An hour later, a taxi pulled up at Lanshan Cemetery.
A radiant young girl, carrying a cake box in her hand, walked toward the depths of the cemetery.
After walking for ten minutes, she stopped in front of a tombstone.
On the tombstone, a woman who looked around thirty years old wore a gentle smile, her delicate features making her appear serene and beautiful.
Bai Tang set down the cake box and lit the candles.
She simply gazed at the woman on the tombstone, a faint smile on her lips as she said softly, "I suppose you and your daughter have already met in the afterlife. I'm sorry to meet you like this."
"Your daughter... she's truly wonderful!"
Bai Tang smiled as she spoke, "Really."
After a long pause, she smiled faintly again and whispered, "Bai Tang, happy eighteenth birthday!"
"The things that belong to you and your daughter—I'll get them all back for you."
Bai Tang turned and left.
A gentle breeze swept by, extinguishing the flames on the candles.
By half past eleven in the morning, all the guests at the Bai family's gathering had arrived.
Bai Xi'er wore an apricot-colored knee-length dress, its tailored fit accentuating her figure beautifully. With delicate makeup and an expensive diamond necklace around her neck, her slightly raised chin made her look like a proud princess.
The classmates and friends attending the birthday banquet all had a flicker of envy and jealousy in their eyes.
As the richest family in Lingshan City, everything Bai Xi'er used, ate, and lived with was, in the eyes of her peers, the best—something they could only dream of reaching.
Bai Xi'er was beautiful, excelled academically, and was the school beauty of their institution.
Perfect family background, outstanding grades, and a pretty face—these were all assets that others lacked.
And such a grand coming-of-age ceremony only made everyone even more sour.
"Happy birthday, Xi'er." Si Rui handed over his gift with gentlemanly grace.
The young man's handsome features were strikingly charming, and his smile was enough to make hearts flutter.
As the school heartthrob of Nancheng High School, that smile made those around him blush shyly, and the gazes toward Bai Xi'er grew even more envious.
Bai Xi'er thoroughly enjoyed these looks.
She smiled warmly and elegantly as she reached out to take the gift. "Thank you."
As she spoke, she shyly lowered her head, making her look even more charming and beautiful.
"You look stunning today." Si Rui complimented with a smile, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
He liked Bai Xi'er and had been pursuing her for some time. Though she hadn't agreed, saying she wanted to focus on her studies, she'd promised to discuss it after the college entrance exams.
The two often appeared together, and she showed signs of liking him too. As for the official label, he thought waiting until university would be fine.
Standing together, they seemed to everyone like a perfect match—a couple that made countless people envious!
Bai Xi'er was quite satisfied with this effect.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance, and everyone's gaze turned toward the door.