Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 61
Extra 5
Huo Yichi’s birthday was in mid-July. Pei You had memorized the date after seeing it on her ID card.
But it still made her feel a little guilty; Huo Yichi remembered her birthday without prompting, while she had to rely on Huo Yichi's ID.
She wished she could go back in time and shake some sense into her past self.
She should have moved on from Mo Ning’s death a long time ago, but she hadn't been able to.
If it weren’t for Huo Yichi’s unwavering presence, she wouldn't have found someone so wonderful.
Grandma Pei was still in Beijing, having found a new group of friends and spending her days happily playing mahjong and chatting.
Pei You missed her; they video called often.
And every time, Grandma Pei would ask about Huo Yichi.
This time was no exception.
"Grandma," Pei You said during their video call, "it’s Chi Chi’s birthday today.”
Grandma Pei wasn’t surprised. "I know; I already sent her a birthday message.”
"You’re quick," Pei You remarked.
Grandma Pei smiled warmly. "She's my other granddaughter; of course I have to be quick.”
Pei You smiled. "True.”
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Pei You coughed lightly. "Grandma, she’s back. I’ll talk to you later.”
"Okay, have fun," Grandma Pei said.
It was Friday, and Huo Yichi had just gotten home from work.
It was mid-July, the height of summer, and the air was thick with heat. It was around 6:30 pm, the setting sun painting the sky in vibrant hues, the light filtering through the windows, illuminating the apartment. The cicadas buzzed incessantly, their chorus a constant reminder of summer's arrival.
Huo Yichi opened the door to find Pei You standing there. "You’re home," she said, a familiar greeting.
It was a scene that had played out many times now.
It wasn’t exam season yet, and Pei You wasn’t attending classes.
Huo Yichi, shedding her work fatigue, smiled. "I am.”
As she stepped inside, Pei You held up a hand. "Wait.”
"What is it?" Huo Yichi asked, looking down at herself, puzzled.
"Nothing," Pei You walked over and hugged her, "just wanted to hug you. I missed you,” she said.
Huo Yichi hugged her back, burying her face in Pei You's neck, inhaling deeply. "I missed you, too,” she murmured.
The air conditioning in the office was always on full blast, but stepping outside was like walking into a furnace.
Thinking this, Huo Yichi wrinkled her nose. "I’m going to shower first.”
"Okay," Pei You said, pulling away from the hug.
Xiao Xing, also finding the heat unbearable, was sprawled on the floor, watching them.
Human emotions were a mystery to her, but she was happy Pei You was here; she wasn't lonely anymore, especially since Pei You had practically moved in with Huo Yichi.
While Huo Yichi showered, Pei You went to the study. She’d bought flowers and a gift. She would give them to Huo Yichi when she came out.
And maybe a kiss, too.
She felt a little nervous; this was the first time she was properly celebrating Huo Yichi’s birthday.
Before, she hadn’t even known when it was.
Just then, Huo Yichi’s phone rang in the living room.
Pei You put the gifts down and checked the caller ID.
It was Lin Fang.
Pei You went to the bathroom door and called out, "Lin Fang’s calling.”
"Can you answer it for me?" Huo Yichi’s voice came from behind the slightly opened door.
"Sure," Pei You said.
She answered the call. "Hello? This is Pei You.”
"Where’s my cousin?" Lin Fang asked.
"She’s in the shower; should I get her for you?”
Lin Fang sighed. "It’s okay. Pei-jie, do you know it's my cousin's birthday today?”
"Of course I do; why wouldn't I?" Pei You replied.
Lin Fang still wasn't fond of her, but she had started calling her "Pei-jie.”
A sign of acceptance, perhaps.
But whether Lin Fang accepted her or not didn't matter; what mattered was Huo Yichi liked her.
She was dating Huo Yichi, not Lin Fang.
After a moment of silence, Lin Fang continued, "Did you know the Huo family was planning a birthday party for her?”
Pei You was surprised. "A birthday party?”
"Yeah, but she didn’t want it. My aunt asked me to call and try to persuade her to come home.”
Pei You was speechless. "..."
As Huo Yichi’s girlfriend, hearing about Huo Yichi’s family always made her feel… a mix of anger and helplessness.
"Have they done this before?" Pei You asked, trying to keep her voice even.
Lin Fang replied honestly, "No, this is the first time… I don't know why they're doing it this year…”
Xiao Xing, perhaps sensing Pei You’s mood, jumped onto the sofa, rubbing against her legs, nudging her hand with its head, wanting to be petted.
Pei You absently stroked the cat's head as she replied to Lin Fang, "I’ll tell her to call you back after her shower. I’m not sure what to say. ”
"Okay," Lin Fang said, then, before hanging up, added, "Pei-jie… my cousin… she’s had a hard life.”
"I know," Pei You said, looking down at Xiao Xing, "I know.”
Lin Fang hung up.
Pei You continued to stroke Xiao Xing's soft fur, her mind wandering.
She thought about Huo Yichi, about all the things she hadn’t noticed before.
Huo Yichi was popular, had many friends.
Most people with summer birthdays would have a party with their friends, but Huo Yichi hadn’t, which was why Pei You hadn't known when her birthday was.
Huo Yichi emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her wet hair, her face still damp from the shower.
Pei You stood up and gently wiped the water droplets from Huo Yichi’s face. "Lin Fang called. She said she needs to talk to you.”
"Okay, I’ll call her back now," Huo Yichi said.
Pei You retreated to the study, picking up a random book and pretending to read, trying to calm down.
Huo Yichi, holding her phone, walked over to the window.
Lin Fang answered almost immediately. "Cousin.”
"What is it?" Huo Yichi asked.
"My aunt asked me to talk to you, to persuade you to come home.”
"I’m not going," Huo Yichi said, looking up at the sky, exhaling slowly, "either I bring Pei You with me, or I don't go at all.”
She added, “Don’t worry about it; I know how to handle them.”
"Okay, Cousin. Happy birthday.”
After hanging up, Huo Yichi stood by the window for a while, clutching her phone.
Then she put it down and went to the study.
She opened the door and saw the flowers and gifts on the desk.
Pei You had bought seven gifts.
One for each year they’d known each other.
"Done with your call?" Pei You asked, looking up.
"Mm-hmm," Huo Yichi replied.
Pei You, realizing what she was looking at, smiled. "These are for you. Happy birthday!" she said, walking over to Huo Yichi.
"Thank you," Huo Yichi said, pulling Pei You into a hug, her arms tightening around her.
As Pei You nuzzled her cheek against Huo Yichi's shoulder, Huo Yichi asked hesitantly, "Would you… come home with me?"
Comments
Post a Comment