Chapter 75 - Happy Birthday + Meteor Shower
Translator: Hua
The big white fondant cake was two layers high, decorated with a zoo theme. There was a group of cute little animals placed on it, each expression was so detailed and extremely vivid. In addition, there were many realistic-looking green plants growing densely.
…..
In the movie, according to the explanation of male lead’s co-worker, this symbolized prosperity.
At this time, the cake in front of Jing Xun was the exact replica of the one that appeared in that movie.
Although there were not many shots of the cake, Jing Xun still remembered them all.
During this period, he often exchanged desserts with Secretary Mi and Assistant Xiao Tang in the afternoon tea time, so Jing Xun also learned a lot.
He could roughly guess that the production of this big cake alone would take three days, plus the make over and decorations…
It was enough to prove that Shen Yijin started making preparations a long time ago.
Perhaps after they watched the movie that day, sir had already planned a birthday party for him.
“Think of it as a make-up birthday party.” Shen Yijin said in his ear.
When Jing Xun looked over, the other party’s straight back was slightly bent, half leaning to his ear, and said solemnly: “I’ll make it up for you every year from now on.”
Jing Xun: “…En.”
Jing Xun wanted to say something, but suddenly choked up again, unable to make a sound.
He could only blink at Shen Yijin, his round almond shaped eyes gleaming with bright crystal light, and many uncontrollable excited emotions.
He knew that Shen Yijin was going to surprise him, but the surprise was still too… too sudden!
He didn’t know how to react!
At this moment, his colleagues smiled and ran over to wish him a happy birthday. Some people directly asked him to go over and blow candles.
Jing Xun had never experienced this kind of battle, and when he was called, he looked back at Shen Yijin in confusion and helplessness.
When he was led by sir to the table and saw the big cake with his name and birthday wishes written on it…
Jing Xun felt that he was dazzled by the cute candles and the burning flame.
What’s with the sudden urge to cry?
“Don’t stand still, it’s time to make a wish and blow out the candles!” Someone suddenly spoke up.
Jing Xun turned his head and looked over. He found that not only a lot of colleagues came, but even Big Brother Tang was present!
As soon as Tang Li called him out, others also followed suit.
So Jing Xun could only wipe his eyes, blow out the candles, and make a wish while being surrounded by everyone. Then he cut the cake.
He didn’t expect that his strict colleagues would be so crazy when they played, and they were all very stubborn.
Each of them said a few words of blessing. It made the atmosphere very lively, but perhaps because of Shen Yijin’s presence, no one made excessive behaviors such as wiping the cake on his face.
Everyone was just eating the cake, drinking red wine, and preparing for the barbecue party later.
That’s right, he didn’t know who thought of it, in short, there was a professional outdoor grill on the top of the roof. It seemed to be a multi-function grill, besides barbecues and bacon, it could be used to fry steak.
Assistant Xiao Tang squatted in front of the huge multifunctional grill: “Brother Lei, can you do it, do you really know how to use this stuff?”
Brother Lei was a laboratory supervisor who often came to Jing Xun for questions. At this moment, he had taken off the white coat that he usually wore, and completely discarded his usual civilized energy. He rolled up his sleeves for the big job: “Why not? I used to grill meat when we went out to play, so don’t worry, Assistant Tang…hey, pass me the lighter over there.”
The employees were divided into two groups. One group prepared the ingredients and the other group was responsible for preheating the grill and barbecue. The rooftop was hot, and as today’s protagonist, Jing Xun was not allowed to do anything.
“Mr. Xiao Yan just wait by the side, we will call you when we are done grilling.”
“Yes, Mr. Yan, you are the protagonist today, sit down and don’t tire yourself.”
Jing Xun: “……”
In the end, Jing Xun could only stand with Shen Yijin in front of the glass window to watch the scenery.
Shen Yijin also belonged to the type who wanted to help but couldn’t get involved.
In addition to the fact that no one dared to let President Shen do handy work, everyone understood the most important thing: How can we let President Shen help at this time? Of course, President Shen’s task is to accompany Mr. Xiao Yan!
The scenery of the Dragon City Science and Technology Park was average, and this building was only seven stories high, so it wasn’t as good as the panoramic view of the mountains from the Shen Group’s building.
But standing in front of the glass, he could easily look up to the sky. It was a good place to observe the meteor shower.
——There was also a very high-end astronomical telescope on the rooftop. It was specially moved here by Assistant Xiao Tang to watch the meteor shower with everyone today.
“Assistant Tang is always so well-equipped.” Jing Xun smiled and sighed sincerely.
“Yeah.” Shen Yijin agreed with this too.
He asked Jing Xun, “Does Xiao Xun want to try?”
