Resilience.

Using this word to describe Zhou Yi made Zhou Cheng want to laugh:

“When we played hide-and-seek as kids, Zhou Yi was always the first to give up. If she couldn’t find someone within three minutes, she’d throw a tantrum.”

The saying that a three-year-old’s personality persists through life made sense.

When even Zhou Cheng didn’t believe Zhou Yi had any persistence, Xia Xiaolan immediately felt a headache coming.

“Let’s wait and see. She only had a few dozen dollars that luckily weren’t stolen. It’s been 10 days now – no matter how frugally she spends, it should be gone by now.”

Zhou Cheng didn’t want to continue discussing Zhou Yi.

“Wife,” he suddenly called out with emotion, making Xia Xiaolan’s heart skip a beat.

“Yes, just say what you want to say!”

They were discussing serious matters, but he suddenly turned sentimental, making Xia Xiaolan feel embarrassed.

Despite being separated by thousands of miles, Zhou Cheng could imagine his wife’s expression, which made him smile:

“I just wanted to tell you that I miss you terribly. Today is July 23rd, and tomorrow is your 21st birthday. I’m so proud of you – you’re already so accomplished at 21!”

If Zhou Cheng hadn’t mentioned it, Xia Xiaolan would have forgotten her birthday.

Yes, tomorrow was July 24th, her 21st birthday.

Time flew by so quickly. Last year on her birthday, Zhou Cheng had suddenly appeared in Jiangcheng and chartered a boat for a river cruise, and Xia Xiaolan had found it incredibly romantic.

A year had passed in the blink of an eye, and it had been exactly three years since Xia Xiaolan’s rebirth.

What had she achieved in these three years?

When Zhou Cheng said he was proud of her, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but reflect.

What she had now might not seem like much to real bigwigs, but looking back on these three years, Xia Xiaolan felt she hadn’t wasted time. She had progressed steadily, step by step, living a full life.

That was enough.

Xia Xiaolan took a deep breath, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Don’t plan any surprises this year – you’ve already traveled abroad with the inspection team. Once was romantic, but twice would make me very uneasy.”

Xia Xiaolan was happy with one romantic gesture.

But a second time… Zhou Cheng was an active-duty military officer. Coming to America so frequently, even with good reasons, wouldn’t look good.

Xia Xiaolan particularly enjoyed their current relationship dynamic, talking every couple of days, both actively sharing their daily lives.

Having such a wonderful romantic relationship was already encouraging her – it was better than many formal birthday celebrations!

“Even if I wanted to come, it would be difficult. I just wanted to tell you to take care of yourself no matter how busy work gets. I’ve made dinner reservations for you tomorrow at the City Restaurant. Can you give yourself a day off to relax?”

Xia Xiaolan was surprised, “Did you make the reservation when you were in America?”

“Yes.”

Zhou Cheng didn’t know what else he could do; this was all he could manage.

Before even having tomorrow’s birthday dinner, Xia Xiaolan was already touched to her core.

If a man had thought about her birthday more than two months in advance, this thoughtfulness was more precious than any gift.

Was it just a dinner?

No, it wasn’t just a simple dinner.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t know what to say, and Zhou Cheng didn’t rush to take credit.

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words – talking might have ruined the atmosphere.

That night, Xia Xiaolan slept particularly well.

The next morning, she called GMP to request a day off. Matthew was shocked: “…You’re not sick, are you?”

Would a workaholic take time off?

Impossible.

Unless they were too sick to get up.

“You’re the one who’s sick! I’m just taking one day off!”

No pearls could come from a dog’s mouth, but Xia Xiaolan could hear the concern in Matthew’s tone, otherwise, she would have scolded him.

Xia Xiaolan decided to follow Zhou Cheng’s suggestion and properly relax for a day.

Just after hanging up the leave request call, Liu Fen called from overseas, insisting that Xia Xiaolan must eat a bowl of longevity noodles today.

“Mom, I miss you. I want to eat the noodles you make.”

Liu Fen felt emotional hearing this and considered the suggestion: “Should I buy a ticket and fly over?”

Xia Xiaolan quickly stopped her, “No, no, no, I was just joking. I promise I’ll eat noodles! If you come, Uncle Tang will say he feels uncomfortable.”

On the other side, Tang Hong’en grabbed the phone:

“Don’t speak ill of me, I can hear you!”

Xia Xiaolan stuck out her tongue, “I know, I apologize. When my mom went abroad, you didn’t miss her at all.”

Tang Hong’en didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Who said daughters were sweet? She was still just a mischievous child! Afraid he was living too comfortably!

Xia Xiaolan talked with Liu Fen for half an hour before hanging up.

She had been worried about Grandmother Yu’s state of mind after returning from America, but Liu Fen said Grandmother Yu was doing extremely well: “She’s actively exercising, taking her medicine on time without reminders, paying special attention to healthy eating, and even going to the hospital for check-ups, asking doctors about proper diet for diabetics.”

The four simple words “returning to China” had such magical power.

Grandmother Yu must be full of hope now, wanting to take better care of her health while waiting for her son Xu Zhongyi to return home.

Heh.

While Xia Xiaolan was happy that Grandmother Yu had something to look forward to, she wouldn’t comment on Xu Zhongyi’s mysteriousness.

After hanging up, Xia Xiaolan truly enjoyed her day of fun.

New York was such a big city that one couldn’t finish shopping in a single day.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t stingy. Having rare free time to shop, she naturally spent quite a bit on herself.

Shopping bags filled the Ford’s trunk as Xia Xiaolan arrived at the restaurant Zhou Cheng had booked, ready to enjoy her birthday dinner.

Then she found the restaurant unusually quiet.

This wasn’t normal – it should be peak dining time.

Xia Xiaolan had a slight premonition, but when Professor Wen and his wife, Wen Manni, and Klaus, along with Daisy, Richard, and Lyle appeared pushing a birthday cake, she was still delighted:

“How did you all end up together?!”

“Xia, happy birthday! We received Zhou’s invitation cards long ago – he planned this birthday party for you more than two months ago!”

Daisy gave Xia Xiaolan her gift and a big hug.

“Daisy, your acting was too good! You seemed completely normal when leaving for work this morning!”

“Richard, Lyle, how have you been?”

“Auntie Hu, I’ve been saying I’d visit you in Ithaca but never had the time.”

“Hi, Connie, Klaus, so glad you could come!”

Xia Xiaolan greeted everyone.

Zhou Cheng had invited the Wen family and her Cornell group members – the people she had grown closest to since coming to America.

Everyone brought birthday gifts. Though not particularly lavish or lively, Xia Xiaolan truly loved this birthday party. What more could she want with birthday cake, good food, and well-wishes?

Near the end of the party, Wen Manni dropped a bombshell. Holding hands with Klaus, she announced:

“I’m pregnant! The baby is just six weeks along, it’s properly implanted, and everything looks good!”