Novel Bin Chapter 256: Do You Know Who He Likes? (16)
"Do I have a choice?" Lu Jinnian replied casually as though he didn’t care about his own birthday.
Qiao Anhao frowned. Through the tiny door opening, she could vaguely catch a glimpse of Lu Jinnian. He had his head lowered as he flipped leisurely through the documents. As he flipped, he paused momentarily as though a thought had struck him.
He lifted his head, looking into the empty space in front of him, his expression dazed, a tiny deprecating smile curling his lips. He lowered his head once again, studying his documents. With an emotionless expression, he replied indifferently, "Besides, there isn’t much to celebrate."
Ever since his mother passed away, the number of people that knew his birthday dwindled, his father, his wife, and his grandfather... But every year on that day, they would only celebrate Xu Jiamu’s birthday. How could they remember his? There wasn’t much to celebrate.. and there wasn’t anyone to celebrate with him...
His assistant did not say anymore.
Silence fell on the room.
Lu Jinnian sat gracefully, resuming his work. However, from the tiny opening, Qiao Anhao could see the usual cold, detached look he had on his face, even his tone was his usual frosty one. But somehow, she could sense a hint of loneliness and isolation.
She distinctly remembered that every year on Xu Jiamu’s birthday, he would often invite everyone out to have fun. It was always a joyous occasion and Lu Jinnian would definitely be there. He would even prepare a present for him, appearing indifferent as usual. Who knew that it was also his birthday... It was both their birthdays, but he had to stand by the sidelines, watching as his little brother was flooded with gifts and blessings. And on that very day, he wouldn’t receive a single greeting.
Qiao Anhao could feel a throbbing ache clench her heart, she leaned against the wall for a long while. Only when Madam Chen came out of the kitchen did she finally come back to her senses, walking over to knock on the door.
That afternoon, Lu Jinnian and his assistant left directly after lunch.
Qiao Anhao had the whole day to herself since there wasn’t any filming that day. Since it was both Lu Jinnian and Xu Jiamu’s birthday on Friday, she decided to get the both of them a present. Out of habit, she called Zhao Meng to ask her out, but she was on a date. Qiao Anhao didn’t want to disrupt her, so she called Qiao Anxia instead.
Since Qiao Anxia was working in Qiao Enterprise, her working hours were flexible, and she agreed to Qiao Anhao’s request instantly.
Coincidentally, both Qiao Anhao and Qiao Anxia had to renew their car plates that day. Since Qiao Enterprise was in the central business district, Qiao Anhao took the metro over to find her cousin.
Qiao Anxia remembered that it was Xu Jiamu’s birthday, hence she decided to pick out a present for him while Qiao Anhao shopped.
When Qiao Anxia was about to pay, she turned and saw Qiao Anhao leaning over the counter, staring at something. Qiao Anxia titled her head slightly and saw her pointing at an elegant tie clip.