The day of Luo Yuqi's birthday arrived quickly.
Everyone in the Shen family was busy, except for Shen Jianxi.
There was nothing she needed to worry about; she just had to show up when the birthday banquet began.
However, Shen Jianxi found herself struggling with the two dresses laid out on the bed.
One was a white off-the-shoulder short dress sent by Ji Zhaoyun early in the morning. It looked elegant and grand, cinched at the waist to perfectly outline her figure.
The other was prepared by her mother and chosen by Luo Yuqi. It was a matching pale blue off-the-shoulder A-line long dress, more suitable for their age, making her appear fresh and lively.
Shen Jianxi pinched her forehead, her head aching. This indecision, starting from early morning, gave her an ominous feeling.
As she pondered, a knock sounded at the door.
"Sweetie, can Mommy come in?" Shen's mother's gentle voice came from outside.
Shen Jianxi quickly hid Ji Zhaoyun's dress under the covers, tucking it in securely to ensure it wasn't visible. She then called out loudly to the door, "Come in, Mommy!"
As soon as Shen's mother entered, she saw the dress laid out on the bed. It was the one she had brought that morning, and it was still in the exact same position. She walked over, a little surprised.
"What's wrong, sweetie? Don't you like this one?"
Shen Jianxi looked at her mother, then down at the dress. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Mommy, do you think... white or blue?"
Shen's mother answered without hesitation, "White."
"Okay!" Shen Jianxi's voice suddenly rose, startling her mother beside her.
Before her mother could react, Shen Jianxi grabbed her hand, her eyes filled with deep emotion. "Mommy!"
"Yes... yes! What is it?" Shen's mother was a bit unaccustomed to her daughter's sudden change.
"Mommy!" Shen Jianxi's hands tightened, her expression serious. "You!"
She paused, and this pause made Shen's mother's heart clench, thinking something had happened. She also became serious.
"You say it!"
Shen Jianxi took a deep breath, staring into her mother's eyes, and said each word with dramatic emphasis: "You! Are! My! God!"
"..."
Shen's mother flung her hand away and, without reservation, gave her a roll of her eyes. "Hurry up and change! We still need to get your hair and makeup done!"
She turned and left without looking back, muttering to herself, This child, she scared me to death.
...
Shen Jianxi ultimately chose the dress sent by Ji Zhaoyun. After all, when comparing the two, she would prioritize the one from the person she had a higher regard for.
Shen's mother saw that she wasn't wearing the dress chosen by Luo Yuqi but didn't say much, assuming her daughter simply didn't like that color and had chosen a new one herself.
By the time Shen Jianxi came down after getting ready, the banquet was about to begin.
Luo Yuqi was by Shen's father's side, behaving very obediently.
They stood in the center of the banquet hall, with people coming to toast them, accompanied by laughter and compliments.
Shen Jianxi scanned the room, not seeing Ji Zhaoyun. However, Shen's father noticed her.
Putting down his wine glass, Shen's father excused himself from the group and walked towards her with Luo Yuqi.
"Sweetie, you're here! Come on, Dad will take you and Qiqi to meet some of the uncles and aunties."
Luo Yuqi followed Shen's father obediently, a completely different demeanor from when he was in front of her. He called out to her softly.
"Sister."
His voice still sounded hoarse, with a nasal tone. Although not as severe as when she first returned, it was evident he was still unwell.
What surprised Shen Jianxi more, however, was Shen's father's way of addressing Luo Yuqi.
She vaguely recalled that when Luo Yuqi first arrived, Shen's father's attitude was anything but warm, if not outright cold. She wondered what had happened during her absence that caused such a significant change in her father's attitude, even becoming affectionate in his address.
"Daddy, I want to be by myself for a while." She wanted to find Ji Zhaoyun.
Shen's father naturally wouldn't refuse his daughter's plea, readily agreeing, "Okay, okay, but remember to appear when the banquet officially starts, sweetie."
"Mhmm! Don't worry, Daddy, your daughter is the most reliable."
Her father had no objections, even agreeing with her sentiment. Luo Yuqi, however, did not.
He lowered his head slightly, hiding the flash of mockery in his eyes.
