Chapter 71

Xin Nuo smiled slightly at Xu Heran.

The proud little pearl’s expression paused, then she immediately turned to her mother and said, “Let’s go back.”

Xu Menglan nodded with a smile.

The car carrying the girls headed towards the Sea City Hotel. Xu Menglan had already booked rooms in advance to celebrate Xu Heran’s birthday.

“Aren’t you going home?” Xin Nuo asked Xu Heran. “Why aren’t you riding with your family?”

Xu Heran naturally replied, “They’re family too.”

The few people who had been accompanying her during the past few days of exams felt that their three days of accompanying her weren’t in vain. Even though her face showed a mocking or disapproving expression due to rejecting sentiment, the feelings of gratitude bubbled up in their hearts.

“But they didn’t tell me in advance, ruining my plans. I was even thinking we’d stay up all night to celebrate the end of my college entrance exams!” Xu Heran said. “Look at the other college entrance exam candidates. They’re so happy after finishing their exams, celebrating all night, aren’t they?”

Sister Cui sneered, “Other candidates can be happy, but after her college entrance exams, Pearl still has work to do!”

“Make up for your absenteeism during this time!”

Xu Heran immediately collapsed, sighing.

Laughter filled the car, and Xin Nuo turned her head slightly and asked Xu Heran in a gentle voice, “How do you feel?”

“Do you have confidence?”

The people in the back row perked up their ears.

Xu Heran rubbed her face and smiled, “It’s alright, I guess. To put it in simpler terms, from my learning last year to now, it feels more like review than preparation. Everything was an old friend, and I quickly grasped the concepts. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the college entrance exams this year.”

Laurel said, “I thought you were taking the college entrance exams this year to separate from me.”

“That’s part of the reason,” Xu Heran said with a smile, “but the experience has been good. I support you trying next year.”

Jiang Qiong raised her hand and covered Laurel’s ears, “Laurel shouldn’t hear your words!”

Thinking of the thick books in her room, Laurel’s expression changed.

A new enemy appeared on Emperor Hua’s life path, strong in attack and endurance, making Emperor Hua shiver in fear.

“Just passing is enough,” Laurel tried to reassure herself.

Everyone sent encouragement and blessings to Laurel.

Xu Menglan booked the top floor of the Sea City Hotel, and shortly after everyone arrived, the hotel manager came over and, on behalf of the hotel, presented a bottle of fine wine. Xu Jiamu thanked them.

Not long after, Xu Heran’s seventeenth birthday cake was delivered.

The cake had three layers, and on the top layer was a doll holding a microphone, her blue-purple eyes shining brightly, and at her feet were the words, “Pearl is seventeen.”

Xu Heran stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the doll on the cake.

“My biggest wish now is to change the seven at the bottom to an eight,” Xu Heran pointed and gestured at the cake, “this design is so childish, and this statement is childish too. It doesn’t reflect my mature charm at all.”

Sitting on the sofa, Xin Nuo repeated, “Mature?”

“Charm?” Xu Menglan continued, their eyes scanning Xu Heran up and down, showing the same expression.

Xu Heran said, “Don’t make your disdain so obvious. Where am I not mature?”

Xu Menglan didn’t respond and turned to Xin Nuo, asking, “Nuo Nuo, do you want a drink?”

“Auntie, I’ll get it myself,” Xin Nuo immediately replied.

The room was decorated lively. After everyone entered, they took photos, skipped the awkward moments, turned on the TV, and brought out microphones.

“Let’s sing a song to celebrate our birthday star today!” Jiang Qiong shouted into the microphone, “A rendition of 《Unforgettable Tonight》 for our Little Pearl.”

Xu Heran: “???”

Little Pearl rolled up her sleeves and halfway through, Xu Jiamu said to Xu Heran.

“I picked the cake.”

Did that mean you have a problem with the cake?

Xu Heran was silent for a second before smiling beautifully.

