Su Qi led me upstairs by the hand. When we entered the house, Dongyu was in the kitchen, preparing ingredients for the hot pot.

  Today should have been a very happy occasion for me. Everyone knew about my love for hotpot, especially the chicken soup base that Dongyu made. It was always delicious and fresh.

  But standing there, I saw that besides Dongyu in the kitchen, there was the girl.

  She stood beside him and helped him out. He was mixing the soup while she was preparing the ingredients for the hotpot. The two of them chatted happily and harmoniously.

  The kitchen was too small for a third person.

  However, the place next to Dongyu, which had always belonged to me, was now occupied by another girl.

  I felt a little suffocated as I placed the cake on the table with a numb expression. I had just opened the box when Lin Li walked out of the kitchen. When she saw me at the table, she quickly walked over and removed the cake to the side table.

  “It’s not the time for the cake yet! The hotpot is almost ready!”


  As she spoke, she busied herself.

  I looked at her, not sure what I was thinking. My mind was empty, and for a moment, many images flashed through it.

  Dongyu said that sooner or later, he would fall in love with a girl and be with her for the rest of his life.

  That person would not be me.

  Then… could she be that girl?

  So, what was this…


  Our relationship had suddenly become a little strained after our last argument in the music room.

  He seemed to be avoiding me. No matter what I said to him, his attitude became much more indifferent than before. It was neither cold nor warm.

  He must be angry!

  I wanted to cheer him up and try to break this awkwardness. I’d thought this birthday would be the occasion to somehow ease the icy relationship between us.

  Unexpectedly, such a thing had happened.

  Dongyu brought out the hotpot. After the four of us sat down, Su Qi looked at it and asked curiously, “Just the four of us?”


  “Yes.” Dongyu nodded. “I don’t like having too many people around.”


  “I know you. You don’t like noisy environments! It’s good to have four people. It’s also good to have a quiet birthday!”


  Su Qi said and clapped his hands. “Let’s start then!”


  Lin Li stood up too, and poured drinks out for us.

  I sat in my seat with a numb expression on my face. I didn’t know what I was thinking, I could only watch as Lin Li continuously slipped the ingredients into the pot and fished them out.

  She was a girl who knew how to take care of people. She took the initiative to pick up the ingredients for Dongyu. Seeing that I hadn’t touched my chopsticks, she picked up another piece of beef for me and asked with a smile, “Why aren’t you eating?”


  “Oh…”


  I quickly picked up my chopsticks and looked at the hotpot. The steam that rushed towards my face entered my eyes, making it difficult for me to see clearly.

  “It’s so hot.”


  I rubbed my eyes and blinked, forcing a smile.

  Dongyu suddenly raised his head and looked at me. However, he quickly turned his head and smiled at Lin Li. I had no idea what he was saying to her.

  I suddenly realized that I couldn’t hear anything, I could not make out what he was saying.

  The hotpot was quickly scooped clean. Su Qi held her stomach and slumped on the chair, calling out, “I’m so stuffed!”


  I said immediately, “We haven’t eaten the cake yet!”


  Lin Li replied, “I’m full too! What should I do? I don’t have space for the cake anymore!”


  Su Qi said, “At least blow out the candles and make a wish!”


  Dongyu furrowed his brows and said, “There’s no need to blow out the candles. I’m sure my wish won’t come true.”