The pain cannot be alleviated simply by receiving the same treatment as Winsler.
He just wanted to tell her how grateful he was that she was born on this earth.
Myheng.
My Heng.
My balance.
Chapter 55
Happy birthday, Aheng.
His words carried a firm conviction, making her feel that running away was ridiculous and superficial.
It seems there has never been a time in my life so passionate, burning others and myself to ashes, not stopping until it was all over.
It was just an ordinary birthday. Even if the rest of the world didn't know or had no way of knowing, would that prevent her from continuing her life and quietly erecting a monument to fate?
She softened her smile and lowered the so-called standards of life, while he remained calm and composed, always having only two attitudes towards life: to defeat or to crush. He was a sharp and ruthless warrior, and even as a puppet with a long nose, he tragically embraced his fate.
As a result, she and he were often out of sync and didn't fit in.
Such feelings, when endured to the extreme, become mutual torment and attack. When time reaches a certain point, either he will burn her to ashes, or she will turn his memory into ice.
He placed the candle on the smooth, creamy cream, the hissing sparks silencing the gentle gazes of the audience. He then removed his somewhat restrictive suit jacket and smiled as he spoke, "Aheng, make a wish."
At that moment, she was counting the candles, eighteen of them, like tiny fireworks, wanting to say something. In a daze, her mother, Siwan, appeared. They were so gentle, like a true family. In a daze, they smiled and said, "Today is the birthday of the Wen family's daughter. Thank you all for coming." With her hand, they cut the birthday cake. People sang "Happy Birthday" at the banquet, their voices rising and falling, creating a harmonious melody. Everyone was happy.
They didn't want to offend the Yan family or upset Yan hope, but they didn't care whether she had made a wish or not.
Did you already know that she was just repeating the same old cliché—that she hoped her grandfather, father, mother, Siwan, Sier, and Aheng would always be together, healthy, and free from illness and disaster?
Yan hope watched them put on an act, speaking humbly and acting with perfect composure, intentionally or unintentionally highlighting Aheng as the absolute protagonist. His conversation was impeccable, displaying the noble demeanor truly cultivated by a great family.
Siwan stretched out her finger and rubbed her temples, one stroke after another, feeling very resistant—Yanxi, why do I feel so tired talking to you right now?
Yan hope glanced at him sideways and smiled wickedly—it's clear you're really tired. On your own sister's birthday, it's really impolite of you not to make sure the guests and hosts are happy.
Besides, you hear what I said hundreds of times every day. Don't you know who's flattering, who's hostile, who's being tactful, and who's being tough? Wen Siwan, don't joke around.
Siwan's voice turned colder. Taking advantage of the moment when Old Master Wen and his mother were exchanging pleasantries with the Sun family, she grabbed Yan hope's wrist—Yan hope, are you treating me as an enemy now?
Yan Xi laughed, clenched his fist, and shook off his restraints—Siwan, you can’t be unaware of how long I’ve tolerated you, can you?
Siwan raised an eyebrow and grasped his wrist. His fingertips were a little cold—so, he had already reached his limit and didn't want to endure it anymore for Aheng's sake?
Yan hope smiled, casually slipping his hand into his trouser pocket—that was a mistake. Siwan, as long as you don't speak or cross the line, I can tolerate you for a lifetime. You are you, I am me, and I have nothing to do with Aheng.
This is Yan hope's philosophy of life. He will not judge one person because of another. He always starts from himself and only has the ability to tolerate or not tolerate others, without the tendency to love or hate them because of them.
Siwan smiled bitterly, her expression indifferent and somewhat empty—Yan hope, you'll drive me crazy sooner or later.
The boy's smile grew even brighter, like a withered sunflower—Siwan, when you're confused, I'm not. The crimes your grandfather taught me to memorize, I refuse to memorize. If you go mad, that's another great crime of mine.
Moreover, with such a vast and prosperous kingdom belonging to the Wen family, where power, fame, and fortune are readily available, would you really be willing to go crazy?
Clearly, you think I'm as stupid as Aheng.
Siwan's finger brushed across Yanxi's lips, sarcastically saying, "Yanxi, whenever you mention Aheng, your smile is truly unsightly."
Yan hope gave a forced smile, revealing his pearly white teeth slightly—"That's how it is. It's just Aheng. With Lin Wanwan and Lu Liu already there, adding Aheng would mean three more pieces of leverage, right? I can handle that. Let alone throwing Aheng a birthday banquet today, even if I were to use the Yan family's wealth and power to spoil Aheng rotten, to the point of wanting to pluck stars and the moon, that would be my business, and I'd be happy to do it!"
