139: Birthday surprises and the definition of "home"

On the morning of Excellence's birthday, as the first light of dawn broke, "Homeland" was still shrouded in silence.

Excellence, as usual, was awakened by the rising chirping of birds outside his window.

He rubbed his eyes, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

Last year's birthday had been lively and warm, filled with cake, gifts, and many people's well-wishes.

He didn't know what the Squad Leader and big sister Evelyn would prepare for him this year.

When he finished getting dressed and pushed open his door, he found Su Mu and Evelyn already waiting there.

They wore mysterious and excited smiles, which were a bit different from their usual gentle or calm demeanor.

"Happy birthday, our little birthday boy!" Su Mu stepped forward and gently covered Excellence's surprised eyes with a soft silk blindfold, her movements gentle yet firm.

"Today, we're going to take you to a special place to give you a surprise."

Plunged into darkness, Excellence's heartbeat quickened, curiosity and anticipation intertwined.

"Squad Leader, where are we going?" he couldn't help but ask, his hand held tightly by Su Mu's warm one.

"It's a secret!" Su Mu's voice carried a smile. "Just follow us, and trust us."

Evelyn was also by his side, her voice calm but containing a hint of imperceptible joy: "Don't worry, Excellence. We will ensure your safety."

Her words always gave people an inexplicable sense of security.

Supported by the two of them on either side, Excellence walked forward cautiously.

He could feel the ground beneath his feet change from the smooth corridor floor to a slightly elastic outdoor path, followed by the slight sound of a car door opening.

He was guided into the car, the engine started, and the vehicle smoothly drove out of the "Homeland" gate.

The car interior was quiet, with only soft music and the sound of the wind outside.

Although Excellence couldn't see, his other senses became exceptionally sharp.

He felt the car seemed to be driving on a winding mountain road, climbing and turning.

The fresh scent of grass and trees gradually seeped into the air, replacing the faint smell of metal and disinfectant inside the base.

Besides the wind, he began to hear the increasingly clear sound of babbling water and crisp, melodious bird calls, as if they were driving into a secluded natural secret realm.

This journey into the unknown made Excellence both nervous and excited.

He held Su Mu's hand tightly, feeling the mystery that had been meticulously prepared.

The Secret Realm Revealed: A Birthday Campsite by the Stream

The car drove for about half an hour before slowly coming to a stop.

Excellence was helped out of the car again, his feet stepping onto soft earth and fine gravel, making a rustling sound.

The cool morning air rushed towards him, carrying the fragrance of soil and plants.

He was guided down a short downhill path, the sound of flowing water getting closer, almost right by his ears.

Finally, Su Mu stopped and said softly: "Are you ready? Here comes the surprise!"

The blindfold was gently removed.

The sudden brightness made Excellence squint, but immediately after, he was deeply stunned by the scene before him.

He was standing by a crystal-clear mountain stream.

The water flowed happily, crashing against pebbles and splashing up fine droplets that sparkled like diamonds under the rising sun.

All around were lush woods, with tall trees stretching out their branches, cutting the sky into pieces of azure canvas.

Birds jumped and sang on the branches, and the air was filled with the refreshing scent of plants and the moist breath of water.

It was as if this were an isolated paradise, far away from all the hustle and bustle and technological feel.

What surprised Excellence even more, making his jaw drop, was that a small "campsite" had been meticulously set up on a flat grassy area by the stream.

A compact olive-green tent was pitched there, with a picnic mat spread out next to it.

What excited him most was that what was placed on the mat were not expensive toys or electronic products, but several of his "successful" works from his hand-crafted creations that he treasured as precious gems!

There was his "Emotion Visualization Portable Lamp" that he had improved many times, which could now change its soft light color according to his mood; the mini version of the "Happiness Catcher" (which actually only reacted to specific sound waves) that attempted to capture "happiness energy," shaped like a cute little radar; and even that small fan that, after countless failures, could finally rotate slowly in the sunlight thanks to a small solar panel.

Its blades were gently swaying in the breeze, and it was actually able to send a puff of cool air!

"This... is this...?" Excellence looked at the campsite, then at the smiling Su Mu and Evelyn beside him, too excited to speak coherently.

Su Mu spread her arms, as if announcing a great event, her voice loud and happy: "Welcome to your 'Wilderness Survival and hand-crafted Practice' birthday special! Student Excellence, today there are no labs, no computers, and no endless data and formulas! Just the three of us, and this nature! Your task is to use these 'primitive' tools you are most familiar with, along with your own intelligence, to solve all our problems regarding eating, drinking, cooling off, and entertainment today!"

Evelyn also smiled and added, her tone carrying a rare sense of relaxation and encouragement: "The rule is, try to forget complex derivations today and use your most direct senses and these tools to experience and deal with nature. See what kind of role your inventions can play in the real world."

Excellence was as happy as a bird released from a cage. With a cheer, he immediately rushed towards his "treasures."

He picked up the small fan, aimed it at his face, and felt that weak but real cool breeze, his face overflowing with incomparable satisfaction and pride.

Field Practice of hand-crafted Tools: Laughter and Attempts

The birthday adventure officially began.

Excellence first ambitiously set out to solve the "food source" problem.

He picked up the "Happiness Catcher," walked to the stream with a serious demeanor, and "scanned" the clear water while muttering to himself: "Little fish, little fish, come here quickly and let me capture your happiness energy!"

The result was, of course, futile; the fish swam leisurely, showing no reaction to his device.

