Chapter 105: Birthday Surprise, Bullying Lan Yu Xi in Front of Her Parents - The Rich Second-Generation Villain With No Morals

Chapter 105: Birthday Surprise, Bullying Lan Yu Xi in Front of Her Parents If Qi Lin knew how much Qi Xueyao adored him, he'd probably laugh uncontrollably. A common person's home can withstand rain; a king's home, however, must remain untouched. Qi Xueyao could be close to Qi Lin, maybe even hug him, but her future boyfriend should never attempt it. She would laugh until her teeth fell out if anyone tried. At that moment, completely oblivious to everything, Qi Lin was on the phone with Lan Gang and Xia Sha. "Uncle Lan, have you been busy lately?" he asked casually. "You have some nerve," Lan Gang replied, recalling how Qi Lin had fought with his daughter right in front of everyone at the police station. "Do you seriously think I wouldn't have finished you off?" Lan Gang's tone was both exasperated and amused. "Go ahead," Qi Lin said nonchalantly, a lazy smile on his face. "If you did, then poor Yuxi would be a widow. And since today’s her birthday, I have a little gift for her." "Today is Yu Xi's birthday?" On the other end, Lan Gang was taken aback. Hearing that Lan Gang had forgotten Lan Yu Xi's birthday made Qi Lin laugh. "Uncle Lan, you're really dropping the ball. No wonder Yu Xi's gotten swept off her feet by me. If she runs away, you can't blame anyone but yourself for not paying enough attention." "Cheeky brat, how dare you tease me," Lan Gang almost laughed through his irritation. "You called just to remind me of Yu Xi's birthday?" Lan Gang's previous annoyance started to ebb away. Forget a father's indignation at not remembering his own daughter's birthday. The key fact was that Qi Lin remembered, showing how genuine his feelings for her were. "Not exactly," Qi Lin clarified. "I just wanted to discuss this with you. I've planned a surprise for Yu Xi today by pretending to forget her birthday. Don’t call or tell her grandma anything. When she gets saddened by everyone seemingly forgetting, then we'll surprise her later." Qi Lin's voice carried a sincere excitement. Lan Gang could only admire Qi Lin's mastery of romantic gestures. No wonder Yuxi had risked everything for him, even pulling off a dramatic rescue at the police station. "If I'd had half of this kid's charm, I wouldn't have spent four or five years chasing after Yu Xi's mom," Lan Gang sighed inwardly. "By the way, Uncle Lan, try to get off work early today. I've ordered a ten-layer cake for Yu Xi. You'll need to sign for it." "You're the irresponsible one. If your parents knew how much you're spending, they'd be furious," Lan Gang replied testily, letting out a small gasp upon hearing Qi Lin's generosity. "No worries, Uncle Lan. I've got money to spend and money to earn. Rest assured, your daughter will live a life of luxury with me." "You cheeky kid," Lan Gang said, rolling his eyes at Qi Lin's boastful claims. "If only you were as good as you claim." He ended the call to inform his assistant, "Today's my daughter’s birthday; I’m leaving work early. Call me if there are any emergencies." "Understood, Director," the assistant replied promptly. After hanging up with Lan Gang, Qi Lin dialed Xia Sha. "Auntie, what are you up to?" Qi Lin's laid-back tone was familiar to Xia Sha. "Friday nights are busy at the restaurant, so I just reminded the staff to get the ingredients ready ahead of time," Sha Sha responded sweetly. "Did you know today is Yu Xi's birthday, Auntie?" Qi Lin asked. "My, you sure remember Yu Xi's birthday. Evidently, her instincts about you are spot on," Sha Sha exclaimed in surprise. "Not only did I remember, but I've also planned a surprise. I need you to help, Auntie." "What do you need?" "Simple. When Yu Xi finishes school, go pick her up, but pretend you’ve forgotten it’s her birthday. Bring her to help at your restaurant for a while." "Meanwhile, I’ll prepare the surprise at home. Wait for my text as the signal to head back." Upon hearing Qi Lin's plan, Xia Sha's eyes sparkled. "Qi Lin, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet. If you weren't so young, even I might be swayed by you." "You got it, Auntie! There's no girl who could resist me," Qi Lin replied, reveling in the praise. "And what about me? Tempted?" Xia Sha teased, her