Hou Junqi said: “Several in the morning, several in the afternoon, and several more in the evening. You’ve been receiving them for two days now—must be more than ten? Especially many this year, eh A-Shu?”
Zhang Shu shrugged, also finding it puzzling. In previous years he’d get two or three, nothing like this year’s exaggeration.
After all, thanks to the lady beside him, his image was that of a lovesick fool pursuing the school’s beauty.
Wu Pengcheng said: “It’s because you ranked first in the joint exam. Now it’s not just our school—what senior high school girl doesn’t know about you? Even vocational school students are your fans.”
“Really?” Liu Hui’an teased with a grin, “Is being good at exams that attractive?”
“Well, we should ask a girl about that,” Zhou Yingxiang had invited her, so he had to look after her, “Mengyao, what do you think?”
Chen Mengyao gathered her cards, speaking slowly: “Being good at exams only gives +110 charm, a handsome guy who’s good at exams gets +10010, and if the handsome guy isn’t just good at exams, that’s +10086.”
“Hahahahahahaha!”
“Awesome!”
“You girls know how to calculate.”
The room burst into laughter, the atmosphere gradually becoming harmonious.
Even Zhang Shu, who had maintained a blank expression, tugged at the corner of his mouth while sucking his lollipop.
Chen Mengyao never lost her composure in social situations. She knew how to turn from guest to host and attract everyone’s attention.
After a while, when the cards had been shuffled several rounds and the topic had passed, Wu Pengcheng suddenly asked: “What about you, beautiful? What did you give him? Did you come empty-handed?”
Chen Mengyao almost wanted to kick his chair, but showed no anger on her face, lazily resting her chin on her hand: “Isn’t my presence enough? If I gave anything else, wouldn’t that be too forward?”
She hadn’t planned to give anything anyway. How could she be like those girls who secretly admired him? She wasn’t that eager.
After speaking, she discreetly observed Zhang Shu.
He was focused on his cards, teeth crunching the lollipop with a “crack,” mumbling “Going all in!” as he threw down all his cards. His freed hand pulled out the lollipop stick, and leaning back in his chair, his long arm casually tossed it, accurately landing in the distant trash can.
The series of movements flowed smoothly, his gaze never wavering.
He won again.
The losers wailed in unison, instantly drowning out Chen Mengyao’s words.
“I’m done,” Zhang Shu stood up, pulling out chips from under the table to count, “Let’s call it a day.”
Zhou Yingxiang hurriedly tried to stop him: “No, A-Shu, it’s only been two hours, it’s still early?”
Zhang Shu held up his palm toward Zhou Yingxiang, gesturing him to be quiet while continuing to count his chips. After counting, he tossed them on the table, “43 pieces, calculate it yourselves, transfer what you owe to my Alipay.”
“That’s fine, but let’s play a bit more.” Han Xiao was still eager.
“Yeah, it’s rare for us to get together.”
Zhang Shu said: “No more playing, my sister texted saying she’s waiting for me at home.”
Hearing this, Hou Junqi realized A-Shu and his sister’s relationship was thawing, and quickly agreed: “Then you should head back, this is important.”
Zhou Yingxiang stopped insisting and called the owner to bring out the prepared cake.
Although Zhang Shu could be sharp-tongued, he rarely substantially rejected people’s goodwill. Since he was already here, he could spare a few more minutes.
Zhou Yingxiang was good at creating an atmosphere. After lighting the candles and dimming the lights, he pushed Chen Mengyao forward, “Start us off, superstar.”
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”
Chen Mengyao was strikingly beautiful, with a mature speaking voice. When singing, she had a hint of smoky vocals, very world-weary, suitable for folk songs.
The birthday song from her lips lost its light cheerfulness, gaining romantic intimacy, and creating an immersive story-like feeling.
So no one joined in to disrupt the atmosphere; everyone just clapped softly, watching her sing.
In the flickering candlelight, Zhang Shu’s gaze gradually became focused and profound, just like that night during military training.
Chen Mengyao almost didn’t want to end the song.
“Happy birthday to you…”
As the song ended, she once again blessed the young man: “Happy birthday, A-Shu.”
“Make a wish, make a wish!” Hou Junqi reminded me.
Zhang Shu didn’t press his hands together, didn’t close his eyes, and didn’t keep his wish secret. With his usual casualness, he said “Then I wish this year passes quickly so I can come of age,” before leaning forward to blow out the candles.
“Happy birthday!” Everyone cheered and applauded.
The lights brightened, and everyone shared the sweet cake.
Zhang Shu only took two perfunctory bites before grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder, “Thanks for tonight, let’s all head back.”
Zhou Yingxiang quickly said: “Let’s meet up again sometime.”
“We’ll see,” Zhang Shu was noncommittal, then turned to ask Chen Mengyao: “How did you get here?”
Chen Mengyao spread her hands: “Zhou Yingxiang picked me up.”
Zhang Shu instructed Zhou Yingxiang: “You invited her, you take her back.”
“Of course, I’ll make sure she gets home safely,” Zhou Yingxiang replied.
Zhang Shu said: “Let’s disperse, I’m leaving.”