Shentu Tian-Yin opened her doe-like eyes after making a wish and the first direction she looked at was in Xia Lei’s direction. However, Xia Lei was nowhere to be seen amidst the well-dressed attendees. She suddenly felt all empty inside, as if she’d lost a great many things. 

“Happy birthday, Tian-Yin,” said Ahn Suhyeon warmly.

“Thank you.” The dazzling smile from earlier had vanished from Shentu Tian-Yin’s face. 

Tu Qing-Long also went up to Shentu Tian-Yin to present the gift which he had painstakingly prepared. It was a painting he had done himself of Shentu Tian-Yin. Applause sounded from all around when he removed the cover from the painting. The real Shentu Tian-Yin and the painting of her were virtually identical, as if she were looking at herself in a mirror. What made it even more praiseworthy was that the painting of Shentu Tian-Yin had a beautiful, ethereal air to it. 

“I took two weeks to paint this. I hope you like it,” said Tu Qing-Long with a smile.

“Thank you. I didn’t...