The game's heroine has come true? The aloof school beauty is in tears.

A brief period of happiness is followed by a profound emptiness.

This is also known as withdrawal symptoms.

Last night marked the first time Xu Zhixiao fulfilled her dream of performing on stage.

It was also the first time I felt the release of suppressed desires.

This unbridled joy inevitably plunged her into a state of extreme emptiness.

To combat this withdrawal reaction.

Xu Zhixiao chose to fill this emptiness with busyness.

She and her cousin-in-law went to a calligraphy exhibition to choose a piece of calligraphy as a birthday gift for her father.

Then I went to the cake shop and ordered a birthday cake.

She also took some time to practice the guzheng as a gift for her performance at her birthday party.

But she didn't go to the clinic.

Even when her father asked her to help brew the medicine, she declined, citing other commitments.

I found a study room I frequented and started working on my clinical research paper.

Not just today.

Over the next two days, she fully resumed her previous life of sexual apathy.

When I'm at work, I see patients and make rounds in the wards.

I study and work on my thesis after get off work.

As time went by day by day.

The image of Lu Yuan in the livehouse and the image of Lu Yuan on the bus gradually faded from her mind.

Although it always makes me itch to try it when I think about it.

But she did not contact Lu Yuan.

Because of her current state, she feels at ease, and no one will gossip about her.

When people mention Xu Zhixiao, they still describe her as intellectual, gentle, and poised.

She is said to be the epitome of womanhood.

As for fate?

The connections we make in this world are as fleeting as morning dew.

It ended just like that.

...

Until the third day.

The birthday banquet for Mr. Xu has officially begun.

The banquet was held in a private courtyard house, away from the bustling street. It was surrounded by groves of green bamboo and old camphor trees. The white walls and black tiles, the low eaves and restrained style, and the lack of ostentatious decorations were all present. Upon entering the garden, one first passed through a bamboo path paved with bluestone slabs. Small landscapes were created by stacked stones on both sides. A stream flowed around the courtyard, koi fish floated in the shallow pond, and moss covered the steps. A covered corridor connected the main hall and the side rooms. Wooden lattice windows were inlaid with white gauze. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo, casting dappled shadows, and the breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees.

In the side tea room, Mr. Xu was chatting with several old friends.

The reception room also had a large group of people.

Xu Zhixiao stood at the entrance of the reception room to greet the guests.

Today she wore a tailored beige-gray satin suit dress with a fitted waist. The dress fell to mid-calf, and the slightly open V-neck was adorned with a delicate pearl necklace, which perfectly accentuated the slender lines of her neck. The sleeves were rolled up to her forearms.

Wear a light camel-colored, draped cashmere cardigan over your outfit, casually draped over your shoulders for a relaxed and elegant look.

She wore low-heeled, apricot-colored pointed-toe sheepskin shoes with no extra carvings.

Her black hair was styled into a gentle bun, with a few wisps of hair falling naturally to frame her face. Her makeup was light, with only light brown eyebrows and matte mauve lips. Her outfit and temperament blended seamlessly in her speech.

"I see. Why is Teacher Xu planning such a grand celebration this year?"

"Maybe they just wanted to have some fun."

Xu Zhixiao answered with a slight smile.

It's normal for people to have this question, because in the past, Old Xu's birthday parties were always attended by family and relatives, and he never accepted gifts from others, since the old couple were not high-profile people.

It should be noted that as a retired doctor with profound medical ethics, Xu's father had an extraordinary network of connections.

There are quite a few people who want to curry favor with him by celebrating his birthday.

Not to mention old colleagues and friends, even former disciples are practically wearing down the doorstep.

But Old Xu only organized this one year, and the deeper meaning behind it is naturally unknown to outsiders.

But Xu Zhixiao knew.

Because these past few days his dad has been nagging him every day: "Make Lu Yuan dress up nicely, so I can save face."

Obviously.

Because of Xu Zhixiao's sixteen consecutive failed blind dates.

Old Xu was seething with resentment; this birthday banquet was tantamount to showing off his son-in-law.

But how could someone from such a distant place possibly come?

Xu Zhixiao repeatedly told her father: Lu Yuan will not come; the two of them have broken up.

But Old Xu has no hearing problems at all, so when he heard these words, he acted as if he hadn't heard them at all.

What can Xu Zhixiao do?

We had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

"Xiao, ask Lu Yuan when he'll arrive?"

Old Xu came out of the teahouse and quietly asked his daughter.

Xu Zhixiao could only lower her head and answer softly:

"Dad, he's not coming."

"Xiao Lu isn't petty; how could she possibly skip a birthday party just because of a little tiff?"

"Dad, it's not a little fuss."

"We've only known each other for a few days, what big fuss could there be?"

It's no wonder the old man is so worried.

He could tell that Xiaolu was sensible, and his own daughter was also sensible.

What kind of trouble could two people like that possibly cause together?

Xu Zhixiao was speechless upon hearing this.

They really couldn't have a major falling out.

My legs went weak the moment I saw it; I had no energy left to make a fuss.

In short, he's not coming.

Xu Zhixiao stopped talking to her father and turned to greet some young friends.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the living room, there were people watching the conversation between the Xu father and daughter.

It wasn't just relatives and friends who wanted to see what kind of young man he was, but he also achieved the final victory.

Those young talents they had selected also wanted to see who would ultimately emerge victorious.

Do you think Xu Zhixiao is really in a relationship?

A young man in a gray suit, looking very elegant, turned to ask the others.

The answers to this question were very similar:

"I really don't believe it."

"I guess it's just something to appease his parents."

"Maybe they were hired."

Some of the people introduced in this list are blind date partners, while others are Xu Zhixiao's childhood friends.

Without exception, they were all suitors of Xu Zhixiao.

In this era where posting a meticulously edited photo to social media can cause your inbox to explode with private messages.

It's not surprising that he has suitors.

But with so many suitors, the one who wins will naturally attract the attention of others.

Everyone's waiting to see.

"Xiao, when is your boyfriend coming over?"

"he..."

Now Xu Zhixiao was in a bit of a dilemma.

She hadn't expected her father to be so stubborn; he'd already gone through with the process and spread the news.

If it's too far, they might as well not come at all; that would be a huge loss of face.

Xu Zhixiao thought that if all else failed, she would plead with Lu Yuan for help...

But I did block them.

Lu Yuan doesn't seem to be the type of person who forgives others easily.

Just as Xu Zhixiao was hesitating whether to pick up her phone.

A hearty laugh came from the main entrance: "Happy birthday, Uncle!"

Xu Zhixiao turned her head and her eyes lit up instantly.

I'm blown away by his handsomeness.

Lu Yuan stood at the door, dressed in a well-tailored peak lapel suit.

He walked up to her with a bright smile.

He didn't say anything, and didn't even glance at Xu Zhixiao.

But when I walked up to her...

He let his hand, which was on the side closest to Xu Zhixiao, fall down naturally.

Xu Zhixiao instantly understood and gently took her arm.

A perfect match.

The two stood in the sunlight on the waterside pavilion, with the sounds of silk and bamboo music behind them, smiling broadly as they looked at the guests from all directions.

"So, you really didn't bring any gifts, did you?"

Old Xu walked over and, feigning anger, pointed to his empty hands.

At the same moment, Lu Yuan raised his empty hand and pointed to the hand that was being held on his left.

"Isn't this gift enough?"

The two men exchanged glances.

Old Xu chuckled.

laugh happily.