Chapter 159 Wishing You Happiness

The Baiyunjian Restaurant had an elegant and refined atmosphere, famous for its exquisite Jiangnan cuisine.

The private room was decorated in an antique style. Outside the window, an artificial stream and rockery could be faintly seen, giving the place a poetic ambiance.

Inside the room, it was already full of people, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Song Jingmo held Lu Er’s hand as they walked in.

Song Jingmo’s dark gray sweater highlighted his refined aura, while Lu Er’s red-and-white color-blocked coat made him stand out brilliantly, like a sudden splash of bright scenery entering the room.

“Ah, our birthday star finally decides to show up?”

Dr. Liu had the loudest voice and spoke first, winking at the pair walking in together.

His gaze lingered between them with subtle ambiguity. “Host, you made a whole bunch of us wait. What good thing kept you?”

The head nurse laughed and chimed in: “With such a beautiful companion, it’s hard not to be delayed.”

Song Jingmo remained calm in the face of his colleagues’ teasing, only his ears faintly reddening.

He draped an arm around Lu Er’s shoulder, guiding him to the reserved spot beside the main seat.

Calmly, he explained: “There was a bit of traffic on the way. Sorry to keep everyone waiting.”

Lu Er smiled graciously at everyone and nodded politely. “Hello, everyone. I’m very sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“No problem, no problem.”

“It’s our honor that Lu, the big star, could come.”

“Last time we missed the team event, but seeing you in person this time… you’re even more stunning than on TV!”

Under the soft lighting of the room, Lu Er’s red-and-white coat complemented his jade-like complexion. His delicate features seemed almost unreal.

As he sat and took a sip of tea, a small patch of fair skin behind his ear was exposed in the light.

A bright red hickey caught Liao Xubai’s eyes immediately.

The hand holding his teacup paused almost imperceptibly. His gaze fell on the mark, and his eyes darkened quickly.

A lingering sense of desolation and bitterness settled over him. He lowered his eyes, staring at the floating tea leaves, avoiding looking elsewhere.

Silently, he drank the now-cool tea, trying to wash away the ache in his heart with its bitterness.

Xiao Zhiyuan, sitting beside him, noticed this subtle reaction.

It felt like a needle had pricked his heart, a faint pain throbbing inside.

He opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t know what to say.

In the end, he quietly picked up the teapot and refilled Liao Xubai’s nearly empty cup, careful with every movement.

At that moment, the private room door opened again.

Leng Keyan and Yin Siyou entered, one after the other.

“Sorry, sorry for being late.”

Leng Keyan’s eyes sparkled as he scanned the room.

Smiling naturally, he walked to the empty seat to Lu Er’s left and sat down.

Yin Siyou followed behind, nodded at everyone, and took the seat beside Leng Keyan.

Liu Yuan, always fond of lively banter, teased with a smile: “Oh, Keyan, Dr. Yin, how come you two came together?”

“Orthopedics on one end, Emergency on the other… ten thousand miles apart! And yet here you are together?”

Hearing this, Yin Siyou tactically took a sip of tea, avoiding everyone’s gaze. The tips of his ears flushed slightly.

Leng Keyan calmly lied: “Oh, we just happened to meet at the door. Thought we’d save on taxi fare, so we shared a ride.”

“Shared a ride?”

Tang Lan, sitting opposite, mercilessly called her out: “Don’t try to fool us! Your uncle is top star Lu. And you tell me you’re so down and out you have to share a ride?”

Her words drew another round of good-natured laughter.

Leng Keyan, exposed, didn’t get upset. He chuckled and rubbed his nose, silently conceding.

Yin Siyou still said nothing, though a faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

With everyone present, the waiter began bringing dishes one by one. The beautifully plated food filled the table, filling the air with fragrance.

Song Jingmo stood and raised his glass.

Lu Er followed suit.

Song Jingmo reached for his hand.

Fingers intertwined, they raised their glasses toward everyone.

“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join this meal.”

His voice remained steady, but carried unmistakable warmth and solemnity. “This glass is for everyone.”

Everyone raised their glasses, shouting “Happy Birthday, Director Song!”

After drinking, the atmosphere became lively again.

Leng Keyan also raised his glass, looking at Song Jingmo: “Teacher Song, I toast you. Thank you for your guidance and care recently.”

Song Jingmo looked at him, lips curling slightly, and tapped his glass with his.

Teasingly, he said: “If you really want to thank someone, you should thank Dr. Yin. He cares more about all your little issues than I do.”

Everyone chuckled lightly again.

Yin Siyou, having been mentioned, showed no expression but didn’t contradict him.

Leng Keyan stole a glance at him, wishing he could just throw himself into his arms.

After a few rounds, the usually quiet Liao Xubai raised his glass.

His gaze first rested on Song Jingmo, then slowly shifted to Lu Er.

“This glass… is for you two.”

“Wishing you happiness.”

Such simple words, yet they felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The private room fell silent again.

Everyone knew of Liao Xubai’s unspoken feelings for Song Jingmo, enduring for many years.

To express blessings publicly at this moment carried immense weight and difficulty.

Song Jingmo: “Thank you, and I also wish you find your own happiness soon.”

He paused, then meaningfully added, “Cherish the person in front of you, and don’t let the past hold you back.”

Xiao Zhiyuan’s body twitched slightly. He looked up at Song Jingmo, then quickly at Liao Xubai, eyes filled with shock and a faint glimmer of hope.

Liao Xubai’s hand trembled slightly as he held his glass. He nodded at Song Jingmo.

Then he drained the glass, the spicy liquid burning down his throat.

Lu Er stood generously, smiling at Liao Xubai: “Dr. Liao, thank you for taking care of Jingmo abroad.”

His words were candid, expressing gratitude purely as a family member.

It clarified his stance while giving Liao Xubai a graceful way to step down.

Looking into Lu Er’s bright and sincere eyes, the last bit of Liao Xubai’s resentment and bitterness slowly dissipated with the sip.

He tugged the corners of his mouth into a faint, yet genuine, smile, nodded, and said no more, sitting back down.

After this small interlude, the atmosphere in the room quickly revived with Dr. Liu’s teasing.

Under the table, Song Jingmo and Lu Er’s hands never let go, occasionally sharing a smile, their affection flowing naturally.

Outside, night deepened.

Inside the room, the warm lights shone, laughter and chatter never ceasing.

For Song Jingmo, this birthday—with a lover, friends, and colleagues all offering blessings—was truly happy.