[This chapter is unrelated to the main story. Do not take it seriously.]
[May cause confusion while reading—feel free to skip!]
February 3rd
Light snow drifted outside the window, the flakes floating weightlessly. A peony bloomed vibrantly by the windowsill, its petals lush and radiant.
Suddenly, the window was pushed open.
"It's snowing."
Li Guanqi stood by the window, bundled in thick winter clothes. One hand held down her wind-tossed long hair while her gaze wandered into the distance, misty-eyed yet full of longing. "How lovely..."
Just then, a door downstairs creaked open. A beautiful girl in a white down jacket stepped out—only to shiver violently the moment the cold air hit her. Hugging her arms, she immediately retreated inside, slamming the door shut and locking it for good measure.
As Li Guanqi stood there dazed, a chilly gust swept in, making her shudder. She hurriedly closed the window.
Then, she wrapped herself tightly in a thick scarf, covering her lips and neck with its plush fur trim. She looked like an adorable, pudgy teddy bear.
Worth noting: this scarf was a gift from Su Cheng.
After shutting the window, she walked to her desk and picked up her phone, opening a messaging app.
Su Cheng had sent her a message.
She tapped to read it.
Su Cheng: "Went shopping for New Year's supplies at the market today."
Attached was a photo of the bustling market—vendors in all sorts of hats carried bags upon bags of goods, the scene lively and crowded.
Su Cheng: "What about you? Any plans for today?"
Since it was winter break, Su Cheng had already returned to her hometown to celebrate the New Year at the orphanage.
Li Guanqi stared at the message, her thoughts drifting. It had been days since she last saw Su Cheng.
After a moment of hesitation, she typed back: "Might go to the library in the morning. Haven’t decided about the afternoon yet."
Su Cheng replied almost instantly: "Oh? I just saw an amazing firework at a stall. I’m buying it."
Li Guanqi typed: "Make sure to film it when you set it off. I’d love to see."
Su Cheng answered: "How about I save it and we light it together when I’m back?"
Li Guanqi: "No need to go through the trouble."
Su Cheng: "Then I’ll buy two."
Li Guanqi: "You’re impossible."
After a brief exchange, their conversation ended.
Exiting the chat, Li Guanqi opened her social feed—only to find a rare post from Gu Ruoxue.
Just one photo, and of a pet at that.
But this was unusual.
The picture showed a plump orange cat sprawled belly-up on a rug, dressed in a bright red coat. Snacks and toys surrounded it, the epitome of feline luxury.
Beneath the post were comments from Ji Qingyi and Su Cheng.
Ji Qingyi: "That poor jacket."
Su Cheng: "Fits him well. But… has he actually been losing weight?"
Li Guanqi silently liked the post before returning to her home screen. She stared at the date for a few seconds, then pocketed her phone and got ready to leave.
Before heading out, she left some food by the crow’s nest, then stepped outside alone.
The snow still fell lightly. She boarded a bus, leaving the special compound behind. Along the way, children laughed as they had snowball fights and built snowmen—a cheerful winter scene.
But when her eyes landed on a couple playfully chasing each other, a pang of loneliness twisted in her chest. She averted her gaze, lowering her lashes and tugging her scarf higher to hide her face.
Soon, she arrived at the library. The place was nearly empty, the air faintly scented with old paper.
She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
She remembered how crowded it had been when she and Su Cheng came to buy workbooks. Now, it felt desolate.
Walking inside, she browsed the shelves until she found a thick book, then settled into a chair in the reading room to quietly flip through it.
Time slipped by unnoticed. Only when she glanced up at the wall clock did she realize how long she’d been there—the hour hand now pointed straight to 12.
She marked her page with a bookmark, deciding to borrow the unfinished book and read it at home.
As she stood and headed for the checkout counter, her steps abruptly halted.
The staff member behind the desk was Sister Qin.
For a second, she wondered if she was hallucinating—Sister Qin worked at their school’s library. The déjà vu was dizzying.
After confirming it really was her, Li Guanqi approached and gently tapped the desk. "Hello, Sister Qin."
Sister Qin looked up, startled. "Li Guanqi? What are you doing in such a remote place?"
"I’ve been here a few times before. It’s quiet, so I came to read."
Li Guanqi placed her book on the counter. "Could you check this out for me?"
"Hold on."
Sister Qin grinned, pulling a stack of books from her drawer. "Since school rules don’t apply here… want to take one of these?"
Li Guanqi skimmed the titles—every single one was online literature.
Otherwise known as web novels.
It was Sister Qin who had first introduced her to the genre, lending her a book titled The Basic Laws of Web Novel Protagonists.
