Happy birthday, A-Heng.

There was such persistence in his words that it made her feel how foolish and shallow it was to run away.

It was as if life without this burning passion, without reducing both others and oneself to ashes, would never be satisfied until it reached its ultimate intensity.

It was just an ordinary birthday – even if others in this world didn’t know or couldn’t know about it, how could that stop her from continuing her life, silently creating a monument to destiny?

She had always kept her smiles modest, keeping life’s supposed highs and lows subdued. But he approached life with unwavering determination, always maintaining only two attitudes – defeat or destroy. He was a sharp-edged warrior who, even when turned into a puppet with a lengthened nose, transformed it into a tragic defiance of fate.

And so, she and he were often out of tune, incompatible.

When such feelings reached their limit, they became mutual trials and attacks.

When the time reached a certain point, either he would burn her to ashes, or she would freeze him with indifference.

He placed the candles in the smooth, delicate frosting, removed his somewhat constraining suit jacket, and smiled: “A-Heng, make a wish.”

The crackling flames silenced the audience watching her gently.

She counted the candles – eighteen small flames. She wanted to say something, but in her daze, Mother and Si Wan arrived.

They were so gentle, truly taking on the pose of family, smiling as they announced it was the Wen family’s daughter’s birthday, thanking everyone for attending, and helping her cut the birthday cake. People at the banquet sang happy birthday, their voices creating a melody of high and low notes, and everyone was delighted.

Not wanting to contradict the Yan family and upset Yan Xi, they didn’t care whether she had made her wish. Did they already know she would make the same old wish – hoping that Grandfather, Father, Mother, Si Wan, Si Er, and Heng would always be together, healthy and free from illness and misfortune?

Yan Xi watched their performance, his tone humble, his conduct appropriate, intentionally or unintentionally making A-Heng the absolute protagonist. His conversation was flawless, displaying the true noble manner of one raised in an elite family.

Si Wan massaged his brow repeatedly, feeling very resistant: “Yan Xi, why do I feel so tired talking to you now?”

Yan Xi glanced at him sideways, smiling mischievously: “Clearly you are truly tired, of being so discourteous as to not ensure guests and hosts are enjoying themselves at your sister’s birthday. Moreover, don’t you hear those words I said thousands of times normally? Don’t you know which families are flatter, which hold enmity, which are indirect, which are straightforward? Wen Si Wan, don’t joke.”

Si Wan’s voice cooled several degrees. Taking advantage of Old Mr. Wen and Mother Wen exchanging pleasantries with the Sun family, he grabbed Yan Xi’s wrist: “Yan Xi, are you treating me as an enemy now?”

But Yan Xi smiled, making a fist and shaking off his restraint: “Si Wan, you know how long I’ve tolerated you, don’t you?”

Si Wan raised an eyebrow, his fingers that had gripped Yan Xi’s wrist feeling somewhat cold: “So, you’ve reached your limit and don’t want to tolerate anymore, for A-Heng’s sake?”

Yan Xi smiled, casually putting his hands in his trouser pockets: “That’s wrong, Si Wan. As long as you don’t speak up, and don’t cross the line, I can tolerate you for a lifetime. You are you, I am I, it has nothing to do with A-Heng.”

Si Wan smiled bitterly, his expression bland and somewhat empty: “Yan Xi, you’ll drive me crazy sooner or later!”

The young man’s smile grew increasingly brilliant and vigorous, like a withering sunflower: “Si Wan, when you’re confused, I’m not. The crimes your grandfather wants me to bear, I absolutely won’t. If you go crazy, that’s just another crime of mine. Moreover, with such a fine Wen family empire, power, and prestige within reach, would you be willing to go crazy? You’re treating me as foolish as A-Heng.”

Si Wan’s finger brushed past Yan Xi’s lip corner, saying sarcastically: “Yan Xi, whenever A-Heng is mentioned, your smile becomes truly ugly.”

Yan Xi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he slightly revealed his snow-white teeth: “Young master is just like this. Isn’t it just A-Heng? With Lin Wanwan and Lu Liu before, adding one more A-Heng makes three handles against me, right? Young master can bear it. Never mind holding a birthday party for A-Heng today, even if you made me use the Yan family’s wealth and power to spoil A-Heng to the heavens, plucking stars and moon for her, that’s my business, I’m willing!”

Si Wan gritted his teeth: “You…”

At this moment, Sun Peng and Xin Dayi walked over. Both young men were in suits, though one refined and one wild, each with their charm.

Xin Dayi came rushing over, his tone somewhat urgent: “You two, hiding in the corner, what are you talking about? Couldn’t find you anywhere!”

Sun Peng smiled gleefully: “Old Master Meng has summoned you both to appear before him immediately.”

Yan Xi and Si Wan, who had been maintaining their hostility and wariness toward each other, instantly grimaced, their expressions becoming distorted: “Ah?!”

