Chapter 9, Happy Birthday
Ji Linxue turned his head. A boy, about six or seven years old, stood behind him, dressed in a high-quality white suit, like an innocent little prince, looking handsome and adorable.
After seeing his face clearly, the boy's eyes instantly changed from wary to surprised, "Ah! It's you! I remember you!"
A cold wind swept by, and the boy sneezed from the cold. Only then did Ji Linxue notice he was slightly trembling. In such cold weather, wearing just a suit, even Ji Linxue felt a bit uncomfortable, let alone a child.
"If you're cold, you can go there." Ji Linxue pointed. It was where Gu Hengzhi had brought him earlier, a glass conservatory with constant temperature.
The boy rubbed his nose, "I know. What about you? Aren't you cold?"
"I'm not afraid of the cold." Ji Linxue's expression was calm, his gaze falling on the boy's red nose. "You know me?"
"Of course I know you! You're my brother's friend!" Talking about this, the boy was very excited, his cheeks flushed pink. "Do you remember me? That snowy day, at the hospital entrance, it was me! My name is Gu Zixi, and I'm Gu Hengzhi's brother!"
"I remember." Ji Linxue walked over, led the chattering boy into the warm conservatory, fed him some warm water, and watched as his frozen skin gradually regained its normal color. "Today is your birthday. Why are you here?"
"It's so stuffy inside. I wanted to come out for some fresh air." The boy looked up, staring eagerly at him. "I still don't know your name! You must have a very good relationship with my brother, right?"
Ji Linxue didn't miss the admiration and envy in his eyes when he mentioned Gu Hengzhi, the little stars in his eyes seemed to overflow.
It seemed Gu Zixi was not as hostile towards Gu Hengzhi as his mother was.
"My name is Ji Linxue, and I'm your brother's roommate."
"Linxue Ge." The boy called out softly, his fair cheeks flushed. Ji Linxue noticed his right hand was clenched into a fist. After a while, he asked nervously and cautiously, "Then... did my brother ever mention me to you?"
Ji Linxue chose his words carefully, "He doesn't talk to us about family matters."
"Oh, I see." The light in the boy's eyes dimmed considerably, clearly showing disappointment. Ji Linxue didn't comfort him. Instead, he handed over the dessert plate from the side, "This is what he brought over earlier. If you're hungry, you can eat some."
"My brother brought it? Can I really eat it?" Seeing Ji Linxue nod, Gu Zixi took the fork beside him, forked a small piece of cake, put it into his mouth, swallowed it whole, and said excitedly, "Delicious!"
Ji Linxue used a tissue to wipe the crumbs around his mouth, "Eat slowly."
When Gu Hengzhi finished his tasks and came over, what he saw was such a heartwarming scene.
Terrible memories flooded back like a tide, and a dense pain spread across his chest. His gaze turned cold, and he strode forward, "What are you doing?"
Gu Zixi was so scared he dropped his fork, his body stiff as a piece of wood, "Gege..."
"Don't call me Gege," Gu Hengzhi's voice was icy cold, "Do you know everyone is looking for you? You're the main character of this banquet. Many parts can't proceed without you. You're seven years old, don't you know what kind of occasion today is? Who told you to run around everywhere?"
His voice was very calm, and he didn't use a heavy tone, but every word was like an ice pick. Gu Zixi instantly burst into tears. He opened his mouth to explain, but meeting Gu Hengzhi's gaze, he pursed his lips and lowered his head, "I know I was wrong."
"If you know you're wrong, hurry back." Gu Hengzhi didn't look at Ji Linxue the entire time. After saying this, he turned and left, his back rigid and resolute.
Ji Linxue watched him leave, and the boy's faint voice came from his ear.
"Linxue Gege, thank you for the cake." Gu Zixi placed the small silver fork on the table, looked up, and cautiously glanced at him, "I think I've caused you trouble."
