The days passed quickly, each one filled with new plans and small victories. Chen Xiang spent his mornings researching and his afternoons balancing time with his family, ensuring that the promise he'd made to his father was upheld. Life was far from perfect, but for the first time in months, there was a sense of stability—a fragile but welcome calm.
One evening, as he sat at the dining table, Wenwu dropped into the chair beside him, a sly grin spreading across his face. "So, do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
Chen Xiang frowned, his fingers pausing on the keyboard. "Wednesday?"
Wenwu rolled his eyes. "It's Zhang Ruoxuan's birthday, genius. Remember? She mentioned it the last time she stopped by."
Chen Xiang blinked, the memory surfacing. She had mentioned it in passing, casually, but the realization that he'd nearly forgotten sent a jolt of guilt through him. "Right. Her birthday."
"Don't tell me you don't have a plan," Wenwu said, leaning back in his chair. "You can't just let it pass without doing something."
Chen Xiang closed his laptop, leaning back with a sigh. "I don't know if she'd expect anything."
"Doesn't matter," Wenwu said with a shrug. "You like her, don't you?"
The question caught Chen Xiang off guard, but he didn't deny it. There was something about Ruoxuan that had stayed with him, her presence a steadying force during his most turbulent moments. He hesitated for only a moment before nodding.
"Then it's settled," Wenwu said, clapping him on the back. "Let's make it unforgettable."
The next morning, Chen Xiang set his plan into motion. He kept it simple yet thoughtful, something that felt true to who he was and what Ruoxuan meant to him. By the afternoon, he was standing outside the clinic where she worked, a small package tucked under his arm and a nervous energy buzzing in his chest.
Ruoxuan stepped outside, her ponytail swaying as she adjusted the strap of her bag. She paused when she saw him, her expression shifting from surprise to delight. "Chen Xiang? What are you doing here?"
He held out the package, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Happy birthday."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she took the package with a laugh. "You remembered."
"Of course," he said. "Open it."
She unwrapped the package carefully, revealing a leather-bound notebook. Its cover was embossed with a delicate floral pattern, and inside, the first page bore a handwritten note: "For the moments worth remembering."
Ruoxuan traced her fingers over the cover, her smile softening. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"I figured you might like a place to write down your thoughts," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "You're always taking care of others. Thought maybe this could be something just for you."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she hugged the notebook to her chest. "It's perfect. Really."
Chen Xiang hesitated, then gestured toward the small café across the street. "Do you have time for coffee? It's on me."
She glanced at her watch, then nodded. "I think I can spare an hour."
They spent the afternoon talking over steaming cups of coffee, the conversation flowing as easily as it always did between them. Chen Xiang found himself opening up in a way he rarely did, sharing stories about his family, his struggles, and his hopes for the future. Ruoxuan listened intently, her laughter lightening the heavier moments and her thoughtful responses grounding him when his words faltered.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the street, Chen Xiang realized how much lighter he felt. The weight of the past few months hadn't disappeared, but for the first time, it felt manageable—like he didn't have to carry it alone.
When they stepped outside, Ruoxuan turned to him, her eyes bright with gratitude. "Thank you, Chen Xiang. This was… one of the best birthdays I've ever had."
He smiled, his heart swelling at her words. "You deserve it."
For a moment, they stood there, the quiet hum of the city surrounding them. Ruoxuan shifted slightly, as though considering something, before leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Chen Xiang froze, his face heating as she pulled back with a shy smile.
"Goodnight, Chen Xiang," she said softly before walking away, the notebook still clutched in her hands.
Chen Xiang watched her go, his hand brushing his cheek where her lips had been. His heart was racing, but for the first time in a long time, it wasn't from anxiety or doubt. It was something else entirely—something that felt a lot like hope.