allowed into the room tonight, losing his birthday privileges.

He had noticed that the National Teacher was exceptionally tolerant of him today.

Probably because he hadn't had a good birthday before, Xie Qingfeng must be feeling sorry for him.

Jing Xi had come back early to cook several dishes, each in generous portions. Having already eaten a whole cake at midnight, Jing Xi didn't start eating right away.

After dinner, Xie Qingfeng cleaned up and went to his room first.

Jing Xi went to wash off the smell of cooking and came out to see the beautifully wrapped, solitary cake on the table.

He approached and saw the small cake, slightly larger than a palm. The bag was specially designed, transparent around the cake and white elsewhere.

The partially visible, beautifully delicate cake lifted his spirits.

Jing Xi sat down at the table, carefully taking out the cake. Even though it wasn't made by Xie Qingfeng himself, he couldn't bear to waste a bit of it.

But just as he took it out of the bag, he noticed a heart-shaped card tucked on top.

Jing Xi paused, assuming it was a complimentary card from the shop.

He opened it casually, but the next moment, he found himself frozen in place.

He recognized Xie Qingfeng's handwriting instantly, forgetting everything else at that sight.

His heart and eyes seemed only able to focus on those few simple words.

[Wishing you a life of peace, joy, and all your desires fulfilled, without further worries.]

The signature 'Qingfeng' blurred his vision for a moment, then he quickly stood up and headed towards the bedroom.

Xie Qingfeng, alone in his room, fretted about whether Jing Xi had seen the card or not. He both hoped he would and feared his own discomfort if he did. When he heard footsteps outside, he was pulled from his thoughts.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Jing Xi, holding the card, pounced on him, toppling him onto the bed. The world spun before Xie Qingfeng was bombarded with affectionate nuzzles from Jing Xi.

Annoyed and embarrassed, Xie Qingfeng protested: "Are you a dog or something? You..." But when he saw the moved, reddened eyes of Jing Xi so close, his lips quivered, and after a long pause, he sighed, "Really, do you have to? Fine, a few more bites then."