Chapter 298 This Is What Happiness Looks Like

“Happy birthday, little uncle!”

Leng Keyan’s voice rang out bright and clear, filling the entire hall and drawing everyone’s attention.

Yin Siyao followed behind, the two of them walking in one after the other—one beaming with joy, the other looking utterly embarrassed.

Yin Siyao quickly stepped forward, his tone apologetic: “Sorry we’re late. There was traffic… we should have been here earlier…”

Lu Er waved his hand, letting his gaze sweep between the two of them.

Finally, it landed on Leng Keyan’s face, which was grinning from ear to ear, and he gave a meaningful “oh.”

“Siyao, don’t shoulder all the blame yourself.”

His tone was firm. “Most likely, it’s Leng Keyan’s fault anyway.”

The words were blunt yet accurate.

Yin Siyao’s face flushed bright red, from his ears all the way down his neck, as if he wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

He shot Leng Keyan a glare and yanked his hand away.

Leng Keyan shrank back slightly, then turned and hugged Lu Er, nuzzling like a big dog:

“Little uncle, my dearest little uncle! Please forgive me this once!”

“I swear, next year, on your birthday, I’ll get up before dawn and be the first to arrive. I swear it!”

Lu Er leaned back, pushing him away with a look of mild annoyance: “Alright, alright… you’re a grown adult, and you’re still acting spoiled.”

Leng Keyan wasn’t upset at all. Smiling, he stood up straight and sidled over to Yin Siyao, reaching to grab his hand quietly.

Yin Siyao shrugged him off, giving not a single glance.

The group moved in a grand procession toward the banquet hall.

When Lu Er pushed the door open, he froze: the hall’s decoration far exceeded his expectations.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high dome ceiling, casting dazzling light that made the hall shine like gold and jade.

Roses were everywhere—red, pink, white—arranged in various clusters and shapes, decorating every corner.

Colorful balloons floated from the ceiling, long ribbons dangling and swaying gently in the breeze.

On the central wall hung a massive banner.

In bold letters it read, “Happy Birthday, Lu Er,” with cute cartoon figures drawn alongside.

Song Jingmo looked at him with soft eyes: “Do you like it?”

Lu Er wanted to speak but was swept inside by the crowd.

“Birthday star, come in!”

“Don’t just stand at the door, sit down! Today, you’re the most important!”

Lu Er floated forward, feeling like he was walking on air.

This birthday… really felt a little different.

Lunch was lively and festive.

Dishes were served one after another, drinks poured, and laughter echoed continuously.

Lu Er was seated in the place of honor, Song Jingmo on his left, Grandfather on his right, and Leng Qinghua across from him.

He fended off toasts while being bombarded with well-wishes from all directions, feeling dizzy from the attention.

“Little uncle, I’ll toast you!”

Leng Keyan raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

“Happy birthday, Mr. Lu!”

Lu Chen teased, a playful smile in his eyes.

“Little Lu, Grandfather wishes you good health and all the best.”

The old man raised his teacup, smiling kindly.

Lu Er was surrounded by flowers and smiling faces, drinking glass after glass.

Amid the cheer, a small figure squeezed through the crowd.

Lu Ming wore a bright red little Tang suit, his cheeks round and plump, hair neatly combed.

He carried a bouquet larger than himself, wobbling as he walked toward Lu Er, eyes sparkling.

“Uncle!”

The little one shouted in a squeaky voice, “Happy birthday!”

Lu Er quickly bent down to take the flowers and lifted him up.

He kissed Lu Ming on the cheek: “Thank you, sweetheart. These flowers are beautiful.”

Lu Ming giggled with pride: “I bought the flowers myself, using the red envelope money Grandma gave me!”

The entire room burst into laughter.

“Well, look at our Lu Ming, giving flowers now!”

Luo Bingbing laughed so hard she could barely stand, holding onto Lu Chen’s arm: “Oh my, you bought this bouquet with your red envelope money?”

