Chapter 36: Surprise

Early on Friday morning, Xie Xiaobao got up.  

He tidied up a bit, then put on an apron and busied himself with making a cake.  

He had made cakes before, so his movements were fairly practiced.

He quickly prepared the cake batter and put it into the oven to bake, then started preparing the fruit filling and the cream for decoration.  

One can of canned yellow peaches and one can of canned mangoes—he carefully cut them into small pieces and set them aside.  

The canned fruit was his usual favorite brand.

After cutting them into small chunks and piling them into a clear glass bowl, they looked especially tempting.

Xie Xiaobao couldn’t resist eating two pieces; the sweet fruity flavor spread in his mouth, and he smacked his lips before starting to whip the cream.  

Once all the ingredients were ready and the cake base was baked, he put on gloves, took the cake out, and let it cool.  

Then Xie Xiaobao cut the cake into three layers, carefully spreading cream and fruit pieces between each layer.

The white cream oozed out a bit, and Xie Xiaobao sniffed, happily smoothing the cream flat before starting the piping work.  

Piping decorations was a skillful task.

Spinning the cake on the turntable, Xie Xiaobao thought for a moment and piped a small cat lying in the center of the cake.  

The cat was pure white.

Xie Xiaobao then used yellow jam to create fur patterns and tiny chocolate balls for the cat’s eyes.

Finally, he placed a chocolate plaque with the words “Happy Birthday” written on it under the cat’s paw.  

“It should be okay…” Xie Xiaobao looked the cake over, took off his gloves, snapped a few photos, and carefully packed the cake away.  

With the cake and gift both ready, Xie Xiaobao wiped his face happily.

Seeing that it was still early, he put the cake in the fridge and went to make breakfast.  

Usually, Ayi prepared breakfast, but since Xie Xiaobao got up early and Ayi hadn’t arrived yet, he decided to do it himself.  

There were some dumplings Ayi had wrapped in the fridge, so Xie Xiaobao poured oil into the pan and fried the dumplings.

He also washed some rice to cook porridge.

Since the dumplings cooked quickly, Xie Xiaobao checked the porridge, which still needed some time, and went to call Xie Yan to eat.  

As soon as Xie Yan opened the door, he met Xie Xiaobao raising his hand to knock.  

“Good morning, big brother.” Xie Xiaobao’s eyes curved into crescents, smiling with two dimples showing.

“Breakfast is ready.”  

Xie Yan saw flour stuck to Xiaobao’s forehead and cheeks and frowned slightly as he wiped it off for him.

“Wash your face clean first.”  

Xie Xiaobao instinctively touched his face, only to smear the flour more, making half his cheek white.  

Xie Yan couldn’t help but chuckle, patting his forehead gently.

His tone softened a bit, “Still like a little Cat Cub.”  

Xie Xiaobao muttered in protest, “I didn’t mean to, you eat first, I’ll go wash up.”  

Xie Yan nodded, and Xiaobao hurried off to wash his face.  

Once they both finished cleaning up, they sat down to eat breakfast.  

Xie Yan sat straight-backed and ate slowly and methodically, while Xie Xiaobao ate with gusto, gulping down the fried dumplings.

Halfway through, he ran to the kitchen to scoop some porridge.

Xie Yan had only one small bowl, but Xie Xiaobao was slurping his down quickly.  

Finishing in no time, Xie Xiaobao secretly let out a satisfied burp, then looked at Xie Yan with an expression that said he wanted to say something but held back.  

Xie Yan put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.

“If you want to go out, just go. Remember to come back early.”  

“Got it!” Xie Xiaobao sprang up, running toward his room.

“Next time, I’ll wash the dishes.”  

Back in his room, he changed clothes, grabbed the gift and cake box, and hurried downstairs to catch a taxi.  

He had already reserved a private room at a Sichuan Private Kitchen restaurant early that morning.  

The private kitchen had an exceptional atmosphere, with each room designed around a different theme.

Business was so good they only accepted reservations.  

Since it was He Yu’s birthday, he specifically booked this place.

He had been here several times before and remembered one room themed “Ten Thousand Lights,” where the ceiling was covered with various lanterns that glowed beautifully at night, creating a dreamlike ambiance.  

Xie Xiaobao arrived early, put the cake away safely, then messaged He Yu, telling him to come over after work and sending the restaurant’s location.  

He Yu was still at the company.

Seeing Xie Xiaobao so proactive made him smile a little.

[*Alright, I’ll come around five. Should I pick you up on the way?*]  

Xie Xiaobao shrank his neck, unwilling to be picked up, and made up an excuse:  

[*You go ahead. I need to bring the cake and will come a little later. The reservation is under my name, just tell them that.*]  

Since he said so, He Yu had no choice but to agree.

