Li Yue Shu examined the hairpin, and suddenly noticed a small character 'Shu' carved at the top.
The carver's technique seemed unskilled, with two strokes of the character extended.
But this handwriting, it looked somewhat familiar?
Li Yue Shu suddenly looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly, "The couplets from New Year's, you wrote them?"
The topic shifted abruptly, and Shen Wei was completely caught off guard, his expression blank.
He was stunned for a moment before he belatedly realized what she was referring to.
Shen Wei's gaze flickered, clearly guilty.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu remembered how she had been deceived like a fool, and let out a cold laugh, "Your handwriting is quite good!"
Though the words were meant as praise, Shen Wei inexplicably heard a hint of sarcasm in them.
He awkwardly touched his nose, hesitating whether to say something, but Li Yue Shu turned and left directly.
Shen Wei watched her retreating back, feeling a little lost.
So, did she like this birthday gift?
Li Yue Shu was indeed upset, but looking at the hairpin in her hand, she temporarily suppressed her anger.
This life was the beginning of her rebirth, and today was the first birthday she would celebrate. She absolutely could not let anything else spoil her mood.
After some thought, Li Yue Shu pinned the hairpin to her hair.
For the first birthday gift she had received in two lifetimes, she would pretend for now that it wasn't from Shen Wei!
Li Yue Shu was in a good mood, humming a tune as she prepared breakfast with Mother Mo.
Mother Mo was a considerate person, and having been with Li Yue Shu for some time, she naturally noticed the hairpin on her head.
Thinking of something, she smiled knowingly, "Madam, I need to go find Aunt Liu for a moment."
Li Yue Shu waved her hand, "Go ahead. This will be ready soon; I can manage by myself."
Upon hearing this, Mother Mo put down what she was holding and hurried out.
Li Yue Shu didn't notice her unusual behavior at all, and was checking how the congee was simmering.
She worked quickly, and after preparing breakfast, she brought it out.
Normally, everyone would have rushed to help, but today, as Li Yue Shu brought the dishes to the table, she realized that everyone was already there.
Even stranger, everyone was holding something in their hands, and even the seven of Shen Tan each had something.
Li Yue Shu put down the bowls and chopsticks and looked at them in confusion, "You all are..."
Hong Dai was the first to step forward, handing over a bottle, "Little Yue Shu, happy birthday! This is top-grade rouge that I specially had people buy from Chongzhou. It's guaranteed to make you even more beautiful!"
Old Man Liu and his wife also walked over, handing over a wooden box, "Yue Shu, happy birthday! We specially picked out earrings for you from the jewelry shop. We don't know if you'll like them."
"Madam, happy birthday! This is what Ah Lian and I picked out for you..."
Mother Mo and the seven of Shen Tan each presented their gifts, but Li Yue Shu couldn't hold them all, so everyone placed them on the table in front of her.
Even Li Yue Shu, usually so calm and intelligent, was bewildered at this moment.
She hadn't expected Shen Wei to remember her birthday, nor had she expected everyone to prepare such a big surprise for her so early in the morning.
Looking at the familiar faces before her, Li Yue Shu's joy and gratitude were beyond words.
"Mother, this is a small fan that Ah Yu gave you! The weather is hot now, and Ah Yu can fan you every day from now on!"
Shen Zhi Yu happily ran over, holding out a round fan larger than his own face, and offered it with both hands.
"Ah Yu personally chose this. He asked Big Brother to paint the flowers on it, but Ah Yu gave him silver, so it's Ah Yu's heart. Ah Yu doesn't know how to paint, but when he learns in the future, he'll paint for Mother himself!"
Li Yue Shu was very surprised and noticed that the handle of the round fan was wrapped with gold thread, clearly not cheap. This little one had certainly spared no expense.
She was not surprised that the little one had the money to buy such things.
She usually gave the children pocket money, and she never kept the red envelopes they received during New Year's.
In her opinion, whether it was money or anything else, what belonged to the children was their own to decide.
It turned out she had done the right thing. Ah Yu, at such a young age, knew how to manage his money and even knew to pay his elder brother to paint, making the sentiment his own.
What a clever little thing!
Li Yue Shu took the round fan and kissed the little one's forehead, "Thank you, Ah Yu. Mother likes it very much!"
Seeing this, Shen Ting Yi also quickly ran over, "Mother, this is a dress I'm giving you. I specifically asked... someone to have it custom-made in advance."
She had actually asked her father to find someone to make it, but thinking about her parents' current situation, she changed what she was about to say.
Li Yue Shu accepted the orange-yellow dress. The bright, form-fitting long dress looked beautiful, and even the embroidery on the hem was exquisite.
Li Yue Shu had never worn such a vibrant dress and was rather eager to see how it would look on her.
"Thank you, Ah Yi. Mother likes it very much!" She ruffled the little girl's head, "Mother will go change into it later!"
Shen Ting Yi smiled until her eyes were squinted, but after waiting for a long time, seeing no further action from Li Yue Shu, she was puzzled.
Li Yue Shu was also taken aback and asked in confusion, "What did Ah Yi want to say?"
Shen Ting Yi pouted, "Mother hasn't kissed me yet."
As soon as she said this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Shen Ting Yi, however, didn't seem to mind at all, looking expectantly at Li Yue Shu.
Being clingy to Mother wasn't something to be ashamed of. She didn't want to be like her second brother, who clearly wanted to be close to Mother but always put on airs.
Li Yue Shu's heart softened at her expectant look, and she quickly kissed her forehead.
Shen Ting Yi's face instantly lit up with a smile, and then she ran to the side to pick up two boxes that had been prepared earlier.
"Mother, Big Brother and Second Brother are still at the academy. These are their birthday gifts for you, and they asked me to give them to you."
Li Yue Shu was surprised and a little taken aback.
The academy would dismiss today. Why did A'Min and A'Wen seem like they weren't coming back?
Li Yue Shu was puzzled, but still accepted the gifts.
The gifts from the eldest and second son were jade hand cream and fragrant rouge, respectively.
Li Yue Shu was very pleased.
She hadn't expected these two children, who usually seemed indifferent to her, to be so thoughtful.
Because she often dealt with cooking fumes and medicines, she applied hand cream morning and night and rarely wore makeup.
These two gifts clearly catered to her specific needs.
Li Yue Shu happily accepted the two gifts and decided to thank A'Min and A'Wen personally that evening.
After everyone had given their gifts, Mother Mo had already brought out all the breakfast dishes.
They ate breakfast happily, and as Li Yue Shu was about to clear the bowls and chopsticks, Mother Mo quickly stopped her.
"Madam, today is your birthday. Don't do any chores. Let's go for a stroll in town!"
Shen Ting Yi also chimed in, "Yes, Mother. Today is your special day. Don't be busy, go out and have fun!"
Hearing that Li Yue Shu was going out to play, Shen Zhi Yu immediately looked up, "Ah Yu also wants to..."
Before he could finish, Shen Ting Yi quickly covered his mouth, "Be good, Fourth Brother. Third Sister will stay home and play with you today. What do you want to play?"