"I'm coming on Friday. I will be coming with Jing Yue," said Liling from the other side. "Is he coming for the party too?!" asked Li Fei in surprise. "Not really. It so happens that he has a business trip over there," she said. "Okay, I will be waiting for you," said Li Fei before hanging up.
Li Fei left the room and went to swim. Reaching the pool, she immediately entered the water and made a number of laps before sitting on the edge with her legs still immersed in the water. Closing her eyes, she parted her lips and slowly breathed. When she steadied her breathing, her mind suddenly ran to the night Jin Liwei kissed her in the car after the banquet. She still remembered how his lips felt and tasted on hers. She wondered what had triggered him to do it because they didn't talk about it. Could it be that he was attracted to her in some way?
But no, that would never happen. He wouldn't have asked her to leave his life and perhaps, she was the last person he would harbor such feelings for.
"I can tell you're thinking about him," she was startled by her mother's voice. She looked at her and smiled before saying," Who?" Li Mei sat beside her and said," The man you have feelings for of course." Li Fei just smiled and didn't say anything. "I honestly wonder who he is. Do I know him? Is he a public figure?" she asked. Li Fei wondered what her mother's reaction would be if she ever tells her the name of the person. She knew that it wouldn't be good at all. "I'm sure you don't know him," she could only say. "Okay. I wanted to let you know that I've made your birthday party go public. And right now, it's time for your facial. Let's go," she said getting up and Li Fei groaned in frustration before standing up to follow her. It has been the policy ever since the week began.
As days passed by, the preparations for the party were being completed and finally, it was Friday!
Li Fei woke up at around ten and had her breakfast. Checking her phone, she saw that the news of her birthday party had spread and it made her wonder if she was ready to face the reporters with their burning questions. She put the phone aside and went to check the guestroom since Liling was coming.
When it clocked two in the afternoon, Li Fei made way to the airport to pick Liling.
Not long after, she saw her coming with a small suitcase, a wide grin on her face. "You look so good," Liling said before the two embraced each other in a tight hug. A long while later, they parted and Li Fei said," I missed you." "I missed you more." "Ah, where's Jing Yue?" she asked. "He will come in the evening," she said. "Let's go then," she said helping her with the suitcase.
Throughout their drive home, Liling was telling her how sweet Jing Yue treats her.
After having lunch with the whole of the family, the two went to the guestroom.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Liling asked. "Not at all because I didn't want the party in the first place. I haven't prepared anything," she said.
"I get," she said. "My brother came back. You will meet him at the party I guess," she said. "Okay. Tell me, have you been able to forget about Jin Liwei?" asked Liling. "Well...I haven't reached there yet but I know I will. Just a matter of time," she said convincing herself. "You're sure?" "Yes, I'm sure," she said.
The next day, Li Fei woke up very early in the morning. For some unknown reason, she failed to sleep well. There was a strange feeling of nervousness and excitement bubbling up inside of her. She couldn't understand why she was excited though. Just then, her Mom came in with breakfast and said," Happy birthday, my girl." "Thank you Mom," she said. "Wait, are those dark circles?!!" she exclaimed. "I guess. I didn't sleep well," she said touching below her eyes. "Hurry up and have breakfast. We have to go to the hotel early," she said.
By noon, they had arrived at the hotel and Li Fei was led to the room where they had booked for her. "I will go take a look at the hall. I can't wait," Liling said and Li Fei nodded.
Sitting on the bed, she went to Weibo and scrolled through the feed. Most were wishing her a happy birthday and only a few were speaking negatively. She checked her old account and found a lot of wishes and curses. Just then, she received a call from Jianyu. "Hello?" she said. "How are you?" he asked.
"I'm good. How are you?" she asked. "I'm okay. I called to wish you a happy birthday," he said. "Thank you," she said.
"Yes. I also wanted to let you know that I can't wait to see you," he said.
Not knowing what to say, she said," Okay."
She watched the door open and Liling came back. "I got you a present but I don't know if you will like it," she heard him say. "I'm okay with anything," she said and watched Liling give her a suspicious look before she said," I have to go right now."
Hanging up, she looked at her and asked," What?" "Was it your handsome boss?" asked Liling. "Yes. He was just wishing me a happy birthday," she said. "I don't think it was just that. Are you hiding something from me?" she asked. "Of course not. I wouldn't," she said. "Okay. I took a peek inside the hall and oh my, everything is perfect. The decorations are so amazing," she said. "Oh, I can't wait to see it," she said. At that moment, the door opened and in came Li Mei with the makeup and hair stylist.
"Mom? Isn't it a bit too early to start?" she asked since the party was to begin at five in the evening. "I don't think so. I want them to try different types so that we choose the best," she said.