That Nameless Summer Chapter 65
byhappy birthday
It gets dark very early after winter, and the wind outside the window carries the dead leaves and scrapes against the wall, making a tiny sound.The lights in the training room had just gone out, and the teammates gathered around to make a fuss. Someone stuffed a piece of chocolate into Song Li’s arms and shouted vaguely happy birthday. He frowned and put the things in his pocket. Without stopping, he picked up his backpack and walked out.
He never liked birthdays.
I don’t like being surrounded by others, singing happy birthday, cakes that are too sweet, and a bunch of empty rituals.For him, this day was no different from an ordinary day. Staying quietly was better than anything else.
Ling Qingye had been waiting outside the training building for a long time. The car was parked in a place where the street lights could illuminate it. It was inconspicuous but could be found at a glance.Song Li opened the door and got in. There were no unnecessary decorations, no fragrance, no balloons and ribbons in the car, only the clean scent of Ling Qingye.
“Are you hungry?” Ling Qingye handed over a glass of warm water, the temperature was just right.
“It’s okay.” Song Li took a sip and glanced casually inside the car, “Where are you going?”
“Go home.” Ling Qingye started the car and said in a calm tone, “Someone is coming.”
Song Li was stunned for a moment: “Who?”
“Xu Jiangyou.” Ling Qingye looked forward and said in a steady voice, “Qin Jiang heard that something happened in the team and couldn’t come.”
Song Li frowned even more tightly and immediately said impatiently: “Why did you ask him to come? It’s troublesome.”
Having said that, his ears turned red quietly and he didn’t really object.He and Xu Jiangyou have been very familiar with each other for a long time. The other person’s carefree temperament will not make him feel uncomfortable, and he will not talk a lot of disgusting things around him like others.
Ling Qingye did not expose his duplicity, but just hummed softly, and the car drove smoothly into the night.
He had already arranged everything, no fanfare, no surprise party, just a few people, quietly waiting for a while, cutting a piece of cake, sitting for a while, and then it was over.
This is the most acceptable way for Song Li.
When he got home, Xu Jiangyou had already arrived and was sitting on the sofa in the living room playing with his mobile phone. When he heard the door open, he immediately looked up and his eyes lit up: “Song Li! Happy birthday!”
“I know.” Song Li changed his shoes, his tone was firm, but he didn’t really chase people away.
“I originally wanted to bring Qin Jiangwen with me, but he was busy and couldn’t leave.” Xu Jiangyou shook his phone, “He asked me to take a message and said that he would treat you to dinner alone when he was free.”
“No need.” Song Li responded casually and threw his backpack on the sofa, “It’s not a big deal.”
Xu Jiangyou had long been accustomed to his tough talk. He chuckled and turned his eyes to the dining table: “I made an agreement with Ling Qingye that we would simply have a cake and not make trouble for you. Don’t worry, I will never sing a happy birthday song or act in a sensational way.”
Song Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.
What he fears most is the excitement. When Xu Jiangyou said this, he relaxed completely and sat down on the chair. He felt lazy and no longer tense as before.
Ling Qingye walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and took out a small cake.It’s not a fancy multi-layered cake, nor is it piled with fruit and cream, it’s just a simple small round cake with light cream on the surface and only four words written on it – Happy Birthday.
The characters are small, inconspicuous, and clean.
“That’s it?” Song Li raised his eyebrows, deliberately disgusted, “So young?”
“You don’t like sweets.” Ling Qingye put the cake on the table and opened the box, “Just enough to eat.”
Xu Jiangyou nodded in agreement: “Yes, yes, I think this is good too. It won’t make you feel tired and you won’t gain weight after eating it. Ling Qingye understands you better than you know yourself.”
Song Li glared at him and said nothing, but his ears quietly turned red.
Ling Qingye didn’t light a candle or take a lighter. He just put three forks next to him and said in a calm tone: “Eat.”
“Don’t make a wish?” Xu Jiangyou was curious.
“No need.” Song Li spoke first, his tone simple, “Trouble.”
He really doesn’t need it.
There is nothing that you want, and there is nothing that must be fulfilled.Having people around you, safe and sound, is better than anything else.
Ling Qingye picked up the fork, cut a piece first, and handed it to Song Li.The movements are natural, not deliberate, not too gentle, just like handing someone water or something.
Song Li reached out to take it, lowered his head and took a sip.
The cream is very light, the cake base is soft, and there are a few fruit pieces sandwiched in the middle. It’s not sweet or greasy, which is just what he can accept.
