33 Christmas

"Isn't it weird to be taken around by a driver all the time? You do have a driving license right?"Yitian was running his eyes from Chao to the driver. He knew that the driver had a clause in his contract that forbade him to say anything he would see or hear. But still, it was weird to have someone to hear him when doing even casual talk.

"Yes, I do have a license but driving is tiring. What about you?" Chao asked Yitian, who just blinked at him, looking as if he was asking, are you kidding me? Chao immediately realized his mishap and laughed. "Sorry. Nowadays, I forgot how strict your mother was." Yitian laughed too. Strict, huh…

"Sir, where are we going?" The driver asked Yitian, who was the boss on today's trip. He was prepared to extend the punishment, so he would get Chao out with him this weekend. But surprisingly he didn't have to try hard and Chao went voluntarily. Because he was forbidden to play games, he had nothing to do.

Yitian said the name of the shopping street and leaned back to his seat, Chao shooting questioning looks at him. But he was as a mountain, keeping his plan secret. Although, Chao begged him to say what they were going to do. But Yitian did not waver, even looking into those puppy eyes, that made his heart skip a beat.

Yitian stopped in his mind for a bit. What did he just think? Skip a beat? He shook his head to shake away these thoughts. Weirdo. Thinking about his friend like that. He would slap himself a tiny bit, to shush all these thoughts away, but that would only capture Chao's attention, asking why he did it.

They parked in the garages and got out of the car. Yitian took Chao by his wrist and pulled him along to the mall. When they emerged from the lift and from behind the corner, Chao's eyes lit up with surprise. And Yitian was charmed too. He vaguely remembered that malls during Christmas were amazing, but he did not remember being it this amazing. The mall was full of lights, decoration, light, and displays. And people. But nevertheless, they both enjoyed the sight they have been offered.

"It's time," Yitian said and took Chao by his wrist again. He took him to one shop, searched up on the internet beforehand, and made an order there.

"Time for what?" Chao was curious. Yitian was pulling him all over the shopping mall. He wouldn't say he despised it, but he was a bit fed up, he did not know the goal they were heading to.

"Time for your gift." Yitian smiled back at him and went to the counter. He spoke there with the saleswoman for a while, and she went back to another room and came back with a package. She handed it to Yitian, smiled, and bowed. Yitian then ran back to Chao with an excited face and pulled him somewhere again.

"Can you at least tell me where we are heading?" Chao whined. Excited Yitian was fun, so he wasn't grumpy at all, smiling with him.

"Nope. It's a secret. Today is partly a thank you from me. For saving me and helping me. I want you to have fun with me today." Yitian smiled and stopped before a restaurant. He said his name to the waiter, who took them inside.

"You planned everything today?" Chao opened his mouth in awe. They had an amazing view from the window. They could see the Christmas decorations and all the people down there, being busy bees, shopping presents.

"Yup. You can choose whatever you want, I'm paying today. And this is for you." Yitian handed him the package he picked up before and smiled so brightly that Chao was stunned for a moment. He couldn't say anything, he could only smile back and nod. Yitian's good mood was so contagious.

Chao looked at the gift in his hand and was touched a bit. He never got a gift from a friend before. This was his first time doing all of this. But he was sure it was the same for Yitian. He smiled at him but was disturbed by the waiter. They both ordered something and then waited.

"You can open it now if you want. It's just the first part. You will get more today. And don't protest. I need to do this." Chao nodded and was reluctant to open the gift. But then he decided to go for it. He was as excited as a kid for presents.

The package was bigger than his hands, wrapped in nice paper. Chao was careful to take it off, but when he did, it revealed a black velvet case with a red sign on it. His name. Jin Chao. He looked up in awe, but Yitian gestured to him to open it. So he did.

Chao was speechless. He was even afraid to touch the inside. 'How could he...?' Chao had problems even thinking. There, in the case, were brand new black gaming gloves, they were hyper grip with padding and there in the back was his name, again two red hanzi.

"You said you love playing games. And I think this could help your hands a lot. Even in the future." Yitian smiled at Chao, blushing a bit. He really had a hard time thinking of something to give to Chao, to a man who has everything or can buy everything. And this seemed like a nice idea. Personalized gloves for a gamer. Once in the night he stealthily took Chaos handprints, so the gloves were made directly for him. There was no other pair like this in the world.

"Thank you," Chao said and got up. Yitian was afraid he didn't like it and wanted to leave. But Chao came towards him and hugged him. "This is really the best gift." He whispered to his ear and Yitian smiled, feeling good that Chao liked it.

"Remember this is not the end of it." Yitian patted Chao on his back and smiled secretively.