Reliable? More like unreliable!
"...Did you hear that, Luo Yuqi?"
"Huh? Huh! What?" He looked confused, having not heard what was said at all.
Shen Jianxi sighed helplessly, pointing to his hand. "You shouldn't be drinking when you're still sick. Have something else instead."
After saying this, she casually took the wine glass from Luo Yuqi and handed him a cup of warm water that a servant had just brought. She then left.
Luo Yuqi, however, felt the warmth in his hand and seemed lost in thought.
...
Once Shen Jianxi confirmed Ji Zhaoyun wasn't inside, she left the banquet hall and went to the backyard.
This was where Shen's mother had planted her flowers. Even at night, the blooming spectacle was clearly visible.
There was a swing in the backyard, and Shen Jianxi sat on it, breathing in the fresh air.
To put it mildly, the air indoors wasn't unpleasant, but it was overwhelmingly perfumed.
The perfumes worn by the ladies attending the event filled the entire venue, which, frankly, was suffocating, making this fresh air exceptionally precious.
It was completely dark now. Her phone was in her bedroom, and Shen Jianxi was too lazy to retrieve it. She decided to wait here until the banquet officially began before checking if Ji Zhaoyun had arrived.
Her eyes closed, her head leaning back against the swing's ropes. Although the wind this month wasn't exactly cool, the floral scent was intoxicating.
Footsteps approached from behind. They weren't heavy, but in the quiet backyard, they were remarkably clear.
Shen Jianxi didn't turn around because she had heard these footsteps countless times during the program recordings; they were all too familiar.
Only when the person stopped in front of her did she open her eyes.
Her gaze fell upon a pair of leather shoes that could reflect her image. Looking up further, she saw long, straight legs encased in black suit pants.
As her gaze moved upwards, Ji Zhaoyun's face came into view.
"What are you doing here?!" she said with feigned 'surprise,' about to stand up from the swing. However, Ji Zhaoyun gently pressed her back down with one hand.
Without answering her question, Ji Zhaoyun's gaze deepened as he carefully studied her features.
This was the first time he had seen his master. Although he was incredibly excited, he didn't outwardly show it.
What made Ji Zhaoyun happiest was that she was wearing the dress he had given her.
Ji Zhaoyun was dressed in a black suit today, with details that matched the dress he had given her, clearly a coordinated outfit.
"Your family's servants need better training," he said out of the blue. "I asked a servant for your location, and they told me very honestly. That's not safe."
Hearing his words, Shen Jianxi almost laughed.
Was this a case of "crossing the bridge and burning it down"?
She rolled her eyes at Ji Zhaoyun and retorted grumpily, "Well, you asked, didn't you?"
"Yes, but it was me asking today, and they informed me so easily. If it were someone with ill intentions, they would also be told just as easily," he added, as if it weren't enough, "It's not safe."
"..." Shen Jianxi didn't want to argue with him about this, so she changed the subject. "And how could you be so sure it was me here? What if it was someone else?"
"I was only about seventy percent sure initially. The moment you spoke, I became a hundred percent certain." How could Ji Zhaoyun forget her voice? He had played their conversations countless times.
Shen Jianxi smiled, not commenting but shifting slightly to the side.
This was a two-person swing, and there was more than enough space for Ji Zhaoyun to sit next to her.
Ji Zhaoyun didn't stand on ceremony and sat down beside her.
The atmosphere was quiet but not awkward. Ji Zhaoyun savored this moment of togetherness, his gaze constantly drawn to Shen Jianxi's face.
111: "Beep! Favorability +5, Ji Zhaoyun's current favorability is 71."
Hearing the announcement, Shen Jianxi silently gave a mental thumbs-up, maintaining a calm and serene expression.
This atmosphere continued until someone arrived.
"Sister, the banquet is about to start. Let's go."
They turned to look at the same time. Luo Yuqi was standing not far from them, gazing at Shen Jianxi affectionately.
What made Shen Jianxi frown, however, was that Luo Yuqi's original blue suit had been changed to white at some point. In terms of both age and attire, they looked more like a couple.
Ji Zhaoyun felt the same.