ABOES 71: Happy Birthday

The next morning, Chi Yunxing got up very early. Not long after he finished washing up, Xie Yi arrived.

As soon as he opened the door, Xie Yi handed him a beautifully wrapped gift.

Chi Yunxing’s eyes lit up. He quickly thanked her. “Thank you so much, Yi Jie!”

Xie Yi waved him off. “No need to thank me, it’s nothing.”

“Want to come in for a bit?” Chi Yunxing asked with a smile.

Xie Yi nodded. “Actually, I have a couple of contracts for you to sign.”

Once inside, she pulled out two contracts from her bag.

One was for a currently airing variety show. He would be a guest next weekend, which wouldn’t conflict with his other plans. The other was for a show that would start filming next month.

Chi Yunxing had already reviewed both projects. After a quick skim, he flipped to the last page and signed.

“This ‘Dinner Table’ show—am I the only confirmed guest so far?” he asked.

Xie Yi nodded. “Yes. President Chi said to let you take a look first. Once you confirm, the producers will contact other guests. I heard the team has been talking to Ji Xi lately.”

Ji Xi had been working on a new song recently. His agent had contacted Xie Yi and confirmed that Chi Yunxing would be starring in the MV.

Chi Yunxing smiled immediately. “If Teacher Ji finds out I’m also on the show, he might cancel other plans just to go.”

Thinking of how Ji Xi had looked when mentioning Chi Yunxing, Xie Yi laughed. “That’s very possible.”

After putting the contracts away, they chatted for a bit longer before Xie Yi got up to leave.

Chi Yunxing tried to get her to stay for breakfast, but she declined. “Aren’t you going to celebrate Teacher Duan’s birthday today? I won’t get in your way.”

Chi Yunxing hadn’t expected her to figure out who the gift was for. His ears instantly turned red.

Before he could speak, she added, “By the way, even if getting photographed with Teacher Duan isn’t a big deal, be careful not to get spotted again. I don’t even know where all these new CP fans came from. If someone sees you celebrating his birthday today, they’ll have a field day.”

Chi Yunxing’s face turned even redder. Just thinking about what might happen today made his heart pound. “Got it. I’ll be careful.”

Xie Yi had just been casually reminding him. Seeing him nod, she said no more and left.

After she left, Chi Yunxing stood by the door for a while before the heat finally faded from his face. Just as he was about to head to the dining room, the doorbell rang again.

Thinking Xie Yi had forgotten something, he opened the door without a second thought. “Did you forget—Zhiyan Ge?”

“Hm? Someone else came before me?” Duan Zhiyan smiled warmly.

It was mid-September. The lingering warmth of summer still hung in the air. Dressed in a simple casual outfit, Duan Zhiyan stood in a shaft of sunlight, the light wrapping around him, warm and bright.

Chi Yunxing’s heart skipped a beat. The next moment, he could hear his own pulse pounding.

His body moved before his brain caught up. He stepped over the threshold and hugged Duan Zhiyan tightly.

The familiar scent washed over him, and the warm chest pressed against his own made him realize just how much he missed Duan Zhiyan.

His eyes suddenly prickled with heat, his voice hoarse. “Zhiyan Ge… happy birthday.”

Duan Zhiyan froze slightly, but quickly responded, wrapping his arms tightly around Chi Yunxing.

“Mn. You’ve already wished me happy birthday once.” The sunlight caught in his eyes, glittering like stars.

They didn’t linger at the door for long. Though the neighborhood had good security, you never knew when a paparazzi might be hiding nearby.

Chi Yunxing realized what he’d just done once inside and grew embarrassed.

Duan Zhiyan noticed and chuckled. “Why are you so easily flustered?”

Chi Yunxing shot him a quick glare. “Don’t talk. Let me calm down first!”

Duan Zhiyan let out a soft laugh, but he respected Chi Yunxing’s feelings and didn’t say anything else.

They had a quiet breakfast together.

Chi Yunxing didn’t eat much. After a few bites, he set his chopsticks down and quietly watched Duan Zhiyan. Now that he was looking more closely, he realized Duan Zhiyan seemed to have lost weight.

Without thinking, he asked, “Zhiyan Ge, did you lose weight?”

Duan Zhiyan’s hand paused. He didn’t answer the question but teased him instead, “I thought after staring at me so long, you would say I looked even more handsome.”

Chi Yunxing’s face flushed. He quickly looked away. “You’re imagining things!”

