When Yan Xi got out of the taxi, he was still complaining: “Why do I have to dress like this?”

The young man wore a white suit with clean lines and elegant tailoring. It should have been a very formal and dignified outfit, but the earmuffs, scarf, and gloves he wore destroyed any semblance of elegance and nobility.

A-Heng glanced at him. “Once we’re inside, there’ll be heating, and you can take them off.”

Yan Xi cast a furtive glance at the restaurant. Seeing no familiar faces of his peers in the magnificent lobby, he finally relaxed.

After all, if those brats from the compound saw him like this, they’d laugh their heads off.

Although A-Heng was only close to Yan Xi and Xin Dayi, there were quite a few children of high-ranking officials whom she knew well enough to greet. Many came from families of similar status to the Wen family, though few surpassed the Yan family.

Most of them were boys, and while Yan Xi’s relationship with them wasn’t as close as with Si Wan and Xin Dayi, they were still friends he could talk to. When Yan Xi was sick, quite a few of them had come to visit.

As Yan Xi walked into the hall removing his scarf, he didn’t seem awkward with it draped over his arm. He chatted and laughed with A-Heng as they walked, his natural authority subtly showing through.

The seventh floor where the banquet was being held was the restaurant’s most exclusive VIP area, divided into South Hall and North Hall. Normally, booking even one table requires three days’ advance notice.

When the Wen family made their reservation, they were extremely careful, saying they needed to hold two banquets – one on January 10th of the solar calendar and another on the 28th of the lunar calendar. The restaurant manager, remembering the Wen family’s tradition for coming-of-age ceremonies and knowing both Wen daughters had reached that age, understood immediately. Everything from the invitations to the menu planning was done with utmost care.

The waiter led A-Heng and Yan Xi to the elevator, where they happened to meet the Sun family from the compound, who were carrying invitations. It was a fortuitous encounter, and they shared the elevator.

Madam Sun looked at Yan Xi and smiled. “Little Xi, you brought your little wife along?”

A-Heng was mortified. She had no idea where these rumors came from, but everyone in the compound had somehow decided she and Yan Xi were a couple.

Usually, when the aunties and elders were in good spirits, they would joke around, and whenever the conversation turned to the Yan and Wen families, they would vividly describe the marriage arrangement from years ago. They said that as soon as the Wen family’s daughter was born and her gender was confirmed, the engagement was set.

After that incident, it wasn’t clear which daughter the Yan family preferred, but when A-Heng moved into the Yan household, it became apparent they had chosen Wen Heng. So everyone tacitly understood and enjoyed teasing the two children.

Young Master Yan’s thick skin aside, the young lady was fun to tease – she always blushed, which only made the elders laugh more heartily.

A-Heng was troubled. It was completely baseless, and no one at home had ever mentioned it. Why did everyone else seem to understand something she didn’t?

Yan Xi, however, simply responded with an “Mm,” appearing completely unbothered.

Uncle Sun concerned that Yan Xi’s illness might have affected his studies, asked in detail about his academic progress. Seeing the adults had stopped teasing him and A-Heng, Yan Xi relaxed and answered respectfully and seriously.

The Sun family’s son, Sun Peng, was the same age as Yan Xi. Though clever from childhood, he was more playful and mischievous. Like Si Wan, he had gotten into a quite good university. He got along well with Xin Dayi but didn’t see eye to eye with Yan Xi.

The feud between the two young masters started because of Si Er.

Back then, Si Er was the only little girl in the compound. Sweet-tongued and pretty, she was treasured by all the aunties and mothers. Young Master Sun and the other boys also adored her and would catch the soft little girl pulling her pigtails. Once pulled, all hell broke loose – Si Er would cry earth-shatteringly loud.

Before Young Master Sun could even react, Young Master Yan’s little feet had already kicked him, and he found himself straddled and pummeled.

Young Master Sun had always been a proud phoenix himself – how could he take such grievance? The two ended up in a brawl. Later, they each got a beating at home, their sorrow flowing like a reverse river.

Young Master Sun was aggrieved – he barely did anything, why did he get beaten? Young Master Yan was also aggrieved – he only hit Sun Peng because he saw Si Er being bullied, why did Grandfather hit him on the head?

After that, there wasn’t a time they met when they didn’t fight. As they grew older in recent years, physical fights became unseemly, so they turned to verbal sparring. Neither could sleep well without exchanging some sarcastic jabs when they met.

Seeing Yan Xi acting well-behaved in front of his father, Sun Peng sneered. Then his eyes caught A-Heng, who was pressing her lips together in a smile at him, gentle as flowing water. Thinking how unusually well-dressed the girl looked today, he was stunned. Looking at the invitation, he leaned close to Yan Xi’s ear to tease: “Tell me, Young Master Yan, is it your wife’s birthday today, or your sister-in-law’s?”

Yan Xi maintained his respectful smile toward Uncle Sun while secretly stepping hard on Sun Peng’s foot, his lips curving on one side: “What do you think?”

