Steak, red wine, candles, and some decorations...etc.
After spending half a day shopping, Chu Yi finally found everything he needed. Finally, the most crucial part of the day began.
cake!
Chu Yi pressed her face against the shop window, her eyes wide as she carefully selected various small cakes, both delicious and beautiful.
She spent a while choosing, then looked up at the young lady behind the counter, blinking her big, dark eyes.
"Can this cake be customized?"
After drawing the design for the staff, the cake maker said he could basically make it, so Chu Yi felt relieved and paid the deposit, left her address, and waited for the delivery to arrive.
It was already afternoon when she got back. She first marinated the steak and then started decorating the living room.
Colorful ribbons, stickers, happy birthday signs, smiley faces.
The once austere and minimalist living room was transformed, becoming warm and lovely, filled with a festive birthday atmosphere.
Chu Yi drew the curtains and turned on the fairy lights next to her. The warm yellow light immediately filled the room, adding a touch of dreamy and hazy beauty to everything.
She clapped her hands in satisfaction, went into the kitchen, and tied an apron on herself.
In the evening, the cake shop staff called her on time, and she picked up the cake at the door on the first day of the lunar new year.
She carefully opened the box and saw the actual item inside.
A single-layer round cake with a sky-blue fondant base, decorated with many small patterns and white lace trim.
In the very center is a small figure in a uniform, with a stern face, serious features, and an unsmiling expression.
Chu Yi burst out laughing as soon as he saw it.
It was as if she saw someone standing in front of her.
Hmm... she nodded at the little uniform-wearing girl's head, feeling that this one was cuter.
8 PM.
The elevator doors opened, and Qiao Anchen stepped out, rubbing his temples as he entered his fingerprint at the entrance.
After a long afternoon of travel and constant bumps in the car, it was already dark when Qiao Anchen finally arrived home, and he was quite tired.
With a 'beep', the lock opened, and he pushed the door open without thinking, only to be stunned by the scene that came into view.
The familiar living room was decorated for the holiday, with twinkling fairy lights. His gaze froze when it fell on one of the happy birthday smiley face stickers.
I almost forgot, today is his birthday.
An indescribable feeling welled up inside him. Qiao Anchen lowered his head to change his shoes, took off his coat, and went inside.
In the restaurant, Chu Yi was sitting there waiting for him, a smile on her face, her eyes shimmering with an unusual tenderness in the candlelight, her gaze fixed on the table.
Western food was served there.
Steak, pasta, red wine, fruit, and neatly arranged cutlery and elegant candlesticks.
An ordinary night seems to be made extraordinary by these things, as if they have added a different layer of color, making people unconsciously become strange and reserved.
"You're back." Chu Yi stood up and greeted him. Qiao Anchen hummed in response and pulled out a chair.
“This is…” He hesitated, looking at everything before him.
"It's your birthday today!" Chu Yi said happily. "Happy birthday!"
Qiao Anchen stared at her intently for a moment, then spoke softly.
"Thanks."
"Eat up, you must be starving. This is my first time making this, try my cooking." Chu Yi pushed the plate on the table toward him, and Qiao Anchen nodded and picked up the knife and fork next to him.
He cut a piece of steak and put it in his mouth under Chu Yi's expectant gaze.
"How was it? How was it?" she asked impatiently.
Qiao Anchen slowly chewed a couple of bites, then suddenly frowned.
"...a little raw."
"...No way." Chu Yi immediately cut off a piece and tasted it herself, carefully savoring the flavor in her mouth.
"No, it's just right, very tender."
"It's still red inside, there's blood in it." Qiao Anchen pointed to the cut of the steak, his face serious.
Chu Yi: "...This is medium-rare." She chose a level of doneness that was already quite palatable, just to be considerate of Qiao Anchen.
“I usually prefer to eat things fully cooked,” Qiao Anchen said seriously. He looked around and then stood up.
"I'll heat it up again."
"..."
OK
The beautiful and romantic atmosphere vanished instantly.
Chu Yi watched as Qiao Anchen picked up the plate of steak, went to the kitchen, lit a fire, heated a pan, poured in oil, and then put the steak in, sizzling and filling the air with the aroma of cooked meat.
