Chapter 34: Immortal Soul Melody

As the star of tonight’s birthday banquet, Chen Siran wore a white lace-trimmed dress, her hair elegantly pinned up and her face adorned with light makeup. The understated styling accentuated her natural beauty, blending purity with a subtle allure.  

The moment she made her entrance, all eyes turned to her, drawing gasps of admiration.  

Xu Minmin couldn’t help but sigh, “So beautiful… Compared to Siran, I’m just an ugly duckling.”  

Ye Qingxuan smiled gently. “Don’t say that. You’re lovely too.”  

Xu Minmin grinned. “Qingxuan, you’re the best. Truly a sister to me.”  

With the support of a maid, Chen Siran descended the staircase slowly, her gaze sweeping the room with quiet anticipation—as if searching for someone.  

Then, her expression brightened with unmistakable delight when she spotted Jiang Feng.  

Despite her usual calm and reserved demeanor, she couldn’t contain her excitement. “Jiang Feng, you came!” she called out, her voice ringing across the hall.  

Without hesitation, she hurried down the remaining steps and rushed toward him.  

All eyes followed her movement, shifting to Jiang Feng. Many had noticed her earlier expectancy, and some young heirs from prestigious families had even discreetly adjusted their attire, hoping to catch her attention. Yet no one expected her to run straight to Jiang Feng.  

The scene left many stunned, but none more so than Bai Pojun. His face burned as if he’d been slapped. 

Just moments ago, he had been interrogating Jiang Feng, demanding to know why he was there and arrogantly trying to expel him. Now, seeing Chen Siran’s unrestrained joy, it was obvious—she must have personally sent Jiang Feng the invitation.  

As the crowd watched, Chen Siran reached Jiang Feng. 

He rubbed his nose with a wry smile and stood. 

“Siran, happy birthday,” he said softly.  

Her eyes curved into crescents. “Thank you for coming, Jiang Feng.”  

Preparations for the banquet had kept her busy these past few days, leaving no time to visit him at the hospital or speak with him privately. She hadn’t even been sure if he’d received the invitation she’d sent through Guo Conghu—or if he’d come at all.  

Now that he was here, her heart swelled with happiness, her usual composure melting into girlish delight.  

Jiang Feng chuckled. “You sent me an invitation. Of course I’d come. You look stunning tonight.”  

She blushed, covering her mouth as she laughed.  

Jiang Feng didn’t have much else to say. With Chen Siran present, he planned to give her his gift and leave. No one here welcomed him besides her, and he had no fondness for such occasions.  

Just as he was about to retrieve the gift, Jiang Hao approached.  

Seeing Chen Siran’s affectionate demeanor toward Jiang Feng, Jiang Hao’s heart sank. If he didn’t act now, Jiang Feng would steal the spotlight entirely.  

Moreover, after being slapped by Bai Pojun earlier, he needed to salvage his dignity—or the humiliation would follow him forever.  

“Siran, happy birthday,” Jiang Hao said with practiced charm.  

“Thank you,” she replied politely, though her slight frown betrayed her annoyance at the interruption. She had much to say to Jiang Feng.  

Jiang Hao smiled. “For your birthday, I prepared a special gift. I hope you like it.”  

He produced a small box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a string of white pearls.  

Under the lights, the pearls gleamed brilliantly, instantly drawing gasps. While pearl necklaces weren’t uncommon, this one was extraordinary—eighteen perfectly matched pearls, each identically sized, round, and lustrous. Such a flawless set was not only expensive but nearly impossible to assemble.  

Jiang Hao had spared no effort in selecting this gift, certain it would dazzle her.  

But Chen Siran shook her head. “Jiang Hao, this is too extravagant. I can’t accept it.”  

Jiang Hao stiffened, then forced a laugh. “Nonsense. It’s just a token of my affection. Nothing is too precious for your birthday.”  

A nearby woman, eyes glued to the pearls, chimed in, “Siran, it’s a gesture from Young Master Jiang. You should take it.”  

Reluctantly, Chen Siran accepted the necklace—only to immediately hand it to her maid without a second glance.  

Jiang Hao’s smile faltered. He had expected her to be thrilled.  

Emboldened by his lead, others began presenting their gifts.  

Xu Minmin offered a pair of diamond earrings, while Ye Qingxuan presented a hand-designed dress. “Siran, I made this for you. I hope you like it.”  

Chen Siran beamed, holding the dress against herself. Though not ostentatious, every detail was exquisite, a testament to Ye Qingxuan’s care.  

“Qingxuan, this is the best gift I’ve received tonight. Thank you,” she said, hugging her friend’s arm.  

Ye Qingxuan smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”  

“I love it,” Chen Siran affirmed.  

Jiang Hao’s mood darkened further. His pearls were worth a hundred times more than this dress, yet Chen Siran treasured the latter far more.  

His gaze slid to Jiang Feng, who remained impassive. Suppressing a sneer, Jiang Hao said, “Jiang Feng, as Siran’s honored guest, aren’t you going to present your gift?”  

Chen Siran turned to Jiang Feng expectantly.  

Jiang Feng suppressed his irritation. Jiang Hao was like a persistent fly, meddling in everything.  

“I didn’t have much time to prepare,” he said evenly. “My gift is… modest. I’ll give it to her privately.”  

Jiang Hao seized the opportunity. “Gifts are about sentiment, not value. I’m sure Siran will cherish anything from you.”  

Internally, he rejoiced. He knew Jiang Feng’s finances were frozen by the family patriarch—there was no way he could afford anything impressive. The more Jiang Feng hesitated, the more Jiang Hao wanted to expose him.  

Chen Siran nodded eagerly. “Jiang Feng, I’ll love whatever you give me.”  

With a resigned sigh, Jiang Feng reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. “Here.”  

Chen Siran unfolded it. “Sheet music?”  

Jiang Feng nodded. “An ancient seven-string zither score. I found it in an old book—a rare handwritten copy. Thought you might like it.”  

Her eyes lit up. “Thank you. I really do.”  

Her sincerity was evident. She didn’t care about material value; the thought alone meant everything.  

But the onlookers exchanged odd glances. A wrinkled piece of paper as a gift? And some so-called “rare ancient score”? It reeked of a last-minute, thoughtless excuse.  

Only someone as naive as Chen Siran would buy it.  

Jiang Hao had expected Jiang Feng’s gift to be lacking, but this was beyond pathetic. Barely containing his glee, he said, “Siran, may I see it? I’ve never encountered a ‘rare ancient score’ before.”  

After a hesitant pause, Chen Siran handed it over.  

Jiang Hao scanned the title—“Immortal Soul Melody”—and burst into laughter. “Hah! ‘Immortal Soul’? Does listening to it make you ascend to heaven?”  

His mockery set off a chain reaction. 

Xu Minmin giggled uncontrollably, and even Ye Qingxuan’s lips twitched with disapproval.  

She had assumed Jiang Feng, given Chen Siran’s clear affection for him, would have prepared something thoughtful. Yet here he was, offering a shoddy scrap of paper. Was he truly this dismissive of her?  

Jiang Feng had anticipated the ridicule. He hadn’t explained fully earlier—this score was a handwritten copy, but not from some ancient text. It was a composition he and Fairy Tantai had created together, infused with their shared insights into immortality and transcendence. Its ethereal essence was beyond mortal comprehension.  

No point explaining. They wouldn’t understand.  

Amid the laughter, Chen Siran carefully folded the music and tucked it away.  

Just then, a hearty voice rang out from the entrance:  

“What’s all the amusement? Seems I’ve arrived late and missed the fun.”  

Two figures strode into the hall.