System: Master Your Life-Chapter 591 - 146: Classmate Rong’s Birthday (3)

Xu Lin doesn’t want one of those big cakes, something simple will do.

"It takes two hours to make the cake, let’s find a flower shop in the meantime."

"Mm-hmm!"

Xu Lin drove to a nearby flower shop next and had the owner put together a bouquet of roses, nineteen flowers, neither too big nor too small, one for each year of her life.

"Here, happy birthday."

The moment Xu Lin took the roses from the shop owner, he immediately handed them to Rong Xiyan.

"Xu Lin, this isn’t romantic at all. How can you be so straightforward?"

"Romantic, my foot! Just be happy you got flowers. What do you want, a big heart-shaped wreath?"

"That’s not it, you should have said something like, ’Sister Rong Xiyan, happy birthday.’"

"Sister, huh? You’ll know where you went wrong tonight."

"Anyway, I’m nineteen today, and you’re eighteen. Your birthday’s not until June, so I’m over a month older than you!"

"You’re finished! Everything you’re saying now will be evidence when you plead for mercy tonight!"

"I don’t care. You’re still my little brother!"

Rong Xiyan cradled the flowers in her arms, her face glowing with a pure, innocent smile.

"Enough about this. Let’s grab a meal; I’m starving."

Xu Lin wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they stepped out of the flower shop.

"But we have to eat cake tonight."

"What’s with the cake? I’ll just take a couple of licks and be done. That stuff is so sweet; is it even fit for human consumption? It’s too rich to fill you up."

"Xu Lin, you don’t appreciate good taste."

"Tsk."

"Heh."

"Speaking of which, I saw your dad yesterday."

"Oh, he’s in Jiangdu?"

"Mm."

Xu Lin asked, "Did he message or call you?"

"No." Rong Xiyan shook her head.

"Then let’s not worry about him."

Soon enough, the two had a meal nearby. It wasn’t a fancy dinner, just a regular restaurant, serving dishes often seen elsewhere. They were likely pre-made meals, as Xu Lin had seen similar dishes in other restaurants, all made identically.

As night fell, the two returned to the cake shop.

By now, the birthday cake was ready.

It was eighteen centimeters in diameter and eight centimeters tall, not too big, not too small.

They picked up the cake and then returned to the hotel.

Xu Lin had celebrated Yu Xinyan’s birthday before, so he had some experience in this area.

They entered the room, which was dimly lit by just a table lamp.

Xu Lin opened the cake box.

The cake now had nineteen small candles on it, and Xu Lin was right beside the eager-to-blow-out-the-candles Rong Xiyan.

Xu Lin then took out a lighter and lit the candles one by one.

"Alright, blow out the candles!" Xu Lin said.

"I need to make a wish first!"

"Then make your wish."

"Xu Lin, can you guess what my wish will be?"

Xu Lin initially thought about saying he wouldn’t guess, but on second thought, dampening the mood wouldn’t be right.

"I guess you’ll wish to always stay beautiful?"

"You guessed it! What else?"

"Then, for us to be together forever?"

"Right again, and what else?"

"And for Mom to be healthy and happy!"

The "mom" here is Ms. Ren. Rong Xiyan had transferred her love for her birth mother to Ms. Ren.

"You got them all right! Xu Lin, it’s like you’re a worm in my belly!"

"Who taught you to use such a metaphor?"

"Hmph! I’m going to make my wish now!"

"Go ahead and make your wish!"

Xu Lin stopped talking.

Rong Xiyan faced the birthday cake, clasped her hands in a wishing posture, and began to make a wish.

Unlike others who silently wish in their hearts, she spoke hers out loud.

And her wishes were just the three she’d discussed with Xu Lin.

Shortly after.

"I’ve made my wish!"

"Alright, let’s have the cake."

Xu Lin cut her a piece of cake. Girls generally like sweets, and the piece wasn’t small, but Rong Xiyan finished it quickly.

"Xu Lin, you should have some cake too!"

"I am eating it now, aren’t I?"

"Why are you eating so little?"

"I’m not a fan of cake."

"If you don’t eat, I’ll finish it all!"

"I’m too lazy to fight you for it."

