The screen types out the below title: Day 5 of the Self-Defense Squad training.

Right before the Model 3’s takeoff ( a magnificent mech flashes before the screen in all of its shining glory, brilliant like a star), Lu Bixing darkens Commander Lin's doorway with a decadent piece of panna cotta cake. Carefully decorated with flowers, the cake can practically be used as an advertisement photo, but unfortunately, Commander Lin doesn’t even bat an eyelash at it. Seeing no reaction from Lin Jingheng, Lu Bixing calls out behind him: “It’s your birthday today!”

Lin Jingheng stops belatedly, slowly turning his head.

“What?” he questions, voice dry.

“Your birthday, the official profiles from the Union said it was on the 10th.” Lu Bixing explains as he observes Lin’s blank stare. The lack of any reaction sows doubt in Lu Bixing's mind, and he slowly pulls the cake back towards himself. “Is the official source wrong?”

“... No.” Lin Jingheng responds immediately. For a moment, he stands paralyzed in place... before he finally musters up enough courage to walk back towards Lu Bixing. Lin Jingheng picks up the little fork poised delicately on the edge of the plate and shoves a small piece of the cake into his mouth with a hollow stare, as if he were a man at his final meal.

Almost immediately, his personal device responds with an “over-consumption of sugar” warning. The realization dawns on Lin Jingheng: this is the first time he has ever broken his diet during nutritional rehab.

And it is worth it.

Lin Jingheng doesn't stop there. He shoves the rest of the cake hastily into his mouth, the flavor bright, standing out in stark contrast to the bland diet he usually keeps. As he lifts his head, he gives Lu Bixing a quick glance of gratitude, gray eyes a little brighter. And then he fucking books it.

-

The cake is so good, he even forgets to return the fork.