Chapter 118 - Blue rose

"Happy Birthday, Yin Ze."

Xiong Zhi's calm voice sounded in his ear.

With just the small light from both of the flowers, the sincere eyes and slightly smiling lips of Xiong Zhi were illuminated. Her eyes reflected the silver-blue lights.

Then lights behind her with different colors appeared one by one. They are like a sea of stars that keep expanding. The people behind Xiong Zhi who were holding the candle that produce the lights shouted 'happy birthday' as well.

Then silver-blue tiny lights suddenly appeared from above. The ceiling of the Luxury garden was full of different flowers. There were tiny lights that were hanged above as well. It was like the sea of flowers and stars were mixed in.

The water fountains start to run as well. Once the rushing of water sounded in the surroundings, the butterflies that we're sleeping in the flowers woke up and fly. Different types of butterflies greeted Lu Yin Ze and the guest.

The scene was so captivating.

Lu Yin Ze did not speak. Nor he could speak. He was still staring at Xiong Zhi. His heart did not calm down. It was still thumping fast.

He put a hand to his chest. He feels like his heart would run. His ears keep repeating the words 'happy birthday, Yin Ze', the crowds cheerful 'happy birthday'.

Was he so happy that his heart could not calm down? He hides his face behind his hair.

Yes. He was so happy.

Lu Yin Ze was just dead silent.

Xiong Zhi was still standing at the same spot. She noticed that Lu Yin Ze has a hand on his chest.

Xiong Zhi began to worry. Did they scare him?

"Are you okay?"

She took a step forward to see if he was okay.

But Lu Yin Ze steps back.

"I'm okay. " He said that but his voice croaked.

Then Xiong Zhi saw it clearly. Lu Yin Ze looks sideways and quickly wipe the lone tear that escapes in his eyes. He turned around and looked up to stop the tears that threaten to come down.

If he cried now, his image as a man would be destroyed.

He never felt this warm and happy before.

He grows up in the hospital. With few doctors, nurses, and guards around. He doesn't like books but it was the only thing that he could rely on to explore the things outside the four walls.

What it feels like to study in school?

What it feels like to travel?

What it feels like to have friends to support you and to fight with you?

What it feels like to be outside?

That's the only thing that keeps running on his head.

He never expected that he would experience such a pleasant surprise like this.

He was a boy who cried in little things after all.

But the tears that threaten to come down were tears of joy.

"Aiyah! Are you crying?" Song Xuantin appeared beside them and teased Lu Yin Ze.

"Don't cry! You haven't received my gift and Gu Zhen's gift yet. " Song Xuantin added.

"Gift?" Lu Yin Ze turned around. His silver-blue eyes were still glistening.

"Yeah. This is only Xiong Zhi's gift. Mine and Gu Zhen will be later. That time, you can cry then." Song Xuantin explained.

'Why would I cry to your gift?' Lu Yin Ze wanted to rebut but then he caught a more important matter.

"You prepared this?" Lu Yin Ze asked Xiong Zhi.

Xiong Zhi nodded then shook her head.

"It was only my idea. It was your grandfather who prepared everything." Xiong Zhi truthfully said. She remembered the phone call earlier.

Since she could not prepare for a gift and she wanted to gift a sincere one, she thought hard about it. Then she called Butler Zhou Min to contact Butler Deng from the Lu family. Every butler with their same caliber had a way to contact each other. They were capable of butlers. So in a minute, Butler Zhou gave Xiong Zhi Butler Deng's number. She called Butler Deng and asked for the schedule of the event in detail.

However, after Butler Deng was done detailing the event, Old Lu who was at the side learned that Xiong Zhi was on the other line.

Old Lu had an impression of Xiong Zhi based on Lu Yin Ze's story. His grandson always talked about Xiong Zhi whenever Old Lu asked Lu Yin Ze about school. So Old Lu got curious about what a young miss of Xiong has to talk to their butler.

Since the Old man was already on the phone. Xiong Zhi decided to be courageous and ask permission for her plan. That time, she did not know if the relationship between Old Lu and Lu Yin Ze was good, she just took a risk. If Old Lu doesn't want a Xiong to but-in the schedule of the event, then Xiong Zhi would think of another way. But it turns out when she laid the plan Old Lu surprisingly agreed with glee.

