The Paranoid Male Lead’s "White Moonlight" Has Reborn - Chapter 37

However, the robust man had not finished. He presented a third birthday gift—an object as tall as a grown man, covered in a grey cloth that obscured its shape.

Amidst the guests’ buzzing speculation, the man spoke: “The third birthday gift my master presents to Young Master Jiang is a Glazed Mirror from the Western Regions.”

With that, he whipped away the cloth, fully revealing a mirror the height of an adult.

Though it was night, the Lin Manor was brightly lit by countless lanterns hanging everywhere. In such an environment, the reflection in this massive mirror was so clear that it stunned the guests.

“Heavens! Is this truly a mirror? Does such a thing exist?” A guest stepped forward, horrified to find that this mirror was clearer than any bronze mirror—it showed every minute detail with absolute precision!

When the guest reached out to touch it, the robust man caught his finger with a smile and said, “This is a gift from my master to Young Master Jiang. Please be careful, Master, and do not smudge it.”

Guest: “…” I can’t even touch it once?

Though slightly annoyed, the guest submissively withdrew his hand, awed by the sheer opulence of the man’s master.

Jiang Chaoyun was also seeing such a mirror for the first time. He stepped forward and, seeing himself in the reflection, recoiled a step in shock. Under the collective gaze of the crowd, he slowly reached out to touch it gently. The surface of the Glazed Mirror was exceptionally smooth; colors were not distorted in the slightest, revealing the original hues of the world exactly as they were.

Jiang Chaoyun’s heart thumped violently, and he couldn’t resist asking, “Who is your master?”

He knew in his heart it could be no one else but Han Jiangmu, yet he couldn’t help but ask.

The man looked at him with a radiant smile. “The Young Master need not know who my master is. You only need to know that my master spent a great deal of effort to ensure these gifts arrived in time for your birthday.”

He gestured to the black boxes on the ground. “These were crafted through the night by many skilled artisans sought by my master, just to present this ‘crowd of blooming flowers’ for the Young Master.”

He pointed to the Giant Panda in the cage. “Western Shu has always been isolated and difficult to access. They revere this beast as a Holy Spirit. My master offered many treasures to trade for this one.”

Finally, he pointed to the Glazed Mirror. “And lastly, this mirror—it is the only one of its kind in this world.”

The guests were filled with envy and wonder. Most were from prestigious families, but even they had never seen such gifts. The first two items were rare, but the Glazed Mirror made the eyes of every noblewoman present turn red with envy. No woman in this world was indifferent to her appearance. Even in great families, their bronze mirrors were merely smoother than average; while they didn’t distort the face, the colors were always murky. A mirror that could show every detail was the dream of every woman.

Jiang Chaoyun felt the gazes of envy and jealousy, but he didn’t care. He scanned the surroundings, still seeing no sign of Han Jiangmu.

Perhaps it isn’t from him, he thought, but a voice in his heart immediately countered: Impossible. Such a grand gesture is beyond even the Lin family’s current reach; it can only be Han Jiangmu.

But since he sent such lavish gifts without showing his face, Jiang Chaoyun’s surging emotions calmed down. He looked up at the man and said, “Since your master is unwilling to appear, can you leave an address so I may go and thank him personally in the future?”

The man smiled. “There is no need for that, Young Master. Today is your birthday, and I have delivered the gifts. I shall take my leave now. May your eighteenth birthday be as smooth and fulfilling as you desire.” With a bow, he turned and left.

Once he was gone, the Lin family immediately ordered servants to move the items to Jiang Chaoyun’s courtyard to prevent any guests from accidentally damaging the treasures.

After this ordeal, Jiang Chaoyun’s mood was a rollercoaster of surprise, joy, disappointment, and confusion. Back at his seat, he simply shook his head at his cousins’ questions. “I do not know who sent them.”

Lin Shiyan, however, had many suspicions that coincided exactly with Jiang Chaoyun’s thoughts.

Usually, doctors forbade him from drinking, but Master Xun had told him he could drink in moderation. Since it was his birthday, Jiang Chaoyun truly drank some. It was a special brew of the Lin family—not strong, but sweet and clear, perfect for a youth of his age.

Lin Jingxian smiled at him. “Cousin, if your eighteenth birthday has such a grand display, I cannot imagine what it will be like when you reach your capping ceremony (age 20).”

Jiang Chaoyun’s mind began to wander. Seeing his dazed look, Lin Jingxian asked cautiously, “Cousin? What is wrong?”

He snapped out of it and smiled at her. “It’s nothing. Thank you for your concern, Jingxian.”

Lin Jingxian relaxed and added, “Cousin can just call me Jingxian directly. If you call me ‘Cousin,’ you have so many cousins that I won’t know which one you are calling.”

Jiang Chaoyun froze, looking at her with some hesitation. “Is that… not quite proper?”

Lin Jingxian served him some food and winked. “What is improper about it? Why don’t you try calling for a ‘Cousin’ now?”

Jiang Chaoyun obediently called out, “Cousin.”

“Yes! Cousin!” The other Lin girls all chirped in unison with giggles.

Lin Jingxian spread her hands. “See? You have so many. If you don’t use my name, how will I know you mean me?”

Jiang Chaoyun: “…”

Still, a girl’s given name was not to be used lightly. Coupled with Lin Shiyan’s earlier hints, Jiang Chaoyun belatedly realized: Does Jingxian also have feelings for me?

At this thought, Jiang Chaoyun felt a jolt. “This goes against propriety. I cannot call you by your name.”

