279— Birthday Morning
Things were heating up in various places in the Capital, but City M remained calm as usual. The days passed quickly, and soon it was Li Chuanmo's birthday.
The day dawned clear and bright, though it was slightly cold. It conveniently fell on a Saturday, which was why Pei Yueran planned the dinner party on the same day.
Chairman Li got to open his first gift at midnight, and that was why the said gift slept until the sun was high in the sky. When she opened her eyes, Li Chuanmo was looking at her with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.
"Good morning Honey."
She yawned and stretched, "I can see you're full of energy this morning."
"Of course, it's my birthday. I can't wait to see the other gifts I will receive. The first one was already amazing enough."
Pei Yueran rolled her eyes as she sat up. "That wasn't a gift. You stole it." She was keeping her energy for the surprise she came up with, but this wolf was very impatient.
Li Chuanmo pretended not to hear that. What better way to begin his birthday than feasting on—ahem, feasting with—his wife?
"Anyway, isn't it time for my other gift?"
"Which one?"
"The bath." This was said in a hurt tone, as if to convey his disappointment at the fact that she forgot.
Pei Yueran looked away from him and blushed.
Taking a deep breath, she got up and walked towards the bathroom. Before entering, she looked back at the person who was still on the bed, admiring the way his wife walked.
"Still not coming?"
Li Chuanmo grinned brilliantly as he got up to follow.
Seeing his enthusiasm, she muttered, "Never seen a grown man so happy to be getting a bath like a small baby."
Li Chuanmo smiled as he replied, "You obviously don't have enough experience, else you would understand my joy."
Pei Yueran rolled her eyes. She filled up the bathtub and tried not to turn pink as she asked him to get in while she got ready with the bathing things.
At first, it was still relatively straightforward and easy to do, so even though she was blushing, she toughened her mind by psyching herself up that she had seen everything before anyway.
She decided she would just imagine she was bathing Han Yichen instead.
But of course, Chairman Li had other ideas, so there was no way she could maintain that thought for long.
The door to the bathroom was closed, but the sounds and words coming from inside it would have made even an accomplished ascetic blush hotly.
Needless to say, this bathing session was completely different from Pei Yueran's original expectations.
In the end, it was not clear who did the task of bathing. All Pei Yueran knew was that she would never see the bathroom or even the word "bathing" in the same innocent light again. It was a completely new experience.
When Li Chuanmo carried her out afterwards, she was pink and weak from head to toe.
Pei Yueran wanted to cry but lacked tears. Coupled with what she had planned for the rest of the day, she would be exhausted by the time this birthday was over ah.
Even now, she was thinking of cancelling her surprise, but then, she couldn't wait to stun him into speechlessness. The look on his face would be worth it.
Just thinking about it made a bit of energy return. It also made her ignore the overly satisfied look that was currently on Li Chuanmo's face.
Since it was the weekend, they weren't in a hurry to go out, so they lazed about in their bedroom. Li Chuanmo dressed Pei Yueran and brushed her hair, before they went to the kitchen holding hands, to make breakfast.
All the workers had been given the day off, but they had not left yet, instead they stood downstairs, waiting with smiles.
When the couple eventually made their way downstairs, the workers were standing in a single file and began singing "happy birthday" immediately the celebrant entered their line of sight.
After the song, the butler represented them to present the gift they jointly prepared, "Happy birthday sir. We wish you every happiness."
Li Chuanmo's expression softened as he accepted the wrapped package and thanked them calmly.
Done with that, the workers left one after the other, leaving only the butler to help them manage the gift deliveries that were already coming in.
In effect, the couple were practically alone for the day.
Pei Yueran wanted to be the one to make breakfast, but due to the not-so-little tail that followed her about, she could not move freely. As a result, she resorted to ordering the birthday boy to do kitchen chores.
With him cutting up the vegetables while she kneaded the dough, the bowl of longevity noodles was ready in record time. She presented it to him with a smile, "Happy birthday, Husband."
For some reason, Li Chuanmo's ears turned pink, much to Pei Yueran's amusement.
He was shy???
She watched Li Chuanmo eat the strand of noodle without breaking it before eating the salad he made for her.
After breakfast, they went back to their bedroom to begin responding to the congratulatory messages Li Chuanmo had received, as well as to thank those that sent gifts or money.
That alone took hours. The messages were endless. The bulk of the messages were from their numerous business partners and people trying to curry favor with him. Others were from distant relatives and the company. A few were from the friends he had made abroad.
Both of them set to the task of reading message after message, with Pei Yueran reclining against his chest as he held out the phone.
When Pei Yueran read out a particular message, her voice began oozing sourness.
"Who's this Anna?"
"Who? I'm not sure."
"So why does her message sound like she knows you very well?"
Li Chuanmo twirled the strand of her hair that he held in his hands. The rose gold highlights were only obvious close to the tip.
"Chuan?"
The warning tone caught his attention, "What does the message say?"
"Here are special wishes for a very special man. You shine brighter than the stars. Happy birthday Mr Li."
"I don't know her. There are so many people that go by that name, how can I recognize everyone of them?"
"So there are more Annas where this one came from? Should I look forward to more messages like this?"