Ji Linxue rubbed his head, saying nothing.
The big and small figures silently walked back to the banquet hall. As soon as Gu Zixi entered, he was hugged tightly by Lin Muxin. The latter's face was full of worry.
"Xiao Xi, where did you go? Don't you know Mama would be very worried if she couldn't find you?"
"Mama, I know I was wrong." Gu Zixi acted cute with Lin Muxin for a moment, then pointed at Ji Linxue and said, "I was having such a good time talking with this Gege that I forgot the time. I won't do this again."
Only then did Lin Muxin look at Ji Linxue. Seeing the empty tray in his hand, she smiled kindly, "Are you a server from 'Sting'? What's your name?"
Sting was a famous five-star restaurant in S City, and the Gu family's birthday banquet was catered by them.
Unexpectedly, Lin Muxin had mistaken him for a server.
Before Ji Linxue could speak, Gu Hengzhi's voice came from behind him, "He's my classmate, not a server you hired."
Lin Muxin's face changed almost instantly. The smile on her face became difficult to maintain, "Is that so?"
She avoided their gazes, her hands hugging Gu Zixi tightening continuously, like a taut string, "It's time to cut the cake, Xiao Xi, let's go."
Ji Linxue watched her swift steps even in high heels and felt very strange.
He had noticed this at the hospital entrance last time. Lin Muxin didn't dislike Gu Hengzhi, it was more like fear, almost to the point of encountering a terrifying beast.
He wanted to ask Gu Hengzhi, but when he turned around, he found the space behind him empty.
The banquet had reached its final segment. Servers pushed up a seven-tiered cake, a very cute cartoon style.
The lights in the surroundings dimmed. Under everyone's gaze, Gu Fengyan and Lin Muxin stood on either side behind Gu Zixi. Gu Zixi blew out the candles. Gu Fengyan held his little hand and cut the first slice from the center of the cake.
"I want to give the first piece of cake to Mama!" Gu Zixi smiled sweetly, "Without Mama, there would be no me."
Lin Muxin covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes, "Xiao Xi is so good!"
"I want to give the second piece of cake to Papa. Papa is the best Papa in the world!"
Gu Fengyan laughed heartily, "As expected of my son. Come here and give Papa a kiss."
What a warm and harmonious family.
Ji Linxue subconsciously searched for Gu Hengzhi's figure, but couldn't even find a glimpse of him.
No one mentioned Gu Hengzhi. It seemed everyone else had forgotten Gu Hengzhi's existence.
Shen Shaoyan squeezed out from the crowd, "Have you seen Heng Ge?"
Lu Yu walked out from behind him, calmly saying, "He won't eat this cake. He must have already left."
"Then do you know where he might go?"
Shen Shaoyan shrugged, "Hard to say, but I know he definitely won't stay at the Gu family's place tonight."
Ji Linxue had a plan in mind. He patted Shen Shaoyan's shoulder, "Lend me your driver."
"No problem."
Ji Linxue quickly left the Gu family mansion. Shen Shaoyan watched the car drive away, his mind gradually clearing,
'They're both going to find Gu Hengzhi. Why didn't Ji Linxue take him along???'
The mansion was quite remote. Although there were lights all along the way, no one could be seen.
If Gu Hengzhi was walking, given the time, it was impossible for him to have walked so far.
He dialed Gu Hengzhi's phone. Unexpectedly, Gu Hengzhi answered.
The other end of the line was very quiet, only the whooshing of the wind could be heard. Neither spoke. After a moment, Ji Linxue parted his lips, "Where are you?"
Gu Hengzhi's voice was a little hoarse, "Why should I tell you?"
Ji Linxue said, "We're friends."
Gu Hengzhi gave a short laugh, "Friends?"
"I don't need them now."
After saying that, he hung up. Ji Linxue listened to the dial tone from the other end, his brows gradually furrowing.
If Gu Hengzhi wasn't aimlessly wandering, there weren't many places he could go.
