BONG... BONG... BONG...
The deep, warm chime of midnight rang out from the bronze bell tower of Frost-Pine Town. Echoed simultaneously by the four Polar Spirit-Wi-Fi Towers across all nine continents, the western monster mountains, and the endless deep seas of Planet Canglan.
Up on the wide wooden front porch of the floating Five-Courtyard Estate, the night air was warm, cozy. Filled with the rich, mouth-watering aroma of vanilla sponge cake, toasted almonds, and sweet mountain berries.
At the center of the long wooden family dining table sat a magnificent, five-tiered birthday cake that Gu Changsheng and Auntie Qin had baked earlier that afternoon before the final orbital battle.
Each of the five tiers was decorated to match one of the five children:.
The bottom tier was ringed with golden toasted-marshmallow flames and a miniature chocolate frying pan for Gu Nian.
The second tier was frosted with crisp, ninety-degree geometric checkerboard squares and a white-chocolate ruler for Ye Xiao.
The third tier was covered in candied pink rose petals and sweet honey-glaze blossoms for Su Nuannuan.
