Volume 1 Chapter 197: The Gift

Birthday...

Ever since her mother left, Ning Chu hadn't celebrated her birthday.

She gazed in a daze at the five people in the private dining room, then finally lowered her head to look at herself—now a girl.

The last time she celebrated her birthday, she was still a boy. But now, she was already a girl... and an almost fully matured succubus at that.

A complicated mix of emotions surged within her.

Hopefully, by her next birthday, she wouldn't already be a mother of several kids...

"Ning Chu! Don't you dare fleece me today!"

Ning Chu turned her head and saw Zhang Shaoqing's wary expression, as if afraid of being taken advantage of.

This rich second-generation kid always fussed over small expenses.

She teased, raising her voice, "Today's bill is on Young Master Zhang!"

"Order whatever you want, guys!"

The others, led by Ning Chu, immediately cheered.

"Young Master Zhang is so generous!"

"Damn! Are you guys jealous of my wealth or what?!"

It was already Thursday evening.

Originally, the birthday dinner was supposed to be a shared expense, but Zhang Shaoqing had volunteered to foot the bill. The birthday cake, a seven-inch delicate little creation, had been lovingly made by Lily herself.

To be honest, Ning Chu had initially just wanted to celebrate with Wen Yang.

She imagined going to a small restaurant outside campus, ordering two or three meat dishes, dropping all pretense, drinking a couple of beers like good brothers, and sharing some heartfelt conversations... Even though Wen Yang had always been a little too fond of her "brotherly" physique, she still trusted his character. Even if they got drunk, she believed Wen Yang wouldn't do anything inappropriate.

Unfortunately, things somehow turned into a group gathering instead.

For now, the cake was set aside, and the restaurant staff had started bringing dishes to the table.

Five people, seven dishes—surely that wasn't too much to make Zhang Shaoqing feel fleeced.

"Ning Chu, how about some alcohol?" Zhang Shaoqing turned to her. "It's your birthday today; you should at least drink a little, right?"

"I'm allergic to alcohol..."

Ning Chu put on a troubled expression.

"Bullshit! I've seen you drink before!"

She turned to Wen Yang for support. He nodded slightly and said, "Drink a little; even if you get drunk, I'm here."

Hearing Wen Yang's reassuring words, Ning Chu immediately felt at ease.

Once she went home over the weekend, if everything went smoothly, her mother would help change her legal gender. Perhaps by next week, she wouldn't be living in the dorm anymore.

"Alright then."

She took the bottle Zhang Shaoqing handed her and poured herself a full glass.

She considered it her farewell drink before moving out.

Though they'd still see each other around, moving out of the dorm would definitely put some distance between her and Zhang Shaoqing or Wang Jie.

Ning Chu's alcohol tolerance wasn't the best—about four large bottles of beer at most.

But just a little drinking? She could definitely last until the party was over.

"Ning Chu, here's your gift!"

Yan Xinya suddenly leaned over and stuffed a package into her arms, whispering, "Open it when no one's around."

"What is it?"

The way she was acting all mysterious... Could it be some kind of toy?!

The wolf girl whispered, "Lingerie~"

"..."

Although Ning Chu knew she'd have to wear women's underwear sooner or later, she didn't expect her first set to be a gift from Yan Xinya.

Wouldn't it be something... suggestive?

"I've already topped up your account with store credits, so just pick what you like later."

Seeing Yan Xinya giving a gift, Wang Jie quickly chimed in.

"Who gifts a girl game credits though~" Yan Xinya muttered.

Afraid the others might overhear, Ning Chu gently nudged her as a reminder, then turned to Wen Yang.

What would Wen Yang prepare as a gift?

That was what she looked forward to the most, even though she didn't know what she really wanted.

"Uh... I'll give you your gift later," Wen Yang said, a bit embarrassed.

^It didn't seem like anything expensive.

Ning Chu didn't mind, but Wen Yang was clearly conscious of saving face.

So, she quickly changed the topic. "How about the cake? Let's eat it first. I want to try Lily's handiwork."

"Here it is!"

Yan Xinya brought the cake over from the chair beside them and placed it in front of Ning Chu.

It was a standard seven-inch round cake, covered with white cream and topped with an abundance of fruit. On the surface, in wobbly frosting letters, were the words "Happy Birthday."

"It's not very pretty," Lily murmured, looking a bit flustered, her cheeks slightly red. "I'm not good at decorating cakes..."

"It's already great."

Sure, it wasn't as fancy as store-bought ones, but it still looked pretty decent.

There was no awkward singing of the birthday song, nor even the candle-blowing ritual. Yan Xinya had already cut the cake into equal slices.

Ning Chu let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She really couldn't handle such formalities; they just made her want to crawl under the table in embarrassment.

As the evening went on, dishes were enjoyed, and an entire case of beer was emptied.

Lily, as usual, didn't drink. Yan Xinya, who had a low alcohol tolerance but a strong sense of bravado, had already passed out on the table.

Wen Yang turned to check on Ning Chu and saw her eyes dazed and cheeks flushed, slouching against the table, resting her chin in her hands, grinning foolishly at everyone.

Who knows what she was laughing about.

But she looked adorably silly~

"Wen Yang..." Ning Chu noticed his gaze and tilted her head, speaking in a dazed tone. "I want to go to the bathroom."

"Where's the bathroom?" She swayed her head slightly as she spoke, looking utterly confused.

"I'll take you."

Wen Yang stood up and carefully helped her up. "Watch your step, don't fall."

"Mm~"

Glancing at Ning Chu's table, he saw only three empty beer bottles.

Her alcohol tolerance wasn't even better than Yan Xinya's.

Supporting her, Wen Yang led her out of the private room, glanced around, and spotted the restroom at the end of the hallway.

He walked her to the door of the women's restroom.

"Be careful when you go in."

"Mm..."

Ning Chu wobbled her way inside but after a few steps, she turned around and asked, "Where's my birthday gift? You haven't given it to me yet."

Wen Yang sighed, hesitated, and then pulled out a small box from his pocket.

Glancing nervously down the hallway, he suddenly dropped to one knee.

"Ning Chu, be my girlfriend!"

"Huh?"

Ning Chu hadn't expected his gift to be... a confession.

Her sluggish mind tried to recall—wasn't the last confession also at a restroom?

Wen Yang swallowed nervously.

Even though they had already kissed and shared some intimate moments, his previous failed confession made him unsure of her response.

Fortunately, Ning Chu was drunk. If she rejected him, he hoped she'd forget it by tomorrow.

Ning Chu tilted her head, staring at Wen Yang kneeling on one knee, and after a long pause, she took the small box.

Leaning lazily against the door, she opened the jewelry box to find a ring inside, muttering, "Doesn't look very expensive..."

"It's sterling silver!"

"Oh~ Probably less than a hundred bucks."

"..."

Ning Chu shifted her gaze from the ring to Wen Yang's anxious face, furrowing her brows.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but without thinking, she blurted out bluntly, "Would you mind that I used to be a guy?"

"???"