The original novel seemed to have mentioned one place. Thinking of this, Ji Linxue immediately called Shen Shaoyan, asked for the address, and instructed the driver. Half an hour later, he got out of the car at the entrance of a cemetery.
The driver looked at the dark cemetery gate, feeling a chill, and couldn't help but ask, "Young man, are you sure it's here?"
"Yes," Ji Linxue nodded to him, "Please wait for me here for a moment, I'll be out shortly."
It was cold in winter, and the cemetery staff were also quite lax. Ji Linxue didn't have much trouble slipping in. He walked upwards and finally spotted a familiar figure not far away.
Gu Hengzhi stood in front of a tombstone. He wore a black down jacket outside, which blended completely with the night if one didn't look closely.
"Gu Hengzhi."
Ji Linxue, guided by the faint light, finally walked to his side.
Gu Hengzhi turned his head, his tone cold, as if they were back at the very beginning of their acquaintance, "How did you know I was here?"
Ji Linxue, "I asked Shen Shaoyan."
"Nosy," Gu Hengzhi twitched the corner of his lips. After saying that, he continued to silently stare at the photo on the tombstone.
Ji Linxue followed his gaze. It was a very beautiful woman, smiling, looking intellectual and elegant.
"Auntie has a great temperament. You two look very alike."
Gu Hengzhi glanced at him, saying nothing.
The two stood like iron posts for a few minutes. A gust of wind blew, and Ji Linxue sneezed.
Gu Hengzhi couldn't help but look over, and only then noticed that he was still wearing the suit from the banquet, with only a thin cotton coat outside, "Are you sick? It's so cold, why aren't you wearing more clothes?"
Ji Linxue looked at him, his lips pale from the cold, "I only brought this jacket."
"You don't need to go to such lengths to curry favor with me," Gu Hengzhi hardened his heart, "Like you did today, pleasing a simple child should be easier than pleasing me, with my bad temper, right?"
"It's not the same." Ji Linxue shook his head, his expression serious, "I wasn't trying to please him. If it were another child, I would do the same."
Gu Hengzhi felt much better after his words. Even his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
"Do you miss your mother a lot?"
After a long while, Gu Hengzhi realized that Ji Linxue had asked the question. He licked his dry lips, "Miss isn't quite the word. She passed away when I was very young. I don't have many impressions of her anymore. There are no photos of her at home. I can only come here to remember what she looked like."
Ji Linxue said, "Are you willing to go somewhere with me?"
Gu Hengzhi turned his head to look at him, his eyes questioning.
An hour and a half later, the two got out of the car at a bustling street intersection.
It was already ten o'clock, but the street was still packed with people. Young Master Gu had never been to such a crowded place in his life, and his expression was very grim.
"The fun place you mentioned is here?"
"Yes." Ji Linxue was in a good mood, the corners of his lips slightly curved. Before Gu Hengzhi could react, he took his wrist and entered the street.
Gu Hengzhi had no time to refuse. He was pulled by the other, making his way through the crowded people. The clamor of human voices and the aroma of food seemed to weave into a beautiful painting, and they moved through it.
Ji Linxue led him to a vendor selling tanghulu (candied hawthorn fruit) and bought two skewers.
Soon, a skewer was placed in Gu Hengzhi's hand.
He looked at the bright red fruits in his hand, frowning, "It looks too sweet, I won't eat it."
Ji Linxue didn't give him a chance to refuse, directly touching the tanghulu to his lips, which elicited an exasperated "Hey!" from Gu Hengzhi.
Ji Linxue looked at him with a smile, "Just try it first."
Gu Hengzhi reluctantly took a bite. The golden, crispy sugar shell mixed with the sour and sweet hawthorn, neutralizing the sweetness so it wasn't cloying at all.
Ji Linxue asked him, "How is it?"
"Barely edible."
Gu Hengzhi took another bite.
