When Gu Nian came out after washing the painting tools, she saw Lu Shiqian still in the living room, with a deep expression on his face as he didn't know what he was thinking.
"Are you...what's wrong?"
Because they had just had an argument yesterday, Gu Nian sounded a little uncomfortable.
Lu Shiqian suddenly looked up, "Today is your birthday."
Gu Nian's expression changed, "Why are you talking about this? It's not my birthday, but you don't know."
After saying that, she put everything back in the storage room without intending to talk more.
Who knew that Lu Shiqian was at the door when she came out, looking like he was waiting for her, which really shocked her, "What are you doing?"
"Let's talk."
Gu Nian knew what he wanted to talk about without having to think about it. She subconsciously felt some resistance. She lowered her eyes and said, "What's there to talk about?"
Lu Shiqian saw her like a turtle in its shell, and directly stretched out his hand to pull her to the sofa.
"What are you doing?" Gu Nian reached out and shook it off without looking into Lu Shiqian's eyes, "I have to go to work tomorrow and go to bed early."
"I've never seen you go to bed so early before."
Lu Shiqian exposed her mercilessly, and then said in a slower voice, "Professor Gu definitely doesn't want to see you like this."
Gu Nian felt a sudden feeling of grievance in her heart, the sourness on the tip of her nose couldn't stop rising, and her eyes turned red.
"I'm pretty good the way I am now."
"It's pretty good?" Lu Shiqian looked at her like an ostrich, "It's pretty good but you don't dare to celebrate your birthday?"
Gu Nian pursed her lips tightly and said nothing, and did not dare to look into Lu Shiqian's eyes.
That penetrating look made her unable to escape.
How could she let go?
If it hadn't been for her that night, if it hadn't been for her father to celebrate her birthday with her, how could they have rushed back in the heavy rain?
Lu Shiqian looked at her silent expression and sighed softly, "Teacher, he definitely doesn't want to see you feeling sorry for yourself."
"Those who have left have left. The remaining people should raise their heads and look forward. They don't want us to live in pain and self-blame every day."
Gu Nian listened to Lu Shiqian's words, buried her hands in her palms, and a few tears slipped down silently.
The knot in her heart was laid out in front of Lu Shiqian's eyes, and she could no longer ignore it.
"But I can't do it."
Her voice came out muffled, "I don't want to do this either. I have tried many times, but it just doesn't work."
"Take your time."
Lu Shiqian's voice was clear and powerful, "You have to take the first step first. When you step out, the teacher will feel at ease."
Gu Nian slowly raised his head, with cautious eyes, "Can I?"
Lu Shiqian looked at her and felt relieved, and said with certainty: "You can do it."
After a pause, he added, "Wait for me."
He stood up and walked quickly to the dining room, took out a candle and stuck it on the chocolate cake, lit it, then picked it up and walked out into the living room.
The headlight in the living room suddenly dimmed, leaving only the warm yellow wall lamp next to the TV.
Gu Nian turned around and saw Lu Shiqian walking towards her with a chocolate cake in his hands. His face was hidden behind the candlelight, making his stern face look particularly gentle.
She heard him say: "Let's start with birthday celebrations."
The gloom in Gu Nian's heart seemed to suddenly dissipate a lot. The chocolate hazelnut cake in front of her seemed like a key to the past, allowing her to face it head-on, but she was no longer so afraid.
Lu Shiqian sat next to her, with a warm voice: "Make a wish."
Gu Nian stared at him for a while, then closed her eyes and made a wish.
"Let's blow out the candles together."
After cutting the cake, Gu Nian took small bites of the cake. As if she suddenly remembered something, she looked at the man beside her seriously and said, "Lu Shiqian, actually back then... I didn't blame you. Those words at that time were because I was too impulsive."
Lu Shiqian paused and his eyes fell on her serious eyebrows. At this time, the gentle light shone in her eyes, as if the sky was filled with stars.
There was a drop of brown cream stuck to the corner of Gu Nian's mouth, which looked particularly sweet.
Lu Shiqian couldn't help but fall into the soft light of the room, and slowly kissed her sweetly on the lips.
Gu Nian looked at his face getting closer and closer, and suddenly put her hand on his chest, stopping his next movement.
"Today...thank you."
Gu Nian retracted her hand, her eyes wandering and not looking at Lu Shiqian. She was afraid that she would not be able to get out once she saw him.
"I will no longer be afraid and will face it bravely. Thank you for helping me find myself."
After she finished speaking, she got up and ran back to her room.
Lu Shiqian looked at her back and chuckled, "Happy birthday."
Probably because the knot in her heart was relieved, Gu Nian slept particularly well that night.
If it were done in the past, it would definitely be a nightmare.
After arriving at the company and punching in, she greeted the colleagues she met as she walked.
"Morning, Tongtong!"
"Sister Xin, your lipstick looks so white today!"
Xu Yang saw her smiling face from afar, and her sunny look made the atmosphere in the office much better.
Gu Nian is in a really good mood and is more energetic than usual at work.
When Xu Yang came to look for her at her workstation, she was humming a song quietly and sorting out information.
"Senior, what's the matter?"
Xu Yang looked at Gu Nianxiao's crooked eyes and couldn't help but joke: "Seeing how happy you are today, I want to make you happier."
Then he raised the competition invitation in his hand and said, "There is good news."
Speaking of this, Gu Nian suddenly became more energetic and asked with bright eyes: "What's the good news?"
"The 'Starry Night Fashion Design Competition' is a competition specifically for emerging designers. Our company has two places. After discussion and decision, the company plans to let you and Meng Yutong go."
Gu Nian reached out to take the invitation and said in disbelief: "Really?"
"Why did you lie to me?"
Seeing her happy look, Xu Yang also laughed, "Look at how happy you are, go back early today, pack your luggage, and we'll set off tomorrow."
"OK!"
Gu Nian looked through the introduction on the invitation letter, feeling excited and nervous at the same time.
This is the first competition in her career. Although the scale is not very big, it is enough to make her excited for a long time.
Xu Yang saw that she was a little timid and encouraged her: "Don't worry, with your professional level, there will be no problem."
"Senior is right!"
Gu Nian nodded in agreement, as if to cheer himself up, "I have to have confidence in myself, I will definitely work hard!"
"come on."
Xu Yang is indeed very optimistic about her, and Gu Nian's professional level is indeed very good.
"Then I'll leave first. See you at the airport tomorrow morning."
"good."
Gu Nian watched him leave, then moved his eyes back to the invitation in his hand, feeling a little nervous.
In the president's office on the top floor.
The assistant knocked on the door, then opened the door and walked in. He immediately saw his boss in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Huo Huaijin looked out the window, with a panoramic view of the cold city buildings. The sunlight repeatedly refracted between the high-rise buildings, emitting dazzling light. The water surface in the distance was shimmering and strange.
The assistant put the document in his hand on the desk and raised his hand to hold the frame on the bridge of his nose.
"Mr. Huo, the list of people to participate in the newcomer fashion design competition in Beicheng has been decided. Here is the information of the company's participants. Please take a look."