Chapter 370

Chapter 370

◎Birthday Celebration◎

The graduation trip they had promised each other finally began after their scores were released and college applications submitted. Packing up, the group boarded a plane for their first long-distance journey together.

They visited snow-capped mountains and the ever-changing Four Seasons Lake. Xiao Ye drove them along the scenic Yabu Highway, passing rugged cliffs and skies filled with fluttering maple leaves, walking through miles of peach blossom forests. Experiencing the wider world made them realize how limited their previous lives had been, fueling the newly graduated group’s eagerness to explore further.

Watching his friends excitedly talk about future world travels, Zhang Yuan couldn’t resist raining on their parade: “First, you’ll need financial stability. Second, your English should be at least half as fluent as Xiao Ye or Nan Xing’s. And third, you’ll need planning and execution skills. This trip was smooth because Xiao Ye handled everything—hotels, routes, even the driver.”

Jiang Tangtang giggled, “Then we’ll just bring the academic god along for our world tour!”

Chen Shiyi: “Huh? What does Nan Xing have to do with this?”

Jiang Tangtang: “If we bring him, Bro Ye won’t dare skip out—hahahaha!”

Amused, Ji Nanxing trailed behind while Xiao Ye pushed their luggage with one hand and openly held his hand with the other, watching their friends banter.

At the airport exit, pre-arranged cars were already waiting. Xiao Ye directed, “Group by direction. The drivers will take you home—message when you arrive.”

Jiang Tangtang, Chen Shiyi, and Xiao Xiao shared a ride. Waving, she said, “Got it! I’ll be working this summer for living expenses, so no more hangouts. Let’s meet once more before term starts—a send-off dinner!”

Zhang Yuan lightly smacked the back of her head. “Send-off? Not farewell. Learn to phrase things better.”

Jiang Tangtang rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine, Mr. Eloquent. Bye!”

The trio left together. Though Zhang Yuan and Lin Yi weren’t headed the same way, he refused to let her go alone and joined her car. “We’re good. I’ll make sure she gets home.”

Xiao Ye and Ji Nanxing waved as the cars drove off before boarding their own. Slumping into the seat, Xiao Ye exhaled deeply. “Finally home. Traveling’s exhausting.”

Ji Nanxing chuckled. “Even Mr. Energy is tired?”

Xiao Ye: “It’d be fine if I didn’t have to manage everything. Next time, just us two—no fatigue then.”

Ji Nanxing beckoned him closer.

Xiao Ye leaned in eagerly. “What’s up?”

Ji Nanxing kissed his cheek. “A reward. This trip was amazing.”

Xiao Ye had taken care of every detail—meals, activities, itineraries—effortlessly. Ji Nanxing had always known that beneath his playful exterior lay a steady, capable core.

After one cheek was kissed, Xiao Ye offered the other. “Don’t play favorites.”

Ji Nanxing raised a brow. “Is that the right usage?”

Xiao Ye grinned expectantly. “Absolutely. Come on.”

Glancing at the driver, Ji Nanxing relented and planted a kiss on his other cheek.

Xiao Ye’s travel fatigue vanished, replaced by contentment.

Ji Nanxing’s birthday fell in August, coinciding with the lunar Ghost Month—a reason for his exceptionally yin-aligned constitution. Past birthdays were low-key; survival to adulthood was uncertain, and his fate bore too many burdens. Beyond charity in his name, the Ji family rarely presented him publicly.

But this coming-of-age celebration would be lavish. With his yin-yang balance restored and his lifespan extended through accumulated merits, all reservations were finally set aside.

The adulthood celebration for the Ji family's youngest son had invitations sent out well in advance. The banquet was not actually held on Ji Nanxing’s birthday, so he asked a few of his close friends whether they would prefer to celebrate together at this event or wait until his real birthday for a meal.

After thinking it over, they decided to celebrate his birthday early—it was a great chance to experience something grand and unfamiliar, an opportunity to broaden their horizons.