Jing Xun knew he was talking about the telescope, and became interested.
After that, Shen Yijin adjusted the telescope for him, and then Jing Xun moved his gaze, and instantly he saw… even more striking and bright stars.
Jing Xun had also used a telescope before, but he didn’t know if it was because of the meteor shower, he felt that the stars he was seeing tonight were especially bright and beautiful. He even saw a red nebula.
“This is not a professional one, but it’s not bad.” Shen Yijin said, “If Xiao Xun likes it, we can install one at home.”
“Ok.”
Jing Xun, who was observing the universe carefully, said that he liked it. He controlled the telescope to look around. He stopped on a certain star with a clear surface and traced its shape little by little.
While he was watching, Assistant Xiao Tang’s voice suddenly sounded on the other side, and there was a lot of booing all around. It seemed that Brother Lei couldn’t handle the multi-function grill in the end. He couldn’t figure out the usage, thus couldn’t make fire. Everyone was calling Tang Li to go over and take a look.
Yes, that’s right, this oven was also a friendly sponsorship of the Tang brothers, and the investor who personally purchased and selected it was none other than Tang Li.
But at this moment, no one knew where Tang Li had gone. After the wolves howled and the ghosts cried1Chinese idiom which means shrill cry or miserable screaming., Tang Li’s figure appeared from behind the iron door of the elevator shaft.
“I’m here, I’m here, what’s the matter, why call me in such a hurry?”
Although Tang Li was a friend of President Shen, he was also Assistant Xiao Tang’s big brother.
With this level of identity, he felt a lot more approachable.
And because this big brother of the Tang family was a person with many words, even if everyone had just met him for a short time, they quickly got familiar with him.
The crowd called him to come and help. Although it was rather baffling to see him run downstairs for no reason, no one really paid attention to it. They were eager to preheat the oven, so the crowd dragged him to make the fire.
Only the two people standing aside noticed that…there was one less person here.
“It seemed that Assistant Jin was gone…” Jing Xun looked at Shen Yijin with doubt.
Shen Yijin: “En.”
By the sound of it, he didn’t seem to be surprised.
Jing Xun: “En? ? ”
Shen Yijin raised his hand and pulled him to his side.
Under Tang Li’s handy work, the oven soon lit up. There was a burst of cheers from the people around him.
Probably seeing that other people would not notice them here, Shen Yijin blatantly hugged Jing Xun, gazing at him for a long time, and gently rubbed the young man’s cheek.
When Jing Xun was about to express his doubt, he suddenly let go of him and said, “It’s nothing, keep looking at the stars.”
Jing Xun: “……”
Since getting the certificate, sir had been doing this a lot. He suddenly dragged him to his side without speaking, and then touched him.
Jing Xun was no stranger to it.
He re-adjusted the telescope and found a beautiful nebula-like star, so he pulled Shen Yijin over to look.
The sky tonight was really gorgeous, which made Jing Xun look forward to the meteor shower that was about to come.
Not long after, the first piece of barbecue freshly came out of the grill. Everyone didn’t dare to approach them so they shouted and pulled their necks to call out Jing Xun, telling him and President Shen to hurry over and eat.
The meat purchased downstairs was not marinated, but it still retained the original flavor of meat when it was grilled and tasted just right when dipped in condiment.
He didn’t know if it was because of the different atmosphere, but this barbecue seemed to have brought together the love among colleagues. Jing Xun thought that the meat on his plate was the best barbecue he had ever eaten.
“Of course the love among colleagues is true, but it is also possible that what I bought was top quality meat from the supermarket downstairs.” Then she gave everyone another look: “Anyway, boss is the one who paid the bill today. ”
“Hahaha!” Everyone laughed. After all, President Shen was still nearby, no one dared to brazenly praise Secretary Mi’s wit.
Secretary Mi also knew how to save herself. After finished speaking, she explained: “The budget given by the boss is too high. If I don’t spend it like this, how can I use it all up!”
This also indirectly meant that everyone could eat and drink however they wanted tonight. So after hearing it, they didn’t stand on ceremony and grill the first-rate meat without hesitation.
They were usually afraid of President Shen, but everyone was aware that he should have feel happy to celebrate Mr. Xiao Yan’s birthday.
Although President Shen looked stern on the outside, as long as he was happy there was nothing to be afraid of.
In addition, Mr. Shen seemed to be really approachable these days… Anyway, his aura was different, and when they associated it with their boss’s usually wise and reasonable attitude, plus the fact that he never wrongly punished anyone, they completely opened up.
On this side, Jing Xun was surrounded by people chatting and playing games. On the other side, Shen Yijin was called by Tang Li, it looked like he wanted to have a word with him.
