Today was Gu Yuyao's thirty-third birthday and the Tang twins had decided to throw a party for their lovely aunt. Tang Moyu was aware of the reason Gu Yuyao never celebrated her birthdays and never questioned her.

  However this time, she couldn't do anything as He Lianchen and her two little buns had gone ahead and planned the celebration themselves. They had even laid out an extensive plan on how to keep Gu Yuyao busy, while they set things up. She, Qin Jiran and Song Fengyan were forcibly roped in to help prepare the birthday dinner for Gu Yuyao.

  "I still don't think this is a good idea. I'm not sure if Yuyao would be happy with this." Tang Moyu muttered beside Feng Tianyi, who was busy cutting the decorations for the event later.

  Feng Tianyi hummed and gave her a smile. "So now you're talking to me, huh?"

  Tang Moyu looked away and continued with the task on her hand. They could hear Little Star's giggle as she played with the pup a few meters away from them at the porch of the guest house.

  "It's not that I don't want to talk to you nor avoid you… I—" She wanted to explain, but Feng Tianyi cut her off.

  "I know. You already said that you didn't want to complicate things between us, but I still think we should give it a shot."

  "Should we?" Tang Moyu said in a low voice that made Feng Tianyi wonder if he heard her right.

  This… Was she willing? Would she give him a chance this time?

  He stared at her for a moment before a smile bloomed on his lips. Elation filled him. He would definitely not waste this chance at all. He was aware that the empress would be hard to ensnare, but she was definitely worth it.

  "I do think the empress is worth the trouble." He replied, noticing the slight blush appearing on the empress's face.

  —


  Since her return from the states, Gu Yuyao had been hands on with Tang enterprise. She never missed any of her appointments and meetings and paid particular attention to the cash flow of the ongoing and new deals the company made under Tang Moyu's management.

  However, today was a special day and she wasn't particularly excited to face the day. After all, it had never been the same again after losing the only person who truly loved her.

  She declined He Lianchen's invitation to hang out for today and refused Tang Moyu's request for a weekend lunch with her and the little buns. The empress of course knew what day it was today, but the woman never forced her to celebrate this day at all.

  Her brother, Gu Zihao had died from a car accident they were in during her tenth birthday. Her relationship with her brother was really good and they were close. Gu Yuyao only had him.

  People around them had thought that they wouldn't be close because of the large gap between their ages. Gu Zihao was already eleven when their mother gave birth to Gu Yuyao. He was the only one who tried to understand her within their family and pampered her to no end.

  That day, they were planning to visit the beach and celebrate her birthday. However, while they were on the way, the car they were in was hit by a bus that had lost its brakes on the highway.

  Gu Yuyao was the first one to be rescued. Her brother was trapped inside the wrecked car for half an hour before the rescuers managed to pull him out completely. But it was already too late as he had lost a lot of blood and the doctors weren't able to save his life.

  Gu Zihao had lost his life at an early age of twenty one. He was about to start his first day at their family's company and was expected to inherit it, but then he died unexpectedly.

  "I'm sorry if it took me a long time to visit you, Gege. I really miss you." Gu Yuyao whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. The afternoon breeze blowing softly made her shiver from the coldness that seeped through her clothes.

  Her phone beeped indicating a new message. Pulling it out, she saw that it was from Tang Moyu's private number, but the message was clearly from Xiao Bao. Gu Yuyao chuckled at the boy's eagerness to see her, inviting her to join them for a barbecue party with the devil who was living with them.

  'Auntie Yaoyao isn't allowed to decline this time! You've already declined us yesterday!' Was Xiao Bao's message to her.

  She bid goodbye to her brother and promised to visit him again next time. Driving towards the Peach Blossom Garden, she wondered what the little buns were up to. She decided to stop by a bakery and buy them some mooncakes she bet they haven't tried yet.

  With a bag filled with sweets, Gu Yuyao entered Tang Moyu's home and walked straight towards the guest house where they were probably waiting. However, the moment she reached the garden of the guest house, she stood still with wide eyes as the little buns ran towards her with glee, pulling both of her arms at the same time.

  "Happy birthday, Auntie Yaoyao!" Little Star's round eyes twinkled with delight upon seeing her.

  "Auntie Yaoyao, Little Star and I made you a cake! You have to blow the candle to make your wish come true!" Xiao Bao grinned.

  Gu Yuyao eyed the empress who mouthed an 'Im sorry,' in return.