Chapter 171 - The 18th Birthday (1) (1/2)
Chapter 171: The 18th Birthday (1)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Gu Nianzhi stopped in her tracks She turned, a radiant smile plastered on her face “Yes, Professor He? Is there so else?”
He Zhichu was still seated on the sofa, his head propped upon a hand He looked at her, quiet and still
Gu Nianzhi did not say anything She waited patiently for hi roo like frozen waterfalls frorandfather’s clock stood in one corner of the room It appeared to be an antique, but the pendulu Every once in a while, a quiet clack sounded from it, which only served to emphasize the silent stillness of the room
The maid and the housekeeper had vanished
The two rearded each other silently They could have been separated by an entire continent
He Zhichu pressed his lips together and looked away He said nonchalantly: “I proive you a present for your 18th birthday You have three choices for your birthday celebration: the ballroo, the White House Rose Garden, or a cruise in Caribbean international waters Think about it, and tell me what you’ve chosen to the preparations”
Gu Nianzhi smiled Her eyes flickered uncertainly “You’re too kind, Professor He That promise was just a joke, don’t take it seriously It makes no sense for you to throw a birthday party for me I’ll just share a cake with family and friends, and blow out a candle That’s all I need, really”
Her 18th birthday was important to her, but as more important ho she spent it with
She did not even need a cake and candles if Huo Shaoheng could come over to America and celebrate her birthday with her All she wanted was for him to stand before her and wish her “Happy Birthday”—that would be the perfect 18th birthday for her, her coe cerehts had drifted elsewhere He clenched his fists; blue veins appeared on the backs of his hands, as striking on his fair skin as the cracked ice pattern on the finest porcelain
“You can think of it as a joke, but I, for one, never go back on my word” He Zhichu stood up “You don’t have to decline my offer just to be polite Don’t think too much about it—I’ve always thrown birthday parties for all my students If you don’t believe me, ask around”
Gu Nianzhi snapped out of her reverie She thought about it carefully
She had once heard frorad school celebrated their students’ birthdays, but most of the time the “celebrations” had consisted only of dinner at a restaurant and a karaoke session She had never heard of a birthday party as extravagant as the ones He Zhichu had just proposed
On the other hand, she had to keep in ues above all the other professors
“Whatever you choose, I’ll need some time to make the necessary preparations You should make a decision soon” He Zhichu turned and walked over to the spiral staircase, leaving Gu Nianzhi with a view of his slender, lonely back
Gu Nianzhi bit her lip She knew that she had angered He Zhichu
She thought about it again, and concluded that with his immense wealth, the three choices he had presented her were probably just as ordinary as choosing between a movie, a restaurant dinner, or a karaoke session to him
“…The cruise shi+p in Caribbean international waters—would that be a lot of trouble for you?” Gu Nianzhi asked sheepishly
She had a very specific reason for choosing that
If her birthday party was held in the Capitol Building or the White House Rose Garden, it was extre would be able to attend
Even if it was possible for him to overcome all difficulties and attend, Gu Nianzhi could not bear to expose hi’s position in the e nu hi the stairs He stood with a hand on the railing, one of his long legs a step above the other He said without turning around: “Okay The Caribbean cruise shi+p it is, then”
His mood had improved
He had secretly wished for Gu Nianzhi to pick the cruise shi+p over the other options
A cruise shi+p sailing in international waters meant that he would be able to pull out all the stops with her birthday celebration
Still, he did not turn to look at her He continued up the stairs unhurriedly, leaving Gu Nianzhi standing all alone downstairs
Gu Nianzhi sighed and turned to leave the e, found the chauffeur, and asked him to send her home
The chauffeur turned out to be a talkative fellow He chattered nonstop, and told Gu Nianzhistories about He Zhichu and his students
It turned out that He Zhichu had been telling the truth: he celebrated the birthdays of all his graduate students every year, and the parties had all been lavish, extravagant affairs
In the past three years, he had flown his students to Las Vegas for a day trip, booked the entire Universal Studios in Florida, and even led his students on a hunting expedition in Africa
The three choices he had offered Gu Nianzhi sounded tah of relief She chided herself for being ignorant
He Zhichu lived in an entirely different world She was just a girl froine what the wealthy elites did with their money
Once she was back in her apartze about the party for her 18th birthday “…Professor He gave , the White House, or a cruise in Caribbean international waters I picked the Caribbean cruise—it’ll ht?”
Zhao Liangze laughed “International waters would be a lot easier to get to, co and the White House, yes I’ll tell the too, by the way”
“Awesome!” Gu Nianzhi was overjoyed Her eyes disappeared into crescents Her thick, dark lashes fluttered on her fair, rosy cheeks, like titching butterflies
Zhao Liangze averted his gaze “I’ll let them know”
…
“Sir, Professor He will be celebrating Nianzhi’s 18th birthday on a cruise shi+p, in Caribbean international waters” Zhao Liangze skipped the video call, and sent the e A sone in a blink of an eye
“Big Xiong, your work just got easier” Huo Shaoheng called Yin shi+xiong on his phone “Nianzhi’s 18th birthday party will be held in international waters”
Yin shi+xiong was just as delighted to hear the news “International waters? Hahahaha, fantastic, on’t have to worry about a thing once we’re out there, hahaha…”
…
Mei Xiawen heard about Gu Nianzhi’s birthday celebration one week before the party
“…A cruise shi+p in Caribbean international waters? Seriously?” He stared at the digital invitation Gu Nianzhi had sent him, unable to believe his eyes “That’s a lot ofHoncha was leaning against his back, her arital invitation on his coirlfriend of yours supposed to be an orphan girl? Is her guardian rich enough to throw her a birthday party on a Caribbean cruise shi+p?”