Chapter 280: Whispers of Tradition

Heqing dug up an old custom post she had saved and showed it to Lin Zheng Ran.

As soon as Lin Zheng Ran scrolled through it, he understood her idea.

The post described an old tradition from the Lin Mountain area, fading with the older generations.

It said that on a girl’s birthday, if her beloved washes her hair and face, it strengthens their bond forever—and even helps with having children if that’s their wish.

Apparently, this dated back to centuries ago during wartime, where washing hair and face symbolized the girl’s devotion to keeping things clean and steadfast with her loved one.

“No wonder Grandpa and Grandma were washing hair under that tree that night—now it all makes sense.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought such customs were common nationwide, with every region having its own ritual for love and marriage.

“So, your wish this year is for me to wash your hair and face?”

Heqing nodded eagerly.

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t answer right away; he paused to think, leaving Heqing puzzled.

Finally, he said, “Well, you’re already in bed, so washing just your hair and face feels off. How about I give you a full bath instead?”

After a moment of shock, Heqing’s face turned bright red: “A bath..?”

“Yeah, and you’ve worked up a sweat anyway.” He touched the strands of hair on her forehead, making her heart race. “This way, it’s more straightforward.”

“Does that mean we’ll do it together?” she asked.

“Of course.”

Heqing’s mind filled with scenes from books she’d read, knowing what a bath together implied.

Her little head bobbed with excitement: “Okay, then let’s do that—bathe together later.”

At midnight, Lin Zheng Ran unwrapped the fancy packaging on the cake.

Heqing watched from his arms; she didn’t dare help unpack it, afraid they’d ruin the cake’s shape.

“Lin Zheng Ran, what kind of cake did you get? The classic cream one or something with fruit?”

“Neither—I had the cake shop create a fun birthday cake based on your image.”

“Based on my image?”

He lifted the lid, and the sight made Heqing’s eyes light up in surprise and joy, her mouth slightly open.

On the smooth cake base, chocolate and cookie crumbs formed soil, with a dozen exquisite white rabbits made of cream gathered vividly on top, surrounded by grass and flowers for a perfect grassland scene.

The little rabbits clustered in a clearing, some looking up, others nuzzling each other, each in a unique pose.

Under Heqing’s amazed gaze, Lin Zheng Ran pulled out an eighteen-shaped colorful candle from the gift box and stuck it in the middle of the rabbits.

With the candle in place, the whole cake felt centered and complete.

It was as if all the little rabbits had gathered to celebrate someone’s eighteenth birthday.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “What do you think?”

Heqing, like a reborn rabbit spirit, perked up invisibly and nodded vigorously like a pecking chick: “It’s amazing! I love it! A rabbit cake! I’ve never seen anything like this! Is it custom-designed?”

Lin Zheng Ran confirmed with a hum: “This shop does great custom work, which is why it’s so pricey. So, a few days ago, I sketched a rabbit drawing and sent it to them for an exact replica.”

Gazing at the cake that looked like a 3D portrait: “They really nailed it—it’s adorable.”

Heqing learned that Lin Zheng Ran had drawn it himself.

She was so touched she nearly cried, her eyes misty.

She kissed Lin Zheng Ran’s cheek: “You put so much thought into it—thank you, Lin Zheng Ran! Thank you!”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at her cute, endearing expression and ruffled her hair: “Why get so emotional? I just drew a picture—nothing more.”

Heqing gazed at him, on the verge of tears: “How could I not? No one’s ever given me something like this on my birthday.”

Lin Zheng Ran teased: “Really? You say that every year. Even that time I joked and gave you rotten leaves, you said the same thing.”

Heqing grew even more emotional: “But no one has ever given me leaves before! I love whatever you give me. I know that even if it’s leaves, you picked them specially from so many trees! Of course, I’d be touched.”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “Alright, enough of that. Let’s blow out the candles and eat the cake.”

“Okay!”

Heqing clasped her hands together, fingers intertwined, and blew out the candle with a big puff.

In a sweet voice, she said: “My wish is to bathe together!”

Then she turned and asked Lin Zheng Ran: “Can we eat now? I want to taste the rabbit cake!”

“Go ahead.”

Lin Zheng Ran cut her a piece, and Heqing used the plastic knife to pick up one of the cream white rabbits.

The more she looked, the cuter it seemed, so she held it up to Lin Zheng Ran’s mouth: “You first!”

Lin Zheng Ran ate it as usual; she wouldn’t eat until he did.

Once he finished, Heqing started savoring it, the wonderful cream flavor filling her with delight.

“It’s so good!”

“Happy birthday, Heqing.”

Chewing her cake, Heqing paused, her eyes trembling as she stared at Lin Zheng Ran with a goofy smile.

The cake was big, and though they’d eaten dinner, Heqing’s active lifestyle and appetite, plus the earlier excitement, meant they polished off nearly half in no time.

After finishing her last bite, Heqing noticed cake on her fingers.

She popped them into her mouth.

Cleaning off the cake that way.

As she nibbled her fingers, naughty thoughts crept into her mind.

Her plump lips trembled.

She glanced slyly at Lin Zheng Ran, who was full.

“Lin Zheng Ran”

“Hmm?”

Heqing slowly pulled her fingers away, head down in shyness: “Well, I read that couples have all sorts of ways to be intimate, and I…”

She bit her lip: “I want to try them all. Do you get what I mean?”

Heqing curled her fingers to her lips and looked at him timidly, afraid he’d say no.

“Like, with me… anyway, I’ll do my best to please you, Lin Zheng Ran.”

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled softly, making her blush even more.

They got out of bed, and Lin Zheng Ran kept hold of Heqing’s hand: “Let’s try that in the bath then.”

Heqing agreed.

Hand in hand, they entered the bathroom one after the other.

He locked the door.

Since they’d decided, Lin Zheng Ran made sure to give Heqing a night she wouldn’t forget.

They kept at it until past seven in the morning before thinking about sleep.

The sun was high, but Heqing snuggled in bed with Lin Zheng Ran, her cheeks flushed as she drifted off: “The cake you gave me is so tasty, just like the cake… wait, like you.”

In her dream, she giggled: “I really like you. When your birthday comes, I’ll prepare something special too.”

Lin Zheng Ran held the silly girl, feeling her breath on his chest: “Sleep now.”