Dark Fire chapter 55
Birthday Support
At three in the afternoon, Lu Chixie had an online livestream.
It was requested by his manager, who said he should engage with fans occasionally, especially since it was his birthday.
Lu Chixie didn’t care much and was too lazy to fix his appearance. He just tousled his hair with some styling spray and went on with a down jacket.
The laptop was placed on a table outside on the terrace. He casually chatted with fans, briefly mentioned some future work plans, and ignored questions he didn’t want to answer.
An observant fan noticed the background behind him and asked if he was at a resort. Lu Chixie casually said “yes” and showed the mountains and rivers on the other side of the camera.
Lu Chixie said, “I’m on vacation, staying here for a few days.”
Ling Zhuo, who was out of the camera’s view, was eating snacks and also wearing headphones to watch the livestream.
Lu Chixie interacted with fans’ comments, skipping those that were overly enthusiastic like “husband, baby, prince.” Ling Zhuo, holding back his laughter, registered a small account and sent a comment.
“Did Ge receive a satisfying birthday gift?”
Lu Chixie’s eyes paused on the screen, picked out the comment, read it aloud, and smiled meaningfully.
The barrage of comments went wild: “Ahhhh, so calling him Ge is how you get noticed???!!!”
“Ge, look at me too!”
“Ge, we love you!”
Lu Chixie: “Hmm, this year’s birthday has brought the most satisfying gift. As for what it is, don’t ask.”
Lu Chixie: “That’s enough. You must not call me ‘Ge’ randomly.”
Off-camera, Ling Zhuo was laughing so hard that he bent over, desperately trying not to make a sound.
Someone later asked Lu Chixie about who he had the party with last night and if it was fun. Lu Chixie selected this comment, read it aloud, and asked, “Do you want to know?”
The screen was full of “yes” responses. After all, the hot search was still active, and everyone wanted to hear more from Lu Chixie about what happened last night. There were not only his fans but also many others watching the live stream.
Lu Chixie seemed to deliberately tease: “Why don’t you just say directly that you want to see who I had the party with.”
He did have quite a few haters, but they were usually timid in front of him, so the comments were quickly overtaken by CP fans and onlookers, with Ling Zhuo’s name filling the screen in an instant.
Lu Chixie: “Yes, it’s him. And there are others you don’t know. Let’s not talk about them.”
Lu Chixie: “It was really a game, and I lost, so I had to choose someone to confess. Fortunately, Teacher Ling was willing to cooperate.”
Lu Chixie: “Let’s end this here. Don’t bring it up again. Teacher Ling is shy; let’s give him some face.”
Ling Zhuo, who had been called out, was speechless. He knew Lu Chixie wouldn’t be so honest and was always finding ways to show off.
Seeing Ling Zhuo glare at him, Lu Chixie glanced at him and smiled slightly.
Comments in the live stream immediately asked who he was smiling at and if there was someone else around.
Lu Chixie: “Yes, there is someone else, but I’m not sure if he wants to come out and say a few words.”
Since the topic was already out in the open, Ling Zhuo no longer hesitated. He moved aside gracefully, appeared in front of the camera, and greeted everyone with a smile.
More people typed his name on the screen, and the live stream’s viewership increased significantly.
Ling Zhuo: “Yeah, just celebrating Lu Ge’s birthday. Staying here for a couple of days.”
Ling Zhuo: “We’re just playing games. I’m not that petty and won’t hold grudges.”
Ling Zhuo: “Yes, I’m the shy one. Lu Chixie has thicker skin.”
Lu Chixie lightly pressed his hand on Ling Zhuo’s knee under the table, then scratched his palm. Ling Zhuo chuckled softly, not explaining to the fans why he was laughing. After saying a few words, he stepped back, letting the camera focus on Lu Chixie again.
Lu Chixie continued with the live stream. When asked about his birthday wish, he said: “I haven’t thought of it yet.”
He had just had a meal with his family at noon. Their family usually didn’t do the birthday cake and wish-making thing; giving red envelopes during meals was more practical. Ling Zhuo had given him a birthday gift last night, but before that, they had an argument and didn’t properly celebrate his birthday.
He then added: “Previously, a friend of mine didn’t know what wish to make for his birthday, so I made one for him. If his wish can come true, mine should also come true. I won’t go into details.”
After the live stream ended, Ling Zhuo was still sitting nearby, sipping juice through a straw. When Lu Chixie’s gaze moved over to him, he blinked, put down his cup, and said to him: “Actually, my birthday wish has already come true.”