The memory stirred something in her, but she shook her head. "Thank you, but I don’t need these right now."
"Ah, you stubborn girl."
Sister Qin sighed but didn’t push further. "Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be working here until before New Year’s."
Li Guanqi nodded. "Understood."
"By the way… do you have a library card?"
"I do."
Li Guanqi pulled out an elegant metal card from her pocket and handed it over.
Beep.
Sister Qin scanned it, then suddenly gave her a knowing smile. "Is today your birthday?"
Li Guanqi froze, her eyelids fluttering nervously. "Just a coincidence. Probably a random date I filled in when registering. Doesn’t mean anything."
Sister Qin was close with Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan. If word got out that today was her birthday, it might cause unnecessary trouble for others.
"But the library system disagrees."
Sister Qin studied Li Guanqi’s evasive gaze and chuckled. "According to our rules, you can borrow any book for free today—even pick one as a birthday gift."
"I see." Li Guanqi let out a sigh of relief, then remarked with a touch of admiration, "This library is really considerate. But no need—I just want to borrow this one book."
Sister Qin smiled without responding, starting the borrowing process while pulling out her phone and pretending to dial a number. "Hello, Xuan Ying?"
Li Guanqi swiftly snatched the phone from her, giving her a helpless look. "Sister Qin… I get it."
"Who told you not to be honest?"
Sister Qin grinned, slipping her phone back into her pocket and winking at Li Guanqi. "It's your birthday today—why are you all alone? Where’s Su Cheng?"
"She went back to the countryside for the New Year."
Li Guanqi answered truthfully.
"Oh~ I see." Sister Qin stroked her chin, seemingly deep in thought, then said, "I remember you were there for Xuan Ying’s last birthday. How could she forget yours? That’s unacceptable—I’ll have to scold her!"
"No, please don’t tell anyone." Li Guanqi rubbed her temples in frustration. "I don’t want my personal matters to affect others’ lives."
Hearing this, Sister Qin paused, studying Li Guanqi’s eyes before sighing. "Now I finally understand why your presence feels so faint."
"Huh?" Li Guanqi frowned.
"Well, since I already know," Sister Qin declared with righteous determination, thumping her chest, "I can’t just stand by. Let me treat you to a meal."
"Sister Qin—"
"Shh." Sister Qin raised a finger to her lips. "Nothing too fancy—there’s a Haidilao hot pot place nearby that’s perfect. Come on, let’s go. No refusing, or I’ll tell Xuan Ying, and she’ll tell Su Cheng."
"Uh… fine."
In the end, Li Guanqi was dragged to Haidilao.
Coincidentally, the next table over was celebrating a birthday, with a group singing the birthday song. After finishing, the birthday person loudly declared their wish: "I want to get rich!"
Li Guanqi sat by the window, gazing outside, while Sister Qin sat across from her, chatting intermittently.
"By the way, do you have a birthday wish?" Sister Qin suddenly asked. "Don’t say ‘none,’ or I’ll ask someone else about it."
Li Guanqi withdrew her gaze and sighed, seriously contemplating her desires.
"Hmm—"
She rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"Like… wanting to be prettier?"
Sister Qin couldn’t resist chiming in.
"That’s a bit vain, but I’m already plenty pretty."
Li Guanqi retorted with a hint of sarcasm.
"Haha!"
Sister Qin burst out laughing, then waved her hand. "Fair enough. But I’m guessing you’re not short on money either."
"Or maybe… wanting to be smarter?"
She posed another question, but this time, Li Guanqi immediately shook her head.
This left Sister Qin puzzled. She scrutinized Li Guanqi for a few seconds before tentatively asking, "Do you really not have any wishes?"
"I don’t want to become someone other than myself."
Li Guanqi shook her head. "Sister Qin, all your suggestions involve changing myself. I can’t imagine how I’d handle a version of me that’s unfamiliar. Right now, I haven’t even figured out how to navigate life, let alone its structure."
She had experienced it before—when Su Cheng became smarter but also a little distant. It only led to an identity crisis, and she didn’t like that feeling.
"So that’s how it is."
Sister Qin nodded thoughtfully, then softened her tone. "In that case, you want a simple wish that doesn’t change who you are?"
Li Guanqi pressed her lips together briefly before murmuring, "Yes. But saying it out loud might jinx it, so I’ll keep it to myself."
"Then happy birthday."
Sister Qin raised her drink with a smile. "I’ll drink first—may your wish come true!"
"Mm." Li Guanqi clinked her glass lightly against hers. "Thank you."
