Looking down at the message on his phone asking whether he was free on Friday, Bai Zhou silently moved his fingers as if calculating on an imaginary abacus, counting whether his scattered bits of rest time could even add up to two full hands.
He really was unbelievably busy every single day.
From Monday to Friday he attended classes he barely understood. On Saturdays and Sundays he was usually running around to complete all sorts of tasks.
Even so, Bai Zhou still answered honestly, saying he only had one class on Friday morning.
Fu Linchen sent another message.
[This Friday is my birthday. May I invite you to spend it with me?]
Bai Zhou quietly crossed out the small corner of rest he had planned for the week and replied with a little cat nodding sticker.
To be honest, he still had absolutely no idea how to face Fu Linchen right now. After all, he had indeed used him.
Yet these days, Fu Linchen had acted as if nothing had happened. He remained gentle and considerate, talking to him every day as usual, never mentioning that incident even once. This only made Bai Zhou feel even more guilty.
Another message arrived. [Then I will come pick you up on Friday afternoon.]
Bai Zhou replied simply. [Okay.]
A displeased snort sounded behind him. “Please, does he need to pick you up? Do I not exist?”
Bai Zhou lifted his eyes and glared. “You are peeking at my phone again.”
Fu Linyi immediately looked away, coughing twice with forced composure. “You put it right there. I just lowered my head and it was in my line of sight. It is not like I did it on purpose.”
“Really not?” Bai Zhou clearly did not believe him.
Fu Linyi turned his face to the side. “Of course. Absolutely.”
Bai Zhou looked at him with suspicion but still put away his phone.
He planned to slip his apology into Fu Linchen’s birthday gift like a secret message tucked between the pages of a book. If he was going to apologize, he needed to put real sincerity into it.
He had learned a little wood carving before. He was not a master, but simple pieces were not too difficult.
So he took a car to the wood carving studio closest to campus, bought the tools he needed, sketched out a model by hand, and began carving.
Because Friday was already almost here, Bai Zhou worked with the urgency of someone racing against time. He even paused listening to his favorite C language lectures and sat in the back row with Tang Mingyuan, bent over a small bag meant to catch wood shavings, carving with intense focus.
Holding the little dog figurine he was shaping, Bai Zhou carefully polished its small ears with a serious expression.
Up in the front row, Fu Linyi sat alone, his jealousy so sharp he could almost grind his teeth to powder.
The carving knife he bought was very sharp, a little too sharp, and at one point Bai Zhou accidentally poked a small bloody hole in his hand.
Fu Linyi felt both jealous and distressed. When they returned to the dormitory, he applied medicine on Bai Zhou’s wound while grumbling, insisting that when his own birthday came, Bai Zhou must personally make something for him too.
Bai Zhou pretended not to hear. Fu Linyi immediately wrapped an arm around him and pressed close to his ear, whispering and pestering him until Bai Zhou finally nodded in agreement just to make him stop.
When the little dog sculpture was finished, Bai Zhou painted it carefully, giving it soft and adorable colors.
He took out a keychain he had prepared earlier, strung the wooden dog onto it, and finally completed everything precisely on Friday, right on time.
He had originally thought Fu Linchen would host a grand celebration, something like the banquet from the first time they met.
But instead, Fu Linchen brought him to a quiet villa with almost no one around. He had not even brought Fu Linyi.
The villa was located in the extremely expensive Yuheyuan district. The entire interior looked like a European style castle. With one glance anyone could tell what it reflected: wealth.
Bai Zhou followed behind Fu Linchen inside. The place was completely empty.
He had not yet replied to the message Fu Linyi sent asking where they were when his phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming call.
Just as Bai Zhou was about to answer, a large hand reached out in front of him.
“He is probably calling to ask where we are. Let me answer it” Fu Linchen said.
Since Bai Zhou truly did not know what area this was, he nodded and handed the phone over.
The moment the call connected, a furious voice burst out. “Zhouzhou, where the hell did he drag you off to?”
“Fu Linyi, today is my birthday,” Fu Linchen said calmly. “I only want to spend it with Zhouzhou. Go find somewhere else to entertain yourself.”