“Want one?” Tang Li, who walked to the side, took out a pack of cigarettes and handed it to Shen Yijin, who shook his head to indicate that he would not smoke.
“Damn, you really quit smoking. You’re awesome.” Tang Li had already put it on his lips, and his words became a little vague.
Shen Yijin glanced at him: “Don’t smoke too much.”
“This thing is not strong, it’s just to satisfy the craving.” While talking, Tang Li took a mouthful of smoke, with two fingers twisting the cigarette. His expression was not as cheerful as when he was making the fire or teaching people how to grill meat just now.
How jubilant he looked a moment ago was how lonely he looked right now.
Jin Zheheng, who disappeared before, somehow returned to the crowd. His appearance was gentle and delicate, and he was in charge of the joint work in Yiwei, so he was very popular here. At this time, just like everyone else, he was laughing and making noises, there wasn’t anything unusual.
Compared with the bright and bustling atmosphere over there, only the faint flame of the cigarette in Tang Li’s hand was illuminating the darkness over here.
Tang Li said in a hoarse voice: “I will go back tomorrow, the flight is in the afternoon.”
Shen Yijin said, “Yeah.”
“…No way, you’re not going to keep me from leaving?” Tang Li deliberately raised his voice.
Shen Yijin was always rational and indifferent, his tone was flat and straightforward: “Do you need me to stop you?”
Tang Li: “……”
In the brightly lit glass room, the figures of two men with long legs were hidden in the darkness.
For the first time, Shen Yijin said more than he usually did: “If you can’t let go, don’t give up. At least give it another try.”
“……”
Tang Li was about to bring his fingers close to his lips, then he paused. He turned his head and looked at Shen Yijin in shock: “You actually said these kinds of words… That’s right, you are married.”
There was no sarcasm in his words. Tang Li sincerely sighed with emotion——Even Shen Yijin, the least passionate among them, got married and said goodbye to single life.
And he was still a poor single dog.
Tang Li said with emotion: “When I first heard that you found someone, I was almost scared to death! I thought Ah Heng was with you… You know, he trusts you a lot…”
Shen Yijin said: “Ah Heng and I have nothing but a colleague relationship.”
“I know. When I’m out there alone, I like to overthink…”
Tang Li laughed bitterly, then deliberately relaxed his tone and joked: “It’s mainly because it happened too sudden, who wouldn’t overthink… Anyway, thank you for taking care of Ah Heng in the past two years.”
“Ah Heng has always done his job very well, he’s far from being taken care of.” Shen Yijin put his hands in his pockets, obviously not wanting to waste anymore time. He frankly said: “Ah Heng gave up his career and returned to the home country with me not because he trusts me, but to avoid you.”
Tang Li: “…What did he tell you?!”
Tang Li’s turn to look at Shen Yijian with a shocked expression on his face. Shen Yijin said: “He never told me about this. Ah Heng has changed a lot, so anyone with a discerning eye can see it.”
“…En.”
Tang Li extinguished the cigarette.
He knew what Shen Yijin said was the truth.
He also knew that Ah Heng had indeed changed a lot in the past two years.
Sorrow and grief arose in his heart. He heard Shen Yijin say again: “Senior should have a good talk with Ah Heng again.”
Tang Li felt even more bitter, so he couldn’t laugh at all this time.
“I came back this time to talk about it again, but you also saw it. Ah Heng has been avoiding me and he didn’t listen to my explanation at all.” Speaking of this, Tang Li was also aggrieved: “He also knew that I was framed at the beginning, but he refused to forgive me, and would not even listen to me… Then what else can I do.”
Shen Yijin: “That’s probably because he heard that you are getting married in a few months.”
“Fart!”
Tang Li’s eyes widened: “I’m just talking nonsense, you also know that my parents have been urging me to come back and get married… Alas, it’s so annoying. The truth is Lao Zi has been remaining so f*cking pure like a virgin for the past two years. I haven’t even met a stranger alone!…”
Shen Yijin interrupted him indifferently, “Are you really talking nonsense, or are you trying to piss him off on purpose?”
“I…” Tang Li was suddenly speechless.
Shen Yijin ignored his confusion and stood up straight again: “I do think there is a misunderstanding to clear up. No matter what the final result is, don’t leave regrets for each other.”
Looking at the youth in the crowd who shone brightly and had an incomparably warm smile, he couldn’t help saying: “For whatever reason, if Jing Xun is wronged…”
What would happen if Jing Xun was wronged, Shen Yijin didn’t say.
But his sinister and violent side faintly swept through, and the air pressure all over his body became much lower.
——So it turned out to be like this. If he really suffered any injustice, then he would go crazy.
