Extra — Tenth Birthday

Huang Yiming's tenth birthday was fast approaching, and he was filled with unparalleled excitement. It wasn't merely because it was his birthday, though. The true reason for his joy was the anticipation of seeing Li Jie after nearly two months.

Due to Li Jie's intensive succession classes following his month-long illness, the Emperor had deemed it necessary to limit distractions and prohibited the Huang siblings from visiting their friend during that time. However, out of courtesy to the Huang household, Li Jie would be attending Huang Yiming's birthday celebration.

"Stupid Yiming!" a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. "Why are you grinning like a maniac all by yourself?"

Huang Baozhai playfully pounced on her younger brother, sensing that something was on his mind and trying to figure out what had captured his attention so intensely.

"Shut up," Huang Yiming responded, quickly wiping the smile off his face.

"Oh!" Huang Baozhai grinned mischievously. "Are you excited because it's your birthday? Aw, you're still a kid at heart, aren't you? Even when you act all grown-up."

"I don't care," Huang Yiming dismissed his sister, attempting to appear tough. The little boy puffed out his chest, thinking he resembled an adult, much to Huang Baozhai's amusement.

"Well," Huang Baozhai observed the lingering smile on her brother's face, even though he was trying to hide it. Suddenly, everything fell into place in her mind.

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she threw her arm around Huang Yiming's shoulder. "Now, now, I have some bad news for you."

Huang Yiming remained silent, ignoring his sister as he picked up the scroll that had slipped from his hand during his daydreaming, pretending to read while eagerly awaiting Huang Baozhai's revelation.

"It's about His Highness the Crown Prince," Huang Baozhai barely contained her laughter, fully aware that this was the best way to grab her brother's attention and playfully tease him.

"What?" Huang Yiming's head snapped towards his sister, his eyes widening with concern. "Has something happened to him? Is he okay? Why aren't you saying anything when it matters the most?"

"Brother," Huang Baozhai laughed internally, thoroughly enjoying teasing her younger sibling and getting under his skin. "I'm afraid he won't be able to attend your celebration."

"..." Huang Yiming fell silent for a few seconds before finding his voice again. "What do you mean...?"

"Well..." Huang Baozhai quickly concocted an excuse. "The Emperor has dispatched an envoy, expressing his regards and all that. Apparently, His Highness has hunting lessons and won't be able to make it. Something about the moon being in the right position, and they need to offer more prayers that day."

"Oh..." Huang Yiming looked down, clutching the scroll once again, attempting to return to his reading. "Okay."

Huang Baozhai intended to continue the ruse until Huang Yiming's birthday, but then she had a sudden realization.

"Yiming..." A pang of guilt struck her heart. The siblings rarely discussed their emotions with each other, so she felt a bit awkward. Their interactions usually consisted of teasing one another.

And now, she had made her little brother cry.

Huang Yiming silently shed tears, his sorrow dampening the scroll in his hands as he tried to muffle his sobs. After a minute, the young boy gave up, openly weeping as he attempted to stifle his cries with his hands.

"Please leave me alone," Huang Yiming sniffled, feeling uncomfortable crying in front of his sister. But Li Jie wouldn't be there! He was the sole reason he had been looking forward to his birthday. They hadn't been able to meet for so long, and now it seemed even further away. Who knew when the Emperor would allow Li Jie to play with him again?

"Yiming..." Huang Baozhai's guilt deepened with each passing second. "I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?" the boy sniffed, abandoning his attempts to maintain a mature facade, not caring anymore. What was the point? It felt as if his world had crumbled, leaving no room for happiness.

"Li Jie is actually coming," Huang Baozhai quickly confessed, shaking off the shock of seeing her little brother in tears. "I was just teasing you. I'm so sorry. I didn't know you would feel like this. I'm sorry..."

Huang Yiming continued to cry for a few more minutes. It seemed impossible to stop the tears no matter how hard he tried.

"It's okay..." he finally managed to say, sniffling.

Yet, the tears continued to stream down his face, this time from the overwhelming happiness and relief he felt.

He's coming! Huang Yiming thought joyfully, wiping away his tears with his long sleeves. I'm going to see him!