Chapter 127：Birthday Surprise

"Geez.. you scared me!! What are you doing ?!" she releases her shock by punching Takeshi's chest several times. "I'm sorry.. I was afraid of being followed by paparazzi," Takeshi says while voluntarily accepting her punches for a little more before grabbing Xiao Ping to his embrace. "Why don't you tell me you would come?" she asks. Takeshi grins. "I want it to be a surprise. Happy Birthday. Babe," Takeshi whispers to her ear before seals it with a tender kiss.

Xiao Ping still can't believe her eyes so she pinches her own cheek. "Ouch," she skips a little scream. "I'm not dreaming," Xiao Ping murmurs with a blushing cheek. Takeshi giggles to see her act. "Of course you're not," he says while pinches her nose. "When did you come ?" Xiao Ping asks again, rounding her arms to his neck. "Hmm.. around an hour ago," he answers. "Alone ?" "Ehem..," he mumbles while nods his head. Xiao Ping widens her eyes. "Isn't it dangerous ?? Why are you being so reckless ?" she asks in worry. Takeshi pouts, "I did it for you. You don't like it ?" Xiao Ping shakes her head. "Of course I like it. But.. it's too dangerous," she says. Takeshi smacks his lips. "Since nothing is hidden now, the worst is only to meet paparazzi," he speaks his reason then stares at Xiao Ping's eyes, "It is nothing since the reward is to be with you." Blush on Xiao Ping's cheek is getting more vivid. "Thank you," she utters then presses her lips to his. Suddenly a loud grumble comes from Takeshi's stomach. Takeshi breaks their kiss then scratches his head in shy. "Haven't you eaten ?" Xiao Ping asks. The grumble inside his stomach answers before he does. "No. But I made a reservation for a dinner at a restaurant already," Takeshi tells her. "Okay.. let me change clothes," Xiao Ping says then releases herself from his embrace.

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They ride a taxi to a five star hotel Takeshi used to stay previously. It is not surprising since Takeshi's knowledge of Taipei's restaurant is limited. Xiao Ping is also overjoy to have dinner there. It is the place of their first met. But she also remembers how pricey the menu there. More over, they are now sitting in the private room of the restaurant. She wonders how much Takeshi spends on this dinner.

"I'm sorry, it's not as glamorous as the last time.." Takeshi misunderstands Xiao Ping's concern face as dissatisfied one. "No.. no.. no.. this is more than enough," Xiao Ping quickly cuts him. She holds his hand. "Actually, just you being here at my birthday is more than enough for me," she continues then smiles at Takeshi, "I mean.. you don't need to spend so much money to impress me. We could just be at home and have some instant noodles for dinner and still it is the best birthday." Takeshi chuckles then squeezes her hand gentle as he stares at her. "I know you don't demand much, but I want to give you the best I can do," he says. "I know.. I can't thank you enough for that," Xiao Ping replies.

Takeshi stands, intends to kiss Xiao Ping, but a waiter enters the room with a tray on her hand. With a blushing face and trembling hand, the waiter serves a plate of salad in front of Xiao Ping and Takeshi. The latter decides to postpone his willing and sits back. He is about to eat the salad when the waiter slightly cough.

"Hmm.. Can I.. can I take a picture.. with you ?" the waiter asks with a trembling voice. Takeshi halts his move and looks at the waiter for a second before gives her a smile. "I'm sorry, but you see.. we're on a date," he utters his discomfort. Xiao Ping widens her eyes. "He is joking.. of course you can take a picture with him," Xiao Ping speaks to the waiter while giving Takeshi a look that scoffs his manner. Takeshi sighs. "Okay.. but just one time," He finally agrees. The waiter is so excited. She immediately takes a small camera, then confused for a moment of how she can take picture with Takeshi. "Here, let me take the picture of two of you," Xiao Ping offers her help in Chinese. "Thank you, thank you," the waiter says her gratitude repeatedly while giving her camera to Xiao Ping and poses beside Takeshi. With a big smile, Xiao Ping takes the picture. After once again repeatedly saying thank you, the waiter leaves the room.

"You are too nice. I want this night to be unmolested so we can enjoy it only just the two of us," Takeshi says his reason to object the waiter's wish the first time. Xiao Ping squints. "How can you be so cruel to your friends ? I was once just like her, so I know exactly how she felt. You probably just made her day to be the best day of her life, yet it only took us less than five minutes," she rebukes Takeshi before starting to eat her salad.

Meanwhile, hearing her words, Takeshi just stares at her with full of admiration. Xiao Ping can feel the gaze and moves her sight to Takeshi. "Why are you looking at me like that ?" she asks while tries hard to hide her blush. "Nothing.. I just admiring how beautiful you are.. not only in physics, but also in heart," Takeshi answers, not hiding his flattering gaze at all. Xiao Ping feels her face is all red and warm due to shyness. "You.. you're such a charmer. Stop staring at me and starts eating," she commands to cover her awkwardness. Takeshi laughs then does as she said.

After series of soup, steak, and a chocolate cake later, both finally have full stomachs. Xiao Ping even couldn't finish her cake. She just leans her head on the chair back while covers her stomach with her arms. Takeshi chuckles to see her. "I'm so full," Xiao Ping says almost like a complaint. "Shall we walk after this ?" Takeshi asks. "But.. what if the paparazzi follows us ?" Xiao Ping reminds him. Takeshi shrugs. "Then all they're going to have are pictures of us enjoying the night. Nothing's wrong with that, right ? As long as we behave our selves, your father won't be mad at you, right ?" Takeshi replies. He still remembers when Xiao Ping told him how upset her father was knowing her cheek kissing scandal. "Are you sure you can be behave all night ?" Xiao Ping teases him. Takeshi laughs. "I will try my best. Just don't seduce me too much," he teases back. Xiao Ping leans forward, supporting her head with both hands while elbows on the table. "Like what ?" she asks, smirks seductively. Takeshi blushes but maintain his coolness. "I warn you, Miss. Stop smiling like that before .."

The opening door disrupts Takeshi's sentence. A man around forty with a formal suit comes. From his name tag, they know he is the restaurant manager. "I am so sorry to disturb you, Hasegawa-san," the manager says in fluent English. He turns his head to the door while also pointing at it. "There are a crowd outside, demanding to meet you. There are probably 20-30 girls, they are all quite loud and hysterical. Do you wish to exit from our secret passage way to avoid them ?" The manager reports and offers Takeshi a solution. Takeshi has never figured out how his fans know he's existence, but he has already used to it. Takeshi stares at Xiao Ping to demand her decision. When she smiles gently and blinks her eyes slowly, Takeshi answers the manager, "No. I'm going to meet them."