The sisters laughed, and Tang Ning couldn't help but join in. She felt so connected to them, not just to Gu Yan and Old Master Gu, but to the entire Gu family. They had truly become her home, her family in every sense of the word.
"Thank you, everyone, for celebrating my birthday with me!" she said, her voice soft but full of joy.
Old Master Gu smiled warmly at her, standing tall beside her. "Come now, my little one. It's not a birthday without a proper celebration."
Without giving her a chance to respond, he bent down and lifted Tang Ning into his arms, cradling her gently as he carried her toward the dining room. Tang Ning giggled, wrapping her arms around her grandfather's neck, feeling secure in his warm embrace.
As they entered the dining room, Tang Ning's eyes widened in delight. A beautiful array of dishes was laid out on the long table, but what caught her attention was a large, steaming bowl of *longevity noodles* placed right in the center. The fragrant aroma filled the room, and her heart swelled with happiness as she realized what it meant.
"Longevity noodles!" she exclaimed, eyes shining with excitement.
Everyone gathered around her, smiling fondly as Old Master Gu set her down at the head of the table. Gu Yan, Aunt Lin, Uncle Gu, and the six Gu sisters stood nearby, their faces beaming with warmth and affection.
"Go ahead, little ning," Aunt Lin said kindly, gesturing toward the noodles. "You know the tradition—the longer you slurp the noodles, the longer your life will be!"
Tang Ning's face lit up with excitement. She picked up her chopsticks and carefully lifted a long, unbroken strand of noodle to her lips. Slowly, she slurped the noodle, drawing it in without breaking it, as the family watched her with approval.
"Well done, Tang Ning!" Gu Yan said with a proud smile, standing across from her with his arms folded.
Tang Ning concentrated hard, ensuring each noodle strand stayed long and unbroken. The family cheered her on, praising her after each successful bite, and her confidence grew with every slurp.
"At this rate, you'll live to be a hundred!" one of the Gu sisters teased, clapping her hands.
Tang Ning giggled between bites, feeling the joy of the moment. The warmth of the family's encouragement made her heart feel full. They had become more than just people she lived with—they were her family, and she was very happy.
Once the noodles were finished, Aunt Lin brought out the birthday cake. Tang Ning's eyes lit up with even more excitement as she saw it—*a chocolate cake with fresh strawberry toppings*, her absolute favorite.
"This one's just for you, Tang Ning," Aunt Lin said with a gentle smile as she set the cake before her. "We know how much you love strawberries."
The cake was beautifully decorated, the rich chocolate glistening under the soft dining room light, while the strawberries were arranged perfectly on top. Tang Ning could barely contain her excitement as Aunt Lin cut a generous slice and placed it on a plate in front of her.
Her first bite was pure bliss. The rich chocolate melted in her mouth, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the strawberries. She couldn't stop smiling as she savored each bite, her joy evident to everyone watching.
"Delicious!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.
But Tang Ning wasn't content to enjoy the cake alone. With a bright smile, she turned toward Gu Yan, who sat beside her, watching with a soft smile on his face.
"Here, Uncle Yan!" she said cheerfully, holding out her fork to him. "You have to try it too!"
Gu Yan blinked in mild surprise, but his expression softened immediately. Without hesitation, he leaned forward and took a bite from the fork she offered. The family watched the interaction with fond smiles, and some exchanged knowing glances at the close bond between the two.
"It's good, right?" Tang Ning asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Gu Yan smiled warmly, clearly touched by her gesture. "It's perfect," he replied.
Laughter and soft chatter filled the room as the family continued to share the cake, each moment filled with love and warmth. Tang Ning kept offering bites to Gu Yan, who accepted them with a smile every time, their bond deepening with every shared bite.
The warmth in the room was palpable, and as the cake was shared, the family's laughter and joy filled the air.
Old Master Gu watched the scene from across the table, his heart full of pride. Though Tang Ning was still young, the connection she shared with Gu Yan was undeniable. There was something deeper between them—a bond of trust, love, and perhaps even fate.
And deep down, in the quiet spaces of her heart, a seed of something more began to take root—a bond with Gu Yan that would one day blossom into something neither of them could yet fully understand.
For now, though, Tang Ning was simply happy to be surrounded by the people she loved, eating her favorite cake and feeling as though she had the whole world at her fingertips.