Chapter Thirty: Happy Birthday

As the four of them stood bewildered, the other party, already excited, insisted on taking a group photo. The shop owner, too, was a little confused, her suspicious gaze sweeping over the five of them, wondering if perhaps they were celebrities.

The skating enthusiast nearby resolved her doubts, “They’re athletes from the national figure skating team—really impressive!”

The shop owner's eyes now brimmed with admiration for them, so much so that after they finished their pottery pieces, she refused their payment, declaring she was treating them.

Shu Ran asked, “I’d really like to have it today—would that be possible?”

The shop owner was a little surprised, her expression uneasy.

Shu Ran’s face was earnest and pleading, “Please, I can pay extra. My friend’s birthday is coming up soon, and I want to give it to him as a gift.”

The shop owner laughed heartily, “Alright, wait for me a moment. I’ll take care of it right now.”

Since the five were national team members, the shop owner felt comfortable leaving them to watch over the store while she went to process the cup.

Zhu Hongzhe suddenly thought of something, “So you went out shopping today just to buy your friend a birthday gift?”

Shu Ran nodded honestly.

She didn’t notice the fleeting look of distraction in Zhu Hongzhe’s eyes.

“Is your friend male or female?” Zhu Hongzhe grinned mischievously.

“Male.”

Zhu Hongzhe fell silent, wandering around the shop.

Wu Xinchen, too, was eager for gossip and pulled Shu Ran aside, “Is that person from the national team?”

Zhu Hongzhe’s ears perked up.

“Sort of,” Shu Ran replied.

Wu Xinchen pressed on, “Who is it?”

“My coach,” Shu Ran answered.

Zhu Hongzhe’s lips twitched. “So… your coach’s birthday, and you’re picking out a gift for him?”

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

“No, no problem at all.” For some reason, Zhu Hongzhe’s mood suddenly improved, and he was even grateful to Wu Xinchen for asking the question on his behalf.

But Wu Xinchen’s next words sent his heart plunging again.

“Your coach is really handsome. If it were me, I’d want to buy him a gift too.”

Now, not only Zhu Hongzhe but Shen Yu’s smile faded.

*

Shen Yu and Wu Xinchen had other matters to attend to, and Chen Lecheng, with no competitions for the time being, was heading home that afternoon, so he bid them farewell as well.

On the way back, only Shu Ran and Zhu Hongzhe remained.

When there were more people, Zhu Hongzhe spoke a lot; now, with only the two of them, he grew quiet.

Turning his head, Zhu Hongzhe saw Shu Ran gazing out the window. Her right cheek still had a hint of baby fat; her skin was pale and soft, making her look adorable. An unfamiliar feeling circled restlessly in his heart.

Shu Ran suddenly turned, catching him looking at her. Her surprised eyes asked Zhu Hongzhe why he was staring.

Zhu Hongzhe cleared his throat, a bit embarrassed. “So, do you have any more competitions this season? Why aren’t you going home?”

“There’s still the Four Continents.”

He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I’m competing in the Four Continents, too.”

“So you’re not going home either?”

He shook his head. “My home is in City B. When the time comes, I’ll go home for New Year’s Eve dinner, then return to training.”

The word “home” made Shu Ran’s gaze turn faintly distant.

As an athlete, she knew that look all too well.

“My parents are quite hospitable. When Chen Lecheng had competitions and didn’t go home, he’d celebrate New Year’s at my place,” Zhu Hongzhe suddenly offered. “Do you want to join? Wu Xinchen and the others said they’d come, too.”

Shu Ran was tempted. They all got along well, and spending New Year’s together would be much better than skating alone on a cold rink—especially since it was her birthday, and she didn’t want it to be so miserable again.

Just as she was about to accept, she thought of Fu Yiqing.

If she went to Zhu Hongzhe’s house for New Year’s, wouldn’t Fu Yiqing be left to celebrate with Qin Liubei?

No—Qin Liubei had mentioned he’d be helping at Xu Jingyu’s house for New Year’s. That would leave only Fu Yiqing alone.

Zhu Hongzhe watched as the spark in Shu Ran’s eyes gradually dimmed.

She said, “Thank you, but maybe not.”

He was puzzled. “Why?”

“If I go to your house, my coach will be alone. He has no family here, and if he spends New Year’s Eve alone, that’s too sad.”

The coach again.

Zhu Hongzhe grew anxious. “Then bring your coach along!”

“Really?” Shu Ran brightened.

“Of course… My parents love a lively house.”

When they got out of the car, Zhu Hongzhe had something urgent to attend to. Shu Ran waved goodbye happily and headed toward the dorms.

With New Year’s Eve settled, Shu Ran’s mood soared. She hummed a little tune as she bounced along, looking delighted.

Suddenly, someone appeared in front of her.

Shu Ran’s eyes lit up and she called out gleefully, “Coach Fu!”

Fu Yiqing’s gaze lingered on the departing figure in the distance, only returning after a few seconds. “Back already?”

“Mm!” Even her simple reply brimmed with energy and spirit, showing how much fun she’d had.

Thinking of this, Fu Yiqing felt inexplicably displeased.

Shu Ran hadn’t yet had a chance to mention New Year’s, but Fu Yiqing was already striding away.

“Coach?”

He showed no sign of stopping.

Fu Yiqing was angry, staring at the already booked tickets on his phone, his brow furrowing ever more tightly.

Yet suddenly, he realized Shu Ran was still young. She hadn’t met many people yet, hadn’t experienced much—the course of her life was still unknown, her feelings likewise.

