Chapter 455: Chapter 455: Estelle’s Birthday, Longevity Noodles
Nathaniel checked the time. First, he headed out to a top-tier luxury jewelry boutique and picked out a few gifts.
Zane was speechless. "This is what you’re giving her? It’s not like she doesn’t have enough of these."
Nathaniel shot him a glance. "Just because she doesn’t lack them doesn’t mean I shouldn’t give them."
"And then what?"
Nathaniel’s subsequent actions demonstrated his "and then." He walked straight into the kitchen.
Originally, he had planned something much more romantic—flowers, fireworks, drone shows—all the typical romantic gestures. But considering Estelle hadn’t celebrated her birthday in so many years, and she wasn’t the type to want everyone to know about every little thing, he was afraid it would be too abrupt.
So, he opted for the simplest gift of all.
Zane watched in utter shock as the man used the same hands that shaped the business world to cook a bowl of noodles for a woman. "No way... You... What is this?"
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, his expression dripping with disdain for Zane’s ignorance. "Longevity noodles. Haven’t you ever seen them?"
"I have, but you... I mean, you’re making them yourself? Wait, you’re going to knead the dough?"
Nathaniel didn’t pause his movements. "Got a problem with that?"
Zane stood there, dumbfounded. "Nathaniel Sloan, when did you learn to do this? I can’t believe you’re actually in a kitchen!"
Nathaniel remained expressionless. "I learned how to cook many years ago."
Zane was rendered speechless.
"Also, you can leave now," Nathaniel added. "Don’t disturb us."
Zane looked at the ceiling, then at the floor, his eye twitching. "Fine, I’m disturbing you... No, I just wanted to say that when other people celebrate birthdays, they drop a fortune on luxury cars and designer watches, but you..."
Then it dawned on him. Nathaniel had indeed prepared lavish gifts—luxury cars, designer watches, and high-end jewelry. He had everything covered, but Estelle wasn’t lacking in any of those.
Alright, he would shut up.
Zane made himself scarce, and Nathaniel dismissed the butler and the maids to rest for the night. Within the main villa of Imperial Crest, only the two of them remained. Nathaniel busied himself in the kitchen.
Upstairs, Estelle rested her eyes in the bathtub for a while. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and she sharply realized that today, July 16th, was her birthday.
Back when she lived with Grandpa Lockwood, she had told him she was grown up and didn’t want to celebrate her birthday anymore. Perhaps she felt it was too expensive, or perhaps her heart ached because of her grandfather’s illness. After he passed away, she arrived at the Lockwood family all alone, but there was no longer anyone who wanted to celebrate her special day.
Austin Lockwood and Rose Lowell had stolen a child. Since they had stolen her, why would they ever cherish her? Old Mr. Lockwood knew Estelle was his biological granddaughter, but he was wary and jealous of her. He certainly wouldn’t remember her birthday, and even if he did, he would only scoff at it.
As a result, Estelle gradually stopped having birthdays. The date of July 16th became exclusively Noelle’s.
Later, during her five years abroad... with her injuries, her illness, and having two children by her side, she couldn’t even spare a moment for herself. For an adult, a birthday was perhaps a luxury. Invite friends over? It didn’t seem necessary. Celebrate alone? For a sense of ceremony? She was all by herself; there was even less of a need for that.
Estelle hadn’t celebrated her birthday in seven or eight years. In the first few years, she had even intentionally forced herself to forget the date. So, as the years went by, she truly did forget it.
So much so that when she had first returned to Imperial Crest and sneakily tried to open Nathaniel’s computer, she found that it required a password. She had immediately thought of Noelle’s birthday. After entering "0716," she had even cursed Nathaniel a few times in her head.
In reality... it had always been her birthday. Nathaniel had remembered that date because of her. However, so much time had passed, and her state of mind was entirely different now.
Estelle was about to head back to her room when she suddenly caught a whiff of a rich aroma. She froze, turning her head to look downstairs.
Was Nathaniel in the kitchen?
As Estelle walked downstairs, the aroma grew stronger. "Nathaniel, what are you doing?"
He was dressed in loungewear and wore a pair of non-prescription glasses. Stripped of his usual sharp edge, his facial features appeared soft and gentle. He transferred the noodles into a bowl and carried it over to the dining table.
Flicking on the warm yellow light, he curled his lips into a slight smile. "Want a taste?"
Estelle blinked, looking at the bowl of noodles.
"It’s a traditional custom to eat longevity noodles on your birthday." Nathaniel glanced at the time—11:59 PM. His tone was casual. "Even though you’re still young, it doesn’t conflict. I want you to live a long, long life."
Estelle’s heart skipped a beat. It felt as if something warm had surged through her veins, leaving her opening her mouth but unable to find the words. It was a tingling sensation, accompanied by a wave of tenderness.
"You... threw a birthday celebration just for me?"
Nathaniel looked at her quietly for a moment before speaking. "I was worried you wouldn’t want anything too noisy, but I was also afraid you’d feel disappointed if you didn’t have a birthday at all.
"Estelle, this year, there is no one else. Just you. This is your birthday.
"In the past, Grandpa Lockwood celebrated your birthday for you. Now, I will do it. And from now on, I will always celebrate it for you."
The clock struck midnight. Nathaniel’s gaze grew even gentler. "Will you take a bite?"
Estelle felt a lump in her throat as she looked down at the bowl of longevity noodles. When she was little, her grandfather used to cook noodles for her, too.
After her grandfather passed away, her concept of July 16th had become incredibly blurry. The only things she could recall were the bustling banquets at the Lockwood family home, where everyone gathered around Noelle to offer their compliments and blessings while she was left forgotten in a corner. Now, all those painful memories seemed to fade into obscurity. The only thing she could focus on was Nathaniel’s unwavering figure standing right in front of her.
"Nathaniel, thank you."
Nathaniel smiled. "As for your gifts, you can open them when you wake up."
Estelle blinked, then suddenly looked outside. "Nathaniel, let’s go out."
He raised a brow. "Where do you want to go?"
"To the night market. I’ve never been out for a stroll at night, and I heard many food streets stay open late."
Nathaniel didn’t hesitate. "Alright."
Estelle had been swamped with work over the years, and with Nathaniel’s prestigious status, neither of them had ever visited a night food street before.
It was crowded and bustling with life. They were surrounded by young men and women laughing and joking with each other, while numerous roadside stalls served up barbecue and stir-fried dishes.
Estelle bought a few random skewers. "It’s so lively."
Nathaniel lowered his eyes and gently bit down on the skewer in her hand, taking a piece of roasted meat. It was a very unique flavor.
Like any ordinary married couple, they held hands and strolled from one end of the street to the other, sampling the food and taking in the sights.
"As long as you like it," he murmured.
Unbeknownst to them, a camera flash went off in the distance.
Early the next morning, Estelle received her new gifts from Nathaniel. She didn’t care much for luxury cars and designer watches, but Nathaniel gifted them anyway. Her home was already overflowing with jewelry and accessories, yet he bought her even more.
Nathaniel’s reasoning was simple: he just wanted to give Estelle the absolute best.
Estelle counted them—there were twenty-five gifts in total. She instantly understood his intention, and it would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved.
"Are you trying to make up for all the gifts I missed over the years?"
Nathaniel didn’t hide it. "Since I’m going to celebrate your birthday for the rest of your life, it’s only natural that I make up for the previous ones. I can’t turn back time, but I can certainly make up for it with my sincerity."