………………
By the time they parted, it was already mid-afternoon.
The sunset dyed the city in red.
Much of the snow had melted, leaving the streets littered with small pebbles. Li Guanqi walked leisurely among them, her footsteps leaving traces in the slush as she headed toward the supermarket.
She needed to buy a few things.
However, the moment she stepped inside, she paused and turned toward another aisle. Not far away, Li Zhaohao stood in front of a claw machine, intently trying to grab a plushie.
"Want to head back together later?"
Li Guanqi approached and asked.
"Oh, Guanqi!"
Li Zhaohao snapped out of her focus, her face lighting up. "Just one more try—I’m about to get it!"
Following her gaze, Li Guanqi noticed the claw machine contained a chibi-style Su Cheng doll holding a bow and arrow, which surprised her. "They actually have a plushie like this…"
"Yep! And I’m gonna win it!"
Li Zhaohao concentrated fiercely, as if she’d pinpointed the doll’s weak spot. With a quick flick of the joystick, the claw descended—clack!—and the Su Cheng plushie flew out of the machine, landing in the prize chute. She bent down to pick it up.
"Hehe!"
She giggled triumphantly, hugging the toy as she rushed over to Li Guanqi. "Look! Isn’t it adorable?"
"Yes, very cute."
Li Guanqi glanced at the plushie and offered a quiet compliment.
"Here, it’s yours."
Li Zhaohao shoved it into her arms.
"Eh?"
Li Guanqi was taken aback.
"Birthday gift!"
Li Zhaohao beamed. "No refusing—I worked hard to fish this out from the pile."
"Thank you."
Li Guanqi held the doll, her gaze lingering on its features for a moment before clutching it tightly to her chest.
"Let’s hurry back—someone’s waiting for us at home."
Li Zhaohao cheerfully took her hand, pulling her toward the mall exit.
But at those words, Li Guanqi’s heart skipped several beats. Her breath hitched, and even her ears turned pink. "Someone… is waiting for us at home?"
"Yep!"
Li Zhaohao nodded. "Gu Ruoxue from next door—I invited her over for your birthday."
"Oh."
Li Guanqi nodded, slightly surprised.
"And also—"
"There’s more?"
Li Guanqi’s pupils constricted. Her pulse raced, and her voice trembled. "Who else?"
"Gu Ruoxue’s fat cat."
"…Oh."
"Hm? What’s wrong? You look pale."
"It’s nothing."
Li Guanqi shook her head with a faintly desolate expression, then murmured, "It’s just an ordinary birthday. I don’t think it needs to be such a big deal…"
"But your past birthdays were always so quiet! Now that you have friends, why keep it that way?" Li Zhaohao tilted her head in confusion. "Don’t you like a livelier atmosphere?"
"It’s not that, it’s just… it feels…"
Li Guanqi hesitated for a moment, lowering her head and murmuring in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Three people still isn't lively enough..."
"Alright, alright, let's go, let's go."
Li Zhaohao pulled Li Guanqi out of the mall lobby.
The car moved slowly along the streets of Flame City's ancient district. She lifted her gaze to the city bathed in the sunset, her thoughts swirling.
"You didn't tell Su Cheng?"
"No."
"So he forgot your birthday?"
Li Zhaohao sighed lightly, sounding slightly annoyed.
"He must be really busy back home. I didn’t want to disturb his work, so I didn’t tell him."
Li Guanqi spoke in a coaxing tone, as if soothing a child, "You know how he is—if he knew, he’d drop everything to come celebrate with me. But I wouldn’t be happy if he did that."
"You’re so considerate of him, but he clearly forgot your birthday!"
Li Zhaohao rolled her eyes in exasperation before quickly brightening again. "Whatever, let’s just celebrate secretly."
And so, the car slowly arrived at their doorstep.
As she stepped out, she thought she heard familiar voices for a fleeting moment, but when she strained to listen, they vanished—leaving only the hum of the car engine and a hollow feeling in her chest.
"Come on."
Li Zhaohao suddenly appeared behind her, nudging her toward the house. The unusual behavior made Li Guanqi sense something was off.
"Could it be...?"
Sure enough, her intuition was spot-on. The moment she stepped into the hall, the lights flicked on.
"Bang! Bang!"
"Surprise! Happy birthday!"
After the crack of party poppers, cheers erupted through the room. Then, she saw the courtyard filled with familiar faces.
Even though she’d suspected something, Li Guanqi was still stunned by the scene before her.
"This is...?"
She stood frozen, staring at the center of the hall, her lips parting slightly.
"Happy birthday, Guanqi!"
