Song Jianchu hesitated and turned his head, exchanging a glance with Mu Ye.
Mu Ye nodded slightly, giving him an encouraging look, releasing his grip, and stepping aside to give him the center stage (C position).
Bai Xingyu smiled and said, “Leader, welcome back.”
Pei Shinian made a respectful gesture, “Welcome back, leader, to lead the team!”
Lu Shen said, “Welcome, leader.”
The staff also smiled and said, “Welcome, leader!”
As they were about to finish work, the fourth episode had already started broadcasting. The eagerly anticipated show attracted numerous viewers, including tens of millions of Song Jianchu’s fans and countless netizens, flooding into the variety show live stream and pushing it to the top of the hot search.
[“Happy Birthday, Stinky Treasure!!!”]
[“Ah, ah, my King, Teacher Mu, you’re amazing!”]
[“Welcome back, leader!!”]
[“Welcome back to our cutest leader!”]
[“Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, why do I feel like crying”]
[“Tears are already welling up, I miss everyone so much”]
[“Don’t be sad, Happy Birthday to our eldest son! Forever the richest!”]
[“Hahaha, what kind of party is this? I want a gold necklace too!”]
[“Anyway, continue watching, don’t mind me, I’ll just sneak in and make some money first”]
Song Jianchu quickly adjusted his expression and said, “Thank you, everyone.”
“Leader, come and blow the candles and cut the cake.” Pei Shinian said, “This cake looks like eating it will make you instantly rich.”
“Then I should eat a lot,” Bai Xingyu raised an eyebrow.
Song Jianchu walked to the treasure cake. On top of the cake were two candle-shaped gold bars, the numbers “1” and “9”.
Watching the candlelight gently flickering on the two digits, Song Jianchu’s eyes shimmered as well.
The last time so many people celebrated his birthday was at his first birthday celebration.
Song Jianchu’s father was named Song Yan, a famous economics professor before taking over the family business. His mother, Zhou Yangchu, was a renowned dancer. His father fell in love with his mother at first sight during a dance performance and spent three years pursuing her, eventually melting her heart, even though she was initially against marriage.
When they got married, his mother’s dancing career was still at its peak. The couple waited many years after marriage before having a child, and even after many years of marriage, they remained deeply in love and were admired by their friends as a perfect couple.
That’s why they gave him this name.
Back then, he was the darling among the stars, and it was said that he grabbed a camera during the traditional Chinese grabbing the objects game
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Song Jianchu closed his eyes to make a wish.
Last time, when celebrating with Mu Ye in advance, he hadn’t decided on a wish, but this time he had one in mind.
With his hands pressed together beneath his nose in the warm candlelight, Song Jianchu devoutly made his 19th birthday wish.
He hoped to find the Shetland pony that his parents had given him.
That long-haired Shetland pony was the only birthday present he could remember from his childhood and was the most cherished gift from his parents. Keeping a pet horse wasn’t cheap, and after he was taken to his uncle’s house, the pony was sold. He had tried to find it later, but unfortunately, too much time had passed, and his uncle couldn’t locate the buyer.
Shetland ponies could live up to sixty years, and Song Jianchu thought that maybe one day he would find it again.
“What would the Weibo billionaire wish for on his birthday?” Pei Shinian asked curiously, “I can’t even guess.”
[“I’m curious too, is there something better than getting rich?”]
[“There must be something better than money, but I can’t guess (poorly lights a cigarette)”]
[“Having money and a handsome man, the little brother’s life is so perfect”]
[“Ah, ah, look at Teacher Mu’s eyes! So gentle!”]
[“Haha, it feels like everywhere is filled with sweetness after going public with our relationship.”]
Mu Ye was also a bit curious but resisted and said, “Birthday wishes should not be asked.”
Pei Shinian said, “No need to ask, the leader’s wish must come true!”
Bai Xingyu said, “Wishing the leader’s dreams come true.”
Lu Shen said, “Wishing the leader’s dreams come true.”
Bai Xingyu glared at him, “Are you trying to copy me? Can’t you be original?”
