I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2338 - 1486: Peace and Prosperity (2)

Though most might not grasp his intent, Jiang Chen, being quite astute, immediately tried to rectify his words: "What I meant to say is that you look exceptionally beautiful today."

It was a futile attempt, like trying to mend a broken pen after the ink had already bled dry.

Cao Jinse walked past him, her silence more telling than any words.

Jiang Chen followed, holding the cake.

"Did your brother make it?"

Cao Jinse replied coolly, "Address him as Teacher Cao."

Mr. Jiang feigned deafness, "Yang Ting mentioned your brother would be attending."

"I’m uncertain if he will," she stated.

"Weren’t you supposed to arrive with him?"

Cao Jinse turned her head, a hint of challenge in her eyes, "Isn't today my brother's birthday?"

"Merely inquiring, isn't your brother quite acquainted with Yang Ting?"

Cao Jinse's expression grew serious, "Refrain from saying anything inappropriate later."

This was undoubtedly a well-intentioned warning.

Jiang Chen raised his hand in acknowledgment, making a gesture of understanding, and deftly changed the subject. "By the way, how old is Yang Ting this year?"

"What are your thoughts?"

"She must be under thirty-six."

Following the traditional cultural customs of Shen Zhou, the age of thirty-six is considered a significant milestone, often marked by solemn rituals rather than jubilant celebrations.

"I genuinely do not comprehend why she extended an invitation to you."

Did she truly not know, or was she merely pretending?

"Perhaps she doesn't have many friends," someone offered in all seriousness.

"Then can you truly consider someone a friend if you don't even know their age?"

A private room came into view just a few steps ahead.

Princess Cao, renowned for her sharp wit yet tender heart, despite her teasing words, provided the answer before they entered: "Thirty-three."

Thirty-three.

The significance felt similar.

In reality, it wasn't old at all.

Many individuals at this age in bustling metropolises today are still navigating life, yet to find their footing or even their true path.

But then, one must consider Yang Qinghua's considerable achievements.

Jiang Chen stepped into the private room.

"Happy birthday, Sister Qinghua."

Despite it being her birthday, Yang Qinghua had not gone to the trouble of dressing up extravagantly, nor did she appear as formal as she did when working. Similar to Cao Jinse, she opted for a casual style, yet her inherent, extraordinary aura remained potent. She quickly rose to her feet upon seeing Jiang Chen enter.

"Why bother with a cake? We're hardly children anymore."

"Sister Qinghua, could it be because the cake was on sale?" Cao Jinse interjected, her skill in lightening the mood evident.

Jiang Chen, maintaining his pretense of innocence, placed the undeniably economical cake onto the table.

Yang Qinghua seemed unfazed by the modest gift and playfully teased Jiang Chen for subtly altering her title, "Why aren't you calling me Yang Ting anymore?"

"It's off-duty hours now. Sister Qinghua, like us, is now just a member of the general public."

"Off work, I may be part of the general public, but you are not."

Yang Qinghua let out a chuckle before gesturing, "Please, have a seat."

Four chairs were arranged around the circular table; the existing guests already seemed to anticipate the seating arrangement.

Jiang Chen inquired casually, "Hasn't Teacher Cao arrived yet?"

"I just spoke with him; he's been delayed by a matter at the school. He is on his way."

It wasn't about romantic love.

Then it must be about friendship.

No matter how indifferent one might appear, the depth of human connection, the bonds of affection, cannot be entirely disregarded. Yang Qinghua was celebrating her thirty-third birthday today, implying a friendship spanning at least two or three decades.

How many such twenty or thirty-year spans are there in a single lifetime?

"This restaurant might not boast the most exquisite ambiance, but the cuisine is quite decent. I've dined here frequently; I hope you don't mind?"

"Understood."

Someone responded with an answer that seemed to come out of the blue.

"What do you understand?"

Cao Jinse couldn't resist asking.

Indeed.

The question was whether one minded, so why the cryptic reply of "understood"?

"Are you unaware of the significant salary reductions implemented for public servants? Sister Qinghua's own salary might have been impacted."

"..."

"..."

Gazing at the earnest sincerity of the man, both Yang Qinghua and Cao Jinse fell into a simultaneous, profound silence.

The most disquieting moments are often those when the atmosphere suddenly stills, becoming heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"Sister Qinghua, why precisely did you extend an invitation to him?" Cao Jinse turned her head, seeking an explanation.

The birthday star for the day let out a sigh, "If he hadn't come, your brother, being a man, likely wouldn't have come either."

Was that something one should vocalize directly?

Certainly, this wasn't treating someone as an outsider.

Even while attempting to console himself, upon hearing this, Comrade Jiang Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt.

