Lately, aside from work, one thing had been bothering Tang Yan—Aunt Ji’s birthday was coming up. With a 17-year age gap between them, Tang Yan had now been out of school for a year and was 23. Ji Yuqing, on the other hand, was turning 40.
Forty—a woman’s most graceful, mature age. Tang Yan wracked her brain trying to come up with the perfect gift.
Designer handbags? Luxury clothes? High-end makeup? Perfume? She’d given her plenty of those already. And Ji Yuqing herself had no shortage. Giving her something like that again would just feel… boring.
“Hey, Little Tang, we’re heading off now.”
Tang Yan looked up and waved, smiling. “Bye! See you tomorrow.”
Soon, the office was empty except for her. She stared blankly at her desktop, deep in thought.
(Knock knock)
No answer.
Ji Yuqing had no choice but to push open the door and walk in. Tang Yan didn’t notice at all, still lost in her thoughts.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Ji asked.
Tang Yan startled and whipped around. “Wha—when did you get here?”
“I’ve been here a while. Knocked and everything—you didn’t even flinch.” Ji leaned naturally against her. Tang Yan instinctively wrapped her arm around Ji’s waist.
“I was just thinking about dinner.” Tang Yan flashed a cheeky grin.
“You little foodie.” Ji tapped her nose affectionately. “So, which new restaurant have you found this time?”
Tang Yan shook her head. “I’m craving your braised pork ribs. But I don’t want you to be too tired.”
Ever since they’d started the company, they’d been eating takeout almost every day. Home-cooked meals had become a rare luxury.
“I’ll make them tonight then,” Ji said.
“Really?!” Tang Yan’s eyes sparkled. She hugged her tighter. “You’re the best!”
“Well, if I’m not good to you, who would I be good to?” Ji lowered her head and gazed into her eyes.
“President Ji—” Their assistant came rushing over, having heard they were in the tech department. She opened the door and, of course, walked in on the two of them all cuddled up. Awkwardly, she turned away. “Uh… I’ll just come back later.”
Tang Yan quickly let go so Ji could get back to work.
“What is it?” Ji’s tone turned businesslike instantly.
“It’s about the contract from President Song’s side,” the assistant stammered.
“Got it.” Ji turned to Tang Yan. “Wait for me in the parking lot—five minutes.”
“Okay.” Tang Yan gave her a thumbs-up.
After Ji left with the assistant, Tang Yan packed up, popped in her earbuds, and called Pei Wen while heading to the elevator.
“Unnie, help me! What can I get that’s surprising, one-of-a-kind, and totally unexpected for her birthday?”
“Geez, Tang Yan, that’s asking for a lot. Why don’t you just pluck the moon from the sky?” Pei Wen joked.
Tang Yan scratched her head. “Not funny! I’m serious here.”
“Honestly, I think the most important thing isn’t how expensive the gift is—it’s the heart behind it.”
Tang Yan stepped into the elevator and pressed B1. “You mean… it doesn’t have to be fancy?”
“She’s rich. What do you think she lacks? Instead of looking outward, look inward. Give her something thoughtful, something from life itself.”
Tang Yan paused, something starting to click. “I think I get it. Thanks, really. And make sure you’re on time that day, okay?”
“I’ll be the first one there,” Pei Wen promised.
Tang Yan reached the parking garage, got in the car, and fastened her seatbelt. Her mind wandered again—what did a heartfelt gift really look like? Just as she was lost in thought, the passenger door opened.
Ji Yuqing climbed in and gave her a look. “You’ve got something on your mind lately.”
“Nope! Not at all!” Tang Yan said quickly, a little flustered. “Let’s go! I want braised pork ribs. Ribs!”
Ji chuckled. “Silly girl. We’ve got to go buy the ribs first. The fridge is totally empty.”
“Oh… right.” Tang Yan felt a little dumb.
On their way back home, they passed by a jewelry store. And in that moment, Tang Yan knew. Her eyes lit up. She slapped the steering wheel in excitement, startling Ji.
“What on earth was that?”
Tang Yan burst out laughing in her seat. “Nothing! I just figured out the hardest bit of code!”
Ji Yuqing didn’t want a big party for her 40th birthday. Just dinner at home with close friends. She and Tang Yan had gone back and forth on it, but in the end, Tang Yan respected her wishes.