Lu Shen gave him a casual glance, “You said what I wanted to say in advance.”
Bai Xingyu took a deep breath and, for the leader’s birthday, decided not to argue with him.
[“It’s been a while since we had this horse-riding game, so exciting.”]
[“I feel like we’ve become more skilled at it every year, especially natural.”]
[“Hahaha, why are the two teachers still arguing every day? So childish.”]
Song Jianchu distributed the cake to everyone and said, “This meal is on me, order whatever you like.”
The crowd cheered and the party began with great excitement.
The members sat at one table, Mu Ye and Song Jianchu sat on one side, Bai Xingyu and Lu Shen sat opposite, and Pei Shinian sat alone on the side.
The table was filled with various kinds of alcohol, but Mu Ye asked for a glass of juice for Song Jianchu.
Pei Shinian poured drinks for his brothers and looked around.
Mu Ye leaned close to Song Jianchu and whispered in his ear. Song Jianchu calmly listened with lowered eyes, occasionally nodding. His ear, which was brushed by Mu Ye’s lips, turned slightly red.
Lu Shen got a pizza for Bai Xingyu, but Bai Xingyu shook his head and declined, saying that it was too high in calories. Lu Shen then brought a salad and placed it in front of him.
Pei Shinian raised his glass, suddenly feeling complicated.
Before Mu Ye and Song Jianchu went public, he didn’t feel this way so strongly, but now he felt as if he had stumbled into a love drama filming set.
[“Why does it feel like we’re unnecessary every year today?”]
[“The two acting emperors are so sweet, it’s really heartwarming!”]
[“What is Mu Ye whispering about? Let us listen too!”]
For the leader’s birthday, the director wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
Director Cui said, “Let’s play a little game. The employees who win the game can draw a special birthday gift.”
Pei Shinian got excited, “What kind of gift?”
Director Cui lifted a cloth bag and said, “Here are personal welfare cards for employees that can be used at any time during this episode. It will test your understanding of the leader’s thoughts during the last three episodes.”
Pei Shinian hesitated for a moment and looked at Mu Ye, “ThenBrother Mu will definitely win.”
“Director,” Bai Xingyu saw through it at a glance and said, “Just tell us you want Mu Ye to win.”
Mu Ye pursed his lips and hypocritically said, “Let’s compete fairly.”
Song Jianchu looked up hesitantly, with a question mark above his head, looking at Director Cui, “???”
Is this director giving benefits or messing with him?
[“Hahaha, this is so funny!”]
[“Mu Ye is now openly hugging the leader’s (wife) thigh.”]
[“The leader is the wife, but unfortunately, it’s not useful in this round.”]
[“Hehe, they are holding hands under the table.”]
[“Hurry up, hurry up, I want to see Song the Soul Artist!”]
The game began.
Song Jianchu sat alone with a small drawing board, and other members lined up on the opposite side, waiting to guess the drawing. The PD was at the back showing the questions to Song Jianchu.
Each employee had one chance to draw and guess a question until twenty questions were completed.
The four members used rock-paper-scissors to decide the order, and their expressions were unusually serious.
Pei Shinian let out a cry of grief and was the first to be eliminated, ending up last in the queue.
Mu Ye unwillingly ranked third, Lu Shen second, and Bai Xingyu first.
PD presented the first question: “Gobbling up food like a wolf.”
Song Jianchu squinted his eyes and stared at the question for several seconds. He earnestly lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then calmly began creating on the drawing paper. His drawing speed was fast, and the marker made a satisfying swooshing sound on the paper.
The director said, “Guess a four-character idiom.”
Bai Xingyu confidently smirked, “I’m the best at guessing idioms.”
Song Jianchu revealed his drawing board, and the barrage erupted in laughter.
[“Son is doing pretty well!”]
[“Actually, it’s not bad. The little cat and dog are quite cute, but what about that pile on the ground…”]
[“Oh no.”]
[“Bai Xingyu is about to face the biggest challenge of his life.”]