“I-I wasn’t staring…” The end of the sentence lacked conviction.

Duan Zhiyan gave a low hum and didn’t push further.

The matter was gently set aside, and Chi Yunxing didn’t bring it up again.

After breakfast, Chi Yunxing asked what Duan Zhiyan had planned for the day.

Duan Zhiyan smiled mysteriously. “I can’t tell you yet.”

“Not even where we’re going?”

“I can tell you that. First, we’re heading to the Lakeside Villa.”

“Huh?” Chi Yunxing was puzzled. “The villa?”

“There’s something over there I need you to be present for.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll see.”

Chi Yunxing thought for a moment and decided to give Duan Zhiyan his birthday present now. He didn’t know what their day’s schedule would be like and was afraid there wouldn’t be another good moment.

Seeing the elegantly wrapped box, Duan Zhiyan’s eyes lit up. “Birthday gift?”

Chi Yunxing nodded with a red face. “Yeah. Want to open it now?”

Duan Zhiyan took the box and, without hesitation, opened it in front of him.

Inside was a luxurious men’s watch—just seeing the logo, one could tell it was expensive.

Chi Yunxing suddenly grew nervous. He didn’t really know much about watches. He’d only seen an article online once that said: If you like someone, gift them a white watch because a white watch means confession.

He had spent a long time choosing and finally settled on a limited-edition Valentine’s Day release from Jaeger-Lecoultre.

Duan Zhiyan stared at the watch for a long time without saying anything. Just as Chi Yunxing was about to speak, Duan Zhiyan held out his hand.

Chi Yunxing looked at him, a little puzzled.

Duan Zhiyan smiled. “Yunxing, will you help me put it on?”

Chi Yunxing let out a sigh of relief, but his face flushed even more. “Right now…?”

Duan Zhiyan nodded, his dark eyes fixed steadily on him. “Mm. But confessions like this should come from me.”

Chi Yunxing, once again has his thoughts seen through by Duan Zhiyan: “…”

“…Oh.” After a long pause, he reached out and helped him put it on, though a bit grumpily.

Because of the angle from helping him put on the watch, the distance between them suddenly closed. 

Duan Zhiyan’s eyes landed on Chi Yunxing’s lowered lashes, and the smile on his lips grew even more.

“No need to rush,” he said, gently brushing a hand through Yunxing’s soft hair. “It’ll happen today anyway, it’s just a matter of time.”

Chi Yunxing blushed. “Who’s rushing?”

“You’re not. I am.”

“…”

Flustered, Chi Yunxing fumbled with the clasp. It took him almost a full minute to get the watch on.

As soon as it was done, he darted away to sit on the other end of the couch.

Duan Zhiyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, his smile unhidden.

After waiting a while to let Yunxing calm down, Duan Zhiyan finally spoke, “Let’s head out.”

They left for the Lakeside Villa.

It wasn’t far from Chi Yunxing’s place. Duan Zhiyan drove, and they arrived in about ten minutes, stopping in front of a private, stand-alone villa.

Duan Zhiyan got out first, then walked around and opened the passenger door for Chi Yunxing, reaching out his hand.

Chi Yunxing stared at it for two seconds before hesitantly placing his hand in Duan Zhiyan’s.

The moment their palms touched, Duan Zhiyan closed his fingers tightly around his. The corners of his lips lifted in a beautiful curve. “Let’s go.”

His palm was so warm it made Chi Yunxing’s fingertips flush red.

All the way to the door, Chi Yunxing was so focused on the feeling of their joined hands that he didn’t even realize they’d arrived.

Duan Zhiyan suddenly stopped, reaching up to press a few keys on the smart lock. A prompt appeared on the screen, “Please press and hold to input your fingerprint.”

Chi Yunxing froze.

Then he saw Duan Zhiyan gently lift his right thumb and press it against the reader.

“Zhiyan Ge…” Chi Yunxing gave a slight, instinctive struggle.

Duan Zhiyan’s voice was soft. “Don’t move. You’ll be coming here often, it’s more convenient this way.”

Chi Yunxing had no idea what crossed his mind just then, but his ears instantly turned red enough to bleed.

A few seconds later, the fingerprint was registered.

Duan Zhiyan released his hand and stepped aside with a smile. “Try it.”

Chi Yunxing reflexively pinched his own fingers before walking forward and lightly placing his thumb on the reader.

With a click, the door unlocked and opened automatically.

