Chapter 254: 254、Birthday Gift I

“If I’m the baby then so be it. It’s not that you are the babies here. Stop being dramatic. The food is getting cold. We better have it now,” replied Huo Yunting as he placed the empty glass down.

The others stayed quiet and dug in after what he said, as fully convinced that the man was simply not in the mood for alcohol tonight.

But they were also pleased upon perceiving the meaning behind Huo Yunting’s kind little gesture as they saw Lu Zhaoyang holding the glass of juice.

So that was why he drank juices, to protect the princess from unsolicited alcohol.

It was a peaceful luncheon after that, as the date of the contract was easily finalized without any form of dispute between any of the present parties. They had been lasting partners after all.

On their way back, Lu Zhaoyang turned to glance at Huo Yunting. The change of heart was never expected from this alcoholic-to-be.

So what made him change tonight?

Was it me?

Should I say “thank you”?

The secretary frowned as the unheard “thank you” kept her lips grooving, yet never managed to be said.

On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t say it. It will only make things more complicated.

Huo Yunting had already noticed her struggle in the car. He waited throughout the trip but it did not happen.

Oh wow, Zhaoyang the Undaunted, now you won’t even say “thank you” to people who’ve helped you, I’m impressed.

Huo Yunting was not as reserved as Lu Zhaoyang. The sound of the door slamming roared at Thunderbolt Corp’s spacious parking lot after they arrived, while leaving Zhaoyang still taking her handbag in bewilderment.

“The heck is wrong with him?” She whispered.

Even the driver was so astonished by the slam that he froze watching the beast walking away furiously. They still had a few things to wrap up for the contract. Zhaoyang had an Excel worksheet to update and also a letter to draft for their lawyer. She decided not to alert the beast for the rest of the day since she was really swarmed upon by the workloads anyway. She had no stamina to play with the president.

Before she realized, they were already home. Zhaoyang in her pajamas, turned on the heater in her room, as she started collecting her thoughts. She suspected if the man was mad over what happened at noon.

She thought of giving her mother a call considering how they never talked since the incident at the Huo family’s residence. She did not receive a call from her mother either. On various occasions like this, her fingers intuitively searched for her mother’s contact on the phone, but she always stopped right before tapping the number.

She did not know what to talk to her…

She still could not believe that the day of both of them having nothing to talk about would actually come.

——

The winter in the city was strong that year. As she was greeted by the hint of frigidity coming through the gap of her window in the morning, she rubbed her eyes and viewed the snowfall outside. It felt special.

It was her birthday after all.

She checked out the weather forecast for the day. It would be snowing the whole day, a rather heavy snow day too. She could feel herself sinking when she stepped out of the house. She tied her black leather coat tight and embraced the cold breeze. “Maybe it’s a good idea to get a pair of gloves…” She muttered, looking at her dried palms.

She wore simple yet she looked gorgeous, as always she was. Lu Zhaoyang was the perfect representation of beauty.

“And you thought you can slack because it’s your birthday today?” Said Huo Yunting, staring through the corners of his eyes as he walked past her, “Get into the car, we are going together.”

“Tsk, I never said I was going to take a birthday leave today,” the secretary grumbled as she followed him to the parking lots outside their house before leaving the house in two different cars.

It’s just my birthday. Not really that much of a big deal. At most I’ll have a meal with mom but well—not likely to happen this year…

“Mommy probably won’t come over this year—She probably isn’t over it…” She muttered as she turned on the car engine.

“Chen—I wondered if he’s doing fine in the military—with those wounds he got…” Zhaoyang pouted her lips. She still could hear the whippings in her mind.

It was still a busy day for the birthday girl. She could not feel her birthday spirit alive. At least the overwhelming workloads could help distract her from the elephant in the room.

It was half past five as she finally finished the necessary documents for the upcoming project and mailed them to all the executives. The beeping sound of her computer turning off was pleasing to hear as she stood there with her bag, watching it dim down like a soldier making sure the target was dead.

Right when she turned away from her desk, the landline rang.

It was Huo Yunting…

With new tasks.

“… Okay…” She grinded her teeth and booted up her computer again.

What a way to celebrate my birthday, more work to do!

He sure knew how to ruin my special day!

Ughhh!

“I want it today.” Huo Yunting’s voice echoed as she worked hard under the only light turned on in the empty secretary’s office.