Jiang Tangtang even quietly asked Ji Nanxing, “Do you think people will laugh at us for wearing $1.50 dresses and call us country bumpkins? Then you’ll make a dazzling entrance to stand up for us?”

Ji Nanxing replied, “That kind of thing usually doesn’t happen. Even if you showed up in camouflage outfits, they’d probably just look a little longer out of curiosity. No one would be rude enough to cause trouble at someone else’s party.”

Those businessmen who have built successful careers are not lacking in social graces. Even the most reckless rich kids maintain good manners in public.

And those invited by the Ji family were mostly either business partners or personal friends. With the Ji family’s good fortune, anyone connected to them tended to benefit as well—people with more positive energy generally have calmer, kinder mindsets. So the scenario Jiang Tangtang imagined was unlikely to happen here.

Still, to ensure his friends could fully enjoy the experience, Ji Nanxing took them all for pre-event makeovers. The girls were easy—letting them pick any beautiful dress they liked, then doing their hair and makeup transformed them into storybook princesses.

The boys were trickier. At that in-between age of adolescence and adulthood, full suits made them seem like they were trying too hard. The stylists added casual tweaks to the suits, keeping them stylish yet youthful and appropriate.

Ji Nanxing was the stylist team’s top priority. His senior brother had hired a professional team—highly skilled experts well compensated for their talents. In no time, they elevated Ji Nanxing’s already perfect looks to the next level. Dressed in white, his slender waist and long legs gave him a seriously eye-catching charm.

Ji Yuanting stood nearby, arms crossed, watching his glowing younger brother. Thinking about how such a gem would soon be taken away by that punk filled him with resentment.

After pinning a brooch to his lapel, Ji Nanxing stood and adjusted his suit. Catching sight of his brother’s clenched jaw in the mirror, he smiled: “You picked this outfit yourself. Are you really not satisfied?”

Ji Yuanting grumbled, “It’s not the clothes I’m upset about. Mom said you’re already staying there?”

Ji Nanxing nodded, “The place was ready, so I went ahead to get used to the surroundings.”

Ji Yuanting rolled his eyes, “You’ll be there for four years—no need to ‘get used’ in advance. Who are you fooling? Is that punk coming today?”

Ji Nanxing replied, “Of course. Big Brother also sent an invitation to the Xiao family.”

Seeing some of Ji Nanxing’s classmates approaching, Ji Yuanting replaced his expression with a warm smile.

Jiang Tangtang had been running over but slowed down upon seeing Ji Nanxing’s brother, daintily hurrying forward with one hand holding Lin Yi’s arm and the other lifting her skirt slightly.

Zhang Yuan snorted, earning an immediate glare from Jiang Tangtang.

Ji Nanxing introduced, “This is my second brother.”

They quickly greeted, “Hello, Second Brother!”

Ji Yuanting nodded, “Have fun today. Go wild—don’t hold back.”

With that, he stepped away. Kids usually don’t like being watched by adults.

Once Ji Yuanting was gone, Chen Shiyi tilted his head at Jiang Tangtang, “He’s long gone, and you're still staring?”

Jiang Tangtang’s eyes sparkled, “Genius, your brother is so handsome! Earlier, I even saw your eldest brother—he looked like a novel-worthy CEO. Your second brother is gorgeous too, and your sister is like an ethereal beauty. Your whole family must be Nuwa’s favorites!”

Ji Nanxing smiled, “Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”

Chen Shiyi asked curiously, “We can actually eat? I thought those were just decorations. On TV shows, people just hold wine glasses and chat.”

Ji Nanxing replied, “Of course you can eat—go wild. This restaurant has several famous specialties. If you’re slow, you might miss out.”

As the host family and the birthday boy, Ji Nanxing faced no strict formalities. After giving his friends a quick tour of the venue, he set them free to eat and drink as they pleased.

Once settled, his parents pulled Ji Nanxing aside to greet guests. He exchanged greetings with uncles, aunts, and elders, receiving countless gifts—some handed him cash-stuffed envelopes, others car keys. One collector aunt gifted him a box of colored gems filled with pink, blue, and red diamonds—more than you could count at a glance.

