When Qiangzi saw the undisguised sweet smile on Chen Er's face, he knew that he had been completely declared a loser in this war without gunpowder.
A dull pain came from his heart again and again. Qiangzi forced a stiff smile on his lips, trying not to look so embarrassed.
"Hey, Qiangzi, come with us! Don't just stand there. Hurry up!" Chen Er ran to Jiang Cong's car and only then remembered Qiangzi. She turned around and shouted at him.
"I... I'd better not go." Qiangzi's voice became very soft at the end. He was deeply entangled.
He both wanted to accompany Chen Er on her birthday and was afraid of facing the intimacy between Chen Er and Jiang Cong, which he could never break into.
Chen Er, perhaps impatient from waiting, quickly ran towards Qiangzi and stuffed him into the back seat of the car.
The heating in the car was on full blast. Soon, fine and glistening beads of sweat appeared on Chen Er's nose.
"What shall we eat?" Chen Er was inexplicably looking forward to tonight's big meal. Since her sister passed away, no one had remembered her birthday.
Qiangzi accidentally learned about Chen Er's birthday when filling out family information once.
Every year, Qiangzi would accompany Chen Er on her birthday and prepare gifts for her.
In the past, Chen Er always regarded her birthday as something dispensable. She was used to being alone and to some people leaving suddenly.
However...
Chen Er seriously stared at Jiang Cong, who was concentrating on driving beside her, and felt that an empty place in her heart was filled by Jiang Cong at this moment.
Although he had never said it actively, Chen Er could clearly feel that faint affection.
Chen Er was also waiting, waiting for Jiang Cong to break the ice.
"You'll know when we get there." Jiang Cong was being mysterious. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chen Er wrinkling her nose discontentedly, and his smile deepened.
Qiangzi remained silent all the time. He pretended to look out of the window, admiring the scenery along the way.
"Qiangzi, what do you want to eat? I still remember that Chongqing old - style hot pot we ate last year. It was so spicy that it made you cry." Chen Er started a conversation, pulling Qiangzi into this discussion to prevent him from feeling left out.
Qiangzi picked up the topic. His thoughts drifted back to that scene last year. He stiffened his neck and retorted, "I didn't. You're talking nonsense!"
Chen Er turned her head and gave Qiangzi a meaningful smile.
Qiangzi suddenly realized and slumped powerlessly on the seat, wailing, "Did you take a photo? How could you do this!"
Chen Er chuckled and mercilessly made fun of Qiangzi's old embarrassing incident that he didn't want to mention.
Driven by Chen Er, the atmosphere in the car was harmonious. Jiang Cong also cooperated with Chen Er very well, interjecting a few words from time to time.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a private restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
Jiang Cong asked Chen Er and Qiangzi to go in first while he went to the parking lot to park the car.
Chen Er walked into the hall and sized up the simple and elegant decoration style around her. A barrage of thoughts flashed through her mind: Holy crap, holy crap, so rich! Really rich!
Qiangzi also stood there in stunned silence. How much would a meal here cost?
The two looked at each other and both read the shock in each other's eyes.
Compared with Chen Er and Qiangzi's uneasiness, Jiang Cong seemed quite calm. Under the reception of the front - desk manager, Jiang Cong reported a room number and walked upstairs.
Chen Er followed closely behind the shiny Jiang Cong, constantly sighing in her heart about the sin of capitalism.
"Mr. Jiang, this is the place. I wish you and your friends a pleasant meal." The manager bowed respectfully, stepped aside, and Jiang Cong and his group then entered the elegant private room.
The manager quietly backed out and kindly closed the door.
"Order whatever you want. I'm treating today." Jiang Cong took a sip of tea and said to Chen Er.
Chen Er evaded the topic and asked irrelevantly, "Jiang Cong, how much does a meal here cost? Will you go bankrupt?"
Jiang Cong was speechless. Forcing a smile, he said, "Don't worry. I'm a national - level professional professor with a million - dollar salary. You can't eat me out of house and home."
Chen Er squinted her eyes contentedly and then opened the menu. She pulled Qiangzi along and deliberately ordered the most expensive dishes.
Looking at Chen Er's unceremonious appearance, Jiang Cong smiled indulgently. If he could, he wouldn't mind supporting this little girl for the rest of her life.
During the meal, Jiang Cong naturally picked up food for Chen Er and told her to eat slowly when she gobbled her food.
Chen Er wasn't the least bit polite. She tried hard to swallow the food stuffed in her mouth and said in a slurred voice, "I can't help it. It's so delicious. I can't treat my stomach badly. Moreover, this is the most luxurious birthday I've ever had. I must eat my money's worth."
There was a carefree smile on Chen Er's face, and Jiang Cong felt a sudden pang of heartache.
"Eat slowly. You look like a starving ghost." Qiangzi complained, but it was hard to hide the concern in his words.
Chen Er's eyes felt hot. She sniffed and forcibly held back her tears.
She couldn't cry. Crying at this moment would be so embarrassing!
Chen Er buried her head even lower and concentrated on finishing the food on her plate.
After they were full, Chen Er leaned back contentedly in her chair, burping. Her little belly was round.
Suddenly, the lights in the private room dimmed. In the darkness, every movement was more clearly perceived by the senses.
"Happy birthday, Chen Er." Jiang Cong had walked out at some point. He carried a birthday cake and slowly walked in.
The candlelight illuminated a small area, but it seemed especially warm.
The cake was uniquely designed. The little figurine on it was drawn by Jiang Cong himself. It looked vivid and lifelike.
"Thank you." Chen Er choked with emotion, her eyes glistening with tears.
Sometimes, it was these details that were the most touching.
Qiangzi looked at the cake Jiang Cong took out. His smile became more and more bitter. He knew he couldn't compare to Jiang Cong.
He only remembered that Chen Er liked chocolate mousse cups, so he had always used that as the birthday cake every year. He thought Chen Er would like it.
But now it seemed that what Chen Er really liked was this carefully - made cake in front of her.
Qiangzi suddenly felt relieved. If he couldn't have her, then he chose to silently wait by her side.
As long as Chen Er was happy and content.
Jiang Cong opened the gift box. Lying quietly inside was a small and delicate crown.
Inlaid with broken diamonds, it sparkled with brilliant light.
"Dr. queen, this crown belongs to you, and everything belongs to you." Including me...
Chen Er lowered her head slightly and let Jiang Cong put this special gift on her head.
Actually, there was another meaning behind Jiang Cong's gift of the crown, which was that Chen Er would always be a precious existence in his heart.