Chapter 224: A Meticulously Prepared Gift
Shao Qihai tagged along, insisting he knew Ji Buwang and wanted to help him celebrate his birthday too. When he saw Ji Buwang’s actions and the way Mu Jingzhe was smiling so happily at his words, he felt that he was simply inferior to Ji Buwang.
Ji Buwang’s birthday was held at home. At his old age, it was impossible for Old Master Ji to come over to celebrate the birthday of a junior. Only Ji Buwang would go back to celebrate his grandfather’s birthday, not the other way around. Therefore, there was no one else there.
Tang Moling wanted to celebrate with Ji Buwang, but he didn’t get the chance to come back, as he had been sent away to work by Ji Buwang.
On Mu Jingzhe’s birthday, Ji Buwang had said that he didn’t want Mu Jingzhe to work hard. This time, on his birthday, there was no need for Mu Jingzhe and the others to do anything. With everything already taken care of, all they had to do was have fun.
The five kids had also all come. They were already familiar with Ji Buwang’s place, so the moment they arrived, they ate and drank to their heart’s content and even went to read books. Shao Qihai grew even more vigilant when he saw their familiarity with the place.
Ji Buwang was very annoyed to see Shao Qihai, who was there every time he spoke to Mu Jingzhe. Alas, there was nothing he could do. Later on, Shao Qiyang also came. Everything else aside, it was a lively celebration.
Eager to hear the birthday song the children had sung for Mu Jingzhe, Ji Buwang even asked the children to adapt the song to an ‘uncle’ version to sing it to him.
It was impossible to do the dance now, but they could still sing it. After they cut the cake, it was time for the gift ceremony.
The children, as well as Shao Qiyang, had prepared a gift. In order to prove that he was really there to celebrate his birthday, Shao Qihai had also bought him something, but it had really just been casually picked.
Ji Buwang was also aware of that. Thus, he merely said ‘thanks’ to the two of them and then moved on to the presents that the children and Mu Jingzhe had gifted him, the ones he really cared about, especially what Mu Jingzhe had brought him.
Mu Jingzhe had gifted him a notebook. When Shao Qihai and Shao Qiyang saw it, they heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, they were also curious to know if it was really just a notebook.
They were all staring at it, but Ji Buwang held himself back and did not open it despite his obvious eagerness to open it. He deliberately didn’t want to let them see it.
After receiving Mu Jingzhe’s gift, Ji Buwang set it aside and took out another box. “This is my gift to you in return.”
“A gift in return? Who gives a gift in return on their birthday?” Mu Jingzhe didn’t accept it.
“Well, some people do.” Ji Buwang stuffed the gift into her hands and took out five gifts for the five kids. “I prepared something for Little Dong and the rest too.”
Shao Qihai and Shao Qiyang took a step forward, but Ji Buwang shrugged. “You’re not among the guests, so I didn’t prepare a gift in return for the two of you.”
In short, he was saying, “You’re not my guests. You were the ones who shamelessly showed up without an invitation.”
Although Shao Qihai and Shao Qiyang were furious, they couldn’t say anything.
Ji Buwang was very happy. After this torturous birthday celebration finally ended for Shao Qihai and Shao Qiyang, when they returned home, Mu Jingzhe and the five children ignored Shao Qihai’s curious gaze and closed the door to open the gifts.
The children’s gifts were all different, but they each got something they liked.
Mu Jingzhe’s gift was a little unexpected. It was another set of Russian dolls, the same size as the ones he had given her previously. However, this doll looked quite similar to Ji Buwang, especially its curly hair.
“This looks so much like Teacher Ji. Is Teacher Ji giving himself to Mommy?” Little Bei’s childish language was very sharp.
“No, it’s just a set of Russian dolls.” Mu Jingzhe quickly stopped her. Little Bei’s words could really make one’s imagination run wild.
However, it had to be said that the dolls were quite cute. Mu Jingzhe arranged them one by one beside her other dolls, and they made for quite a pretty sight.
