AMBTICBPIB Chapter 68

By dinner, the two hadn’t shown any signs of reconciling.

Chu Yi listlessly took a few bites before setting down his chopsticks, seemingly lacking any appetite.

Uncle Wen asked him, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like the food today? Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it for you.”

Chu Yi usually ate with gusto, but now he’d barely touched his meal.

“No, it’s not that,” Chu Yi replied. “I like everything. I’m just full.”

Shen Jin frowned. “You’ve barely eaten anything. How can you be full?” He hadn’t even had any snacks this afternoon.

As he spoke, Shen Jin picked up a piece of pork rib and coaxed, “Just a few more bites.”

Chu Yi pushed his bowl aside. “No, I’m not hungry. Don’t give me any more.”

Uncle Wen ladled him a bowl of soup. “Then drink this soup first. It might help your appetite.”

Chu Yi shook his head. “I don’t want it.”

No matter what Uncle Wen said, Chu Yi insisted he was full and refused to eat.

Shen Jin finally understood: his little one was truly angry. This was the first time Chu Yi had been so upset with him that he refused to eat.

Shen Jin glanced at Chu Yi, who was staring back at him with pleading eyes. Softly, Shen Jin asked, “Will you eat a little more?”

Chu Yi stubbornly replied, “I won’t eat.”

Shen Jin sighed. “I promise. Just eat something first, okay?”

“Really? You promise I can go out to dinner with my classmates that night?” Chu Yi pressed.

Shen Jin completely surrendered. “I promise.”

If he didn’t agree, Chu Yi would refuse to eat and stay angry with him—either outcome would be unbearable.

Hearing his promise, Chu Yi happily rushed over to hug him. “Shen Jin, you’re the best!”

Shen Jin chuckled indulgently. “Let’s eat now.”

Only after Shen Jin’s promise did Chu Yi resume eating. He finished every bite Shen Jin put on his plate, eating until he was full.

Uncle Wen watched them with a smile, relieved that the two had finally reconciled. What surprised him even more was that Chu Yi now dared to be angry with Shen Jin.

That evening, Shen Jin discussed the matter with him. “Chu Yi, promise me you won’t skip meals over every little thing anymore, okay?”

Chu Yi vowed, “I’ll never do it again.”

He hated seeing Shen Jin so worried when he refused to eat. He didn’t want to cause him such anxiety.

Chu Yi apologized, “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Shen Jin looked at him sternly. “You promised. No more using this method in the future.”

Feeling guilty for his earlier actions, Chu Yi leaned forward and kissed the corner of Shen Jin’s lips.

“Are you still angry?”

The corners of Shen Jin’s lips curved upward as he returned the kiss. “I’m not angry anymore, but you really mustn’t do that again.”

This time, they had truly reconciled.

On his birthday, Shen Jin personally drove Chu Yi to the restaurant.

As they reached the entrance, Shen Jin wanted to remind him one more time, but remembering how many times he’d already said it, he simply said, “Call me immediately if you feel unwell. I’ll come pick you up when you’re done.”

Chu Yi tugged on Shen Jin’s tie, pulling him closer, then kissed him briefly. “I’ll go in now.”

At the entrance, Chu Yi ran into Jiang Xu and Zhou Huaixiao.

Jiang Xu reassured Shen Jin, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Chu Yi.”

The other classmates were already in the private room.

As they entered, everyone’s attention was immediately drawn to Chu Yi’s stomach.

“Chu Yi, have you gained weight?”

“Chu Yi, did you suddenly put on so much weight over the holiday?”

“But it’s so strange! Your face is still thin, so why is your stomach so round?”

Before the holiday, Chu Yi had been so thin. How could he have changed so much in just over a month?

Jiang Xu chuckled from the side, “He didn’t just gain weight—he’s pregnant.”

A few seconds of silence hung in the private room before it suddenly erupted into lively chatter.

Everyone crowded around Chu Yi, peppering him with questions. Faced with his classmates’ curiosity, Chu Yi answered what he knew and admitted ignorance when he didn’t.

While Chu Yi was talking to the others, Jiang Xu quietly observed their reactions. Apart from their initial surprise, there were no negative glances. Just as he had felt when he first learned Chu Yi was pregnant, he was finally relieved.

Zhou Huaixiao squeezed his hand. The fact that the others got along so well with Jiang Xu and Chu Yi meant they were all kindred spirits—kind and warm-hearted people.

Upon learning about Chu Yi’s pregnancy, the two packs of cigarettes that had been on the table immediately vanished into pockets. Throughout the evening, none of the smoking boys lit another cigarette.

A birthday celebration wouldn’t be complete without singing “Happy Birthday” and eating cake. The cake was freshly made to order, having been finished just half an hour before they arrived at the restaurant. A small crown was placed on Chu Yi’s head. After the birthday song and wish, they began cutting the cake.

While eating cake, Jiang Xu sent Chu Yi several photos.

They showed Chu Yi wearing the crown, making a wish, and eating cake. Chu Yi had asked Jiang Xu to take some photos for him earlier.

The photos Jiang Xu took were all beautiful, mainly because Chu Yi himself was so handsome that he looked good in any shot.