As he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened. Yan Xi nodded with a smile, took A-Heng’s hand, and walked out, leaving behind the somewhat hesitant Sun family.

“Dad, are we going to the North Hall or South Hall?”

Sun Peng held two invitations in his hand, both issued by the hotel. One followed the hotel’s luxurious and elegant style, addressed to no one in particular, with the seat marked for North Hall.

But the other was special, seemingly custom-designed, in light purple gradually deepening to golden yellow, adorned with snow-white ribbon. The lines were simple yet elegant with a touch of spirit, but the seats were assigned to South Hall.

Father Sun was also puzzled: “Did they send duplicates? Does it matter which one we go to?”

Mother Sun, being attentive, pointed to the light purple invitation with ribbon: “This one has a signature.”

Sure enough, in an inconspicuous corner of the snow-white ribbon was printed a row of English letters: M-Y-H-E-N-G.

Myheng.

Sun Peng leaned in, puzzling over the letters for a while before reacting, his smile carrying an unclear meaning: “Dad, let’s go to the South Hall. I’ve never seen that guy put in so much effort before, we should at least give him face.”

Si Er, wearing a light pink dress with a skirt that bloomed like a silk flower, stood with her mother and Si Wan at the entrance of the North Hall greeting guests. Her hair was styled up, with light makeup, and a uniquely placed pink flower at her brow that made her features appear especially noble and beautiful. When guests arrived, they couldn’t stop praising her, all commenting on her beauty and grace.

Mother Wen was quite pleased, but thinking of A-Heng, she felt somewhat uncomfortable: “Si Wan, did you call A-Heng and Little Xi? Why aren’t they here yet?”

Si Wan was also looking around at the bustling crowd of guests: “They should be here soon.”

Just then, the lobby manager suddenly ran over in a panic, whispering something in Si Wan’s ear.

Si Wan’s expression instantly turned awful: “What did you say? What do you mean the South Hall has been booked by someone else?”

The lobby manager was extremely troubled: “I originally thought your family and that person were together, so I gave him the seating design for the South Hall, but I didn’t expect him to say that although he has good relations with the Wen family, this banquet isn’t a joint celebration.”

Si Wan’s face turned ashen.

The manager in his suit glanced at Si Wan, breaking out in a nervous sweat, and hurried to explain: “I just told that person that the Wen family had booked the venue first, but he refused to give up the South Hall.”

Si Wan took a deep breath and spoke coolly: “This person you’re talking about seems to have connections with our family. Who exactly is it, that they’re so important even Manager Zhang doesn’t dare to offend them?”

Manager Zhang wailed internally. He knew what Si Wan was implying – that he wasn’t showing proper respect to the Wen family. How could he dare to offend the Wen family? But he couldn’t afford to offend that person either.

Manager Zhang smiled bitterly: “Young Master Wen, it’s not that I’m not being thorough, it’s just that this matter…”

Si Wan grew somewhat impatient: “Who is it exactly?”

Just as the words left his mouth, Yan Xi walked over with A-Heng.

Both were in formal attire. A-Heng stood beside Yan Xi, gentle and serene, with crystal butterflies partially hidden in her dark hair, her complexion clean and fair, appearing much more delicate than usual.

Others watching the pair found they couldn’t quite take their eyes away.

Si Wan forced a smile and said to Yan Xi: “Why are you so late?”

Mother Wen, unaware of the seating issue, took A-Heng’s hand and smiled: “We were just waiting for you two. Both South and North Halls are almost full.”

Mother Wen’s words gave Si Wan an idea. He smiled: “Manager Zhang, I’d like to give the South Hall to this person you mentioned. But as you can see, our guests are all here. Surely your hotel doesn’t have a habit of turning away guests?”

Manager Zhang looked at Yan Xi with difficulty. Yan Xi responded with an ambiguous smile: “It’s not a problem, the guests are the same.”

Si Wan’s face froze: “Yan Xi, what are you saying?”

Yan Xi narrowed his eyes: “Don’t you understand? I said it’s not a problem because the guests you invited are the same ones I invited.” The money he’d earned freezing and suffering these past days wasn’t earned for nothing.

A-Heng looked between them, sensing something was wrong but feeling puzzled. Seeing Si Wan’s expression, though, she kept quiet.

Si Wan walked to Yan Xi’s side, a finger’s width away, and spoke through gritted teeth at a volume only the two of them could hear: “What are you thinking!”

But Yan Xi smiled: “I’m thinking how fast time flies. In the blink of an eye, A-Heng is already eighteen. When I first met her, she was so small, so naive, saying ‘What a coincidence, Yan Xi and Grandfather Yan share the same surname.'”

He turned, glancing at A-Heng, smiling with curved eyes, his sharp edges melting into tender affection.

A-Heng felt embarrassed and smiled back at him, looking a bit dazed.

Si Wan grew angry: “Are you so impatient that you have to compete with Er Er for today? We already prepared to celebrate A-Heng’s birthday in two days, on the twenty-eighth of the lunar calendar.”

