Best gift
The two of them didn't realize how long they had been dancing in each other's arms. The silence between them was interrupted with Chang's phone ringing. He took it out of his pocket and to see that his was grandmother calling him. He let go of Xia Biming and answered the call.
"Grandma, is anything the matter?" He wondered what his grandmother needed.
"It's nearly midnight and your grandfather and I are getting tired. We're too old to be up this late. I went to find you in the billiard room, but Huanting said you left an hour ago and didn't come back yet. Where are you?"
Oh, woops. He didn't realize that they had been out for so long. He ended the call with his grandmother promising to come find her soon. "I guess we should head back in, you were crying earlier and if we stay out much longer you might get a cold."
Biming nodded in agreement and they walked back towards the mansion together. "Here's your coat back. Thank you for lending it to me, it was really warm." She held the coat neatly in her two small hands and gave him such a sweet smile.
He almost wanted to tell her to keep it since she liked the smell so much but went against his own thoughts. "Thanks, I guess I'll be heading home now. Remember to open your gift from me later. It's on the table with all the other gifts. I wrote a little note in it, I hope you'll know which gift is mine."
With that, he walked off to find his grandparents and head home. She smiled and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. She bumped into An Xi in the kitchen arguing with Wang Xuan over the pint of ice cream.
"Wang Xuan, you dog! Don't eat all the ice cream! This is for Ming! If I tell brother Ting, he'll surely beat you up!" An Xi cursed Wang Xuan.
"It's just ice cream! Why can't you share it with me! I just wanted a bite. It looks really good and I haven't tried that flavor yet." Wang Xuan tried to act pitiful but that just angered An Xi even more.
She was going to give him another earful again, but she caught sight of Biming entering the kitchen. She ran straight to Biming and complained to her, "Ming! Xuan almost ate all our ice cream. If you didn't abandon me, we'd be eating it happy by ourselves."
Xia Biming really could not stifle her laughter. The two of them always bickered like cat and dog. She patted An Xi on the back to soothe her like a child, "It's okay, Xi Xi. Just let him eat it. We can get more later. Come open my gifts with me!"
She really didn't care if Wang Xuan ate all the ice cream, as long as he didn't eat all the cake, she would be content. With the reminder of the presents, An Xi instantly agreed and they made their way to the gifts. Passing by Wang Xuan, he stuck his tongue out at An Xi as a sign of victory.
Fang An Xi swore to get pay back some day!
At the gifts table, Xia Biming instructed Fang An Xi to help her open the gifts. They both tore through the gifts carefully and made a list with the butler to keep track of which gift was given by whom so they could send their thanks later. Halfway through, An Xi was beyond happy for her sister.
"Ming, look at all the gift you've been given! There's so many pretty necklace and earring sets. Some have even given you highly esteemed antiques like paintings and hair pins. I can't wait for my birthday!" She knew her sister would share the jewelry with her as they always did so she was satisfied.
Biming looked at the end of the table and noticed a gift wrapped in light pink gift-wrapping paper. It had cute little cupcakes printed on it. She had a feeling about this gift in her gut. She picked it up the slim gift that was also wide and tall. It probably measured to be about 35 cm by 50 cm. She unwrapped it carefully unlike the other gifts and kept the wrapping paper to the side for safe keeping.
Inside was an extravagant leather covered sketchbook. It looked simple to most people, but to an artist like herself she really loved it and found it to be such a thoughtful gift. She remembered that Chang said he left a note in it, and sure enough he did.
'To a beautiful girl. Happy birthday cupcake. I hope this book will be filled with only pleasant and happy sketches of your colorful life.'
Xia Biming's face lit up after reading the little note. The butterflies returned not only to her stomach but her whole body felt that surge of warm fuzziness. She smiled from ear to ear before seeing the necklace that he also taped inside.
The thin necklace was made of the highest quality gold and embedded with tiny diamonds leading to a single charm attached to it. The charm on it was dainty and held a small azure colored diamond in the shape of a rain drop.
"Biming, that necklace is so pretty. Who got it for you?" An Xi noticed the change in Biming's attitude. Her sister was smiling like a lovestruck fool. Who could've gotten her this gift?
"It's a secret." She replied with a big smile and flushed cheeks. She told the butler that she would personally thank the person who gifted this herself.
They continued to open the last of the gifts. That night was a whirlwind for her. She experienced so many emotions. But most of all, she remembered how she felt when she was with Chang. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of him.
Then it dawned on her, 'What if this guy is also just playing with me? He said he knew brother all along, but I have never met him… I want to like him, but I'm afraid my love will not be taken seriously. How can I give my heart to someone again after it was already played with like a joke? I can't. I need to be strong. I won't let another man make a fool of me. I only need myself.'
She pushed those fuzzy feelings away and tried to relax in her bath. She stayed at the Xia mansion since it was already so late. No matter how much she tried, Chang kept find his way into her mind again and again. She tossed and turned all night trying to get rid of him. She finally dozed off after mentally making notes to make sure that the debut of her spring collection would go smoothly.