“I love it! If we can’t finish this cake today, no one is allowed to leave!”

Xu Jiamu nodded in satisfaction.

Inside the room, after Jiang Qiong finished singing 《Unforgettable Tonight》 she started singing 《Heroic Song》 but Jian Yueyin took the microphone from her and Dog Woof Woof was ruthlessly expelled. Xu Heran immediately mocked her teammate, and then Jian Yueyin sang 《Dear, That’s Not Love》 to Xu Heran.

Xu Heran felt that someone in the room had to die today, but that person definitely wasn’t Xu Pearl!

Not far away, Xu Menglan supported her chin, smiling as she watched a group of girls playing around. She said to Xin Nuo, “You’re performing in variety shows pretty much the same as in reality, huh? Is it always this lively?”

Xin Nuo felt that Xu Pearl’s mother’s words were genuine, so she nodded, “Yes.”

Xu Menglan looked at the girl sitting straight and her smile deepened, “Go and have fun with everyone, no need to stay with me.”

“It’s okay,” Xin Nuo said, “Normally, I’m the one watching from the sidelines.”

“And then Pearl drags you into the battlefield.”

Xin Nuo immediately affirmed that Pearl’s mother had probably seen a lot of SGS variety shows. She nodded with a shiver, “Yes.”

“Haha, you’ve been through a lot,” Xu Menglan suddenly raised her hand, held Xin Nuo’s finger, and gently squeezed it, “Pearl can be a bit mischievous at times, but she’s still great when she’s serious, right?”

Xin Nuo’s gaze lowered from their joined hands, and she nodded gently.

“Well, kids, it seems like they grow up in the blink of an eye,” Xu Menglan supported her chin and looked towards Xu Heran who was hopping around with everyone, her gaze tender. “When did she grow up so much?”

There was a quiet atmosphere between the two for a moment. After a while, Xu Menglan let go of Xin Nuo’s hand and patted her knee. “Come on, let’s go together. Let everyone see how amazing my Little Pearl is.”

At night, the SGS official blog and the eight girls went on a crazy spree.

Various photos and videos of birthday celebrations were uploaded en masse. Fans who had been worrying about Xu Heran’s college entrance exams were shouting that the New Year had arrived. Xin Nuo’s social media was flourishing, with only four words “High School Entrance Exam, Go / Muscles” posted on her page just two days ago.

As everyone cleared their memories with a series of “clicks” to upload content to social platforms, Xin Nuo’s Weibo finally showed some activity.

SGS Xin Nuo: Happy birthday to a certain Pearl.

Following the well-wishes was a photo.

In the picture, there were only two figures.

Xin Nuo held her phone, with Xu Heran behind her. The girl’s chin rested against Xin Nuo’s soft hair, and she smiled lightly at the camera. The seventeen-year-old girl had thick eyelashes, yet her gaze was focused on the figure of another person in the camera’s frame, her eyes attentive. The girl responsible for taking the photo had bright eyes, her gaze slightly lifted.

Their gazes met in the camera’s frame.

Frozen.

“Wow.”

“Yes, is there something wrong with my eyes? Why do I sense a hint of indulgence in Little Pearl’s eyes?”

“Louder! Tell me, is it just a hint!”

“Ah, I’m blushing! I’ve been sweetened by my two little darlings!”

“Hehe, by the way, SGS doesn’t have a rule against idols dating, right?”

“There’s no rule against idols dating, but there might be a rule against early relationships… and especially if they’re idols.”

“No problem! The unspoken rule for idols not to date is for the sake of the fans, and I’m a fan! I demand Xu Heran immediately be with Xin Nuo!”

“Xu Heran and Xin Nuo should be together immediately!”

“I can wait until Pearl comes of age, but please don’t make me wait until the day when the interest is higher than the principal, okay?”

“I object!”

