Speaking, she again jiggled the small plate in her hand and said, "These candles and small plates cost me an extra five yuan before anyone was willing to give them to me. What do you think, surprised?"
Listening to her rambling, Xiao Cheng’s face was always beaming with a smile; he had never been this happy before.
"Thank you," he said, thanking her from the bottom of his heart.
"We're good brothers, so saying thank you makes us strangers. You have money for fireworks, and I can only buy you a mini cake to show my appreciation. Don't dislike it."
"I won't."
Xiao Cheng shook his head.
Meng Jingwei cut the goose-yellow Pikachu cake in half, picked up a piece, placed it on a disposable paper plate, and handed it to Xiao Cheng with a fork, "Here, birthday cake, eat it quickly."
Xiao Cheng didn't speak. After a few seconds of silence, he took the cake, lowered his head, and ate it silently.
Meng Jingwei held a fork and ate the other half of the small cake.
"How is it, does it taste okay?"
"Mhm."
"Haha, I knew it. The things I pick must taste good."
She was in a very good mood.
Little did she know, although Xiao Cheng ate the cake, it tasted like chewing wax. He was more filled with the emotion of Meng Jingwei's kindness, making him oblivious to the cake's taste.
After they finished the cake, Meng Jingwei handed him a tissue, and they both wiped their mouths.
She lowered her head and took out something else from another paper tote bag. "Here, this is for you, consider it your birthday gift."
"What?"
"See for yourself."
Meng Jingwei handed him the item.
Xiao Cheng took the small black box and opened it. Inside was a black and gold inlaid men's tie clip.
It was designed in an arrow feather shape, with a thin gold chain connecting the arrowhead and the feather. The chain hung loosely, fanning out. However, the design was simple and elegant, and it would look absolutely good with a suit.
"This thing costs 288. Although it's not expensive, it's a token of my appreciation. Just keep it at home, don't wear it out, it will lower your status."
"It won't, I like it very much."
"If you like it, hide it at home. Given your status, wearing this would indeed lower your prestige."
Meng Jingwei said this from the bottom of her heart.
No matter what, Xiao Cheng was the young master of one of the four major families. If he wore something worth 288 when going out, he would only be mocked.
"Thank you for spending the money."
"We're brothers, so don't be so formal. Alright, I've celebrated your birthday, I'll be going back now. I have to go home tomorrow, so I need to rest early."
She was indeed going back to her hometown tomorrow, but her train ticket was at eleven in the morning, so there was no hurry.
However, there were some people and some matters that she had to retaliate against fiercely before leaving.
She had intended to let go of her hatred, but some people's actions were simply too outrageous, leaving no room for survival.
"I'll send you back."
"No need, I'll just find a shared bicycle by the roadside."
Meng Jingwei didn't give Xiao Cheng a chance to speak. She stood up, waved goodbye to him, and left directly.
Xiao Cheng stood there watching her leave. He lowered his head, looking at the gift Meng Jingwei had given him, and a smile of contentment involuntarily appeared on his lips.
This birthday, he was very satisfied.
...
Meng Jingwei rode her shared bicycle not back to her rented apartment, as she had already checked out and couldn't live there even if she wanted to.
Instead, she was heading in the direction of Longxi Villa.
Regarding the car accident tonight, Meng Jingwei didn't need to think to know who was behind it.
As she was about to leave Lancheng, she had to settle this debt.
Shared bicycles were slow, and by the time she reached Longxi Villa, it was already forty minutes later.
Longxi Villa was a high-end villa complex with excellent security systems. Without an access card, she couldn't get in.
Finally, she found a secluded corner and climbed over the wall into the complex.
There were security guards patrolling within the complex. She carefully avoided them and, as if she knew the way, arrived at the Li family's residence.
Standing at the entrance of the large villa, Meng Jingwei stared blankly at a lit room on the second floor, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She looked down at her watch; it was already half-past eleven at night.
At this hour, Zhao Ruolan and Li Fu'an must have already gone to sleep.
Meng Jingwei circled the villa and, ten minutes later, easily appeared on the balcony of Li Yun'er's bedroom on the second floor.
*Click—*
Perhaps it was too late, Li Yun'er had turned off the lights and was preparing to sleep.
Just as Meng Jingwei was about to go inside, she heard a conversation, "Muye ge, are you asleep?"
Muye? Qing Muye?
Meng Jingwei's heart skipped a beat, and her nerves tightened in fear.
Was Li Yun'er making a phone call, or was Qing Muye really here?
"I miss you, I can't sleep."
"Mhm, mhm, I'll rest early. Shall I come to Songyu to see you tomorrow?"
"Muye ge, you're so good. Goodnight then."
"Bye-bye."
Although she didn't know what Qing Muye on the other end of the line had said, Meng Jingwei knew that Li Yun'er was on the phone, and her worried heart gradually settled down.
She reached out and gently pushed open the sliding door on the balcony, slowly walking in.
Her movements were very light. Even though the bedroom was quiet, Li Yun'er didn't notice anything unusual.
Only when Meng Jingwei walked closer did she realize that Li Yun'er was sleeping on her side facing the bedroom door, scrolling through Weibo.
In the darkness, a cold glint flashed. Meng Jingwei suddenly lunged, covering Li Yun'er's mouth with one hand while holding a dagger against her neck with the other.
"Mmph…"
The suddenness of the situation terrified Li Yun'er, making her struggle frantically, "Wuwu… Who are you? Help…"
She struggled and screamed, but her strength was no match for Meng Jingwei's. With her mouth covered, she couldn't resist at all.
"If you don't want me to ruin your face, then don't move!"
Meng Jingwei snarled fiercely.
The familiar voice, it was Meng Jingwei.
Li Yun'er became even more frightened, never expecting that Meng Jingwei not only hadn't died but had also sneaked into her house so quietly.
At this moment, with an ice-cold dagger at her throat, even though Li Yun'er was so scared her liver and gall were splitting, she could only force herself to stay calm, "You… What do you want to do?"
"What do I want to do?"
Meng Jingwei snorted coldly, "I didn't hold you accountable for what you did before, but not only did you not restrain yourself, you even dared to have someone kill me. Li Yun'er, do you think I don't dare to kill you?"
This damned bitch, with a viper's heart.
She couldn't understand why Li Yun'er would go to such lengths to kill her.
"Mmmph…"
Li Yun'er shook her head, trying to say something.
"If you want to shout, go ahead. As long as you're not afraid of the blade mercilessly cutting your throat, you can shout for your parents to come," Meng Jingwei warned, then released her hand from her mouth.
She then wiped her hand on the quilt with disgust, as if her palm had been contaminated with Li Yun'er's saliva.
She let go, and Li Yun'er wanted to cry for help loudly, but the chill on her neck sent a shiver down her spine, making her tremble and dare not move.