Chapter 234: Misfortune and Fortune

Seeing Wang Susu give a clear answer, Chen Mo immediately asked, "What is it, exactly?"

But to his surprise, Wang Susu suddenly broke into a grin, a meaningful smile gracing her face as she said, "My lips are sealed. The time isn’t right. It’s not for you to worry about, so don’t ask."

This left Chen Mo utterly baffled.

"Well, is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

Chen Mo was worried that Su Yuqing was caught up in something bad.

"That, I can tell you." Wang Susu glanced over at Su Yuqing before turning back to Chen Mo with a cheerful smile. "It’s a good thing. Not just a good thing, but a *great* thing. In any case, don’t interfere and don’t ask any more questions. When the time is right, you’ll find out."

’What kind of good thing would they hide from me?’ Chen Mo was puzzled.

But when he saw the birthday decorations all around, a thought suddenly struck him. ’Could it be... for my birthday?’

’I’m planning a birthday for Su Yuqing, so is she planning one for me in advance?’

’But is there any need to prepare this early?’

’My birthday is after the college entrance exams, after all.’

’Shouldn’t we be focusing on our studies right now?’

Thinking about it, Chen Mo felt his guess had to be wrong.

The fact that Su Yuqing had suddenly gotten so close with Wang Susu was even stranger.

’What on earth is so important that she absolutely has to discuss it with Wang Susu?’

But since Wang Susu refused to say, Chen Mo couldn’t press the issue.

He returned to Su Yuqing’s side, where she was chatting with the Yuanyuan sisters.

Seeing Chen Mo approach, the Yuanyuan sisters perceptively took each other’s hands, giggled, and slipped away to watch Huang Mao and Lin Yu’an play video games.

Yuanyuan’s gaze was practically glued to Lin Yu’an’s focused profile, and she only snapped out of her daze and followed when her older sister gave her a gentle tug.

The raucous sound of video games, the cheers of the girls dancing, and the excited shouts of the two children at the arcade machine all blended together, filling the villa with noise.

Chen Mo sat down next to Su Yuqing on a sofa in a relatively quiet corner, turning his head to watch her profile, softened by the ambient light.

"Is it too rowdy for you?" Chen Mo asked gently, his voice just loud enough to cut through the background noise and reach her ears.

Su Yuqing turned her head, the glistening trace of her earlier tears still visible in her eyes. Now they bloomed into a genuine smile, like a newly opened gardenia—pure, sweet, and tinged with a contented languor. "Not at all. It’s actually really nice to have it this lively for a change."

Her gaze slowly swept across every corner of the living room—the grandparents were smiling as they watched Li Mingyu and Lin Yuxi excitedly mashing buttons at the arcade machine.

Wang Susu and a few other girls were twisting about on the dance machine, clumsy but joyful, their laughter ringing out clearly.

From the kitchen, she could faintly hear her mother and Auntie Chen Xi’s cheerful laughter, along with the homey sounds of cooking.

Her voice held a newfound sense of ease. "It’s so warm, so... real."

Chen Mo’s heart softened at her words. He reached out and, with complete naturalness, took the hand resting on her lap.

Su Yuqing’s fingers were a little cool. As his warm palm enveloped them, her fingertips curled slightly before she relaxed and let him hold her hand. She even shifted her position subtly, allowing their fingers to intertwine more tightly.

It was her silent sign of trust and reciprocation.

Chen Mo gently caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, his gaze landing on the slight redness at the corners of her eyes, full of pure adoration.

The simple happiness most people took for granted was, for Su Yuqing, often a first-time experience to be solemnly cherished.

Su Yuqing blushed and instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Chen Mo only held it more gently.

He chuckled softly. Looking at her shy and playfully pouting expression, his heart filled with the sight of her in this relaxed state.

He didn’t bring up any topics that might make her tense, including Wang Susu.

Since Wang Susu had clearly said it was a "good thing" and Su Yuqing didn’t want to talk about it, he chose to give her his complete trust and respect.

As long as she was safe and happy, he didn’t mind her having a little secret.

Seeing Su Yuqing grow increasingly shy, Chen Mo smoothly withdrew his hand and steered the conversation to small talk. He smiled and asked, "What were you, Yuanyuan, and the others talking about just now that was so fun? Your eyes were curved into crescents."

At the mention of that, Su Yuqing’s face lit up in a bright smile. "Oh! Yuanyuan was telling a hilarious story..."

As Su Yuqing shared the funny story, Chen Mo found himself roaring with laughter. The palpable romantic tension that had been building between them instantly dissipated, making it easier for them to relax and be together amidst the crowd.

Soon, the two were deep in idle conversation.

After some time, Chen Xi’s booming, cheerful voice called out from the kitchen doorway. "Time to eat! Everyone come wash your hands and get ready for dinner!"

She stood there in her apron, spatula still in hand and a smudge of flour on her face, looking positively radiant.

A cheer erupted in the living room. Everyone by the game consoles and the dance machine stopped what they were doing. The two children abandoned the arcade cabinet and raced toward the bathroom, shouting with glee.

"Whoa! It’s finally time to eat!" Yuanyuan, a certified foodie, was the first to sprint toward the dining room.

"It smells amazing!" A few of the girls followed, hit by an incredible aroma as soon as they reached the dining room entrance.

The scene of lively entertainment seamlessly transitioned into an even livelier and more tempting gourmet feast.

Chen Mo helped Su Yuqing to her feet and led her toward the massive dining table, which was already laden with a fragrant, overflowing spread.

Su Yuqing gazed at the magnificent feast spread across the table. There was a grand seafood platter meticulously prepared by Auntie Chen Xi; Chen Mo’s father’s signature dish, a glossy and tempting red-braised pork; a few of the simple, home-cooked dishes her mother, Li Fengzhi, used to make for her when she was a child; and a refreshing cold salad that Grandma had insisted on helping to prepare. Every dish represented the love and care of a different family member.

Her eyes began to well up again, but this time, it was from pure, overwhelming happiness.

"Come on, Qingqing, sit at the head of the table! It’s your day!" Chen Xi brooked no argument, guiding Su Yuqing into the specially decorated chair at one end of the long table.

That seat was directly under the living room’s brilliant crystal chandelier, placing her at the center of everyone’s well-wishing gazes.

Chen Mo naturally sat to her left. Chen Xi deliberately saved the seat to her right for Li Fengzhi, taking a seat for herself a little further away.

Li Fengzhi watched as her daughter was doted on like a princess, her own face a mixture of relief and deep emotion.

Especially when she saw Chen Mo carefully arrange Su Yuqing’s tableware and then lean in to ask which dish she wanted to try first, that effortless attentiveness swept away the last trace of doubt in her heart.

’My daughter was so unhappy when she was with me, but now... she’s found incredible fortune.’