Chapter Fifty-Six: Birthday Gift

Perhaps what her uncle said made sense after all, and the girl behind the door fell silent.

But in the end, she spoke again, almost as if out of defiance: "Anyway, I don't want to take him!"

Jiang Xiaotian stood at the threshold, sighing. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open.

A bright, youthful girl was startled by his presence.

"Xiaoqing, it's been a long time," Jiang Xiaotian forced a smile to greet her.

She seemed to have guessed something, her gaze flitting away in panic, and after a brief acknowledgment, she hurried outside.

A man wearing glasses came out next, his expression sour, but upon seeing Jiang Xiaotian, he broke into a smile. "Hey! Xiaotian, you’re here! Come in, come in! You must be tired after such a long trip!"

His uncle was just as caring as ever, though Jiang Xiaotian was distracted, nodding absentmindedly.

"That child is just acting out—don’t take it to heart. Are you tired? Hungry? How about I make you something to eat?" He quickly took Jiang Xiaotian’s luggage from him.

"Let uncle have a look at you—seems like you’ve grown taller, but you’re thinner. Oh, you’ve had a hard time. It’s all my fault, I haven’t been able to give you a good life."

Li Zhiyuan had always felt guilty toward Jiang Xiaotian. His own sister had died tragically, leaving her son to suffer from childhood. While Li Zhiyuan lived in a villa and drove luxury cars, Jiang Xiaotian often had to worry about his next meal.

He had often tried to help secretly, but it was never enough to make a real difference, and so he always felt indebted to his nephew.

"That's not true! Uncle, please don’t say that. I recently found a good job with a high salary. I can support myself now!" Jiang Xiaotian replied quickly, anxious at the sight of his uncle’s remorse.

Li Zhiyuan patted his head. "You’re just like your mother—simple and sensible. Well, enough of that. It’s rare for us to get together; let’s not talk about such things. Tell me what you’d like to eat tonight, and uncle will buy it for you—don’t be shy!"

Jiang Xiaotian nodded, feeling much better. His uncle was one of the few people who gave him a sense of home.

He stopped worrying, and Li Zhiyuan had already prepared a room for him—no one usually slept there, but he kept it clean, just so his nephew could come home whenever he wished.

Having lived alone for so long, Jiang Xiaotian was skilled at taking care of himself. With his hands-on abilities, the two of them went out to buy groceries and cook together. Along the way, his uncle kept asking about his life, worried he might have suffered any hardships.

Though he lacked authority at home, Li Zhiyuan commanded some respect outside, and if Jiang Xiaotian ever ran into trouble, he could help.

Jiang Xiaotian found it both amusing and touching. If his uncle knew that he was now a prominent figure, no longer short of money nor afraid of being looked down upon, he’d surely be happy. But they wouldn’t understand what it meant to be a martial artist, so he didn’t intend to mention it.

In fact, Jiang Xiaotian had prepared a bank card with one hundred thousand yuan for his uncle—a token of gratitude for years of care. He planned to find an opportunity to give it to him.

When the table was finally set with dishes, there were sounds at the door.

His cousin and aunt had returned.

Jiang Xiaotian hurried out to greet them. His aunt was momentarily stunned upon seeing him, then nodded with an indifferent expression. "Hello. You’ve had a tough time out there."

Though Jiang Xiaotian was enthusiastic, his aunt had never liked him, not since childhood.

His cousin disliked him even more.

Li Xiaoqing was beautiful, privileged—a popular girl. Jiang Xiaotian had always been the ugly duckling beside her, once even called a parasite.

He had hoped things would improve as they grew older, but hearing his cousin’s words at the door still hurt him.

He never cared for anyone’s mockery or disdain, but Li Xiaoqing was his cousin, bound by blood. To be so loathed by one's own kin—anyone would feel the sting.

So did Jiang Xiaotian.

He never took pride in being the top martial artist in Linhai; on the contrary, his vision had broadened, aware that there were always greater heights. But he was more confident now, no longer walking with his head down.

Yet today he realized he was still the parasite his cousin despised.

With that thought, even the delicious food before him tasted bland and joyless.

What should have been a reunion was marred; his cousin and aunt didn't join for dinner. One claimed not to be hungry, the other said she’d eat later.

Jiang Xiaotian felt frustrated—he and his uncle had spent the whole afternoon preparing, and now no one would eat. What was the point?

He knocked on his cousin’s door and called, "Xiaoqing, come out for dinner. I made your favorite garlic ribs; they won’t taste good when cold."

"Who told you garlic ribs were my favorite?" came a voice from within, impatient.

Jiang Xiaotian was stunned, unable to respond.

Perhaps Li Xiaoqing realized her words were harsh, so she softened her tone. "I’m not hungry. You two eat first."

Returning to the dining table, Jiang Xiaotian found it still just him and his uncle.

Li Zhiyuan likely guessed what was happening, quickly offering a distraction. "Alright, alright. Let’s eat first. We worked all afternoon, we’re hungry. Women have small appetites, haha."

No matter what he said, Jiang Xiaotian still felt deeply hurt.

After eating, he waited in the living room for a long time. His cousin and aunt didn’t come out. Only after he returned to his room did they appear for dinner.

He heard them clearly from inside, and couldn’t help feeling aggrieved.

His uncle, worried he’d dwell on it, came over to reassure him. "Xiaotian, don’t misunderstand. They always eat late; don’t think too much. You must be tired after today—rest early. Tomorrow I’ll take you shopping for new clothes!"

Jiang Xiaotian smiled and nodded. "Thank you, uncle."

But his tone was no longer as lively as when he’d first arrived.

So they still hated him…

He lay on his bed, tossing and turning, an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

In the middle of the night, someone suddenly knocked at the door.

He opened it, puzzled, and found Li Xiaoqing!

Jiang Xiaotian was both startled and delighted. It was the first time his cousin had sought him out on her own!

"Xiaoqing, is something wrong?" he asked with concern.

Li Xiaoqing hesitated, awkward and embarrassed, taking a long time before she spoke. "Can you do me a favor?"

Jiang Xiaotian agreed without thinking. "Of course, just say it!"

Seeing how readily he consented, Li Xiaoqing paused, then sighed. "Jiang Xiaotian, this year is my eighteenth birthday. I want to celebrate it properly with my friends. You don’t know them, and we’re not on the same level, so it wouldn’t work. Maybe you could just not come—as a birthday gift to me. Would that be okay?"