Chapter 161
“Is there something to celebrate today? Why is there suddenly a firework display?”
“Man, I bet it costs a lot with that much fireworks.”
“Could it be that another billionaire is proposing to a young commoner?”
“Pffi. You‘ve read too many of those cheesy stories.”
“I mean, who‘s to say? How do you explain the long firework display then?”
“It‘s been going on for twenty minutes. When will it end? Is there more?”
“Beats me.”
“Let‘s wait and see.”
Walking through the crowd, Veronica was amused by what the people were buzzing about. What great imagination!
It wasn‘t until they squeezed through the crowd and back to the side of the road that their surroundings got a lot quieter.
“Thanks, Xavier. I really enjoyed the fireworks.”
“Don‘t mention it.”
“Though I see you as my brother, hey, short reckonings make long friends.”
Veronica giggled and suddenly glanced subconsciously across the road. With that, she turned back to Xavier, saying, “Wait here. I‘m gonna buy something across from here.”
“Okay.” He thought no further of it and stood waiting there just like that.
Then, he heard his ringtone. With that, he fished his phone out to find Melissa calling. His little sister had called a good few times throughout the night, and he finally answered this time.
“Melissa, W
“Xavier Crawford; where the hell are you? I made a feast seeing as it’s your birthday today, but I can‘t believe you decided to go AWOL?!” Melissa roared, wishing she could teleport to the other end of the line and give her brother a piece of her mind.
“Sorry, my phone was on silent. I didn‘t hear your calls.”
“Yeah, right, like I‘d believe that! Don‘t think I‘ve got no idea what goes on in that little mind of yours! Veronica‘s leaving soon. You must be with her right now. Am I right, or am I right?”
As Melissa had gotten closer to Veronica, some of Veronica‘s personality had rubbed off on her, leading her to speak a little presumptuously like Veronica would.
“I‘m not.
“You swear?”
“I swear.”
“Bullsh*t! As if I‘d believe anything you say!“,
“You‘re a girl; don‘t speak like an uncivilized ape. Better correct that habit, or you won‘t be able to find yourself a husband.”
“Veronica is much worse than this, yet you still cling to her. Double–standard piece of sh*t. Whatever. Bye!” Melissa furiously hung up on Xavier.
Xavier couldn‘t help scoffing as he realized she was right.
Seeing as Veronica had yet to return, he sent a text to his little sister. ‘Thanks for remembering my birthday, Melissa. I‘ll go back in a bit.
The Crawford Family consisted of so many, but Melissa was the only one who remembered his birthday–no, she was the only person in the world to remember his birthday.
Shortly after, Veronica crossed the road back to him with a couple of paper bags in her hand.
Seeing that, he asked, “What did you get?”
“It‘s a secret.” Veronica deliberately teased him before leading him further forward
Since she frequently jogged around the area, she knew there was a gazebo up ahead
with numerous stone pieces of furniture where people could sit and rest. After a ten minute walk, they finally arrived at the seating area by the road.
Veronica dragged Xavier to the gazebo with a row of stone tables and benches. Although there were already people, there was still much space to occupy.
“I‘m tired. Let‘s take a break there.” She pointed to the seating area at the roadside. With that, the two walked further ahead and found a quiet spot to sit.
As it was rather cold lately, there weren‘t any mosquitoes or other bugs around, so they didn‘t have to worry about getting bitten.
“Why here, of all places?” Xavier was baffled.
Veronica answered, “Well, I got a little hungry, so I went and bought some supper. Let‘s eat.”
As she spoke, she took out a small box from one of the paper bags and put it on the table. Then, she opened it to reveal a golden Pikachu cake.
“It‘s a mini cake. I bought it especially. I loved this when I was a kid. Too bad we weren‘t well off, so I was always reluctant to get one.” While talking, she fished out a candle and put it on the cake before lighting the candle up with a lighter.
Xavier couldn‘t help feeling bewildered, having no idea of Veronica‘s plans.
“What are you waiting for? Make a wish!” Then, she pointed at the cake. “I‘m all about rituals, you see. As a kid, I‘d always make a wish whenever I ate cake. C‘mon, let‘s make a wish together?”
“You sure it works this way?” Xavier was entertained.
“Of course! C‘mon, cut the crap; hurry up.” While urging him, Veronica put her hands together and lowered her head to make a wish.
After being stupefied for a while, he finally obliged and copied her. As he slowly closed his eyes, he thought this could be considered the first birthday Veronica had celebrated with him.
But little did he know, when he closed his eyes, Veronica mischievously opened one of hers, peeping and observing his every gesture. Seeing he was done making a wish, Veronica hurriedly shut her eyes, pretending as if she still wasn‘t done with hers. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and looked at Xavier. “You‘re done? Well, thai‘s fast. Didn‘t you make three wishes as you should?”
“I‘m not as greedy as you.”
“You‘re trying to say I‘m not as rich as you, aren‘t you?” Veronica teased, then said, “Now that we‘ve made our wishes let‘s blow out the candle together. Hehe, I know it‘s a small cake, but hey, a ritual‘s a ritual.”
Xavier nodded, then lowered his head with Veronica, ready to blow the candle.
“I‘ll count, and we‘ll blow together on three.”
“Okay.”
“Alright. Ready… One, two, three!”
As she was done counting, she pretended to go for the candle, and Xavier‘s actions were almost in sync with hers. Only, she didn‘t actually blow it out.
Xavier extinguished the candle, and as he was about to say something, Veronica started clapping and singing, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday my dear friend…”
At last, it finally struck him that they were actually celebrating his birthday. Instantly, he was touched, and his heart warmed, but at the same time, he felt inexplicably poignant.
Though Melissa had never forgotten his birthday in the last three years, she had always prepared the dinner celebration back in the Crawford Residence, which he never went back for. In other words, he still didn‘t celebrate his birthday, much less eat cake. This was his first birthday celebration since his mother‘s passing. What was more, Veronica was the one who prepared the cake and wished him a happy birthday. How could he not be touched?
“Happy birthday, Xavier. May you look better than ever and take your business to greater heights, so you‘ll one day be on the list of the wealthiest people on Earth.” exclaimed Veronica.
“Thanks.” While he felt moved, he questioned, “Did Melissa tell you?”
“Hehe… Yeah. She‘s a sweet sister to you. You better treat her right.”
She removed the candle as she spoke. Then, she fished out a mini cake kuite from the paper bag, ranting as she cut the cake, “This cake may be small, but it‘s from Red
- House. Do you know how expensive it is? 39 for one, goodness sake! I know you don! have a sweet tooth, and it‘d be a waste if I got the big one. Hence, this size. Well take
half each. Just nice, no?”