By the time Qiao Anchen finished reheating and cooking, several minutes had passed.
He put the plate he was holding on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"It tastes much better now." Qiao Anchen picked up his knife and fork, cut off a piece, took a bite, nodded in approval, and was very satisfied. Chu Yi twitched the corners of her mouth, but couldn't manage a smile.
"...As long as you're happy."
16. Chapter 16
After the two finished their silent dinner, Chu Yi opened the refrigerator and took out the cake she had prepared.
As expected, Qiao Anchen was stunned for a few seconds, but when he saw the little figure on it clearly, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Is this me?" He looked at it carefully for a moment, then looked up and asked Chu Yi. His eyes were bright, like those of an extremely simple child, easily touching the softest part of people's hearts.
Chu Yi unconsciously became gentle, and she nodded.
"Hmm! The design I gave to the cake decorator, does it look like it?"
“Very much so.” Qiao Anchen thought for a moment, then said, “Is that how you see me?”
"What?"
Qiao Anchen tapped the girl's face in her uniform and asked her seriously, "So serious?"
Unable to suppress her laughter, Chu Yi retorted, "Don't you know that yourself?"
"Okay." Qiao Anchen thought for a moment and gave up.
The two lit candles, turned off the lights, and Chu Yi urged Qiao Anchen to make a wish. He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
In the candlelight, her face was bathed in a warm glow, and as Qiao Anchen gazed at her, his eyes also turned a warm brown.
"This seems to be the first time I've made a birthday wish since I became an adult."
"Thank you, Chu Yi."
This cake tastes amazing, sweet but not cloying, with a unique milky aroma. Even Qiao Anchen, who doesn't like sweets, ate a small piece.
Chu Yi refrigerated the rest, intending to use them for afternoon tea the next day.
Qiao Anchen didn't sleep well last night. Conditions in the countryside are limited, and even the bed seemed to smell of mold. He got up before dawn.
He had drunk some more alcohol earlier, and his head seemed even more sluggish. He sat there and rubbed his eyes.
Chu Yi closed the refrigerator door and saw this scene; she couldn't help but speak up.
"Go take a shower first, I'll just tidy up the dishes and this."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Anchen paused, thought for a moment, and then stood up.
"Then don't work too late, just leave it there and wash it tomorrow."
"Okay, go ahead."
After tidying up the kitchen and dining table, Chu Yi estimated that Qiao Anchen should have finished showering by now. She took out the gift she had prepared, hid it behind her back, and quietly pushed open the bedroom door.
Inside, the lights were dim, and Qiao Anchen lay on the bed with his eyes closed, fast asleep, seemingly exhausted.
Disappointment flashed in Chu Yi's eyes, and she bit her lower lip uncontrollably.
She pushed the door open, closed it gently, and placed the gift she was carrying on the cabinet next to her.
When Qiao Anchen woke up, the sunlight was already shining on the terrace. He came to his senses and his sleepiness gradually faded.
Memories from last night surfaced, and Qiao Anchen turned his head and saw Chu Yi still fast asleep beside him. He stared at her for a few seconds before carefully lifting the covers and getting out of bed.
As soon as he put on his shoes, his eyes were drawn to a purple-wrapped gift box on the cabinet. Qiao Anchen walked over and picked it up; there was a sticky note attached to it.
It's Chu Yi's handwriting.
Happy birthday, Mr. Joe.
There was a smiley face drawn on the back.
Qiao Anchen couldn't help but smile as he untied the outer ribbon.
He opened the box and found a small notebook lying quietly inside. He picked it up curiously; the beige cover featured hand-drawn illustrations and fonts.
Mr. Qiao's Growth Diary
—Author: Chu Yi.
Following it is a small heart.
Qiao Anchen laughed, opened the notebook, and the first picture was a hand-drawn baby, probably only a few months old, drawn with a lively and cute style.
There's also cartoon-style narration text next to it, which is clearly written by the author.
(Ah, so cute!!! / starry eyes)
Turning the page further, you see a child who looks about three years old, wearing a cute cartoon t-shirt and overalls, but with a serious, expressionless face.
(Mr. Joe's seriousness seems to be innate.)