Thank You

Pan An and Shu Xian arrived at the beautiful restaurant on the mall's veranda that overlooked the city lights.

As they waited for their order, their table is actually farther away from the other customers, Shu Xian marveling the scene before her, leaning on the railings in front of her as the night breeze blew.

"The night is beautiful," she mumbled, Pan An, smiling as she watched Shu Xian beside him.

She has a beautiful smile on her face, continuing to marvel even the sky above them. She had a small blush on her face, the joy in her eyes evident as it reflected the happiness she has on her lips.

As the wind blew, Shu Xian shivered a bit, making Pan An take off his coat and wrapped it around Shu Xian's shoulders, making her look up at him.

"Wear this," Pan An said, "I don't need it."

"Thank you," Shu Xian replied, snuggling herself in Pan An's coat that made her look like a burrito with the size big on her. "I feel better now."

As Pan An looked at the city lights before them as well, Shu Xian then remembered what she wanted to give Pan An. With her heart racing in her chest, she remembered the small gift bag in her pouch, making her bite her lip as she felt nervous on how to give it to him.

'Should I just get the gift and shove it to him? No… that would seem bad and awkward.'

'What should I say? Should I tell him I have extra money and just bought it for him?'

'Stupid, Shu Xian… don't do that! That would make you sound snobby. He already has money to buy himself what he needs.'

'Then acting normal is the best way…'

Shu Xian was talking at herself in her own thoughts. With Shu Xian now furrowing her brows as she was blankly staring at the skyscrapers in front of them, Pan An couldn't help but laugh and tease her, seeing how serious the expression on her face is.

"Hey…"

"Hmm?"

The moment Shu Xian turned to look at Pan An when he called her attention, the professor immediately pinched both of her cheeks, making Shu Xian narrow her eyes at him as she didn't expect Pan An to do this.

"What's wrong? You seem so focused. Are you worrying about school work?"

"No!"

Pan An laughed as Shu Xian brushed both of his hands away from her face, already getting something from her pouch.

"Then what are you so worried about? You can talk to me about anything. Our location is far away from the others. We can act normal and talk about anything you want to," he insisted, Shu Xian, not saying a single word as she continued getting something from her bag.

Seeing as to how silent she is, Pan An cocked his head at the side, curious.

"Shu Xian?"

"Wait," she now spoke, already successfully getting the gift from her pouch. "Here."

Shu Xian then extended her hand to Pan An. With the small, blue gift bag being handed over to him, Pan An didn't get it yet as he blinked his eyes a few times at her, not knowing why Shu Xian is giving him a present.

"What's this?"

"J-just open it," Shu Xian stammered on her words, a soft blush appearing on her face. "But read the note first…"

With the given instruction, Pan An did as he was told. The moment he opened the note, there was a short message written in English and in cursive, a smile appearing on Pan An's face as he read it.

The note red:

Thank you so much for helping me land on the student assistantship scholarship. Thank you also for saving me that day and for helping me and Wan Wan. I hope this is something that you'd use—a reminder of my gratitude.

Pan An's heart felt warm. With him opening the small gift bag, it revealed a blue necktie, making Shu Xian bite her bottom lip, shyly looking at the professor.

"You told me your favorite color is blue… so I got this during my free time earlier. I hope you like it."

"Oh, Shu Xian…"

Pan An then smiled, showing his perfect teeth to Shu Xian as he spoke to her, actually liking what she gave him.

"Is this why you asked me during dinner what my favorite color was?"

With his good memory, Shu Xian nodded as she laughed, answering his question.

"Yes. This is exactly why."

"Shu Xian…"

Pan An was at a loss for words, admiring the necktie that Shu Xian gave her then he put it back in the gift bag to secure it.

"Thank you so much. You didn't have to, since you threatened me back then in the morning, anyway."

With an inside joke, both of them laughed out loud, the night enjoyable as they continued talking to each other.

"I'm glad you like it," Shu Xian said, "It's just a simple gift, but I'm glad to see you this happy," she added, Pan An, tucking some tendrils of her hair behind her ear.

"Shu Xian… you already know this, but it's the thought that counts. And you know what made me love the gift more?"

Shu Xian smiled, shyly staring straight into Pan An's eyes as her heart continued to race in her chest.

"What?"

Pan An then stayed silent for a while. With the gift bag with the necktie inside at hand, he raised it and answered Shu Xian's question, further making her heart thump hard in her chest.

"Is that you took my preference in mind. People may buy expensive gifts… but the thought of you putting into consideration about my interest is what made me love it."

With that said, what Pan An did next was something that Shu Xian didn't expect. With a kiss planted on top of her head, Shu Xian widened her eyes, her hand instinctively holding chest as if desperate to calm her heart down.

"Thank you. I'll cherish the gift and wear it frequently."