As the gift I gave is about to be revealed in front of everyone, sweat keeps appearing on my forehead, and my heart beats faster than usual. It's not embarrassing for others to see the gift I gave, but after I saw the birthday gift from my mother and others, I couldn't help but feel nervous and embarrassed. The gift I chose is not only old-fashioned, but also lacks creativity compared to the ones they chose. But my intention was just to let Fiyado read books. After all, the more books one reads, the broader their knowledge. If it's a theoretical or very artistic book, I wouldn't be at a loss like this. I firmly believe that this kind of book will be beneficial to Fiyado.

But now, I am on the verge of collapsing, not to mention what Fiyado, who received the gift, is thinking. When I saw Fiyado taking things out of the paper bag, I tried to pretend to be calm, but my legs were trembling uncontrollably.

Just when the words "children's books" appeared in my field of vision, I even wanted to find a hole to hide in. Oh no, this time I might be mocked by them, and Fiyado might despise me for giving such a gift.

"Ah... so it's a book," everyone's gaze was fixed on what was taken out of the bag, but they only saw the back. When Fiyado turned the book around, the words "children's book" appeared in everyone's sight.

"A children's book?"

"Ah... it's the kind of book that children read," Dad, you don't need to intervene and explain, I can't even look at people in the face now. It's all because of my mother suggesting that Fiyado should see the gifts everyone gave. Clearly, there was no such thing last year, and of course I didn't consider this aspect either.

Fiyado's face was a bit stiff, and even Su Yuqian looked at him with disdain.

"I just thought that books are good things, reading more is beneficial, and Fiyado is still at this age, so this kind of book is more suitable, or at least not so boring," I explained nervously. After all, I didn't have this idea when I bought it, it was just a habit.

"If that's the case, well~ does Fiyado like it?" Mom asked Fiyado.

Fiyado replied with a smile, "It's okay, after all, it's a gift from Youjie brother."

"..." I didn't know what to say, anyway, I have to consider picking a birthday gift that suits Fiyado next time. This time Fiyado's birthday has really cast a shadow over my heart.

After that, Fiyado took these gifts back to his room, and then returned to the living room to have tea and chat with everyone. During this period, many things about Fiyado at school were asked, of course, we also talked about the current situation between me and Su Yuqian, but we all replied with "it's good." Mom also asked about Su Yuqian's family, but when she asked about Su Yuqian's father, Su Yuqian's face became gloomy, and Mom quickly changed the subject, although Su Yuqian said she didn't mind, there was still some unhappiness in her heart.

So, by the time it was ten o'clock in the evening, it was getting late, so I had to take Su Yuqian home. We put on our shoes at the entrance and left the house.

Only the street lamps illuminated the road ahead of us, and most people seemed to have turned off their lights and gone to sleep. I walked forward with the pace of Su Yuqian.

At first, the atmosphere was a bit awkward, especially after what just happened, I felt so embarrassed now.

"Youjie, the birthday gift you gave to Fiyado is a bit too old-fashioned," Su Yuqian said, surprising me with those two words. It's really disheartening, although it's true.

"It really surprised me, I didn't expect it to be a book, and a children's book at that," I really wish I could go back to buying those books with great covers, similar to novels, at least they wouldn't be repulsive. But I myself am not interested in novels, and novels are only attractive because of their covers. Of course, the story might be interesting too, but I'm still not interested enough to flip through them, so when buying books, I skipped the novels directly.

"I thought that even if it's too profound, you shouldn't have bought a children's book as a birthday gift for Fiyado."

"Why?"

"If you ask me why, I can't really explain it, but I just feel that it's not really a birthday gift. Shouldn't a birthday gift be something the other person likes? Does Fiyado like reading books?"

"This... maybe"

"You're not even sure yourself. There's more than a fifty percent chance that the birthday gift you gave might not be liked by the recipient. You didn't pay attention to that at all."

"Maybe that's true. I really have no idea what Fiya likes. I can only accept what Su Yuqian says."

"I feel like you're really lacking taste in this area."