Of course, this was also Ji Buwang’s objective.
The Russian dolls he had given her this time were really similar to the ones he had given her last time. Even the bottom of the smallest doll had the same design. Likewise, the plaques could be pushed around to form different words. There was another surprise awaiting her when she discovered the secret one day.
If there was one thing that was different, that would be the addition of a smaller, thumb-sized doll.
Last time, Mu Jingzhe had felt that one was missing. Judging from what had happened now, her hunch seemed to be accurate. However, he hadn’t given her the one missing last time. This time, he gave it to her.
He even specifically told her, “I’m giving you this tiny one so you can keep it with you. It means that I can keep you company in the future. You can also put me in your pocket when you go out.”
Mu Jingzhe looked at the little Ji Buwang and then at the note. “Is this the legendary ‘putting you in my pocket’ notion?”
Ji Buwang was… quite romantic.
Mu Jingzhe had completely guessed Ji Buwang’s intentions. This was what Ji Buwang had thought. Every day, he would place Little Jingzhe on the pillow beside him and keep her in his pocket everywhere he went. He felt that it was great, but slowly, he started to feel that he had miscalculated.
He thought that if he gave her a set of Russian dolls on his birthday, he would be able to get Mu Jingzhe to keep him in her pocket. After this thought had occurred to him, Ji Buwang wasn’t willing to give up, so he had taken advantage of his birthday to return the gift and forcefully sent ‘himself’ to Mu Jingzhe.
Ji Buwang was happy when he gave away the gift he’d wanted to give, but what made him even happier and more touched was the birthday gift Mu Jingzhe had given him.
After Mu Jingzhe and the others left, Ji Buwang couldn’t wait to open it and read it. On the title page were the words: “Happy Birthday, Ji Buwang. May you be happy every day.” There was nothing new about it.
However, after flipping through a few pages, Ji Buwang was moved.
The notebook wasn’t empty. Inside were drawings Mu Jingzhe had specifically drawn for Ji Buwang.
Ji Buwang was face-blind and could only see her face. Mu Jingzhe had previously asked Ji Buwang if it would be better if he looked at photos instead. Ji Buwang had answered that looking at a photo wasn’t much different from looking at a person and that it wouldn’t solve his problem.
Therefore, Mu Jingzhe had thought of a way to create a small art book. She had drawn the faces of people she knew that Ji Buwang knew in a clear cartoon style, including their hair, facial features, characteristics, names, and so on. Although they weren’t real photos, he could recognize their characteristics through the artwork.
On the first page was none other than Ji Buwang himself.
Ji Buwang couldn’t see anyone else’s face, nor could he see his own. He didn’t even know what he looked like, so he had no idea how good-looking he was.
After Mu Jingzhe’s birthday, when she’d thought of what she would give Ji Buwang on his birthday, she had immediately gotten down to drawing. The first thing she had drawn was Ji Buwang himself.
She had drawn him based on his photo, and this was also the person she had drawn most seriously. She had tried her best to showcase Ji Buwang’s characteristics.
In the end, the male protagonist’s face had turned into a cartoon. Fortunately, her sketching skills weren’t bad, and she had managed to capture the essence of Ji Buwang’s charm.
Upon looking at his name, introduction, and portrait, Ji Buwang smiled.
“So, I’m very good-looking and charming in your eyes…”
He looked at himself carefully and felt increasingly satisfied. “Handsome. Really handsome!”
After gazing at the picture for a few minutes, Ji Buwang reluctantly turned the page. On the second page was Grandpa Ji’s name, but the image was empty. Below it was a line of small handwriting in pencil.
“It’s temporarily empty because I’ve never met your grandfather. I’ll make it up to you when I get the chance to meet him. The same goes for other people. When I get to know more of them in the future, I can help you make up for this. You can also get others to help you add the drawings.”
Mu Jingzhe hoped that Ji Buwang would be able to remember people more directly in the future and suffer fewer hardships.
Ji Buwang’s heart warmed. “There’s even after-sales service…”