Chapter 526: Finale

An 18th birthday is a rather special milestone in one’s life.

It marks the beginning of adulthood.

Yun Jiao was coming of age.

Her whole family took the day very seriously, starting their preparations a full week in advance.

Yun Jiao knew her parents and brothers were all busy.

Though they didn’t say anything, she had guessed what was going on. They just wouldn’t let her get involved, saying they were planning a surprise for her.

Fine by her. Yun Jiao decided to just pretend she didn’t know.

Because she loved the sea, her 18th birthday celebration was set to be held by the coast.

A brand-new cruise ship appeared in the harbor of Bailong Village.

“Jiaojiao, happy birthday. This is our first gift to you.”

A cruise ship.

Yun Xiaoqi, dressed impeccably in a suit, already looked the part of a successful tycoon.

Beside him stood a beautiful woman with a delicate, fragile air.

She was the daughter of his adoptive father, and now, his girlfriend.

The two had fallen for each other during their daily interactions and had recently made their relationship official.

Yun Xiaoqi was the wealthiest of Yun Jiao’s brothers, with his company having already expanded overseas.

“Jiaojiao, your Brother Qi doesn’t have much besides money, so I bought this cruise ship for you. It’s brand new and named after you.”

Yun Jiao’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Thank you, Brother Qi. And thank you, sister-in-law.”

Qin Rui smiled at Yun Jiao. “Happy birthday, Jiaojiao. And this jewelry set is from me, as well.”

Qin Rui was a rather famous jewelry designer herself. The moment she first saw Yun Jiao, her creative inspiration had surged, and she had specially designed a set of dazzling red gemstone jewelry for her.

Yun Jiao took one look and absolutely loved it.

The gems were striking, and the design was intricate without being overwrought.

After she boarded the cruise ship, an exceptionally beautiful, deep blue formal gown appeared before her.

The gown was made of Jue Sha, shimmering and iridescent like the surface of water. If this dress were ever put up for auction, it would likely fetch an astronomical price.

“This is Brother Nine’s gift to you.”

Yun Xiaojiu said to her, “Go on, try it on.”

Yun Jiao agreed and went to change. When she came out in the gown, she looked like a goddess descended to the mortal world.

Her fair, delicate skin, the gorgeous, ornate gown, the dazzling red gemstone necklace around her neck… all she needed was to fix her hair.

HISS…

“She’s just too beautiful.”

Qin Rui felt another burst of inspiration and excitedly grabbed Yun Xiaoqi’s hand.

“Jiaojiao looks so stunning when she’s all dressed up.”

Everyone sighed in admiration.

Standing under the lights, Yun Jiao became the center of everyone’s attention.

Yun Xiao Ba took many photos of her.

His gift would come later, as he planned to paint a portrait based on the best photo of Yun Jiao from today.

But… every single one was beautiful.

She only had to stand there; any slight movement created a picturesque scene.

“Happy birthday.”

“Happy 18th birthday, Jiaojiao.”

“You’re an adult now, a young woman!”

On the cruise ship, all her friends and family gathered around her, offering gifts and blessings.

The smile never left Yun Jiao’s face.

Finally, she even went into the sea and performed a dance for everyone.

Once again, she was accompanied by Hu Jing, the Humpback Whales, and the dolphins.

The great ocean became her stage.

The cameras used for filming this time were more advanced, capturing the scene with crystal clarity.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky, but everything else simply became a backdrop to accentuate Yun Jiao.

Standing on the deck, Fu Mingyu clearly felt his heart pound for the figure at the center of it all, shining like the moon surrounded by stars.

After the day’s festivities ended, Yun Jiao had received a huge pile of gifts.

Her room could barely hold them all.

Whether they were expensive or filled with creativity, she organized and stored each gift away carefully.

She even put the gown on a mannequin and placed it in a separate room. With just the flick of a switch, its splendor and beauty were on full display.

“Jiaojiao.”

Early the next morning, Yun Sui arrived at her house.

He was holding a floral wreath—a very beautiful, red one.

“I grew these flowers myself. They’re pretty. For you.”

His eyes were clear and bright, and he wore a Daoist robe.

Now grown up, Yun Sui had a slender build from his daily physical training while cultivating with Daoist Qingfeng on the mountain.

His intellectual disability, paradoxically, gave him a unique aura—one of pure sincerity, cleanliness, and an indescribable approachability.

The animals in the village and on the mountain were all very fond of him.

“You grew them?”

Yun Sui nodded. “I found them in the mountains. They’re beautiful climbing roses. I brought them back to plant, and they bloomed really well this year.”

“For you.”

Yun Jiao took it and placed it on her head. “I love it.”

Yun Sui smiled, looking very content.

“Jiaojiao, I’m leaving.”

He suddenly hugged Yun Jiao.

“Master said he’s taking me somewhere far away… to go home.”

Yun Jiao paused, then patted his back.

“Then you have to be good, don’t run off. Make sure you stay with Daoist Qingfeng.”

Yun Sui hummed in agreement, but when he let go of Yun Jiao, his eyes were a little red.

“Jiaojiao, goodbye.”

Yun Jiao stood in the doorway, watching him leave.

Fu Mingyu emerged from behind the door, holding a beautiful calico cat in his arms.

“Meow~”

Hua Hua let out a delicate cry.

Yun Jiao looked over and met Fu Mingyu’s eyes.

Fu Mingyu stood a short distance away from her.

Yun Jiao: “Fu Mingyu, where’s my gift? You didn’t give me one yesterday, did you?”

The corners of Fu Mingyu’s mouth lifted slightly.

“I have it ready, but it’s not here.”

The gift he had prepared was stationary; it couldn’t be moved.

“I’ll take you to see it.”

Yun Jiao: “Okay.”

So, with the cat in tow, Fu Mingyu led Yun Jiao to a certain place.

“Here?”

“We have to keep going. This is just the foot of the mountain.”

He held his hand out to Yun Jiao, his cool eyes watching her with a hint of nervousness.

Yun Jiao stared at him for a few seconds before finally placing her hand in his.

Fu Mingyu smiled, a genuinely happy smile.

Then, holding her hand, he led her all the way up the mountain until they finally arrived in a valley.

The valley was a sea of flowers.

As far as the eye could see, there was a dazzling sea of roses.

In addition to the roses, a large circle of peach trees had been planted around the valley.

It wasn’t peach blossom season yet, but there were already countless peach-pink buds.

One could only imagine how beautiful the view would be when the peach blossoms finally opened.

Fu Mingyu squeezed her hand.

“Yun Jiao, will you be my girlfriend?”

Standing before the sea of flowers, he looked at her and asked.

Yun Jiao looked back at him, then smiled and said yes.

Neither of them was the overly sentimental type. In the course of their daily lives together, feelings beyond just familial affection had naturally grown between them.

Yun Jiao felt very at ease and comfortable with Fu Mingyu.

She didn’t know if it was love, but that was enough.