A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 22 Dad's Birthday

Li Yuan has been incredibly busy lately, spinning like a top. Work is like a menacing monster, relentlessly binding her. But then, she finally got a chance to rest, and she was as excited as a mouse that had stolen cheese—because it was her father's birthday.

Li Yuan got up very early, her eyes shining like two little stars, and humming a little tune as she went out. She had already decided to buy her dad a super cool watch. She wandered around the mall like an explorer on a treasure hunt.

"Hey, this watch is nice!" Li Yuan stared at an exquisite watch whose dial shimmered under the light, as if it were winking at her.

"Boss, how much is this watch?" Li Yuan asked excitedly.

"Young lady, this watch is of excellent quality, and the price is reasonable, only one thousand yuan," the shopkeeper said with a smile.

"What? A thousand yuan? Boss, do I look like a tycoon? Can you give me a discount? This is a birthday gift for my dad." Li Yuan began to use her bargaining skills.

"Oh dear, young lady, this really can't be any cheaper. I'm just a small business owner," the shop owner said with a pained expression.

"Boss, can you give me a discount? If you give me a discount, I guarantee your business will be booming today. If you don't give me a discount, I'll... I'll sit here and not leave. Let's see how you do business then." Li Yuan started to act shamelessly.

The boss was amused by her. "Alright, alright, I give up. Here's your eight hundred yuan."

"Deal!" Li Yuan walked away triumphantly with the watch, like a victorious general.

When I got home, I saw my mom holding a razor and gesturing with it.

"Mom, what are you doing?" Li Yuan asked curiously.

"Let me see how this razor is. It's a gift for your dad. His beard is so thick it looks like weeds, he needs a good razor," Mom said with a smile.

"Haha, Mom, you're so thoughtful. But your razor looks pretty good too." Li Yuan leaned over to take a look.

"Of course, I spent a long time choosing. I also have to tell your dad, 'Happy birthday, honey. You'd better take good care of your beard, or it might prick our granddaughter.'" Mom said with a laugh.

Just then, my younger brother ran in, holding a box of health-preserving tea.

"Happy birthday, Dad!" the younger brother shouted to himself.

"Oh, you little rascal, you even know how to send health-preserving tea," Li Yuan teased.

"Of course, I just hope Dad is in great health and has a good appetite, so he can give me more pocket money," the younger brother said with a grin.

"All you care about is money, you're never serious." Li Yuan rolled her eyes at him.

The family was talking when the doorbell rang.

When Li Yuan opened the door, she saw her neighbor, an older woman, with Xiao Shiqing following behind her. Xiao Shiqing was holding a small cake and looked incredibly cute.

"Auntie, what's going on?" Li Yuan asked.

"I ran into Shi Qing downstairs. This little girl said she wanted to bring a birthday cake to her grandpa, so I brought her up," the aunt said with a smile.

Then the four of them sat in the living room waiting for them to arrive...

Just then, they suddenly heard familiar footsteps outside the door. The younger brother's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Dad's back!" Everyone sprang into action like a flock of sparrows on command.

Li Yuan quickly hid her watch behind her back, her mother put the razor under the sofa cushion, her younger brother hid behind the curtains with his herbal tea, and Xiao Qing looked at the door nervously and excitedly with a cake in her hand. Her little appearance was so cute. She kept saying, "Grandpa is back. I have to give him a surprise."

Just then, Dad came in and saw Xiao Qing carrying a small cake.

"Happy birthday, Grandpa!" Xiao Qing called out in her childish voice, then stood in front of her grandfather like a little angel, holding the cake high.

"Oh my, my precious granddaughter, you're such a good girl." Grandpa's eyes narrowed into slits with joy as he quickly picked up Xiaoshiqing and kissed her repeatedly.

"Dad, look, this is the watch I bought for you. It will be easier for you to tell the time now, and it looks really cool on you. People will say you're a stylish old man when you go out." Li Yuan handed the watch to her father.

"Haha, my daughter really knows me. This watch is really nice." Dad put on the watch, looked at it from left to right, and couldn't put it down.

"Honey, this is the razor I gave you. You need to take better care of your beard, so Shi Qing doesn't get pricked every time you kiss her." Mom handed the razor to Dad.

"Okay, okay, my wife gave it to me, I'll definitely use it." Dad said with a smile as he accepted it.

"Dad, you really need to drink this health tea properly. It's an investment I'm making in your health. Once you're healthier, you can take me out to play too." The younger brother handed over the health tea.

"You always have so many clever ideas, but this tea looks pretty good." Dad nodded with a smile.

"Grandpa, this cake is so delicious! Mom and I chose it together, and it even has your favorite fruit on it," Xiao Qing said, pointing to the cake.

"Okay, okay, we'll eat cake in a little while. My little darling is so sweet." Grandpa held Xiao Qing in his arms, his face full of happiness.

The whole family gathered together, and the atmosphere was as lively as during the Chinese New Year.

“Dad, you had such a wonderful birthday! We even prepared gifts for you,” Li Yuan said with a smile.

"Yes, with you all here, I feel happy every day as if it's my birthday," Dad said with emotion.

“That won’t do. Birthdays should be celebrated properly; it’s a special day. By the way, Dad, do you have any new wishes for this year?” Li Yuan asked.

"My wish? I just hope you're all safe and sound, and happy. Also, I hope Shiqing grows up quickly, but not too fast, because I want to hold her more often," Dad said with a smile.

"Grandpa, I will grow up quickly and then protect you." Xiao Qing waved her little fist.

"Haha, my little granddaughter is so brave!" Dad couldn't stop laughing.

"Dad, do you remember when I celebrated your birthday when I was little? I was so clumsy back then, I made a crooked card for you," Li Yuan recalled.

"Yes, I remember. I still keep that greeting card. It's one of the most precious gifts I've ever received," Dad said gently.

"Really? I thought you threw it away a long time ago," Li Yuan said in surprise.

“How could that be? That’s a token of my daughter’s love, just like the gifts you’re giving me now, each one filled with love for me,” Dad said earnestly.

"Dad, you're so good to me," Li Yuan said, touched.

"Okay, enough with the sentimental talk, let's cut the cake," Mom suggested.

"Alright, let's cut the cake!" the younger brother cheered.

Everyone gathered around the cake, lit the candles, and sang "Happy Birthday" together. Dad closed his eyes, made a long wish, and then blew out the candles.

"Grandpa, what did you wish for?" Xiao Qing asked curiously.

"It's a secret, it won't work if you tell," Dad said with a smile, playfully pinching Xiao Qing's nose.

"Hmph, Grandpa is so stingy." Xiao Shiqing pouted.

"Haha, Shi Qing, don't be angry, let's eat cake." Li Yuan smiled and distributed cake to everyone.

The family ate cake, and laughter echoed throughout the room. It was a truly warm and joyful birthday celebration, filled with love.