Siwan gritted her teeth—"You!"
At this moment, Sun Peng and Xin Dayi walked over. The two young men were also wearing suits, but one was refined and the other was wild and untamed, each with their own merits.
Da Yi was in a flurry of activity, her tone somewhat anxious—"You two, hiding in the corner, what are you saying? I can't find you anywhere!"
Sun Peng laughed, gloating – “Old Master Meng has issued an imperial decree, ordering the two of you to come to an audience immediately.”
Yan Xisi and Wan, who were initially hostile and wary of each other, suddenly had their faces contorted in pain and their expressions twisted – “Huh?”
The Meng family is related to the Lu family by marriage. The patriarch, Old Master Meng, is very good at handling affairs to please his superiors, making him a target for many families seeking promotions and currying favor. Back then, Lu Liu's aunt married Old Master Meng's only son.
Then, that wasn't a problem. The problem was Old Master Meng's only granddaughter, Meng Limou.
This young lady has a very poetic name, but she herself is not so poetic at all. She is a typical, thoroughly spoiled girl.
She's not bad looking, but she finds fault with everyone. It's not that she thinks the girl from the east shop has no taste in clothes—like, "That designer was criticized for being outdated, wasn't he?"—but that she thinks the girl from the west shop's makeup is too heavy. Ugh, I don't mean to say, you're already ugly, how come you make yourself even uglier with makeup? ╮(╯_╰)╭
And so on, and so forth.
A typical appearance-obsessed person.
Then Grandpa Meng became worried. His precious daughter was like this, finding fault with everyone. How was she ever going to get married?
Then, on a certain day, at a certain banquet, a young lady's eyes lit up—"Sir, sir, this is good!"
"Which one? Which one?" The old man's eyes widened like light bulbs. He looked and exclaimed, "Wow, it's the Wen family's only grandson! That's good, the only son in the family. He won't have to divide the family property in the future."
The old man was increasingly satisfied with the man, thinking he was indeed a good choice for his granddaughter's husband. Just as he was about to praise his granddaughter for her good judgment, the girl in the family burst out with heartbeats—"Grandpa, Grandpa, this one is even better!"
The old man was so frightened by his granddaughter that he almost had a heart attack, but in the blink of an eye, he saw a stunningly beautiful young man who could kill Wei Jie with his gaze.
Oh, your family is doing quite well; you're the eldest grandson of the Yan family.
Wait, no, no, there's another child in his family who will be dividing the inheritance in the future.
And so, after explaining the pros and cons to his granddaughter, the Meng family girl asked shyly, "Grandpa, may I eat at the Wen family's house and stay at the Yan family's house, having two husbands?"
Old Meng convulsed.
Then, every time the grandfather and grandson saw Wen Yan, they would grab him and ask him about their family situation, whether there were any signs of bankruptcy, whether Wen's aunt was a spendthrift, and whether Yan's younger brother was sensible.
Siwan was depressed. Who is your aunt?
Yan hope raised an eyebrow. Whether my little brother is sensible or not is none of your business!
However, such words could not extinguish the flames of revolution or the passion of love. In addition, since Old Meng was an elder, Siwan and Yanxi were impatient, but they could not refute the old man's face in person. They endured it and almost suffered internal injuries.
Upon hearing Old Master Meng's decree, both of them changed their expressions drastically.
Yan hope trembled and asked Sun Peng, "Has the raccoon dog arrived yet?"
The raccoon dog is also known as the fox spirit. It is a nickname for someone who thinks deeply and ponders things.
Sun Peng grinned, and Da Yi nodded.
Yan hope covered his head and said, "Well, I just had two drinks and I'm a little dizzy. I'm going to go for a walk first. Oh dear, Sun Da Niao, you're seeing double."
The big bird is Peng. It was a nickname that Yan Xiaoshao came up with after agonizing for three days before he started school.
Sun Shao sneered, "Fine, go ahead. Anyway, Wen Heng is being criticized by that young lady to no end."
The drunken Yan Shao immediately perked up, rolled up his sleeves, and sprinted away—"Damn you, you bastard, I'll fight you to the death!"
Da Yi exclaimed in admiration, "Truly a worthy adversary! You really know your enemy!"
