Birthday Banquet

Jiang Xizhi sat on the sofa, listless, looking at her phone from time to time, lost in thought.

If it were the old Jiang Xizhi, she would definitely be lively and active.

As more and more people arrived at the villa, Zhong Yumeng also came, bringing a gift.

Seeing Jiang Xizhi sitting on the side, she made a special trip to go over there.

“Happy birthday. My parents are both away on business, so I came by myself. This is the birthday gift I prepared for you.”

Jiang Xizhi got up and took the gift from Zhong Yumeng. “Thank you.”

Jiang Xizhi said, unable to help but size up Zhong Yumeng’s makeup today.

Zhong Yumeng already had good skin, so the makeup artist had applied a very light makeup, which further enhanced Zhong Yumeng’s complexion.

Her dress today was black, which looked high-end and dignified.

Coupled with Zhong Yumeng’s face, everyone who saw her would have to say that Zhong Yumeng was a well-deserved school beauty.

Jiang Xizhi pursed her lips, feeling even more sour in her heart. She felt that Zhou Yining just liked to hang out with beautiful girls.

Zhong Yumeng was so stared at by Jiang Xizhi that she felt scared.

Thinking of Jiang Xizhi and Zhou Yining’s affairs, Zhong Yumeng felt that she should leave first, so as not to draw the flames of war to herself.

“I have something to do. I’m going to go find Zhang Ye over there,” Zhong Yumeng said, giving Jiang Xizhi a polite smile before quickly slipping away.

Zhang Ye and several other wealthy second-generation people were chatting when they saw Zhong Yumeng coming.

He asked, “Did you give Jiang Xizhi a gift?”

Zhong Yumeng nodded. “Yes, I already gave it to her.”

Zhang Ye pursed his lips and asked, “Don’t you think Jiang Xizhi is acting strange today?”

“Nonsense, I’m not blind. Why else would I run away so quickly?” Zhong Yumeng was never polite to Zhang Ye.

“I actually wanted to say more than that.” Zhang Ye pulled Zhong Yumeng aside and continued, “Don’t you think Jiang Xizhi seems much colder to me?”

Zhong Yumeng nodded.

“Yes, I do. So what? Isn’t that what you wanted? Didn’t you always complain that she was always bothering you, making you very annoyed?”

Zhang Ye scratched his head embarrassedly.

“I’m just not used to it. Besides, she’s quite good-looking.”

Zhong Yumeng curled her lips and shook her head.

“Men are really cheap. When people paid attention to you, you couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to them. Now that people don’t want to pay attention to you, you’re rushing to get closer.”

“Tsk, can you not be so venomous?”

“I’m just telling the truth,” Zhong Yumeng said, giving him a pure smile.

Zhang Ye rolled his eyes.

This childhood friend of his was a school beauty in front of people, but very cunning behind the scenes.

At half past seven, almost everyone had arrived, and the host who was going to host the birthday party had also arrived.

“Everyone is here, and our birthday party will officially begin…”

The host was still talking eloquently, but Jiang Xizhi couldn’t smile no matter what.

She was like a puppet, standing next to the host and cooperating with what the host said and did.

The servants pushed the multi-tiered cake trolley over, and Jiang Xizhi reluctantly cut the first slice of cake, after which the servants cut the remaining cake.

Jiang Xizhi looked at her phone again, but there was still no response. Zhou Yining had not sent her any more messages.

Jiang Xizhi pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red. She walked to Jiang Yueyi’s side and said in a low voice,

“Sis, I’m feeling a little unwell. I’m going to go upstairs first. Let everyone have fun.”

“Zhizhi, where do you feel uncomfortable? Should I call a doctor for you?” Jiang Yueyi asked.

Jiang Xizhi shook her head and pointed to her heart. “It’s nothing, just feeling uncomfortable inside. You help me entertain everyone.”

After speaking, Jiang Xizhi went upstairs.

Seeing her sister’s listless appearance, Jiang Yueyi felt very sorry for her.

It had been two days already. Could she really be jealous of her friend for so long?

Jiang Yueyi thought about it and decided to go find Zhong Yumeng.

“Yumeng, can I bother you for a moment? Do you have Zhou Yining’s contact information?” Jiang Yueyi asked politely.

Zhong Yumeng nodded. “Yes, President Jiang. I’ll send it to you.”

Zhong Yumeng had Jiang Yueyi’s contact information, but they had never spoken before.

They usually just sent group messages of blessings during the holidays.

Zhong Yumeng found Jiang Yueyi’s WeChat account and sent Zhou Yining’s ID over, also sending Jiang Yueyi Zhou Yining’s phone number.

“Thank you. Then you can continue chatting. I have something to deal with, so I’ll go and do my work.”

Jiang Yueyi gave Zhong Yumeng and Zhang Ye a polite smile and then quickly left.

Zhang Ye looked at Zhong Yumeng in confusion. “Wait, how are you so familiar with Zhou Yining?”

“So what? Is that not allowed?” Zhong Yumeng was too lazy to pay attention to Zhang Ye and went to the long table to find dessert to eat.

Jiang Yueyi thought about it and decided that she should give Zhou Yining a call.

It had been two days already, and her sister was still unhappy. It wouldn’t do to continue like this.

Jiang Yueyi saved Zhou Yining’s phone number and then called Zhou Yining.

Zhou Yining was still writing at the internet café.