cheeks warming with a blush. She added, "Don't push your luck, kid. Annoy me enough, and I'll get Yu Xi's parents to make sure you can barely scrape by." "Hehe, just kidding. Auntie is so stunning, I wouldn’t dare," Qi Lin replied, testing Xia Sha’s reaction. Sha Sha, not as stern beneath her exterior as she seemed, indicated she'd require more effort to charm. With key players informed, Qi Lin set off to bait his trap outside the Lan family's home. In the third-year and sixth-form classes, Lan Yu Xi was fighting tears. Each droplet rolled down her delicate face, tugging at her thin thread of hope. "Pretty, so what? Top student, so what? No one remembered my birthday,” she lamented, feeling every word like a sting. "Qi Lin, you heartless jerk, forgot my birthday too. Have my parents really forgotten? My Auntie? My grandparents?" She lay on her desk, big teardrops spilling down her beautiful face, feeling utterly pitiful. "That dummy disappeared after classes started. Did he run off to find another girl?" Thinking about cold and aloof Qi Lin, Lan Yu Xi cried even harder, overwhelmed by emotions. Brrring~ The school bell signaled the end of classes. With the weekend approaching, students from the Huashi First High School appeared liberated. But not Lan Yu Xi. She climbed onto the bus alone, her red-lined eyes filled with tears. Wang Cheng, watching her closely, felt this was his chance. Surely, it was Qi Lin’s absence and forgetfulness that left Lan Yu Xi looking so forlorn. Wasn’t this his perfect opportunity to seize? At the school gate, just as Wang Cheng was about to approach Lan Yu Xi, Sha Sha intercepted. "Yu Xi," Wang Cheng began. Yet, Sha Sha stepped in with a fierce warning. "Hey, kid! Back off from Yu Xi. Does your skin still itch from last time? Need another lesson?" Sha Sha sharply called out. Wang Cheng shrank back. Sha Sha recognized him as the troublemaker from her shop incident. "Ma'am, last time was a misunderstanding. I never meant any disrespect," Wang Cheng protested. But the misunderstanding loomed large, needing more than a few words for absolution. "Skedaddle! Who are you calling aunty? You disgust me," Sha Sha retorted. "I'm taking Yu Xi home now. Follow us, and I'll call the police." With a fierce glance, Sha Sha led Lan Yu Xi to the waiting motorbike, fastening her securely. Wang Cheng’s potential breakthrough was thwarted by Sha Sha’s intervention. Helplessly, he watched them drive away. On the ride home, Lan Yu Xi clutched Sha Sha’s slender waist, feeling a flicker of happiness. "Heehee, someone remembered my birthday—my Auntie!" she mused, nuzzling against Sha Sha’s back. “Auntie, are you planning a surprise for me?” she asked sweetly. "Stop squirming like a grater; it tickles," Sha Sha chided playfully. “Yes, a surprise," she chuckled. "We’ve got a busy night; I need your help at the restaurant." "Hahaha," she laughed. But her heart stung when she heard it. Her last flicker of celebration snuffed out. "Why does it seem misfortune always catches up with me in the end?" Lan Yu Xi lamented, sobbing against Sha Sha, whose shoulders took the flooding tears away. By the time they arrived at the Jianghan Restaurant, Lan Yu Xi bore a heavy heart. Alone, she turned to menial tasks—taking out trash, wiping tables, preparing ingredients—silently pondering her forgotten birthday. Sure, she was diligent, but her distress only deepened. By 8 p.m., patrons thinned out. "Yu Xi, let’s head home," Sha Sha suggested, seeing Lan Yu Xi's little pout—a silent betrayal of her inner hopes. It was time to reveal their surprise. "Of course." On the way home, her melancholy loomed large. No care from parents on her birthday. No sign of Qi Lin, the rascal. Even a burdened laborer’s night ended brighter than this. She wanted only to sleep and forget this miserable day. "Here we are; you knock," Sha Sha suggested when they reached home. Inside the house, the atmosphere was full of anticipation, but Sha Sha naturally wouldn't open the door. Lan Yu Xi, looking dazed and as though she had lost her spirit, took out her key and unlocked the door. As she stepped in, there came a distinct "click!" from the light switch. "Ah?" "What's wrong, didn't I turn on the light?" Lan Yu Xi, puzzled, raised her head. The next moment: "Bang!" The sound of a party popper went