Chapter 104: Chapter 104 - 104 104 Birthday Gift

Chapter 104: 104 Birthday Gift Chapter 104: 104 Birthday Gift Nan Qing’s expression became very complex, her coat carrying the distinctive scent of Su Cheng, lingering at her nose—it was the familiar aroma she had smelled for many years.

Su Cheng never liked to use perfume, his natural scent was that of bedding sun-dried under the sunshine, which invariably evoked thoughts of sunny beaches and all things beautiful.

Thinking of this brought a smile to her lips, and as she fumbled in Su Cheng’s coat pocket, she indeed found a small box, a jewelry box.

Nan Qing was both expectant and fearful; upon opening the small box, she discovered a necklace inside, its pendant a little girl’s figure. On closer inspection, wasn’t it a chibi version of Nan Qing?

She held it in her hands and looked and looked—as if seeing herself in that endearing figure that seemed so alive, the more she looked, the fonder she grew.

Speaking of which, every year Su Cheng’s birthday gifts for Nan Qing were carefully thought out, including the figurines she loved but was reluctant to buy, and the paintings she wanted…

Nan Qing’s eyes grew moist. She didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad about the gift before her. Su Cheng was always like this—every time she decided to give up on him, he would do something touching, making her resolve waver wildly.

Of course, Nan Qing knew that Su Cheng didn’t do it on purpose, and that his heart belonged only to Fu Han, but his kindness towards her was also undeniable.

…

Fu Han entered the hall and immediately saw He Xing and Xia Ning. The pair stood side by side in the hall, both wearing black long wool coats, looking like a couple in matching outfits, strikingly pleasant to the eye as a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

She found it somewhat irritating; every time she saw these two together, unpleasant memories sprang to mind.

Upon seeing Fu Han, Xia Ning playfully tugged on He Xing’s sleeve, whispering something in the direction of Fu Han.

He Xing’s gaze then fell upon Fu Han, his look as cold as the weather outside, frosty and freezing like the depths of winter.

The two took leisurely steps towards Fu Han, stopping about a meter away from her.

Xia Ning, with a slight tilt of her head towards He Xing, created the optical illusion that she was leaning on his shoulder. In a coquettish manner, she said to Fu Han, “We two didn’t receive an invitation and came uninvited. Would you not welcome us?”

“Of course not.” Fu Han retorted with a cold face, “Today is Nan Qing’s birthday, and I don’t want anyone causing a scene, so please leave by yourselves.”

“Brother He Xing, see?” Xia Ning looked up at He Xing with pouting lips, “I said Sister Fu Han would think we’re here to make trouble, and you said she wasn’t like that.”

The term “Sister Fu Han” nearly made Fu Han vomit out her last meal, so repulsed that she almost forgot the sarcasm in Xia Ning’s words.

Fu Han snorted, “Xia Ning, since you know I’m that kind of person, why don’t you leave? Are you waiting for me to shoo you away with a broom?”

Xia Ning looked at Fu Han with a surprise. In the past, she often provoked Fu Han with this tactic, and Fu Han would usually jump with anger, embarrassing herself and becoming the laughingstock of everyone.

However, today, Fu Han admitted it so readily that it left Xia Ning feeling like she had punched a bundle of cotton, unable to find leverage.

Looking helplessly at He Xing, Xia Ning said, “Brother He Xing, since they don’t welcome us, shall we leave? I know a new BBQ shop that’s really good. My treat.”

Fu Han pondered over Xia Ning’s words, sensing something amiss. Could it be that Xia Ning’s implication was that it wasn’t her who dragged He Xing along today?

He Xing stepped aside, his expression unreadable as he looked at Xia Ning, “You go have BBQ on your own. I’m Nan Qing’s neighbor and it’s only right for me to come and wish her a happy birthday. She surely won’t kick me out.”

“You go, I go too.” Xia Ning pouted again, attempting to close in on He Xing.

But He Xing had already turned and walked away, “Whether you leave or stay is up to you. I’m going to look around; don’t follow me.”

Xia Ning stomped her feet in frustration, and when she caught Fu Han’s eyes gleaming with Schadenfreude, she glared fiercely at her, “Don’t get too smug. Brother He Xing stopped liking you long ago; otherwise, why hasn’t he contacted you for three years?”

“I never said he liked me,” Fu Han retorted with arms crossed, tactically belittling Xia Ning, “Yet you go around claiming Brother He Xing likes you, but I’ve never heard him say that himself.”

“You…” Xia Ning’s face turned white with anger, her teeth grating.

“You’re welcome.” Fu Han interrupted, her face full of mock gratitude, “If you truly want to climb the ranks successfully, have He Xing announce your relationship, or you could just get engaged or married.”

“I’ll wait for that day,” Xia Ning spat through clenched teeth, yet her words still came out sounding less than confident.

“Then I’ll be watching with interest,” Fu Han answered, laughing, swaying her hips as she walked away.

By now many guests had arrived, with some deliberately clustering around the trio; some were already chuckling at the spectacle.

Xia Ning trembled with rage, glaring at those who came to gawk, her hatred towards Fu Han climbing to a new level.

…

After composing herself, Nan Qing also entered the lobby and instantly spotted He Xing not far off, standing in front of a painting, absorbed in thought.

She glanced at the painting and felt a bit surprised; it was her favorite among all her works, depicting two children holding hands in silhouette against the setting sun. Their joined shadows stretched long, intertwined just like the embrace of grownups.

Truth be told, her technical skills were not yet perfected when she painted it, but the intention was profound, as the painting captured the essence of the same person during both his youth and adulthood.

Nan Qing approached He Xing, “Do you like this painting?”

“Yes,” came He Xing’s reply, a trace of emotion crossing his gaze, “This painting makes me think of some things from the past.” After a brief pause, he asked, “Is this painting for sale? I’ll pay any price.”

“Do you think I’m short on cash?” Nan Qing smiled, her eyes curving beautifully, looking quite charming.

“Indeed, the young lady of the Nangong Family, with endless wealth, how could you be short on cash?” He Xing’s lips curled slightly, “I asked too much of you.”

Nan Qing’s expression shifted, past jests put aside as she seriously explained, “If it were any other painting, I could part with it, but not this one. It represents the most beautiful memory… of him and me.”

He Xing’s eyes swept across Su Cheng in the distance before unobtrusively returning to the painting, “I see, then you should cherish it.”

After saying this, he turned to leave, but Nan Qing stopped him in a soft voice, “Wait, you haven’t told Fu Han about the incident, right?”

“Do I look like a gossipy middle-aged woman who spreads rumors?” He Xing smiled, but the smile held no warmth, “I wouldn’t stoop to backbiting.”

Nan Qing coughed awkwardly, “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want my family issues to affect my relationship with my friends.”