It was Lu Chixie who helped him make the wish, “May you like the person who likes you.” Now it had indeed been fulfilled, and it was easier than he had thought.
Lu Chixie smiled: “Then my wish has also come true ahead of time.”
Ling Zhuo: “What?”
Lu Chixie: “The person I like, he also likes me.”
Ling Zhuo’s mood was subtle and somewhat excited. He moved back to Lu Chixie’s side and kissed Lu Chixie on the cheek.
“Yeah, it really came true. Congratulations.”
After saying this, he probably felt a bit shy, glanced at his watch, and saw it was already 3:30. He changed the topic and suggested to Lu Chixie: “Shall we go out?”
Lu Chixie: “Go out? Where to?”
Ling Zhuo: “Beishan Park. It’s open all night these days. There shouldn’t be too many people in winter. Let’s go and take a look.”
Lu Chixie reminded him: “It’s far.”
“Just drive. It’s still early. Let’s go,” Ling Zhuo insisted.
He suddenly got a whim to go to Beishan Park. Lu Chixie found it strange but decided to go along with Ling Zhuo’s wishes. So, he got up to tidy things up and went to change clothes in the room.
When he got in the car, Ling Zhuo sent a WeChat message to Yang Ming, asking him to pick up the cake he had ordered for Lu Chixie.
After sending the message, he saw several new notifications in the team chat. He clicked in and saw that Zhong Yiran was notifying everyone that due to policy changes, the concerts they had booked needed to be re-approved. The originally scheduled times were definitely not feasible, and the company suggested postponing, but the exact delay was undecided.
Everyone in the group was confused, discussing but still uncertain. In the end, everyone fell silent. Although they had mentally prepared for this possibility, it was still hard to accept when the day came.
Ling Zhuo was first surprised, then thought about Zhang Jing wanting to tell him something in the morning, which was probably this. She should have received the news first due to her connections.
Seeing Ling Zhuo staring at his phone, Lu Chixie glanced at him and asked: “What’s wrong?”
Ling Zhuo explained the situation, and Lu Chixie raised an eyebrow: “It’s canceled?”
Ling Zhuo: “Yes, it’s canceled.”
Lu Chixie didn’t seem to care: “If it’s canceled, then it’s canceled. It’s not because I obstructed it, but because of unforeseen policy reasons. It means this concert was destined not to happen. It’s fate.”
Ling Zhuo: “…Are you particularly happy?”
Although the company only said it was postponed, their contracts would soon expire, and many changes were expected. The concert was basically not going to happen.
Lu Chixie had no intention of comforting him: “Yes, I’m particularly happy. I originally didn’t want you to have a concert with your teammates.”
Ling Zhuo: “Why are you still dwelling on this?”
Lu Chixie: “Ling Zhuo, isn’t the concert particularly special?”
Ling Zhuo was taken aback and nodded.
Lu Chixie: “Since that’s the case, I don’t want anyone else to be part of this special memory. No one at all, understand?”
Ling Zhuo was momentarily speechless.
Lu Chixie pinched his face: “Be obedient.”
“Forget it,” Ling Zhuo said helplessly. “I’m just a bit disappointed that the concert won’t happen. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Lu Chixie: “Don’t be disappointed. Once your contract expires, you can go solo and hold a concert anytime you want. Do you want to open an independent studio?”
Ling Zhuo: “An independent studio?”
Lu Chixie, driving smoothly, said: “I mentioned this to your agent before. I want to help you poach her from Haitian, or anyone from your current team who’s handy. Once your contract with Haitian ends, you can open your own independent studio. I can share resources with you. But your agent insisted you make the decision yourself. Now that I’ve told you, it’s up to you.”
Ling Zhuo: “…You’ve already decided. Just letting me know.”
Lu Chixie: “You can refuse if you want.”
Ling Zhuo: “I won’t refuse. Let’s do it.”
What Lu Chixie said was indeed a bit surprising, but it wasn’t a bad thing. Ling Zhuo had no reason to refuse.
Lu Chixie looked back at him. Ling Zhuo smiled: “I don’t mind you arranging things for me, but you need to tell me like this.”
Lu Chixie looked away and continued driving: “Okay.”
After entering the city, they first went to pick up the cake they had arranged with Yang Ming, then continued heading north.
Ling Zhuo checked the time; it was almost five o’clock. Lu Chixie asked if they should find a place to have dinner first. Ling Zhuo: “Let’s eat near Beishan Park. There are restaurants there. I’ve made a reservation.”
Lu Chixie: “Have you been planning to go there for a while?”
Ling Zhuo nodded: “You’ll find out when you get there.”
