Chang An - I want you to open this gift, here.

Bai Cao - Okay.

Bai Cao opened the gift. The box in her hand was filled with lots of pictures of them. Her lips curled into an innocent smile.

She was smiling and was feeling happy. Suddenly, her smile faded seeing the lid of the box

On the inner side of the lid ", I LOVE YOU" was written.

She glanced at Chang An who was staring at her and noticing her expressions. She put on a facade to as not to make him upset.

Bai Cao(in mind) - What should I do, now?

Bai Cao (nervously) - Coach, what is it?

Chang An - Bai Cao, there is a letter inside it. Pick it up and read it, aloud.

Bai Cao(scared) - Okay.

Bai Cao(in mind) - I should have run away with Xiao Ying.

Bai Cao's hands were trembling but she opened the letter and began reading it.

Bai Cao(reading the letter) - Bai Cao, I know you see me as just a couch but you are way more important to me. It's your birthday but I want a gift from you. Look at your front.

Bai Cao saw Chang An kneeling down holding a ring in his hand. She took a few steps back in shock.

Bai Cao - Coach..... You know...

Before she could finish, Chang An interrupted her.

Chang An - I love you, Bai Cao. I really do. Please, accept my proposal.

Bai Cao(in her mind) - Do I love him? I don't know. I do feel a connection but I don't know if it is love. Oh! This is really baffling. Why love is so complex?

Chang An - What are you thinking? Please, give your answer fast because my knee is hurting and you know that my knee's condition is not really good.

Bai Cao - I am really sorry, coach but I need some...

Before she could complete it, she got a call. It was Xiao Ying

Xiao Ying - Bai Cao, where are you? Mumma is scolding me. Please, stay there, I am coming.

Bai Cao - But why are you coming?

Xiao Ying - Because my mother doesn't want you to come home alone. She wants me to protect you. So, I'll be there in 10 minutes.

Xiao Ying hung up the phone.

Bai Cao - What! Protect me?

Chang An - Protect you! From whom?

Bai Cao - Xiao Ying's mom doesn't want me to go home alone. Xiao Ying is coming here in 10 minutes to escort me. She wants to protect me.

Chang An - Ok, still time is there.
So, what is your answer?

Bai Cao - First of all, you stand up, coach.

Chang An - Okay.

Chang An stood up. Xiao Ying entered the hall

Xiao Ying(holding Bai Cao's hand) - Let's go, Bai Cao.

Chang An(going close to xiao ying) - You said you'll be here in 10 minutes. However, 9 minutes are still left. So, it means you were hiding here and listening to everything. Am I right Xiao Ying?

Xiao Ying(scared) - No, coach. I came back from my house.

Chang An - Oh really!

Xiao Ying(nodding) - Yes!

Chang An - So, your mom wants you to protect Bai Cao? Yes or no?

Xiao Ying - Yes.

Chang An - But I think, you're the one who needs protection more than Bai Cao.

Bai Cao - Coach, I think, we should leave now. Come on, Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying - Yes. I think the same.

Chang An(holding Bai Cao's hand) - So, what about my answer?

Bai Cao - We'll talk about it later, Coach. Bye.

Xiao Ying - Bye, Coach.

Chang An - Bye. I am waiting for an answer.

Bai Cao and Xiao Ying ran from there and Chang An was smiling looking at their condition.
After minutes of walking, they reached home. Both of them went to their room and burst into fits of laughter.
Bai Cao's eyes fell on a gift kept on her bed. She took a close look at the box.

Bai Cao - It must be from aunty.

Xiao Ying - Yes, Bai Cao.

Bai Cao - I'm going to the kitchen.

Saying this she went to the kitchen to thank Xiao Ying's mom.

Bai Cao - Thank you so much, aunty.

Xiao Ying's mother - Your welcome, Bai Cao

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Bai Cao - I'm going to open it.

Bai Cao opened the door.

Person - Miss Bai Cao?

Bai Cao - Yes, I am Bai Cao.

Person - This is for you, ma'am.

Bai Cao - Who gave it to you? I can see you are not a postman.

Person - Yes, I am not a postman but a guy told me to give it to you.

Bai Cao(Showing a picture) - Is this the guy?

Person - No ma'am. I guess I should leave, now. Thank you so much, ma'am.

Bai Cao - Hey, wait!

The guy ran away from there.

Bai Cao(in her mind) - Who sent it? Is the sender my fan? No, I don't think so because if it was my fan, he could have sent this gift to the hall. No fan of mine knows my address.

Xiao Ying - Who was it?

Bai Cao - I don't know. He just gave me this and said that he was told to do so.

Xiao Ying - I guess, it's coach Chang An.

Bai Cao - No, It was not. I showed him a picture of the coach and he denied it.

Xiao Ying - Okay, let's open the gift.

Bai Cao - Okay.

Bai Cao and Xiao Ying opened the gift. Bai Cao saw a letter in it. She started reading the letter in her mind. When she completed reading the letter she was confused and shocked at the same time.

TO BE CONTINUED