The Meng family were in-laws with the Lu family, and the family head, Old Master Meng, handled matters very much to the higher-ups’ liking, making him someone many families sought to curry favor with for promotions. Years ago, Lu Liu’s aunt had married Old Master Meng’s only son.

This wasn’t the problem – the problem was Old Master Meng’s only granddaughter, Meng Limao.

This young lady’s name was extremely poetic, but the person wasn’t particularly poetic. She was a thoroughly and completely spoiled girl who found fault with everyone. Either she complained about someone’s clothes lacking taste – “Oh, you’re wearing something designed by that master? Hasn’t that designer been criticized as outdated?” – or she complained about someone’s makeup being too heavy – “I don’t mean to say anything, but you were already not good-looking, and now your makeup makes you look even worse.”

And so on.

A typical appearance elitist.

Then Old Master Meng became worried – with his precious granddaughter being like this, finding fault with everyone she saw, how would she ever get married?

Then, on some day at some banquet, the young lady’s eyes suddenly lit up: “Grandpa, Grandpa, this one’s good!”

Which one? The old master’s eyes bulged like light bulbs. Looking over – oh, the Wen family’s only grandson. This was good – an only son who wouldn’t have to split the family fortune.

The old master became increasingly satisfied, thinking this would make a fine grandson-in-law. Just as he was about to praise his granddaughter’s good eye, she burst out with more heart emojis: “Grandpa, Grandpa, this one’s even better!”

The old master was nearly given a heart attack by his granddaughter. Looking over, it was an incredibly beautiful young man who could kill Wei Jie with his looks – oh, not bad, the Yan family’s eldest grandson.

Oh, wait, no no, his family still had a younger one who would have to split the inheritance.

And so it went, back and forth like this, discussing the pros and cons with his granddaughter. The Meng family’s young lady shyly replied: “Grandpa, can I have meals with the Wen family and sleep with the Yan family? One woman, two husbands?”

Old Master Meng twitched.

From then on, every time the grandfather and granddaughter saw the two young masters from the Wen and Yan families, they would grab them to stay nearby, asking detailed questions about their family situations, whether there were signs of bankruptcy, whether the Wen family’s young miss was wasteful, whether the Yan family’s younger brother was well-behaved.

Si Wan was depressed – who was their family’s young miss?

Yan Xi raised an eyebrow – whether his younger brother was well-behaved or not was none of their business!

But such words couldn’t extinguish the revolutionary flames and waves of love. Moreover, since Old Master Meng was an elder, although Si Wan and Yan Xi were impatient, they couldn’t openly contradict the old man’s face, and endured until they nearly suffered internal injuries.

So now, hearing that Old Master Meng had summoned them, both their faces changed dramatically.

Yan Xi trembled, asking Sun Peng: “Has the wildcat arrived?”

‘Wildcat’ referred to Limao – a nickname Young Master Yan had thought up after much contemplation.

Sun Peng grinned, and Xin Dayi nodded.

Yan Xi held his head: “Well, I just had a couple of drinks, feeling a bit dizzy, need to go out for a walk. Oh my, oh my, Big Bird Sun, I’m seeing double of you.”

‘Big Bird’ referring to Peng – a nickname Young Master Yan had agonized over for three days before starting school.

Young Master Sun sneered: “Fine, fine, go ahead. Anyway, Wen Heng is being criticized by that young lady until her nose isn’t a nose and her eyes aren’t eyes.”

The seemingly drunk Young Master Yan immediately perked up, rolling up his sleeves and rushing off: “Damn wildcat, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Xin Dayi worshipped: “Truly worthy of being mortal enemies! Such mutual understanding!”

Si Wan sighed helplessly and followed.

Meanwhile, Miss Limao was looking at A-Heng with disdain: “Wen Heng, considering you’re Si Wan’s sister and we might become family in the future, I didn’t want to say anything, but look at yourself – not even wearing light makeup, lacking in looks but not knowing how to compensate artificially. Such a beautiful Western dress looks cheap on you. Others who see this might think the Wen family doesn’t know how to raise children!”

Having seen Yan Xi’s intimacy with A-Heng earlier, she felt unhappy and was deliberately picking faults.

A-Heng smiled without speaking. Mother Wen, seeing her continuously criticizing her daughter, turned pale with anger. What kind of upbringing was this, letting a girl throw such tantrums?

Although she was annoyed at Yan Xi’s presumption, A-Heng was still her flesh and blood. Thinking of her wrongdoings, she couldn’t bear to blame her, so she had discussed with her Father-in-law – he would host Si Er’s side, while she and Si Wan would smooth things over here, not letting Yan Xi and A-Heng feel hurt.

She was just accompanying her daughter to chat with some old friends when this brash young lady suddenly appeared. Though unfamiliar, hearing this girl’s improper speech, she now had absolutely no patience left.

A-Heng continued not speaking, taking things slowly with a smile, retreating to advance, just waiting for Mother to get angry.

