During this period, Ling Nuan had been preoccupied with other things and had long forgotten her own birthday.
When she realized that it was her birthday today, tears welled up in her eyes involuntarily.
She used to celebrate her birthday with her mother every year.
Even after she got together with Shen Shaoqing, this tradition remained unchanged. Later, as they were together for a longer time, Shen Shaoqing would also go back home with her on her birthday.
This was... the first birthday without her mother's company.
Seeing Ling Nuan like this, Shen Shaoqing let out a soft sigh and continued, "The people in the old mansion seem not to know it's your birthday today. And I think you probably don't want to celebrate it with them either, so I secretly prepared this."
Ling Nuan averted her gaze and turned her head away. "I don't need it."
Shen Shaoqing forced a bitter smile. "Even if you hate me, don't treat yourself badly. You obviously like celebrating your birthday."
Ling Nuan bit her lips tightly, trying hard not to let the tears fall.
She did like celebrating her birthday, but only because her mother was there. She used to feel so happy every year at this time. But now, her mother was gone. Huang Sheng, the person she cared about, couldn't be with her either. And she didn't even know where Huo Linsheng was at this moment.
He was probably as busy with work as usual.
Ling Nuan then thought that it was actually Shen Shaoqing who was the first to say happy birthday to her on her birthday. Her heart ached so much that she could hardly breathe.
Seeing that Ling Nuan didn't say a word, Shen Shaoqing didn't say anything more either.
He unwrapped the cake, placed the candles on it, and lit them.
"Nuan Nuan, I know you don't want to see me. I'll leave. I just hope... you can be happier."
After saying that, Shen Shaoqing turned around and left without any intention of staying to bother Ling Nuan.
After he left, Ling Nuan's gaze fell on the small cake in front of her.
Considering that there was only Ling Nuan, Shen Shaoqing had bought a small cake. It was also carefully selected by him, with a rose - themed design that was very beautiful and romantic, the kind of style Ling Nuan used to like.
At this moment, the flickering candlelight made Ling Nuan feel as if she had returned to her past birthdays.
"Nuan Nuan, happy birthday."
"My Nuan Nuan has grown another year older."
"Nuan Nuan must be happy every day."
Her mother's words echoed in her mind. Thinking that she was all alone today and all the people she loved were not around, Ling Nuan couldn't hold back her tears and burst into sobs.
Huo Linsheng was standing not far away. Seeing Ling Nuan crying, his face grew darker and darker.
He had been standing there for a while.
When he saw Ling Nuan in the garden, he was in a good mood. But just as he was about to step forward, Shen Shaoqing got there first.
From a distance, he couldn't hear what Ling Nuan and Shen Shaoqing were saying. But in his eyes, although Ling Nuan had a cold look on her face when she saw Shen Shaoqing, she didn't reject his approach.
He watched as Shen Shaoqing lit the birthday candles for Ling Nuan, and after Shen Shaoqing left, he saw Ling Nuan crying uncontrollably while looking at the cake.
Huo Linsheng suddenly let out a sneer.
Maybe he didn't know Ling Nuan as well as he thought. He also didn't have a precise understanding of the relationship between her and Shen Shaoqing.
In this complicated three - person relationship, he seemed to have become a laughingstock.
This time, instead of moving forward, Huo Linsheng turned around and left.
Ling Nuan was immersed in her own emotions and didn't know that Huo Linsheng had ever been there and then left.
She was in pain and sad. Looking at the cake prepared by Shen Shaoqing, she felt no touch at all, only hatred. If it weren't for Shen Shaoqing, she could still be celebrating her birthday with her mother. It was all Shen Shaoqing and Huo Xiao who had ruined everything!
Ling Nuan raised her hand and mercilessly knocked the cake to the ground.
The little bit of kindness from Shen Shaoqing only made her feel nauseous from the bottom of her heart.
I don't know how long it had passed. Her tears had dried at the corners of her eyes. When the cold wind blew, her face hurt from the dryness. Ling Nuan was suddenly pulled back to reality by a ringing phone.
It was Huang Sheng's call.
As soon as the call was connected, Huang Sheng's apologetic voice came through. "Nuan Nuan, happy birthday!"
"I'm really sorry. The company has been so busy recently that I've even mixed up the dates. I thought it was your birthday tomorrow. Fortunately, it's not too late for me to wish you a happy birthday now, right?" Huang Sheng's voice was filled with annoyance.
In the past, the two best friends used to keep in touch every day.
Even if they were busy at the end of the year, they would naturally talk about their birthday plans during their daily conversations, so they remembered it more clearly.
But during this period, since Ling Nuan got married to Huo Linsheng, their contact had decreased a lot.
Ling Nuan was distracted by too many things. Although Huang Sheng cared about Ling Nuan, she didn't want to bother her every day. After all, Ling Nuan was no longer single, and besides, Huang Sheng herself was also busy.
That was why Huang Sheng had mixed up the dates. As soon as she remembered, she quickly called Ling Nuan.
Hearing her friend's voice, Ling Nuan felt that her frozen heart began to beat again.
"It's not late. I even forgot myself." Ling Nuan said.
Hearing this, Huang Sheng was dissatisfied. "You even forgot? Didn't Huo Linsheng accompany you on your birthday?"
The little smile that Ling Nuan had finally managed to put on after answering Huang Sheng's call faded away.
"You know, it's the end of the year. The company is very busy." Ling Nuan said.
Huang Sheng was still dissatisfied. "How could he be so busy that he can't even spare the time for a meal?"
Ling Nuan didn't say a word.
Everyone knew very well that it was impossible for him not to have time for a meal. In fact, it just showed that he didn't care. Ling Nuan didn't want to talk about it anymore.
Huang Sheng complained a few more times. Seeing that Ling Nuan didn't say anything, knowing her friend's personality well, Huang Sheng understood what was going on.
She then started to make excuses for Huo Linsheng. "Well, in a family like his, they may not attach much importance to birthday celebrations. As long as he treats you well on a daily basis, it doesn't really matter if you don't celebrate your birthday this time. There will be more opportunities in the future."
Ling Nuan forced a smile and nodded.
Huang Sheng quickly changed the subject and continued, "Fortunately, I bought a gift for you in advance. I wasn't sure if it was convenient for you to receive express deliveries there, so I hired a delivery service. It should be arriving soon. Remember to go and pick it up."
Hearing this, Ling Nuan's smile became more sincere. "Okay, Sheng Sheng, thank you."
"Why are you being so polite to me?"
The two friends chatted for a while until the delivery person called.
It was getting late, so they ended the call. Huang Sheng went to rest, and Ling Nuan went to the door to pick up the gift sent by Huang Sheng.
It was a gold bracelet.
The bracelet was exquisitely designed, and Ling Nuan liked it very much.
While sending a message to Huang Sheng, she walked towards her room.
When she returned to the room, Ling Nuan was holding the bracelet in her hand with a smile on her face. When she saw that Huo Linsheng was also in the room, her smile grew wider.
"You're back? Why didn't you call me?" Ling Nuan said with a smile as she walked towards Huo Linsheng.
Huo Linsheng didn't say a word. His gaze was fixed on Ling Nuan in a strange way, and finally slowly fell on the jewelry box in her hand.
"A birthday gift?" Huo Linsheng asked.
Ling Nuan was surprised. "You know it's my birthday today?" Then she nodded with a smile. "Yes, it's a birthday gift. It's..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Huo Linsheng suddenly stepped forward, snatched the gift from her hand, and threw the jewelry box on the ground forcefully.