WIL CH 22

Chapter 22: Birthday

Lin Xi also decided not to pay attention to the rumors online. As long as they didn’t respond or participate, there would be nothing more for others to speculate about. With time, all those heated discussions would eventually fade away.

But there was still one thing he couldn’t stop worrying about—whether Wen Feng had seen those posts. If he did, and if he believed them, wouldn’t Lin Xi end up being “peeled alive” ^[1]again?

He spent the entire morning feeling uneasy. When Assistant Liang came to deliver lunch, Lin Xi—rarely the one to initiate conversation—couldn’t help but ask about Wen Feng’s schedule.

“Assistant Liang, what has Wen Feng been doing this morning?” He asked casually, pretending not to care.

“President Wen’s been in meetings all morning.”

“Oh.”

Assistant Liang could tell Lin Xi had more to say. “If you need to reach him, you can call him directly.”

Lin Xi held the lunch bag loosely in his hands. “It’s nothing important.”

In the end, he didn’t manage to ask anything else.

The afternoon passed in a blur of work, and the matter slipped from his mind. Just before leaving the office, he checked the trending searches on his phone—strangely, all the videos about him were gone. Only a few featuring Kong Zhao remained.

Those popular clips that had thousands of likes in the morning had vanished completely. He was nothing more than a fleeting name on the internet—a blossom that appeared for a night and disappeared just as quickly.

He recalled that the video of him and Jiang Boqing had also vanished in the same way—gone overnight before he even had the chance to see it himself. It seemed this time, too, was Wen Feng’s doing.

Lin Xi didn’t like being in the public eye. For him, this outcome was actually a relief. Still, uneasiness lingered in his heart—he couldn’t tell if Wen Feng was angry again.

That evening, when Wen Feng came to pick him up from work, he didn’t mention anything about it. His expression, though, looked slightly cold. Since Wen Feng didn’t bring it up, Lin Xi naturally wouldn’t dare to touch that topic either. He secretly exhaled in relief.

This city was full of phoenix trees^[2]. In late autumn, both sides of the street were lined with them, their golden leaves falling to the ground in the chilly wind, covering the road in a thick carpet that rustled softly underfoot.

That morning’s breakfast had been tomato and egg noodles. Lin Xi hadn’t eaten Wen Feng’s cooking in quite some time. On a cold autumn morning, a steaming bowl of noodles was enough to chase away the chill of the entire day.

With his face lowered into the bowl, Lin Xi slurped the noodles, his lips glistening with oil.

Then, from across the dining table, Wen Feng suddenly said, “Come home early tonight.”

That would be difficult. The game had just launched, and there were still many promotional posters to finish. Some character outfits and equipment designs were so intricate that it could take several days to complete just one. He often had to work overtime, rushing to finish within a week.

Holding the bowl in both hands, Lin Xi replied, “That might not be possible. There’s a lot of work lately.”

Wen Feng raised an eyebrow. Regardless of Lin Xi’s excuses, he said firmly, “I’ll pick you up at eight tonight. Don’t you dare work overtime that late again.”

Lin Xi had been coming home at ten o’clock for several nights in a row—sometimes even later than Wen Feng himself.

Lin Xi muttered softly, “Okay… I’ll try.”

He didn’t dare to make any promises. Around this hour, he and Kong Zhao, along with other colleagues, were usually still working overtime at the office. How could he just leave early and dump the workload on everyone else?

When it came to work, Lin Xi was strict with himself—anything he could handle, he wouldn’t pass on to others.

All day long, except during meals, the hand holding his digital pen never once put it down. His eyes grew sore from staring at the screen too long, so he grabbed the eye drops he always kept on his desk, tilted his head back, and applied two drops. The cool sensation instantly refreshed his tired eyes. After a short break, he threw himself back into work again.

By the time he finally stepped out of the company, the sky was already pitch black.

He checked his phone—it was already 8:30 PM. Startled, Lin Xi hurried toward the street. The streetlights glowed brightly on both sides, and that familiar car was still parked beneath one of them.

