Mo Di's face turned a shade redder when he heard uncle Liang's words.
"Uncle Liang, please don't tease my little friend." Mu Tian Heng said, "He gets embarrassed easily."
"Aiya, alright alright. I'll stop teasing him. Come, let us take a picture." Uncle Liang chuckled and waved his hand at them as though he had not noticed anything. However, living to the age of sixty, how could he not see what was happening.
The two reasons he could maintain his youthful looks were mainly because he could appreciate what the young people liked and the other was not minding others' business.
When two people are in love, it is no one else's business but their own.
Furthermore, he sincerely thought the pair of children looked good together. As long as they're happy, nothing else matters.
After uncle Liang took Mo Di's photo, Mu Tian Heng and Mo Di bid uncle Liang farewell and left together.
Next, Mu Tian Heng brought Mo Di to a private modeling studio where Mo Di had his hair styled.
Mo Di was glad he had the box of castella to line his stomach.
When they were done styling Mo Di, the whole studio wanted to get a group photo with him. Seeing Mo Di being surrounded, Mu Tian Heng had a softness in his eyes as he smiled.
This little prince is mine.
By the time Mo Di got in the car and could finally go home with Mu Tian Heng, it was already half past one.
"Hungry?" Mu Tian Heng handed Mo Di a bottle of water, "We'll have a big meal when we get back."
"I'm fine. I ate that much cake, I'm not very hungry. Brother, are you hungry?"
"Me? I'm satisfied just looking at you. I'm not hungry." Mu Tian Heng smiled at Mo Di.
Mo Di blushed instantly.
Mu Tian Heng… why was he suddenly saying such brazen love words, something's changed.
Mu Tian Heng watched Mo Di momentarily turned into a little quail and couldn't stop himself from feeling amused. He rubbed Mo Di's hair gently, "Good boy, fasten your seat belt, we're going home now."
"En." Mo Di put on the seatbelt.
The two arrived at the villa at two.
The vast courtyard had long been set up with long beige dining tables lined with delicious five-star cuisines from steak and seafood to dessert and champagne, anything that one could think of.
Xian Yu Chao and the others were enjoying themselves when Lai De Si hollered them to block Mu Tian Heng's car which had just arrived.
The group was about to administer the latecomers but was stunned when the door opened and Mo Di stepped out.
Three seconds later, Xian Yu Chao gave out a howl which was like some kind of weird switch, making the rest of the group follow suit.
"Xiao Di! You're too handsome today!!!"
Chen Zhao screamed: "Xiao Di! You look incredible!"
"Kid, you look amazing! Just like a prince!" Said Edmund.
"Aiya little Mo Di, you almost blinded me!" Lai De Si rushed forward, wanting to grab Mo Di but Mu Tian Heng ruthlessly swatted his hand away, "Keep your pig hands in place."
Lai De Si was both angry and sour: "Mine are pig hands, then what are yours? Good looking pig hands?"
"Wow Mo Di, you look fantastic." Rodel, who came with Edmund, rushed forward like a big dog. His brown eyes looked straight at Mo Di: "Just like a prince from a fairy tale."
"Thank you." Mo Di smiled at Rodel, "You look good too."
Rodel's eyes were shining brightly. He reached into his pocket eagerly but after touching his body all over, he realized that he had left the birthday present on the table. He was able to say something when Edmund hastily dragged him away.
Edmund was getting tired.
His playboy of a son was trying hard to impress Mo Di but ended up looking like an idiot.
"Xiao Di, in the future, you can be our spokesperson on top of being our leader." Pang Qiang Lang couldn't help exclaiming. He happened to be standing next to Lin Jun Feng who was only slightly taller. Standing side by side, they looked quite alike a pair of dolls.
Mo Di laughed.
He had never been this happy on his Birthday.
In all his previous birthdays, if he wasn't locked up, then he was being ignored. No one gave him any blessings or presents. The Mo members and even the guests invited ridiculed him for being born, making him feel loveless and that there was no reason for his existence.
But today, many were praising him and giving him genuinely sincere blessings. Mo Di truly felt thankful and blessed from the bottom of his heart. His life had really changed. He had friends and people who cared about him.
Mo Di couldn't stop smiling.
At this moment, Mu Tian Heng nudged his shoulder lightly.
"Happy Birthday, little one."
Bang!
