Chapter 25 – The Birthday

The first thing Wen An’an did when she woke up was get called over by the director. He told her they were skipping the originally scheduled scenes for the day and would instead film her character’s return to the country. She looked at the director, puzzled, then glanced around.

“Is Xiao Fang taking the day off today?”

Director Hu nodded. “Yeah, Xiao Fang told me a few days ago that he needed today off for something important at home. To be honest, when I took him on, I was prepared for him to skip out every now and then. I never expected to find such a gem. An’an, if you ever need to take a few days off for something, feel free. We have a pretty flexible schedule.”

Wen An’an politely thanked him and didn’t press the matter further. She didn’t have Zhang Hang’s intense curiosity, or rather, she didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Xiao Fang. She simply saw him as a mentor and a friend.

Nearby, Xiao Ma was struggling to carry some props for the crew, while Que Jiang effortlessly carried five times his load.

“Do you think Brother Xiao doesn’t love me anymore? He went out to have fun and didn’t even take me with him.”

Que Jiang freed a hand to poke him on the forehead. “They’re on a date. Why would they want you there as a third wheel?”

The rumored-to-be-dating Xiao-someone was currently in a supermarket, basket in hand, on a major shopping spree. He was planning a surprise for Fei Xiangnan and also wanted to properly apologize. Fei Xiangnan had come to see him full of anticipation, only to be treated so poorly. Anyone would have been upset.

Xiao Fang bought fresh pork, fish, pork belly, beef, tofu, and various seasonings, finally grabbing some vegetables. He was planning to cook a few nice dishes to celebrate his birthday.

Xiao Fang had driven Xiao Ma’s Beetle over. After buying the ingredients, he immediately went to a cake shop. Although men generally didn’t like overly sweet things, a birthday still needed a sense of ceremony. Xiao Fang chose a simple mousse cake and then followed the navigation to Fei Xiangnan’s company.

A big shot was a big shot, after all. Other studios might occupy a floor or two at most, but his office was an entire building. It stood tall in the city center, its unique design making it a local landmark. By the time Xiao Fang drove over from Lin City and finished his shopping, it was already three o’clock.

Xiao Fang straightened his clothes, not wanting to look like he’d been rushing around. The outfit he was wearing was the most expensive one he owned, and he had carefully styled his hair. He knew very well that when entering a major corporation like this, he couldn’t let his presence be weak, or even the receptionist would look down on him.

Xiao Fang closed the car door, put on his sunglasses, and strode forward with the swagger unique to a rich second-generation kid.

“Sir, may I ask who you’re looking for?” the receptionist’s voice was as sweet as honey.

Xiao Fang paused for a second, then deliberately lowered his voice. “I’m here to see President Fei.”

The receptionist looked at Xiao Fang with a probing gaze. A person with his kind of aura didn’t look like a troublemaker. He might be an important guest of President Fei. So, her tone became even more polite. “Alright, do you have an appointment?”

Xiao Fang shook his head. “No, but could you please inform him that my surname is Xiao?”

The receptionist’s face suddenly lit up with surprise and she guessed, “Could you be… Xiao Qi?”

Everyone had been gossiping about Fei Xiangnan and Xiao Qi recently.

Xiao Fang took off his sunglasses without a trace of embarrassment, instead offering a gentlemanly smile. “Sorry, I’m not.”

The receptionist thought he looked familiar but couldn’t quite place him. “Alright then, I’ll call President Fei’s office.”

Xiao Fang nodded and waited quietly.

The receptionist covertly observed him while dialing the number. The young man in front of her was one of the most clean-cut she had ever seen. He was probably an up-and-coming star.

“President Fei, there’s a Mr. Xiao here to see you. Should I…”

Fei Xiangnan’s hand tightened on his phone, emotions swirling in his eyes.

“President Fei?” the voice on the other end cautiously checked again.

“Tell him I’m in a meeting and have no time. Tell him to go back on his own.”

The receptionist looked at the now-disconnected line and then back at Xiao Fang apologetically. “President Fei seems to still be in a meeting. He said you should head back first.”

A pang of pain shot through Xiao Fang’s heart, but he quickly put his mask back on. “What time does your President Fei usually get off work?”

“It varies. Sometimes he works overtime until nine or ten. If he doesn’t have to, he leaves at five-thirty.”

Xiao Fang thought for a moment. The man was still angry, so being rejected was normal.

“Alright then, I won’t disturb you any longer.” Xiao Fang put his sunglasses back on, thanked her, and turned to leave.

The receptionist watched Xiao Fang’s retreating back, feeling as though he might burst into tears at any second.

Xiao Fang drove to the building where Fei Xiangnan lived. Of course, he wasn’t going to go back just like that. If the big boss was in a bad mood, he could be turned to dust.

Fortunately, the receptionist here recognized him. After chatting for a while, he learned that this entire piece of land belonged to Fei Xiangnan’s company. As expected of a villain with immense financial power.

Xiao Fang carried the cake in one hand and the shopping bag in the other as he entered the elevator. If Fei Xiangnan got off at five-thirty, he would have to wait at most two hours. He could afford to wait that long. An apology always required a bit of sincerity.

This building had a one-apartment-per-floor layout, and Fei Xiangnan lived on the top floor. Xiao Fang, free from the awkwardness of running into neighbors, sat down cross-legged by the door, hugging his shopping bag.

He took out his phone and hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to call Fei Xiangnan. He already knew. If he called, it would be pointless. Today was his birthday, so he should let him be happy. He had to tolerate his anger, no matter how long it lasted.