He quickly opened the back door, but there was no one there. Just as he was about to turn his head, Wen Feng’s voice came from the driver’s seat.

“Sit in the front.”

Lin Xi froze for a moment. So, Assistant Liang wasn’t with him tonight—it was Wen Feng driving himself.

He quietly closed the back door and, carrying the lunch box in his arms, sat down in the front passenger seat.

Wen Feng didn’t speak. Once Lin Xi fastened his seatbelt, he started the engine.

Lin Xi glanced sideways at him. The man’s handsome face was calm, expressionless, his lips tightly pressed together, giving off an even sterner aura than usual.

Nervously fidgeting with the hem of his sweater sleeve, Lin Xi whispered, “I really tried to finish faster… I just ended up a little late.”

Wen Feng tapped his index finger lightly on the steering wheel and asked, “Do you know what day it is today?”

Lin Xi blinked, confused.

“What day?”

Wen Feng didn’t answer, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Lin Xi thought for a while but couldn’t figure it out. Finally, he pulled out his phone and checked the calendar. The bright date on the screen made his eyes widen.

It was his twenty-fourth birthday.

He had never cared much for birthdays. Lately, with all the overtime, he had completely forgotten—but Wen Feng still remembered. Ever since they got married, Wen Feng never once forgot his birthday.

Before their marriage, Lin Xi had never received any birthday gifts. After their marriage, he got one every year—but he never opened any of them. Each one remained sealed away in the cabinet.

When they got home, the house was dark. Wen Feng flipped a switch on the wall, and the spacious living room instantly lit up. The heater was on, making the air comfortably warm. On the dining table, dinner was already prepared—and in the center sat a medium-sized birthday cake.

The design of the cake looked strangely familiar. A faint image flashed in Lin Xi’s mind, but he quickly brushed it away—telling himself it must be a coincidence.

He stood a few steps away from the table, staring blankly at the cake.

Wen Feng guided him to sit down at the table and asked, “So, do you finally remember what day it is?”

Lin Xi nodded quietly.

“You even need to be reminded of your own birthday? Is there anything in your head besides work?”

“…I forgot.”

Lin Xi’s eyes reddened slightly, and his lashes trembled faintly.

Wen Feng didn’t scold him anymore. He simply placed two candles shaped like the number “24” in the center of the cake, then pulled out a lighter. The metallic click echoed softly, followed by a small burst of flame that quickly lit the candles.

He looked up at Lin Xi and said, “Make a wish first.”

The warm yellow candlelight reflected on Wen Feng’s face, making his deep eyes glimmer softly. Under the gentle glow, his expression appeared unusually tender.

Lin Xi blinked his sore eyes and came back to his senses. He clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.

He never really believed that wishes could come true, but just this once, he wanted to try. He prayed sincerely to God — hoping that the man before him would stay healthy and safe, and that he could be happy… truly happy.

No matter what Wen Feng had done, Lin Xi still wished him well.

He slowly opened his eyes and blew out the flickering flames.

Wen Feng looked at him and smiled — a soft, gentle smile. The corners of his eyes and lips curved delicately, like ripples spreading across a calm lake under the moonlight.

“Xi Xi, happy birthday.”

The extinguished flame rekindled within Lin Xi’s heart, burning quietly once again.

Lin Xi cut the cake and gave each of them a slice. It tasted familiar — exactly the same as before. Sweet, almost too sweet, to the point that it cloyed his tongue. Yet he still ate every bite.

After dinner, Wen Feng led him back to their bedroom.

On the bedside table sat a gift box — different from the previous years. This time, Wen Feng personally opened it. Inside the deep blue velvet box lay a golden bracelet, with a single diamond shining at its center.

He took out a small key attached to a chain and inserted it into the tiny slot on the bracelet. With a soft click, it opened. Wen Feng gently lifted Lin Xi’s hand, which had been hanging at his side, and placed the bracelet around his wrist. Another click sounded as it locked back into place.

Holding Lin Xi’s hand, Wen Feng looked into his eyes and said, “Without this key, the bracelet can’t be opened. So don’t even think about taking it off — understood?”

