Chapter 1886: Extinguish.

Extinguish.

Chen Ling was stunned.

He realized that Yao must have misunderstood, thinking he planned to use Chen Yan changing clothes as an excuse to leave... But hearing Yao's words, Chen Ling's heart still wavered for a moment.

"I don't plan to leave... I just want to go get something."

"Alright." Yao thought for a bit, "Anyway, that's what I meant."

"...Mhm, I know."

Chen Ling pushed the door and went out.

The sound of Yao cooking reverberated in the empty living room.

A long time later, the bedroom door opened, and Chen Yan, having changed into casual clothes, walked out excitedly.

"Brother... Where's Mr. Lin?"

"He went out."

"...Went out?" For some reason, a touch of unease surfaced in Chen Yan's heart, "Then, then will he still come back?"

Yao remained silent for a moment and shook his head, "I don't know."

Chen Yan's lips pursed slightly.

His original excitement and happiness instantly dissipated without a trace at this moment. His heart felt empty as he quietly sat down by the dining table.

In the end, Chen Ling was just a stranger they took in during the blizzard last night. But for some reason, the time spent together over this day and night gave Chen Yan an indescribable sense of reliance.

Perhaps it was because he happened to know how to Sing opera, perhaps because he happened to know how to apply beautiful makeup, perhaps because he had the patience to watch his performance, perhaps because he helped solve the problem of him going On Stage... Perhaps it was because being with him, everything was incomparably lucky.

For some reason, the scene of the two turning around at the same time when he called out "Brother" backstage rose in Chen Yan's heart.

If...

If he was really also his brother, how wonderful would that be?

Just as Chen Yan was lost in thought, Yao brought out a plate of sumptuous braised pork and gently placed it on the table.

"What are you thinking about?"

"No... nothing..."

Yao looked at Chen Yan's unconcealed disappointment, naturally understanding why he was like this.

While bringing out the other dishes from the Kitchen, he spoke softly:

"A-Yan, look, is today's dinner sumptuous?"

"Thanks to you, the birthday star, there was quite a bit of meat left over from noon. I also borrowed some vegetables from Auntie Sun next door... There are also the baby bok choy you love to eat."

"It's a pity I haven't received my salary this month, otherwise I would definitely buy you a cake..."

"Next month, Brother will make it up to you, okay?"

Chen Yan looked at the fragrant dishes before him, still with his head lowered. He was just about to say something when a knock suddenly sounded on the door.

"Is it Mr. Lin??"

Chen Yan immediately shot up from his chair and quickly ran to open the door.

As the door opened, under the dim night sky, a familiar figure draped in a Theatrical Robe stood at the doorway, carrying a huge cake box in hand, watching him with a smile.

"Mr. Lin!" Chen Yan spoke in pleasant surprise, "Where did you go just now?"

"I went to buy a cake."

Chen Ling entered the house, placed the cake box on the table, and unpacked it little by little, "Today is your birthday, and you successfully completed your performance... We should celebrate properly."

As the silk ribbon on the cake box slipped off, and Chen Ling lifted the lid, an exquisite strawberry cake caught everyone's eyes.

Chen Yan's mouth opened wide involuntarily.

Growing up so big, he had never seen such a large cake in the Aurora Domain... Moreover, looking at its exquisiteness, it was probably quite expensive, the kind their brothers didn't even dare think about before.

Astonishment also surfaced in Yao's eyes. He turned to look at Chen Ling, his gaze incomparably complex.

"This... this is too big." Chen Yan muttered to himself,

"I'm not dreaming, am I..."

Chen Ling smiled.

"Of course it's not a dream... Alright, sit down quickly, I'll put the candles on for you."

Chen Ling took out a few candles from another small bag and earnestly placed them on the cake.

As Chen Ling lit the candles and blew out the lights in the room, it instantly darkened... Darkness enveloped the surroundings, the whimpering cold wind howled outside the window, and only a wisp of dreamlike candlelight gently swayed on the cake.

Chen Ling, Chen Yan, and Yao sat separately by the table, the candlelight illuminating their faces, warm and soft.

Chen Yan stared blankly at all this, his eyes crystal clear.

"Sing a birthday song..." Chen Ling turned to look at Yao, "Let's do it together."

"I... don't sing very well."

"It's fine."

Yao took a deep breath. As Chen Ling took the lead, he also softly hummed along. The gentle and slightly clumsy melody echoed in the warm room.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

"Happy birthday to you..."

"Happy birthday to you~"

Chen Ling and Yao sat on opposite sides of the table. They looked at Chen Yan with the same doting gaze. It was just that compared to Yao, Chen Ling's gaze was deeper, more... sorrowful.

Chen Yan's hands clenched involuntarily under the table. Without knowing when, his face was already covered in tears.

"Alright." Chen Ling took a deep breath and smiled gently,

"...Hurry and make a wish."

"Then, you can blow out the candles."

Chen Yan sat quietly in front of the cake. That wisp of dancing candlelight was clearly reflected in his eyes. The overflowing happiness turned into tear stains, sliding gently down his cheeks.

He closed his eyes, raised his hands, and prayed before the candlelight.

"I... I don't know what to say."

"Today, I am really, very, very happy... very, very fortunate."

"It's like... a dream."

"If this is really a dream, I hope to never wake up..."

"If..."

"It would be great if I could continue to be this happy forever."

Chen Yan's murmurs echoed in the dimness.

He opened his eyes,

And carefully, gently blew at the candlelight.

Extinguish——

The candlelight suddenly went out.

The entire room plunged into darkness.

Yao groped to stand up and lit the lamp to the side. The warm halo enveloped the living room... He sat back down on his chair, looked at Chen Yan opposite him, and smiled:

"A-Yan, happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Brother!"

The whimpering cold wind swirled outside the window.

Only two figures sat face to face on either side of the table. Their cheerful chatter and laughter remained the same...

An Invisible Heart Python slowly slithered past the corner of the table. The third chair by the table was already empty.

As if,

He had never appeared.

"Brother, thank you for buying me such a big cake... It must have been very expensive, right?"

"Umm... where did I buy this cake again... why don't I remember too clearly?"

"Brother, wait until my holidays, I can also go work to earn money and support the family. In the future, you won't have to work so hard by yourself."

"A-Yan, Brother isn't working hard. You just study well, you don't need to think too much about other things, understood?"

"Mhm."

"Come, hurry and eat, the meat is going to get cold soon."

"Brother, you eat too, I'll wash the dishes later."

"Haha, alright."

"Brother..."

"What's wrong, A-Yan?"

"Why... why is it clearly my birthday today, and the performance went so smoothly... but why..."

The exquisite Dan Role makeup was still on Chen Yan's face. The apricot red corners of his eyes were already brimming with tears at this moment,

"Why..."

"Am I crying?"