Chapter 53

After learning that Pei Kuang would also participate in this variety show, Song Anan became a little restless.

In fact, everyone had changed quite a bit over the past two years.

Relying on Director Qi's film, Song Linchuan won Best Supporting Actor and successfully squeezed into the mainstream film circle, also gradually transforming from an internet celeb to a true actor, taking a big step forward.

What was most surprising was still Pei Kuang. The scandal back then did have quite an impact on him at first, but he took this opportunity to transform.

Over the past two years, he had always kept a low profile and was no longer frequently exposed to the public eye, but instead honed his acting skills on one crew after another.

No matter whether it was the main role or supporting role, as long as the script and character were good, he would take it, completely abandoning the so-called coffee level.

With a role not long ago, he won Best Actor and made a beautiful comeback, firmly entering the ranks of true actors.

What made Song Anan a little surprised was that the first show he appeared on after winning Best Actor would be a reality show about medical interns.

-

Ever since last time, Teacher hadn't looked for her again. Song Anan thought he was probably deterred by her rejection that day.

Maybe Teacher had already found other male and female students, she wasn't indispensable.

She gradually let go of this matter too. Song Anan still diligently interned at the hospital every day as usual.

Her 20th birthday was coming up soon in late May. On her birthday, Song Anan happened to not be on duty, so she made plans with Song Linchuan to have dinner together that night.

They met at a hotpot restaurant. When Song Anan arrived, Song Linchuan and Jiang Han were already waiting in the private room.

After chatting briefly, Song Linchuan got right to the point and gave her birthday present.

This time he had prepared a sports car for Song Anan.

When she turned 18, Song Linchuan had gifted Song Anan an apartment. It was located not far from B University's affiliated hospital. It only took 20 minutes to drive there.

Gifting her a car this year, his wish to give his auntie a car and a house was finally fulfilled.

Looking at the car key Song Linchuan handed over, Song Anan couldn't help but hold her forehead.

"Linchuan, I stay at the hospital every day. I really don't need a car. Why don't you take it back and drive it?" She tried to persuade him.

But Song Linchuan didn't think so at all. "How could you not need it? You're not at the hospital every day. Go for a drive when you're off."

"Also, you got your license a year ago. If you don't practice often, you'll get rusty."

Song Anan was a little helpless. During her time off she was usually in the library buried in books. When would she have time to go driving?

Furthermore, did she really need such an expensive car just to practice her driving?

But before she could retort, Song Linchuan interrupted her with a dissatisfied expression.

"Auntie, you're biased. Mom sends you such expensive jewelry every year, and I've never seen you reject it. How come every time I give you something, you hem and haw?"

Song Anan sighed silently in her heart.

Alright, if she didn't accept it, Song Linchuan would probably grumble all night. Seeing that she accepted it, Song Linchuan said gleefully that when she officially started working, he would get her an even better one. Song Anan quickly dissuaded him.

Jiang Han observed the whole gift-giving and rejection exchange between aunt and nephew. He couldn't help but admire it in his heart.

Money is so nice.

He sincerely took out his own gift, "Auntie, happy birthday. I don't have as much money as Linchuan. Please don't look down on my meager gift."

Song Anan quickly waved her hands and replied, "Thank you for the gift, I really like it."

After the meal, Song Linchuan sent Song Anan back to school. At the school gate, Jiang Han took out two tote bags from the trunk.

They were from Pei Kuang, to be delivered by Song Linchuan.

Song Anan was not very surprised. It had been like this for the past two birthdays, with Pei Kuang not showing up in person but sending gifts.

It's just that, why were there two tote bags this year? She couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"The other bag contains artisanal chocolates Pei Kuang brought back from overseas last week. They are quite famous locally. He knew you loved chocolate and said to bring some back for you to try." Song Linchuan explained.

Song Anan let out an "oh" and a hint of ambiguous emotion flashed through her eyes.

-

When Song Anan returned to the dorm, she was surprised to see Cheng Ke and Cai Xiaodi had come back. Weren't they supposed to be on the night shift today?

"Ahhh, little Anan, happy birthday!" Cheng Ke immediately went over to give her a big bear hug.

Cai Xiaodi and Li Sirui brought out a birthday cake. Cheng Ke conveniently turned off the lights in the dorm.

Then the three sang happy birthday in unison.

Song Anan was still a little stunned, but Li Sirui took the things from her hands and pushed her over to make a wish and blow out the candles. The lights came back on after the candles were extinguished.