With that, Wen Feng locked him in.

The golden bracelet gleamed against Lin Xi’s pale wrist, the diamond in the center sparkling like a star.

Today marked Lin Xi’s twenty-fourth year in this world. After this birthday, it also marked four years since he and Wen Feng had been together. He couldn’t remember the exact date they got their marriage certificate — only that it was also in autumn, close to his birthday.

Four years had passed, yet he still couldn’t truly understand Wen Feng.

Lin Xi looked at him and softly said, “Got it.”

Wen Feng held his hand and brought it to his lips, brushing a light kiss against his knuckles. Then, he gently swept aside the strands of hair covering Lin Xi’s forehead, and his warm lips pressed there for a few seconds before pulling away.

Desire filled his gaze as his eyes trailed down to Lin Xi’s lips. Slowly, he leaned in, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Just as their lips were about to meet, a sharp ringtone shattered the growing intimacy.

Wen Feng’s expression darkened. He pulled his phone from his pocket — a foreign name flashed across the screen. Before Lin Xi could see it clearly, Wen Feng hung up.

Lin Xi looked at him and asked softly, “Aren’t you going to answer it?”

“No.”

But almost immediately, the phone chimed again — this time, a series of WeChat notifications, one after another. Lin Xi counted roughly seven or eight in total.

Now, Wen Feng had no choice but to look. The faint light from the phone screen illuminated his face, making every shift in expression visible.

He took a few steps toward the window, dialing back the number. Lin Xi stood behind him, staring at his tall, composed figure. A faint mist seemed to cloud his eyes.

“Hello? …Is it serious?”

“…Have the family doctor go there first.”

“…Alright. I’ll be there right away.”

Wen Feng’s voice carried clear worry — Lin Xi heard it, every word sinking deep into his chest.

Lin Xi was still standing by the bed. The white sweater he wore made him look even younger — though he had just turned a year older, he still carried the air of a gentle, youthful boy.

When Wen Feng finished his call and turned around, his expression was heavy.

“There’s something urgent. I have to go out for a while,” he said.

“Go to sleep first.”

After a brief silence, he added quietly, “I’ll come back later.”

Lin Xi’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, his rabbit-like eyes losing their light. “Okay… I know.”

He had no idea how heartbreaking he looked at that moment.

Wen Feng finally couldn’t hold back — he pulled him into his arms.

Lin Xi’s chin rested against Wen Feng’s shoulder, the faint scent of cedarwood filling his senses. His hands wrapped gently around Wen Feng’s waist, and in his mind, he began counting down. Just one minute, he told himself. One minute would be enough. After that, he’d let go of this warmth that wasn’t truly his.

After a moment, Lin Xi took a small step back, loosening his hold. “You should go now.”

Wen Feng looked at him but didn’t move. Then, as if giving in, he pulled him into his embrace once more. “Just a little longer.”

Lin Xi’s nose stung, but he endured it. He didn’t push him away. It was his birthday, after all. He could allow himself this small bit of selfishness tonight. He knew what it meant when Wen Feng had to leave the house at such an hour, and yet, he couldn’t stop himself from craving just a bit more warmth.

Eventually, Wen Feng was the one who let go first. “Go to sleep,” he said gently.

Lin Xi’s throat was dry; no words came out. He simply nodded.

Wen Feng put on his coat and left. Lin Xi glanced at the clock on the nightstand — it read 10:30 p.m.

Without Wen Feng, it always took him a long time to warm the bed. He lay there alone, staring at the golden bracelet on his wrist. Even with the lights off, it still shimmered faintly, the diamond at the center glowing softly.

He noticed something — within the diamond, a tiny white light flickered. He stared at it for a long time but couldn’t tell what it was.

Turning onto his side, Lin Xi faced the curtains. There was no light seeping through the small gap between them — only complete darkness.

He stared for a long while.

When the clock on the nightstand finally showed 2 a.m., Wen Feng still hadn’t come home as promised.

(To be continued…)