Chapter 1178: Birthday Party

Chapter 1178: Birthday Party

The moment Gu Zi heard it, everything made sense. No wonder Su Li was reluctant to spend money—he had been thinking about the baby growing inside her. That thought alone filled her heart with warmth. He was so considerate, so tender in the quietest of ways.

To Gu Zi, the three children already felt no different from her own flesh and blood. They were sweet, well-mannered, heartbreakingly thoughtful. How could she not adore them?

She crouched slightly to speak at eye level. “It’s perfectly fine if you want to save money for the baby,” she said gently. “But giving your friend a toy you’ve already played with—it feels a little too perfunctory, don’t you think? How about this? Go choose a brand-new toy, one you haven’t unwrapped yet, and make that your gift.”𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Su Li hesitated for a brief moment—he did feel reluctant—but even he knew his mother had a point. Xu Sheng had always been good to him, and friendships deserved sincerity, not afterthoughts. With a firm nod, he ran back into the room and returned moments later with a brand-new toy, carefully chosen as a birthday present.

When the day of Xu Sheng’s birthday finally arrived, the Xu family car pulled up early to fetch them. The elders of the Gao family were away, so Gu Zi went with the three siblings and Gao Ming in tow. After about twenty minutes of driving, they arrived at the Xu family’s ancestral home—and Gu Zi was taken aback.

The villa stood three stories tall, an imposing old-world structure with carved wood details and a quiet authority about it. So the Xu family really did come from money, she thought, trying not to let the awe show too obviously on her face.

Xu Sheng wasn’t used to having many friends, so his birthday guest list was short. The only people he had invited were the three Su siblings and Gao Ming. He and his grandmother were already waiting at the front gate when they arrived. As soon as they stepped out of the car, several uniformed nannies emerged to greet them and escorted the group into the party room.

The room was done up in cheerful reds and golds, with a small bar at the center that held a lovely cake, assorted sweets, and an array of brightly colored drinks.

Yu Fang, who seemed especially attentive to the Su siblings, bent down and said to Su Li warmly, “Help yourself to anything you like. If you can’t reach something, ask one of the nannies for help. Treat this place like your own home, no need to be shy.”

Su Li, gracious and confident as ever, immediately produced the gift he had picked out. “Xu Sheng, this is your birthday present from me. Happy birthday! Once you’ve opened your gifts, let’s go grab something to eat together, okay?”

Su Bing and Gao Ming had also brought gifts, which Xu Sheng accepted one by one, before they all wandered off together to the food table. That left Gu Zi and Yu Fang seated on the plush velvet couch by the side.

Yu Fang looked at Gu Zi’s rounded belly and the trio of lively children she managed so seamlessly. Her face was full of guilt. “You must be exhausted. Managing three children while so heavily pregnant—thank you for going to all this trouble.”

The more she looked at Gu Zi, the more she liked her. If only this girl weren’t married already, she thought. She would’ve been a far better match for her second son than that dreadful Huang Fei. That woman wasn’t fit to be a wife, let alone a mother. And a woman who had served time in prison? Absolutely not. She would never allow such a person to remain part of their family. It was shameful.

Gu Zi had no idea what Yu Fang’s true intentions were. As the children’s grandmother, she could understand her wanting to see more of them. But what Gu Zi couldn’t wrap her head around was why the Xu family remained so adamantly silent about the truth. Were they afraid that if the children found out who they really were, they might lay claim to the family fortune?

With a polite smile, Gu Zi replied, “I’m their mother. Taking care of them is only natural. It’s not a burden at all. These three have been through so much—I just want to make sure their lives are smooth sailing from now on.”

Yu Fang’s expression faltered, her eyes clouding with guilt. She quickly made an excuse to go fetch hot drinks and quietly slipped away.

Meanwhile, the children were having the time of their lives. Su Li, always the little showman, chattered between mouthfuls of cake, “At our house, my mommy always bakes the birthday cakes herself. Her cakes taste way better than the store-bought ones. Xu Sheng, next time—once my mommy’s had the baby—when it’s your birthday again, I’ll ask her to bake one for you!”

Xu Sheng’s eyes lit up with hope. He had tasted Auntie Gu Zi’s cake before—it was unforgettable. “Really? You’d do that? Su Li, you’re the best!”

Su Li waved him off like a benevolent king bestowing a favor. “Of course! We’re best friends now, aren’t we? I’ve already added you to my Good Buddy List!”

Gu Zi, listening from nearby, couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. This was the same child who, not too long ago, had wanted to gift his friend a used toy—and now he was forming sworn brotherhoods over cake. Classic Su Li.

Just then, Gao Ming returned from the washroom, his hands freshly scrubbed and his eyes wide with wonder. “Xu Sheng, your house is huge! Even bigger than my grandpa’s! And your bathroom—it’s all shiny and gold! So pretty!”

Su Li’s ears perked up. A golden bathroom? That was something new. Without missing a beat, he jumped down from his high stool and grabbed Gao Ming’s arm. “Quick, take me! I want to see the golden toilet—I need to pee anyway!”

And off they ran, with one of the nannies hurrying after them in alarm.

Watching the whole scene unfold, Gu Zi felt a strange pang in her chest. The irony was bitter. Their father had come from such a rich, privileged family—yet his children had suffered so much. Who was really to blame for that?

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