Chapter 88

Chapter 88: The Best Birthday Gift is Being There (Extra Chapter for 200 Monthly Tickets)

Since returning from the restroom, Mei Fang had been quietly writing something during the break.

Lin You Xi was a bit worried about his intense focus and reached out to rub his back.

“Still struggling with Xia Yuan’s birthday gift? If you can’t think of anything, I can help.”

Mei Fang seemed very pleased, “I’ve thought of something! I usually just buy gifts for her, but this time I want to try making something by hand.”

“Handmade? Will you fold paper cranes or little stars? I can help too.”

“No, not that. It’s… well…”

Mei Fang smiled slightly, “Since I want to give something full of heart, I’ll write a small poem I wrote when I was younger for Yuan Yuan!”

At this age, students often keep collections of beautiful quotes. Whether they’re sentimental or passionate, there are always times when they recall their literary youth, and in class, many share their own poems. So, Lin You Xi didn’t find it strange.

“Then… how’s your poem coming along?”

“It’s almost done. Class President, do you want to review it?”

Mei Fang held the letter, pretending to ponder, “What do you think? This poem wasn’t written specifically for her; it was an impromptu creation, so it might sound a bit odd.”

“Let me see.”

Lin You Xi quickly took the letter from Mei Fang’s hand.

Showing You Xi a copied poem was somewhat unexpected, but he understood that if he appeared nervous, it would make You Xi worry unnecessarily. So, he decided to be open about it.

Looking at Mei Fang’s “poem,” the usually stoic Lin You Xi’s eyes suddenly sparkled.

“A Fang, you didn’t copy this from somewhere else, did you?”

“Of course not. Don’t believe me? Search online.”

“You really wrote this poem well; Yuan Yuan will definitely be happy… But your handwriting is messy, and the paper isn’t very nice. As a birthday gift, she might not like it.”

Lin You Xi thought for a moment, “How about this, I’ll rewrite it for you.”

Wait, there’s more good news?

Mei Fang immediately nodded, “Then I’ll leave it to you—”

“But there’s a condition.”

Lin You Xi supported her chin, looking at Mei Fang, “Next year on my birthday, I don’t want to receive any small gifts from you.”

“You… want me to write a poem for you too?”

Lin You Xi nodded, “A different one.”

“That’s simple. With my literary skills, I can write one right now.”

“I don’t want one written now, I want the one you’ll write then.”

Lin You Xi pursed her lips and shook her head with a smile, “And, it has to be as good as the one you wrote for Yuan Yuan.”

“Alright!”

Mei Fang and Lin You Xi chatted warmly.

This should have been a scene to watch, but Yue Xinyi felt a burning sensation in her chest.

Why, why is this happening…

It was the first time she could witness such a close relationship between childhood friends.

The first time she could offer a grand assist to a childhood friend.

Two happy events combined together.

It should have brought her more happiness.

But why does this happen…

My assist, it went to the childhood friend next door!

Yue Xinyi couldn’t even imagine that Mei Fang was preparing a birthday gift for Xia Yuan!

Although Yue Xinyi liked the idea of childhood friends, she wasn’t particularly close to Xia Yuan, and she supported the pairing of Mei Fang and Lin You Xi.

But now, You Xi, who she usually saw as a defeated dog, was helping Mei Fang rewrite a small poem for Xia Yuan—

Ah! Why is it this kind of scenario!

Crying…

Damn it, Mei Fang, you deserve it!

How could you do something like this?

Mei Fang was focused on the poem being rewritten by Lin You Xi, completely unaware of the terrifying aura emitted by Yue Xinyi beside him.

“This should be perfect…” Lin You Xi carefully folded the rewritten letter and handed it to Mei Fang.

“When school ends at noon, go buy a pink envelope from outside and give it to Yuan Yuan.”

“Huh?” Mei Fang scratched his head, “Isn’t that like a love letter? We’re still middle schoolers, we shouldn’t do that.”

“Just put it in an envelope… Write ‘Happy Birthday Yuan Yuan’ on it.”

“Can you also write it for me?”

“Um…”

Lin You Xi nodded.

On the way home after evening self-study, Xia Yuan happily shared some funny stories from school, showing the large group photo she took with Peng Xue. Mei Fang and Lin You Xi, both preoccupied, were relatively calm, while Xia Yuan didn’t seem to notice, reminding them,

“Tomorrow is my birthday, and I’ve already ordered a cake. Where should we eat?”

“Isn’t it always at your place?”

“Yeah… I wanted to try something new.”

Xia Yuan smiled at Mei Fang, “Will Aunt Mei be home tomorrow? If not, we can have the party at your place, okay?”

“Only the three of us? If you invite Peng Xue or someone else, A Fang’s house might be too small.”

Xia Yuan shook her head, “I didn’t ask Xiao Xue to bring a gift because I didn’t invite her… Anyway, birthdays are very important for the three of us. I want it to be just for us.”

Mei Fang nodded, “Right, hearing you say that reminds me. It’s only a day for the three of us. I’ll send Xiao Ya to grandma’s so she doesn’t mess up Yuan Yuan’s cake.”

“Oh A Fang, what are you doing! Why exclude Xiao Ya? How could you be such a brother…”

Xia Yuan softly laughed, “Xiao Ya is your sister, of course she should celebrate with me.”

“Fine, as long as you two don’t mind her, she’s a pain, I can’t understand why there are so many sisters in anime.”

“Xiao Ya is lively and cute, isn’t that great?”

Lin You Xi’s sudden comment made Mei Fang and Xia Yuan shake their heads uncontrollably.

“You should take care of Xiao Ya for a day and you’ll understand!”

“It’s true, true… kids grow up, they’re harder to handle.”

Currently, Experimental Middle School has a weekend off, so Mei Fang doesn’t have the habit of studying at Xia Yuan’s place on Fridays. However, that night, before parting ways at the entrance of their neighborhood, Xia Yuan invited Mei Fang for a walk in the park after dinner.

“Hmm…”

Xia Yuan skipped happily on the path in the park, and Mei Fang followed behind.

“Be careful, don’t fall.”

“I’m not that clumsy! By the way, A Fang, I wanted to talk to you about the birthday gift…”

Xia Yuan suddenly turned around, holding her hands behind her back, looking at Mei Fang, “Although I said I wanted something very different for my birthday, it was just talk… Actually, I like anything you and You Xi give me.”

Xia Yuan’s voice was clear and sweet.

“In my opinion, your presence has always been the best birthday gift.”

After releasing the rules for extra chapters, everyone pressured me to update, so I owe several chapters. I’ll work hard.

Extra chapters are not restricted by regular update times, and there’s another chapter below.