"Huh? Why is the store all dark?"

At the entrance of Delicious Restaurant, Xuanxuan and Qianqian looked at the closed door of the restaurant, and inside it was dark, like a black hole.

Qianqian had already let go of Xuanxuan’s small hand, but seeing this, she got a bit scared and moved closer to Xuanxuan, using one small hand to grab Xuanxuan’s hand again, timidly saying, "Xuanxuan, I’m scared."

Jiangling: "..."

His own daughter would rather rely on little Xuanxuan than on him, her tall and big dad.

Sigh!

Being a dad like him is indeed quite something.

"Don’t be scared, my dad and Teacher Ye are both in the store, they’re trying to give me a surprise!"

Having experienced her dad’s birthday party, Xuanxuan was quite familiar with the procedure of a birthday celebration.

So at this moment, she wasn’t nervous at all; in fact, she felt a bit excited inside!

"Xuanxuan, go ahead and open the door..."

Standing behind Xuanxuan, Song Cailian smiled and said.

"Hmm hmm~"

Xuanxuan nodded obediently and asked her good friend beside her, "Qianqian, shall we do it together?"

"Okay~"

Qianqian gave Xuanxuan a radiant smile, extended her little hand, and together with Xuanxuan, they opened the door.

Inside the store, Huang Tao had been waiting for a while. As soon as he heard the commotion at the store entrance, he realized his precious daughter was back. He didn’t press the light switch but directly flipped the power switch.

In an instant...

The store brightened up as if a flashbang had gone off.

Even though Xuanxuan and Qianqian were prepared, the brightness still dazzled them. After a while, their eyes adapted, and they could clearly see the scene in front of them.

"Wow..."

Qianqian was stunned by the scene in front of her, mouth agape, large enough to fit a big duck egg.

Following that, even the prepared Xuanxuan was surprised by the scene before her, unable to hold back her expression of wonder, she exclaimed, "Wow."

They had only been gone for an hour or so!

Right now, she almost didn’t recognize her dad’s new store.

In front of the main desk, long festive fairy lights were hanging, twinkling and flashing with colorful lights.

If all the incandescent lights in the store were turned off, it would look as beautiful as stars in the night sky!

On the wires of those long fairy lights, there were ribbons tied and cascading down, interspersed with many triangular little flags.

Around the ground, there were many 18-inch aluminum foil balloon trees with "Happy Birthday" written on them, in red, yellow, and glittering gold colors, along with string lights, flashing beautifully.

On the walls, Huang Tao also used pink and white balloons, grouped in threes, like petals, stuck on the walls.

Not just this.

The front desk was also newly decorated.

Using rainbow stickers and little white balloons, it was arranged to resemble the sky and the moon.

Inside the desk, there was a large white board, with "Happy Birthday Huang Jingxuan" written on it using colored paper.

Countless lights intertwined, transforming the new store into a fairy tale world!

"It’s so beautiful..."

Xuanxuan and Qianqian were both mesmerized.

"Meow~"

Mimi scuttled over, the first to welcome the little birthday star.

Huang Tao smiled slightly, walked up, took Xuanxuan’s small hand, and asked, "Do you like it? This is specially arranged for your birthday by Dad and Uncle and Aunt, along with Teacher Ye."

This time, for Xuanxuan’s birthday, he indeed prepared a lot in advance and even searched for some ideas online, trying to setup according to those plans.

Fortunately, he had Ye Wen, a handy little expert in arrangements, helping with the planning and setup, along with the concerted effort of the employees, which led to the current result.

Xuanxuan nodded like a pecking chicken: "I like it!"

She liked it so much!

Last time when Dad had his birthday, it wasn’t as grand as this, and it wasn’t this beautiful!

And Ye Wen, along with the new and old employees, all gathered around the table filled with delicious delicacies, just waiting for the little birthday girl’s return.

Upon seeing Xuanxuan, they all sent their blessings: "Xuanxuan, happy birthday!"

Of course.

Birthday gifts were indispensable.

Jiang Chao gifted Xuanxuan a tablet with an e-ink display that doesn’t hurt the eyes, selected from a top brand, with considerable value.

Li Chengzhan gave a children’s balance scooter.

Lin Qiuyu offered an AI smart reading lamp.

Old Qian gifted Xuanxuan a pair of children’s roller skates.

They all chose top brands, and their prices were not cheap!

