Back at the office, Grace Li sent a message to the team in their group chat.
Grace Li: Hey, team! Starting today, Scarlett's gonna take over the Bloom & Moon Sips project. We're gonna step back a bit, and I'll handle the handover stuff. If you've got any questions, feel free to reach out.
Olivia: Wait, what? This project was our baby from the start. Why is it going to Scarlett now?
Ryan: Yeah, isn't Scarlett part of our team too? What's the deal, boss?
Peter: Seriously, what's going on? Is Scarlett taking the lead from here on out?
Grace Li: Details are still being worked out. Just be ready, we're handing the project off to her.
Olivia: No way! I was really into this project. Their wines are amazing, you know?
Grace Li knew Olivia had put her heart and soul into the project, but with Benjamin Harris's decision, there wasn't much she could do.
She was frustrated, but in a family-run company like this, she knew the boss's kids often got special treatment.
The company operated as a partnership. If Benjamin Harris tried to promote Scarlett Harris to a VP-level spot right away, the other partners would definitely have something to say about it. The best move was to make everyone in the company believe Scarlett Harris was capable and deserving of the role.
Unfortunately for Grace Li, she'd been put in the position of being a stepping stone for Scarlett Harris to show off her leadership abilities. In this business, where performance reviews are key and project success could make or break your career, she was stuck. Handing over a project she had nurtured meant a potential hit to her team's performance, but she couldn't go against the boss's wishes either.
In the afternoon, Grace Li, Ryan, and Peter headed out to visit a prospective client, a resort under construction about two hours' drive from New York.
On the way, Grace Li received a message from Aiden Thompson.
Aiden Thompson: Grace, let's have dinner at home tonight.
Grace Li was taken aback. They usually worked late during the week, rarely getting the chance to cook and eat at home.
She wondered if Aiden Thompson knew it was her birthday, but then she remembered it was her lunar birthday—something most people in New York wouldn't just know.
Besides, she had no idea when she'd be back.
Grace Li: I might be super late. Traffic's a nightmare in this city.
Aiden Thompson: No worries. I'll be waiting, no matter how late.
Grace Li: We're probably out of everything at home.
Aiden Thompson: I'll swing by the deli on the way back. They've got the best steaks in the neighborhood.
Grace Li: Thanks, babe.
Upon arriving at the resort, they were greeted by the client. After a brief exchange of business cards, they chatted about the latest Yankees game while walking around the property. The client then launched into a detailed presentation of the project's plans and future operational model.
Before they knew it, it was getting dark.
The meeting wrapped up at 6:30. The client invited them to dinner at a fancy new place in town, but Grace Li politely declined. "Thanks a million for the offer, but we've got a long drive back to the city. Maybe next time we can check out that Italian joint you were raving about. I heard they've got this amazing pasta dish."
After dropping Ryan and Peter off at their places in New York, Grace Li finally made her way back to her own place.
At 8 o'clock, Aiden Thompson messaged her asking where she was. She replied that she'd be home in an hour, fingers crossed the traffic gods were on her side.
Grace Li arrived home at exactly 9 o'clock, beat and starving. When she opened the door, the house was pitch black.
Was Aiden Thompson out?
Just as she was about to turn on the living-room light, something suddenly lit up. Grace Li looked over and saw several 3D letter lights spelling "Happy Birthday" on the TV stand.
Then, a deep, melodious voice filled the room, singing the classic American version of "Happy Birthday to You."
Grace Li watched as Aiden Thompson emerged from the kitchen, carrying a cake. A huge smile spread across her face.
So she wasn't dreaming. Aiden Thompson really did know it was her birthday.
Grace Li's eyes welled up with tears as she smiled. She had celebrated birthdays with Isabella Hsueh before, but she had always cherished those who remembered her lunar birthday. In her book, they were the ones who truly cared.
Aiden Thompson walked up to her, looking at her tenderly as he sang, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. May all your dreams come true, may you always be in a great mood."
The candles on the cake were burning brightly. Grace Li looked at Aiden Thompson, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the candles.
"Grace, happy birthday."
"Thank you."
Aiden Thompson gestured towards the candles. "Make a wish and blow them out."
Grace Li closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. The room darkened for a moment until she flicked the light switch.
The living room was transformed. The cake was a beautiful creation, a starry-night theme with chocolate balls shaped like planets.
There was a romantic candlelit dinner set up, complete with a bottle of fine red wine, a perfectly cooked steak, and a bouquet of red roses on the table. Grace Li hardly recognized her own dining table.
Aiden Thompson pulled out a chair for her. Grace Li looked at the steak on her plate, impressed by its presentation, with a garnish of arugula, lemon, and asparagus.
"Did you make this?"
"Yeah, give it a try. I've been practicing like crazy."
Grace Li remembered Aiden Thompson had mentioned wanting to learn how to cook. He had made a few attempts, and while the results were just okay before, this looked promising.
She picked up her fork and knife, cut a piece of steak, and took a bite. "This is actually really good."
"First time?"
"Not exactly. I made a couple of steaks last night, but they were total flops. I ate them myself. Fuhgeddaboudit."
Grace Li smiled. She had been busy helping Scarlett Harris with the project until late last night. She never thought Aiden Thompson had been at home perfecting his steak-cooking skills.
"Well, today's is a winner. You should open a restaurant, seriously."
"Good to hear. All that practice paid off."
As they ate, Grace Li asked, "How did you know it was my birthday?"
"I saw your ID when I booked our trip. I remembered the date."
"But it's my lunar birthday."
"True, but you once told me that when you were a kid, you'd always check the lunar calendar to find out when your birthday was. I remembered every word you said. In this city, where everyone's got their own unique story, I wanted to make yours special."
He remembered everything she had ever shared with him. Grace Li wondered if she had been too hasty in opening up about her childhood experiences of being treated differently due to her parents' traditional views. But she had long since let go of those grudges, knowing that her parents did love her in their own way.
Besides the steak, Aiden Thompson had also prepared a salad and some pasta. The pasta was a semi-homemade dish, but it still tasted great.
After dinner, they shared the cake, each taking turns with a spoon.
Grace Li had always thought she'd be anxious about turning thirty. But aside from the morning's work drama, she felt incredibly happy today.
"Aiden, I used to be really scared of turning thirty."
"Why?"
"Because in my hometown in China, a woman over thirty who's not married is the subject of gossip. People would talk behind her back, and the rumors could spread like wildfire. I could almost hear the things they'd say. Even with all the mental preparation I've done, a part of me was still afraid of the gossip. And it's not just in the countryside. In society, a woman over thirty is often seen as past her prime, her youth gone. But here in New York, I'm starting to realize that age is just a number. People are chasing their dreams at all ages, and I want to be a part of that. I want to be fearless like the women I see here, breaking boundaries and doing things their own way."
Aiden Thompson looked at her sincerely. "You're a total rockstar at thirty, Grace. You're brave, strong, and incredibly smart. You can handle anything that comes your way. You're mature, yet you still have that cute, childlike side. Your charm is like a bright spotlight, shining brightly for all to see. In this city that never sleeps, you're a force to be reckoned with."
Grace Li laughed. "Did you take a love-talk crash course or something?"
"Nope. I'm just speaking from the heart. You inspire me every day."
"Then how do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Aiden, if you keep this up, I might just turn into a total romantic."
Aiden Thompson met her gaze with a smile. "So, in this relationship, am I the only one head-over-heels in love?"
Grace Li chuckled. He always knew how to make her feel special.