Tang Li was completely stunned.
Leaving him alone here in a daze, Shen Yijin walked back to the lively circle.
As soon as he came over, the employees automatically made way for him.
Jing Xun being surrounded in the circle was dug out. In public view, Shen Yijin wrapped his arms around the young man’s waist. Under bright lights, the rings on their hands complemented each other. President Shen asked gently, “What are you playing?”
“We are playing ‘Multiples of Seven’.”
Fearing that Shen Yijin had never heard of it, Jing Xun explained briefly: “It is to report the numbers in order upwards. When you reach seven or any multiple of seven, you have to say ‘over’, or else you’ll lose… But there’s no drinking punishment. If you lose, you can choose to replace it with drinks or food.”
Jing Xun grabbed his hand with bright eyes: “Sir, come and play with us. It’s really fun.”
He explained the rules to him step by step, how to avoid losing, what punishment should be accepted if he lost, and so on.
When other employees heard that the two of them were going to play together, they were very reluctant: “No way, no way. Originally, we can’t compete with Mr. Xiao Yan calculation ability even with a calculator. Now adding the boss, aren’t we completely lost today!”
“Yes, I’ve been punished to eat all the time!”
“Yes, we have to change the game, let’s play poker, hahaha, it’s time to compete with luck.”
“Poker is also good, have you guys ever played drinking games?”
“Ok, ok, ok, let’s play this.”
Soon someone brought playing cards, and Shen Yijin immediately said that he could.
Although he had never played before, he wasn’t shy away from it.
Some of the employees had already drunk a lot of alcohol, so they were more relaxed. They felt no pressure playing cards with President Shen. Even when Shen Yijin won, they dared to kick up a fuss and coaxed him to drink.
Everyone was shouting and laughing. Jing Xun also followed along to laugh as well.
Although the corners of his lips were almost always tight, his eyebrows were not as indifferent as usual.
The peach blossom eyes were shallowly bent, reflecting the imperceptible smile… Noticing that Shen Yijin was in a good mood, Jing Xun became even happier.
It was the kind of happiness that had been doubled several times!
Playing until late in the morning, the Aquarius meteor shower was about to begin.
The Aquarius meteor shower was said to occur three times a year, but today was the only time in decades that it could be easily seen with the naked eye.
Since they could see it with naked eye, the telescope was not of much use.
The employees, who were more or less tipsy, gathered together in groups waiting for the meteor to pass. Everyone was sensible enough to reserve a corner of the rooftop for the boss and Mr. Xiao Yan.
The windows of the glass room were opened, and the night breeze was blowing.
Jing Xun finally drank some wine after accepting the gamble. His mind had begun to gallop, but he was still sober. He knew what he was doing, but he was a little dizzy.
But being held by Shen Yijin from behind could stop this dizziness.
He heartily transferred his body weight to Shen Yijin’s broad embrace. The long neck became more slender as he leaned back, and the arc was beautiful like a swan.
Jing Xun asked without hesitation: “Sir….will you give me a birthday party every year?”
“En.” Shen Yijin also asked: “I will choose this same day in the future… Does Xiao Xun think it’s good?”
“Very good.”
Jing Xun laughed when he remembered that Shen Yijin had so much fun with everyone just now.
He smiled brightly: “I like it.”
“Okay.” Shen Yijin said, and following suit were his curved lips.
After a while, the meteor shower started.
When it was discovered that the trajectory of the stars could really be seen with the naked eye, everyone was all boiling, the sound of excitement and exclamation rang out from the rooftop.
Jing Xun was also excited.
It was his first time seeing a meteor shower. After all, it didn’t happen often, and you still need the right time and place to see it. In the past, it was impossible for Jing Xun to sit on the rooftop and wait for the meteor shower like normal people.
There happened to be a small area of meteors across the sky. Jing Xun couldn’t restrain his excitement, and pointed to the horizon: “Look, sir!”
“En.”
Shen Yijin responded with a low voice.
In his line of sight, the young man jumped happily and took his hand.
After jumping, he rushed back to his arms like a little bear, his bright red lips smiling unrestrainedly, revealing a row of neat white teeth.
While talking to him, the young man widened his eyes full of curiosity and amazement.
Those eyes were round and bright, like a whole shining star.
Shen Yijin smiled: “I saw it.”
It was well known in science that the Aquarius meteor shower was essentially the dust and ice particles sprayed by Halley’s comet.
But he had no idea that a bright star would cross into his life in the same magnificent way one day.
It was more brilliant than the streams of light sprayed by the comet, scattering into his heart with matchless swagger.1Chinese idiom which means shrill cry or miserable screaming.