"Sheng Li, where are you taking me?" Ying Lili questioned her and put her hands on her eyes. Sheng Li told her to wait a little more. He brought her out of the Private Chamber. As they reached the stairs, Sheng Li carried her up in his arms and started to walk.
"Put me down," Ying Lili tapped on his shoulders.
"You might fall," Sheng Li replied.
Ying Lili clung to him tightly. Sheng Li halted after some time and put Ying Lili down gently on the floor. Ying Lili asked him if she could remove the blindfold.
"No."
"Sheng Li, what surprises have you planned at this late night? I am hungry," She complained.
Sheng Li told her to open the blindfold. Ying Lili quickly brought her hands behind her head and opened the knot. She pulled it and opened her eyes. She saw the residence far away from her. Ying Lili looked around and saw she was in the lake pavilion of the Residence.
She turned back and saw the entire lake was illuminated with yellow lanterns. Two large scrolls were hanging on the pillars of the pavilion. Sheng Li had done calligraphy on it. Ying Lili read, 'Happy Birthday An-Ying Lili.'
A circular table was at the center of the lake pavilion with two chairs. Ying Lili saw the dishes that had already been put on the table. She turned her eyes to the left and saw the various colored satin curtains surrounding the pavilion.
"Happy Birthday, Lili," Sheng Li whispered in her ear. She tilted her head when Sheng Li came to her front.
"Lili, this is for you." Ying Lili lowered her eyes and looked at the Red Hanfu dress in Sheng Li's hand. It appeared to be a wedding dress to Ying Lili.
"You are right! I want you to marry me again, tomorrow in the evening. Our wedding was a disastrous one. Both you and I took vows without putting any heart into them. On an auspicious day, I desired to marry you again. And your birthday is perfect for this. I want to be yours, Lili," Sheng Li proposed to her for marriage.
Ying Lili moved her hand over the dress. "I also want to take the wedding vows with you," Ying Lili accepted his proposal. A shade of red appeared on her cheeks and she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze.
"Brother Sheng sewed it with his own hands," Ying Lili heard a voice which was none other than Lei Wanxi. Both Sheng Li and Ying Lili were shocked to hear the voice of Lei Wanxi. They both turned left and saw Lei Wanxi was seated at the railing of the lake pavilion, fanning himself.
"What are you doing here?"
"Brother Sheng, I came here to wish Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi replied and closed the fan. He stood up and came near them.
"You can do it tomorrow. Go away!" Sheng Li said annoyingly. Lei Wanxi halted beside Sheng Li and took out a tiny, circular golden box from his pocket.
"Brother Sheng, I wanted to be the first one to wish Sister Lili. Alas! You took Sister Lili here. Do you know how much I run to arrive here? Brother Sheng shall not get jealous of his younger brother. I am only a 'Brother' to Sister Lili," Lei Wanxi asserted and turned his gaze to Ying Lili, who was smiling.
"May you live a thousand years, Sister Lili. This is the gift from my and Hu Jingguo's side. We were preparing for this day for two months," Lei Wanxi pronounced. Ying Lili took the box from Lei Wanxi's hand and thanked him for the wishes.
"You can check it later!" Sheng Li took the box from Ying Lili's hand, bewildering her. Before Sheng Li could put it inside his pocket, Lei Wanxi snatched it from him.
He stepped back and said, "Brother Sheng, do not be a kid. Let Sister Lili see it," Lei Wanxi scolded him.
"Wanxi, you are ruining my surprise. Lili is hungry and--"
"Let me see it," Ying Lili expressed her desire. Sheng Li could not refuse her. Lei Wanxi smiled and handed the box to Ying Lili.
He pulled Sheng Li's cheek and said, "Brother Sheng, you will also like it."
Sheng Li scowled at him. 'Could you not wait for tomorrow?' Both the brothers started to talk with their eyes.
'No.' Lei Wanxi shook his head.
Sheng Li huffed and averted his gaze from him. Ying Lili, on the other hand, opened the box. She was stunned to see two golden rings inside the box and, also a tiny piece of folded paper. She took out the paper and unfolded it.
"Dear Lili,
Happy Birthday to you. You have turned 22. It is unbelievable that you grew up into a beautiful lady this fast. This letter I wrote earlier because I think I will be in Juyan City at this time. You know how I used to celebrate your birthday. Initially, you two started with odd terms, so I want you, two to get united again on your birthday. There's one ring for Sheng Li, and one is for you. Exchange them and be together for eternity. I know Sheng Li will be annoyed that again Hu Jingguo came between you two. So, to make him smile, just pull his nose, and his anger will vanish in a second.
Your friend
Hu Jingguo."
Sheng Li glanced at her. "What is it?" He asked.
"Nothing," she replied and folded it. Ying Lili lifted her hand and pulled his nose. Sheng Li knitted his brows as he reminisced how Hu Jingguo once pulled his nose when he was annoyed with him. A smile appeared on his lips.
Ying Lili showed him the rings. Sheng Li understood and picked the ring. Lei Wanxi took the golden box from Ying Lili and told them to exchange the rings.
"Give me your hand," Sheng Li asked. Ying Lili forwarded her hand. Sheng Li gently held her hand and inserted the ring in her ring finger. Ying Lili did the same, and the two smiled.
"There's one more thing I have prepared for you," Sheng Li stated.. Lei Wanxi gradually stepped backward and left the lake pavilion soon, leaving both Ying Lili and Sheng Li alone.