My whole family is the protagonist, and I am the only cannon fodder!

But Lu Zao Zao didn't have time to care about this unreasonable time arrangement. Besides, she didn't have the right to do so. Since it was Lu Qingwan's birthday, it meant that she must have known about such an arrangement. The birthday person had no objection, so others had no right to do so.

She carried her gift and ran up to the third floor.

During this period, many people congratulated Lu Qingwan and wished her a happy birthday. Lu Qingwan thanked them in a very soft and gentle tone, with a sweet smile on her face that was impeccable.

Only when he saw that there were not many people around did Lu Zao Zao walk up to her and hand her his gift.

Lu Qingwan's gaze seemed to be fixed, and she just put away all her expressions and looked at her coldly, without accepting the gift she had given her.

Lu Zaozao placed her hands in the air awkwardly, but she didn't look angry at all.

Although Lu Qingwan acted cold and disdainful towards her, in Lu Zaozao's heart, she always felt that she was always the enthusiastic and clingy child who followed her around and clamored to be with her forever.

Therefore, she was very calm and tolerant towards Lu Qingwan, and stuffed the gift into Lu Qingwan's palm.

Lu Qingwan still didn't move, but her gaze shifted slightly. She lowered her eyes and stared at Lu Zaozao's wrist for a second. Her gaze suddenly became three points colder, completely different from the way she looked when she spoke before.

At this moment, Lu Zaozao suddenly realized something. It was raining heavily outside just now, and the rain wet her Band-Aid, revealing a small scar on her wrist that had not healed and was a little red.

Lu Zao Zao quickly turned his palm over, revealing only the back of his hand, and showed a very tolerant and warm smile.

"Happy birthday, Xiaoqing. Smile more. Today is your birthday. Children should be happy."

Lu Qingwan frowned and stared at her for three or four seconds before she said stiffly, "I'm not a child anymore."

Of course I know you are not a child anymore, Lu Zao Zao lowered her eyes and stared at her toes and thought, if you were still a child, you should throw yourself into my arms and say thank you sister for your gift, instead of facing each other here like we are being interrogated, and unable to say any considerate and sweet words.

After repeating Happy Birthday once more, Lu turned around and left early.

I went down the stairs on the other side. I just reached the second floor and wanted to continue going down.

"stop."

The voice behind him was very clear and cold. Lu Zao Zao continued to walk forward. After a few steps, the voice behind him started speaking again.

"Didn't you hear me?"

The voice was a little familiar and a little strange. I indeed heard it, and very clearly, but I didn't expect it was directed at me.

Lu Zao Zao turned around stiffly and saw Shen Huaijin's extremely indifferent and calm face. His eyes were dull and he looked at her without any emotion.

"Second brother." Lu Zaozao called softly, and suddenly she understood why she felt this voice was familiar yet unfamiliar. The tone of voice between family members should be clear as can be, but she seemed to have not heard Shen Huaijin speak in front of her for a long time, so there was a mixture of strangeness in it.

It was clearly he who called him first, but when Lu Zao Zao responded to him, Shen Huaijin stopped talking. He put his hand on the railing on the second floor and took out a cigarette from his pocket.

Not sure whether the other party was okay or not, Lu Zaozao had no choice but to stand still, lower his head, and wait quietly.

I don’t know how long it took, but in the curling smoke, Shen Huaijin finally spoke again.

"Why do you always have to put on this face?"

Lu Zao Zao blinked in confusion. She had to keep her tail between her legs and behave herself in this family, so she could only ask, "What...face?"

Shen Huaijin was obviously not prepared to answer her puzzled question, and said, "No one owes you anything."

He blew out a thin smoke ring, as if clenching his teeth, and repeated, "No one."

Okay, so it was because of this kind of thing. Then why did you call her? Just ignore her and pretend you didn’t see her.

It's simply baffling.

"I never feel that anyone owes me anything. I have books to read, a place to live, and enough food and clothing. I am indeed living a better life than many people. If there is anything, it is fate. Fate has thrown me here and made me this unpleasant person. I have no other choice and I am powerless."

Lu Zao Zao's eyes were sharp, and he said more calmly and complacently:

"If you really hate me so much, then just ignore me thousands of times like you did in the past. Just ignore me like an ant. Anyway, you are always good at this kind of thing."

After hearing this, Shen Huaijin's hand holding the cigarette trembled, and the ashes fell to the ground, like ashes left after a fire.

Lu left as soon as she finished speaking, without giving Shen Huaijin time or chance to talk again. She turned the corner of the corridor and when there was no one around, she leaned against the wall and gasped for breath.

In fact, I felt a little uneasy after I finished speaking. It was the first time since I was a child that I had spoken so much to Shen Huaijin. I didn't expect him to be so sarcastic and sharp in his words, like two enemies.

Lu Zao Zao stroked his chest and thought with great courage -

It was Shen Huaijin who started it. If there was any fault, it was his fault. It has nothing to do with me.

After thinking about it, he nodded to show his affirmation of himself.

The rain outside gradually stopped, with only a few drops occasionally dripping from the roof. The air was filled with warmth brought by the rain vapor, and the sound of fierce wind and waves came from afar.

There were several cigarette butts piled on the ground, and a face suddenly appeared in the blurry mist.

"Second brother." Lu Qingwan smiled like a camellia covered with dew. She stared at Shen Huaijin for a long time. She finally spoke, with a sweet smile still on her lips.

"Hasn't anyone taught you not to say something inappropriate on someone's birthday?" She lingered at the end of the corridor for half a second, then turned back and continued calmly, "I have always had a low tolerance for people I hate."

Shen Huaijin put out his cigarette on the railing, and his eyes became clear. However, Lu Qingwan's face was distorted. The corners of her mouth were smiling, but her eyes were filled with coldness. She was indeed not like a child who had just turned fourteen. She was too precocious and indifferent.

However, Shen Huaijin didn't seem too surprised, as far as he knew.

Except for Lu Shiqing, Lu Qingwan's attitude towards anyone could not be considered kind and respectful, even towards Lu Aotian and Shen Xingyao. After she was seven years old, or to be more specific - perhaps after the glass fell, Lu Qingwan withdrew her enthusiasm towards everyone.

No one knows what Lu Qingwan is thinking, but it is not worth Shen Huaijin's guess, nor is it worth him spending any energy on it.

He knew that everyone had secrets.

Ignoring what he just said, Shen Huaijin said: "I've asked someone to send your gift to your room. Happy birthday. I'm leaving."

It was almost eleven o'clock. Lu calmed down early and arrived at the designated place with Li Jianan at the agreed time to celebrate his birthday.