But the way she wanted to obtain it had already changed.
An Nuannuan took the candle, she turned her head to look at Xu Musen, the young girl's emotions were no calmer than anyone else's.
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For her, this was the birthday she had finally awaited, the first that belonged to both of them together.
That day, she really had waited a very long time for it—his nineteenth birthday, this year, every little thing from when they met until now circled in her mind.
Thankfully, everything finally had a result.
An Nuannuan's large eyes shimmered with a gloss only she understood as she looked at Xu Musen, remembering the pale-faced him gradually losing breath, and the him now, gently gazing at her with a doting smile.
Thankfully, everything was still in time.
Thankfully, I finally waited for you.
An Nuannuan, holding the candle, turned around to look at Xu Musen, not caring that so many people were watching.
"Xu Musen, this is the first time I'm celebrating your birthday with you. Although I couldn't be with you in the past, Uncle, Auntie and everyone was there to accompany you, caring for you, but from today onwards, you'll have one more person who cares about you and who will celebrate your birthday with you every year.
And every year from now on, every day, every minute, every second, I want to spend it with you."
An Nuannuan rarely spoke sweet nothings and even less often would she take on the demure, bashful gestures of a young girl.
Whenever she spoke sugary sweet words, she was always dead serious, as if swearing before the most sacred belief in her heart.
It seemed a bit lacking in girlish petulance, but this serious and pure demeanor was more likely to move hearts.
Xu Musen stretched out his hand, gently caressing her cheek: "Okay."
A simple word, the best promise a man could make.
Mother Xu and Father Xu exchanged a glance, the relief in their eyes impossible to hide, while Liu Rushuang looked silently at her daughter with a soft sigh.
As her daughter's mother, Liu Rushuang certainly had her own selfish desires.
But standing from the perspective of an elder, she was also happy for Xu Musen. In life, it's incredibly hard to find someone whose eyes are filled only with you.
The candle was lit.
Nineteen candles.
This year was destined to be a turning point in the fates of many people.
The lights were turned off, under the hazy candlelight.
Xu Musen made his wish.
His wish was always the same, wishing for his loved ones to be healthy, hoping to earn a bit more money for himself, and of course, wishes about Yao Mingyue, from this year onwards, his wish would forever have an adorable addition called An Nuannuan.
After making his wish, Xu Musen opened his eyes, looking at the nineteen candles before him. Actually, the first eighteen and the very last one all gave off the same warming light.
Even with a new beginning, it didn't mean that each and every past candlelight wasn't warm.
Nor did it mean that the past could be forgotten.
Xu Musen's gaze looked towards the table, where in the dim candlelight, on both sides of the table, Yao Mingyue and An Nuannuan were both watching him unblinkingly.
Both seemed very keen to know what wish he had made.
Xu Musen smiled at them.
"Stop looking, a wish won't come true if you tell."
"Tsk, who cares…" Yao Mingyue turned her head and huffed, looking away.
"Musen, you stingy ghost." An Nuannuan also huffed, turning her head to the other side.
The odd coincidence between the two young girls amused everyone watching, and they couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Alright, alright, let's get ready to divide the cake!"
Liu Rushuang loved joining in the fun and took on the task of cutting the cake.
She picked up the knife, cut off the "Xu" character from Xu Musen's cake, and handed it to Xu Musen.
"Here, Xiao Sen, you're the birthday boy and now you have a girlfriend. It will be hard for the old Xu family's lineage not to prosper."
Liu Rushuang's cheerful words made Xu Musen cough awkwardly. Speaking of lineage, the responsibility had failed in the hands of your precious eldest daughter in the past life.
Then, Liu Rushuang cut off the "Mu" and "Sen" characters and handed them to Yao Mingyue and An Nuannuan respectively.
"Xiao Sen's name has a good meaning too. A single tree does not make a forest; sticking together when outside the home will allow you to go farther. Look at this 'Sen' character; triangles have such stability."
Liu Rushuang spoke with a glint in her eyes that seemed inadvertent but ultimately landed lightly on Xu Musen.
Yao Mingyue, standing to the side, shifted her expression, looking at her mother, also feeling somewhat helpless.
Xu Musen signaled that he didn't understand.
Eating cake, sipping some red wine, the television was on—it was a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
This birthday was thus considered over.
As the evening darkened,
It was time to rest.
Mother Xu even specifically asked Xu Musen: "Son, do you think it would be okay if we stayed over tonight?"
"Mom, is it our first day knowing each other?," he replied, half amused, half exasperated. They were family, and still she asked if it was appropriate.
"I'm not asking you, I want you to ask Nuannuan. After all, this is your new home together, and even as parents, we should at least inquire about the young lady's opinion."
Mother Xu said irritably. Many young people nowadays didn't enjoy living with their elders, especially their in-laws, and she wanted to have a clear understanding.
"It's okay, Nuannuan likes the hustle and bustle, and there're plenty of rooms; you guys just stay."
"Well, it is already so late today, perhaps Aunt Liu and Ming Yue..."
"There shouldn't be a problem; I'll go ask them in a bit."
Xu Musen nodded, knowing that Nuannuan would definitely listen to him, but his mother was right—this was his and An Nuannuan's new home.