Chapter 244: Chapter 244

Liu Runxi paused, his gaze tenderly fixed on Shen You’an.

Shen You’an let out a sigh, took the gift, and said, "I’ll accept the gift. Head back early."

With that, she turned without looking back and walked into the complex.

Liu Runxi stayed standing there for a while, until a sedan pulled up beside him and the driver stepped out to open the car door.

Liu Runxi took one last look back at the complex before getting into the car.

Before starting the vehicle, the driver hesitated, holding up his lit-up phone, the screen displaying a frantically flashing call labeled "Madam."

"Young Master, Madam couldn’t reach you on your phone, so she’s called me instead. Should I pass the call to you?"

The young man’s slender fingers lightly tapped his knee as he turned his gaze to the window, his face etched with deep indifference.

The driver’s heart skipped a beat, but he murmured a hesitant acknowledgment.

Of course, he dared not outright hang up Madam’s call; instead, he silenced the phone and placed it to the side.

When Shen You’an returned home, Zhang Jian and Luo Wan were still awake, waiting for her.

Zhang Jian came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of noodles: "Our little birthday star, you haven’t had your longevity noodles yet today."

Shen You’an washed her hands and walked over, leaning in to take a deep whiff, her face breaking into a satisfied smile.

"The familiar taste."

Zhang Jian pulled out a small cake and lit a candle.

"Did you have fun with your classmates tonight?"

Shen You’an pressed her lips together slightly and took a bite of the noodles without looking up.

Zhang Jian chuckled and shook his head: "Invite your classmates over someday; your uncle will cook something delicious for you all."

Luo Wan shot him a glare: "Brother, An’an’s classmates are all from wealthy families; they wouldn’t appreciate our cooking."

Zhang Jian looked a little flustered: "Ah, I wasn’t thinking. An’an, just pretend I didn’t say that."

Shen You’an glanced at Zhang Jian, "Uncle, Aunt, don’t overthink it. They’re not that kind of people."

Zhang Jian smiled and said, "An’an, make a wish."

Shen You’an set down her chopsticks, clasped her hands together, silently made a wish, opened her eyes, and blew out the candle.

Both of them brought out their gifts.

Zhang Jian’s gift was a brand-new backpack, orange in color, spacious, shockproof, vibrant in design—both casual and stylish.

An’an’s backpack dated back to elementary school. Though of excellent quality and still usable after so many years, An’an had always stuck with it, proving her attachment to old belongings.

So Zhang Jian had consulted a female colleague, who recommended this brand—an overseas company specializing in leather goods for centuries, though the price was exorbitant. But for An’an, Zhang Jian felt it was worth every penny.

The backpack’s detailing on the straps included embroidered sunflowers, radiating vitality—exquisite and unique.

The front featured a sunflower-embroidered mini pouch as an adornment, with a zipper design shaped like sunflower seeds. Once opened, the pouch could store small items like tissues or keys.

Shen You’an brushed her fingers over the sunflowers, her eyes curving into a smile. "I really like it. Thank you, Uncle."

Zhang Jian exhaled in relief, worried An’an might not like it.

Luo Wan’s gift was a winter three-piece set she had knitted herself—

A hat, scarf, and gloves.

White with gold thread, meticulously crafted, more refined and beautiful than branded products, with elaborate detailing showcasing her skill. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel⦿fire.net

The gold thread was cleverly woven into the white, and Luo Wan’s ingenuity meant that under sunlight, the gold thread shimmered with rippling patterns, elegant and luxurious. Paired with Shen You’an’s fair and delicate complexion, the effect was breathtakingly stunning.

Shen You’an stroked the detailed stitches, looking up at Luo Wan’s reddened eyes from long hours of work.

"Auntie, I like it very much. But it’s too taxing on your eyes; please don’t do this again."

"I’ve got time and nothing to do. The yarn shop was having a sale, so I bought quite a bit. I’ll knit your winter dresses and skirts, too; I’ve learned quite a few new patterns. Don’t worry, though; I’ll pace myself and be sure not to strain my eyes."

Shen You’an cradled the warm knitted pieces, her heart like an embrace of hot springs.

This winter, the cold would no longer touch her.

Shen You’an carried the gifts back to her bedroom, ready to use the new backpack the next day.

She looked at the old backpack she had used for so many years, her gaze steeped in memories.

Even Uncle Zhang Jian didn’t know this—this old backpack, which had accompanied her for so many years, was a gift from her father. Many had ridiculed Shen You’an for using such a childish bag, but Shen You’an had never cared.

However, its time had finally come.

Shen You’an began to empty the contents of the old backpack one by one, her attention drawn to a delicate box that made her pause.

Memories of a boy standing under a streetlamp surfaced in her mind as Shen You’an slowly opened the lid.

With just one look, her breath caught.

The overhead light seemed to dim in that instant.