He hung up before the person on the other end could even respond.
Then he turned toward Bai Zhou with an apologetic smile. “Is that alright?”
Bai Zhou paused. Well, the birthday person did have full authority today.
Fu Linchen added gently. “Since it is my birthday, I do not want anyone interrupting.”
He pressed the power button and shut off his phone entirely.
Bai Zhou hesitated. “But should we not spend it with your uncle and aunt?”
“There is no need. Our family never celebrates birthdays. Linyi and I always spend them on our own.” Fu Linchen smiled casually.
“I usually do not celebrate even by myself. But this year, I want to spend it with you.”
Bai Zhou’s family did not celebrate birthdays either, but Bai Zhou always secretly celebrated his own.
Every year he gave himself the gift of pure rebellion. After school he would run off to his mother’s least favorite snack street and eat from one end to the other.
Then he would slip into an internet cafe to play the trendiest games. When the sky turned dark, he would buy two hot sausages from the convenience store and squat downstairs feeding the neighborhood cats. One bite for him, one bite for the cat. They were always good friends.
Making a birthday cake had never once been part of his world.
Fu Linchen asked, “Do you know how to bake a cake?”
Bai Zhou shook his head. Cake making was a complete blind spot for him.
“What a coincidence, I do not know either, but I saw online that it is very easy.”
Fu Linchen took out ingredients from the refrigerator that he had prepared ahead of time and held up a tablet.
Bai Zhou walked over. On the screen, a cheerful blogger introduced the simple ingredients needed for a homemade cake.
“Eggs, sugar, flour, milk…”
With every item she named, Fu Linchen placed the corresponding ingredient on the counter.
After watching the video once, Bai Zhou felt confident. He rolled up his sleeves and declared with heroic determination, “Leave it to me.”
“We will do it together..” Fu Linchen said.
He placed a small yellow bear patterned apron over Bai Zhou’s neck and then put on a blue apron with a dinosaur on it himself.
It turned out Zhouzhou the Great was indeed impressive. The cream he spread was soft and smooth. Considering Fu Linchen’s talent for drawing, Bai Zhou decisively assumed full responsibility for decorating the cake.
He pushed Fu Linchen out of the kitchen, tapping his own nose with his thumb in a mock heroic gesture. “Leave the rest to me.”
Fu Linchen’s eyes softened and he reached out to brush Bai Zhou’s cheek. “Then I will rely on Zhouzhou.”
Back in the kitchen, Bai Zhou carefully painted a little dog identical to the wood carving he made earlier. Beneath the dog he painted a large field of flowers.
When he finished, he felt the dog looked too lonely standing there by itself. Remembering the blue dinosaur apron Fu Linchen wore, he drew a small blue dinosaur beside the brown dog.
The dog surrounded the dinosaur and the dinosaur stood quietly by the dog. Neither of them had to be alone.
A sudden voice echoed in his mind.
【You treat him very well.】
The system spoke without warning.
【You gave him a handmade ceramic bowl, carved wood for him, and now you even made him a cake with your own hands.】
Bai Zhou:【Birthdays are supposed to be happy occasions.】
System: ……
Because of his family background, Bai Zhou had always been more sensitive during his adolescence than other kids his age.
He learned early on that not having a birthday celebration essentially meant people didn’t want to celebrate it for him, or didn’t think it mattered.
But Bai Zhou mattered to himself. So even if no one cared, he still celebrated his own birthday every year, treating that day as something sacred.
That was why he hoped Fu Linshen’s first birthday could be a happy one too, hoping Fu Linshen could also learn to treat himself as someone important.
In the spacious kitchen, the system’s deep-blue data slowly solidified.
System:【I’ve upgraded again.】
Bai Zhou examined him closely. Although the system’s body still wasn’t fully identical to a real human’s, it was clearly much more solid than before.
Bai Zhou：【Congratulations!】
System：【This time I won’t phase through anything. Today is also the first day I’ve ever had a solid body.】
System：【Can I treat today as… my birthday?】
Bai Zhou reached out tentatively. This time, his hand didn’t pass through, it touched the system’s surface, real and firm.
