After collaborating with Director Xie, Song Qinian had little to do. She simply handed over all the work to Director Xie's team and continued to create her own stories.
Once everything was on track, Song Qinian began to consider how to get away from Li Junshen.
It was around this time that Song Qinian's birthday arrived.
At some point, May 20th became a lover's festival. As this day approached, roses could be seen everywhere on the streets, and all the shops offered discounts.
When Song Qinian was busy, she paid no attention to other things and even forgot her own birthday.
On her birthday, Song Qinian didn't even know when Li Junshen had taken Zanzao out. While she was painting in her studio, she received a call from Li Junshen saying that he and Zanzao were waiting for her outside and asked her to join them after she finished her work.
Song Qinian was very worried about Li Junshen taking Zanzao out alone. She put down her work, changed her clothes, and went out.
Upon arriving at the destination, Song Qinian realized it was a rooftop garden restaurant. There was an archway adorned with baby's breath at the entrance, and inside, every table was set with a bouquet of fiery red roses.
As soon as Song Qinian walked in, Li Junshen, dressed in a black tuxedo, approached her with Zanzao in his arms. "Nian Nian, happy birthday."
Zanzao held a Rubik's Cube he had assembled himself in his little hand. He handed it to Song Qinian, babbling excitedly, as if wishing her a happy birthday.
Only then did Song Qinian remember it was her birthday. She took the Rubik's Cube from Zanzao and kissed him. "Thank you, my baby."
Just as she reached out to hug Zanzao, Li Junshen smiled and said, "I have another gift for you!"
As soon as Li Junshen finished speaking, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind her, "Nian Nian..."
Song Qinian's body stiffened. Was this...?
She slowly turned around and saw Song Guanliang, arm in arm with Liu Xiaohan.
Since Song Guanliang was released from prison, Song Qinian had only been able to see news of her family occasionally on screen.
Liu Xiaohan no longer gambled and focused on taking care of Song Guanliang. Song Guanliang also had a job. The couple lived in harmony, with the husband working outside and the wife managing the household.
Song Jiashu was also studying diligently abroad, not only receiving the highest scholarship from that school but also being directly recommended for postgraduate studies.
Song Qinian was very relieved. After returning to the country, she desperately wanted to see her parents but worried that Li Junshen would use them as leverage against her. No matter how much she wanted to, she had to endure.
She never expected to see them on such a day.
"Mom, Dad..."
Song Qinian excitedly rushed over and hugged them. Song Guanliang and Liu Xiaohan also wept as they held their daughter.
Especially Song Guanliang. As a grown man, he shouldn't have cried, but the life they had now was hard-won. He tried his best to hold back but couldn't.
Those were tears of joy and excitement.
"Nian Nian, you can speak! That's wonderful! Thank God, you can finally speak!"
The elderly couple was overjoyed to see that Song Qinian could call them Mom and Dad and speak like a normal person.
Song Qinian wiped the tears from their faces and nodded with a smile. "Yes, I can speak. I can call you... Mom, Dad, Mom, Dad..."
She called out several times, and her parents kept responding.
Li Junshen watched their heartwarming family scene with a faint smile.
Seeing his mother crying, Zanzao also started to cry. His crying brought Song Qinian back to her senses, and she slowly released her parents. "Mom, Dad, this is my son, Song Zan. His nickname is Zanzao."
"Zanzao... Oh, what a lovely name... Let me see my grandson."
Liu Xiaohan excitedly took Zanzao from Li Junshen's arms. Zanzao was selectively shy and cried in Liu Xiaohan's arms, reaching out for his mother.
"Zanzao, this is your grandpa, and this is your grandma."
Song Qinian patiently introduced them to Zanzao. Under Song Qinian's gentle voice, Zanzao gradually stopped crying. His big, sparkling eyes looked at Song Guanliang and then at Liu Xiaohan, as if recognizing them.
Seeing that Zanzao had stopped crying, Liu Xiaohan doted on him even more. She assumed Zanzao was the son of Song Qinian and Li Junshen and smiled, "Zanzao looks so much like Junshen, especially between his eyebrows. It's exactly the same."
As she said this, Song Qinian's expression subtly changed. She instinctively glanced at Li Junshen and saw him smiling faintly, showing no signs of displeasure. "He's my son, of course, he'll resemble me."
Liu Xiaohan, oblivious to any awkwardness, continued to smile, "After all this time, you two ended up together. If Old Song hadn't had that accident back then, Nian Nian wouldn't have married..."
"Ahem..."
Song Guanliang interrupted Liu Xiaohan with a cough. Liu Xiaohan immediately gave a dry laugh. "Well, what's past is past. The important thing is that you two have a good life from now on."
Li Junshen put his arm around Song Qinian's shoulder. "Yes, Nian Nian and I will never be separated again."
Song Qinian merely gave a slight twitch of her lips and said nothing further.
Afterward, Li Junshen smiled at Song Qinian again. "Nian Nian, I have one more gift for you."
Immediately after, Yun Longyue, Miao Zi'ai, and Shen Keqin walked out.
"Nian Nian, happy birthday!"
Miao Zi'ai and Yun Longyue excitedly rushed forward to hug Song Qinian and presented her with their carefully prepared birthday gifts.
Only Shen Keqin's expression was difficult to describe, but she still presented her handmade gift.
"Sister-in-law... Nian Nian, happy birthday."
When Shen Keqin received the invitation from Li Junshen, she struggled with it for a long time.
Li Junshen had sent her Song Qinian's birthday invitation in his capacity as Song Qinian's husband, and he said he wanted to give Song Qinian a surprise. Wasn't that clearly intentional?
She hadn't wanted to come, but then she thought that she was going to celebrate Song Qinian's birthday, and it had nothing to do with Li Junshen. Besides, she still had many things she wanted to ask Song Qinian, so she came.
Song Qinian was also surprised when she saw Shen Keqin. She really didn't expect Qin Qin to come.
She hugged Shen Keqin. "Qin Qin, thank you..."
"You're welcome. It's your birthday today, so you're the most important. I hope you're happy and joyful."
Zanzao seemed to particularly like Shen Keqin, extending his little hands towards her, wanting her to hold him.
Shen Keqin looked at the cute and delicate baby, feeling conflicted. How wonderful it would be if this child belonged to her fifth brother and sister-in-law.
"Qin Qin, do you want to hold Zanzao?"
"Huh?" Shen Keqin suddenly became nervous. "Can I?"
Before Song Qinian could speak, Li Junshen smiled and said, "You are Zanzao's aunt, so of course you can hold him."
Shen Keqin thought Li Junshen was referring to him being Shen Zhenghao's son, which was why he called her Zanzao's aunt. She felt extremely annoyed.
This man really knew how to brag, but Zanzao was so adorable!
Alright, let's ignore that scoundrel Li Junshen. Zanzao is just Song Qinian's child, so she's holding her sister-in-law's baby...
Just as Shen Keqin was about to reach for Zanzao, a flamboyant voice suddenly rang out, "How can a birthday party not include me?"