This chapter is dedicated to K_Larson_3236 for being a birthday celebrant of the month of July! ^^ May you continue to be blessed~! Thank you so much for the support you have for my story! Enjoy your birthday that's coming soon on the 12th! :D

***

Shu Xian and Wan Wan had a 10-minute short walk. As Wan Wan did her business, of course, Shu Xian immediately cleaned it up so as to keep the neighborhood clean.

"I shall give you a bath and a groom on Saturday, yes? Look at your white fur… it's becoming a bit dirty now.

"

Soon after, the door of the living room opened. Shu Xian instinctively turned her head to look at Pan An who opened the door, an excited smile on his face as he talked to her.

"Come on inside,

" he called out, Shu Xian, standing up as Wan Wan already entered the house.

"The food is ready—I also put wet dog food inside of Wan Wan's food bowl and refilled her water bowl.

"

"Aaaw…

" Shu Xian exclaimed, letting out a soft chuckle.

"It's like I'm having a day off today,

" she commented, thanking the professor again.

"Thank you so much.

"

With that, the two of them already entered the house. The moment the two came inside, Shu Xian immediately smelled the delicious smell of soy sauce that is mixed in sautéed rice with onions and garlic.

"I know you made fried rice,

" Shu Xian commented, looking at the professor beside her.

"Did you add something else?

"

"Of course,

" Pan An answered and said,

"I added hotdogs and carrots, too! Something to make a simple dish special other than putting soy sauce with the rice.

"

Shu Xian couldn't help but giggle. As they both head inside the dining room, Wan Wan was already eating her food slowly and carefully.

What both of them liked about the dog is that she is trained enough not to make a mess around her bowl. She only makes a few of them, but it's making it easier for them to clean.

As Shu Xian and Pan An sat on their specific seats, Pan An already got Shu Xian's bowl, putting fried rice in her bowl. While Shu Xian was waiting patiently, she noticed a few ingredients on the kitchen counter, asking about it from Pan An.

"What will you be preparing for lunch after we eat?

"

"I was watching some videos on the net,

" Pan An started, already giving Shu Xian her bowl. He then proceeded to get his own share from the serving bowl, and further answered her question.

"I'm planning for us to eat tonkatsu chicken and rice later.

"

"Oh! That's nice,

" Shu Xian commented, suggesting something as both of them already started eating.

"Do you want me to help you do lunch?

"

"I told you… it's your special day! You have to relax because tomorrow, you will be cooking already,

" he answered, making Shu Xian playfully roll her eyes at him as a smile appeared on her face.

"Come on, Pan An… lemme help you—it will quicken preparation and cooking time! Besides… I love cooking—cooking with someone is fun even on my birthday!

"

With that, Pan An had no choice but to accept.

"Since the birthday girl has said this, then I have no choice but to comply!

"

At the same moment, Shu Xian's phone in her pocket started to chime. With her getting her phone as the sound indicated that she had a notification, she received a text from Shi Lian, Shu Xian smiling at her message.

"She has greeted me a happy birthday,

" Shu Xian announced, a giggle soon coming after.

"But it's unusual for her to greet me this time when she always greeted me in midnight. Maybe her thinking about Zhang Ren has made her forget about my day?

"

'That Shi Lian,' Pan An thought, getting another chunk of fried rice in his mouth along with a hotdog. 'I told her to at least make it seem she has forgotten… with her greeting her all of a sudden, how can we surprise her later?'

Pan An pushed his thought aside for the meantime. No matter, with what Shi Lian said that it would make Shu Xian sad if people have forgotten about her birthday, it will make her sad.

Maybe with a delayed greeting from her best friend, it's okay for her not to be depressed about it.

"Umm… Pan An…

"

When Shu Xian called for his attention, the professor snapped out of his thoughts, now looking at her.

"What's up?

"

"You know… I'm thinking…

"

Shu Xian trailed off, cocking her head to the side as she expressed her thoughts.

"Do you think that we should at least do a small celebration—like ordering food and then calling Shi Lian and her brother, and Zhang Ren to celebrate with us here at home?

"

Hearing this, Pan An choked on his food. Shu Xian's eyes widened, making her stand up from her seat as she patted his back to help him.

"Hey, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with what I said?

"

"N-no,

" Pan An answered, Shu Xian now giving him a glass of water that made him drink it in one go.

'It's just that I made something like this for you later and I don't want your thoughts to ruin my surprise!'

Pan An didn't tell her the latter part. With Shu Xian now going back to her seat, she got her bowl and continued eating, urging for Pan An's answer again.

"Well, what do you think?

"

"Well…

"

Pan An slowly nodded, telling her his answer that made a small frown appear on Shu Xian's face.

"I'll be busy later, so I think we won't be able to do that small celebration.

"

"Oh…

"

There was disappointment evident in her voice, making Pan An immediately feel guilty with the way her voice sounded because a while ago when she said her suggestion, her voice sounded excited!

"No worries—I understand. I know Shi Lian will be asking me out to eat later,

" she just added, making Pan An stuff a few more rice in his mouth so he could stop himself from telling Shu Xian about the surprise because he wanted to cheer her up.

'Come on, Pan An! Keep it in—hold it in! She will love the surprise later! It's okay to lie for now!'