Supreme Emperor’s Estate

Lily Bai introduced, "Your Majesty, this is my younger brother, Samson Zhang. He also happens to be Jenny's classmate. He's visiting Dragon City for summer break, so I brought him along."

"Welcome, welcome!" The Supreme Emperor said with a beaming smile.

Samson Zhang stood there stiffly, not sure how to respond.

Lily Bai had to jump in to smooth things over: "Samson, did you prepare a gift for Jenny too?"

"Uh... well." He handed the item to Jenny with both hands, then awkwardly added, "My sister picked it out—and paid for it too. I couldn't afford such an expensive necklace myself..."

Jenny looked at his dopey expression, clearly a little put off.

But the President behind her burst out laughing: "This kid is so honest and simple. I like children like you! Come on in, everyone!"

The two of them went in and took their seats.

Lily Bai asked, "Is it just the four of us?"

It felt a little strange.

"Later, my third uncle and aunt will join us," Jenny replied.

"Huh? So... this is a family dinner? Samson and I just barged in—are we being too forward?" Lily Bai asked.

"Not at all!" the President said. "You don't have to be formal—treat this place like your own home."

Lily Bai nodded.

Just then, someone announced that Eric Lan had arrived.

"Seriously, he pops up everywhere..." Jenny rolled her eyes.

As soon as Eric Lan walked in, the whole room came alive.

"Surprise! Jenny, bet you didn't expect me to rush back just for your birthday, huh? Happy? Shocked?"

Jenny stared at him blankly. "Why would you think seeing you would be a surprise?"

"You mean you're not surprised?" Before Jenny could answer, he kept rambling, "I could totally see the sparkle of surprise in your eyes! Here, your present! Happy birthday!"

He shoved a box into Jenny's hands.

Jenny opened it and saw a set of collectible figurines she'd always wanted but could never buy.

Her eyes lit up, and she finally smiled. "Thank you!"

"Haha! Your Majesty—ah!" Eric Lan was about to greet the Supreme Emperor, but then he spotted Samson Zhang sitting on the sofa and yelped, "Samson Zhang! What are you doing here?"

Samson Zhang: "I came..."

Lily Bai thought this silly kid would say he was here to visit his teacher and celebrate Jenny's birthday as a side thing.

But instead he said, "I came for Jenny's birthday!"

"Have you no shame!" Eric Lan exploded. "Did Jenny invite you? She didn't! How could you just show up on your own?"

"Pfft!" Lily Bai couldn't help laughing at him.

Eric Lan shot her a look. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing," Lily Bai said, waving her hand and trying not to burst out laughing.

How could he say something so shameless with a straight face?

"Samson Zhang, you seriously came just for Jenny's birthday?" Eric Lan looked like he wanted to kick him out.

"Yep!" Samson Zhang replied.

"So what birthday present did you prepare for Jenny?" Eric Lan demanded. "I had to pull a ton of strings to get those figurines. What about you? Show me how sincere you are."

Samson glanced at the necklace box he'd just given Jenny, then suddenly gathered his courage, dug something out of his backpack, and handed it to her.

"This... I made it for you."