Chapter 155: Reaping What One Sows (5)

At seven o'clock, the cake was finally brought out.

Lighting the candles, making a wish, blowing out the candles, and then came the cutting of the cake.

Xu Jianger eagerly helped out, handing a piece of cake to everyone.

Finally, she picked up a piece with chocolate on it and said to Qian Yinyin beside her, "Yinyin, Qiao Xi didn't come to get her cake. Could you take this one over to her?"

"Sure." Qian Yinyin took the cake, walked over to Qiao Xi, and said, "Qiao Xi, this piece is for you."

Qiao Xi wasn't very fond of sweets, which was why she hadn't gone to get any cake earlier. Now that Qian Yinyin had brought it over personally, it was hard for her to refuse, so she accepted it.

"You have to eat it, okay?" Qian Yinyin said.

"I will," Qiao Xi replied.

"Yinyin, what wish did you just make?" Gu Panxi asked while eating her cake.

"I just wished for..." Qian Yinyin deliberately paused to keep them in suspense.

"Oh, tell us!" Gu Panxi urged.

"I simply can't tell. If you say it out loud, it won't come true."

"Only the third wish is the one you can't tell, alright? The first two are fine to share."

"Anyway, I'm just not going to say it..."

...

Qiao Xi did not join the conversation and quietly ate her cake.

The piece of cake wasn't large, and she finished it quickly enough as she ate slowly. Afterward, she drank her beverage.

Glancing at the time, it was half past seven.

"Qiao Xi, do you want some more cola?" Gu Panxi had just poured herself a glass of cola and, seeing Qiao Xi's cup was empty, asked her.

"No, thanks," Qiao Xi said. She had already had several cups tonight.

"What about you, Jianger?" Gu Panxi turned to Xu Jianger.

"Pour me a glass," Xu Jianger said, casting a glance at Qiao Xi.

Just as Qiao Xi finished answering Gu Panxi, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

She reached up to massage the space between her eyebrows, but her condition did not improve.

"Sister Xi, what's wrong?" Xu Jianger asked with apparent kindness.

Hearing her words, everyone else turned their gaze toward Qiao Xi.

"My head feels a bit uncomfortable," Qiao Xi said.

"Is it serious? Do you want to go see a doctor?" Qian Yinyin asked with concern.

Gu Panxi also came over, reached out to touch Qiao Xi's forehead, and immediately said, "It's a bit warm."

"I'm fine," Qiao Xi said.

"You shouldn't push yourself. You'd better go back and rest," Xu Jianger said caringly.

"But how is she supposed to go back like this?" Gu Panxi said.

"How about she lies down in my room for a while?" Qian Yinyin suggested.

"No need, I can just go back by myself," Qiao Xi said.

"How about this, I'll walk you back," Gu Panxi offered.

"I really am fine, I'm already feeling much better." Qiao Xi figured the dizziness was caused by being cooped up in the room for so long. After all, there were quite a few people inside, and because they were singing and had kept the windows closed to avoid disturbing others, the poor ventilation was likely the culprit. She thought that getting some fresh air outside would fix it, so she didn't want to trouble anyone.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright, then be careful on your way," Gu Panxi said with a concerned expression.

Qiao Xi nodded and stood up.

"Then I'll head back first," she said to Qian Yinyin.

"Okay, I'll see you out." Qian Yinyin walked her to the door, still looking somewhat uneasy. "Are you really sure you don't need someone to walk you back?"

Qiao Xi shook her head.

"Then text me when you get home."

"Alright."

Qiao Xi nodded, turned around, and left.

Once she came outside and breathed in the fresh air, she really did feel a bit better. However, she hadn't walked very far before her head started spinning again. She massaged her temples, hoping it would clear her head, but it had no effect at all. In the end, she could only lean weakly against a nearby wall.