After all, his mother often listened to this song more than twenty years ago, so he guessed it must be quite old.
At this time, Xiao Churan placed the cake in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the hotel room and inserted candles shaped like the number 2 and the number 9.
Then, she looked at the city night view covered in heavy snow outside and said to Ye Chen: “Husband, make a wish.”
Ye Chen nodded, sat opposite her, closed his eyes, and with the song as accompaniment, devoutly made his wish.
This birthday wish was what he subconsciously thought of.
He hoped he could soon eradicate the Po Qing Society and Wu Feiyan, confess his identity to Xiao Churan and seek her forgiveness, then live a simple life with her.
Decades later, Xiao Churan would gradually grow old, and he would timely confess his cultivator identity to her, prepare more Rejuvenation Pills for her, and stay with her for a hundred years.
After making the wish, Ye Chen opened his eyes. Opposite him, Xiao Churan asked curiously: “Husband, what wish did you make? It took so long.”
Ye Chen smiled and said: “It’s a wish about us two, because the structure of this wish is too complex, so it took a bit longer to recite it in my mind.”
Xiao Churan smiled warmly and said: “That must have been hard for you. Blow out the candles quickly! I’m waiting to say happy birthday to you!”
“Okay!” Ye Chen smiled and blew out the candles.
Xiao Churan picked up the red wine and said to him: “Husband, you cut the cake, I’ll pour the wine. Tonight, I’ll drink a few glasses with you.”
Ye Chen happily agreed, and then the two clinked their wine glasses gently.
Xiao Churan’s eyes were moist as she softly said: “Husband, happy birthday! I hope all your wishes come true, you stay healthy and safe, and live to a hundred!”
Ye Chen nodded heavily, moved, and said: “Wife, the same to you!”
Xiao Churan held her wine glass, smiling, and said: “Cheers.”
“Cheers!”
…
Ye Chen and Xiao Churan rarely had the opportunity to sit and drink together.
However, today in the warm hotel, looking at the snowy scenery outside the window, plus the special day, both felt a desire to drink freely.
After two glasses of wine, Xiao Churan already felt slightly tipsy. She felt light and floaty, but without any discomfort. On the contrary, this floating feeling made her feel somewhat relaxed and comfortable.
In no time, the two shared a 750-millilitre bottle of red wine equally.
Xiao Churan’s cheeks were flushed, yet she picked up the other bottle of red wine, preparing to open it.
Ye Chen quickly advised her: “Wife, you’ve already drunk quite a bit, don’t drink more.”
Xiao Churan shook her head and said: “It’s a rare good opportunity, let’s finish this bottle too.”
Ye Chen said: “Drinking so much, you’ll have a headache tomorrow.”
“I’m not afraid.” Xiao Churan smiled: “Anyway, there’s nothing to do tomorrow, and we’re not in a hurry to go back right away, right?”
Ye Chen was momentarily speechless in response.
Xiao Churan added: “We’ve been together for so long, and I haven’t formally celebrated your birthday like this. Today is the first time, so let’s drink a bit more, okay?”
Ye Chen thought that since Xiao Churan was with him, he was not afraid of her drinking too much. He could help her dissipate some of the alcohol at any time, maximally alleviating and reducing the aftereffects of the alcohol. Since she wanted to drink, he might as well accompany her for a few more glasses.
So, Ye Chen nodded, tacitly agreeing.
Xiao Churan opened the bottle and poured half a glass for Ye Chen and herself, raised her glass, and said: “Husband, this glass is to you. Like you, this is my first marriage, and it was arranged by Grandpa. I have no experience and couldn’t get into the state. In the past few years, there are many places where I didn’t do well enough. Please forgive me.”
Ye Chen laughed: “Wife, you’ve already done very well. Back then, I was so poor and destitute, and you didn’t despise me. After Grandpa passed away, the whole family humiliated me and hoped I would leave the Xiao family soon. You were the only one who didn’t kick me when I was down. I’m really very touched. Thank you for all you’ve done for me these years!”
Xiao Churan pursed her lips, smiled, and said: “Over these years, you’ve also done a lot for me, for my parents, and for this family. If anyone should thank, it should be me thanking you.”
Ye Chen quickly waved his hand: “Between husband and wife, why be so polite? It’s all in the wine.”
Xiao Churan nodded, smiled, and said: “Then cheers!”
The two drank and chatted, feeling an unprecedented ease in their hearts.
After two bottles of red wine, Xiao Churan was already a bit tipsy, but fortunately, her current physical condition was much better than average, so she was not drunk.
Xiao Churan looked at the empty wine bottles and the cake that was mostly eaten, then said to Ye Chen: “Husband, it’s getting late. You go take a shower first, I’ll tidy up here.”
Ye Chen said: “You go shower, I’ll tidy up.”
“No need.” Xiao Churan quickly started cleaning up first, while saying: “You’re the birthday boy, how can the birthday boy do the work? You go quickly, I’ll handle it.”
Ye Chen saw her firm attitude, so he did not insist further.
Xiao Churan watched Ye Chen enter the bathroom, and her heartbeat began to speed up faster and faster.
She looked at the two empty red wine bottles, murmuring to herself for encouragement: “Xiao Churan, since you’ve already made the decision, don’t hesitate anymore!”
