The Birthday Feast

At eight o’clock in the morning, everyone in the house was busy with preparations. The large mansion was filled with movement—maids hurried through the corridors carrying trays of flowers, ribbons, and expensive porcelain dishes. The chefs in the kitchen were already sweating over steaming pots, preparing delicacies for the grand birthday feast. The atmosphere should have been joyful, but instead, it was tense.

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the mansion.

“What happened? Why did Young Miss Yue shout?” one maid whispered nervously.

The head maid immediately put down the list she was checking and hurried toward Yue’s room. When she pushed the door open, she saw Yue standing in the middle of the room, her face red with anger. In front of her stood a trembling new maid, her hands shaking so badly that the empty teacup rattled against the tray.

“You ruined it!” Yue shouted, holding up her stained dress. A large brown patch of tea had spread across the soft fabric. “Do you even know how expensive this is?”

The new maid lowered her head, unable to speak.

Yue raised her hand to slap her.

But before her palm could land, the head maid rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t do anything foolish! Today is your grandmother’s birthday. If you cause trouble, it will hurt her feelings.”

At that moment, Yue’s mother, Ling, rushed into the room after hearing the commotion.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” Ling asked anxiously.

Yue burst into tears. “That maid poured tea on my new dress! I bought it with my own savings. I wanted to give it to Grandma as a gift.”

The head maid turned to the frightened servant. “You may leave now.”

The maid quickly bowed and hurried out.

“Fire her!” Yue demanded stubbornly.

“I can’t,” the head maid replied calmly. “She was personally approved by your grandmother.”

Ling sighed softly. “Sweetie, last time you made a mistake and your grandmother punished you by cutting your allowance. This time, you haven’t done anything wrong. But still, you must control your temper. Your grandmother dislikes impulsive behavior.”

Yue pouted and turned away.

Ling gently combed Yue’s hair, her movements slow and soothing. “I know you’re upset. But Li has prepared a grand feast for your grandmother. Many important relatives and business partners are coming. Today is not the day to argue.”

Yue sniffed and wiped her tears. “Mom, I really used my savings for that dress.”

“I know,” Ling said gently. “But I bought a jade bracelet for your grandmother. You can give it to her instead.”

“…Okay,” Yue whispered reluctantly.

Ling hesitated before adding, “Also, Li is inviting her boyfriend to the feast today.”

Yue immediately looked up. “Boyfriend? Who is he?”

“His name is Chen Kuo.”

Ling smiled faintly and left the room to supervise other matters.

Yue slowly turned toward the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her—beautiful, proud, but slightly wounded. She adjusted her hairstyle carefully and forced a confident smile.

“I still look great,” she murmured to herself.

Walking toward the window, she glanced down at the backyard. The garden had been transformed overnight. Red lanterns hung from the trees, golden ribbons shimmered in the sunlight, and a long dining table was being arranged beneath a white canopy. Maids moved quickly, checking every detail. Everything looked perfect.

Yue’s eyes darkened slightly.

“If I cause trouble,” she muttered under her breath, “Li will definitely use it against me.”

She knew Li well. Li was always calm, elegant, and favored by their grandmother. One mistake from Yue, and Li would look even better in comparison.

Yue clenched her fists gently.

“No,” she whispered. “I won’t let her look down on me.”

She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and walked toward the door.

Today was not just a birthday celebration.

It was a battlefield.

And Yue had no intention of losing.

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