32. Sun Fuyu’s birthday

A few days later, it was Sun Fuyu’s birthday.

Sun Fuyu felt a little weird. He hadn’t celebrated in a long time. 19...if he had stayed in the mortal towns, then at this age, had he been any other child, he might even be married.

That was, if his parents would even deign to find a matchmaker to look for a proper match for him. Sun Fuyu’s thoughts darkened as he recalled what his parents had wanted to do to him.

These dark thoughts floated away as Sun Fuyu moved through his morning sword practice, a habit that he had maintained from his outer sect days. However, new thoughts emerged during the times when he was supposed to be focusing on the new cultivation manuals Senior Cultivator Liu Zhongmin had given him.

I can’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday.

Wen-ge wants to celebrate my birthday. He wants to go to that restaurant.

I don’t want to see my father… But would he even recognise me?

I’m a cultivator now!

Wen-ge is more important than my so-called father!

But despite that last affirmation, Sun Fuyu’s thoughts would spin back out to the beginning again. In the end, he put down the jade slip with the manual in frustration and took out the  smooth jade that Wen-ge had given him. Breathing in the measured way the Wen-ge did, Sun Fuyu let the feeling of Wen-ge’s qi calm him.

In the evening, Sun Fuyu dressed in a clean set of golden robes and waited outside the Banquet Hall. Not long later, Wen Zhihao appeared, coming from the direction of the kitchens. Sun Fuyu’s nervousness spiked.

“Xiao Yu!” Wen Zhihao called out. “Come here.”

Sun Fuyu quickly walked to Wen Zhihao’s side. “Hello, Wen-ge.”

“Did you have a good day?”

“Good.”

Sun Fuyu was a little confused when Wen Zhihao ushered him down the pathway to the kitchens, rather than taking out their swords to fly to town.

“We’re not going to that restaurant today,” Wen Zhihao said with a mysterious smile. “Your birthday should be happy. Now close your eyes and don’t try to detect things using your qi for a moment, okay?”

Sun Fuyu swallowed. “Okay.” He obediently closed his eyes, pulling his qi close.

“Stay calm.” Wen Zhihao took Sun Fuyu’s hand. “You know this pathway well.”

Step, step step. Even though he had pulled his qi back, Sun Fuyu could still hear the sound of many people breathing. Nervousness constricted Sun Fuyu’s chest.

“You can open your eyes now.”

Sun Fuyu opened his eyes.

“Happy birthday!!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Happy Birthday, Cultivator Sun!”

The loud cheers and the surroundings made Sun Fuyu’s eyes widen. Beside him, Wen-ge gave him a big smile.

Warmth flooded Sun Fuyu’s heart.

There were all the kitchen and farming aunties and uncles with who he was familiar. A huge red banner hung on the outside wall, announcing Happy Birthday Cultivator Sun Fuyu. Floating lights and red lanterns made it as vibrant as the New Year.

Aunty Liu Jing walked out of the crowd, carrying an unusually large cake that was decorated with colourful fruit.

“Happy birthday, Xiao Sun,” she said with a big smile. “According to Xiao Wen, you are supposed to cut this cake, and if the knife touches the bottom, you must kiss the closest person.”

“???” Sun Fuyu’s face grew hot. He glared at Wen Zhihao. “You—Wen-ge!”

Wen Zhihao laughed. “Don’t worry, that’s a tradition from a different land. There’s another tradition that is more suitable.” After Liu Jing placed the cake down on the table, Wen Zhihao took out 19 extremely small slim candles and placed them around the cake. He pinched each, lighting them with some qi.

“We all wish you a happy birthday, Xiao Yu,” Wen Zihiao said, his lips curving up into an indulgent, warm smile.

“Happy birthday, Xiao Sun. May your year be prosperous!” the others chorused.

“Now think of a wish you want to come true, and blow out the candles.”

