"Yuyu, I—"
"Xiaoyu!"
Rong Zhenqiao’s voice came sharply from a distance.
He was walking quickly toward them and beside him was Ding Wei who had gone earlier to call for help.
As soon as they got closer, Rong Zhenqiao saw Rong Xingyu crouching on the ground, his eyes red and filled with tears.
The worry on Rong Zhenqiao’s face deepened instantly.
He then crouched down beside him and asked. "Xingyu, what happened? Do you feel sick?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Rong Xingyu suddenly threw himself into his arms.
Like a small wounded animal seeking warmth, he clung to his older brother tightly. He even keep shaking his head as if he tried to hold back his emotions.
Once Rong Zhenqiao made sure there was nothing physically wrong with him, he helped Rong Xingyu to his feet.
But as soon as Rong Xingyu stood up, he grabbed the edge of his brother’s coat and hid behind him, refusing to even glance in Ding Yixin’s direction.
The warmth in Rong Zhenqiao’s eyes faded.
He turned his gaze to Ding Yixin, his tone calm but cold.
"Mr. Ding," he said slowly, "I don’t know what happened between you and my brother before, but today is his birthday. I think it would be better if you stepped away. Let the boy finish his birthday in peace."
The message behind his polite words was clear, he was asking Ding Yixin to leave.
He even ordered one of the staff to return the gift that Ding Yixin had brought earlier.
Ding Wei who’s still confused about what was happening felt a spark of irritation rise inside him. So, he couldn’t help but speak up, "Who takes back a gift after giving it? Don’t you think that’s really disrespectful?"
"Enough, Xiao Wei."
Ding Yixin’s voice was quiet but firm, cutting off the boy immediately.
He turned his gaze to Rong Xingyu who was still hiding behind his brother, his eyes flickering with unreadable emotion.
Finally, he spoke in a low and steady voice. "Yuyu, I did keep something from you," he said, "but I never lied to you."
Rong Xingyu bit his lip, his hands gripping his brother’s coat even tighter at those words.
He turned his face away, refusing to meet Ding Yixin’s eyes again.
Ding Yixin looked at him for a long moment, then let out a faint, bitter smile. Without saying anything more, he turned around and walked away.
Ding Wei hesitated before he quickly running after his uncle.
After Ding Yixin and Ding Wei left, Rong Xingyu was quietly taken back to the Rong family’s main residence by Rong Zhenqiao.
After a thorough check, the family doctor confirmed that Rong Xingyu’s physical condition was fine and that his emotions had started to stabilize.
Only then did Rong Zhenqiao finally relax.
Seeing the worried look on his brother’s face, Rong Xingyu forced a faint smile, pressing all his tangled emotions deep into his heart and pretending to be fine.
It was supposed to be a happy birthday party, yet because of him, so many things had gone wrong.
Even his older brother and Rong Zhihao who were meant to stay and enjoy the evening had returned home early to the old family house.
Rong Xingyu suddenly felt guilty.
"It’s alright," Rong Zhenqiao said softly, reaching out to pat his brother’s head. "We were already planning to leave early and celebrate your birthday at home, just the family."
Hearing those comforting words made Rong Xingyu’s chest ache with warmth.
He followed his brother down from the second floor, his footsteps light but quiet.
Just as he stepped off the last stair, the lights in the living room suddenly went out.
The whole room was swallowed by darkness.
"Did the power go out?" Rong Xingyu blinked his eyes in the dark, trying to see something but everything was pitch black.
Then, suddenly, a soft glow appeared in one corner of the room.
"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~"
The familiar melody filled the air.
Rong Xingyu’s breath caught in his throat as he saw a cake slowly being pushed toward him, the flickering candles casting warm, trembling light that danced closer and closer.
The candlelight fell on Rong Zishan’s handsome well defined face as he pushed the cake forward while singing the song, his tone light and cheerful.
Unlike the tall and fancy cake from the hotel earlier this one was just a small and simple fruit cake.
On top, chunks of fresh mango glistened under the candlelight, releasing a sweet, refreshing scent that made the air feel soft and warm.
Rong Xingyu suddenly felt a gentle push on his back, it was Rong Zhenqiao whose nudging him and Rong Zhihao to move forward.
"Go on, blow out the candles and make a wish!" Rong Zishan urged, his voice teasing and bright.
Rong Xingyu smiled faintly. Looking at the dancing flames, a gentle warmth spread through his chest.
He clasped his hands together with his eyes closed and quietly made a wish. Then he leaned forward and blew out the candles together with Rong Zhihao.
The moment the flames went out, the lights in the living room flickered back on.
"Yeah!" Rong Zishan cheered and popped the confetti tube in his hand.
Bang!
The colorful ribbons burst into the air and falling over Rong Xingyu like a rain of light even a few strands landed on Rong Zhenqiao’s shoulders.
Rong Xingyu looked up and couldn’t help laughing when he saw his normally composed and well-dressed brother standing there in a suit, completely unaware that a long piece of ribbon was hanging from his hair.
For the first time that night, he felt his mood lift.
They all stood together around the small cake, just a few family members celebrating quietly at home but somehow, it felt warmer and more real than any grand banquet.
"Come on, let’s cut the cake!" Rong Zishan said happily. "We were all starving at the banquet earlier, right? Now we can finally eat!"