Chapter 112: Call Them Over to Join Us.

Xia Ran pushed a serving cart and stood at the corner of the hallway, peeking out toward Lin Mowei’s room.

A cake sat on the cart, covered by a transparent glass dome. It wasn’t large, with a simple design—smooth white frosting, a border of pale pink piped flowers around the edge, and “Happy Birthday” written in chocolate sauce in the center.

She had spent the afternoon with Lin Yu at the resort’s Smart Pastry Workshop, browsing the Recipe Terminal for a long time before finally handing it over to the Robot Chef to make.

“Taste Simulation Rating: A grade. Guaranteed flavor.”

In short, it tasted good but didn’t look great.

Xia Ran looked down at the cake, feeling both excited and nervous.

This was the first time she had truly participated in the birthday celebration Lin Yu was preparing for Lin Mowei.

She wanted to make Elder Sister Lin happy. She also wanted to… blend in more naturally between them.

Five minutes.

That was the time she had agreed on with Lin Yu.

If Lin Yu came out within five minutes, it meant Elder Sister Lin was tired today. In that case, she wouldn’t need to go in.

If he didn’t come out by then, it meant everything was going smoothly, and the plan could proceed as expected.

The seconds ticked by, one by one.

Five minutes passed quickly.

At the end of the hallway, the door to Lin Mowei’s room remained tightly shut. No sound came from inside, and Lin Yu hadn’t come out.

Xia Ran’s heartbeat quickened. She bit her lower lip and, as agreed, pushed the cart forward slowly.

The wheels rolled over the soft carpet, making a faint rustling sound.

When she reached the door, she took a deep breath, put on her usual smile, pushed open the unlocked door with one hand while steadying the cart with the other, and spoke in a bright voice:

“Elder Sister Lin, happy birth—”

She never got to finish the word. The sight before her made her smile freeze instantly, her voice catching in her throat.

The room’s lighting was soft. Lin Mowei was holding Lin Yu tightly.

From Xia Ran’s angle, she could see Lin Yu’s slightly stiff back and Lin Mowei’s arms wrapped around her younger brother’s waist.

That embrace… was unlike any of the affectionate gestures she had ever seen between them as siblings.

Time seemed to stretch and freeze in that moment.

Xia Ran’s eyes widened. Her mind went blank for a split second.

She knew—of course she knew—that they were siblings, bound by deep affection and mutual reliance.

But…

Knowing something and seeing it with your own eyes were two different things.

Suddenly, an indescribable surge of bitterness rushed uncontrollably into her heart. It spread quickly, bringing a choked feeling that tightened her throat.

This emotion was mixed with envy and even jealousy, though she might not admit it to herself.

She envied their ability to be so unreservedly intimate. She was jealous of the status that came with being the sister.

Even though Xia Ran had just confessed her feelings to Lin Yu, even though they shared the bond of childhood sweethearts, she would never dare to be so bold.

The sound of the door opening and Xia Ran’s abruptly cut-off voice finally alerted the two people inside.

Lin Yu flinched. ‘Oh no!’

He had completely forgotten about this!

Instinctively, he tried to break free from his sister’s embrace, his movements panicked but practiced.

Lin Mowei was the first to react.

She immediately suppressed the remaining tears and vulnerability in her eyes, naturally loosened her arms around her brother, and gently patted his back, as if that emotionally charged hug had been nothing more than ordinary comfort.

When she looked at Xia Ran, a gentle and perfectly calibrated smile had already appeared on her face. It was flawless, without a crack.

She looked warmly at Xia Ran, frozen in the doorway, and at the serving cart and cake beside her.

“Xia Ran?” Her tone rose slightly, carrying just the right amount of surprise. “Why did you come? And you brought a cake? Is that for me?”

Xia Ran was stunned by Lin Mowei’s natural attitude. The bitterness and awkwardness still lingered in her chest, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. Her smile was strained and stiff.

“Yeah… Elder Sister Lin, happy birthday. Lin Yu and I… we ordered the cake together this afternoon.”

Her voice was quieter than usual, and her gaze wandered, not quite daring to meet Lin Mowei’s eyes, let alone look at Lin Yu’s expression at that moment.

Lin Yu had turned around completely by then. The lingering embarrassment was still visible on his face.

He scratched his head and gave Xia Ran an apologetic smile.

“Uh, Xia Ran, I forgot to tell you…”

He didn’t know how to explain what had just happened. Should he say that his sister had been overwhelmed with emotion and cried while hugging him?

That would only make things seem stranger.

“Forgot what? Little Yu, you must have been careless again and didn’t set the right time with Xia Ran, right?”

Lin Mowei naturally took over the conversation, her tone carrying the familiar affectionate scolding of an older sister toward her younger brother.

With just a little thought, she understood that those two must have planned a surprise together. But because of her own emotional outburst, her brother had completely forgotten about it.

Hmph. That’s fine.

She walked over and took the serving cart from Xia Ran, who was still a little dazed.

“Thank you, Xia Ran. You even went to the trouble of getting a cake. I’m very happy.” Her smile was bright as she lifted the dome. “Mm, it’s lovely. It smells wonderful too.”

Xia Ran watched Lin Mowei’s calm and composed actions, listened to her peaceful, smiling words, and then compared them to her own petty emotions. Suddenly, she felt a wave of shame.

‘Is it… really just me overthinking things?’

‘Elder Sister Lin is acting so naturally. Maybe that really was just a simple hug, just the way they show affection between siblings.’

‘Here I am making a big deal out of it. It makes me look small-minded and petty.’

She tried to push down the awkwardness in her heart and forced out a smile. “I’m glad you like it, Elder Sister Lin.”

Lin Mowei pushed the cart over to the small round table in the center of the room. She glanced at her brother, then at Xia Ran, who clearly hadn’t fully relaxed yet. A thought crossed her mind.

Perhaps it was because her mind had cleared after that embrace.

Perhaps it was because of her brother’s gift, so different from the ones from her previous life, that had dispelled the shadows of the past.

Or perhaps… she wanted to use a more “lively” atmosphere to dilute the subtle tension in the air.

At the same time, it was also a declaration of attitude.

Her smile remained gentle as she spoke. “Speaking of which, this is a rare opportunity. How about we invite Teacher over today? We can have a simple celebration together. Xia Ran, what do you think?”

Xia Ran looked up in surprise.

Invite Mother too?

In the past, birthdays were always just the two siblings. Even Xia Ran was excluded, let alone Qin Wuyue.

After all, Qin Wuyue was an elder. Having an adult around would make the celebratory atmosphere feel less relaxed.

Lin Mowei saw Xia Ran’s surprised expression and smiled softly, her eyes exceptionally clear.

Yes. This time was different.

Everything was already different.

Inviting Teacher was both an expression of gratitude and a gesture. To her, to Xia Ran, and perhaps… to herself.