As Xu Heran hadn’t posted on Weibo yet, excited fans of Pengran Xīn Dong gathered happily under Xin Nuo’s Weibo post. After a while, someone exclaimed in excitement, “Quick, go check Jiang Xiaoqiong’s Weibo!”

“Jiang Xiaoqiong has been posting continuously from the afternoon till now. Which one are you talking about?”

“The one at 7:41:25! The one in the middle of the grid! Hahaha, Jiang Xiaoqiong must be a fan of Pengran Xīn Dong!!”

Fans rushed in, and countless people flocked to Jiang Xiaoqiong’s Weibo to find the post she mentioned.

In the center of the nine-grid arrangement, a tall and leggy girl sat on the armrest of the couch. She wore beige sneakers on the carpet, her legs spread apart in jeans. A black-haired girl sat between her legs, holding a phone.

The photo was taken from a diagonal angle, capturing someone tightly holding onto their sister’s arm, clearly visible in the picture.

They were close, really close, with bright and gentle eyes.

Fans of Pengran Xin Dong fainted, and there was no saving them. They refused to be rescued.

Sweet!

So sweet!

Could they please continue being this sweet and make their relationship public?

Cui Qi looked at the photo, her face turning dark. She clenched her fist, wondering whether to deal with Xu Pearl first or with Dog Woof Woof. Just then, Xu Menglan approached with a glass of wine.

“Come on, Sister Cui, let’s have a drink.” Xu Menglan, who was older in age, smiled as she poured wine for Cui Qi. Cui Qi quickly stood up and grabbed the bottle, saying, “I’ll pour it myself, President Xu.”

“Sister Cui is what the kids call you, you can call me Cui Qi,” Cui Qi said with a smile.

“Hey, no need to be formal. I think ‘Sister Cui’ rolls off the tongue.” Xu Menglan burst into laughter.

Xu Junran whispered, “Clearly trying to appear younger.”

“Smack!”

Xu Junran held his head and moved to sit silently next to Xu Jiamu.

“Here, have a drink. You’ve worked hard this year. I toast to you,” Xu Menglan put her arm around Cui Qi’s shoulder. Two mature women chatted and laughed, saving Pearl and Dog Woof Woof from a catastrophe.

The group of people played until 9 PM. Xu Jiamu left earlier to attend to work matters, taking Xu Junran, who had simply come to give Xu Heran a gift, away with her. Tonight, Xu Heran would be staying at the hotel with her mother. She waved goodbye reluctantly, sending them off.

“It’s a bit awkward to disturb you all,” Xu Menglan pretended.

“You have that awareness, and I’m happy about it,” Xu Heran’s tone was calm.

Mother and daughter exchanged a glance, and Xu Menglan raised her hand.

“Mom, let me take you upstairs. How much have you had to drink?” Xu Heran said cheerfully.

“Hmph, I’m dealing with jet lag. I need to sleep early tonight, won’t disturb you,” Xu Menglan said, the scents of perfume and red wine mingling. Xu Heran embraced her mother’s arm, smiling and agreeing.

The night was deep, and looking out from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor, the entire city lay before them.

Several gift boxes were placed in the bedroom, gifts from the Xu Family. Gifts from Xu Heran’s friends were in her forest villa’s room; she planned to open them after the college entrance exams.

Good things should be saved for later~

Xu Menglan spent two days in Haicheng. Xu Heran accompanied her around, but because both of them were quite eye-catching due to their identities and appearances, they didn’t visit the famous tourist spots. Xu Heran didn’t know what her mother was thinking, but she dragged her to wake up at 3 AM to climb a mountain and watch the sunrise.

There was a Marriage Shrine at the mountaintop, said to be very efficacious. Xu Menglan had Xu Heran ask for a red thread and wore it on her hand.

Xu Heran: “…”

However, was this the purpose for enduring the pain after climbing the mountain, enduring here and there?

“Keep it up, sweetheart!” Before leaving, Xu Menglan tightly hugged Xu Heran and instructed, “Next Chinese New Year, you don’t need to come back if you can’t bring someone back.”