Forty was a turning point in a woman’s life. Some people started aging faster after that—inside and out. But others opened a whole new chapter.
Ji hoped she’d be the latter.
Pei Wen, true to her word, was the first to arrive. Not being Ji’s girlfriend, she brought the most “cliché” of luxury gifts—expensive perfume. But she rolled up her sleeves like it was her own home and started helping Tang Yan cook.
Since Ji was the birthday girl, Tang Yan wouldn’t let her do a thing. All she had to do was sit there and look pretty.
Pei Wen leaned in as she snapped beans. “So? Is everything ready?”
Tang Yan gave her a mysterious wink and an “OK” sign. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it all planned out.”
“What is it?” Pei Wen asked, intrigued.
“Shhh. You’ll find out at dinner.”
Later, Zhang Miya and her family, plus Shen Yuyin and Zhao Xiaoyun, arrived one after another, all with gifts in hand. Ji had told them not to bother, but Zhang Miya said,
“You said not to bring anything—that’s your business. Whether we listen is ours. Right, everyone?”
“Right!” came the chorus from the living room.
Ji could only sigh and let it go.
Soon, the table was packed with dishes, and it was time to eat.
Suddenly, Tang Yan disappeared into the bedroom and didn’t come back for a while.
As Ji helped set the table, she asked curiously, “Where’d Yan Yan go?”
“No idea,” Pei Wen replied. “Probably getting the cake.”
“The cake’s in the fridge, though…” Ji murmured.
Just then, the lights went out. Tang Yan stepped out holding the cake, singing the birthday song. It was all very predictable… up to that point.
Everyone joined in clapping and singing. Ji hadn’t expected to be so moved at this age. But with Tang Yan in her life, her birthdays were no longer quiet or lonely.
“Make a wish!” Tang Yan said, holding the cake in front of her.
“Okay.” Ji smiled, closed her eyes, and pressed her palms together.
Meanwhile, Pei Wen was still wondering—was that the gift? Just a cake? Or maybe Tang Yan baked it herself?
“I’m done,” Ji said, opening her eyes and blowing out the candles.
At that moment, the lights came back on—thanks to Zhao Xiaoyun.
Just as the room lit up again, Tang Yan knelt down on one knee in front of Ji. The entire room gasped in surprise.
She pulled out a small box from her pocket and opened it. Inside was a diamond ring big enough to rival a pigeon egg.
Of course, the ring itself wasn’t the true gift.
“Marry me.”
Ji was stunned. She’d always seen Tang Yan as her kid—she’d never expected this.
“I know it hasn’t been easy. We’ve gone through a lot. That’s why I want to marry you—so I can protect you, love you, take care of you. Please?” Tang Yan held the ring up, ready to slip it on.
Ji covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. She couldn’t speak—only nodded eagerly. Tang Yan grinned and gently took her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger.
Everyone erupted into cheers. Tang Yan stood and pulled Ji into a kiss.
That night, everyone stayed until almost midnight. Before leaving, Zhang Miya whispered to Ji,
“Make sure you open my gift. You have to.”
After seeing everyone off, Ji and Tang Yan returned inside. The sofa was piled high with presents.
“Which one’s from Zhang Miya?” Ji asked.
“This one—I remember it!” Tang Yan grabbed a beautifully wrapped box. “Want to open it now?”
“Let’s wait. Let’s shower first. We’ve been running around all day,” Ji said.
“Alright.” Tang Yan moved the gifts to the bedroom to go through them later.
The bathroom door was shut, water running inside. The two of them were used to showering together by now.
After changing, they sat on the bed to open presents. First up: Zhang Miya’s gift. After all, she’d emphasized it so much.
Ji opened it herself. It looked like… clothes? Pajamas?
But as she lifted it out, it all became clear. Sitting beside her, Tang Yan’s face instantly turned red. She had to resist a full-on nosebleed.
“These pajamas… You’re going to look hot in them,” she whispered.
Ji flushed too, speechless. “Why would she give me something like this?”
Just then, her phone rang. It was Zhang Miya, excited to hear her reaction.
“So? You like the lingerie I picked out? There are a few sets—you can mix it up!”
Ji turned away from Tang Yan and lowered her voice. “What’s wrong with you? Yan Yan’s still young.”
But Tang Yan overheard and immediately puffed up her chest.
“I’m an adult!”