*Chapter 65: Birthday Shadows*
March arrived, bringing Li Xue's birthday — a day that once carried joy, now weighed heavy with absence. Zhao Liang remained detached, absorbed in work and personal affairs, leaving the day cold and unremarkable. She stared at the ceiling of her bedroom, tracing cracks and patterns with her eyes, remembering past birthdays: cakes, laughter, candles, warm embraces, and fleeting celebrations that seemed like distant dreams now. Her chest tightened as she considered the contrast between the warmth of memory and the emptiness of reality.
Her phone buzzed gently — a message from her younger brother. "Sister! Come out! I have a surprise for you!" His energy and enthusiasm were infectious, a rare beacon of light in a life dominated by fear and control. She dressed quickly, keeping her movements precise and silent, as if hesitation would alert Zhao Liang to her absence.
They spent the day wandering through the streets, visiting small cafés, sampling festival food, and even playing simple games at an arcade. Her brother's laughter rang out, unburdened by the world's complexities. "Look! I won!" he shouted, eyes shining with pride. Li Xue smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across her chest, momentarily pushing aside fear and obligation.
Finally, he handed her a small, silver necklace, modest but carefully chosen. "It's not much, but happy birthday," he said, his grin wide. Li Xue's chest tightened again, this time with gratitude and quiet sorrow. The gift was simple yet priceless in sentiment — proof of love, thought, and care beyond the penthouse walls.
By the time they returned, the apartment was silent. Zhao Liang had not come home yet. Exhaustion from the day overtook Li Xue; she fell asleep clutching the necklace, a faint warmth shielding her from the oppressive rules and unrelenting presence that awaited when he returned. For a few precious hours, her birthday belonged to her — filled with laughter, affection, and the fragile hope of normalcy.