Seeing his “wooden” behavior, Lin Jingxian actually liked him even more. “Why not? I don’t mind, so why do you?”

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t dare speak. It was rare for him to feel such distress from someone other than Han Jiangmu. Seeing his plight, Lin Jingxian laughed straightforwardly. “If you are unwilling, then forget it.” She added, “But can you let me look in that Glazed Mirror? I’ve never seen such a thing.”

Every Lin girl immediately chimed in, competing to go see the mirror. Jiang Chaoyun naturally agreed.

Once the banquet ended, Jiang Chaoyun brought the girls back to his courtyard. The first thing he did was ask Mao’er, “Where is the Iron-Eating Beast?”

The gifts Han Jiangmu sent had truly touched his heart. The fireworks were the most beautiful he had ever seen, and he had only ever read about the Giant Panda in books. As for the mirror, he hadn’t even heard of it.

Mao’er replied, “Young Master, that beast is quite large and difficult to house. I was thinking of fencing off an area for it so it can move freely. What do you think?”

Jiang Chaoyun said, “Do as you suggested. Also, it eats bamboo. There is a bamboo forest behind the courtyard; go cut some fresh, tender stalks—not too old. See if there are any winter bamboo shoots and dig some up for it.”

After ordering the arrangements for the panda, Jiang Chaoyun brought the girls to the room where the Glazed Mirror had been placed.

Lin Jingxian was the first to walk to the mirror. Looking at herself, she was almost loath to leave. Touching the surface, she found it many times smoother than the bronze mirror in her bedroom. She felt a rare surge of envy. “Cousin, a treasure like this… just who would be willing to give it to you?”

Lin Rui’s eight-year-old daughter, Xiao Ya, giggled. “A treasure like this must have been sent by someone who loves Cousin very, very much! If Sister Jingxian doesn’t work harder, Cousin will be snatched away!”

Hearing “loves very much,” Jiang Chaoyun’s heart skipped a beat, and his face instantly turned red. “Xiao Ya, don’t talk nonsense. There is no such thing.”

Xiao Ya pointed at his face. “Cousin’s face is red! My mother told me this is called being bashful! Cousin is bashful!”

The others laughed, but Lin Jingxian found it hard to join in. She asked, “Does Cousin truly not know who sent the gifts?”

Jiang Chaoyun shook his head. Lin Jingxian said, “Such a treasure is rare in this world. Unless someone desperately wanted to win your favor, they would never give such a heavy gift.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s heart pounded, and he fell silent.

It was then that Bixin entered the room, out of breath. “Young Master, that Han Jiangmu is back again.”

Seeing her state, Jiang Chaoyun said, “Why are you in such a hurry? Catch your breath first.”

Bixin gasped, “I couldn’t stop him. He is too insolent; he is in your room right now.”

“…” Jiang Chaoyun turned to the girls. “Please wait here for a moment; I have to go see someone.”

The girls agreed, and Jiang Chaoyun returned to his room with Bixin.

Upon entering, Jiang Chaoyun saw Han Jiangmu standing by the table with his back straight. He was looking down, holding a purple teapot to pour himself some tea. Having not seen him for some time, Jiang Chaoyun felt an indescribable tension.

Han Jiangmu turned around at the sound of the door opening, his gaze accurately catching Jiang Chaoyun’s face. “The Young Master looks very happy.”

Jiang Chaoyun felt his tone was a bit odd. He whispered, “Today is my birthday; naturally, I am happy.”

Han Jiangmu glanced at Bixin. “You, get out.”

Bixin: “…” How is this man still like this?

Jiang Chaoyun said to Bixin, “You may leave.”

Bixin helplessly retreated. Now, only Jiang Chaoyun and Han Jiangmu were left in the room.

Han Jiangmu poured a cup of tea for him. “Young Master, drink some tea.”

Jiang Chaoyun sat down. Thinking of the lavish gifts, he said softly, “Someone sent me many treasures as birthday gifts today.”

Han Jiangmu asked, “Does the Young Master like them?” His tone was so flat, it was as if he truly hadn’t been the one to send them.

Jiang Chaoyun was confused and remained silent.

Han Jiangmu said in a calm tone, “It seems the Young Master does not like them.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s heart tightened, and he said hurriedly, “I like them. I like them very much.”

Han Jiangmu smiled slightly. “That is good then.”

Neither spoke again, and the atmosphere grew somewhat chilly. After a while, Jiang Chaoyun couldn’t hold back and asked, “Where were you today during my birthday?”

Han Jiangmu said, “Didn’t the Young Master wish not to see me?”

Jiang Chaoyun was choked for words, unable to respond.

Han Jiangmu looked at him. “Does the Young Master wish to see me?”

Jiang Chaoyun said crossly, “Who wants to see you? I certainly don’t.”

Han Jiangmu remained silent.

Unable to keep his composure, Jiang Chaoyun said, “Even a stranger sent me such grand gifts, yet you haven’t shown the slightest bit of effort!”

Hearing this, Han Jiangmu pulled a wooden carved rabbit from his breast pocket and placed it on the table. “This is my birthday gift to the Young Master.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s eyes lit up. He grabbed the rabbit and turned it over in his hands. “You carved this?”

Han Jiangmu gave an “mm.” “Does the Young Master like it?”

Jiang Chaoyun was about to say he liked it, but just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly realized: Han Jiangmu—he seemed to particularly love giving him animals. A puppy, a grass cricket, and now a wooden rabbit. By this logic, those grand gifts could only have been sent by him.

Looking at the wooden rabbit in his hand, Jiang Chaoyun’s heart surged with emotion. He said softly:

“I like it.”