A Mysterious Gift

Long Yejue's lips twitched. "Wife, are you planning to throw me an unforgettable birthday party or something?"

"…"

He still had the nerve to joke around!

"Are you two planning to squat on the floor forever?" The guests started murmuring, displeased.

Tang Mianmian panicked and whispered, "What should I do?"

He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before helping her up. "There, that covers it."

Her face turned crimson.

Although Long Yejue had tried to smooth things over, it didn't stop others from guessing what had happened.

Especially Long Ruoshui, who, having anticipated this moment, seized the chance to mock them. "Big brother, weren't you two dancing? Why's her dress covered up with your jacket?"

"She was cold," Long Yejue replied with his usual calm and ease.

Tang Mianmian couldn't help but admire how composed he remained in any situation.

Of course Long Ruoshui knew what had actually happened.

She smiled and said, "I thought I heard the sound of fabric ripping earlier. I was scared—it might've been sister-in-law's dress. You know, it's a designer brand. I bought it for her. If there's a problem, I'll have to deal with the store."

Her tone sounded perfectly reasonable.

But Long Yejue read more into it.

His gaze turned icy as he shot a cold look at Long Ruoshui. "Deal with it? Oh, we'll be dealing with it, alright."

His chilly eyes made her stiffen. She'd always thought her plans were foolproof, but they never escaped her brother's piercing gaze.

She bit her tongue and swallowed the rest of her words.

Though others were curious, they didn't ask. Sometimes, avoiding someone's embarrassment is a form of courtesy.

However, Hexi Jue and Qi Yunmo exchanged mysterious smiles.

Long Yejue was about to take Tang Mianmian to change clothes when Su Xi stepped forward and asked for a birthday dance.

He hesitated, glancing at Tang Mianmian. She offered a reassuring smile. "Go ahead. I'll change on my own."

She didn't want him to see her in this awkward state anyway. Su Xi's timing was oddly convenient.

Long Ruoshui offered to help her change.

But Long Yejue shot her a chilling look, and she instantly went silent.

Su Wanru then stepped in with a smile. "I'll go with Mianmian."

Tang Mianmian couldn't refuse and nodded.

Back in the bedroom, Tang Mianmian retrieved her own dress from the closet and changed out of the torn one. She also removed her heavy makeup.

Looking in the mirror at her clean face, she felt much better.

No wonder Long Yejue had found it unappealing earlier.

Su Wanru complimented her, "You look lovely this way."

"I think so too. It was Ruoshui who did my makeup earlier, and I didn't know how to refuse." She adjusted her dress and smiled, "Let's go."

As they descended, Su Wanru suddenly said, "All that wine made me really thirsty. I'll get a glass of water."

"I'm thirsty too," Tang Mianmian offered.

"You danced in heels. Your feet must be killing you. Let me do it."

Tang Mianmian felt grateful and didn't suspect a thing.

Su Wanru entered the kitchen, poured two glasses of water, and dropped a dissolvable pill into Tang Mianmian's glass. It quickly vanished, leaving no trace.

She handed Tang Mianmian the water and took a sip from her own.

Tang Mianmian, genuinely parched, gulped hers down.

Su Wanru watched with quiet delight.

They returned to the party, where Su Xi and Long Yejue were still dancing—graceful, synchronized, and dazzling.

A perfect pair.

Seeing them together made Tang Mianmian's inferiority complex surge again.

Su Xi was the ideal woman: successful, beautiful, polite, and poised. Standing next to Long Yejue, they looked like a match made in heaven.

Feeling depressed, Tang Mianmian started drinking—one glass after another.

Hexi Jue and Qi Yunmo approached with drinks. "Sister-in-law, cheers."

She forced a smile, took the glass, and drank it.

Fu Ranran, who had been dozing off nearby, noticed the three and walked over. "What are you guys doing?"

Qi Yunmo grinned, "Just sharing a drink with our sister-in-law."

"You big guys drinking with a woman? Cowards. Try drinking with me!"

Fu Ranran was a legendary drinker—even pregnant, people were afraid of her.

Qi Yunmo panicked. "No way! Let's go drink some juice!"