Xu Hao and other staff also presented the gifts they personally picked, all suitable for children, such as a children’s projection light, a pretend-play dressing table, music box carousel, and a giant Peppa Pig plush toy, and many, many other toys.

As for the birthday cake, it’s ordered by Ding Suqin for Xuanxuan, and it’s in the shape of Xuanxuan’s favorite Peppa Pig.

Although these birthday gifts differ from one another, and their values are not the same, everyone’s heartfelt blessings for Xuanxuan are identical, without any distinction of high or low.

Xuanxuan almost received so many gifts that her hands went numb, yet she remembered to politely thank everyone: "Thank you, thank you, uncles and aunties for the birthday gifts. I really like them."

"You’re welcome! As long as you like them!"

Everyone laughed heartily.

"Xuanxuan, come on, put on this birthday hat first."

Huang Tao picked up a headband with an artificial crown that says "Happy Birthday" and put it on Xuanxuan.

This headband was specially ordered online by Huang Tao. Although it’s cheap, it sparkles brilliantly under the light.

Looks just like a real princess crown!

"Qianqian, do I look good?"

Xuanxuan’s eyebrows arched with delight as she let her dad place the crown headband in her hair. She dared not move her neck, fearing that any movement might ruin the entire look.

So, she just slightly tilted her body.

"Yes, yes, you look great!"

Qianqian nodded like a pecking chick, responding with eyes full of envy.

She so wished she could have a birthday party like this!

But seeing Jiangling behind her, grinning foolishly, she sighed helplessly, as if thinking, "If only dad were reliable, even pigs could climb trees."

"It really looks great!"

Ye Wen gently patted Huang Tao’s arm, asking somewhat affectionately: "By the way, Huang Tao, I think you all could take some pictures here to keep as a memory."

"Let me take the photos for you!"

Saying this, she picked up her phone to take pictures, and said to Xuanxuan and Qianqian, "Xuanxuan, Qianqian, the teacher is going to take photos of you two now."

Upon hearing about taking photos, the two little ones struck their favorite poses.

Click~

Click~

Ye Wen took several photos.

There were solo shots of Xuanxuan flashing her timeless "yes" gesture, as well as photos of Xuanxuan and Qianqian making heart signs together, photos of Xuanxuan with her dad Huang Tao, and family portraits with Huang Tao and his family together with Huang Yide’s family.

"Ye, come join us in the photo!" Song Cailian beckoned to Ye Wen with a kind smile.

"Ah?"

Ye Wen glanced at Huang Tao with a blushing face, bowed her head, and hesitantly waved her hand: "Do I really need to be in the photo? Isn’t it unnecessary?"

"I’d rather take photos of your family!"

In fact, in her heart, she really wanted to appear in the photo with Huang Tao.

But she’s not anyone special to Huang Tao—just Xuanxuan’s teacher. It seems... there’s no reason for her to be in Huang Tao’s family photo...

"Come on!"

Song Cailian continued to encourage: "You are Xuanxuan’s teacher, how can you say no? Come, take a group photo with us!"

"Ye, you should go, I’ll help take the picture." Yingrui, who was watching, decided to lend Ye Wen a hand, stepping forward to take Ye Wen’s phone and act as a photo assistant, pushing Ye Wen towards them.

Just then.

Ye Wen lost her balance and fell into Huang Tao’s arms.

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere suddenly became sweet and ambiguous.

Ye Wen’s hand still held tight to Huang Tao’s lapel, her face flushed, not knowing what to do.

Click~

Yang Huiru reacted quickly, capturing the moment.

Huang Tao looked at her speechlessly and then asked Ye Wen with concern: "Ye Wen, are you okay?"

"I... I’m okay..."

Ye Wen realized she was still tightly clutching Huang Tao’s lapel, her whole body leaning into his arms, making her face even redder. She let go of his lapel, brushed away the hair falling on her forehead to alleviate the awkwardness.

"Good to know you’re okay."

Huang Tao smiled slightly: "Then let’s take a photo together~"

"Ye, come join us for a photo."

Little cute Xuanxuan stepped forward and took Ye Wen’s hand.

Then.

Ye Wen stood next to Huang Tao, with Xuanxuan smiling brightly between them.

Meanwhile, Huang Yide and his wife quietly stepped aside to avoid being a glaring distraction.

"Click!"

The scene was frozen, with smiles on all their faces, and Huang Tao and Ye Wen both smiled naturally.

Ye Wen wished this beautiful moment could be preserved forever...