Chapter 1 Birthday

"Happy birthday!"

As everyone finished singing the birthday song together, in the dimly lit room, surrounded only by the candlelight illuminating the dining table, applause broke out, sending Ji Lin 22nd birthday wishes.

Twenty-two years old.

Reaching this age and only now experiencing the first truly meaningful birthday celebration might be considered a sad thing.

Even in many poor families, parents, even if they cannot afford a cake, still celebrate their children's birthdays every year.

In this regard, children with parents are indeed worlds apart from those without.

Lin Xian clapped while watching Ji Lin, whose smile seemed a bit shy.

It was clear that Ji Lin was still a little embarrassed at this moment.

But also happy.

"Ji Lin, come on, blow out the candles and make a wish! You have to make a wish before blowing out the candles!"

Chu Anqing and several female classmates were very happy today, urging Ji Lin to make a wish at the cake.

Ji Lin obviously lacked experience in this aspect, and he seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

He thought for a long time before looking at the cake with flickering candlelight and saying softly:

"Actually, I've never really had any wishes. Since I was a child, other than not having parents, I've been very fortunate in other aspects of my life. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I have everything I could possibly want materially."

"Ji Lin... you can't say your wish out loud." Chu Anqing whispered a reminder:

"If you say it, it won't come true."

However...

Lin Xian reached out his hand to interrupt Chu Anqing:

"Just let him say it, he seems to want to say it."

Always.

Ji Lin had always given the impression of being taciturn, even unwilling to socialize.

Aloof, reticent, and solitary.

But after this period of getting along, Lin Xian felt that this was not the case.

There is no one in this world who truly wants to be solitary.

Solitude is often passive, often a form of self-protection out of necessity.

Such a childish birthday party, like something meant for children...

It's normal for 19-year-old Chu Anqing.

It's also normal for a 9-year-old child.

But putting it on Ji Lin, a 22-year-old global best-selling author, famous Oscar screenwriter, and master of reasoning...

It's not normal at all.

It's probably impossible to find a second 22-year-old who still celebrates such a childish birthday and is treated like a child.

But Ji Lin didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

He was very happy.

And he was enjoying this time.

This was what he lacked the most and wanted the most in his twenty-plus years of life, where he had everything he needed and wanted, and lived in affluence.

It's just that...

This birthday song was sung too late.

*Yu mai gui hua tong zai jiu, zhong bu si, shao nian you* (Wanting to buy osmanthus flowers to carry wine together, it is ultimately unlike, youthful wanderings).

Therefore.

If Ji Lin had anything he had been holding back for more than twenty years, then let him say it today.

Ji Lin smiled at everyone and continued:

"Since I was a child, I haven't had anyone to accompany me. The thing I did the most every day was read books and do math problems. Perhaps because my parents were both mathematicians... I had a talent for solving problems, and I never made a mistake on any problem. It's true, I never made a mistake on a single problem."

"I enjoy the process of solving problems, and I also enjoy the sense of accomplishment of solving each problem and each Sudoku puzzle. I feel that solving problems correctly is the right thing to do, and it is the meaning of my existence in this world. I don't want to make a mistake on any problem, and I don't want to arrive at the wrong answer."

"But today, if I really have a wish..."

Ji Lin turned to look at Lin Xian, then at Chu Anqing, and then lowered his head, looking at the birthday cake with the candles already half-burned, his expression becoming intense:

"I only hope that I have a question that I really got wrong.}"

......

As Ji Lin's words fell, the entire splendidly decorated living room was silent.

Everyone looked at each other, not understanding what Ji Lin wanted to express with his wish.

There was a sense of awkwardness in the air.

At this moment.

Gao Yang stood up with a whoosh, as if his genes had awakened! Applause thundered:

"Good! Well said!"

The gold-medal salesman lived up to his name, immediately taking back control of the situation:

"I think what Ji Lin said is very right."