Bai Zhou：【Of course!】
System：【Bai Zhou… can you hug me?】
Bai Zhou stepped forward and gently wrapped him in a light embrace. “Happy birthday.”
The system hugged him back silently. After a long moment, the deep-blue figure stiffened and said, haltingly, 【I hope Bai Zhou… can finish the mission… soon.】
Bai Zhou let out a soft laugh and released him. “You’re really career-driven, huh? First birthday of your life, and the first thing you say is pushing me to finish the mission?”
Freed from the youth’s arms, the system’s electronic voice wavered awkwardly: 【Finishing the mission… means you’ll be healthy. I want… Bai Zhou… healthy.】
Bai Zhou froze, surprised. His eyelashes lowered slightly before he reached out and patted the system’s head. “Thank you. But next time, use such a precious birthday wish on yourself, okay?”
A faint blush spread over the system’s blue form, and in the next instant, he vanished.
【Meow.】
Bai Zhou hadn’t expected the system to get embarrassed. Modern AI really were incredible.
After the system left, Bai Zhou continued working on the cake. He took a candle from the ingredients and placed it in the center of the frosting field, then stuck his head out of the kitchen and called, “Fu Linshen, turn off the lights!”
Fu Linshen, who was arranging bowls and chopsticks in the living room, froze for a moment. He lowered his head and answered softly, “Okay.”
Bai Zhou returned to the kitchen, lit the candle, and only after confirming that the lights had been turned off did he carry the cake out.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.”
“Happy birthday to you.”
The candle in the center of the frosting field flickered like a tiny firework blooming among flowers, shining over the small dog and little dinosaur figures.
The young man’s clear, gentle voice carried a smile. The birthday song, sweet as if coated in sugar, drifted softly through the quiet living room.
In the dark, the candle became the only source of light. Through the trembling glow, Fu Linshen saw the brightness in the boy’s eyes.
In those clear, luminous pupils, he saw the dancing flame and a tiny reflection of himself.
The silence was so profound that Fu Linshen feared the loud beating of his own heart would ruin the moment.
“Why aren’t you making a wish?”
The youth blinked his moist, bright eyes, smiling sweetly at him.
Fu Linshen slowly closed his eyes. After more than ten seconds, he opened them and gently blew out the candle.
“Happy birthday!”
The moment the flame went out, Bai Zhou turned the lights back on with a cheerful tap.
At the dining table, Fu Linshen stood and carefully cut the cake, terrified of accidentally scraping the little dog or tiny dinosaur’s edges.
Sitting in the chair, Bai Zhou watched his careful movements and couldn’t help tipping his head back with a smile. Under the warm light, his beautiful eyes sparkled. “Do you like that little dog so much?”
“Mm. I like it a lot.”
Fu Linshen’s lips were straight, his expression serious.
Bai Zhou’s smile deepened. “Then close your eyes. I’ll show you a magic trick.”
Fu Linshen paused, set down the knife, and obediently closed his eyes.
Bai Zhou, acting mysteriously, took the wooden dog carving out of his pocket.
“Three, two, one.”
“Surprise!”
Fu Linshen opened his eyes and immediately saw the wooden dog identical to the one on the cake, and the youth’s eyes shining like starlight.
He took the wooden carving, feeling warmth spread through his chest. His gaze fell on the faint brown marks still staining Bai Zhou’s fingers, and his voice grew hoarse. “You… got hurt making this?”
Bai Zhou scratched his cheek in embarrassment. “Just slipped a bit. So? Am I impressive or what? Do you like it?”
Heat pricked Fu Linshen’s eyes. He stepped forward and pulled Bai Zhou tightly into his arms.
“Very impressive. I like it a lot.”
Then, thinking it wasn’t enough, he added, “I like it so much. I like it the most.”
Bai Zhou lifted his chin proudly.
Fu Linshen rested his forehead on Bai Zhou’s shoulder. A long time passed. Just as Bai Zhou was about to push him away, the man suddenly whispered, “What is the mission?”
Is Bai Zhou exposed? Did Fu Linchen found out something? We will find the answer soon….
