Chapter 412

Yu Ci pushed through the crowd first and rushed forward, holding a huge gift box in his arms, and shoved it into Jiang Liangjin's embrace, "Quickly take your gift!"

Jiang Liangjin caught it, weighed it, "What is this so heavy?"

"Guess." Yu Ci raised his eyebrows smugly, "If you guess right, I'll tell you what the second gift is."

"I don't want to guess." Jiang Liangjin handed it to the servant in charge of collecting gifts nearby.

Yu Ci choked a little, turned to Gu Xingnan for help, "Look at him, still so aloof on his birthday."

"It's his birthday today, don't fuss over him so much." Gu Xingnan smiled helplessly, took out the gift box he had prepared from behind, and handed it to Jiang Liangjin, "You're another year older."

Jiang Liangjin took it, much lighter than Yu Ci's, "Thank you."

Yu Ci still unwilling, "Aren't you going to ask what I gave?"

"You'll know when you open the gift later."

"You really are……" Yu Ci turned for help, "Youbao, you control him."

Mu Youyu smiled and spread her hands, "I can't control him."

Yu Ci didn't believe her, "If you can't control him, who can?"

Jiang Liangjin raised his eyebrows, and Yu Ci inexplicably saw a sense of smugness.

Gu Xingnan silently pulled him back two steps.

The people behind came forward one after another.

Jiang Liangjin had just steadied himself when he bumped into the big shot Xiao Ting, who had long resided in M Guo and dominated both the collecting and piano circles.

Xiao Ting held two hands full of gift boxes, his face beaming with extra enthusiasm, "Little Jin, here's your gift. How's the matter we discussed going?"

"Thanks, put the gift over there." Jiang Liangjin turned sideways, gesturing for the subordinate registering gifts nearby to take it, then added, "Other things can wait until after I graduate; the Jiang-Shen family already keeps me busy."

"Saying after graduation means there's a chance!"

After Xiao Ting left satisfied, someone immediately stepped up.

Jiang Liangjin looked at the gift-giving line before him; he was long accustomed to it, every year the same process.

"Happy birthday, Young Master Jiang."

"Happy birthday, President Xiao Jiang, I am……"

"Congratulations, congratulations, achieving so much at such a young age……"

Each blessing was like a product on an assembly line, flawless yet devoid of sincerity.

Jiang Liangjin wore a proper smile, responding to each in turn.

On the other side, the brothers and elders saw the process proceeding smoothly and gradually dispersed.

Only a few brothers remained seated, playing games or watching their sisters.

Mu Youyu stood two steps to his side, chatting with Lin Ning, the crown on her head flashing in the lights.

Jiang Liangjin caught a glimpse of her silhouette in his peripheral vision, his expression softened slightly, then he withdrew his gaze and continued dealing with partners.

"President Xiao Jiang, my son also studies at Lan Lin; we are alumni, please look after him in the future……"

"Sure." Jiang Liangjin didn't explain to the outsider that he wasn't at Lan Lin anymore; his gaze went past the person's shoulder to the next one.

Lin Ning sidled up to her best friend, "He's really busy today; just standing to receive gifts is exhausting enough."

Mu Youyu nodded, "Yeah, there's another one this afternoon."

Lin Ning clicked her tongue, "Does the Shen side have to go through this too? That would be deadly."

Previously, the two families held it together.

"The Shen side will have fewer people." Mu Youyu thought, "Uncle A Jin's side doesn't have many relatives; it's mainly business partners."

Lin Ning let out an "oh," her gaze sweeping over Jiang Liangjin then back to her best friend's face, then she smiled meaningfully, "What gift did you give? Not planning to give it now?"

She was actually curious whether her best friend had chosen the gift she had suggested.

"Wait a bit." Mu Youyu glanced at the long line, "Going over now would just add to the chaos."

Lin Ning meaningfully, "Got it, wait until there's no one around to give it privately, right?"

Mu Youyu reached out and pinched her arm, "I already gave one last night."

"I almost forgot you prepared three." Lin Ning was about to say more when she caught sight of Ye Zeli walking over from not far away in her peripheral vision; her smile stalled, then she quickly averted her gaze, "I'll go find Yin Yin and them, we'll chat later."

Having said that, she didn't wait for Mu Youyu's reply and turned to leave.

Mu Youyu watched her retreating back, then glanced at Ye Zeli approaching, and let out a soft sigh.

Ye Zeli stood before her, holding an exquisitely wrapped gift box, "Please give this to Young Master Jiang for me."

Mu Youyu took it, "Okay."

These two really…… no matter what, she blindly sides with her best friend.

Ye Zeli glanced in the direction Lin Ning had left, said nothing more, and turned to go.

Mu Youyu placed the gift box on the pile of gifts to the side, picked up the half-eaten small cake on the table, ate it down to the bottom, then turned to look at Jiang Liangjin.

The gift-giving line finally ended, and Jiang Liangjin's expression finally changed.

Mu Youyu watched from the side, inexplicably reminded of childhood.

Back then, when A Jin celebrated his birthday, there were also many gift-givers, but not this extravagant.

He stood beside Jiang Su, shaking hands like a little adult, his expression even more aloof than now.

After the gathering, he quietly told her, "They're not really here to celebrate my birthday."

She didn't quite understand the adult world then, only sensing that A Jin's emotions were flat, so she shoved her gift into his hand and said, "I'm sincere!"

He took it and held it all day without letting go.

Her thoughts drifted back, and Jiang Liangjin had already come before her; the last guest delivering a gift behind him tactfully took a detour.

The lights in the hall brightened again, the music continued, and the sound of clinking cups came from all directions, lively and somewhat noisy.

But as he stood before her, those sounds seemed to fade a little.

Mu Youyu lifted her face, meeting his gaze, "Are you tired?"

"It's fine, I'm used to it." Jiang Liangjin lowered his head to look at her, "Why are you standing?"

The guests beside him, whom he treated politely, had varied expressions; his face changed so quickly.

"I haven't been standing long; I've been eating." Mu Youyu shook the cake plate in her hand.

"The older brothers haven't come yet?"

"A few went to social engagements, or to meet friends."

Jiang Liangjin's lips curved slightly; he reached out to take the empty cake plate from her hand and placed it on the nearby table.

Song Yusui walked over just then, holding his own gift, and casually placed it in the less-crowded spot among the gift pile, "Sweetheart, you're still here."

Mu Youyu called out sweetly, "Brother Yusui!"

Song Yusui smiled at her, then turned to the person beside her, "Oh, you're done handling it?"

Jiang Liangjin nodded, "Brother Yusui."

Song Yusui glanced left and right, seeing Song Lujing run off to another table to play games with friends; the other brothers had also scattered and vanished, and he suddenly recalled a matter they had been discussing not long ago.

"What did Song Yan send you?"

Lu Yuchu said it wasn't a signed photo… but he just wouldn't believe it.

"I don't know; the gifts are all over there, I haven't opened them yet." Jiang Liangjin's face showed nothing unusual.