off as colorful confetti rained down from above. "Happy Birthday, dear!" "Happy eighteenth birthday to our Yu Xi! You're officially eighteen!" "Were you surprised? Were you shocked?" "Did we scare you, Yu Xi?" Everyone around her, beaming with joy, her father Lan Gang, her mother Zhou Lina, her grandparents... "You, you all?" Lan Yu Xi covered her small mouth, disbelief flooding her wide eyes. Finally, the realization dawned on Lan Yu Xi that it wasn’t that everyone forgot her birthday. They had all deliberately pretended to forget, just to give her a delightful surprise. "You’re all so bad! You knew it was my birthday, but you all pretended not to know, just to trick me at the last moment," Lan Yu Xi exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with joy, despite the tears. Recalling something, she grabbed her stomach in mock indignation and pulled Sha Sha inside, who was laughing uncontrollably at the door. "You're the worst, Auntie! You even kept me at the shop as a worker all day. My back aches! You have to make up for it with a good gift, or else the first piece of cake I throw will be at you." "You’re the best girl ever. Here's a gift from your auntie. Hope you'll like it," Sha Sha said, handing Lan Yu Xi a gift box. Inside was a delightful ladies' purse. Given their shared tastes, it was love at first sight for Lan Yu Xi. "Oh Auntie, I adore you!" Lan Yu Xi planted a grateful kiss on Sha Sha's cheek. Blushing, Sha Sha wiped her cheek and teased, "Dear, don't be so inappropriate. You kissed me on the corner of the mouth! I don’t even have a boyfriend yet." Hearing this, Lan Yu Xi's cheeks also turned a little red. The thought of Qi Lin kissing her so many times, and kissing her aunt just now—was it like an indirect kiss with that scoundrel Qi Lin? "Oh heavens, Lan Yu Xi, how are your studies slipping like this? What have you been thinking?" She shook her head, turning her attention to the array of gifts from her parents, grandparents, and relatives. But upon seeing the grand ten-layer cake, she couldn’t help but gasp again, with her hand flying to her mouth. "My goodness, this cake is enormous! Who went all out to prepare such a spectacular surprise for me?" Suppressing their mirth, Lan Gang and Sha Sha exchanged knowing glances. "Open your gifts first," Lan Gang suggested cheekily, "and you’ll uncover the cake's mystery later." "Why all the mystery?" Lan Yu Xi mumbled, glancing around. Even though her family surrounded her, she felt an empty space in her heart, as if something—or someone—was still missing. "Qi Lin, where's Qi Lin? Did he really forget my birthday?" she wondered sorrowfully. "This is from your parents, grandparents. Please, open it up," Lan Gang urged, moving a mammoth gift box to her. "Wow!" Lan Yu Xi clapped her hands to her mouth, stunned by the size of the box. "This is gigantic! Did you buy me a motorbike?" She’d longed for a motorbike, but Lan Gang always worried she’d ride too fast and get hurt, refusing her a bike. "Open it, and you'll find out," Lan Gang chuckled, coughing discreetly to hide his amusement. Deep down, he mused: This boy, Qi Lin, really went all out by gifting himself as a surprise. Will this not completely shock Yu Xi? "Dad, your secret’s out! You always said no for safety reasons, but you really meant to surprise me all along, didn’t you?" Lan Yu Xi teased while unwrapping the large box. Detaching the ribbon, she opened the box. As the lid lifted, before Lan Yu Xi could fully register the unfolding situation, a figure emerged... "Ahhhh!" The figure leaped forward to hug and kiss her, making Lan Yu Xi’s eyes widen, heart thundering with surprise. As she instinctively moved to push the figure away, she recognized the face—the one she both loved and hated: Qi Lin. "Pooh!" Realizing this, Lan Yu Xi flushed deeply, her body going limp as she found herself enveloped in Qi Lin’s arms. Sha Sha covered her mouth in astonishment, watching the unbelievable scene unfold. "Whaaat!" Was this boy Qi Lin so audacious? Lan Yu Xi's mother, Zhou Lina, huffed angrily, "That’s it, that cheeky kid is going too far!" Lan Gang's face also turned sternly grim. How dare he boldly kiss Lan Yu Xi right in front of her parents? Zhou Lina pushed her husband, upset by this unforeseen display, which they certainly hadn’t planned.