MY UNKNOWN HUSBAND, VOLUME 2 - Season 3 Episode 99

It was night and the buildings in the North Yard were faint in the darkness. Nine scouted ahead, sniffing things as he walked. Nina wasn’t far behind. Chester was there with a book in his arms. He didn’t complain at all—he was looking forward to it.

Nina had been depressed for the past couple days. Chester hoped John’s surprise could make her happy.

The two walked on the winding cement road, flowers blooming on both sides and swaying gently in the breeze.

Soon enough, Nine dog stopped in his tracks. So did Nina.

They should be standing in the open space in the garden out back. But a huge black shape reared up before them, blocking their way in. Not only that, it took up a lot of space by itself. It looked menacing in the darkness.

A faint sound reached their ears. It was pleasant enough. Not to mention the tinkling wind chimes waiting for them under the eaves.

Nina strained her ears, trying to make out what that sound was past the chimes. It got slightly louder, and she could hear a high-pitched buzzing.

“What’s that sound?” Nina cupped her ear, but she just couldn’t figure out what it was. She could hear the chirping and lowing of the night creatures but not much else.

“I don’t know,” said Chester, shaking his head.

He guessed it might have something to do with the surprise his John had prepared.

Nina looked up at the dark shape before her.

Suddenly, the area was lit up. She shielded her eyes against the sudden glare.

Dozens of fireflies danced in the dark night. Their bodies were lit up, but it was a soft, gentle light, like a lamp covered by gauze.

“Fireflies?” Images of the forest in C Island flashed through Nina’s mind. Every summer the fireflies were out. Floating quietly, gently, just like the stars twinkling in the sky.

When Nina stretched out her right hand, a firefly landed on the back of her hand, flapping its wings gently, and that was when she figured out the source of the mysterious sound.

Since fireflies are largely silent, this was no ordinary lightning bug. It was a mechanical contrivance, shaped like a firefly, complete with a round glow at its tail.

The people who controlled these fireflies were all on the rooftop. More than 20 people had radio controls and were guiding the robots’ movements. The receivers had special chips to prevent the signals getting crossed.

They couldn’t be too obvious, or the surprise would be ruined. They squatted in place, or flattened themselves against the roof.

Unlike the others, Amy and Lena had micro cameras on the fireflies they controlled. Richard just sat there, staring at the screen.

The three of them still sported bandages.

Even injured, they still did their jobs.

They had the option of recuperating in the hospital, but they knew this was important to John, so they put that on the back burner.

In the glow provided by the “fireflies,” Nina was able to see the black shape more clearly. It was a huge black curtain that covered the scene behind it, which aroused her curiosity.

“Aunt Nina, open the black curtain a little and see what’s there!” Chester held the book tighter and looked at Nina with his bright eyes.

He was a little nervous, afraid that he would ruin John’s surprise.

However, Nina had already figured it out.
“John did this?” Nina grabbed a firefly with her bare hand, bent over and placed it on the back of Chester’s hand, smiling at him.

When Chester saw her smile, he also smiled and nodded.

“Okay, let’s see what’s behind it.” Nina casually strolled over to the curtain.

On the rooftop, Richard watched Nina’s every move. “Mrs. Lu is about to pull open the curtain. Get ready, everyone.”

The figures hiding in the darkness were prepared for what came next.

Whoosh!

Nina stretched out her hand to pull down the curtain, and North Yard was bathed in light. The lights were not as bright as they usually were. They were gentle, muted, like the moonlight pouring down from a crescent moon.

With the sudden light, Nina raised her hand again to cover her eyes.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Nina! Happy birthday to you!”

The traditional birthday song rang out, accompanied by cheerful laughter. The sound was not too loud, more like a soft wind blowing into Nina’s ears.

Nina was stunned and then remembered what day it was today.

It was May 19th. Her birthday!

She turned twenty today.

Nina slowly lowered her hand, and a small forest stood revealed before her eyes. Trees shaded the verdant grass beneath them. Small flowers bloomed in the meadow—white, yellow, purple…

Dry ice created the white mist covering the ground. Small colorful lights hung on the trees. The mechanical fireflies lingered, and she could hear a soothing tune being played on a violin.

The forest was like a fairyland.

In the center of the fairyland stood a row of people, each of them smiling at Nina.
Michelle said, “Happy birthday, Nini!”

“Happy birthday, Aunt Nina!” echoed James.

Emma said, “Happy birthday, Nina.”

“Happy birthday, Aunt Nina,” Dora chimed in.

Daniel held his wife, Angela, and said, “Happy birthday.”

Tears glimmered in Nina’s eyes, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

Chester held Nina’s hand and looked up at her. “Happy birthday, Aunt Nina.”

The high, childlike voice touched the softness in Nina’s heart. When she gazed at him, for a moment it was like he was her child.

“Thank you, Chester.” Holding Chester’s hand, Nina walked inside.

She seemed to have returned to the forest of C Island. She heard the light chirping of insects and inhaled the fresh air that nature had to offer.

Nina walked up to everyone and hugged them, until tears welled in her eyes.

After hugging Angela, she realized she hadn’t seen John yet. She could not help frowning.

She could see the guests all lined up, their backs to the meadow behind the house. Nina thought John should be here, and she was looking forward to seeing him in her heart.

The others looked at each other and made way for Nina.

She eventually came upon a long, rectangular table covered with a white daisy cloth. There was a large cake, and a veritable cornucopia of fruit and gifts. There was also a projector.

The projector hummed to life, and Leon’s face appeared on the screen. Outside, the night wind blew.

“Happy birthday, Nini!”

Leon and Wynn said with a smile.

Once again, Nina raised her hand to cover her mouth. Feeling a lump in her throat, she bit her lips.

“Leon…”

“I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye. But I worried that if you didn’t want me to leave and cried at the airport, I’d have no choice but to take you back.” Leon reached out his hand, as if he was trying to wipe away his sister’s tears.

When Leon heard his sister had been down in the dumps for several days because he had left, he was both sad and glad.

Leon withdrew his hand and said with a smile, “Happy birthday, Nina.”

His voice was soft and slow, as if he could travel through mountains and rivers from C Island to visit Nina.

“Thank you, Leon.” Nina smiled, her eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and her red lips and white teeth looked adorable.

Then the image vanished.

Nina wiped her tears and began to look around for John.

She looked everywhere but didn’t see him.

“Aunt Nina, Uncle John was just here. I don’t know what happened, but he left in a hurry.” James walked up to explain.

“Don’t blame Uncle John. Work has kept him busy. Probably too busy to come to your birthday party.”

Nina glanced at him and said nothing. There was a flash of disappointment in her eyes.