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday to you!"
Everyone in the hall—except her—shouted in unison, clapping to welcome the guest of honor.
Li Guanqi remained rooted in place, her eyes scanning the crowd. But when she didn’t spot that one familiar figure, an inexplicable ache welled up in her chest.
A little disappointed.
Still, she was happy.
"Seems like the birthday girl isn’t thrilled. Is it because someone’s missing?"
Liu Qingyue pouted playfully before sidling up to Li Guanqi, draping an arm over her shoulders and leaning in with a grin. "But there’s a big gift waiting in your room—something Su Cheng went through a lot of trouble to send from the countryside~"
"A gift from Su Cheng?"
At those words, Li Guanqi’s brows lifted slightly, warmth flooding her heart, replacing the disappointment with anticipation.
"Yep! He asked me to pass it to you. Said it’s special and you have to open it yourself. Wanna go check it out now?" Liu Qingyue blinked mischievously. "Don’t be too shocked—it’s something he made himself."
"I see."
Instead of heading upstairs immediately, Li Guanqi first thanked everyone in the hall.
"Go open it already."
Ji Qingyi, sipping tea nearby, urged impatiently.
"Today’s your day—just relax."
Gu Ruoxue, cuddling a massive cat, gave her an encouraging look.
"You’re the star today! Don’t keep us waiting. Go on, then come back to cut the cake and make a wish."
Cornelia chimed in excitedly, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
"Since everyone insists, I’ll go."
Li Guanqi nodded and made her way to the stairs. At the door, she took a deep breath before pressing the handle and swinging it open.
The first thing that greeted her was bright light. Then, in the middle of the living room, sat an enormous gift box.
Seeing it, she had a hunch about its contents. Her breath hitched, her cheeks burning.
Because there was a good chance Su Cheng was inside.
He’d wrapped himself up as her present.
That would be just like him.
Her eyes darted to the crow in the room for help, but the bird shook its head—clueless.
Li Guanqi’s heart pounded so hard she almost bolted.
This is so embarrassing. What kind of game is this?
But she forced herself to stay calm, steadying her racing pulse as she approached the box. Gently, she traced its surface before lifting the lid...
The moment it opened, she froze. Inside wasn’t what she’d hoped for.
Instead, there were fireworks—and a card with a handwritten note:
"Happy birthday. I couldn’t make it, but I know you’ll have an amazing time with everyone."
Signed, Su Cheng.
"I won’t have an amazing time."
Li Guanqi muttered under her breath, tucking the card into her pocket with a pout. "Just a regular happy time. Not amazing at all..."
"What about now?"
A familiar voice rang out just as arms encircled her from behind. A head nestled into her shoulder, breathing in her scent.
"Now is it amazing?"
The familiar smell overwhelmed her senses. Flustered, she spun around and lightly thumped his chest. "You’re always like this..."
"I asked you—is it amazing now?"
Su Cheng pulled her back into his embrace. She squirmed halfheartedly before melting against him, letting his warmth seep into her.
"Mhm."
Her face pressed to his chest, she gave a tiny nod, burrowing deeper.
"Let’s go. Time for cake and wishes!"
"Okay." Li Guanqi nodded again.
Hand in hand, Su Cheng led her downstairs under everyone’s gaze. The crowd parted as they reached the candlelit cake.
"Here, put this on!"
Li Zhaohao placed a birthday hat on Li Guanqi’s head, gesturing for her to make a wish.
"Yeah, make a wish!"
"What do you think she’ll wish for?" Xuan Ying wondered aloud.
"Pretty sure her wish already came true," Sister Qin remarked with a quiet laugh.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Can’t say—or it won’t happen."
"But you said it already did?"
"This wish isn’t just for now—it’s forever!"
"..."
Amid the chatter of friends and sisters, Li Guanqi glanced around, then closed her eyes, clasping her hands in earnest prayer. The room fell silent in an instant.
However, when she wanted to make a wish—
she realized it had already come true.
She opened her eyes and glanced around at everyone once more, overwhelmed by the warmth and care radiating from them.
And of course, the love from the man beside her.
At this moment, she felt her existence affirmed, her worth validated. All her past pains were soothed by this tenderness and passion.
Her wish had been fulfilled.
"Thank you all. This is the most beautiful birthday gift I’ve ever received. My wish has already come true."
Li Guanqi lifted her delicate face, tears welling in her eyes, her heart brimming with joy and gratitude beyond words. Unsure how else to respond, she chose the simplest gesture—after speaking, she blew out the candles in one breath.
"Happy birthday, Guanqi!"