As she talked, Gu Nian rested her chin on her palm. She smiled so much that the corners of her brows and eyes were all sticking up. She couldn't contain herself at all.
Luo Xiu stared at her.
Gu Nian was taken aback a little by his stare. Stroking her own cheek, she asked, "Is there something on my face? Why is Mr. Luo Xiu keep on staring at me?"
Luo Xiu recollected himself and restrained his look. "No, there is nothing on your face. I just felt that you seem different today than usual."
"Oh yeah? Just how am I different?"
"You are particularly lively today."
"Oh, that…"
Gu Nian turned back around. Her voice was very light but also full of sincerity.
With a smile, she said, "I have pictured the day that I can spend Mr. Luo Xiu's birthday with him many, many times. Now that it is truly happening, you have no idea how happy I am."
"… …"
He should know.
Luo Xiu looked at the side profile of the girl.
Even if he didn't know before yesterday or earlier today, then he knew now…
She couldn't hide or disguise her true happiness. That bright smile of hers, it looked as though flowers were about to blossom from her eyes.
Such beautiful flowers, even if there really were poisonous thorns under them, he would still want to clutched them in his hand.
***
After breakfast, Gu Nian took Luo Xiu with her and toured the town in the van that she had arranged ahead of time.
She had experienced each and every single one of these tourists' spots a week ago and she was as familiar with them as any tour guide in town. She was friendly and passionate in addition of being professional. Her goal was to make him feel right at home and also feel the love from a mother.
Naturally, she did not share the very last part with her precious son.
It was almost noon and, in the itinerary in her cellphone, even the very last item had been checked. On their way back in town in the van, Gu Nian looked at the time while resting her chin on her palm and turned around.
"Mr. Luo Xiu, I have made reservation for lunch at the hotel in town for 12:30 and we still have half an hour's time. Would you like to head over there now or…?"
Luo Xiu could tell that there was something else on her mind. "There's somewhere else that you will like to visit?"
"It is your birthday so I made arrangements based on your preference. This place is not in the original plan as I am not sure whether you will be interested in it," said Gu Nian as she gave him an awkward smile.
"… …"
Under the thin lens, the emotions under Luo Xiu's eyes wavered. After a little while, he lowered his eyes and all that could be seen was the tender smile from the corner of his mouth.
"And what place is this?"
Gu Nian perked out and, with her eyes beaming, she said, "The temple!"
Luo Xiu, "… …"
Luo Xiu, "?"
Ten minutes later.
The van that took them back to town was parked in front of a temple that was said to be very spiritual.
Gu Nian and Luo Xiu got out of the car. When Gu Nian returned from talking to the driver, Luo Xiu pulled his look back from the stairs of the temple.
"You are a Buddhist?"
"Not exactly," said Gu Nian without missing a beat before she realized what she had said. Smiling at Luo Xiu, she said, "I am a staunch atheist… em, would I be beaten up saying this out loud in front of a temple?"
Luo Xiu smiled slightly. He turned and, facing the front of the temple, asked, "Then why do you want to come here?"
"I am not a believer but I heard that many in the entertainment circle do." Gu Nian lifted her hand and patted Luo Xiu on his shoulder seriously. "If we offer up incense frequently in temples, perhaps Mr. Luo Xiu will become famed just like that!"
"… …"