“…Mom!” Xu Heran blushed and hurriedly saw off her elderly mother.

Carrying the love of her family, Xu Heran returned to the forest villa. Upon her return, she was warmly welcomed by everyone.

“I bought things for you all!” Xu Pearl exclaimed loudly.

“Hush, hush!” Jiang Xiaoqiong respectfully took the bag of fried chicken from Xu Heran’s hand, pressing her index finger to her lips. “Can’t you shout about something like this?”

Xu Heran placed the meals ordered by everyone on the living room table. The drawback of the secluded location was that it took a long time for the delivery to arrive, and an assistant or an AI butler had to go to the forest entrance to collect it. Everyone found it troublesome, so they usually had someone order in the group chat.

“Where’s Nuo Nuo?” Xu Heran hadn’t seen Xin Nuo. Xin Nuo hadn’t appeared in the group chat for a while.

“Don’t you know? Xin Nuo is out promoting,” Jiang Xiaoqiong’s expression changed as she received her food. She sat on the couch and mocked Little Pearl. “Some people simply don’t care about Xin Nuo. They don’t even know her movie is about to be released. Tsk tsk tsk, fake feelings. I’m going to complain to Nuo Nuo!”

“I know Nuo Nuo’s movie is coming out, but she didn’t mention going out for promotion!” Xu Heran didn’t understand. “Isn’t Nuo Nuo a supporting character with limited screen time? Does she need to go out for promotion?”

“It’s at Director Li’s request.” Jian Yueyin turned her own sushi and smiled. ” 《Rustling in the Wind》 is releasing simultaneously with Emperor Mu’s movie. Director Li has some unfulfilled dreams… he definitely wants to make a point.”

“Nuo Nuo’s popularity, though!” Laurel gave a thumbs-up.

Xu Heran immediately said, “Then let’s repost the movie promotion later!”

“Sister Cui already told us.” Song Fenghua took the milk tea from Jian Yueyin’s hand, shook it lightly in her hand, and whispered, “We’ve already reposted.”

Xu Heran immediately showed an expression of “What? How come I didn’t know?”

“Are you guys secretly chatting without me?” Xu Heran immediately recalled the joke Jiang Qiong had sent her, about a dormitory with six girls and seven groups.

“Sister Cui told us, and didn’t your Weibo get its password changed along with Jiang Qiong’s by Sister Cui?” Haya said, clinking glasses with Song Fenghua.

Jiang Qiong protested, “I accidentally posted an intimate photo! On her birthday, Xu Heran was still on Weibo saying she deserved to be locked by Nuo Nuo and everyone else for liking Nuo Nuo, but why was I locked?”

“Hey, let’s battle!” Xu Heran, feeling guilty, challenged Dog Woof Woof to a showdown.

Jiang Qiong immediately slumped on the couch. “Wait until I finish eating.”

“Ning Ning is out too?”

“Captain Ning Ning is promoting FYU’s new album,” Haya immediately said. “Our October album is also in preparation. In preparation for next year’s concert tour, we’re going to release three more albums.”

These were things Sister Cui had discussed with everyone during the past two days’ meetings. Haya conveyed them to Xu Heran on behalf of Sister Cui, and Little Pearl gave an “ok.”

Jiang Qiong’s eyes shifted and she said cheerfully, “Did you open the gift we gave you? Go quickly!”

“I feel like you’re up to no good.” Xu Heran muttered and headed upstairs.

On the carpet in her room were all sorts of boxes.

The gifts from everyone were heartfelt, and Xu Heran lacked nothing, so her friends were quite creative.

Haya gifted her a lifetime membership to the equestrian club, Laurel gave her a deluxe gift box of fat sea cucumbers—Xu Heran was amazed that fat sea cucumbers even came in gift boxes! Inside the box, each type of fat sea cucumber was from a different location. Jian Yueyin gifted her 《New Techniques in Freshwater Pearl Cultivation》 Song Fenghua gave her a thick notebook with “Study Hard for Finals” handwritten on the cover. While muttering that Little Fenghua was leading her astray, Xu Heran opened Jiang Qiong’s gift box.

