Rubbing together was only most appropriate given that it was very cold and late into the night.
That said, Mu Qiqi was really too tired and could barely mouth the words. “No, Xiaoxiao… stop…”
Sheng Xiao only spared her when he saw that she was really spent.
And by the next morning, Mu Qiqi received many messages wishing her a happy birthday on her phone, including Qianqian’s, her aunt’s, Grandpa Shen’s, and Shen Jianchuan’s.
Mu Qiqi thanked every single one of them, while making plans to visit her father and return to the Shen family’s home for lunch. Later at night, she would be holding a small gathering at Jing Ting’s garden as well.
“That way, Jing Yun and Fourth Sister could have some time together, and I get to meet Qianqian. It’s been so long since I last saw her…”
“It’s your birthday. Anything you say goes.”
“Then I’ll have Aunt Wu put a Christmas tree in the garden…”
Mu Qiqi was very excited. Now that her relationship with Sheng Xiao was known to everyone, there was no need for hiding and she could meet her best friend anytime she wanted.
Sheng Minglan was keen to come when she received the invitation as well, since Xiao Qi was the only one whom she felt comfortable with in the entire Sheng family.
Still, Mu Qiqi also mentioned to her beforehand that Lu Qianqian would be coming as well, and hoped that Sheng Minglan wouldn’t mind.
“It’s alright. I could be in the room with Miss Lu.”
Hence, with her arrangements complete, Mu Qiqi decorated Jing Ting with Aunt Wu, while Sheng Xiao got some work done since he wasn’t going to Huang Yao for the day. Still, for some reason, it satisfied him that he could see the little one’s silhouette and her voice.
By the afternoon, Jing Yun came to Jing Ting and handed him some important documents.
However, Mu Qiqi caught him when he was about to leave. “Where are you going? Are you skipping my birthday?”
“Young Madam… I’ll come by later.”
“Stay.” Sheng Xiao said without looking up. “The things you are right now aren’t really important anyway.”
Jing Yun looked around and found that Mu Qiqi had almost decorated Jing Ting into a forest out of the pages of a fairytale, and went along with Aunt Wu to help. Mu Qiqi herself turned to Sheng Xiao and gave him a wink, before sneaking to him when no one was looking for a swift kiss.
He hadn’t seen her being so lively for a long time, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips.
“Really, this little one…”
Soon, it was night. Mu Qiqi had Aunt Wu turn on the colored lights in the garden, and it finally felt like a party and Christmas.
Moments later, Sheng Minglan’s car arrived at Jing Ting. She alighted, and did a double take when she found Jing Yun at a corner preparing food, although she continued towards Mu Qiqi first. “Happy birthday…”
Mu Qiqi glanced at Jing Yun by reflex before turning back to her. “Don’t you have something to tell Jing Yun, Fourth Sister?”
“You and your mischief.”
“He’s right there. Hurry on…”
Still, though it was true that Sheng Minglan wanted to talk to Jing Yun, she wasn’t sure where to start now that she saw him. All she could do was walk up to his side and quietly help him unload the food.
Mu Qiqi watched the awkward pair and shook his head helplessly. But just as she was about to look for Sheng Xiao to brainstorm for a solution, Lu Qianqian had arrived at Jing Ting, along with the stink bug Lin Mu’an behind her.
“My Qi… My Qi! Happy birthday!”
“You only need to come. What did you bring that for?” Mu Qiqi felt herself sweating at the sight of the exaggeratedly wrapped gift box Lu Qianqian brought with her.
“You’ll only know what this baby can do when you try it.” Lu Qianqian winked in return.
“And what’s with you and Lin Mu’an?” Mu Qiqi asked, gesturing at the man behind Qianqian with her chin.
“My hands are tied. He insisted on following when I mentioned that it’s your birthday.”
“Xiao Qiqi, I’ve bought you an ultra large cake and it’ll arrive soon…” Lin Mu’an then butted in as if they were on familiar terms. After greeting her and having a few words with Sheng Xiao at the living room, he then turned towards Jing Yun and Sheng Minglan.
“I presume that your assistant likes the fourth sister of the Sheng Family?”
“And how would you know?” Sheng Xiao asked interestedly in return.
“He was staring in one particular direction on the day of your engagement with a pained look. Now it’s beyond doubt that it’s Fourth Sister… just look at the air between them, charged with the awkwardness before the courtship…”
Sheng Xiao grinned and made a bet with him. “I’ll owe you a favor if you could get their relationship to progress tonight.”
“Time to earn that Crown Prince favor!” Lin Mu’an was immediately excited at the prospect of a debt. “Is that a life pardon I hear?”
“That depends on your performance…”
It was a gathering on Mu Qiqi’s birthday, and everyone was naturally relaxed and comfortable with friends around.
Moreover, Lin Mu’an knew that it would prove to be an interesting challenge.
“Enjoy the show.” He answered Sheng Xiao, before striding across the lawn, plucked out a little gift bauble from the Christmas Tree and handed it to Sheng Minglan.
“O great goddess, do you still recognize my face?”
Sheng Minglan glanced towards him and smiled, amused. “Mu’an.”
“Yes, that’s me… allow me to help you with that.” Lin Mu’an said, taking the box from her hands while casually touching her fingers. “That’s cold! Quick, head over there, rest up and get your hands warm…”
And there was nothing Jing Yun could do against him—all he could do was watch with a brief look of dejection flashing across his eyes.
Mu Qiqi and Lu Qianqian shared a look when they saw that.
“That scumbag Lin Mu’an…”
Mu Qiqi quickly stopped her. “Can’t you see that he’s goading Jing Yun? Let him teach that piece of log a lesson…”
Lu Qianqian paused for a moment. “Are you sure about that? I’m just afraid it’s his womanizing nature at work again.”
“Why do you care anyway? It’s not like he’s your boyfriend…”
Qianqian did a double take at that, and knew that she was being a busybody. “Alright, then.”
In truth, wasn’t Mu Qiqi testing Lu Qianqian as well?
Meanwhile, Sheng Minglan was about to go to sit with her younger brother since she didn’t have a chance to talk to Jing Yun, whereas Lin Mu’an had already excused himself to the washroom, soaked a towel in hot water and rubbed her fingers with it.
“A goddess’s hand shouldn’t be allowed to freeze in winter so casually…”
Sheng Xiao couldn’t help turning towards Jing Yun at that.
That piece of log was still actually focusing on getting the food ready!
Was he really going to do nothing!?
“Mu’an, you definitely have a way with girls.” Sheng Minglan told him even as she allowed him to warm her hands. “I just might fall for you if I’m a few years younger.”
“Oh, goddess. I despise that line. How are you old?”
And this time, Sheng Minglan was beaming widely.
After all, who could resist being praised as young and lovely?
“Allow me to accompany you for a few drinks tonight, goddess, to celebrate this Christmas Eve!”