Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

The little "knife skills show" in the kitchen made Luo Yun's satisfaction with Li Chen skyrocket.

When the two returned to the restaurant with Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Luo Yun looked at Li Chen with the eyes of someone looking at a rare treasure, his gaze sparkling.

"Come, come, Xiao Chen, sit down quickly, you must be exhausted!"

She warmly pressed Li Chen back to his seat and personally served him a large bowl of soup.

"Drink more, it'll help you recover."

Yan Zhen, sitting at the other end of the table, keenly noticed the change in his wife's attitude.

He frowned, wondering what had happened in the kitchen.

Yan Xi also looked at Li Chen curiously, asking him with her eyes.

Li Chen simply smiled at her and didn't say anything more.

The meal finally ended in a harmonious atmosphere (except for Yan Zhen).

After the meal, the servants served fruit and refreshments.

Luo Yun pulled Li Chen to sit on the sofa, and they began to chat about all sorts of things.

They talked about Li Chen's childhood anecdotes, his university courses, and his views on the future development of artificial intelligence.

Li Chen discovered that Luo Yun was not only gentle and considerate, but also knowledgeable and quick-witted.

No matter what topic he brought up, she could easily join in and offer her own unique insights.

Chatting with her is a pleasure.

Yan Xi sat to the side, watching the two chatting happily, a faint smile unconsciously lingering on her lips.

Only Yan Zhen remained expressionless, pretending to watch TV, but his ears were constantly perked up, eavesdropping on their conversation.

After chatting for a long time, Li Chen felt a little thirsty.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I need to use the restroom."

"Go ahead, go ahead, it's at the end of the corridor on the second floor."

Luo Yun pointed in the direction.

Li Chen got up and went upstairs.

The Yan family's villa was enormous, with corridors that resembled a maze.

Following Luo Yun's instructions, he found the restroom.

After leaving the bathroom, he prepared to return to the living room.

As he passed a room with the door half open, he heard Yan Xi and Luo Yun talking inside.

He hadn't intended to eavesdrop, so he subconsciously slowed his pace, preparing to walk past quickly.

But Luo Yun's words made him stop in his tracks instantly.

"Xixi, in two months it will be your 21st birthday."

Luo Yun's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

"How about your dad throws you a big birthday party this year? Invite all your friends, and... Xiao Chen, to come and have some fun."

A brief silence fell over the room.

Then, Yan Xi's calm, even somewhat indifferent voice rang out.

"No."

"I don't like celebrating my birthday."

"Here we go again, you silly child."

Luo Yun's tone carried a hint of helpless sigh.

"Are you still angry about things from your childhood?"

"no."

Yan Xi answered quickly.

It was so fast, it was like a subconscious denial.

"Really, no, Mom. I just feel like it's really boring."

Her voice lowered.

"That feeling...you wouldn't understand."

"A promise you've been looking forward to for so long turns out to be a disappointment. That feeling of falling from the clouds is more painful than having no hope at all in the first place."

"I wish I had never had that expectation."

Li Chen stood outside the door, his heart feeling as if it had been squeezed tightly by an invisible hand.

He could almost picture the forced strength and forlorn expression on Yan Xi's face as she said those words.

Yan Xi, who is always omnipotent, domineering, and in control of everything.

It turns out that deep in her heart, there was also a soft and fragile scar.

Inside the room, Luo Yun sighed again.

"It's Mom and Dad's fault."

Her voice was filled with remorse.

"Back then, your father and I were just starting out in our business, and we were extremely busy."

"I searched all over Europe to find the music box I promised to buy you, but when I got back, I still missed your birthday."

"By the time we remembered, you had already locked yourself in your room and refused to see us."

"I know that incident has stayed with you for many years."

"It's all in the past."

Yan Xi's voice still sounded calm.

"I stopped caring a long time ago."

But Li Chen knew that she must care.

The more you say you don't care, the more you actually care.

"By the way, Mom, what's my birthday again?"

"I've almost forgotten."

Yan Xi suddenly changed the subject.

"You silly child!"

Luo Yun was so angry she laughed.

"November 22nd! Scorpio! Just like your dad, holds grudges!"

November 22nd.

Music box.

A promise I've been looking forward to for a long time.

These keywords, like a bolt of lightning, instantly illuminated Li Chen's mind.

He stood motionless in the dim light of the corridor.

He felt as if he had touched upon the most crucial secret about Yan Xi.

They also found an excellent opportunity to truly connect with her.

He was no longer a "little rascal" who passively accepted her kindness.

From this moment on, he would be the one to soothe her wounds and make up for her regrets.

He wanted to give her a birthday she would never forget.

A unique promise, made only between the two of them.

A slow smile crept onto Li Chen's lips.

At that moment, his eyes became incredibly bright and resolute.

He turned around and, instead of returning to the living room, went downstairs to the garden outside the villa.

He took out his phone and dialed a number he hadn't contacted in a long time.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

On the other end came an old but powerful voice.

"You brat, you even know how to call your grandpa?"

"grandfather."

Li Chen's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"I'd like to ask you for a favor."