He even received more than a dozen luxury watches, with the butler running back and forth repeatedly to collect the gifts.

The group nibbling on desserts couldn't help but whisper, "This is high society for you. I saw someone arrive with a car outside—a red sports car being transported in a glass display case on a flatbed."

Chen Shiyi also murmured, "This is my first real sense of our friend's family background."

Jiang Tangtang worried, "Compared to these, what even is our gift?"

Zhang Yuan smiled, "It's the thought that counts. Ji Nanxing has everything—he's probably tired of receiving cars and watches. Genuine sentiment matters most."

New guests arrived at the entrance. The group turned to look: a tall, upright young man with an imposing presence, arm-in-arm with a stunning, poised woman, followed by Xiao Ye in a sharp suit.

The friends gasped. "Brother Ye really owns that suit!"

Far more put-together than when they'd first tried suits and looked like kids playing dress-up.

Xiao Song arrived with his wife Fang Li and immediately handed Ji Nanxing a gift. "Xiao Ye mentioned you enjoy perfumery, so we found you a piece of agarwood. It can also be used as incense—hope you like it."

Ji Nanxing opened the box. The dark, glossy wood released a rich fragrance upon lifting the lid—its quality unmistakably rare.

"I love it. Thank you, Brother Xiao," he said warmly.

Ji's father, who knew quality when he saw it, recognized the wood's value and patted his son's head, smiling at Xiao Song. "Such extravagance!"

Fang Li replied gently, "An 18th birthday is special—it deserves the best."

Xiao Ye tagged along behind his brother and sister-in-law, paying his respects to Ji's parents before staying quiet.

Noticing his gaze fixed on her son, Ji's mother nudged Xiao Bao. "Your friend's here—go entertain him. Xiao Ye can hang out with your classmates too, so they feel at ease."

Ji Nanxing led Xiao Ye to the others. Zhang Yuan punched his shoulder. "Looking sharp!"

Xiao Ye adjusted his lapel. "Damn right."

Zhang Yuan snorted. "Such a show-off."

Amid the crowd, Xiao Ye discreetly brushed Ji Nanxing's fingers, murmuring, "I was ready ages ago, but my brother took forever to leave."

As the Xiao family delegation, he couldn't arrive early—which drove him crazy.

Ji Nanxing reassured, "The party hasn't started. You're not late."

Xiao Ye grumbled, "I just wanted to see you sooner."

Jiang Tangtang pretended to shudder. "Give me a break."

Lin Yi and Xiao Xiao bit back laughter.

Xiao Ye retorted, "Stick to your cake. Keep eating and you'll pop."

Jiang Tangtang protested, "Oh great academic god! He's bullying me!"

Ji Nanxing swatted Xiao Ye. "She's not fat at all. Be nice."

Xiao Ye zipped his lips; Jiang Tangtang stuck out her tongue triumphantly.

With most guests present, Ji's mother called Ji Nanxing over. As the birthday boy, he would give a speech alongside his parents.

On his way, he spotted Xiang Ling chatting with his sister and greeted her. "Sister Lingling."

Xiang Ling smiled at him: "Nan Xing, you're eighteen now. From today on, you're officially an adult. I made you a blessing bracelet that you can wear every day. Your sister took it to your room already."

Ji Nanxing: "Thank you, Sister Ling. Did you come alone today?"

Xiang Ling immediately looked apologetic: "Zhiyan was supposed to come with me, but he received an emergency call on the way—something life-or-death urgent—and had to leave. I'll have him bring you a make-up gift in a couple of days."

Ji Yanting looked surprised: "Life-or-death urgent? How serious are we talking?"

Xiang Ling wasn't too sure: "Something about an employee at his company—I don’t know the details."

Ji Nanxing smiled again. His mother called him once more, so he went up to the stage.

Later, he’d have to mention to his sister—Sister Ling’s boyfriend was probably caught in some love trouble, because her face showed signs of a coming breakup.