In the end, Su Mu couldn't watch any longer and, laughing, took out a small fishing net she had prepared in advance.

With agile movements, she caught a few small stream fish, solving the "protein source" problem.

Excellence scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly, but soon he was enthusiastically using the light from his portable lamp to attract passing insects, calling it "adding snacks for dinner."

The midday sun was a bit intense, so Excellence placed his solar-powered small fan at the entrance of the tent where the sunlight was best.

The fan worked hard to spin; although the wind power wasn't great, it did bring a bit of circulating air into the tent.

Excellence proudly showed off to Su Mu and Evelyn: "Look! My electric fan uses pure, natural, and non-polluting energy!"

Su Mu cooperatively gave a thumbs up, and Evelyn nodded in affirmation of his eco-friendly concept.

Evelyn and Su Mu weren't idle either.

They used the portable small stove and simple cookware they had brought to handle the ingredients together.

Su Mu was responsible for starting the fire and grilling the fish, while Evelyn carefully washed the vegetables and fruits they brought to prepare a salad.

Without exquisite kitchen equipment, everything returned to simplicity, but the three of them worked together and were happily busy.

Wisps of smoke curled up, mixing with the aroma of grilled fish and the scent of plants, full of rustic charm.

Although the lunch was simple—grilled fish, vegetable salad, bread, and fruit—sitting by the stream, listening to the sound of water, and feeling the mountain breeze, the meal was exceptionally delicious.

Excellence felt that this was tastier than any feast he had ever eaten.

In the afternoon, the sunlight became gentle.

The three of them lay side by side on the soft grass, pillows made of their arms, watching white clouds slowly drift across the azure sky.

The world became exceptionally quiet, with only the sound of the wind, the water, and each other's breathing left.

This tranquility, far removed from all complexity, allowed one's heart to settle down as well.

Excellence looked at the sky and suddenly said softly: "Squad Leader, big sister Evelyn, I think this place is really nice."

Su Mu turned her head, the sunlight casting soft light and shadows on her face: "Oh? In what way is it nice?"

Excellence tried hard to organize his words: "It's just... there aren't so many buzzing machines, no endless data and flashing screens... My ears hear the sound of water and birds, and my nose smells the scent of trees and grass.

Most importantly, it's just the three of us, quiet and peaceful."

He paused, his voice softer, "Being with you, it feels like home no matter where we are.

This 'home,' compared to a home with walls and a roof, is even bigger and more comfortable."

This sentence, so simple, yet like a warm current, instantly flooded into Su Mu and Evelyn's hearts, melting them.

All the meticulous planning, all the protection and dedication, received the most precious reward at this moment.

Evelyn looked at the sky, a gentle curve appearing at the corner of her mouth, and responded softly, as if talking to herself, or as if speaking to the two people beside her: "Yes... wherever you are, that is home."

The sunlight shone warmly on the three of them, the stream tinkled, and time seemed to become slow and gentle at this moment, solidifying into a picture scroll named "Happiness."

Star Wishes and the Journey Home: The Definition of Home

By evening, the sky gradually darkened, and the Deep Blue canopy began to be dotted with twinkling stars.

The last activity of the birthday began.

Su Mu produced a Kongming lantern she had handmade as if by magic.

The lantern cover was made of resilient paper, with three stick figures holding hands drawn in colored pens, faintly recognizable as Su Mu, Evelyn, and Excellence.

Beside them, the wish "Peace and Happiness" was written in elegant handwriting.

The three of them worked together, carefully unfolding the lantern cover, and lit the fuel block at the bottom.

Hot air gradually filled the lantern, and it began to swell, gaining lift.

Excellence's eyes sparkled in the twilight, filled with anticipation.

"Come, Excellence, make a birthday wish!" Su Mu said with a smile.

Excellence clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and his expression was incredibly devout.

He didn't aspire to be a great scientist, nor did he want many novel toys.

After experiencing this day of tranquility and warmth, the strongest wish in his heart became exceptionally simple and pure.

He whispered, but clearly made his wish: "I hope that every year on my birthday, I can spend it with the Squad Leader and big sister Evelyn.

We will always be a family."

There were no flowery words, no grand goals, only the most simple and sincere emotions.

This wish, like the brightest star in the night sky, was deeply imprinted in the hearts of the three of them.

The Kongming lantern slowly left their hands, carrying the warm firelight and beautiful wishes, and rose lightly into the night sky.

It flew higher and higher, eventually merging into the brilliant galaxy, as if their agreement had also received the witness of the stars.

On the way back, Excellence was clearly tired from playing.

Not long after the car started, he slumped over in his seat, his head naturally resting on Su Mu's shoulder, and fell fast asleep.

In his small hand, he was still tightly clutching that solar-powered small fan that had made a "great contribution" today, as if it were his most beloved treasure.

Su Mu adjusted her posture to let him sleep more comfortably, gently brushing away the stray hair stuck to his forehead by sweat.

She looked up and met the gaze of Evelyn, who was looking back from the passenger seat.

The two smiled at each other, their eyes filled with the same tenderness, gratification, and expectation and firmness for the future.

The night outside the car window grew thicker, but inside the car, it was warm and peaceful.

After this day, the definition of "home" became incomparably clear and warm in their hearts.

It was no longer just a specific geographical location or a sturdy building, but the sturdiest and warmest harbor in the world, composed of the most sincere concern, selfless protection, and warm companionship between them.

No matter what storms the future might bring, as long as the three of them were together, everywhere was home.