597. Chen Yao’s Birthday
==============================
Mom has really set up her street stall.
Just the other day, she was tricked by the class teacher, and now she’s all fired up with her snack cart, ready to sell stinky tofu on the pedestrian street.
And why stinky tofu, you ask? Because it’s the rarest snack along those kilometers of street, where you mostly find hand-grabbed pancakes and barbecues.
The local folks aren’t exactly on the stinky tofu hype train, let’s be real.
She’s so full of confidence, thinking that since stinky tofu stalls are scarce, she can swoop in and claim the market.
Mom seems utterly unreliable, so Lin Nan has decided it’s time to earn her own dowry.
Since Lemon discovered it could eat and fly, its clinginess has skyrocketed to the point where it’s irresistibly needy. Plus, this bird is smart; unlike other parrots who mysteriously vanish out the window like they’re auditioning for a dog food commercial, Lemon flits out every morning for a joyride half an hour.
On top of that, it’s glued to Lin Nan’s shoulder like a piece of gum, sticking around during meals, while sleeping, gaming, and shopping every night. Chen Yao’s lovingly crafted cage has turned into Lemon’s exclusive dining room.
So here we are, it’s Chen Yao’s birthday.
Around eight o’clock, he wakes up.
He climbs out of bed and glances at Lin Nan snuggled up beside him and Lemon curled up by her head, feeling a pang in his heart.
His girlfriend has been hijacked by a parrot.
With all that green fluff, it’s like an art project gone wrong.
Lemon doesn’t need baby formula anymore, so Chen Yao’s routine has finally returned to normal—he sleeps at midnight and wakes up at eight—just like when he was studying back at the rental apartment.
Today is his birthday, but Lin Nan hasn’t made any fuss about it so far, making him suspect she might have completely forgotten.
Given Lin Nan’s mental capacity and single-threaded focus, it’s highly probable she forgot.
He carefully sneaks down from the bed, stretches like a cat, turns on the air conditioner that he set to shut off last night, then saunters out of the room.
If Lin Nan forgot, surely my mom wouldn’t forget, right?
His birthdays have always been in summer vacation, so he’s spent every one at home, with parents who’ve never missed it.
However, when he steps out of the bedroom, he doesn’t see his mom anywhere, sending a wave of panic through him.
No way, did she really forget?
So absorbed in Lin Nan, she’s completely overlooked her own son?
It’s official, I was definitely adopted.
He sighs and heads to the dining room for some breakfast, but when he pushes the door open, he finds just a set of chopsticks and bowls on the table.
As he approaches, he sees a lump of longevity noodles, and a cake that could fit in the palm of his hand.
Comparing it to Lin Nan’s lavish birthday feast just days ago—an enormous ten-inch ice cream cake—Chen Yao can only further lament that he was indeed picked up from the trash.
“Is this for real?” Chen Yao pulls out a chair and sits down, staring at the longevity noodles for a long while, speechless.
It’d be better if they’d forgotten entirely; at least there wouldn’t be such a stark contrast.
The difference in treatment is just too much, hitting his fragile heart hard.
With a frown, he picks up his chopsticks and takes a bite of the mushy noodles. They taste fine, but it feels like he’s eating rice paste—there’s hardly a noodle sensation.
He slurps down the longevity noodles for breakfast in record time, too apathetic to clean up, and heads back to his room, planning to take a nap or play some games.
But when he reaches the bedroom door, he finds it completely shut instead of half-open. He pulls on the doorknob, but no signs of it budging.
“Lin Nan? Why’d you lock the door?”
He quickly realizes Lin Nan has locked him out.
It can’t be Lemon doing this; that little fluff ball is smart but too small to pull off anything so sneaky.
After a moment, he hears Lin Nan’s voice from inside: “Hold on! Just ten minutes!”
“What are you doing in there? Trying to hide something from me?” Chen Yao leans against the door, teasing his girl, “We’ve seen it all, even showered together. What’s the big deal about locking the door?”
But there’s no answer from Lin Nan.
His phone is still in the bedroom, leaving him standing by the door, listening anxiously to the sounds inside.
He hears the computer powering on.
Looks like Lin Nan is moving chairs around.
The more he listens, the more confused he gets, completely clueless about what she’s up to.
Is she planning a surprise for me?
Waiting for me n*ked and all sparkly?
The moment that thought crosses his mind, excitement bubbles up!
But Lin Nan isn’t that bold… Then again, maybe she’s getting bolder with their growing intimacy?
He’s definitely looking forward to it now.
Finally, the door unlocks.
He swings the door open and is greeted by the sound of “Senbonzakura” blasting from the computer.
Chen Yao stares, momentarily dumbfounded, and then lifts his gaze to see Lin Nan standing in the middle of the bedroom.
Her head is bowed, her cheeks flushed, hands awkwardly clasped in front of her, swaying gently to the music, hands raised high.
Is that…? Dancing?
Chen Yao stands there, utterly mesmerized, watching Lin Nan move.
Today, she’s wearing super short cotton shorts that hug her round b*tt just right, her long and slim legs tiptoeing to the beat.
On top, she sports a sleeveless crop top that, with every arm movement, rides up a bit, giving glimpses of her flat tummy and adorable little belly button.
Honestly, he isn’t even focused on her dancing; he’s just amazed at how daring his girlfriend looks today—almost like a club girl.
He never sees Lin Nan dressed like this—sporting super short shorts and a revealing top.
Whenever their eyes meet, he can see her shy yet alluring gaze, as though it’s issuing a sweet invitation.
Lemon, perched on her shoulder, clings tightly to her shirt, bobbing its head in rhythm with the music and Lin Nan’s moves—pure cuteness overload.
Before long, the music wraps up.
Lin Nan halts, her complexion rosy, and after a couple of breaths, the heat on her face spreads to her neck and earlobes.
“So, um… how was that for a birthday gift?” She stares at her hands, fidgeting, her voice soft, “I noticed you really like watching dance performances, so I’ve been practicing at the plaza every night…”
Chen Yao stares for a moment, then bursts into applause: “Great! Do it again!”
But Lin Nan shoots him an annoyed glare.
“Seriously, it was amazing!” Chen Yao doesn’t hold back on his praise, “If we record it and post it online, it would totally go viral!”
“No way.” Lin Nan, blushing from the compliment, turns her head away, pouting, “I’m only showing it to you.”
