THE REAL PROTEGE

Kim Kim and Chin Chin's Birthday Banquet – Orchid Pavilion

The transformation of the Orchid Pavilion that evening was nothing short of celestial. As the last rays of sunset kissed the sky in strokes of peach and indigo, the banquet hall came alive with enchanted splendor.

Golden lanterns floated midair like tiny suns held by threads of magic, choreographed to move in a slow, elegant ballet across the ceiling. Beneath them, floral arrangements spilled from crystal towers like waterfalls — snow peonies, baby's breath, and sakura blooms cascading in soft pinks and whites, woven with strands of starlight. The scent of wild osmanthus mingled with sugared vanilla and cherry blossom mist, carried by hidden aromatic vents in the marble columns.

At the far end of the hall stood a raised, whimsical forest stage, built just for the occasion. Glowing trees — crafted with fiber-optic vines and sapphire-crystal leaves — framed the background. Mechanical butterflies with translucent wings fluttered gently around a silken throne shaped like a crescent moon, waiting for the birthday queens to ascend.

Then, the chatter softened.

The crowd, young and old, turned.

Hand in hand, Kim Kim and Chin Chin emerged through a veil of falling petals at the top of the stairs. They were radiant, beaming with wide, unguarded delight.

Their matching red organza dresses flared like poppy blossoms in spring, the skirts layered with delicate petal tulle. Rose gold butterflies danced across the fabric, catching every glint of light as they twirled. Moonstone lotus clips adorned their sleek side buns, catching the subtle highlights in their hair.

"Welcome, everyone!" Chin Chin blurted excitedly, gripping the child-sized microphone with white-knuckled ferocity before freezing mid-breath. Her mouth hung open. Her eyes darted to the sea of staring faces, children, diplomats, generals, entertainers, and ancestral elders — all glimmering in silks and power.

Chin Chin leaned in, whispered, "I forgot what to say..."

Kim Kim, not missing a beat, stepped forward with the poise of a tiny empress. "Thank you for coming to our party! Our wish is for more cake and no bedtime!"

The room broke into spontaneous applause and laughter, the tension dissolving like spun sugar.

Ren gave her sister an exaggerated thumbs-up behind her back. "Nice save."

Ballerinas, dressed in glimmering chiffon, spun onto the stage with silken fans. They leapt like wind spirits beneath the lantern glow, accompanied by a quartet playing enchanted music boxes in glass domes. In the eastern corner, acrobats in cloud-white robes balanced porcelain tea sets on swords and fans — each movement a whisper of martial artistry.

Near the buffet line, a transparent koi pool rippled softly under the floor. Robotic koi — programmed with synchronized pattern swimming — glided under guests' feet, their iridescent scales casting fractured rainbows across the marble. Of course, these were all Mushu's efforts, and he had been bragging about them for days, like a broken record.

Children ran between crystal flower hedges playing augmented-reality treasure hunts. Adults whispered praises of the spectacle, but their eyes occasionally drifted to the woman seated quietly at the edge of it all.

At the heart of the Orchid Pavilion, perched atop a crystal turntable beneath a floating ring of lanterns, stood the twins' birthday cake: a three-tiered masterpiece sculpted with breathtaking artistry, specially crafted by Chef Leon.

Bottom tier: A cascading forest of edible cherry blossoms in soft blush and ivory, with sugar-carved butterflies "landing" delicately on each petal. A shimmer of pearl dust made the florals seem as if dew-kissed under morning light.

Middle tier: Crafted to resemble a moonlit koi pond, this layer's translucent pale-blue fondant reflected like rippling water, complete with hand-painted lily pads, koi fish in metallic orange and gold, and even miniature glowing lanterns that pulsed softly beneath a sugar-glass dome.

Top tier: Shaped like a storybook tower, the twins' fairytale castle stood proud, turrets spiraling into spun-sugar spires, each window aglow with edible LED lights. Their names were scripted in golden sugar ribbon curling around the base, beside two miniature fondant figurines of Kim Kim and Chin Chin, one with a red bow, the other with a moonstone clip.

And crowning the entire cake?

A butterfly carousel spun slowly, suspended above by clear wires—crafted from wafer paper and brushed in iridescent hues, the wings flapping ever so slightly as if magic held them aloft.

When the lights dimmed and the candles were lit, the entire cake seemed to glow from within, casting dancing shadows across the giggling faces of the twins.

Chin Chin gasped. "It's our whole dream!"

Kim Kim leaned in, wide-eyed. "Is it too pretty to eat?"

"...."

Spoiler: it wasn't.

And every slice carried the sweetness of wonder, celebration, and a day that turned from ruin… to magic.

As Chef Leon said, for Kim Kim and Chin Chin, it couldn't be just any birthday cake. It had to be a centerpiece of enchantment, a confection so fantastical it looked as though it were whisked straight out of a dream.

*** Would you like a taste of the twins' favorite layer? I can describe the flavor as if I were right there.

After the twins blew out the flickering candles on their birthday cake, a burst of laughter and excitement rippled through the garden. They dove into a lively playtime with a vibrant group of friends who had come along with their parents from Ling Li's circle. Everyone hoped their little ones would bond and leave a delightful impression on Ling Li's twins.

Among the children, Chatty stood out like a star, his charisma shining bright. With a fluffy Enfield draped around his neck, he exuded an air of smugness as the other children gathered around him, enchanted.

Children circled Chatty like stars around a proud little sun.

Chatty puffed up his chest, adjusting the Enfield around his neck as if it were a superhero's cape.

The children's hands reached out to pet the soft fur of the Enfield, which responded with gentle affection, making it even more irresistible.

"Careful," Chatty said with exaggerated importance. "He only lets cool people pet him."

A wide-eyed boy named Basti clutched a half-eaten donut. "Is he a dog or a tiger? Or, wait — does he talk?"

"No, silly," said Kim Kim in a very childish voice. "He's an Enfield. That's like a unicorn, but fuzzier and smarter."

Chatty nodded sagely.