"Ah... yeah, it seems like my taste is especially terrible. I feel like I should just be like everyone else and not bother picking out birthday gifts myself, because the things I pick always end up embarrassing me." I started to feel self-deprecating.

I don't know what I did to provoke Su Yuqian, but she pulled my face forcefully.

"Ouch, why did you do that?" I covered the red, burning spot where she pulled, annoyed.

"Just because something like this happened, you're giving up on yourself. Seriously, you're destined to be a failure in the world, completely useless."

"I agree with that. I'm destined to be average in life and probably won't achieve anything."

After I finished speaking, Su Yuqian kicked my leg, causing me to stumble.

"Seriously, why did I bother with someone like you, who willingly becomes a failure in life?" Su Yuqian got angry.

"Well... I'm starting to realize my own problem, and Su Yuqian's actions were actually encouraging me not to be so negative. I completely failed to notice that."

"It's annoying, do you know that? It's late and everyone is sleeping. Do you want to disturb their sleep? I already know all of that, so just make a change."

"Oh..." I thought Su Yuqian was still angry at me, but it seems like she's not. I breathed a sigh of relief and decided to stay silent. I walked her to her doorstep.

"I'm home now."

"Before I knew it..."

"It's late, you should hurry back. Thank you for escorting me." Su Yuqian looked at a spot and said to me.

"Just make sure you get home safely. Well, I'll go back now. Rest early." After I finished speaking, I turned around to leave.

"Youjie~" Su Yuqian suddenly called me.

"Hmm? Is there something else?" I turned my head, puzzled. Su Yuqian's cheeks turned slightly red and she hesitated, saying, "It's dark... on your way..."

"Oh, I just remembered something. One of the street lamps seemed to be broken just now. It was completely dark. If you were walking alone at night, I would be really worried. After all, there might be some ill-intentioned people waiting in the darkness at night." I started to say, but Su Yuqian's expression seemed to worsen.

But I continued, "So, it's better not to go out at night. If you have to go out, make sure to go to a place with street lights. But I would still prefer if you don't go out at night, it's quite dangerous. It really worries me."

Su Yuqian's shoulders trembled slightly. I asked in confusion, "What were you about to say just now?"

"Nothing!" she said angrily, then she opened the door and slammed it shut. I don't understand at all. I was genuinely concerned, after all, that road really doesn't have any street lights, it's pitch black. Why did Su Yuqian look so unhappy and slam the door?

What did I say wrong? I scratched my head, completely unable to understand what Su Yuqian meant. I just sighed and headed home. On the way, I passed that road without street lights, which was indeed very dark. Although I was a little scared, I pretended to be calm and continued walking.

My gaze kept scanning both sides, assuring myself that there wouldn't be any ill-intentioned people. But the fear gradually escalated.

When I felt like I was about to finish walking that stretch without street lights, suddenly something black jumped out and startled me.

My legs became stiff instinctively when this black thing stared at me with a pair of green eyes, and I felt my whole body hair standing on end. What on earth is this thing? I was dominated by fear and couldn't think.

"Quick, get away!" I tried to shout at it, but it seemed to keep staring at me. Being stared at by such eyes, I felt my body petrified, with only my brain in a state of confusion.

After a few minutes of staring at each other, it suddenly made a sound, "Meow," and jumped into someone else's yard. It turned out to be a cat. I touched my pounding heart; I was really scared just now. Walking alone on deserted streets at night is not a good experience. So I kept my gaze ahead and quickened my pace.

When I saw my own front door, I breathed a sigh of relief, took out my keys, and opened the door. My mother, father, and Fiona seemed to have already gone to bed. The living room light was still on. I went to the fridge and got a bottle of soda, intending to go back to my bedroom. As I went back, I didn't forget to turn off the living room light.

In my bedroom with the lights on, I drank the soda, calming my frightened emotions from just now. Just as I was about to finish the soda and go to sleep, I suddenly heard someone knocking on my bedroom door... Everyone, including Fiona, was already asleep. Could it be... a ghost?