The box was thin and light. Xu Heran had strong hands and didn’t pay attention while tearing it open, causing the colorful box to scatter all over the floor.

“What’s this?” The girl picked up the promotional page from the floor in confusion.

Continuous friction, irresistible temptation.

Close fitting, ultra-thin comfort.

Moisturizing care, preventing scratches①.

—Finger cots for women’s intimate use.

“What!!!“

The young Little Pearl couldn’t handle this stimulation, and she suddenly pounced on the floor, covering the colorful boxes on the ground.

“Jiang Qiong!”

“Hahaha!” Jiang Qiong, who had intentionally eavesdropped at the door, burst into villainous laughter. While laughing, she knocked on Xu Heran’s door. “Look, even your fans are saying you’re not up to par. I won’t allow them to say that about you! I’m going to turn you into a super capable Little Pearl!”

“Take it and use it first, and I’ll send you the liquid next year~”

“Get out!!” Xu Heran shouted with a red face.

Jiang Qiong immediately cupped her hands by her mouth, “Xu Heran, tell me loudly, are you up to it or not?”

“You’re in big trouble!” Xu Heran roared.

“Getting angry out of embarrassment!”

Jiang Qiong ran away while tumbling and crawling.

Xu Heran covered her face, took a deep breath, sat up straight, and three minutes later, she reached out, picked up a box, and examined it for a minute.

“Tch, who can’t handle it. You just wait for me.” Little Pearl’s voice was low, “Don’t let me catch you falling in love!”

The bright red Little Pearl put away the box and hid it in a hidden cabinet.

She tidied up the floor, grouped the boxes together, and waited until all her work was done before she reached out and took a gift wrapped in blue and purple paper and placed it in front of her.

Little Pearl touched her phone and took ten consecutive shots.

She carefully unwrapped the packaging, taking ten consecutive shots.

Finally, she cautiously opened the lid.

A leaf specimen sealed in transparent plastic lay quietly in the box.

“When I was four years old, the kindergarten teacher led us in making specimens. I never thought that after so many years, it’s still here. I’m gifting it to you, hoping it can accompany you for many days.”

Xu Heran happily lifted the leaf specimen, each vein of the leaf so distinct within the clean plastic casing.

“It’s really beautiful,” Xu Heran whispered, “Nuo Nuo is really talented.”

“Even four-year-old Nuo Nuo was so talented!”

The air conditioning breeze blew gently, the room temperature was comfortable, and Little Pearl’s blue-purple eyes squinted happily.

Xu Heran lowered her head and suddenly noticed that beneath the specimen, amidst the colorful ribbons and sequins adorning the decorative gift boxes, there was a white card hidden. Little Pearl was momentarily stunned, then quickly reached out and pulled out the card.

Her gaze fell directly on the card.

“I’ve seen how the wind visits the sky,

And I’ve witnessed how the waves cling to the beach.

I like the wind, I like the sea, but what I like even more

is having you by my side when I smile.

Little Pearl, Happy Seventeenth Birthday.”

Xu Heran sat on the bed, her bright eyes like ignited flames, fireworks blooming, setting midsummer ablaze.

The soft shade of pink gradually tinged her skin, secretly harboring a girl’s thoughts. Some people clutched the bedsheet tightly beneath them, reading the words on the paper over and over, finally licking their lips gently as their hearts thumped.

Xu Heran’s slender fingertips held the snow-white card, gently pressing it to her lips. She carefully placed the card back into the box. Suddenly, she noticed there was another line of text on the back of the card.

The font was clear and beautiful, just like the little poem on the front, clearly written by the same person’s hand.

“Xu Heran,”

“I’ll be waiting for you when you turn eighteen.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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