Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

At that moment, Bai Yaoyao was reminded of Xirong Ziye. Her heart wrenched uncontrollably, and every single inch of her heart ached. She thought that she had already forgotten about him, but in the end, she was still triggered by memories of him.

She took in a deep breath and tried to brush away the stuffiness in her heart. Putting on a bubby expression, she said, “I didn't even know that it's your birthday today. I didn't prepare a present at all.”

Duan Yanhao pulled out a chair, signaling Bai Yaoyao to take a seat. He shook his head and said, “Presents are just material needs, and I never cared about them before. It's already wonderful that you agreed to spend my birthday with you. Take a seat. The cake's already prepared, and what's left is you!”

Those might be simple words, but they warmed up Bai Yaoyao's heart. She had been feeling lonely for a long time, and she hadn't felt needed by someone for very long. Because of this, her heart felt very warm now.

She realized that there were only the two of them at home now. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Is your family not spending your birthday with you?”

Duan Yanhao's expression froze. He tightly pursed his lips, not saying a single word.

Bai Yaoyao noticed the look on his face and apologized in a hurry. “I'm sorry. I must have said something wrong and reminded you of something unpleasant.”

“It's okay. I haven't celebrated my birthday in many years. Even if I were to spend it at home, it wouldn't feel like a proper celebration.”

Bai Yaoyao thought about his words and agreed too. Many families would hold a party to celebrate a birthday, and it would be very lively. However, no matter how lively the occasion was, some would still lack warmth.

She guessed that Duan Yanhao didn't like to spend his birthday at home because of that.

Duan Yanhao sat down on the chair opposite her. Before he lit up the candles, Bai Yaoyao suddenly yelled, “Wait!”

Duan Yanhao paused and looked at Bai Yaoyao in confusion. His gaze was filled with surprise and doubt.

Bai Yaoyao stood up and asked, “Is there a kitchen here?”

Duan Yanhao nodded.

A bright glint flashed across Bai Yaoyao's eyes as she followed up with, “Do you have eggs?”

Duan Yanhao nodded. He knitted his brows, unable to comprehend why Bai Yaoyao asked those questions.

Bai Yaoyao smiled mysteriously. “Wait for a while. If you're bored, you can watch the TV. I'll be done in a while. You cannot enter the kitchen until I'm finished, okay?”

As she spoke, she asked where the kitchen was and darted towards it.

As soon as Bai Yaoyao stepped into the kitchen, she shut the door and began searching for flour and eggs. She wanted to cook a bowl of longevity noodles herself.

This was the first time she cooked for a man alone, excluding Xirong Ziye.

At that moment, she felt very calm and did everything that her heart wanted. If she were to do this in the past, she would surely feel annoyed at her own behavior.

Duan Yanhao sat by the table and gazed at the kitchen. Unable to understand why Bai Yaoyao was in there, his expression was solemn.

After a while, a faint fragrance wafted from the kitchen. Duan Yanhao's frozen expression warmed up. He didn't know what Bai Yaoyao was doing, but he had a rough idea.

Could she be whipping up a meal herself?

Duan Yanhao stood up and walked to the kitchen. Looking at the closed door, he remembered that she didn't want him to enter, so he knocked on the door instead and asked, “What are you doing there? Do you need any help?”

A crisp and chirpy voice sounded from the other side. “I'll be done in a while. Just wait!”

Later, Bai Yaoyao left the kitchen with two bowls of longevity noodles. She looked at Duan Yanhao and giggled. “Happy birthday! This is a bowl of longevity noodles. You'll live to a ripe old age if you eat it.”

Duan Yanhao looked at the longevity noodles on the table. A myriad of emotions surged through his heart, sweeping all over him. He couldn't describe exactly what this weird feeling was. All he knew was that it made his heart ache yet warm at the same time.