Chapter 123: Surprise

Chapter 123: Surprise
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
This little interlude flashed by, and the birthday celebration officially began. He Ning blew out the candles, made a wish, and began to accept everyone’s blessings and gifts.
He Yuan also gave He Ning a pair of sneakers. Of course, this pair of sneakers was not as expensive as the ones Cheng Yi had given He Yi and He Chen. Therefore, He Yuan was a little embarrassed when he gave them away. “Just make do with it.”
“Thank you, Big Brother,” He Ning said expressionlessly.
He Zhou gave He Ning a pair of headphones. It was a brandless pair with no distinguishing features. It was obvious they were bought from a street stall. Perhaps they only cost 20 yuan. Nonetheless, He Ning hung the headphones around his neck.
Soon, it was He Sui’s turn. He Sui rubbed his hands together and chuckled, “He Jing and I got this gift for you.” He Jing was speechless.
He Sui was free-loading off her!
Meanwhile, He Yi and He Chen had given He Ning a pair of off-season gloves they had bought at a clearance sale and a dictionary at a discount because of a manufacturing defect causing the words to appear in fine print.
Cheng Yi hoped to ring up the suspense and said, “Let Sister He Jing give hers first. Maybe her gift will bring Second Brother a surprise, and he’ll like it so much that he won’t want mine.”
He Jing glanced at Cheng Yi indifferently.
How could she not know what Cheng Yi was doing? Cheng Yi wanted to save hers for last to make it seem more important. After all, the best was always kept for last as part of a grand finale.
He Jing could not be bothered to call Cheng Yi out on her scheme. She was here to celebrate He Ning’s birthday with him, not compare whose gift was better. Without fanfare, she handed He Ning a box with the signature of a famous basketballer scrawled on the cover. “Second Brother, happy birthday to you.”
He Ning’s pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing became heavy. His usually cold expression was broken. “This is…”
“A basketball.”
Before He Ning could open it himself, He Sui let his mouth get the better of him and blurted.
He Ning looked at He Jing in shock. He opened the box with trembling hands, almost in disbelief. Indeed, within was a basketball.
He Ning could not control himself and burst into joyful laughter. His eyes were filled with excitement that could not be concealed. He bounced the basketball, patting it all over to check its elasticity. Satisfied by what his senses shared, he
caressed the ball lovingly and spoke from the bottom of his heart, “Thank you.
I like it very much.”
Cheng Yi’s eyes widened in shock.
He Ning liked to play basketball.
When did this happen?
As if reading her thoughts, He Sui puffed out his chest, boasting, “You didn’t know, did you? Second Brother is an amazing basketball player, and many girls swoon when they see him play. Even the coach of the city’s basketball team tried to recruit Second Brother, hoping he would give up his studies to become a national athlete instead. If Second Brother hadn’t said it was too risky and couldn’t help his family attain a better life, he would have become a member of the city basketball team already.”
This…
They had not known.
To think He Ning had made such a huge sacrifice for the family without them knowing…
Then how did He Jing know?
Everyone could not help but stare at He Jing.
He Jing endured their questioning looks calmly. With a faint smile, she said, “Every time Second Brother and I go home together by bus, we pass by the stadium at the city center. Second Brother always takes a second look, almost longingly. So I thought Second Brother must really like sports, so I bought this basketball, which most boys like. I’m glad he likes it.”
Everyone came to a realization and felt guilty.
He Jing had only taken the bus with He Ning, yet she could conclude that He Ning had a passion for basketball. They had lived under the same roof with He Ning for so long, but they were none the wiser.
He Sui, being the jealous weirdo he was, whined, “He Jing! You care so much about Second Brother… What about me? You aren’t as considerate with me as you are with him..”