Next to Beishan Park, there were several large resort hotels. Ling Zhuo had booked a private room on the top floor of one of the hotels. By the time they arrived, it was almost six o’clock.
The private room had floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Beishan Park and the distant city lights. The view was quite impressive.
After they sat down, Ling Zhuo handed the menu to Lu Chixie: “I didn’t book the entire venue like you do. We’re just in a private room. Please don’t be picky.”
Lu Chixie flipped through the menu casually: “Is this a surprise for me?”
Ling Zhuo: “I learned from you. There’s more to come.”
Lu Chixie: “More?”
Ling Zhuo glanced at his watch. It was exactly six o’clock.
Fireworks began to shoot up from all sides of the park simultaneously, bursting into colorful displays against the darkening sky. They continued relentlessly.
Ling Zhuo watched the view outside for a moment and said to Lu Chixie: “The fireworks are quite beautiful.”
Lu Chixie looked at him, then out the window at the spectacular scene: “They are pretty good.”
The fiery colors reflected in Ling Zhuo’s dark eyes, tinged with a smile: “Then you should watch more.”
“Ling Zhuo.” Lu Chixie called his name.
Ling Zhuo smiled and turned back. Lu Chixie looked at him, hesitating before saying: “Let’s eat first.”
The fireworks show continued without stopping.
After finishing dinner around seven o’clock, the night sky was still filled with fireworks.
Ling Zhuo suggested going to the observation deck on the back mountain, where the view was even broader. After paying the bill and receiving a red rose from the restaurant, he broke the flower stem in half and placed it in Lu Chixie’s down jacket pocket.
As they left, Ling Zhuo overheard some waitstaff discussing how they hadn’t heard about the fireworks display beforehand and were surprised that it had been going on for over an hour without stopping.
“Why didn’t they inform us in advance? The customer flow tonight could have been better.”
“Who knows?”
Twenty minutes later, they reached the observation deck. It was so cold that there was indeed no one there. Lu Chixie parked the car and they both sat on the hood, opening the cake box.
He asked Ling Zhuo if he wanted to eat the cake. Ling Zhuo shook his head: “Wait a bit.”
The fireworks spectacle continued. Ling Zhuo checked the time.
Ten, nine, eight…
Three, two, one.
Another round of fireworks exploded, spreading a giant silver starry rain across the sky, forming the Chinese characters for “Happy Birthday,” illuminating the entire night sky, and lasting a long time.
It also lit up Ling Zhuo’s smiling eyes.
Ling Zhuo turned to Lu Chixie and whispered “Happy Birthday” in his ear, then dabbed a bit of cream from the cake on his nose.
Lu Chixie looked at him: “Did you arrange this? How long will it last?”
Ling Zhuo: “Until midnight.”
Lu Chixie clicked his tongue: “How long did you prepare for this? It must have cost a lot. Aren’t you worried about the money?”
“Half a month,” Ling Zhuo said with a smile. “It was quite expensive. Just this once, though. There won’t be any next year. I’ll have Yang Ming send the video and photos to Xiao Qian and have him post them on the fan site.”
Lu Chixie: “Just for this?”
Ling Zhuo: “Not just that. I didn’t want you to say I didn’t put in any effort. I really put a lot of thought into this and spent a lot of money.”
Lu Chixie: “You specifically chose this place?”
Ling Zhuo: “Yeah, I did.”
The last time they watched fireworks here, although it wasn’t the original intention, it was still a nice memory.
Lu Chixie chuckled in his ear, his laughter warm and tickling Ling Zhuo’s ear. Ling Zhuo squirmed: “…Stop laughing.”
“Mm,” Lu Chixie whispered, “You went through a lot of trouble.”
Ling Zhuo: “If you don’t like it, just say so…”
Lu Chixie: “Who says I don’t like it?”
Ling Zhuo looked up at him. Lu Chixie’s eyes reflected his own image, revealing unrestrained joy.
Ling Zhuo’s mind stirred, wanting to say something more, but Lu Chixie’s kiss had already covered him, pinning his hand against the hood of the car. Ling Zhuo tilted his head back, accepting the overly passionate kiss, their breaths intertwining.
After the deep kiss, he laughed against Lu Chixie for a while, extending his tongue to slowly lick off the cream from the tip of Lu Chixie’s nose.
Lu Chixie watched his movements, getting some cream on his own lips before kissing Ling Zhuo again.
Behind them was the still dazzling starry night sky.
The rose on Lu Chixie’s chest was crushed, petals scattered, with a faint, dark fragrance lingering.