Xie Xiaobao still had other preparations, so after chatting a bit more, he said he had things to do and would talk later, then pocketed his phone and went to find the Boss.  

Xie Xiaobao was a regular at this restaurant and was fairly familiar with the Boss, who was a northerner and an expert at noodles.

But lately, the Boss rarely cooked himself.

Xie Xiaobao wanted to ask him to prepare a bowl of longevity noodles specially for He Yu’s birthday.  

The Boss was a man in his forties.

After bargaining for a while, Xie Xiaobao finally convinced him to make the longevity noodles that afternoon.  

Xie Xiaobao happily returned.  

Playing on his phone, he waited until five o’clock, then called He Yu to confirm he was on his way.

After that, he informed the waiter to start preparing the dishes and slipped into the private room.  

The Sichuan Private Kitchen was located in the suburbs, the whole building styled in an antique, classical way.

There was also a sizable artificial lake in the courtyard.  

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the private room faced the shimmering lake surface.

Five o’clock was still early, and the orange-red sunset hung partly at the horizon, reflected faintly in the water, as if reluctant to set.  

Xie Xiaobao lowered the bamboo blinds, turned on the lights in the room, and various lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting soft shadows in the dim space.  

He placed the cake in the center of the table, nervously clutching a lighter as he awaited the front desk’s notification.  

When he received the message that He Yu had arrived, Xie Xiaobao carefully lit the candles and crouched behind the table to hide.  

He Yu followed the waiter to the door of the private room.

The waitress in a qipao bowed slightly.

“Mr. Xie’s reserved room is right here.”  

He Yu nodded, raised his hand, and pushed the door open.  

The room was a bit dark, surrounded by hazy lighting.

He Yu squinted in adjustment, his gaze landing on the cake in the middle of the table.  

A round cream cake had a small orange cat lying on top, with a candle inserted on its head.

The warm yellow flame burned quietly—not very bright, but it warmed He Yu’s heart deeply.  

“Xiaobao?” A smile curved He Yu’s lips as his eyes scanned the room, his voice gently calling out Xie Xiaobao’s name.  

The boy behind the table suddenly stood up and shouted loudly, “Happy Birthday!”  

He Yu casually closed the door and slowly stepped forward.

Under the light, Xie Xiaobao’s face was a little blurred, but his smiling eyes were incredibly bright.  

“Thank you.”  

He Yu reached out and ruffled his hair, speaking softly, “I’m really surprised.”  

Xie Xiaobao grinned foolishly and said, “You blow out the candles first, there’s more to come later.”  

He Yu blew out the candle flame in one breath.

Xie Xiaobao moved the cake aside and pressed the call button on the table for the waiter.  

Upon hearing the call, the waiter came in carrying the prepared longevity noodles.

The golden noodles were coiled neatly in layers, topped with a soft-boiled egg with a sweet yolk.  

Xie Xiaobao turned on the main lights and pulled He Yu to sit down.

“Eat the longevity noodles first. You have to finish them in one bite.”  

He Yu picked up his chopsticks, slid the egg to the side, then grabbed one end of the noodles and slowly slurped the entire length.  

Longevity noodles were made in one unbroken strand that had to be eaten in a single bite.

So the serving wasn’t large.

Under Xie Xiaobao’s watchful gaze, He Yu finished the noodles, then ate the egg, wiped his mouth, and smiled, “All done.”  

Xie Xiaobao nodded with satisfaction, looking very much the host, and told the waiter to start bringing the other dishes.

The cake was temporarily cleared away to be served after the meal.  

The waiter placed the dishes one after another.

Each time a new dish arrived, Xie Xiaobao’s eyes sparkled as he introduced it to He Yu.

It was clear he was very pleased with the food.  

After all the dishes were served, the waiter left, leaving the two alone.  

Xie Xiaobao poured wine and raised his glass to He Yu, “Happy Birthday. Wishing you many more celebrations like today.”  

“Thank you.”  

He Yu clinked glasses with him.

The cold wine slid down his throat but somehow warmed his heart.  

Xie Xiaobao’s eyes curved into a smile as he rummaged through his backpack, took out the gift, and pushed it toward He Yu.

“Here, this is your birthday present. I made it myself. It’s a little rough, so don’t mind it.”  

“There have been so many surprises today.”  

He Yu couldn’t hold back the smile spreading from the corners of his eyes to his brows.  

“Open it quickly.” Xie Xiaobao urged.  

He Yu picked up the black box, untied the ribbon, and opened the lid.  

Inside, on wine-red velvet lining, lay a string of beads with a smooth, warm luster.  

He Yu lifted the beads.

The wooden beads felt smooth and polished, with a faint, fresh fragrance.

Seeing Xie Xiaobao’s expectant expression, He Yu put the bracelet on and showed it to him.

“It looks great. I really like it.”