Chu Yi forwarded the photos to Shen Jin, hoping they would reassure him at home.

Chu Yi: We are cutting cake now

Shen Jin: you look so handsome today…

Suddenly seeing Shen Jin praise his looks made Chu Yi blush and smile shyly. He had never considered himself handsome, but Shen Jin’s words made him believe it.

Chu Yi: I’ll head home right after dinner. Don’t worry.

Shen Jin: Eat plenty.

Jiang Xu leaned over, clicking his tongue. “Tsk, so you’re sending these to your husband? Good thing I took such great photos for you.”

Everyone was being incredibly attentive to Chu Yi, letting him take the first bite of every dish. Chu Yi felt a bit helpless. “You really don’t have to do this.”

“Of course we do! You’re the birthday boy and pregnant. You’re the most important person here today.”

His classmates were overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

A plate of spicy crab was passed around and stopped in front of Chu Yi. Jiang Xu immediately turned it away. “You can’t eat this! Absolutely not!”

Chu Yi couldn’t help but smile as he watched Zhou Huaixiao gaze at Jiang Xu with such tenderness, his eyes completely focused on Jiang Xu.

As they ate, the group chatted casually, and before they knew it, it was past eight o’clock, and everyone was full.

In the past, they would have moved on to a second activity, but tonight, everyone headed home.

Jiang Xu and Zhou Huaixiao watched Chu Yi and Shen Jin leave together before getting into their own car.

Once in the car, Chu Yi said happily, “See? I told you I’d be fine! Nothing happened at all. You worry too much. I’m not a porcelain doll that’ll shatter at the slightest touch.”

Shen Jin nodded.

Up front, Chen Ye, the driver, glanced silently at Chu Yi through the rearview mirror. Chu Yi was cheerfully telling Mr. Shen how friendly his classmates had been when they met him.

Chu Yi would likely never know that while he was eating for over two hours, Shen Jin had been waiting outside for the same amount of time.

During that time, Chen Ye had seen Shen Jin smiling at his phone, and he figured it must be messages from Chu Yi.

Just moments ago, Mr. Shen had even “threatened” him, saying that this matter was strictly between them two. If Chu Yi ever found out, it would be clear who had spilled the beans.

Chen Ye assured Mr. Shen that Chu Yi would never find out.

So the two of them waited outside for over two hours.

Chu Yi remained completely unaware of this. Shen Jin simply told him they had just arrived.

Chu Yi assumed they were heading home, but he soon realized they were taking a different route.

“Where are we going?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Shen Jin squeezed his hand, wanting to surprise him. “You’ll see soon enough.”

The nights in Lanch City were beautiful, especially the Bund’s night view.

Shen Jin led Chu Yi by the hand as they strolled along the Bund.

Just as Chu Yi thought Shen Jin had brought him to admire the night scenery, someone nearby suddenly shouted, “Look! What’s that in the sky?”

Chu Yi looked up, and the sky erupted into a dazzling display.

Countless drones had gathered in the sky, forming a massive aerial fireworks display. The spectacle was even more magnificent and beautiful than real fireworks.

As the fireworks faded, a colossal birthday cake materialized in the sky, adorned with twenty lifelike candles. A line of words began to orbit the cake.

Chu Yi looked up and read the message:

<i>Chu Yi, Happy Birthday!</i>

Beside the cake, there was also a charming zodiac animal—Chu Yi’s own zodiac sign.

Chu Yi clutched his chest, where it felt like fireworks were exploding, crackling and popping against his ribs.

He overheard envious murmurs from the crowd around him.

“I’m so jealous of this Chu Yi person! They’re so lucky.”

“Exactly! How many drones must that have taken?”

The drone performance lasted a full half-hour. Soon, the top trending topic in Lanch City was “Envy this Chu Yi person.”

Chu Yi’s emotions remained turbulent long after the spectacle ended. He had no idea Shen Jin had prepared such an elaborate surprise for him.

It was truly a grand, overwhelming surprise. At noon, Shen Jin and Uncle Wen had already celebrated his birthday with him, but he never imagined Shen Jin would pull off something so spectacular in the evening.

Previously, Chu Yi had never understood why people made such a fuss about public celebrations online. Now, he understood. Shen Jin’s thoughtfulness and care made him incredibly happy.

Remembering their recent quarrel, Chu Yi’s nose began to tingle again, his chest swelling with emotion.

He threw his arms around Shen Jin, overwhelmed with gratitude. He had never felt so cherished before, as if the heavens were finally compensating him for all the love he had missed.

Chu Yi’s eyes sparkled. “Shen Jin, thank you. I’m so, so happy, so, so grateful. I love how you celebrated my birthday, and I love you so much.”

Shen Jin held him close. “Let me see if your eyes are red again.”

Chu Yi looked up at him. “I’m sorry for being difficult with you the other day. I promise it won’t happen again. I’ll always talk things through with you properly and never threaten to stop eating to scare you.”

Shen Jin cupped Chu Yi’s face and kissed his eyes, his eyelashes.

Those eyes were pure and clear, often reddening because of him, often brimming with tears because of him.

Those eyes were the most beautiful eyes in the world.