As soon as Mu Tian Heng sent his blessings, fireworks shot over the villa across the sky. The white and blue sparks sprinkled across the evening sun like petals reflecting beautifully against the clouds.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Happy 18th Birthday to our Xiao Di!"
"Little friend, have a great coming of age ceremony!"
"Wah Xiao Di, you're eighteen now. Now you're an adult like the rest of us brothers."
"Happy Birthday!"
"…"
Mo Di looked at everyone who congratulated him and felt a swell of emotions, making his eyes a little hot. This was a feeling he had never felt before.
But he knew he was very fortunate to be able to live again. And unlike his last life, he did not have to live under the disgust of others.
This present…. is really great.
Everyone gave Mo Di their gifts after the fireworks ended. Mo Di received a total of fifteen presents which was making it difficult for him to carry them.
However, none of them were from Mu Tian Heng.
Mo Di assumed that the suit and cufflinks were the presents. He cherished them deeply and intended to keep them in a safe place after today was over.
Unexpectedly, after the triple-tiered birthday cake was cut and distributed, Mu Tian Heng rubbed off a smudge of frosting on Mo Di's cheek and took him away from the crowd, saying that he had a present for him and that Mo Di was the only one who could see it.
Lai De Si heard Mu Tian Heng's whisper and rolled his eyes. He chomped down a big piece of cake in disdain. Damn it, the old beast was definitely up to no good.
Mo Di did not think that he would be receiving anymore present, much less a special one. Mo Di was turning red, and at the same time, he was also curious.
He excused himself from the crowd then followed Mu Tian Heng into the villa.
Mu Tian Heng took him up to the third floor of the villa.
This was the first time Mo Di stepped foot onto the third floor. Although Mu Tian Heng had given him the key, he had never spent time here.
There were only a living room and a bedroom on this floor making it seem particularly spacious. To the east of the living room was a balcony and another next to the bedroom. The balcony in the bedroom had walls built on both sides and hence, it was not obvious looking from outside.
Mu Tian Heng brought Mo Di into the bedroom. He then took out a small box from the big gray wardrobe.
It was a silver box with rounded edges and a leather band lined the opening, giving it an inexplicably cherished feel.
"See if you like it." Mu Tian Heng handed the box to Mo Di and led him to sit near the balcony.
Mo Di was filled with curiosity towards the box. He looked up at Mu Tian Heng: "Brother, what is this?"
"Make a guess."
"I can't." Mo Di began observing the box and found that it had a number lock.
"Brother, this requires a passcode."
"It's a four-digit code, this you should be able to guess." Mu Tian Heng looked at Mo Di fondly.
Mo Di was stunned. He started trying… he turned the dials to 1030. That was his birthday.
Just as he pressed the lock, the box opened with a click.
Mo Di quickly glanced at Mu Tian Heng and saw him gazing down at himself with affectionate eyes. Sunlight poured onto Mu Tian Heng from behind and outlined him with a soft golden hue.
Mo Di breathed a little then returned his sight to the small opened box.
There were photos and albums, and also…things that look like graduation certificates and diplomas.
Mo Di ventured a guess in his head but he still couldn't believe it until he picked up an album filled with photos of Mu Tian Heng ranging from the time he was young and handsome in high school to the time when he was still a prince-like cute little primary school student. There was even a collection of his stark naked baby photos!
Mo Di's heart was pounding. He couldn't tell what this feeling was exactly but he knew he did not want to let it go. He continued to look through the albums and then the diplomas. There were also medals and awards….
In the little box was a timestamp for Mu Tian Heng's most precious memories, representing his entire past.
Mo Di hugged the little box full of memorabilia. There was no other present that he could ever like more than this.
"Do you like it?" Mu Tian Heng kneeled down in front of Mo Di and placed one hand on the armrest of Mo Di's chair. He focused on Mo Di with utmost gentleness.
"Yes, I like it. Especially like it." Mo Di pulled his sight away from the box and looked at Mu Tian Heng with eyes filled with light.
"Brother, this box… did you bring it here the last time you went back to the States?"
Wasn't that about a month and a half ago? That was when he was still muddled about his relationship with Mu Tian Heng, not knowing that he had already fallen for him.
Could it be… that even back then, Mu Tian Heng already had feelings for him?
"Um, that was when I brought this back." Mu Tian Heng admitted. He smiled and said: "There are still a lot more trophies and awards but they would require a much bigger box and it's not very artistic. So I was thinking … after you have accepted me, I'll bring you back to America and give you the key to my house there and you can have the rest of it."
