They ate until they were seventy percent full, then the cake was served.

  Xu Ai Wen bought the cake. It was a milky circle of cream sprinkled with pink roses and decorated with a small crown. Meng Yao Yao loved the design.

  When the cake was placed on the table, Xu Xiao Jing took out her phone to take a picture and exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful!”


  “Yes, I’ll ask Auntie Xu to give you the address later. Next time you can order from there!” Meng Yao Yao said happily.

  Xu Xiao Jing nodded.

  After taking the picture, they lit the candles and sang the birthday song. The girls didn’t participate much and the three boys were too embarrassed, especially He Cheng Ming who had his mouth open without making a single sound. Beside him, Ji Liao was also trying to muddle through the situation and Meng Yao Yao called them out!

  “He Cheng Ming, Ji Liao, you’re not singing!” She raised her eyebrows with a stern expression.

  It was her day today, so she had to take the opportunity to do something!

  In consideration of Xu Ai Wen’s presence, He Cheng Ming’s face tightened for having been caught publicly. Even if he wanted to show his temper, he endured it and forced a smile. Ji Liao had always been thin-skinned. Having been called out, he was instantly embarrassed and his entire face flushed. He could only keep drinking water to cover up his helplessness.

  Meng Yao Yao snickered, then said loudly, “I punish the two of you to sing the birthday song to me by yourselves!”


  He Cheng Ming’s expression darkened. He had never sung a birthday song to anyone and now he had to sing it to Meng Yao Yao? Just when he was about to become irritated, he sensed Xu Ai Wen’s gaze and immediately agreed, “Okay.”


  Beside him, Ji Liao looked at him, bewildered: “???”


  Lin Jiang chuckled and stealthily took out his phone, preparing to record. Hahaha, he didn’t expect Ming Ge to have such a moment!

  He Cheng Ming opened his mouth soundlessly for a long time before he managed to sing. His voice was charming and deep. Compared to He Cheng Ming, Ji Liao ‘s singing was difficult to judge. He was tone-deaf and sang like he was reciting it, making everybody laugh.

  At the end of the song, his head was so low that it was almost under the table!

  “I think it sounded good,” He Cheng Ming whispered into his ear.

  Ji Liao let out a snort, then replied with a question, “Then should I sing it to you every day?”


  He Cheng Ming was silent and didn’t say another word.

  Ji Liao felt ashamed and kicked him angrily under the table.

  With a smile on his lips, He Cheng Ming leaned over and said in a low voice, “Don’t make a fuss. As long as it’s sung by you, I’ll listen to it.”


  The words of endearment that came out of his mouth were especially sweet — Ji Liao pursed his lips and his sullen mood disappeared.

  At that point, Meng Yao Yao had begun to make her wish, her fingers intertwined in front of her chest. She said briskly, “My first wish is for Dad and Auntie Xu to get married quickly!”


  Xu Ai Wen was nearly forty. Hearing her say this, she couldn’t help but blush and send her a displeased look.

  Meng Yao Yao stuck out her tongue and continued, “My second wish is for couples to live happily ever after!” Her closed eyes slit open, and she shot a loving gaze at Ji Liao and He Cheng Ming.

  Her third wish couldn’t be said aloud, so she cried out anxiously in her heart: Dear God, quickly bestow me a boyfriend! Oh oh oh, seeing Dad and Xu Ai Wen in love every day at home, and eating the dog food from her younger brother and male god in school, she was miserable and also wanted to be in love, ah ah ah!

  Finally, she added a last, cunning statement: If only one wish could be achieved, the last one should prevail!

  After the wish, Meng Yao Yao felt a little guilty. She took a sip of her drink, then got up to cut the cake for everyone.

  Ji Liao didn’t like sweet food. He only took two bites, leaving a large piece behind. Seeing this, He Cheng Ming took it and helped him finish it!

  Xu Ai Wen had been paying attention to him throughout the meal. He didn’t eat absentmindedly and ate slowly; it was obvious that his table manners had been cultivated since young. When taking food into his bowl, he calmly avoided the saliva of others, only reaching for a small portion at the edges. It could be seen that he had some degree of obsession with cleanliness, but was very sincere towards Ji Liao and didn’t mind eating his leftovers.

  After the meal, it was close to eight.

  Meng Yao Yao and a few of her invited friends were preparing to go out for a movie. Xu Ai Wen and Meng Yuan had the same idea but the three boys were not interested, so they went their separate ways.

  Exiting the community, Lin Jiang followed He Cheng Ming and Ji Liao. Finally, someone couldn’t bear it anymore and opened his mouth to drive him away. “I’ll give you three minutes to get lost!”


  Threatened, Lin Jiang could only scowl while getting a taxi, quickly disappearing.

  The street became more spacious. He Cheng Ming took Ji Liao’s cool hand and stuffed it into his own pocket.

  Ji Liao turned to him and asked, “What are we going to do next?”


  He Cheng Ming raised his eyebrows, his expression was full of indescribable colours as he enticed, “Something that feels good?”


  At a glance, Ji Liao saw through his thoughts and snorted. Thinking of ideas to bully him again!

  In the blink of an eye, he pretended to comply, “Then, should we go to my house?”


  He Cheng Ming was shocked. “Go to your house? Isn’t that too exciting?” What if Xu Ai Wen came back?

  Ji Liao winked at him, his tone carrying a hint of flirtation. “My house it is!”


  That expression and that tone, He Cheng Ming’s pride in his self-control was trampled to pieces in an instant! If I die, I die. If I should die beneath a peony flower, I would still be charming even as a ghost!