This girl was quite capable – even Mother, with her good temper, had been provoked to anger.

Unfortunately, before Mother Wen could explode, Yan Xi and Si Wan had already walked over.

Yan Xi’s face was somewhat red as if he had walked quickly. He glanced at the Meng family young lady and blandly interrupted her words: “Meng Limao.”

Meng Limao had been chattering non-stop, but turned around and shyly said, her voice instantly dropping several dozen decibels: “Yan Xi, Si Wan, my grandfather says he wants you to keep him company, have a few drinks.”

Si Wan saw his mother’s displeased expression and secretly smiled. A few days ago, Grandfather Meng had talked with Grandfather, subtly expressing Meng Limao’s intentions. Grandfather originally didn’t agree, but Mother had been enthusiastic, wanting to see what the Meng family’s young lady was like.

Si Wan smiled and introduced: “Mother, this is Meng Limao I mentioned to you before, Grandfather Meng’s granddaughter.”

Mother Wen’s face instantly turned green, but she avoided the main issue and managed to say: “Didn’t your Grandfather Meng ask you to drink with him? He’s in Section A, go see him. Little Xi has a low alcohol tolerance, drink less.”

Yan Xi smiled and nodded in agreement, leaving with Si Wan and Meng Limao. From beginning to end, his gaze never rested on A-Heng for even a second.

A-Heng’s face showed no ripples either, smiling as she watched them leave.

Mother Wen’s expression eased slightly as she led A-Heng to toast with various families. A-Heng could drink a few cups, and although they weren’t familiar with each other, her speech was very appropriate, so the banquet’s atmosphere remained very good.

However, Mother Wen somewhat disapproved, quietly instructing her daughter: “Go call your brother to help you drink some. You still have to take college entrance exams, drinking too much will hurt your spirit.”

A-Heng looked at Section A, where Si Wan was toasting an elder while Yan Xi was lying on the table, appearing somewhat drunk.

A-Heng was about to say okay when another toast and birthday wishes came.

After she finished drinking, exchanged courtesies, and returned the gesture, she turned to find Si Wan and Yan Xi had disappeared.

Worried they might wander around drunk, A-Heng went to look for them, checking the stairs and corridors, but seeing no one anywhere.

The waiters were busy serving dishes, and when asked, all said they hadn’t seen the two.

A-Heng looked out the window – the sky was growing dark. The weather forecast had predicted heavy snow in the afternoon.

Perhaps they had gone to the bathroom to throw up? A-Heng thought as she walked deeper into the seventh floor.

The further she walked, the quieter it became.

Outside the window, the sky darkened as heavy snow approached. The distant bustle and noise seemed separated by two layers of thick black curtains.

A-Heng hesitated. She stood in front of the bathroom, hearing no sound.

There probably wasn’t anyone inside.

As A-Heng pondered whether to go in and check, taking a step closer, the bright chandelier suddenly went out with a click.

Someone had pressed the switch.

“Yan Xi, Si Wan?” A-Heng asked softly, thinking they were playing a prank on her.

Turning around, she was pulled into a warm embrace.

In the darkness stood a person, their figure and features blurry, only a pair of eyes visible, hazy with a peach-colored drunken state.

He traced her face, bit by bit – eyebrows, eyes, nose, cheeks – his soft fingertips carrying the scent of alcohol yet ice-cold.

A-Heng shuddered and tried to break free, but he held her tighter. She could barely breathe, only able to hear his heartbeat, slow and strong, one beat after another.

He spoke, his voice flat yet sharp: “Who are you?”

A-Heng remained silent, knowing he was drunk and had lost his reason.

He touched her long hair, gently sliding through his fingertips: “A woman.”

A-Heng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Then, he buried his face in her hair, taking a deep breath, murmuring: “Why do you smell just like A-Heng?”

A-Heng twitched, wanting to say: “Yan Xi, stop fooling around, when you’re drunk just be a good boy, don’t make trouble, be obedient, okay?”

Before the words could leave her mouth, in the darkness, that person gripped the back of her neck, forcing her to lift her head, and bent down to kiss her with the force of a storm.

She was stunned, not yet reacting when that person moved against her, his tongue licking her lips, seducing her with the soft, mellow scent of wine.

A-Heng was embarrassed and annoyed but couldn’t speak, afraid of calling out and ruining Yan Xi’s reputation, only desperately pushing against him.

That person licked once and smiled, eyes narrowed, bending down to suck forcefully.

A-Heng was so anxious she broke out in a cold sweat. That person’s fingers were at her waist, gripping ever tighter, stubbornly and proudly refusing to let go.

A burning desire in his heart couldn’t be relieved, yearning as he tried to pry open her teeth. His right hand gripped her black hair, soft as silk, but embedded with blooming… butterflies.

Cold crystal butterflies.

The ones he had placed in A-Heng’s hair.

He instantly released her, his face turning deathly pale.