X-Dragon Era

"Dong... Dong... Dong..." As Xin Yun tirelessly practiced the motions of pulling and swinging the axe, the midnight bells finally began to toll. Hearing the resounding chimes, Xin Yun finally snapped back to reality and turned to look, Yi Luo Xiang was watching him with a face full of tenderness, smiling sweetly.

Yi Luo Xiang wasn't angry about being ignored by Xin Yun. Although he'd been practicing for four to five hours, didn't that just show how much he loved the gift she gave him? She was too happy to be upset, why would she be angry?

When the bells sounded, Xin Yun suddenly remembered something. With a mysterious smile, he ran to the chest, opened the lid, and took out the colorful bracelet. Smiling, he presented it to Yi Luo Xiang and said, "Happy 8th birthday. This is your birthday gift."

Hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang was shocked. Could it be her birthday today? Ever since she could remember, no one had ever celebrated her birthday, not once!

Thinking carefully about the date, Yi Luo Xiang was surprised. Indeed... With the bells fading away, wasn't today her birthday? She heard this from other villagers, and she couldn't be wrong because she was born on the same day as another girl in the village.

Recalling the past, every birthday that girl, who she was close with, would receive birthday gifts from her parents - sometimes a hair accessory, sometimes a new dress. And in the evening, her parents would always prepare a lavish dinner. At those times, Yi Luo Xiang would secretly watch the joyous scene across from her window, peeking through the gaps.

Yi Luo Xiang had daydreamed about it too, imagining someone giving her warmth, someone remembering her birthday, and giving her a little gift. But in reality, since she could remember, no one had ever done that. No one remembered her birthday, so gradually, she forgot that birthdays even existed.

But today, just when she had given up hope on birthdays, Xin Yun remembered clearly, even though he had been ecstatic just a moment before. As soon as the bell rang, he immediately remembered and managed to give her the birthday gift right as the last chime faded.

Holding the bracelet, as colorful as a rainbow, tightly in her hands, Yi Luo Xiang's tears streamed down her cheeks in big drops. A birthday gift? She finally received one. This feeling of being remembered, cared for and cherished was so warm.

Seeing Yi Luo Xiang's tearful eyes, Xin Yun's heart ached. In his past life, the first person who gave her a birthday gift was the one who drank her blood under the dry well, but… Such great hatred was still moved by a small birthday gift. It was because of that gift that, even though those scoundrels were using her name and blackening it, she never killed them.

Otherwise, with Yi Luo Xiang's strength, those few would have been crushed to dust long ago and not been able to hurt anyone else.

Experience new tales on empire

Yi Luo Xiang was a proud girl but a lonely one too, sorely lacking in love. Because she grew up deprived of affection, she remembered every act of kindness shown to her and repaid it twofold.

Hatred, Yi Luo Xiang could forget, and quite quickly too. She wasn't one to hold grudges, but love, she always kept deep in her heart. That was the complex, contradictory Yi Luo Xiang.

"Thank you... thank you... thank you for the gift..." Holding the Rainbow Ring to her chest, Yi Luo Xiang wept uncontrollably. At this moment, she felt completely enveloped in that thick affection.

She always thought she had completely given up on dreaming about birthday gifts, but now, when someone had really given her one, and the giver cared for her so much, the unparalleled happiness nearly suffocated her. She would leave this world smiling if she died right at that moment.

Watching Yi Luo Xiang cry like a little tear-filled angel, Xin Yun tenderly embraced her in his arms, comforting her softly, and after an unknown amount of time, the two fell asleep embraced...

The next morning, they didn't go out, staying in the room, they didn't even leave the bed, hiding under the covers, sharing personal stories, talking about childhood fun and dreams. Even though no important matters were discussed, they still seemed to have endless things to say to each other.

After lunch, they returned to bed and fell asleep again. The past month had been exhausting for them, not just physically, but mentally as well. One should know... even adults get tired after a Treasure Exchange Convention, let alone two children who just turned eight.

She slept the entire afternoon, and by the time the two of them groggily woke up, it was already past seven in the evening. Glancing at the darkening sky, Xin Yun quickly patted Yi Luo Xiang, who was in his arms, and said, "Get up, you lazy pig... it's time to eat."

Upon hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang pouted her rosy lips and retorted, "You're the lazy pig. If you hadn't been holding me, I would have gotten up a long time ago... Hmph!"

Seeing Yi Luo Xiang's charming demeanor, Xin Yun couldn't help but laugh with joy. Their relationship had progressed further after the birthday gift last night. Up until then, Yi Luo Xiang had completely opened up, treating Xin Yun as her dearest and most beloved person. Otherwise, dreaming would be the only chance to see her in such an endearingly cute state!

As Xin Yun pondered, Yi Luo Xiang sat up and threw back the covers, rubbing her eyes in confusion. Dressed in a loose nightgown, her adorable look simply made Xin Yun's heart itch with adoration—too adorable.

Soon, they both dressed smartly, freshened up, and then left the room together, heading towards the dining hall. Just as they were about to enter the restaurant as usual, Xin Yun suddenly grabbed Yi Luo Xiang and headed for a staircase nearby.

Noticing Xin Yun's strange actions, Yi Luo Xiang couldn't help but clutch her chest as her heart began to race. Could it be... he was planning to celebrate her birthday with a lavish dinner too?

With her heart pounding, they followed the staircase up to the rooftop where two pretty girls awaited. Upon seeing Xin Yun, they approached respectfully and bowed, saying, "Young Master Xin has arrived, shall we start everything now?"

Nodding, Xin Yun gently took Yi Luo Xiang's arm and elegantly entered through the magnificent doors, which the maids had opened...

The rooftop dining area was vast, spanning a thousand square meters, yet it had no more than about twenty tables. What astonished Yi Luo Xiang was that during this peak dining time, the entire rooftop was empty, except for a heart-shaped table in the center of the room, with two cozy chairs by its side.

Covering her mouth in shock, Yi Luo Xiang trembled as she asked, "How... How come there are no other guests? Is it just the two of us dining here?"

At Yi Luo Xiang's question, Xin Yun smiled and nodded, "Yes, I've booked the entire place. Tonight is very important, and I don't want anyone spoiling the atmosphere."

Hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang burst into a blissful smile. She wasn't someone obsessed with luxury, but in Xin Yun's thoughtful gestures, she felt an overwhelming love and care, which was what truly made her happy.

Accompanied by Xin Yun, the two sat down side by side at the red heart-shaped table. In front of them was the overlapping heart-shaped table set with a tablecloth so red it made one's heart skip a beat.

At Xin Yun's cue, plate after plate of exquisite dishes were served, and tall glasses were filled with red wine. Against the backdrop of the red tablecloth, everything seemed dreamlike.

Gently lifting his glass, Xin Yun said softly, "Yi Luo... I have loved you for a very long time, longer than you can imagine. Now that I can finally be with you, I am so overjoyed, almost to the point of going crazy. Happy birthday, and may every day be as happy as today!"

Yi Luo Xiang felt both shy and sweet upon hearing Xin Yun's words. Such a blatant confession was still new to her. Come to think of it... except for the muddled confession under the dry well, when Xin Yun was half-conscious, this was his first time doing so, and most importantly, last time Xin Yun passed out before he could finish, and he was confused. But this time, he was completely lucid.