Sun Shaoxiao said, "Brother, you're too kind. It's no trouble at all."
Siwan sighed, feeling helpless, and followed.
Meanwhile, Miss Li Mao was looking at Aheng with disdain—"Wen Heng, I didn't want to say anything to you because you're Siwan's sister and we might be family in the future, but look at you, you don't even wear light makeup. You're not pretty enough, but you don't know how to make up for it. This beautiful dress looks worthless on you. If others see this, they'll think the Wen family has bad manners!"
She saw Yan hope's previous intimacy with A Heng and was unhappy about it, so she deliberately picked a fight.
Ah Heng smiled without saying a word. Wen's mother saw her constantly scolding her daughter, but her face turned pale with anger—what kind of upbringing is this, letting a girl throw such a tantrum!
Although she was annoyed that Yan hope had acted on his own initiative, Aheng was, after all, her own flesh and blood. Thinking that she herself had also made mistakes, she couldn't bear to blame him. So she discussed it with her father-in-law. He would handle things on Si'er's side, while she and Siwan would smooth things over, preventing Yan Xi and Aheng from feeling hurt. She was chatting with some old friends and acquaintances with her daughter when suddenly a clueless young woman appeared. Although she was a complete stranger, hearing the girl's inappropriate speech, she suddenly lost all tolerance.
Ah Heng remained silent, slowly and with a smile, taking a step back to advance, waiting for his mother to get angry.
This girl is quite something; even her good-natured mother was angered by her.
Unfortunately, before Wen's mother could erupt, Yan hope and Si Wan had already arrived.
Yan hope's face flushed slightly, as if she had been walking too fast. She glanced at the Meng family girl and calmly interrupted her, "Meng Limou."
Meng Limao, who had been chattering away, turned around and her voice instantly dropped several decibels—"Yan hope, Si Wan, my grandfather said that you two should keep him company for a chat and have a couple of drinks."
Seeing her mother's displeasure, Siwan chuckled to herself. A few days ago, Grandpa Meng had spoken to her grandfather, subtly expressing Meng Limou's feelings. Grandpa initially disagreed, but her mother was very interested and wanted to see what kind of girl the Meng family was.
Siwan smiled and introduced, "Mom, this is Meng Limou, whom I told you about before. She is Grandpa Meng's granddaughter."
Mother Wen's face turned green instantly. She avoided the main point and forced a smile, saying, "Didn't your Grandpa Meng ask you to drink with him? He's in Building A. Let's go take a look. Xiao Xi can't hold her liquor, so drink less."
Yan hope smiled and nodded, saying okay, and left with Si Wan and Meng Li Mao. From beginning to end, his gaze did not linger on A Heng for even a second.
Ah Heng remained expressionless, smiling as she watched them leave.
Mother Wen's expression softened slightly, and she led Aheng to toast each family. Aheng could drink a few cups, and although they weren't familiar with each other, she spoke very politely, so the atmosphere at the banquet remained pleasant.
Wen's mother disagreed and whispered to her daughter, "Go and call your brother over, and have him help you have a drink. You still have to take the college entrance exam, and drinking too much will upset your mind."
Ah Heng looked at Block A. Si Wan was toasting an old man, and Yan hope was slumped over the table, looking somewhat drunk.
Just as Ah Heng was about to agree, another drink and birthday wishes arrived.
After she finished drinking, exchanged pleasantries, and returned the gift, Siwan and Yanxi disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Afraid that they would get drunk and wander off, Ah Heng went out to look for them. He checked the stairs, the corridor, and the surrounding area, but didn't see anyone.
The waiters were busy serving dishes, and when they asked, they all said they hadn't seen the two of them.
Ah Heng looked out the window; the sky was getting dark. The weather forecast predicted a heavy snowfall that afternoon.
Perhaps he went to the restroom to vomit?
Ah Heng thought to herself and walked into the seventh floor.
The further we went, the quieter it became.
Outside the window, the sky was gradually darkening, and heavy snow was approaching, seemingly separated from the distant hustle and bustle by a thick black curtain.
Ah Heng hesitated for a moment. She stood in front of the restroom but didn't hear any sound.
There shouldn't be anyone inside.
I was wondering whether I should go in and take a look, but as I took a step closer, the bright chandelier suddenly went out.
Someone pressed the switch.
"Yan hope, Si Wan?" Aheng asked in a low voice, thinking that the two of them were playing a prank on her.