CH 37.2

“Now that I think about it, it’s already my birthday if we consider the time difference,” remarked Ji Fanyin contemplatively.

There was a six hours time difference between Greece and China. It was already evening time in Greece, which meant that it was after midnight in China. 

Bai Zhou was taken aback. He leaped to his feet and anxiously searched for his phone to check the current time in China. After confirming that it was indeed after midnight, he quickly ran up the stairs. He was in such a rush that he accidentally kicked on one of the steps, resulting in a loud ‘bam!’. 

Just listening to the sound was enough to make Ji Fanyin wince. 

However, Bai Zhou bore with the pain and continued charging up the stairs. Everything fell silent once he got into his room. 

Meanwhile, Ji Fanyin carried the bowls and cutleries toward the kitchen sink. 

She was someone who was fond of cooking good food, but what was rare was that she enjoyed the preparation process and the cleaning up too. Often, she would be in a good mood whenever she was working in the kitchen.

She looked at the time and decided to bake a cake for the occasion. Bai Zhou was still upstairs, but she already knew what he was up to.

It’s already time. He has to quickly call Ji Xinxin to wish her happy birthday. 

Her phone is going to be busy for the whole day. 

… 

The first thing Bai Zhou did was to tap into his WeChat to check on Ji Xinxin’s Moments page. There were no pictures or messages relating to her birthday yet, but he couldn’t eliminate the possibility that someone had already wished her happy birthday.

The date had yet to change in Paris, but Bai Zhou was certain that there were people out there who had the same idea, biding their time for midnight to strike China to wish her happy birthday. 

He had already decided on this a long time ago, and he kept reminding himself throughout the day too. He only stopped short of setting an alarm for it. Yet, he still missed the timing for it while having dinner with Ji Fanyin!

It was currently six plus in Greece. He reckoned that Ji Xinxin would pick up her phone if she wasn’t busy at the moment. 

Bai Zhou took a deep breath before making the call.

The worst-case scenario he imagined didn’t occur. Ji Xinxin picked up the call within ten seconds, her voice sounding as cheery as usual. Just listening to her speak lifted his mood.

“Zhouzhou? You’re early if you’re calling to wish me a happy birthday. It’s still afternoon.”

Bai Zhou traced the edges of the table with his finger as he felt his nervousness leaving his body. “Mm I know, but it’s already 16th over here. Big sis, happy birthday.”

“Our Zhouzhou is as thoughtful as always~” Ji Xinxin teased with a chuckle. “I thought that you would secretly sneak to Paris to give me a ‘surprise’.”

“…” Bai Zhou’s lips twitched a little. “… I did prepare a surprise for you. Have you received my package yet?”

“My roommate told me that there were many packages for me today. I’m still on my way home to check it out,” said Ji Xinxin excitedly. “I bet that they are presents from everyone. Don’t worry, I’ll surely prioritize yours for the unwrapping!”

“I hope that you’ll like it.” Bai Zhou pressed his lips together nervously. “You’re living with a roommate?”

“Mm, I moved into a very big house. It’s much livelier this way. I have five roommates, and they’re really nice people. You don’t have to worry about me,” replied Ji Xinxin.

Bai Zhou still wanted to say something, but someone seemed to be calling for Ji Xinxin over on her side. 

Ji Xinxin replied with an “Oui” before apologizing to Bai Zhou, “Sorry Zhouzhou, I still have some stuff I need to deal with here. Thanks for calling. You’re the best!”

“… Mm, see you. I’ll call you later.”

The call ended there, and Bai Zhou breathed out deeply.

His previous intuition was right. Ji Xinxin had started drifting away from him ever since she went to Paris. It wasn’t just physical distance but emotionally as well.

If not for the void from this emotional distance, I would have never fallen for Ji Fanyin’s ludicrous acting. They don’t even look that alike at all…