Chapter 411: with translation of chapter title

Jiang Su looked at his son on stage, who cherished every word like gold, and had nothing to say.

Most people who knew Jiang Liangjin well were blown up.

"Nothing? Just this? This is way too short!"

"No wonder it's Brother Jin—saying even one extra word counts as his loss."

"Last time at Youbao's public banquet, he was actually quite eloquent."

"……"

Jiang Liangjin paid no heed to the commotion below, handed the mic back to the MC, and signaled with his gaze toward the audience.

"The MC caught on, smiled, ran up to take the mic, and announced loudly: 'Please, Young Master Jiang, come cut the birthday cake!'"

The hall lights dimmed with those words.

In the dim light, Mu Youyu heard a rustling beside her, and most of the people at the main table pulled out their phones to start recording.

She unconsciously rose, and a warm yellow light suddenly sprang from deep within the hall, one after another.

In the hazy light, a sixteen-layer cake was pushed out from the hall's center, each layer studded with lights that shimmered in the darkness.

The top layer of the cake was a pair of chibi big-headed figures, one male and one female, with a gold candle planted on top; its flame flickered like a tiny star.

The hair and facial features of the two chibi figures were easy to tell apart; the female wore a tiny crown on her hair, and the perceptive guests instantly recognized the real-life models for these dolls.

Mu Youyu had figured it out, but she hadn't expected it.

"……"

Lin Ning, who arrived late, entered through the side hall, unnoticed by anyone.

She saw her best friend in exquisite attire, wearing a crown, and her eyes shone with satisfaction.

"That's exactly how we should keep going!"

Mu Youyu's attention was wholly captured by the cake; she didn't notice the chair beside her being pulled out until a hand reached toward her.

Long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles, and a pale, slender wrist wearing that same bracelet as before.

She looked up; Jiang Liangjin stood before her, bent slightly, extended his hand, and winked, saying, 'Princess, shall we cut the cake together?'

The hall's lights hadn't fully brightened; only a dim yellow glow illuminated his face, making his brows and eyes gentler than words could express.

Seeing she hadn't replied, he added, 'Will you accompany me?'

Mu Youyu placed her hand in his palm, saying, 'Let's go—I'll accompany you.'

Jiang Liangjin grasped her hand and led her toward the cake.

The atmosphere among her brothers behind her was subtle.

Song LuXiao rose from his seat, saying, 'Wait, why is he dragging my sister to cut the cake? It's so tall—what if she gets tired?'

Song Lujing pressed his shoulder down and lowered his voice: 'Brother, it's someone else's birthday—just leave it be.'

Song LuXiao: '……Alright.'

Mu Xin remained in her seat, watching the two walk side by side toward the cake, and lifted her cup to take a sip.

No matter—when it's her sister's birthday, it's also his birthday.

Qing An peered over, looking envious, and said, 'I also want to cut the cake with my sister.'

Mu Xin set down her cup and said, 'That's someone else's birthday.'

Qing An choked a little, then said, 'Oh.'

The cake was pushed to the center of the hall; Jiang Liangjin stood beside her, took the cake knife from the attendant, turned to her, and asked, 'Can you reach it?'

Mu Youyu gauged the height of the bottom layer; the cake was about four centimeters shorter than her height.

She reached toward the top layer and said, 'I can't reach it.'

The bodyguard immediately brought over a delicate little step and placed it beside the cake.

Jiang Liangjin helped Mu Youyu step up, guarding her skirt, and the height was just enough to reach the top layer.

The step was small, so standing on it felt a bit cramped; Jiang Liangjin's hand hovered lightly at her waist, afraid she might lose balance.

Mu Youyu gripped the cake knife, aiming at the middle of the two chibi figures on the top layer.

Jiang Liangjin's hand covered hers, gripping the hand holding the knife, and a low voice sounded in her ear, only she could hear: 'Go ahead and cut.'

The elders of the Jiang family seated below were overjoyed, especially Shen Ningmu, who couldn't stop smiling.

Enveloped by his breath, Mu Youyu pressed down with her palm, the knife tip entered the cake, and together they cut downward along the head of Jiang Liangjin's chibi figure.

Mu Youyu lifted that piece of cake, turned to him, and said, 'I've cut off your head.'

Jiang Liangjin took it, glanced at the chibi figure on the cake sporting his same hairstyle, his lips twitching upward involuntarily—no wonder he drew it—and said, 'Really impressive.'

"The MC loudly praised into the mic: 'One clean cut—what a good omen! Smooth sailing, peace and safety!'"

Mu Youyu was startled by the applause, her hand trembled slightly, and she almost flung the cake knife away.

Jiang Liangjin promptly grasped her hand, pulled the knife from the cake, and handed it to the nearby attendant.

The attentive attendant promptly offered a small plate, and she placed the cake on it.

Mu Youyu made another cut, removed the chibi figure wearing the tiny crown that represented her, examined it in her hand, and said, 'It's still quite like me.'

"I think so too."

Mu Youyu was amused by his serious tone, pushed the cake in her hand toward him, and said, 'Then this one's for you too.'

Jiang Liangjin didn't take it; instead, he offered the piece in his hand to her and said, 'Let's swap.'

Mu Youyu froze for a moment, then realized, and exchanged the cake in her hand with the one in his hand.

Thus, she held his chibi figure, and he held hers.

She lowered her gaze to the chibi figure on the cake sporting Jiang Liangjin's hairstyle, and suddenly felt the cake was indeed well made—even the tiny mole at the corner of his left eye was replicated.

"It looks pretty good.' She handed the cake to the nearby attendant, asking them to tidy it up.

Old Master Jiang watched from below, unable to stop smiling, and patted Old Master Mu on the shoulder, saying, 'Good! Good!'

Jiang Ye Ye smiled restrainedly, "Not bad, so-so."

Grandma Song couldn't help but click her tongue beside them, "Your mouth is about to split to your ears, and you say it's just so-so?"

Jiang Ye Ye laughed loudly, "Exactly, exactly, Old Mu, what are you pretending for?"

Jiang Ye Ye tried to press down the corners of his mouth, but couldn't hold it, so he gave up, "Alright, alright, I'm happy, okay?"

Looking at them, they actually make a pretty good pair, their outfits are a matching set.

Jiang Ye Ye was satisfied, turned his head and continued watching the stage.

Jiang Liangjin took her hand and returned to their original spot.

Over ten sixteen-layer cakes were also pushed out downstairs, each placed at the corners of the tables in the hall.

There were people specifically assigned to cut and distribute them, handing them to guests at each table, making it seem more like a wedding banquet.

Mu Youyu watched the scene and couldn't help but ask softly, "Uncle, how many cakes did you prepare?"

"Looks like sixteen." Jiang Liangjin thought for a moment, "Sixteen sixteen-layer cakes."

Sixteen years old, sixteen cakes—quite reasonable.

The brothers began to gather around the sister, commenting on the cakes.

On stage, Jiang Su started speaking again, nothing more than pleasantries.

After he stepped down, the Master of Ceremonies picked up the microphone and resumed hosting, inviting several representatives of the four major conglomerates to say some pleasantries, and also praised Jiang Liangjin a few times.

After the last person finished speaking, professional musicians took the stage, and the uplifting birthday song filled the entire hall; guests who were acquainted with Jiang Liangjin came forward holding their gifts.