Chapter Sixty: Little Five’s Birthday

The food laid out on the table was simple: a bowl of noodles sprinkled with scallions, two plump fried eggs resting atop, and a plate of pastries. Liu Qin pointed to the lone, round item on the plate, neither truly a cake nor a bun, and said, “Brother Xiao Wu, don’t be fooled by its plain appearance—this is the birthday cake I made especially for you. It’s a bit modest, and so is this longevity noodle, but I made them myself. Hehe, although Cui Liu kneaded the dough and rolled the noodles, I cooked them myself, and sprinkled the scallions, too. Brother Xiao Wu, eat while it’s hot.”

Xiao Wu, moving mechanically, picked up his chopsticks, about to dig into the noodles, when Liu Qin reached out, broke off a piece of the so-called birthday cake, and pressed it to his lips. “Wait, Brother Xiao Wu, try a piece of cake first. Happy birthday!”

Xiao Wu opened his mouth, just as mechanically, and took in the food offered to him. His lips not only bit into the cake, but seemed to brush against a soft, small finger. For a fleeting moment, he felt an urge to draw that finger into his mouth as well.

He could not understand it himself—he’d always despised anyone getting close, unable to tolerate even the slightest touch. Yet now, eating food she had touched, being so near to her, he felt no aversion. On the contrary, he found joy in this closeness.

Liu Qin, seeing him swallow the birthday cake without spitting it out, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Li had tried her cake once before, and even with his gentle disposition, he’d frowned as he swallowed it. Clearly, the cake was nothing special. She hadn’t wanted to show off her poor culinary skills, but felt that a birthday without a song and without cake would be too dull. So, no matter what, she had to make this gesture. She didn’t know that Xiao Wu could not taste anything at all.

Perhaps his mind was too unsettled; at this moment, Xiao Wu’s thoughts seemed frozen. His mind could not turn, only obey Liu Qin’s instructions. Whatever she asked him to eat, he ate. Even though he hadn’t had dinner and was not hungry at all, under Liu Qin’s bright, shining gaze, he devoured the large bowl of noodles and eggs, even drinking the soup until not a drop remained. Afterwards, he looked at Liu Qin, his eyes filled with emotions he could not name.

Seeing Xiao Wu finish everything, Liu Qin felt her efforts had not been wasted, and her heart was gladdened. Noticing the oil glistening on his lips, she quickly took the handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped his mouth. She didn’t think much of it, only that Xiao Wu was a withdrawn, lonely child, and she wanted to give him warmth, to help him step out of his isolation. All she did was like the care a sister gives her brother.

Xiao Wu continued to stare at her in a daze, uncertain whether he failed to react or merely forgot how. Liu Qin didn’t mind, still smiling brightly, “Brother Xiao Wu, actually Brother A Li is very kind, and A Nuo too. Chang Xing and the others are all good, and so am I! You shouldn’t fight with us anymore. Come and play with us, alright?”

He gazed at her for a long moment before nodding, his voice low, “Alright.”

“When next year comes, I’ll ask Father and Mother to host a lively celebration for us. Look—Hai Ge’s birthday is in February, Brother A Li and A Nuo’s are in March, mine is April, yours is May. We can all celebrate together, ok?”

“Alright.”

“I guess I’ll have to think harder and make a big, delicious birthday cake next time. We’ll blow candles and sing the birthday song. Oh, if we could light a bonfire and dance and sing around it, how wonderful that would be!”

“Alright.”

“Everyone will have to perform at the party. I’ll sing a song for everyone. Brother Xiao Wu, do you know any sword routines? If you do, could you perform one for us?”

“Alright.”

“And then…”

Liu Qin continued to dream of her grand birthday celebration, when outside, Cui Yu called, “Miss, it’s late, time to go home.”

“Brother Xiao Wu, I’m leaving now. See you tomorrow!” Liu Qin waved at Xiao Wu, hopped down from her chair, and walked out. Xiao Wu watched her figure disappear behind the curtain, a strange sense of disappointment flooding his heart. Unexpectedly, Liu Qin turned back, poking her small head through the curtain, smiling as she said, “Brother Xiao Wu, happy birthday, and may you be happy every day!”

After that, her figure vanished completely. He heard her saying farewell to her foster father and Chang Kang in the courtyard, then the sound of the gate opening and closing, and finally, silence returned.

Yet her words lingered in his ears, persisting long after. Her voice seemed to carry a magical warmth and joy. Xiao Wu’s eyes grew moist. On the table, the empty bowl and the plate with the barely touched cake remained. He couldn’t help but reach out, tear off another piece and pop it into his mouth. Again and again, until the plate was empty. Still, his stomach wasn’t full. He felt he’d never tasted anything so delicious, because it was made by her, given to him by her own hand.

That night, Xiao Wu slept deeply. He did not know he wept for a long time in his dreams, calling for his father and mother, soaking his pillow with tears. Yet, to him, it felt only like a dream, drifting on a small boat over water. Though the boat was tiny, it brought him warmth, like his mother’s embrace, like some vague, small figure. The wind blew from ahead, like a soft hand gently wiping the corner of his eye…

All night, Mu Qing stood outside Xiao Wu’s window, listening to the unrestrained crying from within. His own eyes grew damp. He did not enter to wake or comfort Xiao Wu. If anyone had passed by, they would have heard his murmured words, “It’s good that he can cry… it’s good he can cry.”

Mu Qing kept vigil until the first rays of dawn. Hearing steady breathing from within, knowing Xiao Wu finally slept peacefully, he left, first stopping by Chang Kang’s room to lightly press the back of his neck, then returning to his own room to meditate.

Chang Kang woke only when the sun almost burned his eyelids—a rare occurrence, for he’d never slept so soundly. That night, he felt nothing at all. What was going on? But he had no time to ponder, for it was late. He hurried to fetch water for Master Mu and Xiao Wu to wash, then rushed to get breakfast. Despite his haste, he and Xiao Wu were still late that day.

When Xiao Wu and Chang Kang arrived at the classroom, Master Zhou had already begun his lecture. Master Zhou didn’t scold them, only told them to take their seats. Xiao Wu was about to head to his usual spot, only to find it occupied—Jiang Li was sitting in his place, calmly watching him. Liu Qin whispered, “Brother Xiao Wu, sit over there. I asked Brother A Li to sit here.”

Xiao Wu glanced at Liu Qin; the fury that was about to erupt within him was miraculously extinguished by her words. He said nothing, and simply walked over to Jiang Li's old seat.