The two strolled and ate. Because of the evening banquet, they hadn't eaten much, so their stomachs were empty, making it easier for them to gorge themselves.
There were vendors selling roasted sweet potatoes and roasted corn by the roadside. Ji Linxue bought two roasted sweet potatoes, which were still warm in his hands.
He peeled open the dark skin, revealing the golden, plump sweet potato. Sweet syrup flowed from one side, the aroma filling the air, and even Gu Hengzhi couldn't help but swallow.
"Try some?"
Gu Hengzhi took the spoon, scooped a mouthful of sweet potato, and put it into his mouth. The soft, sweet, and fragrant texture lingered on his tongue.
The two sweet potatoes were quickly finished by them.
Perhaps after eating their fill, their mood also improved. Gu Hengzhi put away all his thorns and leisurely strolled with Ji Linxue in the park.
Neither spoke, fearing that opening their mouths would break the harmonious atmosphere.
After an unknown amount of time, Ji Linxue suddenly stopped. He opened the bag in his hand, took out a palm-sized small cake, and looked at the young man beside him, the soft corners of his lips curling up.
"Gu Hengzhi, Happy Birthday."
Gu Hengzhi was startled. He took out his phone and looked at it, 12,00. A new day had begun.
It was no longer Gu Zixi's birthday, there was no Lin Muxin, no Gu Fengyan, it was just 'his', Gu Hengzhi's, birthday.
The cake was small. Ji Linxue tasted a bit, and the rest went into Gu Hengzhi's stomach.
"When did you buy this? I didn't see you."
"When you were busy eating fried skewers," Ji Linxue said, "If you saw it, it wouldn't be a surprise."
"Thank you," Gu Hengzhi looked down, "This is my third birthday."
Ji Linxue was confused, "Third time?"
Gu Hengzhi said a name Ji Linxue would never have guessed, "The first two times were celebrated by Lin Muxin."
It was already past midnight. There was no one around, it was quiet.
Gu Hengzhi suddenly felt an unprecedented urge to confide. All those years of grievances and dissatisfaction, he wanted to speak them out, to tell them to the person in front of him.
"Actually, at first, my relationship with them wasn't that bad."
Ji Linxue quietly watched him.
"My mother passed away very early. My father never really liked me. When I was seven, Lin Muxin came to our house. I was very happy then. She was very good to me. The house was finally not just cold walls. She would take care of me all night when I was sick, take me out to play, and even show my test papers to Dad, praising how great I was. Dad also started to change his perception of me. We often went out to play together, just like a real family."
As he spoke, his tone was devoid of emotion, as if telling a story about a stranger, as if the memory was so distant that he had already forgotten the warmth of that time.
"But two years later, she got pregnant, and Gu Zixi was born in poor health. All their attention was focused on him. From then on, they never took me out to play again. She became like a different person, not allowing me near Gu Zixi, even suspecting I would harm her son."
Ji Linxue's throat was a little dry.
The most painful thing is not never having received love, but having received it for a short time.
They gave it with their own hands, yet cruelly took it back, making it impossible to adapt to such a huge discrepancy.
"You also think it's ridiculous, don't you?" Gu Hengzhi mocked himself, "I don't want to blame Gu Zixi, and I don't want to blame any of them. I'm just wondering if I'm really that redundant, that annoying."
"Even when you first saw me, you disliked me."
Ji Linxue was startled, and quickly retorted, "No, it's not."
Gu Hengzhi quietly looked at him.
Ji Linxue was momentarily stuck. How was he supposed to say it? Was he supposed to say it was because of the descriptions in the book that he had a very bad first impression of Gu Hengzhi?
Seeing his silence, Gu Hengzhi's eyes darkened, but his face showed a great deal of generosity, smiling and saying, "It's okay, you don't have to say it if you don't want to."
Ji Linxue averted his gaze. After a long hesitation, he still didn't speak.
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