Xiong Zhi and Old Lu then once more discussed the plan.

Initially, Xiong Zhi wanted Old Lu to hold the electric flower since he was the closest to Lu Yin Ze. But then Old Lu strongly disagreed and pushed her to be the one to greet Lu Yin Ze.

"Standing and waiting will take a toll in my knees. You better do it." Old Lu said.

Having no choice, Xiong Zhi took the role.

For her, this surprise was important since it would undoubtedly make Lu Yin Ze, who got easily happy in little things, have an unforgettable birthday.

Old Lu and the Oldies came forward to Lu Yin Ze as well.

"Happy birthday, little Yin yin." Old Lu said as he walked to Lu Yin Ze.

Lu Yin Ze was shy when he heard the little nickname he used when he was young. But he still hugged his grandfather.

"Thank you, grandpa."

Old Lu almost cried. Lu Yin Ze hugged him for the first time after ten years. But then he remembered that he never gave a birthday celebration to Lu Yin Ze after the boy was six. His grandson deserves this.

"Thank this friend of yours. It was her gift." Old Lu pointed to Xiong Zhi.

Lu Yin Ze let go of Old Lu and walked forward to Xiong Zhi.

He wanted to hug her. To express his gratitude and to share how happy he was. But he just stands there and sincerely thank Xiong Zhi.

"Thank you, Zhi."

"You're welcome." Xiong Zhi smiled as well.

It was actually a pretty good feeling to give something like this. It makes Xiong Zhi feel warm that she make his friend happy.

"Group hug!" Song Xuantin said as she grabbed Lu Yin Ze and Xiong Zhi. Then she grabbed Gu Zhen as well. The four young ones with different expressions forcefully group hug.

Old Lu walked beside Old Xiong who was silently looking at Xiong Zhi.

"You have an awesome granddaughter. Let's not put our past when it comes to our grandchildren. You see, my grandson and your granddaughter are very fond of each other. They are unlike us. So don't stop your granddaughter from being a friend with my grandson." Old Lu said sincerely.

Old Lu knew his grandson was very fond of Xiong Zhi. He already looks forward that his grandson might like the young miss of Xiong. If it happens, he would support his grandson. That's why for now, he needs to give Old Xiong a heads up.

"Hmmph. Who was blocking my granddaughter to make friends? I'm not interfering with her life nor her relationsh.i.p.s. If there's a development between the two, that's for them. But I can't promise you. I have an agreement with my granddaughter. Don't let your hopes too high. " After saying that, Old Xiong walked ahead and wanted to be alone. This garden was so beautiful. That it made Old Xiong reminisce about the past.

He was a grandfather who doesn't care what happened to his grandchildren. If they die, they die. That's their fate. And that means they were weak. He lived in a world where weak and poor were eaten. The strong ones and the richest got to survive. But to be strong, you have to be cruel.

Old Xiong touched one of the flowers in the garden. He never loves someone deeply. But he was once young. Like everyone else, he got infatuated by beauty. He was infatuated with Precisilia, Old Lu's deceased wife.

He pursued her at first. However, he had a father that deems emotions as a hindrance. Their status was more important, their surnames must put first before anything else. He grew up with that idea. And until now, he upholds that belief. The Xiong family was great and never declined because of their principle. He too, as the head, belief and realize it's true.

So when Old Xiong's father choose a family that would help stabilize the Xiong Empire in the years to come, Old Xiong never blinked and accept the proposal. He married a person he never met before.

He stopped pursuing Priscilla. He stopped his nonsense feelings.

Old Xiong tore his gaze away at the flower.

They never know, no one knows.

What this flower truly meant for him and her.

Old Xiong looked at the direction of his granddaughter, Xiong Zhi.

It's true they have an agreement. If his granddaughter manages to win the agreement, then he would stick up to his words. If Xiong Zhi was proven capable, then he would give the empire to her. But if she loses, she had to marry the man that Old Xiong seemed fit.

Emotions..were superficial.