Birthday Gift

"Actually... there's something I wanted to discuss with you two."

Wu Di hesitated before speaking.

"Where's Ji Mengyao?"

Shen Yiyue glanced outside curiously.

"She drank too much and started feeling dizzy, so she went home and lay down..."

Wu Di replied.

"Hahaha, she really did get drunk...."

Shen Yiyue covered her mouth and giggled: This Mengyao is such a lightweight.

Bringing all that alcohol only to get drunk herself - how typical.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Ning Yu stood beside Shen Yiyue and asked curiously.

"Well, it's about this - Mengyao's birthday is coming up soon."

Wu Di spoke slowly, removing his rose gold-rimmed glasses that he had been wearing, seemingly still unaccustomed to them.

"I... I want to get her a gift, but I don't know what girls... like."

He spoke hesitantly, though his face remained expressionless, creating an odd impression.

"Honey, I suggest you give yourself to her as a gift, she'd definitely be pleased with that."

Upon hearing Wu Di's words, Shen Yiyue immediately put on a knowing expression and couldn't resist teasing him.

"Huh? What? What do you mean?"

Wu Di naturally didn't understand Shen Yiyue's meaning.

"Ouch! Ning Yu, why did you hit me!"

Shen Yiyue's smile abruptly vanished as she received a chop from Ning Yu's small hand:

"Be serious, you idiot."

Ning Yu gave her a sideways glance, then said to Wu Di:

"She was just joking, don't mind her."

"Well then, Ning Yu, why don't you make some suggestions?"

Shen Yiyue rubbed the spot where she'd been hit, looking somewhat huffily at Ning Yu.

"Hmm......"

Ning Yu cupped her chin in thought.

How to please a girl? How would she know about such topics - she had no experience with this even in her previous life.

"Maybe... flowers? And a cake?"

"Pfft!"

Shen Yiyue burst out laughing:

"Ning Yu, you sound just like a clueless guy!"

Hearing her mockery, Ning Yu pressed her lips together and gave her an annoyed look, as if saying 'well then why don't you hurry up and suggest something?'

"Look, when giving gifts to girls, you must cater to their personal interests!"

Shen Yiyue finally spoke up, beginning to share her expertise like a seasoned veteran.

"Not all girls like flowers, you need to understand what she specifically likes~"

"Is there anything she's been yearning for, something she's mentioned wanting, either intentionally or unintentionally?"

"Secretly prepare something she likes, then surprise her with it on her birthday!"

Wu Di listened to Shen Yiyue's advice, nodding mechanically while deep in thought.

"Hmm.... things Mengyao likes or yearns for....."

"Cigarettes... alcohol... baseball caps.... but the base already has all these.... hmm....."

Seeing Wu Di only starting to think about it now, Shen Yiyue covered her forehead in exasperation:

"Hey, don't tell me you've never paid attention or observed carefully before? How do you expect to win her over like this?"

"Ah? You misunderstand, I'm not trying to... pursue her...."

Wu Di looked up, attempting to defend himself.

"Yeah, yeah, sure."

Shen Yiyue wasn't buying his excuse.

"Oh! I've got it, she's always wanted a vinyl record player."

Wu Di seemed to have a sudden realization, though even this moment of enlightenment was delivered in his characteristically flat tone without expression.

"Hmph, looks like you've found your answer, now go take action~"

"Remember to keep it secret, don't let her find out. Prepare a nice surprise for her."

Shen Yiyue carefully reminded Wu Di.

"I understand, thank you both!"

Wu Di bowed slightly in gratitude, then added quietly:

"Please keep tonight's conversation secret as well...."

"Don't worry! It's like you were never here~"

Shen Yiyue immediately assured him it wouldn't be a problem.

"Thank you, thank you, I'll take my leave then...."

With that, Wu Di left, disappearing into the darkness.

......

In a dimly lit living room of an apartment, Ji Mengyao lay on the couch in a drunken state, carelessly tossing her socks on the floor.

"Wu Di, where are you? Get me some water!"

She called out with half-closed eyes, looking completely relaxed.

But there was no response.

"Hey! Stupid Wu Di!"

She couldn't help but open her eyes, scanning the room.

The light was dim and everything was silent - she was alone in the room, Wu Di wasn't there.

"Where did that guy... run off to...."

She slowly leaned back against the couch, pulling up her fair, delicate legs and hugging her knees.

Then she buried her head in her arms.

She remembered the song Ning Yu had played today, that ethereal melody and those lyrics.

She couldn't help but hum along.

"How much further until I can enter your heart.... how much longer until I can get close to you....."

Somehow these lyrics felt like they were speaking directly to her situation.

She buried her head even deeper, curling up into a ball on the couch, losing her balance and falling over, like a small, dejected animal.

She felt like after hearing this song today, her emotions had become completely chaotic.

This feeling was really annoying.

"Click."

The sound of a door opening came from outside.

Wu Di silently opened the door slowly, and finding no movement in the house, he quietly sighed in relief.

After putting away his shoes, he walked softly into the living room.

Ji Mengyao lay on the couch as if asleep, her legs sprawled out in a most unladylike manner.

The lighting was poor in the darkness, but it was enough to make out her figure.

Wu Di stood still, watching her sleeping form for a moment before walking to the bedroom to get a blanket.

He approached Ji Mengyao and gently laid the blanket over her body.

Not wanting to wake her, he prepared to return to his own room to sleep.

Just as he turned to leave, there was suddenly a movement behind him.

"You jerk, leaving me alone here again!"

It was Ji Mengyao - she had somehow gotten up, the blanket falling aside as she hugged Wu Di from behind.

Feeling the girl's reproachful yet lazy voice near his ear, Wu Di felt his body stiffen.

Her sweet breath carried traces of cocktail, indicating just how close they were.

Ji Mengyao held him tightly, her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Hey, why... why aren't you... saying anything?!"

Feeling the girl's drunken words, Wu Di gently held her hands, trying to loosen her grip.

But Ji Mengyao held on firmly, refusing to let go.

"Mengyao.... you're drunk...."

He tried to defuse the situation with words.

"Who... who's drunk?!"

Ji Mengyao seemed to feign anger at his words, demanding:

"Tell me, where did you go just now?"

"How dare you leave me alone again!"