Mom watched me hit myself but didn't stop me. After a while, she asked, "So, have you decided which university to apply to?"
"I already told you—Tsinghua."
Thinking I was joking, Mom sounded displeased. "I mean, have you seriously and carefully considered it?"
"I am serious. If it weren't for aiming at Tsinghua, would I be burying myself in books day and night like my life depended on it? Mom, do you think I can't get in?"
After a moment of thought, she said, "I believe you have the ability. With your intelligence, as long as you're willing to study hard, you can definitely get into Tsinghua. But you don't have the time now. It's already the second semester of your senior year, and the college entrance exam is just around the corner. You've neglected your studies for so long—even if you cram at the last minute, how fast can you really catch up? It's better to set a more realistic goal."
I knew Mom was making sense, but I was already stuck in my stubborn mindset, obsessed with getting into Tsinghua.
"Mom, you're right, but I still want to give it a try. What if I succeed?"
"And what if you fail?"
"If I fail, I'll repeat the year and try again."
"And what if you still don't get in after repeating?"
"Then I'll keep repeating until I do."
Mom grew anxious. "What's gotten into you? Why are you so dead set on Tsinghua?"
I don't know why I had this thought. Perhaps it was to earn my mother's forgiveness and make her happy, or maybe it was a form of self-punishment driven by a guilty conscience.
Whatever the reason, only by setting this goal and pushing forward could I feel a little better.
"Mom, don't try to talk me out of it. I'm determined to get into Tsinghua." Mom still wanted to say something, but I waved my hand and said, "I need to study. If you don't have anything else, please leave the room."
Mom opened her mouth, sighed softly, and turned to leave the bedroom. I stood there dazed for a moment before turning back to my books.
A little while later, Mom came in again and said to me, "Stop studying for now and go downstairs for a walk."
"Huh?" I didn't understand what she meant.
Mom's expression was complicated—cold yet tinged with a hint of concern. She frowned slightly and said, "It's not good to just study without any exercise. Go for a walk and get some sun."
"You said it yourself—I don't have much time left." I lowered my head and went back to writing my practice test.
"Whether you get into Tsinghua or not doesn't depend on this little bit of time. Go on, hurry up."
"I'm not going."
Mom sighed in frustration. After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked, "What day is it today?"
I paused, thought for a moment, and said, "Sunday."
"And?"
"And..."
"Today is your dad's birthday."
It finally dawned on me.
Mom snorted. "Didn't you say you were going to prepare a birthday gift for your dad? Where is it?"
I felt a little embarrassed. "I was so focused on studying that I forgot."
"I ordered a birthday cake. Go pick it up."
I understood her intention but hesitated before saying, "You go. I really can't spare the time."
"I'm not feeling well."
I was taken aback, unsure if she was telling the truth, and turned to ask, "What's wrong?"
Mom said irritably, "Why do you care what's wrong? Are you going or not?"
Since she had put it that way, I reluctantly stood up and nodded. "Fine, fine, I'll go right away."
Mom handed me the receipt and said, "No need to rush back. After picking up the cake, go straight to the restaurant." She gave me the address and practically pushed me out the door.
It was only four in the afternoon, still a long time before dinner, so there was no hurry to pick up the cake.
I wandered aimlessly on the street, feeling somewhat amused. In the past, when I didn't want to study, Mom would scold and nag me. Now that I wanted to study, she was kicking me out of the house.
But I knew she was just concerned about my health.
The more she acted this way, the guiltier I felt.
I wandered until five-thirty, then went to pick up the birthday cake before heading to the reserved restaurant.
In previous years, Dad's colleagues and friends would come to celebrate his birthday, but this year, with An Nuo joining us, we didn't invite any outsiders—it became a family dinner.
I was the first to arrive and sat in the private room reciting vocabulary.
Soon after, Mom and Bei Bei arrived.
Bei Bei had been in class today and had taken special leave. Mom had driven to pick her up.
As soon as she entered the room, she walked up behind me, jumped up, slapped my shoulders with both hands, and shouted, "Hey~! You weirdo!"
In the past, I would have definitely engaged in some playful banter with her, but right now, my mind was completely preoccupied with the college entrance exams, and I wasn't in the mood for jokes.
Seeing my indifferent expression, Beibei frowned and said, "What's wrong with you? You look like someone owes you eight hundred bucks."
I ignored her. Mom found a seat and sat down without saying a word.
Beibei pursed her lips and muttered, "Why is everyone so gloomy?" She wandered around the room and spotted the cake on the cabinet. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to ask, "Mom, can I have a piece first?"
Mom replied, "That's your dad's birthday cake. He hasn't arrived yet."
"I know. I was thinking… could we celebrate for him in advance?"
Mom scolded impatiently, "You're just greedy."
Beibei stared longingly at the cake, looking as if she was about to drool. I said to her, "There's a small bag next to it. It's for you."