Mo Di's face was obviously red and his temperature was rising.
"Brother…?"
"I like you. Are you willing to be with me?" Mu Tian Heng placed one hand over Mo Di's and the other, touched him gently on the cheek. He looked straight into his eyes with a seriousness he had never shown before.
"I know I'm a lot older than you therefore I always felt I'm too much of a beast. At first, I could not get past this notion but the more time I spent with you, the more these feelings became uncontrollable. And so I decided … I'll wait for you to grow up, turn eighteen, then I'll confess to you."
"Today I can finally ask you to formally be with me."
"So, do you agree? Are you willing… to be with me?"
Unprepared for Mu Tian Heng's sudden confession, Mo Di's heart jumped as it started to beat wildly. Mo Di could even hear his own heartbeat, numbing his entire skull.
"I… of course I'm willing. I like you, Brother. I like you very much."
The last ray of sunlight shone in from outside, shrouding them in a brilliant shade of colors.
Mu Tian Heng had never felt his heart melted this much. It was like honey was being poured in and stirred vigorously.
He looked deeply into Mo Di's eyes and lightly touched his cheek. Taking some time to restrain himself, he said: "If you agreed, then you can't regret it. After this, you're mine and mine alone. Do you understand?"
"Brother, you also belong to only me." Mo Di looked at Mu Tian Heng with bright red cheeks, "You can only like me."
Mu Tian Heng couldn't help chuckling. The majestic and pleasant laughter further made Mo Di's temperature rise. When he was stumbling on what to do to hide his obvious embarrassment, he was covered by Mu Tian Heng's body.
There was warmth on his lips. He was kissed.
"!" A buzzing rang in his head and his face was dyed red to the extreme.
Mu Tian Heng had one hand gripping the back of Mo Di's chair while the other hand supported the back of Mo Di's head, pressing him gently towards himself, locking him in a complete embrace.
The lips of his little one were much softer and sweeter than he had imagined. With just the initial touch, he felt the jolt of an electric current numbing his spine. The sweetness and satisfaction from the depths of his heart reached its peak, giving birth to an even stronger desire. He just wanted to keep kissing, licking, and sucking. Mu Tian Heng was able to have some control over his movements in the beginning but as it went on, he could not help but emit a sense of oppression.
Heat was being passed between them as the atmosphere turned pink with the warm sunlight.
"Brother, Brother…"
Mo Di was paralyzed entirely. His heart was afloat and so was his head. This was his first kiss. He never knew that kissing someone you like would have this bone-melting feeling. Apart from his rapid heart rate and rising temperature, his every other movement was slow and feeble as he accepted Mu Tian Heng's kisses and hugs.
Mu Tian Heng kissed Mo Di passionately, absorbing the temperature on his lips and cheeks. The more he kissed, the more he felt his love for him overflowing and surging through his blood, making it almost impossible for him to defy. After a while, Mu Tian Heng did his worst and suppressed the desires. At last, he printed a deep kiss on Mo Di's neck, rubbing and sucking at the same spot.
"Brother loves you."
Mu Tian Heng's voice was slightly hoarse, arousing Mo Di with thrill and excitement.
"Brother…"
"So I hope you can remember." Mu Tian Heng softly kissed Mo Di's ear again. Trying his best to calm himself, Mu Tian Heng raised his dark eyes and looked at Mo Di with undivided attention.
"I want to protect you and give you happiness. Give you everything that you deserve: a healthy life free of worries. It would be best if I can help you fulfill a small wish every day so you can be happier with each passing day."
"Therefore, I will never hurt you. If you have any trouble or opinions, you can tell me because… I will always love you no matter what."
"Brother you also have to remember that I feel the same." Mo Di put his arms around Mu Tian Heng's neck. Raising his head, he kissed Mu Tian Heng on the cheek. His voice was weak like he was fearful that such a beautiful life would vanish one day.
"Brother, from now on, you have to be will me forever."
"Of course, I promise." sensing Mo Di's subtle fear and panic, Mu Tian Heng guessed that he was remembering his previous family. With an aching heart, he reached out and held him in his arms. He leaned closer and kissed Mo Di's head.
"I'll stay by your side. I will also work hard and keep fit, so even when I'm an old man, I can still accompany my little one."