The Withered Tree Never Sees Spring

Haicheng, eight o'clock.

Tan Chunyi sat waiting beside a table of exquisite dishes. She had already been waiting for two hours.

It was her birthday, and Song Shimu had promised to spend it with her.

But the clock's hands kept moving until midnight. Tan Chunyi was waiting so long she was nearly asleep when the door finally opened.

The day had already passed. The cake sitting alone on the table was the only proof of what yesterday had been.

"You're still up? I've told you so many times, you don't need to wait for me."

Song Shimu took off his suit jacket, looking as calm as ever, and headed for the bathroom.

Tan Chunyi hurried to her feet and fetched his pajamas for him.

As for the dishes on the table, Song Shimu merely glanced at them before carrying on as though nothing were amiss.

Only Tan Chunyi felt as if she couldn't breathe. He seemed to have forgotten her birthday.