So, is it fair to say I'm merely a placeholder?

Had I foreseen this outcome, I most certainly would not have come.

"Sister Qinghua, your words have wounded my feelings somewhat."

The two women shifted their attention towards him.

"Have they?"

Cao Jinse simply shrugged, her expression a complex tapestry of emotions, "And so what?"

"Then I shall take the cake back with me."

"Pfft."

Yang Qinghua stifled a laugh behind her hand, unable to contain her amusement, a wide smile spreading across her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes – a testament to the usual mental strain from her work.

"You two quit the act, open it up, it’s been a while since I’ve had cake."

"Shouldn’t we wait for Teacher Cao?" Jiang Chen inquired.

"Who told him to be late?"

Yang Qinghua’s brow furrowed momentarily before relaxing, "Such a large cake, are you worried the three of us will finish it?"

Indeed.

Jiang Chen rose and began to peel away the packaging.

"Wait."

Spotting him about to cut directly into the cake, Cao Jinse couldn’t help but interject, "Sister Qinghua hasn’t made her wish yet."

Almost forgot.

"My apologies."

Jiang Chen promptly set down the knife and turned to lighting the candles. At this precise moment, the private room door was pushed open from the outside.

"Brother."

Cao Jinse spun around and called out.

"Even on my birthday, must I still wait for you?"

Yang Qinghua lamented.

"Teacher Cao."

Jiang Chen stood to the side, offering a greeting.

Cao Xiugo gave a nod of acknowledgment in his direction, then addressed the birthday girl, "I told you not to wait for me."

The previously lively atmosphere in the room suddenly grew quiet once more as Cao Jinse fell silent.

"I wasn’t intending to wait, but you’ve arrived just in the nick of time."

With that, Yang Qinghua turned back to Jiang Chen, a smile gracing her lips, and said, "Continue."

Jiang Chen remained silent, carefully inserting the remaining candle into the cake’s center.

"Shouldn’t you make a wish now?"

Yang Qinghua inquired with a smile.

"Mmm."

Jiang Chen proceeded to light the candles.

The flickering candlelight cast dancing reflections within all four pairs of eyes.

"Sister Qinghua, go ahead and make your wish."

Yang Qinghua bent forward, her gaze fixed upon the flames, silently channeling her thirty-third birthday wish. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and extinguished the candles in a single puff.

"What wish did Sister Qinghua make?"

Cao Jinse broke the silence, posing the question that others might have hesitated to ask.

But how could someone of such a profound stature possess such a trivial desire?

"The nation’s peace and prosperity."

Listen to that.

Here is true magnanimity.

Here is genuine foresight.

Whether she genuinely wished for national peace and prosperity remained a secret known only to her.

"Let’s cut the cake."

Someone took the initiative, clearly understanding their part in the evening’s proceedings, and promptly picked up the knife.

A symbolic sliver was given to each attendee, purely for the sake of tradition.

Dinner was still on the horizon.

Whether Cao Jinse had brought a gift or not was uncertain due to her late arrival, but after the cake cutting, Cao Xiugo unexpectedly presented a prepared gift.

It was a pen.

"Brother, you truly splurged on this! It must have cost nearly a month’s salary, right?"

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but let out a soft cough.

Weren’t they sternly warned not to speak carelessly before entering?

It’s permissible for the powerful to indulge, but not for common folk aspiring to rise?

"More than a month’s salary."

Cao Xiugo responded calmly.

It appears that humor is, indeed, an inherited trait.

"It’s alright, your brother rarely shows such generosity. Have you seen him give me gifts all these years? Jinse, don’t feel bad; you can never earn enough money anyway."

Saying this, Yang Qinghua carefully placed the pen back into its box.

A high-ranking official cherishes a pen to such an extent.

Such an incorruptible official.

"Sister Qinghua has misunderstood. Jinse was concerned that you might be breaking regulations. It wouldn’t look good if rumors of bribery were to spread."

No one compete now!

Comrade Jiang Chen, through his actions, proved himself to be the night’s designated comedian!

Cao Jinse’s gaze involuntarily shifted, her words catching in her throat, her lips trembling.

Yang Qinghua leaned back in her chair, her eyes sweeping across the faces of the other three, as if a sudden realization dawned upon her.

"Did the three of you conspire this? You were reluctant to give gifts, so you didn’t, but now you want to take them back? That won’t do. Gaining face without spending a dime – do you take me for a fool?"

Eight eyes met.

And then.

Including Cao Xiugo.

The two men and two women in the private room erupted into shared laughter.

After all, the door was closed, and no one else could hear or recognize them.

Sometimes.

The ability to laugh wholeheartedly, without reservation, is itself a profound blessing.