I’m damn sure that the system likes Bai Zhou!!
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator humbly requests tribute in coffee form. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ ☕
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Green Tea Bun (1)Chapter 2 · Green Tea Bun (2)Chapter 3 · Green Tea Bun (3)Chapter 4 · Green Tea Bun (4)Chapter 5 · Green Tea Bun (5)Chapter 6 · Green Tea Bun (6)Chapter 7 · Green Tea Bun (7)Chapter 8 · Green Tea Bun (8)Chapter 9 · Green Tea Bun (9)Chapter 10 · Green Tea Bun (10)Chapter 11 · Green Tea Bun (11)Chapter 12 · Green Tea Bun (12)Chapter 13 · Green Tea Bun (13)Chapter 14 · Green Tea Bun (14)Chapter 15 · Green Tea Bun (15)Chapter 16 · Green Tea Bun (16)Chapter 17 · Green Tea Bun (17)Chapter 18 · Green Tea Bun (18)Chapter 19 · Green Tea Bun (19)Chapter 20 · Green Tea Bun (20)Chapter 21 · Green Tea Bun (21)Chapter 22 · Green Tea Bun (22)Chapter 23 · Green Tea Bun (23)Chapter 24 Part 1 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 24 Part 2 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 25 · Green Tea Bun (25)Chapter 26 · Green Tea Bun (26)Chapter 27 · Green Tea Bun (27)Chapter 28 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (1)Chapter 29 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (2)Chapter 30 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (3)Chapter 32 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (5)Chapter 33 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (6)Chapter 34 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (7)Chapter 35 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (8)Chapter 36 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (9)Chapter 37 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (10)Chapter 38 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (11)Chapter 39 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (12)Chapter 40 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (13)Chapter 41 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (14)Chapter 42 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (15)Chapter 43 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (16)Chapter 44 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (17)Chapter 45 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (18)Chapter 46 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (19)Chapter 47 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (20)Chapter 48 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (21)Chapter 49 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (22)Chapter 50 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (23)Chapter 51 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (24)Chapter 52 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (25)Chapter 53 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (26)Chapter 54 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (1)Chapter 55 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (2)Chapter 56 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (3)Chapter 57 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (4)Chapter 58 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (5)Chapter 59 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (6)Chapter 60 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (7)Chapter 61 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (8)Chapter 62 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (9)Chapter 63 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (10)Chapter 64 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (11)Chapter 65 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (12)Chapter 66 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (13)Chapter 67 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (14)Chapter 68 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (15)Chapter 69 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (16)Chapter 70 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (17)Chapter 71 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (18)Chapter 72 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (19)Chapter 73 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (20)Chapter 74 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (21)Chapter 75 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (22)Chapter 76 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (23)Chapter 77 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (24)Chapter 78 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (25)Chapter 79 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (26)Chapter 80 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (27)Chapter 81 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (28)Chapter 82 · Apocalyptic Lord (1)Chapter 83 · Apocalyptic Lord (2)Chapter 84 · Apocalyptic Lord (3)Chapter 85 · Apocalyptic Lord (4)Chapter 86 · Apocalyptic Lord (5)Chapter 87 · Apocalyptic Lord (6)Chapter 88 · Apocalyptic Lord (7)Chapter 89 · Apocalyptic Lord (8)Chapter 90 · Apocalyptic Lord (9)Chapter 91 · Apocalyptic Lord (10)Chapter 92 · Apocalyptic Lord (11)Chapter 93 · Apocalyptic Lord (12)Chapter 94 · Apocalyptic Lord (13)Chapter 96 · Apocalyptic Lord (15)Chapter 97 · Apocalyptic Lord (16)Chapter 98 · Apocalyptic Lord (17)Chapter 99 · Apocalyptic Lord (18)Chapter 100 · Apocalyptic Lord (19)Chapter 101 · Apocalyptic Lord (20)Chapter 102 · Apocalyptic Lord (21)Chapter 103 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 104 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 105 · Apocalyptic Lord (24)Chapter 106 · The Real World (1)Chapter 107 · The Real World (2)Chapter 108 · Extra 1