Lu Ming didn’t understand why the adults were laughing, but seeing everyone laugh, he giggled too, showing a few tiny teeth.

Lu Er’s eyes curved in a smile as he hugged Lu Ming tighter, kissing him repeatedly: “Good, little uncle will treasure them.”

Lu Ming giggled again and snuggled closer.

A huge cake was pushed into the room by the waitstaff.

It was over a meter tall, layered, adorned with delicate sugar flowers and chocolate.

On top were two little fondant figures holding hands, smiling brightly.

“Wow—”

Everyone gasped in awe.

Grandfather smiled and waved: “Little Lu, come cut the cake.”

Lu Er looked at the cake taller than himself, half laughing, half crying: “This is way too big…”

Song Jingmo stood, walked to Lu Er, and took the knife from the waiter.

Together, they held the knife and slowly cut the first slice.

Applause and cheers erupted, while camera flashes went off relentlessly.

Lu Ming clapped his tiny hands, hopping and shouting: “Cake time! Cake time!”

After the cake was cut, the music switched to a soft, romantic tune.

Lu Ming wriggled through the crowd, holding a delicate flower basket, bouncing up to Song Jingmo and lifting it high.

“Uncle, for you!”

His voice was crisp and clear.

Song Jingmo took the basket, bent down, and kissed the top of his head: “Thank you, Lu Ming.”

Mission accomplished, Lu Ming happily ran back to Luo Bingbing.

Song Jingmo took a dark blue velvet box from the basket.

He walked up to Lu Er and slowly went down on one knee.

The room fell silent.

Song Jingmo opened the box, revealing two rings lying quietly inside.

The design was simple yet elegant: platinum bands with small diamonds that shimmered softly under the light.

“Er Er.”

His voice was low and clear, slightly trembling.

“The last time I said, if anyone should kneel, it should be me.”

He raised his eyes, locking onto Lu Er’s face, with a tenderness that seemed to overflow, “Now, I am kneeling.”

He paused, took a deep breath, voice steadier:

“I want to ask you… will you be with me forever?”

All eyes fell on Lu Er. Leng Qinghua’s eyes glistened with tears.

Song Sinian and Qu Suaiwan exchanged smiles, Grandfather couldn’t stop grinning, and Luo Bingbing hid her mouth, leaning on Lu Chen’s shoulder.

Leng Keyan held Yin Siyao’s hand tightly.

Lu Er looked down at the man kneeling before him, at the rings, at the sincere and deep gaze in Song Jingmo’s eyes.

He lifted his left hand, shaking the ring he had worn for a long time on his ring finger.

“Haven’t I already said yes?”

Lu Er’s voice carried a smile. “I’ve been wearing this ring for so long.”

Song Jingmo looked at him, tender yet determined: “This time, it’s my turn—in front of all our family.”

“Lu Er, will you be with me forever?”

Lu Er looked at the family who cared for him, his nose prickling.

“I’ve wanted to be, for a long time.”

He reached out, hand trembling slightly, and extended it toward Song Jingmo.

Song Jingmo took one of the rings, held Lu Er’s hand, and carefully slid it onto his ring finger.

Then, he took the other ring and handed it to Lu Er.

Lu Er received it, bent down, and carefully slid it onto Song Jingmo’s left hand.

The two rings gleamed under the lights, reflecting happiness.

The room erupted into applause and cheers.

“Congratulations!”

“Kiss! Kiss!”

Leng Keyan led the cheering, voice the loudest.

Yin Siyao tried to pull him away but failed.

Grandfather laughed so hard, repeatedly saying “Good!”

Lu Ming, unaware of what had just happened, clapped his hands and shouted: “Kiss! Kiss!”

Song Jingmo smiled, lowering his head to kiss Lu Er in front of everyone.

Lu Er closed his eyes, returning the kiss.

Around them, the family cheered; the scent of roses filled the air, lips met a familiar, gentle touch.

This… must be what happiness looks like.

Being with the one you love, blessed by family, seen by the whole world.