Chapter 1886: Extinguished.

Chen Ling was startled.

He realized that Yao must have mistakenly thought he was using Chen Yan’s changing clothes as an excuse to leave... but hearing Yao’s words, Chen Ling’s heart wavered for a moment.

"I didn't intend to leave... I just wanted to get something."

"Alright," Yao thought for a moment. "Anyway, that’s what I meant."

"...Yeah, I know."

Chen Ling pushed the door open and stepped out.

The sound of Yao stir-frying echoed in the empty living room.

A long time later, the bedroom door opened, and Chen Yan walked out, having changed into casual clothes.

He seemed very satisfied with today’s makeup and hadn't washed it off even after changing. He scanned the living room and suddenly froze.

"Brother... where is Mr. Lin?"

"He went out."

"...Went out?" For some reason, a sense of unease welled up in Chen Yan’s heart. "Then, will he come back?"

Yao was silent for a moment and shook his head. "I don't know."

Chen Yan pursed his lips slightly.

His original excitement and joy vanished instantly, leaving him feeling empty inside. He sat down quietly at the dining table.

After all, Chen Ling was just a stranger they had taken in during the snowstorm last night, but for some reason, this day and night of being together had given Chen Yan an indescribable sense of dependence.

Perhaps it was because he happened to know how to sing opera, or because he happened to know how to apply beautiful makeup, or because he had the patience to watch his performance, or because he helped him solve the problem of getting on stage... Perhaps it was because everything felt incredibly lucky when he was around.

For some reason, the image of the two of them turning around at the same time when he shouted "Brother" backstage rose in Chen Yan’s heart.

If only...

if only he were truly his brother, how wonderful that would be?

Just as Chen Yan was lost in thought, Yao placed a plate of rich, braised pork gently on the table.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing... nothing at all..."

Seeing Chen Yan’s undisguised disappointment, Yao naturally understood why.

As he brought the other dishes from the kitchen, he said softly:

"Ah Yan, look at how rich our dinner is today."

"Thanks to you, the birthday boy, there was plenty of meat left over from noon, and I borrowed some vegetables from Aunt Sun next door... including the little greens you like."

"It’s a pity my salary for this month hasn't been paid yet, otherwise I would have definitely bought you a cake..."

"Wait until next month, and Brother will make it up to you, okay?"

Chen Yan looked at the fragrant dishes before him, still keeping his head lowered. Just as he was about to say something, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

"Is that Mr. Lin??"

Chen Yan jumped up from his chair and ran to open the door.

As the door opened, a familiar figure in an opera robe stood in the dim night, holding a large cake box, watching him with a smile.

"Mr. Lin!" Chen Yan said in surprise. "Where did you go just now?"

"I went to buy a cake."

Chen Ling walked into the house, placed the cake box on the table, and began to unwrap it bit by bit. "Today is your birthday, and you successfully completed your performance... it’s time to celebrate properly."

As the silk ribbon on the cake box slid off and Chen Ling lifted the lid, an exquisite strawberry cake appeared before their eyes.

Chen Yan’s mouth hung open involuntarily.

He had lived this long and had never seen such a large cake in the Aurora Domain... and judging by its exquisiteness, it was probably quite expensive, the kind his brother and he had never dared to dream of.

A look of astonishment appeared in Yao’s eyes as well. He turned to look at Chen Ling, his gaze incredibly complex.

"This... this is too big," Chen Yan muttered to himself.

"I'm not dreaming, am I..."

Chen Ling smiled.

"Of course you're not dreaming... Alright, sit down quickly, I'll put the candles on for you."

Chen Ling took a few candles out of another small bag and placed them carefully on the cake.

As Chen Ling lit the candles and blew out the lights in the room, it suddenly plunged into darkness... Darkness enveloped the surroundings, and the sobbing cold wind howled outside the window, with only a wisp of dreamlike candlelight flickering gently on the cake.

Chen Ling, Chen Yan, and Yao sat around the table, the candlelight casting a warm, soft glow on their faces.

Chen Yan stared blankly at all of this, his eyes crystal clear.

"Let’s sing a birthday song..." Chen Ling turned to look at Yao. "Together."

"I... I don't sing very well."

"It doesn't matter."

Yao took a deep breath. As Chen Ling started, he joined in softly, and the gentle, slightly clumsy melody echoed in the warm house.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

"Happy birthday to you..."

"Happy birthday to you~"

Chen Ling and Yao sat on opposite sides of the table, looking at Chen Yan with the same doting eyes, though compared to Yao, Chen Ling’s gaze was deeper, and more... sorrowful.

Chen Yan’s hands under the table clenched involuntarily. Before he knew it, his face was covered in tears.

"Alright," Chen Ling took a deep breath and smiled gently.

"...Make a wish now."

"And then, you can blow out the candles."

Chen Yan sat quietly before the cake, his eyes clearly reflecting the dancing candlelight. The overflowing happiness turned into tear tracks, sliding gently down his cheeks.

He closed his eyes, raised his hands, and prayed before the candlelight.

"I... I don't know how to say it."

"I am really, truly, very happy today... very, very happy."

"It’s like... like a dream."

"If this really is a dream, I hope I never wake up..."

"If only..."

"If only we could stay this happy forever."

Chen Yan’s whispers echoed in the dimness.

He opened his eyes,

and blew gently at the candlelight with great care.

*Click—*

The candlelight was suddenly extinguished.

The entire room fell into darkness.

Yao fumbled to stand up and turned on the lights. A warm glow enveloped the living room... He returned to his seat and looked at Chen Yan opposite him, smiling:

"Ah Yan, happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Brother!"

The sobbing cold wind swirled outside the window.

The only two figures sat on opposite sides of the table, their laughter and chatter continuing as usual...

An invisible heart-python crawled slowly past the corner of the table, and the third chair beside the table was already empty.

As if,

it had never been there at all.

"Brother, thank you for buying me such a big cake... it must have been expensive, right?"

"Hmm... where did I buy this cake again... why can't I quite remember?"

"Brother, wait until my break, I can also go work to help support the family, so you won't have to work so hard in the future."

"Ah Yan, Brother isn't working hard. You just study well; don't think too much about anything else, you know?"

"Okay."

"Come on, let’s eat. The meat will get cold soon."

"You eat too, Brother. I’ll wash the dishes later."

"Haha, alright."

"Brother..."

"What is it, Ah Yan?"

"Why... why is it that even though today is my birthday and the performance went so well... why..."

The exquisite Dan makeup still remained on Chen Yan’s face, and the apricot-red corners of his eyes were now filled with tears,

"Why..."

"am I crying?"