Chi Yunxing felt like something deep in his heart had just been gently poked. He couldn’t help but turn around to look at Duan Zhiyan. Before he could fully turn, he heard—

“Surprise!”

Chi Yunxing jumped back a step in shock, straight into Duan Zhiyan’s chest.

Duan Zhiyan reached out to steady him by the shoulder and looked ahead with a slight frown.

Yu Qiu stood at the entrance holding a large birthday cake.

Tan Yao had finally managed to drag a very reluctant Chi Xiwen out from hiding. One was holding flowers, the other a gift box.

Duan Zhiyan stared at the people in the house for a few seconds. A vein pulsed visibly on his temple. After taking several deep breaths, he grit his teeth and asked, “What are you all doing here?”

Yu Qiu was delighted to see Chi Yunxing. She ran over with the cake, handed it to Duan Zhiyan without much care, and said casually, “Celebrating your birthday, of course! Happy birthday, son. Yunxing, come here, let Auntie get a good look at you!”

Before Chi Yunxing could react, Yu Qiu had looped her arm through his and pulled him inside.

Duan Zhiyan’s face darkened visibly.

Tan Yao had also spotted Chi Yunxing and looked pleasantly surprised. She remembered her mission and didn’t rush over—instead, she shoved Chi Xiwen. “Well? Go on!”

Chi Xiwen’s expression was terrible, but under Tan Yao’s pressure, he had no choice. He walked over, reluctantly handed the gift to Duan Zhiyan, and muttered, “Happy birthday.” Then he frowned and asked, “Why did you come here with Yunxing?”

Tan Yao handed over her bouquet. “Happy birthday, Zhiyan.”

Hearing Chi Xiwen’s question, she looked at Duan Zhiyan curiously.

Duan Zhiyan had finally pulled himself together. He smiled, accepted the flowers, and thanked her. Then he casually made up a reason, “I picked up a script recently that I think is pretty good, so I brought Yunxing over today to talk about it.”

Chi Xiwen narrowed his eyes. “Scapegoat?”

Duan Zhiyan nodded. “Mm.”

“Just to talk about a script, and you had to bring Yunxing all the way here?” Chi Xiwen said, clearly displeased. “And why didn’t you two just come in earlier—what were you doing standing at the door?”

Before Duan Zhiyan could reply, Tan Yao smacked Chi Xiwen on the back.

“Ow! Mom!” he complained, glaring at her.

Tan Yao glared back. “What did you promise me?”

Chi Xiwen immediately shut his mouth.

Tan Yao turned with a smile and pulled Duan Zhiyan inside. “Come on, let’s go in. When your mom and I came over earlier, we were worried you’d be home and ruin the surprise. Luckily you weren’t!”

Duan Zhiyan’s expression was hard to read.

He really wanted to say: This wasn’t a surprise. This was a nightmare.

Yet looking at Tan Yao’s cheerful face, he couldn’t say a word.

“Quite the coincidence,” he managed.

“Isn’t it?” Tan Yao beamed.

On the living room couch, Yu Qiu was holding onto Chi Yunxing, eagerly asking about how he’d been lately.

Seeing Duan Zhiyan look over, Chi Yunxing subtly motioned with his eyes toward the coffee table.

On it lay a neatly printed itinerary outlining their whole day. Duan Zhiyan instantly understood.

Great. My entire plan for today is wrecked.

He looked again at Yu Qiu happily chatting with Yunxing and sighed. This one was on him, he had let his guard down.

Quietly, he set down the cake and flowers, then turned toward the door.

Yu Qiu finally noticed and called out, “Where are you going now?” 

Without answering, Duan Zhiyan strode to the door and deleted Yu Qiu’s fingerprint from the lock system.

Once done, he came back in and immediately asked, “When did you come back to the country?”

Yu Qiu had left without a word weeks ago. Now she was back just as suddenly.

She smiled. “It’s your birthday, isn’t it?”

Duan Zhiyan narrowed his eyes. “How did you know I live here?”

Yu Qiu didn’t hesitate. “He You told me.”

Duan Zhiyan: “…”

He forced a smile. “Thanks for making the trip just for my birthday. Strange how you never did that for the past ten-plus years.”

Yu Qiu changed the subject smoothly. “Yunxing, do you like the watch I sent you?”

Chi Yunxing chuckled. “Mm, I love it.”

Duan Zhiyan gave up trying to talk to Yu Qiu.