Sun Fuyu had never heard of candles granting wishes before, and these candles were completely ordinary, aside from how they didn’t drip wax.

But if Wen Zhihao said so, then Sun Fuyu will listen. He looked at all the people gathered, felt shy, and dropped his gaze to the colourful cake and small glowing candles.

I wish….

Wish made, Sun Fuyu blew the candles out with a gentle gush of wind.

Everyone burst into cheers and applause. Wen Zhihao patted him on the back.

“Now it’s time to eat!”

“Aunty will cut the cake,” Aunty Liu Jing said with a smile.

Sun Fuyu nodded, relieved.

“Since it’s your birthday, it’s more than okay to have dessert first,” Wen Zhihao said in a sage voice.

“Your Wen-shixiong bothered me for a long time to make this,” Aunty Liu Jing said in an amused tone. “Sugar, eggs, flour, butter, but no recipe to speak of.”

Wen Zhihao gave a sheepish smile. “I don’t know how to cook, I only remembered it once…But you made it. You’re an amazing chef, Aunty Liu!”

“Thank you, aunty,” Sun Fuyu said softly.

“Why can’t you be more like your shidi, hmm?” Liu Jing pestered Wen Zhihao.

“I only have one shidi, and that’s Xiao Yu. How can anyone be as good as him?” Wen Zhihao protested. “Xiao Yu, have a slice of cake, I taste-tested all of the previous failed versions, but this one definitely passes!”

Liu Jing snorted. “Stinky boy.”

Sun Fuyu’s lips twitched as he accepted a plate with a triangular piece of cake. “Thank you.”

“Don’t be so polite,” Wen Zhihao chided. “Come, sit, eat.”

The cake was extremely light, it was almost like eating air. It was sweet, the cream was soft, and the tartness from the fruit balanced out the richness.

After having cake, Wen Zhihao personally served him a little of many of the dishes that everyone had prepared. “You'll like this! Here, your chopsticks.”

Sun Fuyu’s heart fluctuated as he accepted the food from Wen Zhihao’s hands.

He knew that it was possible for two male cultivators to be together—all entering outer sect disciples were given compulsory lessons including the process of different types of dual cultivation. But he didn’t know what the process of courting was like in this setting where many cultivators did not have families to mediate with matchmakers.

But the things that Wen Zhihao had given him...cultivation manuals, a spatial ring, coins, food…were really, really ambiguous.

Sun Fuyu sneaked a look at Wen Zhihao’s profile. Wen Zhihao immediately noticed, glancing over at him with a smile.

“Not hungry anymore, Xiao Yu?”

Sun Fuyu wanted to ask, Why are you nice to me? But he was also afraid of the answer, so he shook his head. “Thank you, Wen-ge.”

“Shouldn’t I be thanking you for accompanying me to random places?” Wen Zhihao laughed.

“I...But I want to…”

Wen Zhihao’s gaze became more serious. “Xiao Yu, everyone is here for you. You’re not alone.”

Sun Fuyu’s eyes misted up a little. “Wen-ge.”

Wen Zhihao rubbed his head. “Turn that frown upside down. Today is a happy event, celebrating your birth and our good fortune in meeting you!” Wen Zhihao turned around. “Old Tang!” he called out. “Bring out your pipa, play some music for us!”

“Okay!” Old Tang said enthusiastically. He and a bunch of other middle-aged workers took out their instruments and played lively tunes, while some attempted to sing along badly.

Sun Fuyu laughed quietly at their antics, and immediately shook his head when Wen Zhihao teased him about joining them in singing.

Wen Zhihao felt satisfied at how bright and happy Sun Fuyu was.

What he hadn’t said to Sun Fuyu was...because of him, Wen Zhihao wasn’t alone either.

no Monday update next week cos been busy (Wednesday update will be as usual)… But anyway, there is a little time skip so you can have a real-life time passing-ness ;P

In the mean time, you can go and read my other stories ~ |･ω･)