When she returned home, the living room lights were out, and the surroundings were shrouded in darkness. Only the floor near the curtains flickered with mottled afterglow, but that sliver of light couldn't illuminate the area.
Thus she groped around the circuit board in the dark, intending to turn on the lights. Suddenly, with a "snap," the living room was aglow with flickering candlelight.
Gu Qiye, holding a birthday cake, peeked from behind the sofa, his bright eyes fixed on her, a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth;
Gu Wenyu was hiding next to the refrigerator, one hand in his pocket, moving sideways like a crab. Begrudgingly, he shuffled over, cleared his throat twice, and placed a freshly woven paper flower crown on her head.
"Happy birthday, sis. You're a year older now."
"Happy birthday, Xiaomai."
The two simultaneously offered their congratulations.
