Chapter 434: Chapter 388 Thank You, Mom
Gu Qili used to dislike the New Year because it meant she was getting a year older, but this year was different. Considering her illness, this might be the last New Year she would spend with Mu Shuoqian.
After finishing the dumplings, everyone went outside to set off fireworks. Gu Qili, afraid of the noisy ones, joined Mu Qinian in setting off children’s fireworks, which prompted Mu Qinian to roll his eyes several times.
After setting off fireworks and offering New Year’s greetings, Mu Qinian received three big red envelopes. Although no one mentioned his birthday, he let it go in light of the red envelopes.
The New Year was exceptionally lively because of the family reunion, and Gu Qili’s spirit improved a lot. She didn’t rest in her room until after twelve o’clock.
No sooner had she entered her room than Mu Qinian followed her in.
"Niannian, why aren’t you sleeping yet?" She gently pulled him to sit on the bed, her tender and loving gaze completely exposed.
"It’s too noisy outside, I can’t sleep." Mu Qinian rolled his eyes, "Tomorrow is the first day of the New Year."
"Mm, the first day of the New Year." Gu Qili echoed in agreement.
"The first day of the New Year seems to be a pretty special day." Mu Qinian tried every possible way to hint at her, too embarrassed to say outright that it was his own birthday tomorrow.
Kindergarten kids always celebrate their birthdays, often bringing cake and candy to share in class, but his birthday always coincided with the New Year, when everyone was busy celebrating, and his father didn’t advocate such birthday celebrations, at most allowing Uncle Yu to make him a bowl of noodles with a couple of red-dyed eggs.
He was used to the bleakness of his birthdays, but now things were different, he had a mother. His kindergarten friends said their moms would give them their favorite gifts and make them beautiful cakes on their birthdays.
"Of course, the first day of the New Year is special." Gu Qili said with a smile, her eyes curving, "It marks the beginning of a year."
Mu Qinian thought she had remembered, but upon hearing the rest of her words, he puffed up his mouth in disappointment, snorted loudly, and without paying attention to Gu Qili, indignantly jumped out of bed and left.
Gu Qili watched his retreating figure and smiled helplessly. Silly boy, how could she possibly forget his birthday? She vividly remembered the scene from the year he was born—he was like an angel descending to earth, bringing her the warmest consolation in this world, making her life complete and splendid because of his existence.
Mu Qinian felt his status in the family sinking lower and lower. In previous years, he at least had red eggs, but this year he feared not even seeing the shell of an egg.
Feeling depressed, Mu Qinian lay on the bed, his mind racing with thoughts. But being a child, his negative thoughts lasted only a few minutes before he fell into a deep sleep.
Mu Qinian was woken up by firecrackers the next morning. He crawled out of bed, washed his face hastily, and thought that Uncle Yu would usually wake him up at eight o’clock, but now it was already ten in the morning and no one had come to call him. He believed that missing any meal was the most tragic thing in life.
He thought bitterly, sure enough, no one remembered his birthday—no cake, no red eggs, and certainly no gifts.
Having washed his face, Mu Qinian went downstairs listlessly, but just as he reached the landing, he saw Gu Qili standing at the bottom of the stairs, greeting him: "Good morning."
Mu Qinian pouted and trudged down the stairs, clutching the handrail.
"Niannian, you have a friend here to see you."
"Who?" Today was the first day of the New Year, who would come to see him instead of celebrating at home?
Mu Qinian didn’t care much, just hummed indifferently without asking who it was.
Gu Qili smiled and then called out to the empty living room: "Mu Qinian is here."
As soon as her words ended, immediately about a dozen kids popped out from all around. Each of them was in makeup and costume, cosplaying characters from One Piece. They all swarmed up, chanting, "Happy birthday, Mu Qinian."
Mu Qinian was a bit stunned, standing on the stairs and looking at the familiar faces in front of him—all his classmates—including Tongtong and Jin Xiaojun. Tongtong cosplayed as Nami, while Jin Xiaojun was Usopp, wearing a long nose which was particularly funny.
Mu Qinian thought he was still dreaming, and rubbed his eyes hard.
"Happy birthday, Mu Qinian," everyone said, handing over the gifts they had brought.
Facing these outstretched hands, Mu Qinian finally smiled. He gratefully received each one, his eyes brimming with surprise. When he reached the last gift, he saw the beaming Gu Qili.