The light, warming sunlight entered the room slightly through the window. I had just woken up from my sleep. I didn't open my eyes properly; I just sat on the bed when she hugged me tightly and said, "Happy birthday, Zhao Shiza," said Wang Ruoxi.
I smiled back at her and said, "Thank you, Wang Ruoxi."
"So let's go to the mall first. From there, we'll do shopping first, then we'll go to eat hotpot on your birthday," she said excitedly.
"Wait, wait. Calm yourself down first," I said.
"What? Why? What happened?" she asked.
"First, I need to go for today's shooting schedule. Then I'll come back fast, and then we'll roam around the whole Shanghai," I said.
"So you are going to take a half day today?" she asked while crossing her arms.
I said, "Yes, sort of."
"How?" she asked.
"I'll manage. Don't interfere in my tasks. And first, you should get ready for your morning classes. Because it's my birthday, you should not miss your classes, okay?" I said.
"You are the first person in the whole of China who plans work on her birthdays so wisely," she said.
"Okay, thanks for the compliment. Now go, go," I said.
She made a fussy face in front of me and went to the washroom to take a shower. Then my phone rang, as expected. After Wang Ruoxi, he was the second person who wished me.
"Hello," I said on the call after picking it up.
Then the voice came back, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Zhao Shiza, happy birthday to you, my dearest beloved daughter," he said.
I smiled and said, "You are always at the same spot after Wang Ruoxi. You never get down from that second position to wish me on my birthday, isn't it?"
He laughed and said, "Of course. You are my lovely daughter. How could I? And first, tell me very fast, now you have become a grown-up woman—what gift do you want? I need to ask you."
"For you, I'll always remain your little daughter," I said.
He laughed and said, "Of course. Then wait for a few days, and my gift will reach you shortly."
I smiled and said, "Okay, bàba."
"Zhao Shiza, listen," he said.
"Yes," I replied.
"Come and visit home someday," he said.
I went into deep shock after hearing this from him, because for the past four years, he had never asked me to come home—but today he did.
"Zhao Shiza, are you listening? Are you there?" he asked.
"Yes, bàba, I am listening and I am here," I said. "I'll surely visit home very soon, the moment I wrap up this shooting of this drama."
Then after a long pause, I asked him, "How's màma and Xin Xin?"
He went silent for one minute, then he said, "They are also doing fine. Listen, Zhao Shiza, enjoy your day fully. I have sent some money to your bank account. Enjoy your day with your friends there. I am having a very important meeting call right now. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay, bàba. Send my love to màma and Xin Xin," I said.
"Sure, my birthday girl, and happy birthday once again," he said.
"Thanks, bàba," I said.
Then the call ended.
I got up from the bed and got myself ready for today's shooting day. The moment I was about to step out of the room, Wang Ruoxi said, "Come soon, otherwise the malls and everything will get closed."
I nodded my head and then left the room without saying anything.
The moment I stepped out of the dormitory, a white paper chit fell at my feet. I kneeled down, took it in my hands, and opened it. It was written there: Find me.
"Find me," I read.
Then I walked a few more steps forward. Now I was out of the dormitory. Another chit was on my path. I picked it up, and it was written: You are closer.
Then I walked a few more steps and found another chit. I picked that up too. It was written: You are very close. Keep it up.
I wasn't even knowing what the hell I was finding, and these chits were saying I was closer and closer—but closer to what? I asked myself.
Then I walked again and received a few more chits with the same words. Now it was making me quite irritated.
Then I walked a few more steps and received the seventh chit. I opened it, and it was written: Congratulations. You have successfully reached me.
What? I reached? There was nothing. This must be Wang Ruoxi's plan.
Then the moment I looked up, in front of me stood a strong frame, like a tall pillar. He opened both his arms, smiled at me, and said, "You have reached me. Your hard work pays off."
The moment I saw him, I forgot that the world even existed around me. The only thing I remembered was him standing right in front of me.
I ran towards him, like a magnetic force was pulling me. I hugged him. He wrapped his protective arms around me and lifted me slightly off the ground while hugging me.
"Happy birthday to you, my silly girl," he said while kissing my head.
That was it. This was more than enough for me to live. Even if I die now, I will have no regrets in life, because I am in his hands. Dying in his arms would be more than a blessing for me.
Tears started falling from my eyes. He sensed it and said, "What happened to my little baby girl? Are you crying on your birthday? Did I make you cry?" he asked.
I shook my head and said, "No."
"Then don't cry," he said, rubbing my back to calm me.
Slowly, my feet landed on the ground as I broke the hug. I asked him, "How do you know today is my birthday?"
He smiled and said, "How couldn't I? I am a responsible boyfriend. I know everything important and related to my sweet, silly little girl."
"Did Wang Ruoxi help you?" I asked.
"I know you think she is my part-time assistant and my source of information about you, but this time she didn't," he said.
"Then who?" I asked, shocked.
He exhaled sharply and said, "Do you remember our first date at the restaurant, when the bill amount was 2921 yuan?"
I nodded.
"Then you said 2921 is your favorite and special number. I asked you that time—29 is my birth date, then why 21? But you refused to say the truth and said some things I needed to find out myself."
He continued, "Yesterday I read a message on your phone where Wang Ruoxi was asking you about plans on the 21st. Last night I lay on my bed thinking, and then I got it. Twenty-one is your birth date. And tomorrow is the 21st."
"You are so intelligent and smart," I said.
He wiped my tears with both hands and said, "My name itself means an intelligent and wise person. I may not be good at expressing with words, but—"
I stopped him midway, held his hands in mine, and said, "You are enough. Whatever it is, however it is—it's enough for me."
"You have just turned 23 years old and you are already saying such mature things. You've really grown up. Well done, my kiddish girl," he said, tapping my head.
"You can't stop teasing, not even on my birthday," I said.
"How could I, when you are so easy to tease?" he said.
I smiled and said, "Only for you."
"Yes, of course. Only for me. Only mine. So much mine," he said and hugged me again.
"Can I ask you something?" I said in a low voice.
"Of course," he replied. "Birthday girl's wish is her boyfriend's command."
I smiled and said, "Can you hold me a little longer like this?"
He smiled and didn't say anything. He just tightened his grip enough to make me feel that he was here, holding me protectively.
"I know that all these years you have celebrated my birthdays alone, and only my birthday mattered to you. But from now on, for me, your birthdays are the only thing that matters," he said.
"Do you know why I did this seven-chit game?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Then I'll tell you. First, come with me," he said, breaking the hug, holding my hands, and making me run on the road.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked.
"Just come with me. I'll let you know."
We both started running on the road. I didn't know where we were going—but with him beside me, that was the only thing that mattered right now...