The rain outside was loud, and the nearby hall's tumultuous sounds celebrating An Ran's birthday added to the noise. But amid this cacophony, Xu Enzhen managed to hear a faint call.

Her body tensed instantly. Eyes widening in disbelief, tears fell onto Jian Xingsui's shoulder. Overwhelmed by emotion, she stepped back and stuttered, "What did you say?"

Even Jian Xingsui was startled after his outcry.

What shocked him the most was, why had he uttered such words?!

Could it be his deep longing for family, making it impossible to restrain himself when shown a little kindness?

Embarrassed and frustrated, he lowered his gaze, "I didn't say anything, perhaps you misheard?"

Misheard.

Had she misinterpreted? Was her longing for Lao Yao so intense that she hallucinated?

Xu Enzhen sighed internally, her momentary sorrow replaced by Jian Xingsui's gentle voice, "However, auntie, I'm genuinely grateful you came to celebrate my birthday."

His voice was raspy and choked, "I am... really happy."

After saying that, he lowered his head, not wanting Xu Enzhen to see his reddened eyes.

Xu Enzhen's heart melted, and she held Jian Xingsui's hand, "No need for thanks, my child. If you're willing, I'll be here every year for your birthday. If you don't mind, consider Xingchen as your real brother..."

Her tone was so gentle and loving.

Hearing her words, the last barrier in Jian Xingsui's heart seemed to collapse. Tears streamed down his face as he nodded.

Pure bliss.

Never before had he felt such immense happiness, so much so that he wondered if it was all a dream, a mirage due to his yearning.

From a distance, Ning Ze and Wen Shengge brought the cake over, "Come on, let's have cake!"

Shen Xingchen approached leisurely, "Finally, time to eat. I'm starving! Hey, Fu, where did you get this delicious cake? Buy me one for my birthday, too."

Fu Jinxe replied with a smirk, "Pre-booking your birthday gift already?"

Shen Xingchen almost nodded but quickly shook his head after realizing.

How can someone be so cunning!

He won't be appeased with just a cake for a birthday gift!

One should know that the Fu family is truly affluent. Even the smallest gifts Fu Jinxiao casually offers are worth a fortune. Does he think I'm naive? I won't exchange them for a mere cake!

Amidst the teasing and jesting of the group, it wasn't the most extravagant birthday Jinxiao had, but it was his happiest. Just as they were dividing the cake, more guests began to arrive.

Tuya was the first to arrive, the blonde beauty smiling said, "Ah, I guessed you guys might be having a secret party without me. After some inquiry, here I am, and I was right."

Jinxiao looked surprised, "Miss Tuya…"

Tuya handed over a box she was holding, "I heard from the staff it's your birthday today. I hope I'm not too late."

Overwhelmed, Jinxiao accepted the gift. He hadn't expected his mentor to remember. Bowing gratefully, he said, "Thank you, teacher!"

Tuya gently smiled, tousling his hair.

She had a fondness for this polite and diligent boy, and had her reservations about how the show's producers treated him differently. Hence, after finishing her work with An Ran, she promptly arrived here.

What Jinxiao hadn't expected was that Tuya was only the first. One by one, more contestants began to show up, sneaking in, having heard of the celebration:

"Why didn't you tell us about your birthday, Sui Sui?"

"Who made this dish? It tastes... unusual."

"Of course we had to come for your birthday!"

Jinxiao hadn't expected everyone to come. Slowly, the somewhat vacant hall began filling up with guests who had sneaked in. Many of them remembered Jinxiao's kindness when he had helped several teams adjust their compositions during the initial rounds. Grateful for his generosity, they all joined the celebration once they heard of it.

By the time the show finished shooting, the area was packed.

On An Ran's side, although many were present during the filming, it was noticeably empty after. It seemed everyone had congregated elsewhere.

An Ran and Jian Kuo stood near a corner, observing the bustling hall from a distance. Due to it being dinner time, the canteen reopened, and many who hadn’t had enough cake got their meals there. Thanks to the special arrangement by the mentors, the meals were richer than usual.

An Ran, pointing at the decorations, inquired, "What's happening here?"

Xiao Mi, a staff member who just had a piece of cake, happened to walk by. An Ran quickly approached him for answers.

Xiao Mi replied, "Oh, it's Sui Sui's birthday. Everyone came to celebrate."

An Ran had suspected, but hearing it confirmed made him uneasy. Especially seeing how lively the canteen was and noticing that even Fu Yingdi, who hadn't shown up for his own party, was there.

It was a known fact that while other mentors had at least made a brief appearance at his party, Fu Jinxiao had been conspicuously absent. Everyone had thought he was busy, but seeing him with Jinxiao now was akin to a slap in An Ran's face.

Jian Zhi also noticed and pondered, "The production team arranged two parties?"

Xiao Mi hurriedly clarified, "No, no, it wasn't the director's arrangement. It's an initiative by the students."

"…"

An Ran and the Jian family sank into another awkward silence.

While his birthday celebration was orchestrated by the production team, Jian Xingsui's party was a spontaneous gesture by everyone else. Doesn't that suggest he's less liked?

Jian's father noticed An Ran's displeasure and scoffed, "Spontaneous? Weren't they feeling unwell? They still managed to make a big show here. They had the time to celebrate here, but not to offer their congratulations to An Ran earlier."

Mr. Jian has always presented himself as a mature businessman in front of others.

Xiaomi, overhearing this, was stunned by the audacity of the claim.

By that logic, didn't An Ran fail to congratulate Xingsui too? Why is Jian framing it as if Xingsui owes them?

