"Qin Qin mentioned it's Qiaoqiao's birthday today," Gong Yuqi said. "Why don't you both wait here? Once I wrap up filming, we can grab dinner together."
Song Qi Nian started to decline, feeling it might be inappropriate, but Gong Yuqi had already walked away.
She glanced down at Qiaoqiao, who was watching Gong Yuqi leave with starry-eyed admiration, hands clasped beneath her chin. "He's just so handsome!" Qiaoqiao gushed. "I bet he even looks perfect when he eats."
Seeing Qiaoqiao's obvious delight, Song Qi Nian reconsidered. Maybe it would be nice to let him join the birthday celebration. Who knew when they'd get another chance like this?
When Gong Yuqi finished filming, he took them to an upscale private restaurant. "Bring us all your signature dishes," he told the staff, his tone generous.
Song Qi Nian's hands moved in careful gestures. [Maybe we should order less? It would be a shame to waste food.]
"Don't worry about it," he replied. "Someone else will be joining us later."
Song Qi Nian froze. Another guest? She hadn't expected that.
The kitchen worked quickly, and soon the table was laden with dishes that looked and smelled incredible. Both Song Qi Nian and Qiaoqiao couldn't help but stare at the feast before them.
Gong Yuqi picked up his chopsticks with a warm smile. "Let's eat."
Song Qi Nian's hands moved in quick signs, which Qiaoqiao translated: "Shouldn't we wait for your friend?"
"Him?" Gong Yuqi's eyes met Song Qi Nian's, and something knowing flickered in his smile. "He won't have much appetite anyway. Let's start without him."
Qiaoqiao tugged gently at Song Qi Nian's sleeve. "Qi Nian, I'm hungry."
Song Qi Nian smiled softly, picking up her chopsticks to serve her. "Go ahead and eat."
They were halfway through the meal when Gong Yuqi's assistant appeared, carrying a birthday cake.
"Little Qiaoqiao, happy birthday! Want to sing the birthday song together and blow out the candles?"
"Yes, yes!" Qiaoqiao bounced with excitement, nearly leaving her seat.
Song Qi Nian watched Gong Yuqi with surprise. Behind his carefree, playboy facade, she was discovering layers of thoughtfulness she hadn't expected.
"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you..."
The moment Gong Yuqi opened his mouth, nearby magpies scattered from their branches in a flurry of wings.
His off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" had to be one of the worst in human history.
The fact that he still released songs despite being tone-deaf—and his fans swooned over them anyway—was almost impressive.
But the tuning didn't matter. What counted was this moment of pure joy.
Unable to sing herself, Song Qi Nian kept time with her clapping instead.
After the song ended, Gong Yuqi and Qiaoqiao leaned in together to extinguish the candles. Song Qi Nian captured it all, her phone clicking away.
When Shen Chi Yan stepped into the restaurant, he walked straight into a scene of domestic bliss.
Gong Yuqi held Qiaoqiao while she smeared frosting across his cheek, both giggling as he dotted her nose with cream in retaliation.
Song Qi Nian stood watching them, her face soft with a gentle smile, radiating warmth.
It was rare to see her like this. Her usual smiles were polite, professional—nothing like this unguarded display of joy.
Shen Chi Yan's expression darkened as he remembered the "family photo" Gong Yuqi had sent earlier.
So this was what playing happy families looked like.
"I seem to be interrupting something."
His cold voice cut through their celebration. All three turned at once.
Song Qi Nian's smile melted away when she saw him standing there. The events from two nights ago rushed back, and tension crept into her features.
Why had he come?
Could Shen Chi Yan be the person Gong Yuqi mentioned earlier? If so, why hadn't he just said so directly? Song Qi Nian's frown deepened as she studied Gong Yuqi's face.
Though Gong Yuqi wasn't the quickest to read a room, even he could sense the tension crackling between Song Qi Nian and Shen Chi Yan. He let out an awkward laugh. "Ah Yan heard you were coming to see me, so he asked me to keep you for dinner. He booked this restaurant—it's his treat."
Song Qi Nian pressed her lips together, knowing full well this was a lie. Shen Chi Yan despised her—hated her, even. There was no way he would have arranged this.
"You're late! We're almost done eating," Gong Yuqi said, setting Qiaoqiao down. He leaned toward Shen Chi Yan and whispered, "What did you do to upset her this time?"
Every subtle movement of Song Qi Nian's body language told Shen Chi Yan she wanted nothing to do with him. Ha... So she could pose for photos with Gong Yuqi but couldn't stand the sight of him? Was that how much she preferred Gong Yuqi? The realization hit him—he and Song Qi Nian didn't have a single photo together.
His arctic stare swept over Gong Yuqi, making him shiver. Great, Gong Yuqi thought, I've really stepped in it now.
Shen Chi Yan's cold gaze shifted to Song Qi Nian. "Weren't you all having such a wonderful time before? Funny how the mood dropped the moment I arrived. Did I interrupt your perfect 'family of three' moment?"
"Come on," Gong Yuqi cut in, "we were just waiting for you!"
"Were you?"
Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes fell on the blown-out candles and half-eaten dishes. This certainly didn't look like they'd been waiting for him.
Song Qi Nian bristled at his "family of three" comment. It was clear Shen Chi Yan had come looking for a fight.
Song Qi Nian noticed Qiaoqiao cowering behind her in fear. She turned to Gong Yuqi with a faint smile and signed, [Mr. Gong, thank you for celebrating Qiaoqiao's birthday today. It's getting late, so we'll be heading out now. Goodbye.]
She took Qiaoqiao's hand and moved to leave, deliberately avoiding Shen Chi Yan's face. But Gong Yuqi, catching sight of the storm brewing in Shen Chi Yan's expression, felt panic rising in his chest.
What was happening here?
At first, Gong Yuqi had just wanted to watch Shen Chi Yan get jealous while enjoying the drama between him and his mute wife. But this wasn't going according to plan at all. Wasn't Song Qi Nian supposed to have feelings for Shen Chi Yan? Why wasn't she trying to explain herself?
Seeing Song Qi Nian about to walk out while Shen Chi Yan looked ready to explode, Gong Yuqi jumped in front of her. "It's impossible to get a cab at this hour. Why don't you wait and ride back with Ah Yan later?"
Before Song Qi Nian could sign a response, he rushed on, "Plus, we still have cake left. We can't let it go to waste, right? You two enjoy yourselves! I just remembered something I need to do, so I'll head out!"
Gong Yuqi fled so quickly it left even Qiaoqiao staring in disbelief.
And then there were three.
Song Qi Nian's emotions churned. That Gong Yuqi... If she'd known he'd pull something like this, she never would have called him a good person earlier.
"Qi Nian..."
Qiaoqiao tugged at her sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. Song Qi Nian looked down at her.
Qiaoqiao's eyes drifted to the cake on the table. "That cake looks really yummy. Can we take it home?"
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