If we swapped lives, I'd be the CEO and you'd take care of the kids.

The moment he uttered the words "Shi Yuan," I remembered him. Luckily, my acting was good enough, otherwise I'd probably still be trapped by him right now!

But what does he mean? Why is he still bothering me after we've broken up? Is he short of money lately?

I didn't give him any money back then, did I? It seems like he spent a lot of money on me!

Is he here to ask for a breakup fee? Isn't it common practice these days to ask for reimbursement of expenses incurred during the relationship after a breakup?

"Since that's the case, I'll just give it to him! I, Jiang Wanjun, am not short of money!" Jiang Wanjun thought nonchalantly.

It's getting late, and I still don't know how Yueyue is doing. I have to go check on her!

Jiang Wanjun went to the door again, but the door was still closed. She knocked gently and heard rustling sounds from inside.

As soon as the door opened, Jiang Wanjun saw only Shen Yanqiu.

"Where's Yueyue?" she asked, a little worried.

“She’s tired and asleep now.” He paused, then said softly, “Please keep our identities a secret. We will handle it properly. Thank you!”

His face, which originally belonged to Zhu Tingyue, was now expressionless as he spoke such businesslike words. His voice was as cold and clear as if it came from the bottom of a deep, cold pool, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

She was completely different from the gentle, kind, and smiling person she was when she was at the Zhu family's house!

Faced with such a huge contrast, Jiang Wanjun was stunned and found it difficult to adapt for a while.

She stared wide-eyed at the familiar yet unfamiliar person before her, a complex and subtle emotion welling up inside her.

After a moment, Jiang Wanjun nodded: "Don't worry, I won't say anything. Would it be convenient for me to go in and take a look at her?"

Despite saying that, before Shen Yanqiu could agree, she had already pushed Shen Yanqiu aside and went inside herself.

Shen Yanqiu sighed helplessly beside her. Jiang Wanjun was really something, as impolite as ever.

Zhu Tingyue was sleeping soundly on the bed, so it seemed that Shen Yanqiu had not lied, and Jiang Wanyun was relieved.

Turning to Shen Yanqiu, he asked, "What are you going to do tonight?"

Shen Yanqiu hadn't thought about this question yet and hesitated a bit: "Could I stay here with her? Can you help with the Zhu family?"

Jiang Wanjun readily agreed: "No problem, I'll tell Auntie that Yueyue is at my house, but you must go and tell Uncle and Auntie the truth tomorrow!"

Jiang Wanjun knew how much Zhu Mingchuan and Zhu's mother loved Zhu Tingyue. Now that they had discovered the truth, she could no longer deceive them!

"Okay, please!"

After Jiang Wanjun left, sounds came from downstairs, indicating that everyone had probably left.

But he, the protagonist of this birthday celebration, is here with another "protagonist."

Shen Yanqiu didn't have any particular expectations for her birthday.

In his view, a birthday is just another ordinary day, and there is no significant difference between today and yesterday.

Time flows like a river, day after day, and life seems to always move slowly along a predetermined track, without any waves or ups and downs.

Every new day felt like a copy-paste job, to the point that he felt birthdays were nothing special.

What's different this year is that his life has gained a Zhu Tingyue, a Zhu Tingyue who is as radiant as the sun and as bright as the moon!

That's wonderful! May Zhu Tingyue be with us every year from now on!

"What are you thinking about? Your mouth is practically stretched to the corners of your eyes!"

Zhu Tingyue woke up, her voice still a little hoarse, but she still teased the person next to her with a hint of playfulness.

Shen Yanqiu was pulled back to reality by these sudden words. He was slightly taken aback at first, but quickly regained his composure and said with a serious expression, "I'm wondering if Zhu Tingyue will still be by my side for my next birthday?"

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Zhu Tingyue's slightly tired yet still captivating face, as if he wanted to find the answer he had been waiting for through her eyes.

Zhu Tingyue met his burning gaze, and after a moment of silence, she did not give a direct response.

She smiled slightly, gently tapped Shen Yanqiu's wide, happy smile with her finger, and said playfully, "Instead of agonizing over this question, why don't you just ask your mouth that's practically bursting with joy? Maybe it can give you a clear answer before I do!"

After she finished speaking, she laughed softly, her laughter as clear and melodious as a silver bell.

Shen Yanqiu said angrily, "Zhu Tingyue, it's so hard to get a promise from you!"

“It’s not that I’m unwilling to make a promise to you, Shen Yanqiu,” Zhu Tingyue gently shook her head, gazing at the person before her with tender yet firm eyes, and slowly said, “How can love or not love be so easily determined by just a simple sentence?”

"After all, life is long and full of variables, and there are still many unknowns waiting for us to explore and experience in the future."

"So instead of rushing to conclusions, let time slowly settle this feeling. There's so much time left in our lives, enough for us to walk hand in hand through the storms and experience the beauty and vicissitudes of the world together. Why can't we use these long years to truly feel the deep love in each other's hearts?"

After hearing these words, Shen Yanqiu was stunned. Every word Zhu Tingyue said kept echoing in his mind.

At first, he was a little confused and at a loss, but he quickly came to his senses and an indescribable joy welled up in his heart.

His face was full of excitement, and he danced around like a child.

Immediately afterward, he opened his arms wide and hugged Zhu Tingyue tightly, planting a heavy kiss on her cheek without hesitation, and shouted, "Alright! Let's spend this lifetime together and enjoy it to the fullest!"

Zhu Tingyue felt his increased pressure and was overjoyed. For the rest of her life, she would belong to Shen Yanqiu!

Happy birthday, Shen Yanqiu!

Zhu Tingyue's eyes were filled with love as she stared at Shen Yanqiu and said, word by word, "I love you..."

"Boom! Boom!"

Suddenly, a rapid and loud knocking broke the silence inside the house!

The sudden sound stunned Zhu Tingyue instantly. The words that were on the tip of her tongue were as if they were being choked by an invisible hand, stuck in her throat.

At that moment, the two people in the room looked at each other simultaneously, their gazes meeting as if an electric current was passing through them.

Zhu Tingyue had a sly look on her face; while Shen Yanqiu held Zhu Tingyue's arm tightly, refusing to let go even a little.

Zhu Tingyue tried to break free from Shen Yanqiu's grasp to open the door, but Shen Yanqiu pulled her forcefully and then hugged her tightly, his arms encircling Zhu Tingyue's body like iron clamps, unwilling to let go no matter what.