Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Could it be that she likes me?

“`

The winter vacation had passed its halfway point, and New Year’s Eve was approaching.

At the end of the year, everyone became busy, striving to finish their work before the holiday to have a good celebration.

“What kind of report is this? It’s utter nonsense. Take it back and rewrite it immediately. If it’s not done before the holiday, you’ll have to work overtime during New Year’s to finish it!” Ji Tingyang’s face was livid with rage as he slammed the document on the desk with a “bang”.

“I’ll rewrite it right away!” the project manager of the department trembled in fear, hurriedly grabbing the document, and dashed out of the office as if a lion were chasing him.

Even the secretary outside the office shivered, holding the documents in her hands with a look of terror, not daring to go in.

“What’s the matter, standing at the door and not going in?”

A melodious voice rang out from behind.

The secretary turned around and saw Miss Lin’s graceful figure, like an angel, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Miss Lin, the president has been in a bad mood recently, I’m a bit scared to go in. Could you please handle this document…”

“Give it to me, I’ll take it in for you,” Lin Xu took the document.

“Thank you! Thank you!” The secretary couldn’t stop thanking her, as if she had heard the most beautiful music.

Lin Xu smiled, pushed the door open, and entered.

Her high heels clicked on the marble floor with a “clack”.

Ji Tingyang put his hand to his temple and pinched it fiercely, scolding like he was nitpicking, “Who allowed you to wear high heels!”

“Ah, are high heels not allowed here either? Then should I take them off next time before I come in?” Lin Xu said teasingly.

Hearing the familiar voice, Ji Tingyang abruptly lifted his head, his deep eyes instantly lighting up.

“Are you in a bad mood? Why such a temper?” Lin Xu went over and rubbed his head.

Ji Tingyang suppressed the upward curve of his lips and gently rubbed his cheek against her palm, “When did you come over? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“To give you a surprise. Are you happy?”

“Happy,” Ji Tingyang pressed his lifted lips together, pulled Lin Xu over to the sofa beside him, and sat down with her.

“By the way, do you have Lanyue’s contact information?” Lin Xu asked.

Ji Lanyue.

It had been a long time since Ji Tingyang had heard this name, and he paused, “What’s up?”

“For New Year’s! On New Year’s Eve, let’s invite Zeqiu and your sister back for the reunion dinner. We can all gather as a family!” The more Lin Xu thought about the scene, the more excited she became, wishing that today was already New Year’s Eve.

She had wanted to ask for her sister’s contact information a long time ago, but Ji Tingyang said she was busy with her studies at school and it wouldn’t be convenient to disturb her.

Now that winter break was here and New Year’s was approaching, she thought she should be able to see her.

Lin Xu was filled with anticipation.

However, Ji Tingyang hesitated, feeling a slight displeasure rising in his heart.

He wanted to spend New Year’s Eve and New Year’s alone with his mother, without anyone else…

If the two of them came back, they would surely compete with him for his mother’s attention.

He hadn’t had enough alone time with his mother yet.

His brow creased slightly, the happy expression on his face suddenly turning sullen.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xu saw that he hadn’t responded for a while and stood there looking puzzled.

“It’s nothing,” Ji Tingyang gathered up the gloom from his face, “Celebrities have to work even during New Year’s, don’t they? Ji Zeqiu definitely won’t have time for New Year’s, and Lanyue has recently taken up some part-time job, I don’t know if she’ll have the time to come back either.”

He muttered, implying through his words that he wasn’t too keen on contacting them.

“Just ask, please,” Lin Xu cooed.

“Alright,” Ji Tingyang replied, his voice dull with unhappiness as he rested his head on her shoulder, then with some anticipation, “Mother, let’s have dinner together tonight.”

“Sure, come with me to Zeqiu’s place for dinner.”

“Why do we have to go to his place!” Ji Tingyang’s entire body filled with dissatisfaction.

“`

He had dinner with his mother, so why did they have to include Ji Zeqiu? It was such a mood killer.

“You forgot? Today is his birthday,” Lin Xu reminded.

Ji Tingyang was taken aback for a moment, he truly had forgotten.

The three siblings, when they were young, had no money to celebrate their birthdays. They would woefully eat a bowl of instant noodles as longevity noodles, not even candles were involved. Later, as they grew up, each got busy with their own affairs, and their relationship was no longer as close, hence they never again celebrated birthdays together.

“I even bought a cake. Let’s go together and celebrate. It would be even better if we could also invite Lanyue,” that was also one of the reasons Lin Xu had come over.

“No,” Ji Tingyang’s face was still filled with refusal.

“Come on, this is my personal invitation. If you refuse, I’ll be really sad. Do you really want to make me sad?” Lin Xu looked at him with those dewy eyes, blinking.

Ji Tingyang was struck by her moist gaze, his heart softened, and by the time he came back to his senses, he had already agreed.

—-

After finishing shooting for the day, Ji Zeqiu saw the message from Lin Xu asking him to come home early tonight.

“I’m practically dead from filming, how can I get back that early.” Ji Zeqiu muttered, but when he saw the director coming over, he still took the initiative to ask, “Director, I have something to do tonight, may I leave a bit earlier?”

In the car on the way home, he realized something was off.

Why should he go home just because she told him to?!

Why should he listen to her?

But then, when he texted her asking what the matter was and she wouldn’t say, what if she was in danger?

If she was in danger, wouldn’t she call the police? What could he do by going home!

So, Ji Zeqiu struggled with his thoughts just for a moment, and before he knew it, the car had already arrived at the apartment building.

He was just a little worried, after all, it was his home, and he would be responsible if anything happened.

With that thought, Ji Zeqiu pushed open the door.

“Bang!”

With a loud bang, streamers and confetti rushed out competing to fall on Ji Zeqiu’s body.

“Happy Birthday!” Lin Xu was holding a popper, cheering joyfully.

Her eyes were curved in joy, her smile as warm and brilliant as the sun on a winter day, lighting up a dark corner in the depths of his heart.

Ticklish, warm.

Ji Zeqiu felt an impulse in his heart, and hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet her eyes, his ears reddening.

He stuttered in confusion, “How-how-how did you know today is my birthday?”

After becoming an entertainer, Ji Zeqiu’s public birthday was all fake, chosen by his agent as an auspicious day, saying it made it easier for fans to celebrate with him.

For many years, he had been celebrating that fake birthday and had grown accustomed to it.

Even he had forgotten about today.

How did she find out?

Aside from his family, not many people knew his real birthday.

No sooner had he spoken than Ji Zeqiu saw an unwelcome Ji Tingyang appear behind Lin Xu, and the joy on his face immediately collapsed, “What are you doing here?”

It turned out Ji Tingyang had told her.

Wait a minute.

Ji Tingyang would never celebrate his birthday. Could it be that Lin Xu had asked him for the information?

She took the initiative to find out his birthday?

Could it be… she likes him?

A sweet feeling suddenly rose in Ji Zeqiu’s heart.