"Together?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiaoxia hesitated a bit, slightly startled and somewhat uncertain.
It wasn't that she was averse to celebrating her birthday together with the others, especially since they were General Gu's close friends, she thought they ought to be nice people as well.
However, if she threw a joint party with Yu Linglong, the attendees would undoubtedly be all young people.
She had originally planned to invite Mu Jinyu to her home, where her family could simply celebrate the birthday together.
If they had a joint birthday celebration, her parents would not be able to participate.
So, Lin Qiaoxia was considering whether or not to have a joint birthday celebration.
"I will call my parents and ask them," she eventually said hesitantly, her lips pursed, speaking softly.
"Hmm, I should also check with my friend; she will probably agree," nodded Mu Jinyu. "If it doesn't work out, then I'll try to adjust the timing. I'll come over after my side has finished celebrating."
Having said that, Mu Jinyu sighed softly to himself—ah, it's really not all good being so popular.
Like his current situation, it was utterly exhausting!
Afterward, while Lin Qiaoxia stepped aside with her phone to make a call, Mu Jinyu also took out his phone and called Yu Linglong to ask for her opinion.
When Yu Linglong picked up, she wasn't adverse to the idea upon hearing about the situation. In fact, she thought it was quite nice that someone shared the same birthday as her.
Yu Linglong then told Mu Jinyu that if it was difficult, she could also join the celebration at Lin Qiaoxia's house; it was no problem.
Mu Jinyu said he understood and, after a few more words, hung up the phone.
After hanging up, he felt that Yu Linglong was specifically considering Lin Qiaoxia's feelings; if it really wasn't feasible, he would have to run back and forth himself, as it wouldn't be fair to inconvenience anyone.
Lin Qiaoxia soon finished her call and approached, visibly excited, clutching her phone and saying, "Young Master Mu, it's possible. My parents agreed. Let's have it together with General Gu's friend."
She hadn't expected that upon suggesting she'd go out with friends for her birthday, her parents would initially resist, disapprove, afraid she might be deceived by a man. But once she mentioned it was Mu Jinyu, they clapped their hands in approval, commenting that it's good not to celebrate at home, that young people should celebrate outside...
In short, if she wanted to celebrate at home, they might as well break her legs.
Feeling somewhat speechless about their reaction, she then told them she could celebrate with them at noon and then go celebrate with Mu Jinyu and General Gu's friend in the evening.
They happily agreed to this plan.
"Is that not difficult for you?" asked Mu Jinyu.
"Not at all," Lin Qiaoxia shook her head.
Mu Jinyu, seeing her cheerful expression, felt she probably wasn't lying and nodded in response, "Alright, then let's go. I'll inform you of the location once it's decided."
"Okay," Lin Qiaoxia nodded gently.
Then, the two of them headed out of the restaurant.
Chen Jiahui and Wang Chaoyong were still dining, and as they listened to the conversation, Chen Jiahui's brows slightly furrowed, her thoughts preoccupied with the birthday in three days...
What a coincidence!
Her grandmother was about to celebrate a significant 66th birthday!
Also in three days.
It was indeed quite the timing!
But Chen Jiahui didn't pay much mind to it. If it had been her own birthday coinciding with theirs, she would have made a point of asking where they were hosting the party and then compare—the status of the guests who came to wish them well, and the value of the gifts they received against hers.
However, since it was her grandmother's significant birthday, it didn't interest her.
Given her grandmother's connections and prestige, she would completely overshadow these young ones. To compare the received birthday gifts or the status of the attending guests would be to insult her grandmother!
So, there really wasn't any need to demean myself by comparing with Lin Qiaoxia and the others!
...
After Mu Jinyu and Lin Qiaoxia left the restaurant, he first took Lin Qiaoxia home.
After he dropped her off, her parents enthusiastically invited him to stay the night, but Mu Jinyu made all sorts of excuses and finally managed to escape awkwardly.
Then, Mu Jinyu gave Yu Linglong a call, told her Lin Qiaoxia's answer, and then asked where they would hold the event?
He wanted to let Lin Qiaoxia know as well.
Yu Linglong said that she hadn't decided yet.
The truth was she didn't have much money on hand.
She had originally only invited a few friends, including Mu Jinyu and Gu Xiyan, so there was no need for anything lavish, but since there was another person with the same birthday as hers, she didn't feel it was right to skimp.
So she thought of asking Gu Xiyan to borrow some money first, and then decide where to hold the event.
When Mu Jinyu heard Yu Linglong's intention, realizing Yu Linglong must be short on funds due to Yu Xiuwen's trickery, he straightforwardly said he would pay for the event as his birthday gift to them.
Before Yu Linglong could refuse, he hung up the phone.
After hanging up, Mu Jinyu called Gu Xiyan to ask if she would be back in three days?!
Gu Xiyan's voice was tinged with fatigue as she replied, "I might be too busy to come back. If you need anything, you can go to Sister Mei."
Mu Jinyu was speechless and said, "No, isn't it Linglong's birthday in three days? Aren't you two close friends? Have you forgotten?"
"Ah?!" With Mu Jinyu's reminder, Gu Xiyan suddenly realized and said, "Right, she mentioned it to me at noon. I'm wrapped up in things now, but I'll be back in three days."
They talked a bit more, but since Gu Xiyan was still very busy, they didn't linger on the phone and hung up.
Just as Mu Jinyu put away his phone, thinking of finding a hotel for their birthday party, his phone rang again.
He initially thought it was Yu Linglong calling to refuse something, but when he took out his phone, it was Xiang Mantang calling, so he answered.
"Hello, Ah-Xiang, what's up?"
"Big Brother, I'm not so pressed for time anymore, I'll be back in two days, and I've brought gifts for the sisters-in-law. This time you won't tease me about not bringing a gift again, right?" Xiang Mantang said.
Mu Jinyu replied, "Yeah, that's thoughtful of you."
After a pause, he said, "However, your sisters-in-law are out of town now and won't be back in two days. But in three days, there will be a friend's birthday, so you can come and give your gift then."
Xiang Mantang asked, "Is it Yu Linglong and Lin Qiaoxia?"
"How did you know?" Mu Jinyu asked, surprised.
Xiang Mantang responded frankly, "I checked how many sisters-in-law I had when I first came back. These two should be considered future sisters-in-law, I'm well aware. Ok, I'll prepare a few more gifts then."
Mu Jinyu hastened to say, "No, no, no, don't start saying nonsense, what if you scare them?"
"I've got a sense of what's appropriate," Xiang Mantang said softly, "You just seize the opportunity, I'm hanging up."
After that, Xiang Mantang hung up before Mu Jinyu could respond.
"Hello, hello..." Listening to the busy tone on his phone, Mu Jinyu was speechless.
Then, chuckling ruefully, he muttered under his breath, "What sense of measure do you have? If you mess around and I get chopped by Gu Xiyan, I won't forgive you!"
After cursing softly to himself, Mu Jinyu decided not to go home but instead went to find Mei Yinxue.
Firstly, he wanted to ask Mei Yinxue where would be a good place to hold a birthday party for Yu Linglong and Lin Qiaoxia, as a reference.
Secondly, he had grown accustomed to sleeping together with someone, and now that both Gu Xiyan and Wen Rou were not at home, he felt somewhat restless sleeping alone.