Yan Xi’s gaze turned cold as he looked at him: “Wen Si Wan, your family knows that January 10th is A-Heng’s real birthday, while even Mother Wen probably doesn’t know Si Er’s actual birth date!”

Si Wan frowned, struggling to control his emotions: “Precisely because Er Er is used to celebrating on January 10th, and A-Heng is used to the twenty-eighth of the lunar calendar, Mother arranged it this way. After all, both Er Er and A-Heng would feel uncomfortable with changes.”

Yan Xi sneered: “Wen Si Wan, you know what celebrating one before the other means in others’ eyes. Do I need to spell out your and your mother’s intentions?”

Si Er’s birthday was unquestionably January 10th at 11:35 AM; A-Heng’s birthday was relegated to the uncertain lunar twenty-eighth, with no fixed solar date or time. In the Wen family, anyone could see who was the legitimate young lady and who was more favored.

Si Wan fell into an awkward silence.

Yan Xi’s anger turned to cold laughter as he pressed: “You could have celebrated them together. Why only consider Si Er’s feelings while forgetting A-Heng’s?”

Si Wan’s frown deepened: “Yan Xi, why must you be so extreme? We just thought A-Heng might be more comfortable celebrating on the lunar twenty-eighth.”

Yan Xi laughed loudly as if hearing the biggest joke: “Maybe she’s ‘used to it’ because she’s given up hope. But Wen Si Wan, what if I tell you A-Heng doesn’t like celebrating her birthday on the lunar twenty-eighth at all, and it’s all just your presumption?

“Don’t forget, the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month eighteen years ago was the day you abandoned A-Heng!”

Yan Xi held A-Heng’s hand and led her to the South Hall, where an enormous three-tiered cake stood in the center. A-Heng looked at it and smiled.

“Yan Xi, look at this cake, it’s so beautiful,” she said softly with admiration. “I’ve never had cake on my actual birthday.”

Suddenly remembering something, she sniffled and poked Yan Xi: “Hey, Yan Xi, you’ll give me a present when I celebrate my birthday in two days, right? I’ll be sad if you don’t, truly.”

He had just given Si Er an elegantly wrapped box that looked quite expensive.

Yan Xi froze, looked at her, and nodded with a smile.

A-Heng smiled too: “Don’t buy anything else, just give me a cake. I want to eat cake on my real birthday.”

This birthday, although it was hers, wasn’t one she could control.

Yan Xi heard the meaning behind her words and gripped her hand tighter, holding on firmly.

Suddenly, he smiled with a mischievous look: “If I buy you a cake and you can’t finish it, what then?”

A-Heng pouted: “If I can’t finish it, I’ll carry it home.”

Yan Xi looked at the cake that was nearly as tall as a person and felt very pleased: “I think you’ll be carrying this one home.”

As the appetizers were served and the banquet was about to begin, everyone looked at the cake and laughed, calling out to the host: “Hurry and ask the birthday person to cut the cake, we’ve been waiting to sing for ages!”

Yan Xi smiled behind his hand and led A-Heng to the cake.

A-Heng startled: “Yan Xi, what are you doing?”

Yan Xi took the microphone and smiled gently: “A-Heng, happy birthday.”

His voice was so clear, his pronunciation distinct.

A-Heng, happy birthday.

The guests below all smiled. They were all familiar with both the Yan and Wen families and knew something of their history. Seeing the young couple, they started joking and teasing them.

But A-Heng’s expression grew cold: “Yan Xi, today isn’t my birthday.”

The guests felt awkward hearing A-Heng’s words. Thinking of how elaborately dressed Si Er had been when Mother Wen was greeting guests earlier, they sensed something was wrong but couldn’t quite place what.

Some knew the Wen family’s old story. When they saw Mother Wen bringing Si Er out to greet guests instead of her birth daughter, they had already felt the Wen family was being somewhat unfair. Now, seeing Yan Xi staging this scene to legitimize his little wife’s position, they were happy to watch the drama unfold.

Yan Xi remained unperturbed, smiling gently and repeating patiently: “A-Heng, happy birthday.”

A-Heng grew annoyed, enunciating each word: “My birthday is the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, not today.”

“That day is when our A-Heng accidentally couldn’t find her way home, not the day our A-Heng was born.” Yan Xi smiled, gently embracing A-Heng, his arms holding her tight as he spoke tenderly, “A-Heng, happy birthday.”

He wanted her to exist proudly and legitimately in this world.

January 10th at 11:35 AM was the first minute her heartbeat in this world.

He wanted her to never again have to imagine, with humiliation, how she was abandoned in the early morning of the lunar twenty-eighth.

That regret couldn’t be compensated for with a top-tier banquet on the same seventh floor of this restaurant.

That pain couldn’t be eased by receiving the same treatment as Si Er.

He just wanted to tell her how grateful he was that she was born into this world.

Myheng.

My Heng.

My Heng.