ANNOUNCEMENT: I will be updating only one chapter again today—but long, since this will be the last chapter of the volume. Tomorrow, July 21, 2021, we will be having a new volume and more twists will be happening already. ;) So stay tuned, and I hope you still enjoy the story!

Also, this chapter is dedicated to Hazel_Cat_Eyes for leaving very nice comments in my story for the month of June~! Thank you so much for the support! I hope to see more of your comments soon~!

***

The moment both of them were already out of the room, the professor snapped himself out of his thoughts. With Cai Li playfully rolling her eyes at the two, she put both of her hands on her waist and commented on their disappearance.

"Oh, you two! Are we having a birthday party, or are we jumping straight to your honeymoon and we were unexpectedly invited?

"

Shu Xian widened her eyes and her mouth formed a perfect

"o,

" about to say something in protest until Pan An spoke in their defense.

"Come on, mother. You even know yourself that what you said is too much. Don't shock Shu Xian this way.

"

Cai Li just giggled. With Pan An now sitting beside her sister and with Shu Xian sitting in between Shi Lian and Zhang Ren, her friends started serving her food, Shi Lian asking what they both did as she put dumplings on her plate.

"So… what did Pan An give you? We know that he prepared your present in your room~!

"

Shu Xian excitedly showed them her wrist. With the bracelet worn, everyone smiled at her sweetly, noticing how she displayed her pride when it comes to getting the professor's present.

"Pan An gave me such a wonderful present! Other than you guys showing me how important I am, my heart is warm to know that what is engraved on this bracelet is a daily reminder of it every time I look at it.

"

Pan An genuinely felt happy with what he heard. With a big grin on his face, he served his sister some food, Ru Shi wanting to tease him but instead, she introduced herself to Shu Xian.

"Shu Xian,

" she called out, the birthday girl looking at her with a sweet smile on her face.

"Yes?

"

Ru Shi smiled at her as well and started a conversation with her as they ate.

With her doing another introduction, she asked a question about her, making Shu Xian introduce herself properly and greet her since they first met each other for the first time now—even at her birthday.

"You may very well know that I'm Ru Shi, Pan An's older sister, yes? I want to know more about you~!

"

"Well,

" Shu Xian started, getting a small bite of her dumpling.

"To be honest, there's nothing interesting about me as I am an ordinary person who still seeks to know more about myself. However, I'd be willing to get to know you soon, too!

"

"Oh!

"

Ru Shi immediately liked her reply and her aura. With an expectant smile on her face, she nodded at what she said, proposing a suggestion.

"Then, while I'm still here for a few days, want to have a girls' day and night out with me and my mother? You can invite Shi Lian girl, too, of course!

"

"Oh, we'd love to!

"

Shi Lian answering immediately made the others laugh, Wang Lei playfully rolling his eyes at his little sister.

"Okay, then. I'll get both of your numbers later,

" Ru Shi said, specifically looking at Shu Xian.

"I especially want to get to know the girl who's probably my brother's future girlfriend.

"

"Sis…

"

Pan An let out a small sigh, not liking that Ru Shi is making a comment about that the moment he saw Shu Xian slightly blush in discomfort.

"Don't jump into conclusions and let's just enjoy this day for Shu Xian… please.

"

With that, everyone just continued eating their dinner, Shu Xian having her very first exciting birthday.

She couldn't help but think that from this point on, she would like to hope for more happy days of her upcoming birthdays such as this as long as it's with them—the people whom she know considers dear even though she just met the others recently.

***

It was already 11 in the evening. With Shu Xian and Pan An now done cleaning up the place even though the others already went home ahead because it was already too late, Shu Xian didn't mind cleaning up the place because she enjoyed her day with everyone.

She was humming as she washed the dishes. With Pan An disposing and segregating the trash properly, she listened to her sing to herself in such a joyous tone—her happiness infectious.

"I'm glad that you're very happy.

"

Pan An couldn't help but comment about her glee. With Shu Xian now turning her body to face him as she wiped her hands on the towel beside her, she grinned ear to ear, nodding to what he said as she could agree to it more.

"I'm rather childishly happy about it, right?

"

"No,

" Pan An answered, now washing his hands since he disposed the trash.

"I'm glad we made you happy with this simple celebration. It made me think that the effort is all worth it because you enjoyed it. Minus the crying, though.

"

Shu Xian let out a soft laugh. With her cocking her head to the side as she watched the professor, she further commented about his efforts, affection reflected in her eyes as she watched him.

"You really made the effort into doing this for me, Pan An,

" she commented, the professor now turning his head to look at her, arching a brow at her.

"Yes… why? Is it too much?

"

"No…

"

Shu Xian smiled. What she did next was something that he didn't expect, the girl wrapping her arms around him as she rested her head on his chest.

"I'm becoming more touchy, aren't I? But somehow, I can't help it—with how overwhelmed I am, too, with what you're doing for me.

"

Pan An let out a light chuckle. With him returning the embrace as he patted her back, the professor commented on what he said and teased her at the same time.

"To be honest, I don't mind it… however, have you thought of the consequences once we do express our affections this much when we agreed to ourselves to assess our feelings?

"

Shu Xian raised her head to look at him. With her playfully rolling her eyes at him, Pan An tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear as she spoke.

"Come on… can't I hug you with appreciation for what you did?

"

"Hmm… so I was looking beyond your display of affection as something more?

"

Shu Xian grinned ear to ear. With her eyes landing on Pan An's lips and then slowly drifting back to his eyes, what she said next made Pan An smirk at her, actually liking what she said.

"What if there's something more to my sudden display of affection?

"

"Hmm…

"

Both of them didn't pull away from each other's embrace. With Pan An putting his forehead against hers, his breath fanned over his lips when he spoke almost in a whisper, his voice seductive as it sent shivers down Shu Xian's spine.

"I hope you don't forget what we talked about inside your room before we went out.

"

"Oh?

"

Shu Xian feigned ignorance, furrowing her brows in fake confusion even though she knew what he was pertaining to.

Their agreement to the kiss.

"Hmm… would you—

"

Shu Xian put her index finger on Pan An's lips, her eyes locked with his as she spoke softly.

"—remind me of what you were talking about, Professor Pan An?

" she teased, the man grinning against her finger.

"I'm afraid this student doesn't know what you're talking about.

"

"Oh, Shu Xian…

" Pan An chuckled the moment she put her finger down.

"Do you want me to punish you instead since you've forgotten what we talked about?

"

"Oh?

"

Shu Xian pretended to be afraid, widening her eyes and soon, pouting her lips, pretending to be sad.

"Just a slight reminder… what punishment could you be thinking of?

"

Pan An didn't say a single word. With his smile not leaving his face, his eyes looked at Shu Xian's lips as their forehead were still against each other. As his eyes now drifted back to hers, he gave her a light peck on the lips, making Shu Xian's heart race with what he said next.

"You'll regret forgetting what we talked about, Shu Xian… but I'd be glad to make you remember right here and then because like what they said… actions speak louder than words.

"

Before Shu Xian could even tease him back, Pan An already put his lips against hers. With Shu Xian loving the sensation of how sweet and gentle Pan An's kiss is, she wondered if she's slowly falling for him…

Or rather quickly and hardly yearning for him.