...

Truly bizarre.

Meanwhile,

After the evening's festivities, most people dispersed.

Jian Xingsui received a notification from the production team: the Zhang couple was there to see him, waiting in the guest hall. It felt like every time they visited, they deliberately avoided the production's filming schedule, as if fearing the camera's gaze.

Still, for formality's sake, Jian Xingsui went to meet them.

Unlike before, he harbored no naive hopes. He didn't believe the couple genuinely came for him; probably, they were just making a token visit because of An Ran's birthday.

"Xingsui!"

Entering the hall, he heard a familiar voice calling out.

Jian Xingsui halted to see Mrs. Zhang approaching him. She reached out to hold his hand, but he subtly avoided her grasp.

She paused, taken aback.

Jian Xingsui spoke, "What brings you here?"

Over the span they hadn't met, Mr. Zhang seemed to have aged considerably. He looked at Jian Xingsui, lips parting to speak, but no words came out.

Jian Xingsui, with renewed patience, asked, "What's the matter?"

Before Mr. Zhang could respond, Mrs. Zhang intervened, "What else? It's your birthday, so we came to see you. We even brought a gift and a cake."

To his surprise, Jian Xingsui spotted a cake and a box on a nearby table.

Could it be that this couple was genuinely here for his birthday?

Learning from past experiences, he wasn't going to be easily deceived. He queried, "Should I call An Ran for you?"

Mrs. Zhang looked startled, "What do you mean by that, Xingsui?"

"No hidden meaning." Jian Xingsui stated plainly, "Isn't your main purpose to see An Ran? Today is his birthday, after all."

A fleeting look of guilt passed through Mrs. Zhang's eyes before she forced a smile, "Oh, you! What nonsense are you talking about? An Ran has his own family now. Since he's returned to the Jian family, he's their child. Since you came to us, you're our child. We're certainly here for your birthday."

Zhang Xiangyang nodded, his voice hoarse, "Happy birthday, child."

...

A momentary silence filled the room.

Jian Xingsui was momentarily confused about whether their words were genuine or pretense.

Mrs. Zhang, seeing his hesitation, quickly retrieved a brown paper bag from the sofa behind her. She placed it in front of Jian Xingsui, saying, "Here's a birthday gift we bought for you. It's a designer brand! We got it from their official store and it cost a pretty penny."

Jian Xingsui watched as Mrs. Zhang pulled out a tracksuit and sneakers from the bag – a popular sports brand.

Not to be overly critical, but having grown up with relative luxury in the Jian family, he was familiar with various brands. He could tell at a glance that what the Zhang couple had purchased was a counterfeit.

A sense of irony dawned upon Jian Xingsui.

"Really?" Still harboring a shred of hope that they might have been duped, he asked, "Did you buy it from the official store?"

Mrs. Zhang, thinking he believed her, replied, "Of course! From a big department store. They wouldn't sell fakes."

"..."

Looking at the items Mrs. Zhang was flaunting, and hearing her exaggerated claims, Jian Xingsui felt an overwhelming sense of indifference. Oddly, his thoughts drifted to Xu Enzhen.

It's strange how some individuals, after just a few encounters, can show immense kindness, while one's biological parents might constantly measure, as if fearing a loss in some transaction.

So, what exactly is love?

Suddenly, Jian Xingsui felt he didn't quite understand anymore.

Zhang Xiangyang, seeing him lost in thought, cautiously inquired, "Xingsui, once this is over, will you come home?"

Snapping back to reality, Jian Xingsui responded, "I have my plans. I probably won't return for now."

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang became frantic.

"Xingsui, you must come back! Are you unhappy with the study room we provided? I know it's small and can get hot without air conditioning. We've cleared out Anran's room recently. When you return, you can stay there," she coaxed, "And if you need anything, just tell us. We'll get it for you."

So, they were aware of his discomfort in that study during the hottest time of the year. Were they feigning ignorance because they were reluctant to let him use Anran's air-conditioned room?

Before, such words might have pleased Jian Xingsui. But now, he felt a sarcastic smile tug at his lips, though he couldn't bring himself to actually smile.

As Mrs. Zhang continued speaking, Jian Xingsui interrupted, "It's not necessary."

"If it wasn't originally mine, I don't want it," Jian Xingsui looked up at the couple, his eyes betraying a calm determination, "Don't bother with these gestures. Ever since I left for this show, I never once thought about returning."

Mrs. Zhang's heart sank, "Xingsui, what do you mean?"

Most times, Jian Xingsui was an amenable child. However, once he made up his mind, he could be resolute.

"It's simple," Jian Xingsui's voice was even, "It means don't intend to return."

Jian Xingsui held the gift in his hands, "Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I appreciate the gesture."

Just as Mrs. Zhang was about to speak, Jian Xingsui changed the topic.

"Speaking of which, I've been so busy lately that I've overlooked some paperwork. While An Ran's surname and residency have been transferred, mine haven’t." Jian Xingsui said, "I was thinking, once I leave the show, perhaps we should settle this matter?"

Mrs. Zhang offered a tentative smile, "Are you referring to the change of residency? That's no issue at all!"

Jian Xingsui shook his head, "I'm referring to the parent-child identification. It seems we've done it for An Ran, but not for me. If we're to address formalities, let’s complete this one too."

At his words, both Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang stiffened, eyes widening in shock.

If Jian Xingsui discovered they weren't biologically related, he might pursue the truth about his real parents. If the past were to be unveiled, wouldn't all their previous deeds be exposed?

That would mean...

They would be doomed.