32 Surprise

July 15, 20xx

Sarandë, Albania

After three days at sea, they docked in Sarandë , Albania. It is a seaside town facing the Ionian Sea.

She was looking forward to it because she badly needed the break. For the past days, she exhausted her brains to come up with different concepts that will suit the first theme.

Hence, upon arrival, they've taken a walk around the city center. At three in the afternoon, it was crowded with locals and tourist attending the Summer Music Festival. Souvenir shops lined the busy road and they made frequent stops to check it out as she requested. The man complied with no complaints. As usual, Yan Shi haggled with the local people and Li Jie found it funny. If it was him, he'd pay for it and leave. She was obviously struggling with it and was getting exasperated with the vendor for not relenting but still, she insisted just to save a few dollars.

In the end, he took his some bills from his wallet and handed it to the man before pulling her away. "Wait--no" she resisted and was unsettled with the result.

"Let's go. A few dollars won't make you rich."

"Says a man born with money." she grumbled with a pout.

Unable to hold himself, he pinched her nose and said "Well, mine is yours too."

She made quick step backward.

"Don't do that!" she angered and pushed his hand away.

The soft sound of "ha-ha" was heard.

Later, she muttered "It was undoubtedly overpriced. We can get similar ones at a cheaper price."

A low sigh escaped his lips. Not wanting to argue over profits, expenses and labor cost, he simply said "The shop owner has to make a living, my dear wife."

****

The yeasty scent of warm bread, the brine from the fish section and clean scent of detergent hung in the air when Yan Shi and Li Jie entered the crowded supermarket inside the mall. There was music playing from the speakers, the bleep of items being scanned at checkout, screaming children and squeaky cart wheels were ringing to their ears.

Pursing his lip, he led her along the aisles of cream-painted metal shelving. Instead of tolerating the noise, he can ask one of his people to do the grocery shopping but his wife wanted to buy new sets of color pencils because she keeps losing them.

"What do you want to eat tonight?" he asked.

She was silent for a minute before saying "anything Chinese."

He gestured 'okay' and told her to meet him at the coffee shop across the check out counters two hours later.

Later, Li Jie hid the box inside the bag. He was lucky, the one he needed to buy was available on the gadgets section on the third floor.

He found his wife drawing casually on the paper napkin, perhaps in boredom.

****

Yan Shi tried to help him carry two grocery bags but he insisted on taking most except for 1 light bag he handed to her.

"Don't act like I am invalid." she complained.

He tap his foot silently and spoke "I'm not."

Seconds later, " I'm treating you as my wife. Deal with it." he said, stressing each word.

That compelled her to shut up and walked slowly trying to wrack her brain for a rebuttal. Yet, couldn't come up with one.

She breathed out air when she noticed he was trying to match her strides with no impatience at all even if his hands were carrying something heavy.

Feeling a sting in her heart, she picked up her pace.

****

Inside the yacht's galley, he stopped her as soon as he saw his wife sort out what they shopped.

"I'll do it."

He lightly pushed her aside and gave her a peck on her forehead.

Her initial reaction was to snap at him but halted when his soft voice spoke "Go put this inside our room. Take a rest first. I will call you when food is ready."

Her mouth twitched with his sweetness and left with a smile plastered on her face.

**

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After separating everything from, he took on the task of feeding his wife.

He mixed all the ingredients by using the stand mixer before pouring and dividing the chocolate cake batter into two separate pans. He placed them in the oven and while waiting, he cooked what she requested for tonight's meal.

When he poured out the sauce on the steamed snapper, an hour has already passed. The kung pao chicken and sauteed broccoli were already on the kitchen counter.

Then, he turned his attention on frosting the first layer of the cake with ganache. Waiting for it to set a bit, he sliced strawberries lengthwise and placed them on top before adding the second layer and pressed it with very little force.

After that, the rest of the melted chocolate and cream was poured over the two layers before he garnished them with more strawberries.

Adding the last slice one, he beamed and muttered "Perfect."

Tonight, they are going to dine on the second deck.

****

Gu Yao Ting saw him busying himself and asked "What's the occasion?"

"Go back to your room and never come out."

The actor gaped at him with a sneer.

"I am staying here. Remember, you've given me permission to stay in the yacht freely?"

Li Jie was reminded of the photo the man took a few days ago. The perfect picture is now his screen saver. Even he's annoyed with the actor's constant popping out from nowhere and becoming a nuisance to their time together, he conceded.

He threw the balloons to him. "Blow them."

**

Seeing the perfect arrangement, he went to see his wife.

Inside the bedroom, Yan Shi has fallen asleep. The faint glow from the bedside lamp illuminates the room.

He walked closer to her and watched her sleeping. His eyes cant help glancing to her chest which was rising and falling steadily.

'They are really symmetrical.'

Her pencils and sketchbook that had fallen to the floor caught his attention.

Sighing, he picked them and placed on the table. He can't help worry because she'd been drawing non-stop to finish the first task given to her.

"Wife" he softly called out.

But the woman never stirred.

He repeated with a subtle press on her shoulder but it appeared she just wants to sleep. She hasn't eaten proper meal today hence, he needs to wake her up. At the same, he has a surprise for her.

Noticing something, he took the wet towel from the bathroom to wipe her face.

She has forgotten to clean her face before napping.

The feeling of something smooth but cold on her skin prompted her to stir and yelped.

Squinting, she saw him holding the wet towel and was wiping her cheeks.

"Stop" she moaned as it was becoming ticklish.

"How could you not remove the make up before sleeping?" he scolded.

Though she didn't use much, she added little powder before they left the yacht.

"How could you know? It's not even noticeable."

"I can look at your pores."

She reacted immediately.

"Which pores? I don't have any."

"You will have if you don't clean your face. The air is full of dirty dust and it will enter your dermis." Listening to him speak, he sounded more like the doctor instead of her.

"Once is fine." she pouted.

"Are you sure it's only once?"

She looked down. She is guilty. There are times when she really forgets.

"Go wash your face and let's eat."

His gentle prodding tickled her heart and sat up with her lips upturned.

When she got off the bed, she heard his tease "Don't forget to wear your bra." and tossed the one she removed earlier.

The touched feeling disappeared instantly upon hearing the last sentence.

Her reaction, she grabbed the pillow and hurl at his back.

===========================

A/N:

No Extra today / it's just this author's shameless promotion

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