CH 12.2

During the noon break, Luo Qi received a strange call from the staff of a jewelry store, saying that a Mr. Pei ordered a set of diamond jewelry for her, and it was designated to be delivered to Yuanwei Group at noon today.

“Sorry.” Luo Qi refused to sign for the receipt. “You guys can go back.”

The other party was stunned, “Ms. Luo…”

Luo Qi interrupted, “I know you have procedures to follow, I will sign for you.”

The other party hesitated to speak, but, after all, could not force the customer. “Okay, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Luo Qi refused to accept the gift, and the staff did not have Pei Shixiao’s number, so he could only contact Pei Shixiao’s secretary.

Ten minutes later, Luo Qi received a video call invite from Pei Shixiao. She connected, but switched to a voice call, not wanting to see him.

“Qi, happy birthday. Why don’t you want to accept my birthday present?”

He finally greeted her ‘happy birthday’, twelve hours late.

Ever since they got together, he and Luo Qi have always celebrated each other’s birthdays together every year.

On her twenty-eighth birthday, he forgot to send a message. If the jewelry store staff hadn’t called his secretary, and the secretary called him about it, he would have completely forgotten that today was Luo Qi’s birthday.

He was in California, and although there was a time difference—time difference was not an excuse.

Pei Shixiao lowered his voice, “Qi, why don’t you speak?”

Luo Qi’s voice was very light, “I’m busy.”

“It’s my fault. I’ll go back and apologize to you in person.” As for why he forgot her birthday, Pei Shixiao couldn’t explain it. No matter how busy he was, he shouldn’t have forgotten.

No matter how busy you were, there was always a minute or two to send a message.

But he just forgot.

If he hadn’t ordered this set of jewelry as a birthday surprise ahead of time, he would have missed her twenty-eighth birthday completely.

Pei Shixiao lowered his posture again, “Take the gift, just punish me when I go back.”

Luo Qi stared blankly at the computer screen. Picking the hotel for the wedding banquet at the end of May, the wedding dress selection in June—he happened to be absent every time because of something.

It was her birthday today, but he actually started to play tricks, asking his secretary to order an expensive gift, but he himself didn’t send any birthday wishes. He no longer had the sincerity and heart he used to have.

They were originally supposed to get the marriage certificate at the end of September—it was also postponed because of his business trip.

No matter how stupid she was, she couldn’t deceive herself forever. He was deliberately distancing himself from her.

It should be that his family was still dissatisfied with her, and he has begun to waver. If he was no longer firm in his stance to be with her, then what was the point of her insisting on this wedding by herself.

“Qi? Say something.”

“This jewelry doesn’t suit me.”

“You liked this series before, why isn’t it suitable now?”

She used to be a VIP customer of this jewelry brand. Later, her father’s company went bankrupt, and she never visited the jewelry store again.

Luo Qi was silent for a few seconds and made up an excuse for refusing. “The design of that series signifies only one and eternal love. It is not suitable for you to send it to me.”

“Qi, do you know what you’re saying!” Pei Shixiao was angry—but also feeling guilty.

“I’m not wrong, I’m not the only one.” Luo Qi smiled, the movement not reaching her eyes. “I still have work to do.” How indecisive.

Pei Shixiao got up from the bed and drank a large glass of cold water, gripping the glass tightly. Her words were a trap, and no matter how he explained, she would not be satisfied, so he could only avoid talking about it.

“I’ve been too busy recently, so I’ve neglected you—blame me. The company is preparing to invest in a project in Beijing, and I’ll be there in October. Then you can see me every day. From now on, we will stay in the same place.”

Luo Qi didn’t answer; she just said, “We’ll talk when you get back.” There was a time difference; it was noon for her and early morning for him. “Go back to sleep, I’m busy.”

“I’m not sleepy.” Pei Shixiao didn’t want to hang up the phone. It was her birthday, and he was doing his best to make her happy now. “When you get off work, we’ll make a video call to celebrate your birthday.”

“No need. Luo Yu will be with me. Stop talking, Chief Jiang is looking for me.” Luo Qi ended the call.

Pei Shixiao wanted to say something more, but she already cut the call.

With the phone turned face side down on the table, she leaned back on the chair and sat quietly for more than an hour until a work call came in.

On the other side of the ocean, Pei Shixiao didn’t sleep well all night.

At dawn, he sent a message to Luo Qi.

Luo Qi was off work and on her way home.

[Qi, I miss you.]

Luo Qi’s eyes instantly became hot, and she deleted the message without replying.

Once the feelings became too strong, it might not be a good thing.

… …

When she arrived downstairs of the apartment, Luo Qi took a deep breath and adjusted her state before going upstairs.

Luo Yu had already prepared a birthday meal for her at home and even invited Luo Xinyun to eat it.

When she got home, there was a big cake and a bouquet of flowers on the table. It was clear that the cake was not home made.

Luo Yu was cooking in the kitchen, “Sister, you’re back!”

“Yeah,” Luo Qi said briskly. “Didn’t you plan to bake me a cake?”

“Oh, don’t mention it,” Luo Yu sighed. “The plan got overturned. It’s too late to do it over, so I could only buy you a spare one. I will definitely make you a double-layer cake next year.

“By the way, the bouquet of flowers was sent by my brother-in-law.”

Luo Qi smiled and put the flowers in the living room. She didn’t want to see them.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love For You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

T/N: Pei Shixiao forgot Luo Qi’s birthday because, despite his panic now, she hasn’t been on his mind for a long time now. Our girl deserves better.