Tan Yao stepped in to smooth things over. “Zhiyan, did you eat yet?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Then why don’t we head out now?” Tan Yao suggested. “The beach resort our company developed is still closed to the public so there’s no tourists. You and Yunxing can play all you want today.”

“Thank you, Aunt Tan,” Duan Zhiyan said.

“Why are you thanking me?” She turned to Yu Qiu and Chi Yunxing. “Alright, time to go! The earlier we get there, the more time we have to enjoy.”

Yu Qiu immediately agreed. “Let’s go!”

…

For the rest of the day, everyone had a great time except Duan Zhiyan.

Yu Qiu hadn’t taken a break in ages. Now that she had time off, she nearly went wild with excitement.

Tan Yao kept her company and joined in on everything.

Chi Xiwen wasn’t interested in the activities, but since Chi Yunxing was, he stuck with him.

Of course, Duan Zhiyan went too. In his mind, the trip would’ve been perfect if Chi Xiwen hadn’t come.

That afternoon, Chi Ling called Tan Yao to ask if they were done. He had made a dinner reservation so they could go straight there afterward.

Though it was still hot in September, it was officially fall, and the breeze had turned cool by evening.

Tan Yao suggested they wrap up, and no one objected.

Duan Zhiyan changed clothes and walked out of the shower just in time to run into Chi Xiwen, who had come out of the room next door.

Chi Xiwen glanced at him and suddenly tossed him a small box.

Duan Zhiyan caught it and looked puzzled.

Chi Xiwen, clearly a little awkward, muttered, “It’s a gift.”

Duan Zhiyan looked down at the logo on the box. “A watch?”

“Yeah,” Chi Xiwen replied.

Duan Zhiyan suddenly chuckled. “What a shame.”

Chi Xiwen frowned. “Shame what?”

Duan Zhiyan showed him the white watch already on his wrist. “Shame I won’t be wearing it. Someone already gave me one.”

Chi Xiwen: “…Then give it back.”

He reached out to grab it.

Duan Zhiyan dodged. “Trying to take back a birthday gift after giving it?”

“Ge? Zhiyan Ge? What are you two doing?” Chi Yunxing had just come out and saw the two standing close, seemingly wrestling over something. He immediately got nervous.

The two men—rarely in sync—answered in unison, “Nothing.”

“Oh.” Chi Yunxing relaxed. As long as it wasn’t a fight, everything was fine.

He was about to say more when they heard Tan Yao calling for him.

“I’m ready!” Chi Yunxing answered, hurrying over.

Meanwhile, Chi Xiwen looked curiously at Duan Zhiyan. “Since when did you start wearing watches again? Didn’t you used to hate them?”

Duan Zhiyan smiled faintly. “Someone special gave it to me.”

Chi Xiwen was stunned when he suddenly realized something. “You’re in a relationship!”

His voice rose with shock, forgetting to keep it down. Yu Qiu and Tan Yao, who were just outside the men’s changing room, heard it clearly. Even Chi Yunxing, who’s already walking away, paused mid-step.

The next moment, Duan Zhiyan said calmly, “He hasn’t agreed to be with me yet, but it should be soon.”

Chi Xiwen couldn’t stand the sappy talk and shot back without thinking, “Not bad—giving you such an expensive watch, guess he really does like you.”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t deny it.

Chi Xiwen mumbled again, “Tch. I wonder who was blind enough to fall for you.”

Still not angry, Duan Zhiyan laughed. “Probably means the person who will end up marrying you will be legally blind.”

“…F*ck off!”

Duan Zhiyan followed after him, reaching out to gently pat his shoulder and murmuring, “Don’t get nervous.”

Chi Yunxing took a deep breath and nodded lightly.

The two of them walked out of the changing room together, just in time to hear Yu Qiu’s gossipy voice ring out. “Who is it? Do I know them? When did this happen?”

Duan Zhiyan completely ignored her questions, acting like he hadn’t heard a thing.

Tan Yao, however, looked very moved. She glanced at Duan Zhiyan, then couldn’t help casting a look at Chi Xiwen.

Chi Xiwen noticed and frowned. “What?”

Tan Yao gave him a slap on the back. “What do you mean what? You have the nerve to ask?”

“Look at Zhiyan! Then look at yourself!”

“I’m not trying to pressure you, but seriously, it’s time you started dating. You’re twenty-six already! Don’t you feel the slightest urgency?”

Chi Xiwen: “…”

He shouldn’t have opened his mouth just now.

