Chapter 388: 179 Birthday (an additional update)<div>


    Trantor:549690339


    September 7, Sunday, the sky was clear and the temperature was pleasant.


    Early in the morning, Tao Xingxing called Ming Jing, inviting her toe over early for a birthday party at her ce that evening.<div>


    Ming Jing went downstairs for breakfast and saw that Ming Ti and Ming Chen were already sitting quietly at the dinner table. Their school had organized an autumn outing, and after breakfast, the two were heading out. Ever since Ming Chen started school, he had be as excited as a bird let out of a cage, his entire demeanor exuding excitement.


    After they had finished eating, the two left hand in hand, full of joy.


    Madam Zhou ced a bowl of mixed grain porridge in front of Ming Jing and asked, “Miss, I heard from Xiao Ying that Deng Yang’s bone marrow donation results are in? The surgery can be done next week, did you arrange it?”


    Although Zhu Xiangxiang isn’t the best person, the child is innocent. And from what Xiao Ying told her, Deng Yang is a very well-behaved and sensible child.


    Ming Jing nodded.


    Madam Zhou’s, eyes filled with tears, said as she watched the young girl quietly eating in the morning sun, “Miss, you really are a good person, you will be blessed.”


    “Madam Zhou, why don’t you sit down and join me.”


    Madam Zhou shook her head and looked up, only to see Lin Qinging down from the second floor. Madam Zhou promptly closed her mouth.


    “Madam Zhou, make some shrimp porridge that Xiangxiang likes and send it to her. She’s been sick for a few days and hasn’t seemed to improve.”


    Madam Zhou muttered under her breath about karma before heading into the kitchen.


    Lin Qing sat down across from Ming Jing, nced at her, hesitated, and then said, “I…I went to see your father a few days ago.”<div>


    Ming Jing responded with a nonchnt hum.


    Lin Qing gripped her chopsticks tighter, “He…he realizes his mistakes now. Can you…?”


    “Sure.” Ming Jing willingly agreed.


    Lin Qing looked up suddenly, “Do…do you know what I was about to say?”


    Ming Jing answered so quickly, Lin Qing thought she would have to talk more before getting an answer.


    “I hope your decision to forgive him is because you’ve seen his true colors, not because you’ve been fooled by his sweet words. Consider if it’s worth it, if you can bear the consequences, and as always, I respect all your decisions.” Ming Jing’s voice remained calm and cool, devoid of any emotion.


    Lin Qing had a somewhat embarrassed look on her face. Was it necessary for a girl more than half her age to teach her about life?


    “But he’s still your father.” Lin Qing emphasized strongly.


    “The moment he decided to betray this family, he ceased to be. If you choose to remarry, I have no objections. This is your life, and you should be in control of your own choices, and bear the consequences yourself. I’m done eating.”


    Ming Jing picked up a napkin and wiped her mouth leisurely before getting up to leave.


    As Lin Qing watched Ming Jing’s receding figure, her face was a bit pale.<div>


    She mmed her chopsticks onto the table, startling Madam Zhou who had just walked out of the kitchen.


    Ming Jing reached out to herwyer. She only intended to teach Zhu Wentao a lesson, not to seriously hurt him. It wouldn’t be as simple as the present situation if she really wanted to go hard on him.


    She knew when Lin Qing went to see Zhu Wentao. Even their conversation yed out clearly in Ming Jing’s ears.


    In a marriage, betrayal can happen easily, and so can forgiveness.


    As far as this was concerned, Ming Jing chose not to interfere. As everyone had their own fate, the only thing that mattered was not to regret one’s choices.


    “Senior, you’re a tough talker but soft at heart, you probably would have handled this situation better than me.”


    Since she could remember, she didn’t know what familial love was. She hadrades in the past and now she has seniors and juniors, but she had never experienced the blood ties that are innate to family.


    Ming Jing looked at the garden outside the window; under the sunlight, a vast array of flowers bloomed.


    She recalled Shen Zhou’s words from that night.


    ‘When I consider you my family, sacrificing everything for you is worth it.’


    Ming Jing curled her lips slightly, vibrant sunlight filled her eyes as she squinted softly.<div>


    She was alone, with no attachments, walking on a path full of thorns. The slightest carelessness could lead to a disaster.


    Why bring innocent people into this?


    But that day, Shen Zhou’s sincere gaze touched her.


    The prayer beads brushed her fingertips, an ethereal and gentle voice echoing as if it came from beyond heaven.


    “Destinies arise and end. Theye together and drift apart. Everything happens for a reason.”


    Ming Jing went to the office for a bit, and when she left, it was already three in the afternoon.


    She went to the Luoshan Shop to pick up a gift, then hurried to the Tao’s.


    Tao Xingxing’s birthday venue was the open-air balcony on the roof. The ce was decorated warmly. Tao Xingxing invited close friends and a few good ssmates. All were students, so instead of alcohol, they used soft drinks, and fruits and snacks were prepared. One of the ssmates who was into music brought a drum set, a standing microphone, and DJ equipment, which nicely heighted the atmosphere.