Bai Xingyu’s gaze froze for a moment, he squinted his eyes, and rubbed his chin while muttering about the Soul Artist’s work, “Cat and dog battle?… No, that’s not an idiom. The one on the left is a cat, and on the right is… a dog? The cat and dog seem to be fighting for something to eat… Can you say what they’re eating? Is it not civilized? Does such an idiom exist?”
The program staff all covered their mouths, shaking with suppressed laughter. The other three participants at the back saw the question and couldn’t help but hold back their smiles.
Song Jianchu held up his drawing board with a wooden expression, and his eyes gradually became empty.
Director Cui started the countdown and finally announced, “Bai Xingyu’s challenge failed, next question.”
Bai Xingyu looked back at the question unwillingly, shocked, “Gobbling up food like a wolf?”
“Brother, you were close enough; I couldn’t even tell that it was a cat and a dog,” Pei Shinian pretended to comfort him, “Don’t be regretful; there’s still a chance. Go back to the line.”
PD switched to the next question: “Black Cat Sheriff.”
[“This one is easy, there’s a reference image for this!”]
[“Just draw it directly.”]
[“Son, go for it!”]
[“Teacher Lu is really lucky.”]
Song Jianchu frowned upon seeing the question and seemed to recall for a few seconds before starting to draw.
The director said, “Guess a four-character cartoon character.”
Lu Shen stepped forward, and Song Jianchu flipped the drawing board.
[“Feeling sorry for Teacher Lu for three seconds; he drew such a difficult question.”]
[“I can’t stop laughing; this Black Cat Sheriff is the first time I’ve seen it.”]
[“I just want to ask my son, what’s the difference between this one and the cat from the last drawing??”]
[“The difference is that this cat has a paper box on its head, right?”]
Lu Shen stared at the drawing board for a few seconds and turned around without expression, going to the back of the line.
Pei Shinian couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, clapping his thighs, “I’m sorry, I can’t handle it anymore. I’m going to explode.”
Mu Ye clicked his tongue, “No laughing; the question is just too difficult.”
After saying that, Mu Ye’s face remained calm, but his shoulders shook slightly.
Song Jianchu: “.”
Mu Ye took a step forward and gave a look of trust.
Song Jianchu’s expression became much more serious. He changed to a slightly smaller pen and focused on the drawing board. This time, he took a bit longer to think.
“Why did you change the pen when it’s my turn?” Pei Shinian didn’t let any small details slip by, fearing some cheating, “I’m going to use this pen later!”
Mu Ye turned back, “Quiet, don’t disturb the leader’s thinking.”
Bai Xingyu peeked from behind, “The leader is taking a bit too long to draw this time?”
The barrage turned into a surveillance team.
[“He thought for five seconds and drew for ten seconds more!”]
[“The leader’s drawing speed is half as fast as before!”]
[“He even corrected it twice!!”]
[“This question is indeed a bit difficult. Please forgive the leader, who is trying to consider his husband.”]
[“Hehe, the leader is biased”]
The director said, “Guess a three-character food.”
Putting down the pen, Song Jianchu hesitated and looked up with an inexplicably red face, not very confident, and met Mu Ye’s encouraging gaze.
[“In such a serious challenge, is this couple openly communicating through their eyes???”]
[“Wuwu, my son’s eyes are so lovely and obedient.”]
[“Did my son draw a naughty image? Why is he blushing?”]
[“Hehe, the blushing baby is so cute; I want to snatch Mu Ye’s wife.”]
Song Jianchu slowly flipped open the drawing board and turned his head away, his ears turning red.
Everyone was stunned by the drawing.
[“This drawing seems to have nothing to do with the question at all???”]
[“And… it’s surprisingly good???”]
[“I recognize it!!!”]
[“Ah ah ah ah, no wonder he’s the number one fan turned wife. Stinky treasure draws cartoons of his husband so well!”]
[“It’s alright! Even if he gave up because the question was too difficult, we should still praise him!”]
[“So why did he draw his husband for this question???”]
Mu Ye only glanced at the drawing board for a second, with a meaning unknown smile, and without hesitation said, “Chewing gum.”