C11 Happy Birthday

After stepping out of the room, Mu Shenqing's eyes were tinged with red, and two cool tears slid down from the corners of her eyes.

Despite her strong resolve, a woman's first time holds profound significance. She could never have imagined that she would lose her virginity in such an absurd way to a complete stranger. The thought was laughably absurd.

Zhang Xiaodong slept in until well past noon, only meandering home in the late afternoon. These recent days back home might just be the most serene she had ever experienced.

There were no perils of the grasslands, no wars raging in Africa, no life-and-death struggles on the battlefield. The tranquility and simplicity of life now seemed utterly blissful.

But upon reaching her doorstep, Zhang Xiaodong was greeted by a distinctive black jeep parked right outside her family's courtyard.

Beside the jeep stood a young man, the picture of a gentleman, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

He was sharply dressed in a suit, with striking features, and held a bouquet of roses. Leaning against the hood of the jeep, he watched Nalan Feifei about to emerge from the courtyard, his gaze betraying an intense possessive longing.

"Feifei, you're finally out. I've been waiting for you for a long time," the man said, approaching with a radiant smile.

He extended the roses towards Nalan Feifei and cheerfully said, "Happy birthday, Feifei."

"How did you know today is my birthday?" Nalan Feifei asked, her brow furrowing as she stepped out of the courtyard.

The man gave a slight smile and replied, "I met with your uncle and aunt last night; they were the ones who told me. I wanted to surprise you today, but I feared it might be too abrupt and startle you, so I decided to wish you well in this manner instead."

"Hehe, is that so? Thanks for the thought. But I can't accept the flowers," Nalan Feifei responded with a hollow laugh.

Regardless of the sweet words from the man before her, she was acutely aware of the ulterior motives hidden in his heart.

"Why?" the man asked, his expression shifting to one of confusion. "Feifei, don't you understand my feelings?"

"I'm sorry, Zhang Liang, but I've made myself clear before. We're not possible. Please, don't come around anymore," she said firmly.

Nalan Feifei knew that rejecting someone had to be done decisively, without giving them even a moment's doubt. This was particularly true for the man before her, whose behavior was problematic to the point of being intolerable.

If her father hadn't been involved in business with his family, Nalan Feifei, true to her character, would have made her feelings clear long ago. She certainly wouldn't have agreed to meet him.

"Feifei, I don't understand why you can't accept me. You know how I've treated you over the years, better than anyone else. Why can't you accept me?" Zhang Liang was deeply frustrated. He was wealthy and attractive, and many beautiful women sought his attention, yet the dignified Nalan Feifei remained an exception. No matter how much time, money, or effort he invested, her attitude seemed unchangeable, which irked Zhang Liang immensely.

Stupid jerk, stop putting on airs. I've encountered plenty of women like you.

Don't think you're above everyone else just because you're attractive. In bed, you're no different from the rest.

"Alright, Zhang Liang, I've said all that needs to be said. Regardless, I want to thank you for the birthday gift. Even if we can't be lovers, perhaps we can still be friends in the future."

Nalan Feifei's polite yet firm rejection only served to aggravate him further.

"Wait a moment, Feifei!" As Nalan Feifei turned to head back inside, Zhang Liang grabbed her wrist with a scowl, his expression darkening as he demanded, "Feifei, do you already have a boyfriend? If so, tell me who he is. If not, shouldn't I be given a fair chance to compete for your affection?"

"Please release me!" Nalan Feifei's brows knitted together as a flicker of annoyance crossed her fair face.

Her straightforward rejection might have been too much for him to handle.

"Feifei, my feelings for you are clear for all to see," Zhang Liang insisted. "After all these years, can't you see how much I care for you?"

"Zhang Liang, I already have a boyfriend. Continuing like this will ensure we can't even remain friends!" Nalan Feifei bit her lip, feeling forced to reveal her relationship status to end the harassment.

"Tell me, who is he? I want to see which noble son is worthy of you. I intend to compete with him on equal footing!" His face twisted into a snarl as he bellowed.

"It's him!"

Nalan Feifei pointed her finger.

In the direction she indicated stood Zhang Xiaodong, casually smoking a cigarette a hundred meters away, seemingly engrossed in the commotion.

Upon seeing where Nalan Feifei was pointing, Zhang Xiaodong's eyes bulged, and he nearly choked on his smoke.

"Damn it. She's setting me up!"

Zhang Xiaodong immediately grasped Nalan Feifei's ill intentions and was filled with irritation.

This wretched woman is definitely out for revenge!

"Zhang Liang, now you see for yourself. He's my new boyfriend. There's no chance for us. If you keep harassing me, we can't even be friends anymore."

Nalan Feifei forcefully pulled away from him and coyly tilted her head towards Zhang Xiaodong, not far off. She puckered her lips in a triumphant smirk and then strode into the courtyard without looking back, secretly delighting in her ploy.

"Fei..." Zhang Liang watched Nalan Feifei walk away, his eyes casting a chilling glare in Zhang Xiaodong's direction, feeling a surge of annoyance.

Zhang Xiaodong, unfazed, continued to approach the courtyard with his cigarette.

Since that damned woman had dragged him into this, he was not about to take the fall for her.

He was about to clear things up when Zhang Liang, who had been coldly rejected, squinted at Zhang Xiaodong and asked icily, "So, you're Feifei's new boyfriend?"

"I..." Zhang Xiaodong started to explain.

"Nalan Feifei's taste has really gone downhill, picking up a country bumpkin like you."

Just then, a tall woman with heavy makeup emerged from the jeep behind Zhang Liang.

She scrutinized Zhang Xiaodong with contempt, openly mocking his appearance.

"You must have overheard my conversation with Feifei. Regardless of whether you're her new boyfriend, let me make one thing clear. Those who cross me, Zhang Liang, rarely come to a good end. If you have any sense, you'll scram. Stop bothering Feifei, or you'll deeply regret it."

Zhang Liang closed in on Zhang Xiaodong, his gaze icy and his words laden with an unmistakable threat.

Zhang Xiaodong had intended to clear up what he thought was a misunderstanding, but he now realized it was pointless.

"Oh? Are you openly threatening me?" Zhang Xiaodong chuckled. No one had ever dared to threaten him like this before.

If anyone had, they were no longer around to tell the tale.

"You're free to interpret it as you wish. Given the vast difference between our statuses and capabilities, you ought to be well aware of where you stand. I have no interest in mincing words," Zhang Liang stated haughtily.