Xiao Fang watched a famous movie on his phone and played a few mini-games. By the time it was almost six o’clock, he still hadn’t heard the elevator.

“Working overtime, huh? Just my luck,” Xiao Fang muttered to himself. The day’s rush had made him a little sleepy. He couldn’t help but close his eyes. Maybe Fei Xiangnan would be here when he woke up?

***

Fei Xiangnan stayed in his office until ten o’clock at night. During this time, countless business partners and subordinates sent him birthday wishes. He responded politely to all of them. From his family, the butler sent a large red envelope on behalf of everyone. The cold words offered Fei Xiangnan no warmth at all.

This was his birthday. A day so cold it was freezing. Every year it was either drinking or staying in the office until midnight. Once it was over, he would feel better. He could go back to being the rational Fei Xiangnan.

Just then, his phone rang at an inopportune time. It was the receptionist from his apartment building.

“Hello? Is this President Fei? There’s something I think I should ask you about.”

“Speak.”

“The gentleman you brought over before has been waiting at your door for six hours. I see him sleeping at your doorstep now. The central air conditioning is on all day, and I’m a little worried he might catch a cold.”

Fei Xiangnan sat up in shock. “What did you say? He’s been waiting there for six hours?”

“Uh, yes,” the receptionist said, sounding a little panicked.

Hanging up the phone, Fei Xiangnan hastily threw on his coat and rushed out of the office. It had been a long time since he had acted so impulsively. His mind was racing, over and over again. What was his relationship with Xiao Fang? It was just a business arrangement. Why would he go to such lengths? Didn’t he want to sever ties with him? Why would he come back on his birthday?

A sob story? What could he possibly gain from that?

Fei Xiangnan stared anxiously at the red light, for the first time hating the sheer number of traffic lights on this road.

Six hours. How could he not have a bit more sense? It was so cold outside, yet he dared to fall asleep. How carefree could he be?

Fei Xiangnan’s mind flashed back to that night, to Xiao Fang’s lonely figure walking under the dim streetlights, walking all by himself.

Fei Xiangnan took a deep breath, trying to force himself to think less, to just think less.

“It’s true that Da Bao might not appear much in my future plans.”

“But, I will still love him very much. He’s my first child. Even if I can’t wear matching outfits with him or go out and play with him whenever I want, I will still love him very much. I would never act as if this child doesn’t exist. I, really…”

Then what about me?

Fei Xiangnan silently asked the question in his heart.

What about me? He’s not as good-looking as Xiao Qi, nor does he have his personality. He’s just a complete sycophant, with no bottom line, a master of flattery.

Fei Xiangnan walked into the building.

“President Fei,” the receptionist greeted him respectfully.

Fei Xiangnan had no time for pleasantries and rushed into the elevator.

The receptionist had worked here for almost five years, and this was the first time she had ever seen Fei Xiangnan in such a hurry. Usually, he was like a cold machine, never showing the human touch he did today.

When Fei Xiangnan stepped out of the elevator, he saw Xiao Fang fast asleep, clutching a shopping bag. His neck was bent at an angle that looked incredibly uncomfortable.

Fei Xiangnan stopped in his tracks.

He saw an exquisitely packaged cake box to the side. The bag faintly revealed various types of meat and a green onion sticking out of the top. Xiao Fang was thin, curled up into a small ball, looking completely insecure. What was this for? Was he afraid that his anger would affect his own interests?

“Xiao Fang,” Fei Xiangnan called out his name.

Xiao Fang didn’t respond.

Fei Xiangnan crouched down and called his name again.

Xiao Fang jolted awake, opening his eyes to see Fei Xiangnan with a complicated expression on his face.

Xiao Fang subconsciously wiped the corner of his mouth. “You… you’re back.”

Xiao Fang pushed himself up. Fei Xiangnan stood up with him. Standing together, there was a head’s difference in their height.

Xiao Fang rubbed his sore neck, struggling to look at him, but still managed to put on his most sincere smile. “Happy birthday.”

You don’t need to act in front of me.

The thought crossed Fei Xiangnan’s mind, but he didn’t say it out loud. He turned and opened the door.

Xiao Fang immediately picked up the bags and stood obediently behind him. After entering and putting things down, he realized it was already eleven-forty.

“It’s this late!” Xiao Fang instantly went from drowsy to wide awake.

He looked at the bag of groceries with distress. Finally, he gritted his teeth, pulled out some green onions and meat, quickly put on an apron, and headed for the kitchen. Fei Xiangnan hadn’t even had a chance to stop him before he had water boiling on the stove.

Fei Xiangnan just stood there, watching him bustle around. But compared to the first time, his mindset had completely changed.

Water boiled, noodles went in. Another pot was quickly put on to make broth. Xiao Fang stir-fried the sliced meat, fried a sunny-side-up egg, and carefully poured the finished broth over the noodles, topping it with the egg and meat. Finally, he sprinkled on some chopped green onions. The aroma wafted out from the kitchen.

Xiao Fang immediately brought the noodles out, then quickly unpacked the cake, stuck a candle in it, and looked at Fei Xiangnan with anticipation.

“Originally, if you hadn’t worked overtime, I could have made you more dishes. But you got off work late, so this is all there is. There are five minutes left. You should blow out the candle and make a wish first, then eat this bowl of longevity noodles. I was going to make the noodles myself, but there’s no time now. Quick, quick, blow out the candle.”

Fei Xiangnan lowered his gaze, the many words in his heart turning into one question on his lips: “Why go to such lengths for me?”