281— Getting To The Birthday Dinner

Pei Yueran smiled as she nodded, "Open it."

Perhaps, she put the most effort into this particular gift.

It was a custom made 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, made from a picture of Pei Yueran standing near a shop in City T, staring at the camera with a smile. Li Chuanmo recognized it as one of the pictures they had taken during their honeymoon.

Pei Yueran chose that particular picture because his profile was reflected clearly in window of the shop, making it look like he was standing beside her in the picture. From that angle, it was obvious that they were locking gazes with each other.

On top of that, he had one of his most relaxed and genuine smiles on at that moment. It was filled with endless affection.

When correctly assembled, he would also find a birthday message from her at the back. It was perfect in her opinion, and Li Chuanmo seemed to think so as well. It was worth her rushing the puzzle maker on such a short notice.

"Ran Honey, thank you."

Li Chuanmo could not explain his feelings at the moment, but he felt so.... fulfilled. The fact that she thought him worthy of so much effort was humbling.

It wasn't as if the gifts were that expensive, or even that they had a particular arrangement to them, but it was the fact that he could see her thoughtfulness in each of them that made him very happy. He could see that she picked each of them with him in mind.

The feeling of being treasured like this was almost indescribable.

"Your welcome my love. Happy birthday once again," She said, giving him a hug before standing up, "We need to start preparing for the dinner."

As she moved away, Li Chuanmo held her arm. She looked at him questioningly, "What?"

"You still owe me a kiss. I got the last one right."

Leave it to him to not forget something like that.

"You're incorrigible, Chuan." Pei Yueran said as she leaned down to give him a kiss. This time though, Li Chuanmo pulled her down to the bed and took control.

They shared a slow, lingering and tender time together, one that made Pei Yueran's mind spin and fully convinced her that her gifts were much appreciated.

That her love was not taken for granted.

By the time they got up to get ready, the sun was already setting. It was a miracle that they were able to get to the venue just in time. They entered when the MC was about to give up waiting for them.

The relief on his face when he sighted them was hilarious, but it was the smile that was not a smile on Zhang Heying's face that made Pei Yueran blush even as she thought up excuses for their late coming.

"Mom, Dad, we're here. So sorry to keep you waiting." Pei Yueran said apologetically. It was poor form to invite guests and come later than them.

"Not at all, we understand." Zhang Heying said, her eyes alight with mischief.

What was there not to understand? Just looking at the way her son's eyes were glued to his wife, the cause and effect of their lateness was very clear.

Pei Yueran blushed prettily and willed herself not to glare at the birthday boy. After all, she was enjoying the day as much as he was, *cough*.

Now that they had arrived, Pei Yueran went up to give her speech where she thanked everyone for gracing the small occasion. The thirty-odd guests clapped, while secretly admiring her deportment.

She looked like a pretty vision in her cream dinner gown that matched Li Chuanmo's tuxedo. As she spoke, her expression was relaxed and at home, projecting an elegance that was difficult to feign.

As if she had been hosting ceremonies in high society all her life.

At least, that was what Zhang Hexian told her sister as they sat together watching, "Jie, you really have good eyesight. She's a perfect choice."

Zhang Heying nodded happily.

"The only thing left is for them to give you more grandchildren." Zhang Hexian teased.

Smiling, Zhang Heying responded, "I can't wait for that as well, but we don't plan to rush them at all. As long as they're happy together, that's all that matters to us."

Zhang Hexian was slightly surprised but didn't comment further.

After Pei Yueran's speech, it was Li Chuanmo's turn.

Calling it a speech was a bit of an exaggeration, since it was just an address to their few guests, but Li Chuanmo's charisma was fully displayed, as though he were in front of a large crowd hosting a grand ceremony.

The foods and drinks were in abundant variety and the guests had a great time. Three of the guests got up to say something endearing about the celebrant, as well as give their own congratulatory messages.

When it was Zhang Heying's turn, she got up and said, "My first son is a year older today, and I couldn't be happier. Especially since this year, he is finally off my hands."

She paused, and the other guests laughed.

She then continued, "Chuanmo, your father and I are very proud of you. You have made us glad, and now that you are celebrating another milestone today, we look forward to applauding more of your success stories and achievements."

She raised her wineglass in a toast as she concluded, "Happy birthday Son."

Everyone else raised their glasses in unison as Pei Yueran smiled in the direction of her mother-in-law.

The waiters served each guest with their preferences and low-pitched conversation could be heard throughout the hall as people dined and conversed.

As the hosts, they went to each table hand in hand to greet their guests and thank them for their gifts. All gifts had been dropped at the entrance and the list had been given to the couple.

As they approached one of the tables, Pei Yueran's smile became brighter as she spied a friend.

"Kexin! I'm so glad you made it after all," she said, embracing her.

"I'm glad to be here as well. I thought I would be unable to make it due to that work trip, but the plans changed and here I am. Thank you for inviting me." Xu Kexin enthused.

Then to Li Chuanmo, she added, "Happy birthday, Chairman Li."

Li Chuanmo nodded his thanks. Pei Yueran had been the one doing most of the talking all evening.

"So how are you doing?" Pei Yueran asked. Due to work, they had not met up as often as they would have liked. Between the issue with her birth family and Chairman Li's clinginess, she had been very busy.