Fu Yiqing sighed helplessly, uncertain where to place his restless heart.

*

Because of Fu Yiqing’s birthday, Qin Liubei put a lot of thought into it.

After all, this guy has high standards: if a gift doesn’t suit his taste, it’s easy to tell from his expression.

On the other hand, if the gift makes him happy, it’s a sense of accomplishment for the giver.

Qin Liubei loved that sense of accomplishment.

On his birthday morning, Fu Yiqing found no trace of Aunt Zhang, and no breakfast.

Skipping breakfast was bad for his stomach, so he frowned, considering ordering delivery. Just as he sat on the sofa, a loud crash startled him, making him drop his phone.

Looking up, he saw a shower of ribbons and confetti filling the air.

From the second floor, Aunt Zhang’s expression was odd, as if she’d been coerced.

Then, from the first-floor storage room, Qin Liubei pushed a cart toward Fu Yiqing, singing, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”

On the cart, covered by a colorful curtain, sat a four-tiered cake.

When he reached Fu Yiqing, the song stopped precisely. “Ta-da! Surprised? I had this cake made by the famous pastry chef Shalat from abroad.”

Fu Yiqing’s face was expressionless.

“Fine, I knew you’d find this unimpressive since you’ve seen it before. That little Shu Ran gave me useless advice.”

Fu Yiqing raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying this was Shu Ran’s idea?”

Qin Liubei slumped onto the sofa, full of regret. “What else? Do you think my clever brain can come up with the same surprise every year?”

Fu Yiqing asked, “Where is she?”

“You only remember that little ingrate! Fact is, only your buddy here always remembers your birthday.”

Fu Yiqing’s gaze darkened, his emotions unreadable.

Just as Fu Yiqing looked disappointed, the curtain covering the cart was suddenly lifted, and a petite figure crawled out from underneath, holding a cup in her hands. “Happy birthday, Coach Fu!”

Fu Yiqing was stunned for a moment. Seeing Qin Liubei’s smiling face, he finally understood.

“Happy birthday! This cup is for you—I made it myself.”

He stared at her. “You made it?”

“Yes, spent the whole afternoon on it. It’s a bit ugly,” she admitted, suddenly shy. Fu Yiqing was used to fine things; what if he disliked her cup?

Fu Yiqing took it with both hands. “I like it very much.”

Qin Liubei tried to get a look at the cup Shu Ran had made, but Fu Yiqing slapped his hand away. “Don’t smudge it.”

Then Fu Yiqing placed the cup in his study.

A cup, not in the kitchen, but on the bookshelf in his study.

Such is the world.

Qin Liubei stood by, deadpan. “Double standards, you dog.”

Fortunately, he’d prepared ahead.

Preparing birthday gifts for Fu Yiqing had always been dull, but this year was different. With Shu Ran’s involvement, Qin Liubei felt competitive—whose gift would make Fu Yiqing happier? It was an amusing contest.

The surprises temporarily concluded, but even on his birthday, training remained part of the day.

For convenience, they trained at the rink near Fu Yiqing’s home.

The three agreed to finish training by six and then go out for dinner to celebrate Fu Yiqing’s birthday.

Fu Yiqing was in a good mood; even when Shu Ran made mistakes, he treated her kindly.

By five, darkness had settled outside.

Near six, Shu Ran went to the locker room to change, Qin Liubei went to the restroom, and Fu Yiqing went out to start the car.

Fu Yiqing waited in the car, but neither of them appeared.

He got out and entered the rink, which was pitch-black and cold.

Suddenly, scenes from movies about robbery and murder flashed through Fu Yiqing’s mind, tightening his nerves.

He cautiously turned on the hallway lights. The rink’s lights were inside, so in the darkness, Fu Yiqing used his phone’s flashlight, hand on the switch, about to turn on the lights—when suddenly, a white spotlight blossomed on the ice.

The sound of blades slicing the ice was crisp; the figure skated into the spotlight.

Music began to play.

The skater performed steps and jumps; after falling on the second jump, she quickly got up to continue.

Fu Yiqing didn’t turn on the lights, drawn in as he approached.

On the ice, Shu Ran was performing her own choreography. The singer was a man—a different version of “Happy Birthday,” from a musical, if memory served. Unlike the familiar tune, this heartfelt pop version made the song all the more moving.

At the end, Shu Ran finished with a combined spin, the lights suddenly illuminating all three.

The singer was Qin Liubei.

Shu Ran and Qin Liubei exchanged a glance, then Shu Ran glided to Fu Yiqing’s side. “Coach Fu.”

Qin Liubei spoke into the microphone, “Old Fu—”

Together, they said, “Happy birthday!”

Fu Yiqing’s eyes were full of surprise.

Qin Liubei, pleased by his reaction, said smugly, “Now that was my idea. Of course, without Shu Ran, it wouldn’t have worked so well.”

Fu Yiqing’s gaze softened, clearly satisfied with the surprise.

Shu Ran’s smile bloomed as she bent down and brought out a bowl.

It was a bowl of longevity noodles.

Fu Yiqing looked astonished, too surprised to take it right away. “You made this?”

“I made it,” came Qin Liubei’s reply.

“Oh.”

Qin Liubei’s smile froze. “Hey, double standards, do you have to be so cold? Can Shu Ran cook? Do you think her food would be edible?”

Shu Ran smiled awkwardly. “Then next year, I’ll make longevity noodles.”

Fu Yiqing laughed, unable to hold back. “Alright.”