“How is it?” Xu Jiangyou looked at him eagerly.
“Average.” Song Li said firmly, “I can barely eat it.”
But he kept holding the fork in his hand, eating one bite after another more seriously than anyone else.
Xu Jiangyou also cut a piece himself, and while eating, he chattered about recent events, how busy Qin Jiangwen was, and that the four of us must go out to play together next time.
She talks a lot but is not noisy. She just fills the quiet gap in the room and prevents the atmosphere from becoming awkward.
Ling Qingye sat aside and didn’t eat much. He spent most of the time looking at Song Li, his eyes quiet and steady.Occasionally, when Song Li got a little cream on the corner of his mouth, he would pass a tissue over, without saying much, without deliberately touching it, and with just the right amount of cleanliness.
Song Li took the tissue and wiped his mouth randomly. He didn’t say thank you, but he kept this thoughtfulness in his heart.
Growing up, he spent most of his birthdays alone.
When I was a child, my parents were busy and no one remembered them; when I grew up, I was used to being alone and I was too lazy to tell others.It wasn’t until he met Ling Qingye and Xu Jiangyou that he realized for the first time that birthdays could be so easy. He didn’t have to deal with it, pretend to be happy, or force himself to join in the fun.
Just three people, a room, a small cake, and a few gossips.
Simple, yet reassuring enough.
“By the way, I didn’t prepare a gift for you.” Xu Jiangyou suddenly remembered and scratched his head, “I asked Ling Qingye what to give, and he said you didn’t need anything and asked me not to buy randomly, but I really didn’t buy anything.”
Song Li nodded immediately: “Just right, I don’t want it.”
“Look, I still understand you.”
Xu Jiangyou was proud, and Ling Qingye snorted softly beside him, which was regarded as recognition.
He had already told Xu Jiangyou that he would not give him anything, including rings, photo albums, toys, and clothes.Song Li never wanted gifts, but the freedom of not being disturbed.
The real concern is never about things.
The three of them just ate the cake quietly, Xu Jiangyou told jokes, Song Li occasionally said something, and Ling Qingye occasionally responded. There was no music, no light show, and no ceremony in the room, but it was very warm and comfortable.
The cake is not big, so I almost ate it quickly.
When Xu Jiangyou was full, he lay down on the sofa, took out his mobile phone and continued playing without disturbing the two of them.
Song Li put his fork on the table, leaned on the back of his chair, looked at the little cake left on the table, and suddenly spoke in a very soft voice: “I have never celebrated birthdays before.”
Ling Qingye raised his eyes and looked at him.
“I think it’s troublesome, and I don’t think it’s necessary.” Song Li paused, without looking at Ling Qingye, his eyes fell on the table, “Now…it’s okay.”
“It’s okay” was the softest thing he could say.
Ling Qingye didn’t sensationalize or express emotion, he just responded softly: “Yeah.”
A simple word has more weight than a long sentence.
The awkwardness and embarrassment in Song Li’s heart suddenly disappeared.
He didn’t need to say soft words, express gratitude, or show his emotions on his face, Ling Qingye understood it all.
After sitting for a while, Xu Jiangyou saw that the time was almost up and stood up on his own initiative: “I’m leaving now so I won’t disturb you two. The cake is delicious. Happy birthday Song Li. See you next time.”
“Get lost.” Song Li cursed, but he wasn’t really angry.
Xu Jiangyou smiled, waved, opened the door and left.
There were two people in the room again, and it became quiet, but not deserted at all.
Ling Qingye cleared the plates and cake boxes on the table, moving gently and not making any unnecessary noise.Song Li sat on the chair, looking at his back, and suddenly felt that such a night seemed more reassuring than any scenery.
No gifts, no rings, no albums.
No grand celebrations, no disgusting confessions.
It’s just an ordinary birthday, a simple cake, someone who understands him, and a friend who doesn’t cause trouble.
Enough.
After Ling Qingye finished cleaning up, he came back and sat across from him. He didn’t speak, just accompanying him.
Song Li raised his head to look at him. He had been arrogant all night, and finally said in a low voice: “Today…is not too annoying.”
Ling Qingye’s eyes slightly curved, very shallow, but real: “Yeah.”
The wind was still blowing outside the window, and the lights in the room were just warm.
There is no unnecessary intimacy, no exaggerated movements, just two people sitting quietly, it is already the best birthday.