Chapter 463: The Day Finally Arrives (3)

Because there was only one cigarette, it was easy to light and it didn't take much time. Then he used the remote control to turn off the lights in the room.

The surroundings suddenly became dark, but it was not completely dark. The soft light matched Zero's delicate face. The beautifully decorated room was like being covered with a thin veil under their embellishment.

"Zero, that's enough."

After hearing Zhuo's gentle whisper, although he had already guessed something, Ling, who had always obeyed the instructions to the end, slowly raised his eyelids -

At this time, Zhuo cleared his throat and slowly opened his tightly closed lips.

"Happy birthday to you~~
Happy birthday to you……

...happy Birthday to you~~! "

Frankly speaking, Zhuo was still a little embarrassed, but what was more pressing than that was his urge to carry out this gift to the end.

Although Zhuo had never done this before and was not very good at it, he still tried his best to sing for Ling the short song that his parents had sung for him when he was a child, a song that could be associated with his birthday.

Under the dim light, Zero's face appeared dazed, neither sighing nor surprised.

The candle flame flickered in her eyes, causing ripples to dilate on the surface of her pupils.

"Happy birthday, Zero."

The words that Zhuo had deliberately not said when they met today were delivered at this moment. They were the words that Zhuo had always wanted to say, birthday wishes to Ling. Zhuo looked at Ling, but she just stared at him and froze in place, motionless.

The reason why she acted like this was probably not because Zhuo was not good at singing, but because she suffered an unexpected shock. After three years of getting to know each other day and night, she probably couldn't have guessed that Zhuo would do such a thing... To be honest, I'm afraid even Zhuo herself couldn't have thought of it. If the self three years ago saw the current Zhuo, I would definitely be so ashamed that I would not admit that this person was my future self.

Zhuo, who understood all this, smiled at Ling who was standing there in a daze.

"I'd like to make it clear in advance that you are not allowed to laugh at me, even if it's a bit childish."

A luxuriously decorated room, a prepared birthday banquet, a big handmade cake, and candles on it, and birthday songs.

——For ordinary high school students, this way of celebration is exactly the same as when they were young. However, this is also good, so Zhuo prepared these for this moment.

"It's childish, so just say it. Anyway, I admit it. I've been celebrated like this on my birthday before, and it left me with shameful but unforgettable happy memories. When I was young, such memories have always remained in my heart."

Although he was a little precocious when he was a child and his memories are a little fuzzy, Zhuo still remembers these clearly to this day.

The parents would decorate the room the way Zhuo liked it. Sha Qianzi would invite many children to sit together, put candles on Zhuo's favorite cake, and then everyone would sing the birthday song together.

They will generously give countless birthday wishes and overflowing love.

Because of this, and because Zhuo is the only one there, he has to overcome his embarrassment and sing the entire birthday song, expressing his love with more sincere feelings.

Zhuo understands that it is precisely because those childhood memories are still deeply hidden in Zhuo's heart that he has the confidence to be loved. Because of this, Zhuo can always be kind to others and choose to forgive even if he is treated unfairly by others... Even if he is considered weak and can be bullied, he will not deny it. Zhuo feels that it is because he believes that there are people around him who love him that he can have those happy memories and survive the hardships.

"It may be a little difficult to ask, but I want to share my joy with you. When I was a child, I also experienced a birthday like this."

Most children have experienced birthday celebrations to some extent and look forward to it, but as they grow older, they may find it a little embarrassing.

For Ling, it is not good to think about things completely according to his own standards. After all, even Zhuo feels a little embarrassed. But Zhuo still thinks that such a thing is necessary, so he did it.

"Perhaps, you have also dreamed of such a thing."

Zhuo had imagined such a situation without authorization, and he was already reflecting on it. However, judging from Ling's reaction, he was glad that he was not wrong.

"That's why I want Zero to experience it too. Although, this may be just my wishful thinking."

