Chapter 233: The Secret Su Yuqing Was Hiding

Su Yuqing cast an emotional glance at Chen Mo beside her and replied softly, "No, I’m just... a little moved."

Her voice was very quiet, with a barely perceptible catch. Her eyes, slightly red and veiled in a thin layer of mist, looked exceptionally crystalline under the brilliant lights of the living room.

Chen Mo’s heart was instantly seized by the shimmer in her eyes and the look on her face.

He didn’t ask what she was moved by, because he understood her state of mind all too well. This unprecedented liveliness and sense of being cherished was a luxury that had been lost and now regained—or perhaps, one she was truly experiencing for the very first time.

’So many people...’

Su Yuqing’s gaze slowly swept over everyone in the living room who had come for her.

Chen Xi was bustling about, directing Chen Miao as he hung the last streamer, all the while shouting, "It’s crooked, it’s crooked!"

Grandma and Grandpa sat on the sofa, looking at her with loving eyes, holding beautifully wrapped gifts in their hands.

Li Fengzhi sat a little ways off in an armchair, looking somewhat ill at ease as she took in the grand scene with a complicated expression. Li Gang and Li Mingyu were by her side, and Mingyu was excitedly pointing at all the balloons filling the room.

The sisters, Zhao Yueyue and Zhao Yuanyuan, were laughing and chatting with Huang Mao and the Lin brothers. Wang Susu and a few other girls were sitting in a separate area, talking amongst themselves. When they looked over at Su Yuqing, their faces were filled with warm, congratulatory smiles.

Two of the female students were curiously examining the villa’s decorations, unable to help but sigh in admiration that Su Yuqing had found such a good home.

At an age of budding romance, what girl wouldn’t have had a little crush on a guy as rich and handsome as Chen Mo? But alas, he was already taken.

At that moment, every figure, every smiling face before her, was like a warm star, converging into a brilliant galaxy that completely enveloped Su Yuqing.

"In my whole life..." Su Yuqing took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging emotions, but her voice still trembled uncontrollably. "I never imagined... a birthday could be this lively... that so many people... would come for me..."

She couldn’t go on. She lowered her head, and a single warm tear finally broke free, landing on the back of her tightly clasped hands.

Chen Mo’s heart felt as if it had been scalded by that tear.

Without hesitation, he reached out and completely enveloped her cool hand in his warm palm, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand, conveying silent comfort and strength.

"Silly girl," his voice, low and gentle with a reassuring magnetism, sounded in her ear. "This is just the beginning. From now on, every one of your birthdays will be celebrated with care."

Chen Mo’s words were like a warm current that instantly broke down the last of Su Yuqing’s emotional defenses.

She snapped her head up and looked at him through tear-filled eyes. Her gaze held gratitude, reliance, and, above all, an indescribable light—the light of someone who had finally found where she belonged.

She nodded forcefully and squeezed his hand even tighter in return.

Seeing this, Chen Mo immediately took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears of gratitude from her face.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Zhao Yueyue noticed what was happening and immediately cried out, "Hey, hey, hey! Why is the birthday girl hiding over here secretly wiping her tears? We can’t have that! Brother Mo, did you bully our Yuqing?"

Her cry immediately drew the attention of Chen Xi, who was nearby.

Chen Xi instantly put down what she was holding and hurried over, her face filled with concern. "Oh my, my dear Qingqing, why are you crying? Did Momo make you upset? Auntie will beat him up for you!"

As she spoke, she even pretended to twist Chen Mo’s ear.

Su Yuqing quickly shook her head, smiling through her tears, and explained in a thick, nasal voice, "No, no, Chen Mo is very good to me... It’s just me... I’m so happy... Really..."

She looked at Chen Xi, then at the others who were busy with their own activities. Though her face was still streaked with tears, she broke into an incredibly radiant, heartfelt smile. "This is... the best birthday I’ve ever had in my life!"

Her smile was like sunshine after the rain—clean, bright, and filled with a pure, washed-clean joy that instantly infected Chen Mo and the others around them.

Chen Xi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately hugged her with loving concern, taking the handkerchief from Chen Mo to gently wipe the tear stains from her face. "Silly child, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters! If you’re happy, you should be smiling, not crying! You’re the little birthday star today, so you have to be happy! In a little while, we’ll start preparing a big feast for you."

Su Yuqing nodded, tucking her emotions away in her heart and holding back her tears.

From a short distance away, Li Fengzhi happened to witness this scene. She saw how her daughter was being cared for and cherished by Chen Mo and his mother.

This made her feel a little more at ease about Su Yuqing living in Chen Mo’s home.

After comforting Su Yuqing, Chen Xi went to find Li Fengzhi, and the two of them went into the kitchen to start preparing the birthday feast.

While they were busy in the kitchen, Li Gang didn’t stay idle either; he went over to lend a hand.

Chen Miao was also planning to show off his skills today, so he naturally went to the kitchen as well.

Grandma had originally planned to cook, but when she heard that both mothers wanted to personally make something delicious for Su Yuqing, she stepped back, happy to take it easy.

While the adults were busy, the young people gathered together, creating their own lively fun.

Chen Mo’s house had plenty of things for entertainment, including a dance machine and arcade game cabinets.

This was mainly because Chen Mo’s parents hadn’t been able to spend much time with him before, so they could only try to make up for it with material possessions.

As a result, they had made sure to stock up on plenty of things like these that would let a kid burn off energy and have fun.

This meant that the whole group of guests today found something to entertain themselves with.

It was Li Mingyu’s first time encountering these kinds of games, and he was instantly engrossed, having the time of his life.

He was around the same age as Lin Yu’an’s younger brother, Lin Yuxi. The two little guys sat together in front of an arcade machine, working the joysticks and buttons, having an absolute blast.

Wang Susu and the other girls were having a great time over by the dance machine.

Meanwhile, Huang Mao had started playing a console game with Lin Yu’an.

The two Zhao sisters stayed by Su Yuqing’s side, chatting and laughing with her.

The entire villa was buzzing with excitement.

Amid the commotion, Chen Mo secretly pulled Wang Susu aside.

"Young Master, what did you pull me over here for?" Wang Susu asked, looking at Chen Mo curiously.

"I wanted to ask you about something. Why has Yuqing been seeing you so often lately? It’s not that I want to pry into her privacy, but she’s been acting a little strange recently. I want to know if she’s hiding some kind of problem from me," Chen Mo said, stealing a glance at Su Yuqing, who was chatting with Zhao Yueyue.

When Wang Susu heard his question, she chuckled lightly. "If you’re asking about that, then yes, there is definitely something going on."