I’m Really Scared
Chapter 207: Happy Birthday

What day is it today?

On his way home, Guan Shan kept pondering this question but still couldn't figure it out. The internal torment and confusion felt worse than fighting a boss.

As he watched the scenery speed by outside the bus window, he recalled the life-and-death struggle with the monsters on the bus. He even wished the simulator would start a new instance to help him forget his worries.

But the simulator had been disturbingly quiet lately...

"Sigh."

Guan Shan sighed.

He felt increasingly accustomed to the thrills and dangers brought by the simulator. The fear and excitement from the life-and-death scenarios were far more appealing than mundane daily life.

Maybe that's the allure of horror games—both love and hate.

Though frightening, the more scared you are, the more you want to play.

Gradually distancing from ordinary people was inevitable. Otherwise, unintended harm might be caused.

"Forget it, I should think about how to appease Xiao Shen."

Guan Shan got off the bus and looked at his house and Shen Dinghua's house in the distance, deep in thought, "But how?"

After so many years, due to their unique relationship, they had never fought, so he had no experience in making up.

However, the closer Guan Shan got, the more he sensed something was wrong.

Shen Dinghua should have returned home early, but her house was dark, and all the lights were on in his house instead!

"A thief?"

Guan Shan immediately dismissed the thought, "Special Security Group should have people stationed nearby; there's no way it could be a thief."

That left only one possibility—Shen Dinghua was in his house.

After all, he had already given her the key.

In other words, Shen Dinghua didn't go home to sulk after work but went to his house instead.

Guan Shan's gloomy mood brightened a bit, "Xiao Shen doesn't seem really mad... No, no, I can't get too happy now. Even if she's not mad, I can't just waltz in happily; that would seem too heartless."

"Ahem..."

Guan Shan cleared his throat and put on a confused, troubled expression.

He took a deep breath, rehearsed a bit, then opened the door.

The first thing he saw was the living room walls decorated with long strips of colorful paper streamers, creating a festive atmosphere.

Guan Shan scratched his head, realizing Shen Dinghua had left early to do this...

As their first New Year's Eve together, it did seem worthy of some special effort.

Guan Shan walked into the house, put down his things, and heard cooking sounds from the kitchen. He ran over and saw Shen Dinghua in an apron, chopping vegetables at the counter.

Judging by her intensity, she seemed a bit angry.

Guan Shan noticed she was chopping a cucumber...

Hearing the noise, Shen Dinghua turned around, her eyes smiling, "Welcome back."

The girl had tied her long hair into a neat ponytail. Paired with the apron, her petite figure exuded a homely charm.

Guan Shan's heart melted. He quickly stepped forward to help but was stopped by Shen Dinghua, who asked with a playful smile, "Have you remembered what day it is?"

Guan Shan was stumped. Shen Dinghua's face turned stern, "If you haven't remembered, stay out of the kitchen and wait in the living room for dinner."

Guan Shan opened his mouth, wanting to say he was helping to make up for not remembering...

But he was pushed out of the kitchen, sat on the sofa, and even had the TV turned on to his favorite channel.

The coffee table was laden with his favorite snacks and drinks, all meticulously prepared.

"..."

Guan Shan leaned his hands against his chin, deep in thought, staring at the TV screen, utterly baffled.

Does this make sense?

He had forgotten what day it was... a major relationship taboo. Yet, not only was Xiao Shen not mad, but she was also being even nicer to him.

Could she be trying to make him feel guilty?

Guan Shan felt guilty indeed. The better Xiao Shen treated him, the more uneasy he felt, as if sitting on pins and needles.

It felt like this unusual dinner was a prelude to a doom...

Guan Shan's anxiety lasted until Shen Dinghua called him for dinner. Sitting down, he looked at the delicious spread and finally couldn't help but ask, "Why..."

Shen Dinghua set his place, muttering, "You really haven't remembered..."

Guan Shan smiled bitterly, "I really can't remember what today is. Please, Xiao Shen, have mercy and tell me. I won't be able to sleep tonight otherwise."

Seeing his pitiful look, Shen Dinghua couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Haha..."

She laughed to herself for a while, feeling a bit embarrassed, then straightened up and asked playfully, "Really haven't remembered?"

Guan Shan was clueless. Though Xiao Shen loved to tease, he couldn't see what was so funny...

He could only reply honestly, "I really haven't remembered. Please tell me."

Shen Dinghua sighed, "Alright, wait a bit, and I'll tell you."

"Oh." Guan Shan nodded like a preschooler, sitting obediently and waiting.

Finding his serious demeanor adorable, Shen Dinghua supported her face with one hand and started serving him food with the other.

The bowl was soon filled with delicious food, but unfortunately, he could only look, not eat.

But this didn't bother Guan Shan much... he was almost "fasting."

Childish Xiao Shen! Guan Shan found it amusing but dared not show it, keeping a sorrowful expression to entertain Shen Dinghua.

Her smiling face in the lamplight was more beautiful than the food on the table...

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell rang.

Guan Shan was puzzled. Shen Dinghua stood up, murmuring, "Finally here."

She went to the door. Guan Shan saw a delivery man hand her a large gift box...

It felt like a flash of lightning struck his mind, illuminating a previously overlooked day.

Shen Dinghua returned, placing the gift-wrapped box on the table, smiling, "Now, do you remember what day it is? Happy birthday, big dummy!"

She untied the bow, opened the box, and removed the cover, revealing a beautifully decorated cream cake.

A birthday cake.

Guan Shan was stunned. He had considered every possibility, remembered all their potential anniversaries, and every holiday.

Except, he forgot today was his birthday.

Guan Shan looked at the girl lighting the candles, feeling a surge of emotion. Since his parents died, he hadn't celebrated his birthday, finding it meaningless. Gradually, he forgot it altogether.

But it didn't matter... Xiao Shen remembered.