Fu Ranran huffed. "I'll drink with Mianmian."

The men had no choice but to retreat, their goal achieved.

When they were gone, Fu Ranran asked, "Why are you drinking so much? Are you upset?"

Tang Mianmian didn't reply, just spun her glass in silence.

As a friend, Fu Ranran knew exactly what was going on.

She glanced at the dance floor, snorted, and said, "Come on, don't be so spineless. Whose name is on that red booklet, huh?"

Tang Mianmian flushed. "I haven't even seen the marriage certificate yet…"

"…Seriously?" Fu Ranran massaged her temples. "That's not the point! The point is, you're the legal wife. Why are you doubting yourself?"

"I just feel like we're too different," she murmured, playing with her fingers.

Women tend to compare themselves to others, especially around the man they love.

But compared to Su Xi, she felt worlds apart.

Fu Ranran rolled her eyes. "So what if you are? He likes you. That makes you the best in the world. Who cares if someone else is more talented or prettier?"

Her words stirred something in Tang Mianmian.

She recalled what Long Yejue had said earlier: Even if you're terrible, you're still my woman.

A smile spread across her face, the weight on her chest easing. "Thanks for cheering me up."

Fu Ranran let out a breath of relief. "Girl, just focus on giving our boss a baby. Everything will be perfect then."

Speaking of babies, Tang Mianmian blushed awkwardly.

Was everyone expecting her to be pregnant already?

Her eyes darted around as she mumbled, "Ranran… actually, we haven't… done that yet."

"What?" Fu Ranran's voice shot up, catching others' attention.

Tang Mianmian nearly died from embarrassment. "Why are you so loud?!"

Fu Ranran looked around, then lowered her voice. "What did you just say?"

"I said… we're still… pure."

"WTF!" Fu Ranran nearly swore out loud.

She was now in awe of Long Yejue. "Our boss must have iron-clad self-control!"

"Keep your voice down…" Tang Mianmian blushed furiously.

"Wait, are you sure he's not… y'know… not functioning?"

Tang Mianmian smacked her. "He's perfectly fine!"

"Oooh, defending your man now? And hitting a pregnant woman!"

"Fu Ranran!"

**

The party continued with dances and lively chatter.

Only two people—who didn't know how to dance—sat in a corner, chatting away.

Shen Shaogong quietly stayed by Chu Linxiang's side, the two of them lost in their own world.

As the birthday star, Long Yejue was constantly invited to dance. Only after many songs did he finally return to Tang Mianmian.

Seeing the two women chatting and laughing, he raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

Fu Ranran grinned playfully. "We're talking about the birthday boy, of course."

"Oh? Saying bad things about me?" He took a sip of wine.

Fu Ranran pulled out a small, delicate box from her purse and handed it to him. "Big boss, this is my gift. I didn't dare bring it out earlier since everyone else gave such fancy things. But after chatting with Mianmian, I figured this is exactly what you need. So here it is. Don't laugh."

Long Yejue accepted it, raising a brow. "Something I need?"

"Mhm. But you can't open it now. Wait till you get home."

She was being so mysterious.

He smiled and put it away. "Alright. Thanks."

"No need to thank me. I'm Lei Feng!" She laughed heartily.

Tang Mianmian suspected Fu Ranran was up to something but couldn't help being curious. What could Long Yejue possibly need?

He was then pulled away by Qi Yunmo and the others to play games. Tang Mianmian couldn't join in and sat chatting with Fu Ranran.

Before long, Fu Ranran, feeling sleepy again, was taken to a guest room to rest—courtesy of Qi Yunmo.

Being pregnant made her sleepy often. She didn't refuse and went along.

Tang Mianmian, as the hostess, escorted her personally.

After settling her, she too started feeling drowsy—maybe from the wine, maybe just from the hour.

The weather turned cold, and the group moved their fun indoors.

Tang Mianmian sat for a while but couldn't fight the sleepiness.

Su Wanru approached kindly. "Mianmian, are you sleepy?"

She nodded honestly, eyes barely staying open.

"Then you should rest. Looks like they'll be playing for a while."

Tang Mianmian glanced at the lively group and finally nodded. "Okay, I'll go lie down."