On Cheng Yi's birthday, a "recovered" Ye George was full of energy and insisted on throwing her a grand celebration, even talking about booking several tables at a restaurant.
What was going on recently? First Yang Li, now Ye George—Cheng Yi found herself overwhelmed by the sudden influx of attention and affection. How was she supposed to handle all this?
"George, let's not make such a fuss."
Cheng Yi had just finished trying on dresses at a high-end boutique and was immediately whisked away to a designer shoe store next door. Today, Ye George's mission was to take her on a shopping spree through the city's top luxury stores. But after just a few stops, Cheng Yi was already exhausted from the endless cycle of trying on and taking off.
"Do we really need to buy so much?"
"Haven't you heard? A woman's wardrobe is always missing something."
"Then why get two colors of the same dress?"
"What if one doesn't match?"
"Do we really need so many shoes as well?"
"Well, gorgeous shoes are the perfect match for a beautiful outfit."
Was he implying she wasn't doing her job as a woman properly?
"A man of my considerable charm and distinction deserves a woman who turns heads. You're already a natural beauty, darling—but even diamonds need the right setting. We can't have people thinking I've let my standards slip."
Throughout the day, Cheng Yi noticed the curious looks from store staff. It dawned on her that she'd become the poster child for a gold digger latching onto a sugar daddy. Ye George seemed to take great pleasure in this, even going out of his way to reinforce their assumptions, clearly enjoying himself.
Like now, he leaned in close to Cheng Yi's ear, whispering conspiratorially, occasionally letting out a chuckle to enhance the effect.
"Today, I'm the sugar daddy. If I don't spend enough, my credit card might feel neglected."
Sugar daddy? With a handful of platinum cards, when would he ever run out? Was he holding a grudge against his credit cards? Not only did he choose the most exclusive stores, but he also picked out the priciest items. And he didn't miss a chance to flirt with the salesgirls, charming them into smiles, successfully establishing his image as a suave but respectable older gentleman. Judging by the envious looks the salesgirls shot at Cheng Yi, his efforts were paying off.
"It's your birthday today, you should be dressed to the nines and have a fabulous time, darling."
"Yi, what on earth are you doing?"
A stern voice called out from behind them—it was Yan Xuemei. Her brows were furrowed, and she glared at Cheng Yi with such a fierce expression that the shop assistants quickly backed away into the corners of the store. Cheng Yi was just as surprised. Hadn't Yang Li mentioned that Yan Xuemei opened a boutique after returning to China? Could it be this one?
Cheng Yi quickly regained her composure despite the shock—she had been through enough surprises lately. To Yan Xuemei, however, Cheng Yi's calm demeanor only confirmed her lack of repentance.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"Aunt Yan, don't be angry."
A soft, feminine voice drifted over as a beautifully dressed woman stepped up to Yan Xuemei's side. Even after so many years, Cheng Yi would never forget Hu Yali.
"Cheng Yi, it's been a long time."
"Yes, it has."
"Are you two... Oh, hello, sir. I've known Cheng Yi for many years."
In just a few words, Ye George had already sized them up and judged the situation. Anything that associated him with being "old" was a sensitive topic for Ye George, and with those few sentences, they had not only offended Cheng Yi but had also crossed a line with him—something he wouldn't tolerate.
"Yi, I didn't know you had friends like these."
What did he mean by that? Hu Yali's victorious look quickly turned to fury, and she gritted her teeth in anger. Ye George, however, wasn't done.
"Aunt, you've really scared our Yi here."
Ye George, ever the troublemaker, was obviously intent on stirring the pot.
"Darling, are you alright? Did they scare you?"
The truth was laid bare—there were no excuses left.
"Yi, what do you have to say for yourself? You keep Zhiyuan hanging on one side while seducing other men. I never imagined you'd sink so low—even going after an old man!"
Sink low? Cheng Yi scoffed—if they wanted to see her fall, she would give them a show.
"Darling, nothing here catches my eye. Let's head to the hotel."
With that, Cheng Yi straightened her back and walked out of the store with a determined gaze.
After that fiasco, Cheng Yi had no more energy to go along with Ye George's plans for a "glamorous" birthday celebration. Having failed to max out his credit cards, Ye George had no choice but to retreat and opt for a "simple" celebration at home—but Cheng Yi had severely underestimated his definition of "simple."
As the elevator doors opened, Yang Li and Xie Yufan were already there to greet her. What surprised her the most, though, were the Ye brothers. Weren't they supposed to be in the US, working on a big acquisition? How did they have time to come back just to open the door for her? They must've left Zhu Mandy to handle the mess—that explained the cheeky text she sent yesterday, with a picture of a mountain of paperwork, captioned as a "birthday gift."
Ye Minglang covered her eyes with a mysterious grin. Could there be more surprises?
When she opened her eyes again, she was greeted by a beautifully decorated apartment, filled with enchanting lisianthus flowers. Her favorite dishes were arranged artfully on a stylish dining table. White ribbons, drapes, and candelabras adorned the room, and a two-tiered cake decorated with flowers awaited her. It was unbelievable—just a few hours ago, there hadn't been a single flower in sight.
At that moment, Ye Minglang proudly took Cheng Yi's hand.
"Surprised? I planned this all remotely."
The fresh, elegant décor was exactly her style, and Cheng Yi was moved beyond words. Ever since she had met Ye Minglang, he had made it a point to give her a unique birthday surprise each year, from the prank gifts in the beginning to today's grand celebration. Each year, she was deeply touched by his efforts. He had even hired two servers to ensure Cheng Yi could fully enjoy being a pampered princess today.
Yang Li and Xie Yufan brought six gifts each, saying they were making up for the last few years. The large and small gift boxes filled the entire table. Ye George's morning shopping spree was his way of showing affection—though he hadn't maxed out his cards, his sincerity was undeniable. As for the one who had remained silent the whole time, his gift was the most straightforward.
"Happy birthday."
That was all.
Cheng Yi was used to Ye Mingzhe's style by now, but she was still moved, her eyes welling up with tears, which made him a little uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Mingzhe."
As the joyful strains of the birthday song filled the room, everyone encouraged the happy Cheng Yi to make a wish. She brought her hands together and held them close to her chest, but in truth, she didn't make a wish—because she had none. Someone once told her that wishes don't really exist; they're just utopian fantasies. Rather than pinning her hopes on unattainable "wishes," she should focus on the present and work towards her "goals."
Wishes are too intangible, goals too distant—living in the present is what truly matters.
She bowed her head reverently, closed her eyes, and clasped her hands tightly to her chest, silently vowing:
"To live joyfully in the moment."