“Yes, yes.” Xiaoqi nodded vigorously before sighing regretfully. “If great-grandpa and great-grandmother could celebrate Grandpa’s birthday at home, he would definitely be very happy.”
After Xiaoqi finished washing the vegetables, Ling Sheng took him to the balcony and took a photo of the sprouting Snow White before sending it to Huo Ci.
Ling Sheng: Father, your Snow White has germinated. Are you coming home today?
Half an hour later, Ling Sheng finally heard her WeChat ring. She hurriedly ran out of the kitchen and wiped her hands before seeing his reply.
Huo Ci: Yes.
“Mommy, Mommy, what did Grandpa say?” Xiaoqi ran out of the kitchen. His face was covered in flour, and so were his hands. He was making longevity noodles for Grandpa.
“He’ll be back tonight.” Ling Sheng smiled and squatted down to wipe the flour off her son’s face. “Your grandpa has been very concerned about the vegetables on the balcony recently, especially the Snow White, which he likes a lot.”
She had always felt that having a bowl of longevity noodles on her birthday was the most pleasant thing. Ever since she was young, her father would make a bowl of longevity noodles for her every birthday, no matter how busy he was. It was the warmest experience in her memory.
Xiaoqi insisted on making longevity noodles with her. He mimicked Ling Sheng and tried to stretch the noodles out, but his tiny hands weren’t up to the task. They broke very quickly, and he pouted dejectedly. “Mommy, am I stupid?”
“This is not something you can learn in a day or two.” Ling Sheng smiled and looked at her son seriously. “Besides, it’s the thought that counts.”
Xiaoqi nodded twice. Then, he took the dough and continued to work hard. However, he did not manage to form any decent noodles in the end, so he could only give up.
After a busy afternoon, the cake was finally ready. Xiaoqi placed the Snow Whites, which had been washed and dried, on the cake one by one.
Ling Sheng picked up one and placed it next to his mouth. “Xiaoqi, eat one.”
Xiaoqi shook his head and swallowed before saying firmly, “Xiaoqi doesn’t want to eat it. Grandpa likes Snow Whites the most. I’ll leave it for Grandpa.”
Ling Sheng smiled. Okay, she would give everything to Grandpa. “I bought two boxes. They can’t all be placed on the cake. Let’s eat one box and put one on the cake.”
This was not strawberry season, so it was not easy to buy Snow White strawberries. She had gone to several boutique supermarkets before finally buying some for 20 yuan per strawberry. There was a total of 30 strawberries in the two boxes, which had cost 600 yuan.
The strawberries on the balcony were also Snow White strawberries. They had been planted in a big area. As long as she took good care of them, she would be able to eat fresh strawberries at home.
In the end, due to Ling Sheng’s persuasion, Xiaoqi finally wavered. While eating strawberries, he said, “Mommy, when Xiaoqi makes money in the future, he’ll buy a lot of Snow Whites for you and Grandpa.”
Meanwhile, the sky darkened outside.
Ling Sheng cooked the vegetables and covered them to keep them warm, as she did not know when her father would be back.
Xiaoqi, who was about to fall asleep while waiting, forced his eyes open and looked at his mother. “Mommy, when will Grandpa be back?”
Ling Sheng took a look at the time. It was already 11 o’clock, and his birthday was almost over. “Xiaoqi, go to bed. I’ll wake you up when Grandpa gets back.”
Xiaoqi shook his head and tried his best to stay awake. “Xiaoqi is not sleeping. Xiaoqi wants to wait for Grandpa to come back.”
When the elevator bell rang, Xiaoqi dashed out like a baby bull, carrying the party streamer he had prepared in his hand. Ling Sheng followed him, and the mother and son smiled at each other.
The door then opened.
The mother and son, who were standing on either side of the elevator, popped the party streamer, and the ribbons flew into the sky.
“Happy birthday, Grandpa.”
“Happy birthday, Father.”
The two of them spoke at the same time.
Ling Sheng closed the door to the living room and said excitedly, “I’ll cook the longevity noodles immediately. They’ll be done in two minutes. Father, wait a minute.”
Huo Ci narrowed his eyes slightly. He had drunk too much, and his head was a mess. Under the swaying candlelight, everything in front of him became particularly eye-catching. It was as though he had returned to that day in the past. The expression in his eyes turned cold, and a bloodthirsty redness spread across them.
Ling Sheng had just turned around to cook the longevity noodles when the strong, pungent smell of alcohol spread behind her. Before she could react, she saw Huo Ci rush forward and flip the table.