9 Birthday Present

I used to know only one "love". My love for my mom and dad. Until I met Lian-ge when I first stepped foot in kindergarten.

Among all the kids there, he stood out the most. I meant that literally, because he was the tallest one in class. So my eyes went straight to him, this tall boy who was surrounded by everyone.

It was hard to miss him, really, because there was always a crowd around him. Everyone loved him. He had always been kind and funny.

I was ascertained by that fact since the first thing he did when he saw me walked in with the teacher was, greeting me with a huge grin on his face.

I still remembered how he stretched out his hand and said in a kind voice, "Hi! My name is Lian Hua. Let's be friends!"

There was no hesitation in his eyes or the pretentious fake smile like any other kids who came after him. I might be an introvert and quiet but I had been sensitive since young.

So I knew right then and there, Lian-ge was truly a kind person. And I wasn't hoping for anything because he was popular. His kindness alone was enough. But, he kept me hoping, wanting more because ever since that introduction, he never once left me.

I guessed that was the start of everything after. Slowly, step by step, he introduced a whole new world to me. It was then I came to know another type of love.

It wasn't a love for appreciation. A simple thank you one's said to another. But instead, a love that made your heart beat a thousand times faster. A love that made you suffered from a temporary fever. A love that changed your whole life and felt nothing but right.

"What's...what's the title?" I stupidly repeated the question. Yes, take it as me having trouble with my hearing.

He laughed and said once again, "Airi."

I went silent for a while before I harshly berated him. "Don't joke with me!"

Seriously, my weak heart couldn't handle his weird sense of joke. However, before I could say anything further, Lian-ge stood up and went to me. He kneeled down in front of me.

I was a bit startled by his move. Then, he went to hold my hands. With a serious expression plastered on his face, he said, "I'm not joking."

"I wrote it for you, Airi."

I couldn't speak. There was a lump stuck inside my throat.

"I wrote it for your birthday. I had wanted to play it to you then as a birthday present."

"Then why didn't you wait until then to play it?" I suddenly asked. There was a hint of laughter in my voice.

He really surprised me. He wrote a song for me. I couldn't believe it. I could feel something blooming in my chest. It was warm. I was very happy until I saw him smiled.

He smiled. But that wasn't a smile I had seen before. One thing for sure, I wished I had never seen it. The grip of my hands on his tightened.

"Why?" I asked one more time.

He cupped my face and chuckled.

"Well what choice do I have left when the princess wanted to hear me play something special."

I frowned. "I never said that."

"But you were thinking so hard. I couldn't bear looking at the wrinkle forming on your forehead."

I was about to say something when he suddenly leaned his forehead against mine.

"I told you, Airi. I love seeing you smile. So if playing this song can make you smile, I don't mind playing it for you."

I held his hands that was on my cheeks. "Thank you, Lian-ge. I love it. And you don't have to prepare anything for my birthday. This song is enough."

He chuckled as he brought my head to his chest. "What are you saying, Airi? Are you doubting my skill? I have snatched tons of medals with my piano skill."

That was true. Lian-ge had always loved playing piano and his parents fully supported him with that. Thus, Lian-ge grew up on stage. He won one competition after another.

I looked up from his embrace. "You're going to prepare another present for me?"

"Yep. I will give you another song on your birthday."

"Really?"

"I promise," he said. "Now, Airi, where's my smile?"

With that, I smiled widely flashing a row of white teeth. Immediately, he squeezed me in his arms.

"Ah, Lian-ge, you're gonna suffocate me if you hold me this tight."

"I can't Airi, you're too cute!"

I giggled. "Well this cute girlfriend of yours is currently suffocating, are you not feeling any pity?"

After that, I could feel his arms slowly loosening up and I let out a long sigh of relief. He gazed down at me.

"Airi."

"Hmm?"

"I think you need to lose weight."

"..."

He gently pinched my waist. "Look, there's fat."

"Lian-ge."

He looked at me. I smiled but it didn't reach my ears. It was a subtle one.

"Do you value your life?" I asked.

He gulped before he nodded.

"Then never. ever. say anything to a girl that may indicate that she's fat."

He nodded again. I smiled. This time, it was a genuine one.

"And Lian-ge."

"Ah?"

"I'm 5 ft 4 and my weight is 48 kg. I'm not fat!"

There wasn't even a pause when Lian-ge immediately burst out laughing. I pouted at his reaction. What's so funny? She was really not fat okay? Even Xu Ting said she looked thin. The other girls in her class also said the same thing.

"Lian-ge!" I yelled.

"Okay, okay," he said rubbing my head, "My Airi isn't fat. She's the prettiest."

I grinned, nodding my head in satisfaction. He caressed my cheek tenderly and slightly brushed the tip of my lips.

"You really have a lovely smile, Airi."

Honestly, I never understood why everyone loved seeing me smile so much. I once checked myself in the mirror but I found nothing special in it. But all my friends said I had a lovely smile.

If we wanted to talk about lovely, I thought Lian-ge smile was more beautiful because whenever he smiled, you could see the dimples on his cheeks. I didn't have those. So how could mine be seen as lovely?

But whatever it was, I didn't care. If Lian-ge loved seeing me smile, I would always smile for him.

"Airi."

His voice broke my train of thoughts. "Hmm?"

"Let's go eat your cotton candy?"

"Yes!"