萌白酱金丝旗袍在线

Chapter 389: 179 Birthday (an additional update)_2

Tao Xingxing pushed open the rooftop door, pulling Ming Jing along with her, “Now, let me introduce my best friend, Ming Jing, to everyone.”

Some of them were Tao Xingxing’s primary and middle school classmates who had parted ways with her in high school. They were completely stunned when they found out that the renowned Ming Jing was Tao Xingxing’s best friend.

Ma Xiaoxiao and two other good friends that Tao Xingxing made at Shengde High School seemed more composed.

“Xingxing, how secretive of you, becoming the best friend of a wealthy and beautiful woman. How impressive.”

“She’s Ming Jing, much prettier than on TV, and she’s got that amazing style. Plus, she’s the heiress of Zhu Group.”

“Nah, she’s the Chairman of the Board at Zhu Group. She’s on equal terms with Shen Zhou.”

“Today we’re living off Xingxing’s luck, otherwise, we wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Ms. Zhu.”

Everyone was chattering excitedly and discussing feverishly.

Tao Xingxing leaned towards Ming Jing, “They do exaggerate a lot. They’ve never seen a celebrity before, so bear with them.”

Ming Jing just shook her head and smiled.

“It’s your show today.” Ming Jing gently reminded her.

“I don’t mind, the happier they are about you, the happier I am, why should I care…” Tao Xingxing waved her hands indifferently.

Tao Xingxing snapped her fingers, “Yan Chen, let the music play.”

A dull thud echoed as the drumstick hit the bass drum, causing a deep, deafening sound that stirred the soul.

Then the hand holding the drumstick swung, releasing a bright, strong note, “Boom pop! The powerful rhythm caught everyone’s vibe.

Ming Jing looked up to see a coolly dressed teenager sitting behind the drums, a duckbill cap obscuring his eyes, leaving only his lower face visible. His chin looked mysterious under the flashing multicolored lights.

“Yan Chen, an art test taker. He’ll be taking the entrance exam for the music academy next year. He’s a future star. Isn’t he cool? His singing is amazing too. During middle school, he was the heartthrob of the entire school and is now the most popular guy at Yi High School.”

Tao Xingxing began to hum along with the rhythm.

The atmosphere was heating up, and a girl shouted, “Yan Chen, sing us a song.”

The boy looked up, his dark eyes focusing on Tao Xingxing.

His deep, husky voice came through the microphone, making everyone’s cheeks blush.

“What would the birthday girl like to hear?”

Tao Xingxing raised her hand high, the smile on her face beaming brightly, “I want to hear ‘White Robe.’

Yan Chen smiled, his eyes sparkling in the dark like morning stars, “Okay.”

The other girls started to tease, one of them joked: “Xingxing, you do realize how many girls chase after Yan Chen at school, don’t you? He never gives any of them a second glance, except for you. Could it be that he likes you?”

Tao Xingxing laughed it off and waved her hand in dismissal, “Don’t spout nonsense, we’re just good pals.”

The girls giggled, “Xingxing, you better pay attention. You need to hold on tight to such a high-quality guy, once you lose this chance, you may never get another one. If he becomes a big star in the future, we won’t be able to reach him, aren’t you gonna seize this opportunity?”

Tao Xingxing rolled her eyes at the girl, “If you like him, why don’t you go for it? Stop trying to mess up our friendship.”

“He doesn’t like me, I’d be asking for a death wish.”

The gentle, low voice of the young man came through the microphone, and the scene instantly fell silent as everyone listened attentively.

Unlike Qu Feitai’s gentle and bitter version, Yan Chen sung with a different feel, his song style was more upbeat. Everyone was thrilled, their hearts blossoming in joy.

“It sounds amazing, I think it’s even better than Qu Feitai’s version.”

“Not bad, but Qu Feitai is YYDS [Only, only, only].”When Qu Feitai came up in conversation, everyone instinctively looked at Ming Jing — the one who had lived and eaten with Qu Feitai for three days. Suddenly, it seemed as if Qu Feitai wasn’t so far away from them anymore.

“Have any of you noticed… there’s something off about the lyrics to this song ‘White Clothes’.”

“You’re just realizing this? The internet’s already gone wild, saying that Qu Feitai wrote ‘White Clothes’ for Ming Jing, that they knew each other before they were on the show together. Didn’t you see the leaks online? A restaurant manager slipped up and was exposed by an employee, revealing that they had gone on dates before the show….”

“Oh my god, is that true?”

“I don’t know why this hasn’t exploded, it was probably suppressed by Qu Feitai’s company. After all, rising star dating might affect his career. Qu Feitai’s future is bright, he can’t let a romantic relationship get in the way.”

For a moment, the way people looked at Ming Jing changed – pure admiration, not a hint of jealousy.

Because jealousy needs its rights. Look at ourselves, then look at their beauty, family background, and intelligence. How many keys can you match? Are you a match?

After Yan Chen finished singing, Tao Xingxing led the applause.

“Happy birthday to you….” With a change in melody, the well-known birthday song echoed in the room. Even when singing the birthday song, Yan Chen’s deep voice was particularly pleasing to the ears.

The whole room followed suit, singing along. At this point, Tao Qian and Wu Jiaqi came pushing in a three-tiered cake, their mouths filling the room with the tune of “Happy Birthday”.

“My star, your mom and dad wish you a happy 17th birthday, always be happy and blessed. We will always be with you.”

“Now, make a wish.”

Seventeen candles lit on top of the cake.

Tao Xingxing looked at her parents standing close by and all of her friends around her, closing her eyes in happiness.

After silently making her wish, Tao Xingxing blew out all the candles, and then excitedly began to cut the cake.

Wu Jiaqi looked at the carefree girl, a shade of sadness welling in her eyes.

A large hand rested on her shoulder as Tao Qian gently said, “In the blink of an eye, our star has grown so much and we’ve gotten old.”

“Why bring up such a sentimental thing on a happy day?” Wu Jiaqi complained.

Tao Qian held her hand, lowering his voice, “Jiaqi, what are you worried about?”

Wu Jiaqi abruptly looked up at him; Tao Qian was gazing at her tenderly.

Their eyes met, and the joy of the young boys and girls seemed far away for a moment.

Wu Jiaqi’s lips moved slightly, struggling to speak up: “A Qian….”

“No matter what happens in the future, we must stay together as a family. No one can separate us.” Tao Qian gently held her, looking at Tao Xingxing sharing cake with her friends, his eyes soft as water.

“Mom, the first piece of the cake belongs to you. My birthday is also the day you suffered, without you and dad, there would be no me.” Tao Xingxing handed the cut cake to Wu Jiaqi and Tao Qian.

“Thank you, mom, for giving birth to me seventeen years ago. Having grown up with you and daddy, and the companionship of Ming Jing and my friends, I am the happiest person in the world.” Tao Xingxing’s eyes shone brilliantly, her face was lit up with a sunny and blissful smile.

Wu Jiaqi touched her face; seventeen years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Our daughter has already grown into a graceful young lady, confident, lively, and cute. She looks exactly like what you had hoped for.

Do you see it?

Tao Xingxing saw a kind of indescribable sadness in her mother’s eyes, as if she was looking at someone through her.

Such a look made her feel unbearably heavy in her heart.

Soon, Wu Jiaqi smiled and said, “Go play with your friends.”

The sadness in Wu Jiaqi’s eyes had completely disappeared, as if it had been just her illusion.

After finishing the cake, it was time for Tao Xingxing’s most anticipated part – opening presents.