This mouth of his!

On the ride back, everyone had their own thoughts.

Yu Qiu guessed names all the way, while Tan Yao lectured Chi Xiwen nonstop.

As for the person at the center of it all—Chi Yunxing—he was so restless he could hardly sit still.

Fortunately, Chi Ling had made a reservation at a restaurant not far from the beach, so they arrived quickly.

Once they arrived and started eating, the conversation finally moved on from the “mystery man,” and Chi Yunxing was able to breathe again.

Yu Qiu, unusually, didn’t drink that night because she had a flight to catch.

Duan Zhiyan frowned slightly when he heard. “If you had work, why did you rush back?”

Yu Qiu smiled. “Because I missed Yunxing, of course!”

Duan Zhiyan clearly didn’t buy that, but didn’t press her. Instead, he asked, “When will Dad be back?”

“End of this year,” Yu Qiu said, and immediately circled back to her real interest, “When your dad comes back, you’d better bring someone home for us to meet.”

Duan Zhiyan glanced subtly at Chi Yunxing, who was still blushing. He neither confirmed nor denied, he just said, “We’ll see.”

After dinner, Yu Qiu left first to catch her flight.

Tan Yao was just about to ask how Chi Yunxing planned to get home when Duan Zhiyan offered, “I’m heading back to Lakeside Villa anyway. Aunt Tan, I’ll drive Yunxing back.”

Tan Yao had driven herself over, and originally planned to take Chi Yunxing back to her place for a couple of days. Now that she had one person pretending to be drunk and another actually drunk in her car, taking Chi Yunxing home would only add chaos.

She was about to ask Duan Zhiyan for help anyway, so now that he offered, she was relieved.

“Alright then, I’ll leave him to you. Yunxing,” she turned to her son, “We’re heading off. I’ll visit in a couple days.”

Chi Yunxing nodded. “Okay. Drive safe, Mom. Message me when you get home.”

Tan Yao nodded. “Don’t worry.”

Only after watching them drive off did her smile fade. She opened the driver’s door, glanced back at the man still pretending to be drunk in the backseat, and smirked.

Let’s see how long this man plans to keep up the act!

…

Chi Xiwen and Chi Ling fell asleep as soon as they got in the car. Tan Yao didn’t linger and drove off quickly.

Chi Yunxing, tired after the long day, also dozed off shortly after getting into Duan Zhiyan’s car.

He didn’t sleep long. When he woke up and opened his eyes, he noticed they weren’t on the road home.

He couldn’t help asking, “Zhiyan Ge, where are we going?”

Duan Zhiyan curved his lips into a smile. “Yunxing, did you forget what I said I’d do today?”

Chi Yunxing paused. “But… didn’t today’s plans already get thrown off?”

Besides, hadn’t they basically already started dating, even if no one had said it out loud?

It was as if Duan Zhiyan had seen right through what Chi Yunxing was thinking. With a smile, he said, “There hasn’t been a proper confession yet, so we’re not officially together. And we’re really close to the place I reserved—there’s still an hour left, Yunxing. We’ve got time.”

Chi Yunxing felt his face grow hot. He hesitated a second, then nodded. “Okay.”

Half an hour later, Duan Zhiyan parked the car outside an amusement park.

“Hurry, Yunxing!” he said, pulling him toward the Ferris wheel.

The staff—who’d been waiting all day—finally spotted them and waved over them excitedly.

The Ferris wheel lit up the moment it began turning, illuminating the entire park.

As their cabin slowly rose, a sharp sound rang through the dark night. A burst of fireworks exploded in the sky.

Chi Yunxing gasped. His eyes lit up in wonder. “Zhiyan Ge, is this…”

Duan Zhiyan didn’t answer. He just gripped Chi Yunxing’s hand tightly.

The higher they went, the brighter the fireworks became. When they finally reached the top—

Chi Yunxing felt Duan Zhiyan leaning in closer. He turned his head.

Brilliant fireworks reflected in Duan Zhiyan’s deep eyes. Chi Yunxing clearly saw his own reflection there. Then came Duan Zhiyan’s solemn voice in his ear,

“Yunxing, will you be with me?”

Another firework burst above them, lighting up the entire Ferris wheel cabin.

Chi Yunxing saw Duan Zhiyan holding out a ring box and in his other hand, a bouquet of bright red roses.

In that moment, alongside the boom of the fireworks, was the thunderous beating of Chi Yunxing’s heart.