Sorn giggled while covering her mouth with her hand.
Tawan looked at her and wondered, “What are you laughing at?”
“What do you think? Do I look elegant when I smile?” Sorn continued giggling.
Tawan was at a loss for words.
What a weird kid.
Zong Yanxi could not help but laugh at Sorn’s entertaining demeanor.
As Tawan continued driving on the road, Zong Yanxi and Sorn sat quietly on the passenger’s seats.
“Is there any place you would want to visit, Ms. Zong?” Tawan took a glance at her from the rearview mirror.
Zong Yanxi thought about it for a moment. “I want visit the temple to make an offering.”
The Thais practiced Buddhism.
“All right.” Tawan continued driving.
Soon, they arrived at a Thai temple.
The minute Zong Yanxi got down from the car, she was greeted by the influence of Thai Buddhism around her. There were around two hundred seventy temples all over Chiang Mai, and the distance between and one and another was just a stone’s throw away. Each temple was unique in its own way, but they were all adorned with gold, looking majestic. There were also some renovations going on in the older temples.
Tawan carried Sorn in his arms and walked Zong Yanxi to Wat Phra Singh, one of the three largest temples in Chiang Mai.
The incense was so strong that they could smell it when they were still walking around the temple’s compound.
Clouds of smoke enveloped the sacred religious site because many tourists came to pay respect to Buddha.
Zong Yanxi bought some incense sticks and said, “I’ll go in now. Wait for me.”
Tawan nodded.
The moment Zong Yanxi stepped into the temple, she saw a golden Buddha. It had praying beads in its hands and a saffron robe draped over the body. The statue was so tall as if it were overlooking the worshippers beneath it.
Zong Yanxi lit the incense, kneeled before the Buddha, and prayed with her hands clasped and fingers pointing upwards. Please grant my parents good health and longevity and also bless my unborn child. Please find a nice family for the child so that he or she would have a chance to live in this world.
She then proceeded to stick the incense into the burner.
Once she got out of the temple, she saw Tawan buying something that was wrapped in a green leaf that had been grilled earlier.
“What are you buying?” she asked.
Sorn stepped forth and answered Zong Yanxi instead, “It’s a type of Chinese olive. It’s delicious!”
“Come, try it.” Tawan gave her a one.
Zong Yanxi took the fruit and thanked him.
“You’re welcome! We’re a family,” Sorn said casually and waving her hand in the air.
Zong Yanxi lowered her head and felt a little embarrassed.
Since she had only managed to get to know Tawan in the last few days, so technically speaking, they were nothing more than just ordinary friends. Yet, Sorn always had a way of turning things awkward for them.
“Don’t talk while you eat.” Tawan carried Sorn.
Sorn leaned forward and whispered to his ear, “Her leg has recovered, and she’s going to leave soon. This is your very last chance to win her heart, Daddy.”
Tawan did not know how to react to Sorn’s remark.
“Stop it.”
“I’m telling you the truth. To be honest, you wouldn’t have been single for so many years had you known how to talk to a girl properly. Oh well, I guess I have to step in and do something for you now.”
“Don’t you dare do anything funny, Sorn.” Tawan had a premonition that she was about to embarrass him.
Sorn grinned and looked at Zong Yanxi. “What wish did you make earlier?”
Zong Yanxi was taken aback by the question. Before she could come up with an answer, Sorn continued, “Something about relationships?”
Zong Yanxi was at a loss for words.
So was Tawan.
What on earth is this kid thinking?
Why is she talking like an adult?
It seems like she’s quite knowledgeable for her age.
“No.” Zong Yanxi pinched her cheek. “You’re a child, so stop trying to act like an adult.”
Sorn pouted her lips and continued, “What do you think of my Daddy?”
Tawan was stunned. He immediately covered her mouth.
Zong Yanxi knew what was on Sorn’s mind. She wanted to find a wife for his father.
“Your Daddy is a good man, but we’re not suitable for each other. I’m not the best mom candidate for you either.” Zong Yanxi made it clear once and for all.
“But why?” Sorn pushed away Tawan’s hand.
Zong Yanxi did not explain further but stuffed another Chinese olive into her mouth.
Sorn continued to frown and pout her lips.
They ambled along the quiet streets of Chiang Mai and noticed the smiles on people’s faces. Such beauty was the best representation of what Chiang Mai was.
“I want this.” Sorn walked past a stall and grabbed a toy that was on display.
Without hesitation, Tawan bought the toy for her.
Zong Yanxi grinned. How lucky Sorn is to have Tawan as her father.
How often do we come across a bachelor who loves kids and has a kind heart?
The three of them walked past a high-end store that sold silk. A signboard erected outside the premises showed that the store sold Thai silk exclusively.
Zong Yanxi walked into the store, and a light grey scarf caught her attention. It was not only translucent but also felt soft to the touch.
“This is 100% Thai silk. You won’t be able to find one that is of the same quality elsewhere.”
Zong Yanxi was no stranger to fabrics as she had learned a thing or two from Lin Xinyan, who was an expert on fabrics.
It was not easy to source authentic Thai silk products because the craftmanship was intricate. The products were also relatively pricey as compared to the other fabrics.
“Why don’t you put it on?” Sorn suggested.
Zong Yanxi grinned. “All right.”
As expected, the fabric was smooth to the touch.
“It looks good on you.” Sorn smiled.
Zong Yanxi looked at the mirror and nodded. “I like it too.”
“Please wrap this up for me.” She handed the scarf over to the shop assistant.
The shop assistant then walked to the cashier while Zong Yanxi followed right behind. Just when she was about to take out her wallet, the shop assistant said, “Miss, the gentleman has already settled the payment.”
Zong Yanxi lifted her head and saw Tawan looking at her.
“My gift for you.”
“But…”
“You took good care of Sorn for me. This is my way of thanking you,” Tawan said.
Zong Yanxi felt embarrassed. “I didn’t do much either.”
“You taught her how to paint.”
Zong Yanxi stared at him blankly and did not know what else to say.
“All right then. Thank you…”
“You’re welcome.”
“Put it on!” Sorn seemed to be even more excited than Zong Yanxi.
She took out the scarf and wrapped it around her body.
Sorn then nudged Tawan and asked, “What do you think? She looks good, right?”
Tawan turned his attention to Zong Yanxi. Not only had she inherited her parents’ good looks, but she also had a fair complexion and smooth skin. To Tawan, Zong Yanxi still looked as attractive as the first time he met her.
The only difference was she was not as radiant and flamboyant as before.
“Why are you so quiet, Daddy? Say something!” Sorn pulled the corner of Tawan’s shirt and urged.
Tawan immediately answered, “Yup. She looks great.”
The corners of Sorn’s mouth quirked up.
Coincidentally, Amp was shopping with her best friend, and she saw them in the silk store. They all had smiles on their faces.
“That’s Tawan, right? Who’s that woman beside her? Since when did he find himself a foreign girlfriend?” Amp’s friend also noticed them.
“That’s not his girlfriend. She’s someone who needs a place to stay!” Amp shot daggers at her friend.
“They look pretty close, though. Tawan is known for his cold personality, but now he’s shopping with a woman?” the friend analyzed, “You believe what Tawan told you?”
Amp knitted her brows. “What do you mean?”
“Look at them. I’m sure there’s more to their relationship than meets the eye.”
Amp clenched her fists. “Tawan wouldn’t have lied to me.”
She barged into the store after that.