She hadn’t had dinner yet and had bought instant noodles, which she ate while writing.

Hearing the phone ring, Zhou Yining frowned. It was a strange number.

But she still answered it. “Hello, who is this?”

“Is this Zhou Yining? I’m Zhizhi’s sister,” Jiang Yueyi said.

“Oh, President Jiang, what’s the matter?” Zhou Yining asked tentatively.

“Well, I heard that you two had a fight. Zhizhi hasn’t had much energy these past two days. She didn’t enjoy her birthday party today and went back to her room early.

If you’re not busy, can you come over? If there’s a misunderstanding between friends, it’s best to clear things up.” Jiang Yueyi said euphemistically.

“Can I come over? I’m just afraid that if I go, she’ll be even angrier,” Zhou Yining said hesitantly.

“She definitely wants to see you. Zhizhi doesn’t have a good temper. Can you coax her?”

“Of course, but the problem is, can I coax her?” Zhou Yining really questioned herself, because Zhizhi had said that she didn’t want her to come over.

“Then try your best. My family and I really can’t do anything, so I’m asking you to help us, okay?” Jiang Yueyi continued.

“Then I’ll try?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Okay, then I’ll come over later.”

After Zhou Yining hung up the phone, she saved the manuscript she had just written and then left the internet café.

She didn’t rush to go to Jiang Xizhi’s house but took a taxi back to her own home.

It was already past eight o’clock. After Zhou Yining returned, she took the little fox gift box she had prepared earlier from her bed and was about to leave.

Zhao Xiuna saw that she was going out and asked, “You haven’t been home all day. It’s almost nine o’clock. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to a classmate’s birthday party. Don’t worry, it’s a girl. She and I are on good terms,” Zhou Yining explained, anxious to leave.

“But it’s already eight o’clock. What time will you be back?” Zhao Xiuna asked again.

“I don’t know. Anyway, it won’t be dangerous. She’s my classmate from school. I don’t have time. I’m leaving first.”

With that, Zhou Yining trotted out.

Zhou Jiaming, while playing on his phone, muttered, “She’s definitely going to a male classmate’s birthday party. Mom, she’s definitely having a puppy love.”

“Okay, say less,” Zhao Xiuna said. When her daughter was obedient before, she could still manage her, but the problem now was that her daughter didn’t listen to her at all.

Even if she wanted to manage her, she couldn’t, which would only make her angrier.

Zhou Jiaming pouted and continued to play his game.

After Zhou Yining came out, she went to a nearby large cake shop.

She thought about buying a cake and celebrating Jiang Xizhi’s birthday with her.

Because Zhou Yining wanted it urgently and even customized the design herself, an 8-inch cake cost 200 yuan. Zhou Yining only had 400 yuan left, but she still paid the money, gritting her teeth.

She waited for the cake for nearly forty minutes, so it was already nine thirty when she arrived at Jiang Xizhi’s villa.

The birthday party had already ended at nine o’clock. Zhou Yining walked into the Jiang family’s villa, carrying the cake in one hand and the gift box in the other.

The servants were still cleaning up the venue, but Jiang Shengde and Liang Jing were still there.

Seeing Zhou Yining arrive, Jiang Yueyi’s eyes lit up and she introduced, “This is Zhizhi’s newly acquainted good friend Zhou Yining. These are my parents.”

Zhou Yining smiled at them and greeted them politely. “Hello, Uncle and Auntie. I’m sorry for disturbing you so late.”

“No disturbance, no disturbance. Go find Zhizhi quickly,” Liang Jing said with a smile.

“Okay, then I’ll go upstairs first.” Zhou Yining smiled politely at the three of them before walking upstairs.

When she reached the door of Jiang Xizhi’s room, Zhou Yining knocked on the door with the hand holding the little fox.

After a while, she heard a reply from inside, “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I just want to be alone for a while.”

The voice was muffled, and Zhou Yining felt sorry for her.

She reached out and tentatively turned the doorknob. The door opened.

Zhou Yining walked in cautiously and saw that Jiang Xizhi was wearing pajamas and lying on the bed.

Her phone was placed not far away, and she was staring at her phone in a daze.

Zhou Yining cautiously called out, “Zhizhi?”

Jiang Xizhi immediately jumped up from the bed.

Her eyes looked at Zhou Yining at the door, and the corners of her lips subconsciously curved upward.

But as if she thought of something, Jiang Xizhi pursed her lips and suppressed her smile.

“What are you doing here?”

Zhou Yining smiled at her and lifted the things in her hand. “I’m here to celebrate my little birthday star’s birthday.”

Hearing her say that, Jiang Xizhi’s eyes turned even redder.

Zhou Yining was just using sweet words.

Maybe she was also coaxing other girls with the same words.

“I don’t want you to accompany me. Go away. Who let you in?” Jiang Xizhi said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Zhou Yining quickly put down the things in her hand.

She tentatively took a few steps forward and said softly, “I’m here to apologize to you. Don’t be angry with me, okay? It’s your birthday today, but I made you unhappy.”

Two drops of tears fell from Jiang Xizhi’s eyes.

She said stubbornly, “Who said I’m unhappy? I’m happier without you.”

As she spoke, Jiang Xizhi sniffed aggrievedly.

Anyone who saw her would not think that she was happy.

Zhou Yining thought she was so cute, but also felt very sorry for her, because this matter was ultimately caused by her.