Gao Yang scanned the bewildered faces of the crowd and explained earnestly:

"Ji Lin's wish is really special, mainly because his life is too outstanding. Whether it's his writing career or his screenwriting career, he has achieved fame and fortune at a young age and has never experienced any setbacks or difficulties."

"Therefore, setbacks and failures, which we ordinary people avoid, are a precious experience that Ji Lin has never experienced! As Ji Lin said, a life without failure is incomplete. What is the meaning of a life that always gets the right answer? That is an incomplete life, a meaningless life!"

Gao Yang became more and more excited as he spoke, his words impassioned, and he stood up and waved his hand:

"As the famous 18th-century British writer Oliver Goldsmith said—"

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising up every time we fall!}"

......

......

At this moment, the whole place was shocked!

Chu Anqing and the female college students were stunned for a moment. They had never expected that Gao Yang, who looked greasy and unremarkable... not only perfectly defused the awkwardness, but also directly elevated Ji Lin's wish!

It was art!

Even Lin Xian was stunned by Gao Yang's surging passion.

Damn it?

Are these female college students giving him that much of a boost?

How did this guy suddenly become so accomplished in literature? He's awakened and evolved again? He even quoted an 18th-century writer's famous saying!

But...

To be fair.

Gao Yang definitely has a talent for being a "hype man."

Since childhood, this was not the first time Lin Xian had seen Gao Yang take control and save the day.

He could always sense changes in the atmosphere or awkward situations, and then immediately jump out to attract attention and turn the tide.

No wonder he's a gold-medal salesman at a 4S store.

If Zhao Yingjun can be regarded as a congenital saint of racing, then Gao Yang can definitely be said to be a congenital saint of sales. He was born to be a salesman.

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!

Warm applause sounded again!

It seemed that everyone was applauding for Ji Lin's profound wish, but in reality, they were applauding for Gao Yang, the master of saving the day.

"So that's it, so your wish is to experience a failure!"

Chu Anqing clapped while looking at Ji Lin:

"What a peculiar wish... but that's probably the difference between geniuses like you and ordinary people like us? Failure is often a very uncomfortable and sad thing for us, but for you, it may be a more precious experience and creative material."

And the other female college students were looking at Gao Yang, with stars beginning to twinkle in their eyes:

"Senior Gao Yang, you're really amazing, so knowledgeable."

"Yeah, yeah, what you said just now sounded so beautiful, can you tell me what book it's from?"

"Senior, do you usually like to read books too? Where did you learn all this knowledge?"

"Wow... the world of adults is really complicated, you really need a senior like Gao Yang to understand Ji Lin's thoughts."

These inexperienced female college students had just been amused by Gao Yang, and now, with this "forced explanation," they looked at him with new respect.

"Hahaha, I'm just showing off my limited skills..."

Gao Yang was very honest.

He scratched the back of his head and laughed, opening his phone and showing everyone his WeChat Moments on the table:

"I learned all this from this psychologist's Moments. Look, this Dr. Liu is the most famous psychologist in Donghai City. This is what she just posted today, and it quotes this British writer."

"I usually like to read the articles shared by this psychologist when I have nothing to do, and learn some psychology knowledge. You can't say it, but learning this psychology knowledge is actually very useful—"

As he spoke, Gao Yang put his arm around Lin Xian's shoulder and patted him:

"Before, Lin Xian kept having all sorts of weird dreams and was worried every day, so I took him to see this psychologist."

"You know if someone's a professional as soon as they make a move! After Dr. Liu diagnosed him, she solved Lin Xian's problem in a few words! Isn't that right, Lin Xian? This Dr. Liu is really skilled!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Lin Xian kicked Gao Yang under the table, signaling him to shut up.

However...

Opposite the birthday cake with the candles still burning.

Ji Lin was silent, staring at Lin Xian...

"Lin Xian."

He opened his eyes, revealing pupils that Lin Xian had never seen fully before.

Having known him for so long.

He had never seen the lazy Ji Lin open his eyes so wide.

The other party looked at Lin Xian with sharp and deep eyes, as if he had grabbed the throat of a cheetah:

"Have you... seen a psychologist?"