It was Zhan Bei Jue's birthday.
He had never imagined a grand celebration, nor had he planned for one.
However, Lu Qingxu, in his eagerness to please, had reserved a room at the club in advance and sent the gifts to their home.
Coincidentally, Jiang Nan Fang saw them, which reminded her of his birthday.
Although they had known each other for many years, they had always been at odds, and she had never celebrated his birthday before.
This year, a grand celebration was unavoidable.
Even though she had seen the gifts, Jiang Nan Fang wanted to surprise him, so she pretended not to know.
Privately, she secretly contacted Lu Qingxu, asking how they used to celebrate and how she could surprise him.
Who was Zhan Bei Jue?
What delicacies hadn't he eaten? What good things hadn't he seen? What storms hadn't he weathered?
It was truly uncertain if anything could surprise him.
Lu Qingxu said, "You've really stumped me here, I don't know."
"I just give him offerings every year, regardless of whether he likes them or not. I just send them. And he always scolds me back."
"It's the same this year. He just finished scolding me for being boring and said there's nothing more to say."
"How about this, I'll start a group chat, and you can ask my brother and Zhou Jin Bei."
Lu Ming Zhe was deeply engrossed in his new relationship, his mind filled with thoughts of having a child with Xiang Wan.
"Give him a second child. Old Zhan loves children. Nothing would make him happier than that."
Wasn't that a terrible idea?
Pregnancy was either a reality or it wasn't. One couldn't just feign pregnancy for the sake of a surprise if they weren't actually pregnant.
Zhou Jin Bei also had no good ideas.
"I wasn't close to my second brother before. His birthday was never something I was involved in..."
At this critical moment, none of them were reliable. In the end, Jiang Nan Fang came up with a plan herself.
Zhan Bei Jue had been busy with financing matters, traveling and attending social events.
Today, things had finally quieted down. He had to go to Beicheng the day after tomorrow, and he was sitting in his study reviewing documents.
Suddenly, a noisy clamor erupted from downstairs.
Besides the children, no one dared to make such a racket in the house.
But the children were in the next room, quiet as could be.
What was happening downstairs?
He closed his laptop and casually went downstairs.
Before he could see anyone, he heard Zhou Jin Bei and Jiang Nan Fang arguing back and forth in the living room.
"Fine! You're amazing! Whatever you say goes, and we don't even have the right to say a word, okay!"
This was said by Zhou Jin Bei.
Jiang Nan Fang cursed at her.
"Stop being so sarcastic with me! I think you've just been spoiled, and your temper is getting worse!"
"You don't go to work every day, yet you take our company's money. What's the difference between you and a parasite? And you dare to act high and mighty in front of me? See if you're qualified!"
"The money I receive is from my second brother, not yours. What are you so proud of?"
"Don't think you're so great just because you've had a few children. I call you sister-in-law out of respect. Without it, you're just an outsider who could be kicked out at any moment! You're the one who's not qualified!"
"Heh, I'm an outsider who could be kicked out at any moment? According to you, you want Zhan Bei Jue to divorce me, and he has to obey you obediently?"
"Of course! My second brother and I have had the best relationship since childhood. He listens to me about everything! If I want you two to not get along, you definitely won't!"
"You have a lot of nerve. Aren't you afraid of your tongue getting twisted?"
Jiang Nan Fang sneered.
"I treated you so well, and you're just an ungrateful wretch."
"You're the ungrateful wretch!"
"You!"
"You! You are, you are!"
As they spoke, the two women actually lunged at each other and started pulling each other's hair.
Were they really fighting and even resorting to physical violence at their age?
Zhan Bei Jue was truly exasperated by these two women.
When they were getting along, they were like sisters. What was going on today?
He walked over, stood between them, and pushed each of them away with one hand.
"What are you doing? How old are you? The children are upstairs. What kind of behavior is this, being so noisy?"
Neither woman would back down, and they vied to complain to him.
Their ears were buzzing with their chatter, and he couldn't get a word of either of their stories in.
After trying to listen for a moment, he couldn't help but shout.
"Alright, both of you shut up and stop arguing!"
The two women finally fell silent.
He looked at Jiang Nan Fang.
"You tell me. You're the sister-in-law, the elder. What happened?"
Jiang Nan Fang didn't explain what happened, but glared at him angrily.
"I'll ask you, if your cousin and I become mortal enemies, and you can only keep one person by your side, who would you choose?"
"??"
Zhou Jin Bei also joined in the fun.
"That's right! Second Brother, from now on, Jin Bei and Jiang Nan Fang are irreconcilable! If you choose her, you won't have me as your sister anymore!"
"If you choose me, you must divorce her. Choose one!"
He never expected that the dignified Zhan Bei Jue would one day hear such a ridiculous choice.
And it came from the mouths of these two.
What was wrong with these two people, who usually seemed as sharp as rabbits, today?
"I refuse to answer this pointless question. Alright, stop arguing."
"Zhou Jin Bei, go back to your own home. Jiang Nan Fang, come upstairs with me. The children are this old, and you're really living backward."
Both women were furious and didn't listen to him.
Jiang Nan Fang even had tears welling up in her eyes.
"Fine, Zhan Bei Jue, I understand. Blood is thicker than water, and you chose your cousin."
"I'm superfluous. I'll leave, I'll just leave!"
Saying that, she rushed to the coffee table, grabbed her bag, and dashed out.
Hey!
Her temper was so fiery now, she couldn't be told anything?
He hadn't even said anything significant, and she was running away from home?
Zhan Bei Jue instinctively moved to chase after her.
Zhou Jin Bei reached out and grabbed him.
"Second Brother! I knew you treated me the best! At critical moments, it's our blood ties that are reliable..."
"Scram, scram, scram. Get as far away from me as possible."
Zhan Bei Jue forcefully pushed away her hand that was holding him, his voice filled with anger.
"Hurry up and chase her back! Go down on your knees and apologize to her!"
"Let me tell you, Zhou Jin Bei, if you don't bring her back today, blood ties? I'll sever all ties with you and your entire Zhou family, believe it or not!"
Jiang Nan Fang sped off in her car.
Zhan Bei Jue and Zhou Jin Bei chased after her.
Since Zhou Jin Bei was driving, Zhan Bei Jue's attention was entirely on the car, and he didn't pay attention to the route.
It wasn't until they got out of the car and entered the building, recognizing the familiar decor, that he realized.
They had driven to the club.
Arguing was one thing, but when did Jiang Nan Fang develop this bad habit?
Coming to the club to play at the slightest disagreement. She was getting out of hand!
"Jiang Nan Fang!"
He felt that the fuss had gone on long enough and it was time to teach her a lesson and bring her back. He ran a couple of steps forward and grabbed her.
However, Jiang Nan Fang stubbornly dodged and pushed the door open to enter the private room.
Zhan Bei Jue followed her in.
The originally dark room was suddenly illuminated as the lights flicked on.
Immediately after, a cascade of colorful confetti rained down on him.
A group of men and women stood before him, and a vibrantly colored cake sat on the table.
Everyone was looking at him and smiling.
"Surprise! Happy birthday, Mr. Zhan!"