Chapter 161 - 160: Birthday

Chapter 161: Chapter 160: Birthday

A month passed in the blink of an eye. The three brothers’ birthday was just five days away.

Gu Qingyin’s cakes were finally starting to look the part. At least, she was very satisfied with them.

Recalling the past month of grueling lessons, Huo Yunjing felt like bursting into tears on the spot. ’It was so hard!’

Hua Xin also let out a huge sigh of relief. ’Finally, no more all-egg feasts!’

On their birthday, all three brothers made sure to clear their schedules.

Huo Xingye postponed a few less important meetings, Huo Xinghai cleared a few items from his schedule, and Huo Xingchen had it the easiest—he just had to take a day off to come home.

Gu Qingyin got up early to decorate the living room. She hung a "Happy Birthday" banner, put up photos of everyone, hung balloons, and arranged fresh flowers.

This part was fine. A little tacky, maybe, but acceptable.

The most over-the-top part was that she had even ordered custom, life-sized cardboard cutouts of the three brothers and placed them right next to the banner.

Huo Yunjing: ...

He felt he should say something, but his mind was a complete blank. All he could do was applaud in silence.

Once everything was set up, it suddenly dawned on Gu Qingyin. "I forgot to ask if they wanted to invite friends over." She pursed her lips, a little worried. "Is having a party at home too low-key? How did they used to celebrate?"

Huo Yunjing walked over and took her hand, speaking softly. "We used to have parties at home when they were little. After they grew up, they each started doing their own thing—hosting banquets and inviting crowds of people. But those kinds of parties are just for show. The guests all have their own agendas; very few are there to genuinely celebrate the boys’ birthday. Celebrating with family is what a real birthday is all about."

Gu Qingyin was convinced and happily went back to her preparations.

In the afternoon, Huo Xingchen was the first to arrive. The moment he walked in and saw the transformed living room, his eyes widened in shock.

’This... We’re turning twenty-two, not twelve! This is way too much!’

Gu Qingyin had been watching her son’s expression. Seeing his reaction, she grew a little anxious. "You don’t like it?"

Huo Xingchen shook his head instinctively. "I like it. I’m just... a little shocked."

Gu Qingyin let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "As long as you like it." She beckoned him over. "Come have some fruit. Xingye and Xinghai are on their way."

Huo Xinghai was the next to arrive. He paused for a moment upon entering, then a gentle smile spread across his face. "Thanks for all your hard work, Mom. The decorations are... very unique."

Gu Qingyin beamed at the compliment.

Huo Xingye was the last to get home. He seemed dazed for a second as he walked in, but ever the CEO, he quickly composed himself and said with genuine sincerity, "I haven’t seen a birthday party with this much atmosphere in years."

Gu Qingyin’s face beamed with pride. "I decorated it all myself!"

Huo Xingye didn’t know what else to say, so he very cleverly changed the subject. "Mom, I brought you a gift."

Gu Qingyin was pleasantly surprised. "But I should be the one getting you a gift."

Huo Xingye handed her the bag, smiling. "A child’s birthday is the day the mother suffered the most. It’s only right that we get you a gift."

The three brothers had clearly planned this in advance; Huo Xinghai and Huo Xingchen also took out their own gifts and gave them to Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin was deeply moved, completely enveloped in happiness.

Huo Yunjing, however, panicked for a second when he saw this. Then he felt a wave of relief. ’Good thing I’ve been working overtime every night recently. I’ve finally managed to save up a bit of golden merit light. I’ll give it all to my wife later.’

The family took their seats, and Gu Qingyin handed out the birthday gifts she had prepared. They weren’t expensive, but they were all very practical.

Huo Yunjing couldn’t give the three brothers gifts, so he could only offer his well wishes.

The three brothers were all delighted to receive the gifts and well wishes.

Just as spirits were getting high, Gu Qingyin suddenly announced, "I have one more present for you!" She looked at them expectantly. "Just wait, I’ll go wheel it out!"

As Gu Qingyin turned and headed to the kitchen, Huo Yunjing gave his sons a quiet warning. "Your mother has been working on this gift for over a month. Make sure you act surprised."

The three brothers exchanged a look, their eyelids twitching uncontrollably. ’Don’t tell me Mom cooked something?’

With a sense of foreboding, the three of them subtly glanced toward the kitchen, steeling themselves. No matter what she brought out, they had to act surprised and eat it with a smile.

But when Gu Qingyin actually wheeled out a cake, all three of them froze.

They had imagined all sorts of dishes, but a cake had never crossed their minds.

Huo Xingchen’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Mom! You made this?"

Gu Qingyin looked inexplicably bashful. "Yes. I’ve been learning for a month, so the flavor should be decent. You can try it in a bit."

"Forget the taste for a second, just the presentation is amazing," Huo Xinghai praised sincerely. He had eaten food cooked by Gu Qingyin before; by comparison, this cake was truly fantastic.

Huo Xingye also chimed in, "Let’s make a wish first. I can’t wait to try it."

All the lights in the house were turned off, leaving only the decorative light strips in the dining area glowing.

It was a three-tiered cake made by Gu Qingyin. She placed three candles on the top, and with a subtle flick of his finger, Huo Yunjing lit them.

The three brothers stood before the cake with their hands clasped, closing their eyes to make a wish. A few seconds later, they opened their eyes, exchanged a smile, and blew out the candles.

This was the first time Gu Qingyin had celebrated her children’s birthday. Seeing this, her eyes couldn’t help but well up. She took a deep breath and said with a smile, "My darlings, happy birthday!"

The word "darlings" made all three of them flush.

"Mom, we’re all grown up. Why are you still calling us darlings..." Huo Xingchen said, looking embarrassed.

Gu Qingyin glared at him. "No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my sons! You’ll be my darlings even when you’re seventy or eighty!"

At this, Huo Xingye cleared his throat. "Mom has a point."

Huo Xinghai nodded in agreement. "Eldest Brother is right."

Huo Xingchen stared at his two older brothers in disbelief. ’They sold me out just like that? Are we even real brothers?!’

Huo Xingye chuckled. "Let’s cut the cake."

The three brothers cut the cake together, taking turns. However, they only cut the topmost layer, and each slice was very thin.

Gu Qingyin huffed at the sight, clearly displeased.

The three brothers pretended not to hear. Each took a plate and a spoon. After a three-second pause, they all dug in with a large spoonful, putting it in their mouths with the grim determination of martyrs.

After tasting it carefully, the three brothers exchanged surprised glances. It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, it was actually good.

Huo Xinghai, being the most perceptive, looked at Gu Qingyin. "You must have practiced this a lot, didn’t you, Mom?"

Gu Qingyin grew bashful again. "Oh, it was nothing. How does it taste?"

Huo Xinghai’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "It’s delicious." After finishing the cake on his plate, he cut himself another large slice, completely forgetting about the need to watch his weight.

Huo Xingye also nodded and said, "It’s not too sweet, it suits my taste perfectly. Thanks, Mom."

Huo Xingchen nodded emphatically, his mouth too full to say a word.

Gu Qingyin looked on with immense satisfaction, her confidence soaring. "If you all like it, I’ll make it for you often! I can learn to make other things, too!"

The three brothers froze. Suddenly, the cake that had seemed so delicious now felt a little hard to swallow.