A single candle on a five-inch cake might seem a little lonely, but considering that Zero had never celebrated his birthday until now, and had not been able to have a birthday, a single candle for his first birthday was appropriate.

Under the warm wind, the candle flame swayed and deformed slowly. At the same time, Ling was still staring at him in a daze. There seemed to be a lot to say in her eyes, but perhaps because there were too many things to say, she didn't know where to start.

The stiff state just melted away, and the next moment Ling's lips moved slightly...

"Mr. Romanov, I'm Nanako Kobin, and I wish you a happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday, Romanov~"

"Her Majesty, Happy Birthday!!!"

"Romanov, birthday..."

Suddenly, the TV on the wall lit up and began to show its presence, accompanied by a voice with a smile and blessing. Zero looked over in astonishment and found that those people looked familiar, but he couldn't tell their names. However, from the background wall that he saw every day and the clothes of those boys and girls, Zero judged that they were probably his classmates.

Ling could imagine how much effort Zhuo, who had been with him almost all the time except for working, had put in to record these videos without her noticing. She could feel the effort Zhuo had put in for this.

It's really hard. Zhuo thought so in his heart. It's a wonderful thing to have a girlfriend who always cares about your every move, but if you want to prepare a surprise without telling her, the difficulty level will increase exponentially.

Zhuo was glad that he was cautious at the beginning. He recorded these things in his free time throughout the year. This can probably be observed from the school uniforms of the students in the video.

"It's my turn at last. I never thought you would do such a thing... Let's get down to business. Happy birthday to you, Romanov-san!"

"Ah? Me too? ... Happy birthday, Romanov~"

This is Ren and Yurina. Now there are people that Zero knows, and then there is...

"Hello, hello, Ling-chan~~ Oh, this kid is really something. He insisted on saying some kind of surprise and wouldn't even let us come over to celebrate with you! So let me just say it here~ Happy birthday!!"

"Happy birthday to you, Romanov."

This is Sachiko and Shuichi.

Perhaps he hadn't expected it, Ling opened his eyes wide and observed the background in the dark. The familiar corridor and background title - that was the school. Ling felt that his memory could not be wrong. The last time Zhuo met with both parents at the same time was a three-way interview a year ago. In other words...

Ling really wanted to ask Zhuo. But the video didn't end here. "Happy birthday, Sanwu." (Shude Mai looked listless.)
"Happy, happy, happy——" (Su Enxi waved her hand to send people away while perfunctorily speaking.)
Zhuo believed that only people who were very close and knew each other well would not be able to say those embarrassing words in front of people they were equally familiar with, so he recorded this segment as it was without changing the way they expressed themselves.

Besides, this was originally his own request. Even if it was very important to him, Zhuo didn't think it was a reason to deliberately force others to do so.

At this point on the 27-inch TV, the videotape entered the standby mode with a gray screen, which meant that the recording had ended here.

Ling then let out a long sigh and turned to look at Zhuo.

Zhuo felt that she might have many questions to ask and many things to say in her heart, but for the moment she just stared into his eyes and didn't say anything.

Although Ling looked like she was frozen, the emotion in her eyes was genuine joy. Zhuo heaved a sigh of relief, and while thanking these people for their cooperation, he also prepared to...

"Happy birthday, Renata..."

A soft and childish voice came out from the TV speakers again.

The voice was neither high nor low, and the immature yet steady voice was not familiar to Zhuo - but for Ling, it was probably different.

"Huh?" An uncontrollable question or exclamation jumped out of Zero's mouth.

Just like being catapulted out, Ling jumped off the sofa like a stone, stood up straight and looked at the screen. She locked her eyes on the TV on the coffee table and stared at the screen intently.

Her face was full of astonishment, completely different from her usual calm self.

This time, Zero opened her eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what she saw, and her mouth was slightly open, looking a little dazed. Zero was so flustered that one could tell she was confused.

They probably guessed that when Zero saw this, she would behave in a completely different way than usual.

