Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After walking around the banquet hall, Wen Xinya was again surrounded by the reporters who asked her about the fifteen years that she had spent away from the Wen Family. She reckoned that they were probably planning to report about the stark contrast between her predicament now and that of when she first returned to the Wen Family. Hence, she openly answered their questions and even came clean about her lack of clothes, the frequent starving and malnourishment she had suffered, as well as the constant physical abuse that she was subjected to. She even mentioned her past as a gangster and the multiple times that she had been detained by the police.
Everyone gasped in shock after hearing about her story. Although it was a well-known fact that Wen Xinya had led a wandering life for fifteen years in the past, they had never heard such details before.
Wen Xinya decided to talk about her past with open frankness because she wanted others to know that she would never deny the fact that she had a shameful past, and that she would even face it openly. All the negative emotions that they used to feel towards her had now become sympathy and understanding!
The atmosphere was perfect.
Another commotion broke out.
Wen Xinya instinctively glanced towards the exit, only to see that the suave and buff Xu Zhenyu was walking towards the hall with a few comrades, clad in a green military uniform.
Wen Xinya was shocked out of her senses and stood rooted to the ground, not expecting that Xu Zhenyu would show up to her coming-of-age ceremony.
Upon sight of Xu Zhenyu, the reporters immediately swarmed towards him and began snapping photos of him incessantly.
After all, Xu Zhenyu was the youngest son of the Xu family and he used to have a poor reputation and was even embroiled in a scandal with Wen Xinya in the past. Surprisingly, he vanished from the city afterward and some said that Old Mr. Xu had sent him to the military. Now that he had shown up in an immaculate military uniform, they could confirm that the rumors were true.
Wen Xinya glanced at Xu Zhenyu who had been in the army for two years. He seemed to have changed completely and was no longer the spoiled brat that he used to be. His uniform made him look extremely slender and tall and his once-unkempt hair had been replaced by a neat shave. His chiseled face had become much thinner and he had eyes that were shaped like peach blossoms, absolutely mesmerizing and electrifying. His fair skin had also become much tanner…
Xu Zhenyu had turned from a boy to a man within just two years. He was no longer as puerile or childish as he used to be and was now standing proud and tall like he could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.
She teared up all of a sudden.
Xu Zhenyu was still looking at Wen Xinya despite the reporters surrounding him.
It had only been two years and yet she had become much more beautiful than before. All of her features had developed and she looked extremely pretty and ravishing with her bright eyes and tender lips. The other girls whom he had met could not hold a candle to her at all, and her stunning beauty made him feel flustered.
Xu Zhenyu walked towards Wen Xinya whom he towered over. He looked down at her and rubbed her stray hairs gently. “Wen Xinya, you’ve finally grown up. In just two years, you’ve become so much prettier.”
Yes! She has become much more beautiful than she already was when I first saw her. Her beauty is breathtaking and makes my heart race rapidly. Xu Zhenyu thought to himself, feeling a strong urge to walk towards her and take a good look at Wen Xinya. He dared not blink at all and wished he could make up for the lost time
Wen Xinya felt a lump in her throat and smiled calmly. “You’ve become so much suaver too. I almost couldn’t recognize you.”
The rules in the military camp were extremely strict and she had been worried about Xu Zhenyu for the past two years, especially since there was barely any news about him. She wanted to know if he was getting on with life well. She almost could not believe her eyes the moment she saw him as he had turned up abruptly.
Unable to contain his emotions, Xu Zhenyu smiled and said flirtatiously, “Wen Xinya, who was the one who said that she would miss me if I joined the military? If you couldn’t recognize me, I’d teach you a lesson!”
Xu Zhenyu stared at the girl in front of him, wishing that he could make her his. She was still as captivating as she used to be. In fact… she had become much more charming and was like a burning flame.
Wen Xinya burst into laughter, filled with nostalgia and a sense of familiarity which eradicated her feelings of melancholy. She glared at Xu Zhenyu and gibed. “Xu Zhenyu, image, image, where did your image go? You’re donning a military uniform and yet, you still say such horrendous things.”
Xu Zhenyu gritted his teeth and scowled at her. “Wen Xinya, I rushed all the way back to the city just to attend your coming-of-age ceremony and give you a surprise. Yet, you chided me as soon as you saw me. You heartless fellow.”
Xu Zhenyu thought about how much he had missed her throughout the past two years and the hellish training made him feel like a dying dog. The only thing that kept him going was the photo of Wen Xinya that he had secretly placed below his pillow. He would feel alive whenever he looked at her photo, which gave him the motivation to get through each day.
Wen Xinya extended her arm towards him and said smugly with raised brows, “Stop talking about the irrelevant stuff. Where’s my present? Bring it here!”
“Hey, I came all the way here for you and you still ask for a gift. I’m the gift. Does a material possession matter more than I do?” Xu Zhenyu said, staring at her fair hand which reminded him of their first encounter, during which she also adorably asked him for a present.
Wen Xinya seethed at Xu Zhenyu and kicked him before saying, “You spent two years in the military and became a major! You’re a major! Don’t tell me, you can’t even give me a present? It’s such an insult to your status…”
Wen Xinya stared at the two gold stripes and one star on the strap on his shoulder.
It had merely been two years and Xu Zhenyu had already risen to the rank of major. She could imagine how tough and ardous life must have been for him in the past two years. Although the Xu family’s power and influence had a part to play, his hard work mattered too.
Xu Zhenyu immediately grabbed a box from his comrade’s hand and handed it to her. “I was just teasing you. Of course I’d give you a present.”
He had prepared the present meticulously and was planning to give it to her himself.
“Hmph! Good that you know what to do,” Wen Xinya said while gleefully accepting the present which had a floral embroidered box. It was a little heavy and, although she was curious as to what it contained, it would be inappropriate to open it in front of everyone else.
“Wen Xinya!” Xu Zhenyu exclaimed, staring at how delighted she was. He was filled with joy and felt as if his pent up emotions had finally been released.
“Yes?” Wen Xinya asked in puzzlement.
“Happy Birthday!” Xu Zhenyu said softly.