"Hmph!"

Rong Xiyan was delighted, having eaten half of the cake already. But because they’d had dinner earlier, she couldn’t finish it all.

Meanwhile, as she continued eating, tears suddenly welled up in Rong Xiyan’s eyes.

"What’s wrong?"

Xu Lin was puzzled.

"Xu Lin, thank you for celebrating my birthday. No one has done this for so many years. No one cared about me."

Tears splashed out of Rong Xiyan’s eyes and trickled down her delicate cheeks, dripping off her chin onto the ground, where they blossomed.

"Come here."

Xu Lin beckoned with a finger. She willingly sat on Xu Lin’s lap.

"Xu Lin, please don’t leave me, okay?"

"I hang out with you at school almost every day; why would I leave you?"

Xu Lin wiped away her tears.

"I had a nightmare last night, that you didn’t want me anymore."

"Really? You’re so beautiful, with a great figure. I haven’t had enough of you yet. How could I not want you?"

Xu Lin suddenly grinned.

"Xu Lin!"

Rong Xiyan was taken aback, ready to stomp her foot in annoyance, but seeing Xu Lin’s mischievous grin, she knew he was joking. She was caught between laughter and tears, gently punching his chest with her fists.

"Haha..."

Xu Lin laughed heartily.

"If you keep this up, I’ll ignore you!"

"I was just kidding earlier."

"So, will you leave me?"

"In theory, no."

"What do you mean by ’in theory’? Xu Lin, you have to swear that you’ll never leave me, ever!"

"Swearing is so cliché."

Xu Lin chuckled, "Think about it, who swears? Aren’t those people full of it? ’Promises of eternal love, until the seas dry up and the rocks crumble,’ ’may lightning strike me from above’—do you think real love requires an oath? The people who swear, I can tell they’re full of nonsense. Otherwise, why would a decent person swear? Even Chiang Kai-shek kept pledging not to engage in lewd activities, yet he frequently visited brothels. So, those who preach abstinence are often the most lascivious, especially those who love to swear—they’re usually the biggest liars.

I’m different. I’d never say I like a girl because I know love isn’t just a few words; it’s something endlessly expressive. Can true love be summed up in a couple of sentences? Real love is ineffable; it’s like rain quietly nurturing everything. So I show my love through actions. Like right now, I’m sitting here with you, proving that in this moment, I have you in my heart. If I weren’t here, if I were somewhere else, calling you on the phone to wish you happy birthday and say I love you, would you feel truly happy? I think not. But at this moment, I’m right here. See, how much do I like you?"

"Xu Lin, why do I find what you’re saying a bit off?"

"Just tell me if you’re touched or not."

"I suppose I’m a bit moved!"

"Xu Lin, kiss me!"

"Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth first, you’ve got cake all over!"

This was something Xu Lin was genuinely particular about. The cake was too sweet and rich for him.

"Xu Lin, are you grossed out by me?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Just go and brush and rinse already!"

"Got it!"

Rong Xiyan obediently went to brush her teeth and rinse her mouth.

"Xu Lin, I’m back! Kiss me!"

Only then did Xu Lin agree to kiss her.

"Xu Lin, let’s not use a condom tonight."

"Why not?"

"It’s my birthday today. I’m happy, so I’ll take the pill tomorrow!"

Rong Xiyan was being bold. She was sitting on Xu Lin’s lap, pushing him back onto the couch. Looking down at him, she gazed for a moment.

Then, Rong Xiyan took off her T-shirt.

Following that, her bra.

Her pants as well.

She’d already taken them off when she came out of the bathroom, leaving only her underwear.

"Xu Lin, do I look good?"

Rong Xiyan pressed against Xu Lin’s chest, her long hair cascading down, her brows furrowed ever so slightly in a suggestive manner.

Xu Lin simply rested his head against his interlocked hands.

"Up to you," said Xu Lin.

"Hmph!"

Rong Xiyan understood instantly, making a soft sound as she slithered down like a water snake, sitting on Xu Lin’s calves and bending over to undo Xu Lin’s trousers.

Sigh...

Damn it!

Xu Lin couldn’t help but catch his breath.

Classmate Rong had gotten impressively skilled at this.