Beside the cake was a small bag. Beibei opened it and found a single-serving cake inside. Surprised and delighted, she asked, "Did you buy this for me?"
"Just for you. I knew you'd be eyeing the cake."
Beibei grinned. "Thank you, my… awesome brother."
Mom chimed in sarcastically, "Usually, he's just a weirdo, but with a cake, he becomes an awesome brother."
I couldn't help but laugh and glanced at Mom, but she turned her head away.
Beibei didn't mind and said with a smile, "No cake, he's a weirdo. With cake, he's an awesome brother." With that, she sat down and happily started eating her cake.
Soon after, Dad arrived with Annuo.
Annuo's leg had improved significantly, allowing her to return to school. Dad had picked her up on his way home after school.
With the whole family gathered, there was no need for formalities, and we could begin the meal.
Since the meal had been pre-ordered, the dishes were quickly served after a brief reminder. Beibei eagerly placed the cake on the table, lit the candles, and turned off the lights.
We all clapped and sang "Happy Birthday." Dad made a wish and blew out all the candles in one breath. After the lights were turned back on, Beibei asked with a smile, "Dad, what wish did you make?"
Annuo chimed in, "If you say it out loud, it won't come true."
Beibei shot her a glare. "Mind your own business."
Dad smiled and said, "I wished for Xiaodong to get into college, Beibei to improve in her studies, Nuonuo to stay healthy, your mom to be happy, and for our whole family to live in harmony, happiness, and prosperity."
I couldn't help but laugh. "You're quite greedy, making so many wishes at once."
Beibei quickly added, "Birthdays only come once a year, so why not make more wishes? Besides, there's no rule about how many you can make."
We set the cake aside, poured wine and drinks, and the birthday dinner officially began. Since Dad was the guest of honor, Mom gave a speech on his behalf.
Mom raised her glass and said slowly, "Today is your dad's 41st birthday. Your dad has worked tirelessly day and night for this family, busy inside and out. Although his contributions may be limited, he has put in a lot of effort, even if it hasn't always yielded great results."
Dad shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Your father is a man of rigid character, set in his ways, inflexible, and lacking in social graces. After all these years at his job, he hasn't been promoted or made a fortune, not like other fathers. But..." Mom's tone shifted as she looked at Dad and said softly, "Without your father's support, I wouldn't have been able to focus on my work. Without him, Xiaodong would have faced many more beatings, Beibei would have missed out on countless snacks, and Nuonuo wouldn't have become a part of our family. Without your father, our home wouldn't be a complete home."
Mom slowly raised her glass. "To your father—happy birthday."
We all stood up and said in unison, "Happy birthday, Dad."
Dad's gaze swept over us, his joy so great he couldn't close his mouth. With a family like this, what more could one ask for?
Finally, Mom looked at Dad with deep affection and said tenderly, "Husband, happy birthday."
With a gentle clink, their glasses touched, and the couple smiled at each other.
Seeing the blissful smile on Mom's face, my heart was filled with mixed emotions, and I hated myself even more for nearly destroying our family in a moment of lustful desire.
Beibei noticed my troubled expression and nudged me with her elbow. "What's wrong with you? It's Dad's birthday, and you're looking so gloomy—how unlucky."
Dad also sensed something was off and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, no, no!" I quickly waved my hands and raised my drink. "Dad, I wish you eternal youth and unchanging years. I wish you... and Mom a lifetime together, growing old side by side."
Dad laughed heartily and clinked his glass with mine before downing his baijiu in one go.
I sat back down and stole a sideways glance, only to see Mom sitting there calmly, seemingly unaffected by my toast.
Beibei immediately raised her glass and said, "Dad, I wish you many more birthdays like this, year after year. I want to be your caring little daughter forever."
Dad happily clinked glasses with her, his eyes seemingly glistening with emotion.
Finally, Annuo, who had been sitting quietly and obediently, slowly stood up and raised her glass. "Dad, I'm truly happy that you're my father, and I'm also very grateful that everyone has accepted me, allowing me to feel the warmth of a family again."
"Nuo Nuo..." Dad seemed worried she might recall unhappy memories and tried to interrupt her.
Annuo continued, "You are all good people, kind people. I'm truly happy to have family like you. Dad, I wish you all your dreams come true and eternal happiness."
Dad clinked his glass with hers and said, "Nuo Nuo, we're all family. There's no need to be so formal."
"Mm." Annuo nodded and was about to sit back down when she seemed to remember something. She stood up again and said, "Dad, Auntie Yun, although I know you wanted to surprise us, I still want to congratulate you."
We were all left puzzled by her words.
Seeing the sweet smile on her face, a sense of foreboding suddenly washed over me. Just as I was about to stand up to stop her, I heard her say with a smile, "Congratulations on having another baby."
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