Yue Ling looked at the painting for the last time. Just as she was about to tell Uncle Zhi to wrap the box up for her, she takes a quick glance at Lu Tian.
He had not spoke a word or made a sound. She thought he was only standing quietly next to her. However…..
Following his eyes, she realizes that the man is a actually very interested in the painting. No, that's not possible, this is a gift for her yeye. He has to find something else. Just when she thought it, the unimaginable happens.
"I'll buy this one."
"….."
Lu Tian's out of the blue words struck her like a waterball. It was like squirtle had come to life and blast her with his hydro pump. The corner of her mouth twitch slightly.
Uncle Zhi's head jolted back until his double chin could be seen. He did not see this turn of events at all. Quickly coming back to is five senses, he clears his throat and glance at Yue Ling with a quiet whisper.
"Miss, what do you say… think about this?"
Yue Ling pout her lip and looks at Uncle Zhi. From the angle she stood, Lu Tian could only see the back of her head and not her expression at this moment. She pout her lip until both her cheeks swelled making her look like an adorable chipmunk.
Lu Tian wants the painting too? What about her yeye? He's been looking for this paining for years… and she's finally gotten her hands on it…
However…. she thought and thought about the situation. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she comes to a decision. Looking at Uncle Zhi, she smiles ever so faintly and nod her head.
Seeing this, Uncle Zhi could only sigh. He knows that she doesn't want to give it away, but since it's come to this…. He sighed again and looks over to Lu Tian.
"Keep in mind that who you plan to give this to
must know his art. I risked a lot just to obtain this piece."
Lu Tian nod his head in understanding. He looks at his wife and smiled faintly. He wasn't blind to not know what she is feeling, but he is sorry for wanting this piece of painting. Grandfather Ji has been like a real grandfather to him and he wants to gift this painting to the old man.
Thinking of grandfather Ji, Lu Tian hopes that one of these days, he can introduce the two to each other along with his family. Maybe he should let his parents know, that way his mother can stop her nagging.
————-
"A-chooooo!!"
In another rural part of Imperial, grandfather Ji who was holding a golf club suddenly sneezes. He frown and looks to the sky with questioning eyes.
Who dares to talk about him at this moment? Are they say good things or bad thing?
"Old Ji, has your golfing skills turn old with you?"
From beside him comes an old voice and he turn to glare at the person.
"What old with me? You're just as old."
Remembering the reason why he is here, he leans toward the old man, "Ya, Old Dong, why don't you spill the beans and tell me about why you invited me here."
Hearing this, Doctor Dong glance at grandfather Ji and he smirk evilly. It gave off a feeling like a villain up to no good at all. He leans closer to grandfather Ji and did not hesitate to spill the beans.
"It's like this, the other day at the military hospital….."
As grandfather Ji attentively listens, his eyes grew wide and his mouth opened into an O shape. Slowly, that O closes and turns into a sly smile.
When Doctor Dong finished spilling the beans, both old men laughed loudly and heartily together.
"Ho ho ho, good, very good."
Grandather Ji was greatly happy with this news. This is was news that makes his suspicions correct and not wrong.
—————-
Back at Uncle Zhi's shop, Yue Ling and Lu Tian waited while Uncle Zhi had the painting wrapped. Lu Tian glance at his wife and he reach his hand out to hold her hand.
"Thank You."
Hearing this, Yue Ling tilt her head to the man, "Why are you saying that? I didn't do anything but bring you here."
With a gentle smile, Lu Tian shook his head. He gently pinch her small nose, "I know you wanted the painting too."
Yue Ling: "….."
She stare up at Lu Tian and did not know whether to laugh or cry. Not knowing what to say in response, she only smiles to him.
"It's nicely wrapped."
From the side, Uncle Zhi steps out from the back door and held a perfectly wrapped gift in his hands. He walks over to the couple and hands the wrapped wooden box to Lu Tian.
"I hope you tell the owner to take good care of it. This painting was not easy to find."
"Mm."
Lu Tian takes the gift and nod his head while Yue Ling rolled her at Uncle Zhi. Only she knows that when it comes to finding an item, Uncle Zhi who has been in this field of business for decades is the best person to help locate. His way of saying it's not easy to find is him not wanting to brag.
Bidding their farewell to the middle age man, both individuals leave the shop. Uncle Zhi sent the couple out to their car, but he did not exit to the street. He stayed behind the entrance door and stare out the door window to them.
He watched as Lu Tian helped Yue Ling in the car and then get inside the driver side. He place both hand behind his back and sighed as their car drives into the distance.
Tilting his head to the sky outside, he smiles a happy yet painful smile.
"Min Joon, your daughter has grown a lot. I hope you and An Ling, along with Shin can continue to watch over her….."
Glancing one last time in the direction Yue Ling and Lu Tian left, Uncle Zhi turns around and walks back inside his shop.
Inside Lu Tian's car, Yue Ling continue to sigh at the remembrance of her letting Lu Tian buy the painting. She could have easily said no, but the moment she saw his eyes, she couldn't. Especially not since the man never asks for anything. Judging from they way he looked at the time, this person he buying the gift for must hold importance in Lu Tian's life.
In the driver seat, Lu Tian press his lips together to not smile or laugh at his wife. He could clearly her sigh and without looking at her, he could already see her expression.
"Long day today?"
"….."
Yue Ling's eyes glare at Lu Tian upon his question. She scoffed a sarcastic chuckle in response. What long day today? She was with him the entire afternoon!
Hearing her way of responding, he did not get mad, but clears his throat to not laugh. Just when he wanted to say something, the ringtone from a phone rings. He decides to not say anything and continue to drive in case it was an important call for her.
From the passenger seat, Yue Ling turn her head to look at the aloof man. She blinks her eyes, "Tian, it's your phone."
"….."
Lu Tian was dumbfounded right away. He had thought that it was her phone. Strangely, he had forgotten that they had the same ringtone. Steering the wheel with one hand, his other hand reach into his coat pocket and takes his phone out.
Glancing to see who the caller is, he pout his lip then answers the call.
"Speak."
["Boss, everything is prepared. Just waiting for you to come confirm."]
At first, he was annoyed that his assistant dare to call him during his quality time with his wife, but hearing what Xu Long had to say, he was happy inside. He hum in response and ends the call.
Glancing at the man, Yue Ling narrow her eyes in suspicious. Lu Tian clearly held an notes expression, but how can the man be so bi-polar. One minute he's cold and in the next second, he's as happy as a fat kid eating ice cream.
Shaking her head, she looks out the window to the sky. She will never how Lu Tian's personality works, nor does she wish to find out..