  “Then let’s go. Hurry up.” Xu Ai Wen wasn’t home yet!

  With that, he quickly received a taxi and Ji Liao forced a smile as they got in.

  When they arrived at the community, Ji Liao brought him upstairs and opened the door. He Cheng Ming was about to pounce, but when he was glared at, he stopped.

  “Take a seat first.” Ji Liao pressed him down onto the sofa.

  He Cheng Ming’s face was full of desire and dissatisfaction. He was obviously a large dog, but he wanted to show the expression of a small wolfdog, so he looked at him pitifully. Ji Liao’s heart softened and he took the initiative to kiss him.

  The sweet taste had settled him down a little. Ji Liao went to his room to take the item that “feels good” out, then called He Cheng Ming over.

  “Baby,” He Cheng Ming came to take a closer look, and his face stiffened. “That’s what you wanted me to do when you invited me over to your house?”


  He looked at the five-year-series college entrance examinations in disbelief. He wanted to hit someone.

  Ji Liao put on an ignorant appearance, nodding and saying softly, “Well, I realised last night there were many questions I couldn’t answer. Since there’s time today, I asked you.”


  He Cheng Ming wanted to cry. He pulled a stool over to sit beside him and explained patiently, “No, baby. Weekends are for playing. Why are you doing homework?!”


  Inside, he roared like crazy: Hurry up and take it away! Then he’d kiss, hug and touch his waist, and secretly rub along it!

  Ji Liao propped up his chin, and with a troubled expression, said, “But if I don’t work hard, I can’t go to the same university as you.”


  The sincerity in his voice caught He Cheng Ming’s attention — he saw the longing in his eyes, the longing to be together with him, not just in this moment but in the future, forever.

  “Okay.” He leaned over, pressed a soft kiss on the other boy’s clear and beautiful eyes and said, “Which question didn’t you understand?”


  Ji Liao always copied out the problems that he didn’t know how to solve, creating a book of these difficult problems. When he had time, he would look over the solutions and memorise them.

  They sat in the living room, writing for more than an hour until Xu Ai Wen came back. The sound of the door opening pulled them out of their concentration.

  Xu Ai Wen walked in and looked down to see two pairs of shoes. She raised her chin and her gaze met Ji Liao’s flustered eyes.

  Ji Liao’s heart thumped wildly as he thought he was done for. He had been too immersed that he forgot to ask He Cheng Ming to leave early.

  He quickly stood up and walked over, calling out, “Mom, we’re doing homework.”


  Xu Ai Wen’s expression wasn’t good — she was frowning. She glanced at the table and threw her bag on the sofa.

  “Auntie.” He Cheng Ming stood up and called out calmly.

  Xu Ai Wen didn’t look at him, she just poured herself some water, saying, “It’s late, Tang Tang. It’s time to go to bed. Continue with your homework tomorrow.”


  The unspoken words were asking him to leave.

  He Cheng Ming understood and said politely, “Auntie, I’ll be leaving first.”


  With that, he walked outside. Ji Liao ran over to stop him, then looked back to ask Xu Ai Wen, “Mom, can I send him out?”


  Ever since Ji Qing Wen died, Ji Liao hardly asked her if he could do anything, whether big or small. What she didn’t say, he would never do it. To put it nicely, it was obedience. In not-so-nice words, it was passiveness.

  “Ten minutes at most, then come up and go to bed.” With that, Xu Ai Wen turned and went into her room.

  This was permission!

  Overjoyed, Ji Liao pushed He Cheng Ming outside. When they reached the base of the residential block, he burrowed into the other boy’s arms and looked at him with bright eyes. “Did you hear that? My Mom gave us ten minutes!”


  He Cheng Ming encircled his shoulder, and infected by his excitement, his own happiness appeared without reason. He lowered his head and touched the tip of his nose against Ji Liao’s.

  “Your nickname is Tang Tang?” He recalled hearing what Xu Ai Wen had called him.

  Ji Liao was a little embarrassed — he didn’t like the nickname Tang Tang one bit. It was too feminine and sweet.

  “Don’t call me that,” he warned.

  He Cheng Ming held him tightly in his arms and asked doubtfully, “Why? Such a nice name and I’m not allowed to use it.”


  He wanted to die. Not only was Ji Liao sweet, but his mouth and even his nickname were also sweet, hooking him unwaveringly until he didn’t want to let go at all.

  “You’re not allowed to use it anyway!” Ji Liao imposed and used his hand to cover the boy’s mouth.

  He Cheng Ming’s eyes curved and he stuck out his tongue to lick his palm. It was warm and ticklish, and Ji Liao withdrew his hand away immediately!

  “Hooligan!” He scolded softly.

  He Cheng Ming smiled and shamelessly leaned closer. To avoid him, Ji Liao moved his head back, and the clavicle under his pale neck became conspicuous, like two empty pools. He Cheng Ming’s eyes reddened and he bit it gently, saying in a daze, “Baby, you’re too sexy.”


  Just then, Ji Liao’s phone rang.

  It was Xu Ai Wen.

  “Mom?” Ji Liao had accepted the call.

  “Ten minutes are up.” Xu Ai Wen reminded him in a cold voice.

  Ji Liao: “.……”


  Replying right away, he pushed aside the guy who was stuck to him. After a quick reminder to send him a message once he returned to his own home, Ji Liao ran upstairs.

  Xu Ai Wen was lingering in the living room. When she saw Ji Liao, she frowned and wanted to say something but stopped. In the end, she decided out of sight, out of mind and ushered him to go to his room.

  Ji Liao was confused. He didn’t realise what was going on with her until he went to take a bath. There was a hickey on his neck.