Shirley wiped away his tears and, as she gazed at his face, she couldn't help but think, "Wow, Abner is really handsome. No wonder he has so many admirers."

She chuckled and ruffled his hair a bit.

"Alright, no more tears. You're seventeen and still crying. What's that about? I got you a birthday present."

She gently pushed him back and opened the box at her feet.

Inside was a beautifully wrapped gift box.

She placed the gift box in front of Abner, her face brimming with a smile.

"Go on, open it."

Abner, still with red eyes, sat up straight on the couch and opened the gift. "Thanks, Shirley."

Just as he said that, Shirley's phone rang-it was the delivery guy, saying the cake had arrived.

She opened the door and waited for the delivery guy to reach her floor before going out to collect the cake.

The cake was a petite 4-inch one, small but exquisitely made.

By now, Abner had unwrapped the gift box, revealing a pair of limited-edition sneakers.

Shirley explained, "I heard from Mr. James that you enjoy playing basketball in gym class and that you're pretty good at it. So, I thought a new pair of sneakers would be perfect for you to wear on the court." Abner, now somewhat familiar with the brands, realized these sneakers weren't cheap, and his voice turned hoarse.

"Yeah."

Shirley put the cake on the coffee table and lit two candles on it, with the number seventeen on top.

late, we still need to

hands together and began to

later, he still hadn't

laughed, "That many

being too

it's your cake. Wish as much as you

lips curved into a smile.

the cake

having pushed herself to

go to bed.

"Alright, I'm really beat."

and

remained on the couch, slowly

ret

and kept eating until he was full. He then carefully

the sneakers Shirley got him, he

in his room, he felt too excited to

ended up solving three sets of practice papers before dozing

could only stay for two days, and the next day, she had to

her

could finally spend time with

doing homework until she returned, then

"Shirley, dinner's ready."

to bother with cooking, but he

yesterday and said, "Cooking makes

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