"Where are we going?" Kang Sola asked curiously as soon as he joined Xue Guangxi in the back seat of a black sedan.Without answering, the Second Young Master gave the signal to the driver to leave that instant.
"I need you to do errands for me so I"m going to use the coupons you gave me as a gift." He explained monotonously.
"En. You said that already."
"I"m just reiterating the rules in case you forget. Another thing, you"re not allowed to say no. Don"t worry, I know the limit. Just play along with me today. I need company."
Kang Sola secretly scrutinized Xue Guangxi from the corners of her eyes. "What"s his problem? Has he lost his mind already?"
"What does he want to do today? He said he wants to go somewhere with me."
Cutting her thoughts, he broke the silence, "So your special mission for the whole day, and to fulfill the errands that I will ask you to... without complaining, I hope. Simple right?" He was d.a.m.n serious. He was too serious that Kang Sola started to get nervous.
After a few minutes, the driver informed them that they arrived at their first stop.
It was nine in the morning, and at this time, most of the stores are opening up.
Yet, the store where the driver parked the car has already been bustling with life. Xue Guangxi and Kang Sola entered the store and were greeted with attentive, professional shop personnel.
They were in a flower shop.
"Help me choose a bouquet. I trust your artistic eye. That"s your first errand." Xue Guangxi gave out the instructions sullenly.
"Okay. May I know some details about the recipient of the bouquet? You know, to be able to pick the best and most suitable ones I need to have a gist of the situation. Is it for your mother? For your sister? How about the age of the person receiving it? What is the intention? Is it for apology, appreciation… confession?" Kang Sola added the last one hesitatingly.
In her mind, she probed the idea of Guangxi liking a girl again. "He has been without a girlfriend for too long now. I guess, too long for his standards."
Xue Guangxi checked on the flowers himself. Back turned towards the girl and without paying her enough attention, he uttered curtly, "It"s for the girl I like."
"I see." The girl thought that she got it right, and shrugged it off. She discussed and inquired with the florist about the various flowers that they offered and eventually chose a ready-made bouquet for the intended purpose of a love confession. The bouquet consisted of soft pink roses, cotton flowers, pink carnations, baby"s breath in pastel colors, and eucalyptus. It was wrapped in a baby blue colored paper tied together with a lavender ribbon. It has the sweet and innocent vibe of a romantic confession of a young boy to a young girl.
Kang Sola was internally pleased with her selection. Xue Guangxi, on the other hand, did not openly express his judgment but accepted her suggestion without comments or objections.
Next, they went to a street where a series of clothing stores line up and entered into one.
Kang Sola"s eyes roamed around at the pretty clothes and shoes and bags that were displayed on the racks. She was at a loss. She couldn"t think of the reason for them to go there. It was out of place, and out of the norm. She just thought that maybe Xue Guangxi wanted to buy something of a gift for the girl he"ll confess his feelings to.
"So he"s been under the weather lately because of some love problems?" Her mind continued to process the situation.
Then, Xue Guangxi sat on one of the benches comfortably. He instructed the lady personnel to a.s.sist Kang Sola in picking the most appropriate items for her.
"Huh?" Surprised, Kang Sola was taken aback. She gawked alternately at Xue Guangxi and the lady personnel.
"I would have to repeat before you say anything. Just obey without complaining, please." Xue Guangxi unsmilingly commented while he started to plug in his earphones and play a game with his mobile phone. Then he added without looking up, "Take your time. We"re not in a hurry. Just make sure she gets the best. The number of items is not an issue. Price is not an issue either. Don"t listen to her, just me. She"ll surely complain or nag or object. Understand?"
The first statement was meant for Kang Sola, while the latter one was intended to the lady personnel who answered affirmatively.
When they were done, he paid everything without checking the items nor looking at Kang Sola. She"s now wearing a cute, knee-length, electric blue line dress. Perhaps he gave her just a sweep from head to toe, and that was it. They rode in the car again.
By this time, Kang Sola felt more than just nervous. She didn"t want to a.s.sume anything, but then, she"s just a girl, still a girl. Even if she"s Xue Guangxi"s best and closest friend, she"s still a normal college girl, and she knew too well that this treatment isn"t normal between friends.
She started to fidget, but since it"s part of her fulfilling Xue Guangxi"s wishes for the day – without complaining – she kept her mouth shut and patiently waited what"s next, and perhaps for him to tell her that it has all been just a prank at the end of the day.
Their next destination was at a famous restaurant near the Songzhu Temple. They went inside where a waiter guided them to a table at the farther end of the venue, located adjacent to a window overlooking great spring scenery.
Kang Sola followed Xue Guangxi"s lead silently. They ate an expensive gourmet lunch without much talking between them.
Xue Guangxi was indeed going all out, but he did not seem happy or even touched by his efforts. His countenance remained sullen.
Kang Sola was still at a loss for words. She did not know what to make of it or the situation.
In the afternoon, they went to a movie theatre. Xue Guangxi asked Kang Sola what movie she wants to see, and she chose accordingly. The lad went ahead and bought tickets, soda, and some popcorn.
Kang Sola chose a romantic comedy, but during the whole movie, Xue Guangxi never smiled nor laughed. The girl knew there was something wrong and she grew more uneasy. Nevertheless, she smiled and laughed at specific scenes as the movie required from its audience. In that sense, the atmosphere between them somehow became less rigid than it already was.
After the movies, they roamed around at the park near the movie theatre. It was around three in the afternoon.
At some point, Xue Guangxi extended his hand for Kang Sola to take.
"Hmmm?" The girl"s face was full of question marks. Like any normal girl, her face flushed uncontrollably from the gesture. She would certainly not want her face to blush at this moment. "What would Xue Guangxi think of it? It"s embarra.s.sing. I"m not so sure what"s happening right now."
"Can I hold your hand?" With such a serious eager face, Xue Guangxi made his intention clear.
"Huh? …En." The girl"s blush intensified. "He said I should play along, right? It wouldn"t hurt. I"ll wait for the explanation later. He doesn"t look like he"s joking. This is making me nervous."
He grabbed her hand and continued to walk side by side at the sun in the west prepared to retire for the day.