18th Birthday

The morning interview ended quickly.

Zhou Yining went out to pick a birthday gift for Jiang Xizhi.

She chose a string of gold beads and then picked out a little golden fox charm as the centerpiece.

The jewelry store helped her thread it for free, and just that bracelet alone cost more than twenty thousand.

But with the city and district awards she’d received, Zhou Yining wasn’t strapped for cash.

Since it felt right at first glance, she simply bought it without hesitation.

She didn’t get back until noon, just in time for lunch.

At the villa, the servants were already busy preparing for Jiang Xizhi’s birthday banquet.

Her birthday was tomorrow.

When Jiang Xizhi saw her return, she hurried over.

“Zhou Zhou, you’re back? How did it go?”

“All settled. The process is finished, now it’s just waiting to fill in the volunteer forms.

But first, of course, I have to accompany our young lady through her eighteenth birthday.”

Zhou Yining winked at her as she spoke.

The tips of Jiang Xizhi’s ears flushed.

Zhou Yining hadn’t said anything explicit, yet she still felt shy, as if Zhou Zhou’s words carried another meaning.

“You’d better mean it in the simple sense—just celebrating my birthday,” Jiang Xizhi said with a red face.

Zhou Yining laughed.

“Of course. What else do you think I’d do?”

“You did that on purpose! I’m not talking to you.”

Jiang Xizhi huffed, wriggled out of her arms, and went to the dining room to wait for the meal.

Zhou Yining followed, not daring to tease the little fox further for fear she’d really blow up.

After lunch, Zhou Yining went to shower.

She didn’t plan on going out in the afternoon or evening.

With nothing pressing to do, she decided to finally catch up on sleep.

Jiang Xizhi nestled into her arms, playing on her phone.

The next morning, Zhao Xiuna and Shining Media both received lawyer’s letters from Zhou Yining’s side.

Shining Media tried to settle the matter with direct compensation, but Zhou Yining refused.

Zhao Xiuna was utterly distraught.

Zhou Yuanfei still hadn’t come back.

Zhou Jiaming locked himself in his room, refusing to go to school.

And Zhao Xiuna just sat in the living room crying, convinced the sky had fallen.

After sobbing for a while, as if she had made up her mind, she dialed Zhou Yining’s number—only to hear that the phone was switched off.

Listening to the busy tone, Zhao Xiuna broke down in tears again.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yining slept straight through until after nine.

After the grueling third year of high school, waking up naturally felt like the height of luxury.

Opening her eyes, she found the young lady still nestled in her arms, fast asleep.

Zhou Yining’s brows curved with amusement.

She leaned closer to watch Jiang Xizhi’s sleeping face.

Her little fox was getting cuter by the day, and Zhou Yining felt she was almost at her limit.

Fortunately, the girl would be eighteen tomorrow.

When Jiang Xizhi woke, she found Zhou Yining staring at her.

Her face immediately turned red, and she ducked into Zhou Yining’s embrace.

“What are you staring at me for this early?”

“Can’t I look at my girlfriend?”

Zhou Yining pulled her closer, pressing her nose into the crook of Jiang Xizhi’s neck.

The girl always carried a sweet scent—not perfume, not soap, but something innately hers.

Just one inhale against her waist was enough to make Jiang Xizhi go soft, melting in her arms.

Afraid of losing control, Zhou Yining held back.

She’d endured this long; one or two more days wouldn’t kill her.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing. It’s past nine, time to get up.”

Zhou Yining released her, stretching lazily.

Freed, Jiang Xizhi blinked slyly, then looped her arms around Zhou Yining’s neck.

“Zhou Zhou, I missed you.”

Her voice was so soft and sweet it scratched at Zhou Yining’s heart like a kitten’s paw.

Zhou Yining gently pushed her away.

“Be good. Time to get up for real.”

“No. I want you to hold me.”

Jiang Xizhi clung tighter, rubbing against her on purpose.

Her playful movements made Zhou Yining’s breathing unsteady.

Looking down at the mischievous little fox, her gaze darkened.

“Zhizhi, let me remind you.

After tonight, when the clock strikes twelve, you’ll officially be eighteen.”

Jiang Xizhi pretended not to get it.

“So what? Eighteen is eighteen.”

Zhou Yining’s lips curved.

“Fine. You said it yourself. Don’t cry about it later.”

“Hmph, I won’t,” Jiang Xizhi declared with great confidence.

“You’d better not.”

Zhou Yining pressed a steadying hand to her waist, because otherwise she really might lose her restraint.

Summer nightgowns were thin, and with her squirming around, it was impossible not to feel it.

Zhou Yining’s eyes grew even darker.

She pushed the young lady aside and escaped to wash up.

Jiang Xizhi arched her brows and muttered,

“Coward. Didn’t even dare kiss me.”

Grumbling and rolling around on the bed, she finally got up.

By the time they finished breakfast it was nearly ten, so they simply combined it with lunch.

At noon, the two went up to the home theater.

They picked a movie, munched on popcorn, and watched together.

But halfway through, Jiang Xizhi fell asleep in Zhou Yining’s arms.

Zhou Yining settled her gently on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and then finished the film alone.

By afternoon, the villa staff were even busier.

Jiang Xizhi’s gown for tomorrow night’s banquet was ready, and Zhou Yining’s had also been prepared.

Looking at the two black dresses, Liang Jing was especially pleased.

“Yining, Zhizhi, try them on for me.”

Zhou Yining pointed to herself.

“I have one too?”

Liang Jing smiled.

“Of course. You’re part of the family now.

Whatever Zhizhi has, you have as well.”

She knew how much her daughter adored Zhou Yining.

As her parents, they naturally had to treat Zhou Yining kindly too.

After this period of living together, Liang Jing was sure Zhou Yining was a good kid.

If they kept showing her warmth, the chances of her and Zhizhi ever breaking up were slim.

In fact, it felt like raising three daughters instead of two.

The girls obediently tried on their gowns.

Liang Jing was satisfied.

“Perfect, no need for alterations. Tomorrow the makeup artist will come early to do both of you.”

High society placed great weight on these banquets.

Last time, because of a fight with Zhou Yining, Zhizhi had sulked through hers and cried instead of socializing.

This year would be different—her Zhou Zhou would be right there beside her.

Liang Jing had already arranged for a cake, planning to celebrate at midnight.

Jiang Shengde rushed back on the last flight of the night.

He never missed a family member’s birthday.

At midnight, the whole dining room rang out in unison:

“Happy birthday!”

Zhou Yining lit the candles and the lights were turned off.

Everyone gathered to sing the birthday song.

When the song ended, Liang Jing smiled.

“Zhizhi, happy eighteenth. Make a wish.”

Jiang Xizhi nodded, her eyes curving as she looked around at her family.

Finally her gaze landed on Zhou Yining, her ears tinged pink.

She pressed her hands together, shut her eyes tightly, and made her wish.

After a moment, she opened them again.

“Done.”

“Then let’s blow the candles together,” Jiang Shengde said.

At his words, everyone leaned in to blow.

Jiang Yueyi hurried to switch the lights back on.

Zhou Yining leaned closer, whispering,

“What did you wish for?”

Jiang Xizhi’s ears turned red.

She glanced at Zhou Yining, her eyes sparkling like stars.

“Not telling you. Or it won’t come true.”

“Alright. I’ll listen to my Zhizhi,” Zhou Yining said softly.

Jiang Xizhi’s smile curved bright and sweet.

She had made three wishes:

That her family stay healthy and safe.

That her Zhou Zhou’s future path be smooth.

And that the two of them could always, always stay together.