The man in the picture looks a few years younger than Zhuo. The helpless look on his baby face carries a hint of emotion.

"I haven't called you that for a long time. I think you must be nostalgic for calling me that. Let me think..."

Facing Zero who was still staring at the screen, the boy in the picture seemed to be really talking to her across the screen and time and space, and fell into deep thought - Lu Mingze, Zero. After he raised his head again, his sight seemed to cross the screen and look accurately to the left, as if his eyes really met Zhuo who was standing over there, and he smiled.

"…Ms. Romanov, long time no see."

Zero sat on a wooden chair and called out Zero's last name with an elegant smile. Regardless of Zero's still frozen thoughts, he continued to speak unmoved - no matter what, it was just a videotape, so there was nothing strange about it.

"I'm sorry that I've never sent you a birthday greeting out of the blue. But..."

"Why, why?"

"It seems that this surprise was a success."

It's not an exaggeration to say that it was a great success. Not only that, anyone could say that it was a little too successful. Zhuo was a little worried that Ling might have a cardiac arrest because of it. It was so unexpected to Ling. Zhuo felt very lucky to answer Ling's question "Why?"

Zero's voice, which carried a hint of teasing, was not vulgar, but rather carried a mature and calm elegance.

"…But I really didn't expect to be dragged into this by you, Mr. Utsunomiya Shuo. Don't you really consider how I feel…Forget it, since you're working so hard, I'll forgive you this time. Your courage to risk everything for this, and the guilt that comes with it, are really contagious, Mr. Utsunomiya Shuo…Let's get back to the topic, Renata. Now that things have come to this, I hope you won't blame me for my decision. At least it wasn't a mistake, right…"

Even though he knew the other party couldn't see it, Zero still shook his head at the boy in the picture outside the screen.

"...He came to me with great enthusiasm to ask for help. He said that he wanted to make you have the happiest birthday of your life, and my existence plays a very important role in this. He asked me so much, and it would be my honor if I could be a part of your happiness, Renata. Don't worry, Renata, I don't blame you."

The words woven by the soft voice made Zero's eyes glow with light.

A feeling of satisfaction burst out and gently touched her cheeks which were flushed with excitement. Zhuo naturally understood what it was.

Zhuo himself knew that Ling's tear glands had relaxed a little due to the series of celebrations today. Even so, seeing Ling so excited and crying, even though he knew the importance of Zero in her life, Zhuo still felt a little jealous.

But now is not the time to think about these things. Zhuo handed the towel that he had prepared beside him to Ling. She looked at Zhuo deeply, and then took it frankly.

"Let me say hello again. Long time no see, Renata."

After watching Zero wipe away her overflowing emotions with a handkerchief, Zero on the screen continued to speak in a calm tone.

Zhuoxin wondered if it would be better not to get involved.

Just when Zhuo was about to leave, he was stopped by Ling's fingertips.

Even from Zhuo's perspective, Ling had been staring at the video on the screen, but he still stopped Zhuo when he was about to make a move - Ling, who was still looking at the screen, slightly pulled Zhuo's sleeve. It was only a slight resistance, but it was enough to sew Zhuo naturally in place.

Bang bang, Ling sat down again and patted the sofa beside him, urging Zhuo to come over.

Zhuo looked at Ling, she was still staring at the boy's every move and every word on the screen. But Zhuo felt that Ling's mind was still on him, paying attention to him.

Zhuo finally chose to stay and quietly sat down next to Ling.

"…You have grown up very well, Renata."

"……Thanks."

"Compared to the last time I saw you, your expression must be much more cheerful now. I guess the light in your eyes is different too..."

"Yes……"

Those voices of reassurance came from the bottom of Zero's heart, and Zero must have been answering like a conversation because he cared about Zero.

Although Zero had stopped crying, she curled up her body and still looked at the boy on the screen with some uneasiness.

"Don't worry Renata, I won't be angry, and I won't run away..."

"Ah."

(End of this chapter)