"How was it? Were you surprised and caught off guard that we were able to rush back to celebrate your birthday with you?" Cheng Ke asked.

Song Anan nodded honestly, "Very surprised, very unexpected."

"But weren't you on duty tonight?"

Cai Xiaodi waved her hand, "Don't worry, we arranged it a long time ago. We didn't tell you beforehand, just to surprise you."

Song Anan smiled and thanked them. She was truly happy they had rushed back to celebrate her birthday with her.

Ever since starting their internships, the four of them rarely got together. Although their dorm group chat was always lively, there was still much to catch up on in person.

As they ate cake and chatted, the atmosphere was simply wonderful.

Cheng Ke's gaze inadvertently glanced at the gift bags on Song Anan's desk. Curiously she asked, "By the way, Anan, what did your cousin get you for your birthday this time?"

Li Sirui and Cai Xiaodi also turned their heads in unison, with the same curious expressions.

It couldn't be helped. Ever since learning Song Linchuan had gifted Song Anan an apartment for her 18th birthday, the three of them were simply blown away.

This cousin was just too filial!

Therefore, ever since then, every year on Song Anan's birthday, the three of them were even more curious than Song Anan herself, wondering what grand gift Song Linchuan would give this time.

Song Anan paused briefly before replying, "A car."

"What car?" the three asked in unison. Song Anan didn't answer, simply taking the car key out of her bag.

"Wow, a Porsche, a luxury car!"

"My god, what kind of fairy cousin is this, gifting houses and cars. I'm so jealous I could die."

"Wahhh, why don't I have a cousin like this."

"It's okay, Anan's cousin is as good as our cousin too, no difference."

"Ahhh, little Anan, please take care of me. You definitely have to take me for a ride in the luxury car one day..."

Song Anan watched as they fooled around and could not stop laughing.

After making a ruckus for a while, the three also gave their own gifts.

It really was getting late, and they shouldn't be up too late causing a racket since they all had to go to the hospital for internships tomorrow, especially Cheng Ke and Cai Xiaodi. The international department was quite far from school, so they had to rush back early tomorrow morning.

After showering, Song Anan came to her desk to tidy up the gifts.

She opened Pei Kuang's gift. It was a necklace. He had given her a bracelet for her 18th birthday, earrings last year, and now a necklace. Was he really trying to collect a full jewelry set for her?

Song Anan stared at the petal pendant on the necklace for a good while before putting it in the innermost part of her drawer, together with the previous bracelet and earrings.

She then continued tidying up the things on the desk.

Li Sirui happened to walk by and saw Song Anan take the chocolates out of the bag.

"Wow, I know this brand of chocolate. It's made purely by hand by Belgian master chocolatiers. I heard it's super delicious."

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Ke and Cai Xiaodi also craned their necks to look over.

There were four small boxes of chocolate, all individually packaged. Song Anan split them up and gave one box to each of her three roommates.

"Ah, we really shouldn't, how embarrassing..."

The three paid lip service to declining but their actions were very honest, immediately accepting the chocolates.

Over the past two years, Song Anan would occasionally receive all kinds of snacks and local specialty foods. Her roommates had sampled them many times before and certainly would not stand on ceremony this time.

"Speaking of which, Song Linchuan is really beyond reproach when it comes to his aunt Song Anan. I'm almost ready to become his fan." Li Sirui remarked.

Cheng Ke also nodded in agreement: "Exactly. Knowing our Anan is a foodie, no matter where he goes he remembers to buy some local snacks and have them delivered. He's so thoughtful."

In particular, everything sent always seemed carefully prepared, generally in portions of four.

It was obvious with one look that aside from Song Anan, even her roommates were considered!

But Cai Xiaodi suddenly let out a "huh", "Come to think of it, I've always been puzzled. Song Linchuan only started sending Anan local specialties in the last two years. How come he never sent any before..."

When Song Anan heard this, her eyes flickered briefly.

She didn't know how to answer Cai Xiaodi's doubt, because these things weren't sent by Song Linchuan at all, but by Pei Kuang.

Song Linchuan had been a blockhead since he was little. Something like buying local snacks and having them delivered probably never even crossed his mind.

Late at night, Song Anan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

She made a decision.

Early next morning, Song Anan went straight to the dean's office.

Looking at Jing Wenjin, she said solemnly, "Teacher, about that show you mentioned last time, I've decided to go."