Chapter 420: Happy Birthday
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Being able to enter MSS, your foundation shouldn’t be that bad. When you measure by your own standards, naturally, no one qualifies,” Lu Zhiyuan reminded him, “Trees have heights, people have disparities. When you use people, don’t just focus on their shortcomings; look at their strengths.”
Ji Chi remained silent. It was rare for the Third Master to teach his son, and it was quite an honor. Ji Chi was much luckier than him. The Third Master would even teach him hands-on, whereas he had to learn by observing the Third Master.
Gu Ziyu seemed lost in thought. “Is it my fault for being exceptionally intelligent?”
Lu Zhiyuan replied with hesitation,”…”
Ji Chi burst into laughter. “No, it’s the Third Master’s fault for passing on such a high IQ.to you!”
“Don’t credit my dad; my intelligence is entirely thanks to my mom.”
Lu Zhiyuan and Ji Chi couldn’t help but smile wryly. After dinner, Gu Ziyu rested for half an hour before going downstairs with Lu Zhiyuan to jog. Ji Chi didn’t disturb their father-son time; he stayed upstairs analyzing data.
Zhou Li brought Gu Ci to an outdoor Western restaurant. As a top-tier superstar and a high-traffic individual, he had reserved the entire place early. The restaurant was located by a river that ran through the center of A City. It had been specially decorated with flowers, balloons, and lights, creating a beautiful ambiance. The tables were adorned with red rose petals arranged in a heart shape, with “Happy Birthday” written in the center.
Upon seeing the romantic setting, Gu Ci couldn’t help but chuckle.
“The restaurant did this; it has nothing to do with me,” Zhou Li explained quickly, fearing she might misunderstand. “1 just asked them to do a little decoration.”
However, it touched her heart.
“I’m hungry!”
Zhou Li snapped his fingers. “Bring the food!”
Waiters came in one after another, serving the appetizers. Gu Ci was genuinely hungry and finished her food without leaving a trace. She was a true foodie. She looked out and saw the intertwining lights and the warmth of the city reflected in the river.
Their table also had a perfect view of the Universal Building.
Gu Ci shifted her gaze back, smiling. “Zhou Li, happy birthday! I promised to write a song for you, and I’ve already finished it. You’re the first listener.” “That’s my honor!” Zhou Li chuckled and took out a prepared violin.
Medical students had an extremely demanding workload, and every year’s final exams drove them to madness. Her dorm mates often exclaimed, crying and yelling, that the tears shed during these exams were the result of having water in their brains when they decided to study medicine. Gu Ci was even studying ahead of her grade, so her workload was even heavier. She had spent these past few years constantly studying, treating psychological disorders, and participating in the training arranged by the gang.
She and Zhou Li had made a monthly music arrangement, but because of her studies, training, and medical work, she often had to break their dates. Zhou Li never complained or got angry; he always patiently waited for her.
But she had not touched a violin as often as she would’ve liked over the past couple of years.
“Perhaps I’m a little rusty, don’t be too critical,” Gu Ci said.
Zhou Li chuckled, “Even if you’re a bit rusty, you are the best violinist in my heart, the most spirited musician.”
Three months before Zhou Li’s birthday, he had pleaded with Gu Ci to create a song for his celebration. Gu Ci, busy with her shifts in the emergency room, had been writing the song intermittently. As his birthday approached, she made two more revisions before she was satisfied.
It was an original composition inspired by Gu Ci’s five-year journey of psychological healing. Therefore, the melody started off melancholic and dark, reflecting her initial struggles during the therapy, a period marked by self-deprecation and despair. Midway through, it shifted to a lyrical and warm tone, symbolizing her process of self-repair during therapy. The latter part was lively, reflecting the hustle and bustle of the world, with a strong emotional impact. The overall tone was warm and healing.
When Gu Ci played the violin, it was when she lost herself the most. In those few minutes of performance, it felt like she was reliving the five years of her life—a process of self-redemption.
Zhou Li was mesmerized as he watched Gu Ci play. He was captivated by the charm she displayed.
A beautiful and graceful woman, a graceful and warm piece of music—they were both his crimson mole.
As the song concluded, Zhou Li applauded enthusiastically. Each year on his birthday, he received a variety of gifts from brand partners, collaborators, and friends. However, Gu Ci’s song had touched him deeply. He couldn’t even bear to share it with others; it was exclusively his.
“It was rushed, and I didn’t have time for meticulous refinement. The structure of the song couldn’t be adjusted in time. I’m just showing my humble skill,” Gu Ci said modestly. Besides Gu Ziyu, music was her most effective form of self-healing.
“I’m willing to use very eloquent language to describe the perfection of this piece. Whether in terms of appreciation or the intended message, this song is truly moving. I feel like I’ve seen a young girl trapped in the abyss, yearning for light and stars. She struggles to climb out of the abyss onto the cliff and reaches out to touch the stars. They are warm and touching, rich in emotion. 1 really love it,” Zhou Li expressed.
Gu Ci was momentarily surprised but then smiled. This was why she liked being friends with Zhou Li. She had never revealed the inspiration behind her songs, her struggles with mental illness, or her experiences in therapy. Zhou Li had no way of knowing what she had gone through.
Yet, he could understand the meaning and story behind each of her songs.
Truly understanding someone was a rare and precious bond.
“I’m giving it to you!” Gu Ci placed the violin down. “This piece sounds good because the tone of this Stradivarius violin is excellent.”
The sound of this Stradivarius violin was indeed outstanding, and the music played on it could tug at one’s heartstrings.
“The piece is excellent, and the violin is the icing on the cake,” Zhou Li still felt a bit regretful. “It’s a loss for the music world that you didn’t become a musician.”
“If I became a musician, it would be a loss for the medical field,” Gu Ci teased.
“That’s true. Let’s stick to being Dr. Gu, saving lives and helping the injured,” Zhou Li said. “Occasionally, discussing music and talking about art with us ordinary folks is more than enough.”
Gu Ci presented her gift. In addition to the song, she gave Zhou Li a pen as a gift. Zhou Li, as the brand ambassador for HY Jewelry, always carried a pen with him for autographs whenever he met his fans, be it at the airport or during collaborations. The gift was practical and thoughtful.
“Happy birthday!”
“Thank you, Cid!”
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Zhou Li took out a square box. “I also have a gift for you!”
“Why are you giving me a gift on your birthday?”
“I am the Asian spokesperson for HY Jewelry, and they’ve released a limited edition piece. I cheekily reserved one for myself to give to you.”
Gu Ci had no shortage of jewelry, mainly due to Jiang Mingyue’s love for it. She had collected a lot of jewelry, and although Gu Chuyun had taken some, most of it had ended up in Gu Ci’s hands. However, Gu Ci wasn’t particularly fond of jewelry. She had worn the jade bracelet that Jiang Junlin had given her on her wrist for a long time. After becoming an emergency room doctor, she rarely wore any jewelry, whether it was bracelets, necklaces, or watches.
“It’s very beautiful,” Gu Ci didn’t decline his kindness. She remembered that HY Jewelry was affiliated with Black Hawk Investments, and they had encountered issues with raw materials and even had a legal dispute with the Triad a few years ago. Gu Ci was well aware of it. In recent years, Ji Chi had marketed the brand exceptionally well and was willing to invest money. HY Jewelry had become very profitable, capturing a significant market share in the international first-tier brand market..
