Fancy Me, Professor!

Shu Xian and Shi Lian already entered the Italian restaurant, Molto Affamato. They also invited the driver to dine with them, the driver quite happy that he was since employers like them who treat their employees equally are rare.

The restaurant felt as if the three of them have entered a dreamland, the happy chatter, and the fragrances, the easy and natural colors. It was so welcoming that the three of them smiled at the ambiance, already knowing that this is going to be a place that they would frequently visit.

"Buongiorno!"

The waiter greeted them in Italian, the three of them nodding in acknowledgement before he spoke in their language, already tending to them.

"I heard from our manager that you called in advance. We have already prepared the food and your table, Miss Shi Lian."

"Thank you so much," Shi Lian thanked him, the waiter already leading them to the table.

"Over here, Miss."

As the three followed them to the best table near the window that overlooked the streets, both of them appreciated the location as they sat down, the driver sitting beside Shu Xian.

"Are you sure, Miss Shi Lian, that I should be at the table with you? I—"

"Oh, stop it, Mr. Chang. You know I'm not like those other people who are snobbish. The more company, the better!"

Mr. Chang, their driver, smiled, nodding in gratitude as he thanked her boss.

"Thank you, Miss Shi Lian."

Soon after, the Spaghetti Bolognese and the Pasta Alla Puttanesca came. Also, for Mr. Chang, Shi Lian did a follow up order of Carbonara, coincidentally Mr. Chang's favorite pasta.

With that, the three of them started mixing their own pasta and they ate, also engaging in the conversation that they were about to have in the car.

"It's actually good that Mr. Chang came," Shu Xian commented, twirling her fork around her pasta.

"Oh? Why?" Shi Lian asked as she took a bite of her meatball, Shu Xian, answering her question with a joke.

"Because I know with food around, you won't be able to focus with what I wanted to ask you."

"Hey!" Shi Lian laughed, Mr. Chang, grinning as he listened to the young ones talking to each other. "I can keep my focus! Look! I remember what you wanted to ask me earlier. If it's too much to give Pan An a gift!"

When Shu Xian heard this, she couldn't help but feel shy around Mr. Chang. Shi Lian then grinned as she twirled her fork, feeling like she got back at Shu Xian for what she said.

However, even though Shu Xian feels embarrassed that Mr. Chang hears them like teenage girls talking, she shoved it aside for a while, actually wanting to know Shi Lian's opinion and also Mr. Chang's since this is going to be for Pan An.

"As I was saying… is giving a gift to him too much? I mean… I just want to show my appreciation."

"Hmm…"

Shi Lian didn't answer for a while. She then looked at Mr. Chang, asking for him to speak first so she could come up with an answer. This made Shu Xian narrow her eyes at her because she knows that's what Shi Lian's doing.

"What do you think, Mr. Chang?"

This is what she usually does. Shi Lian wants to listen to what other people say first because what she thought may hurt the people she's talking to who's expecting for a feedback. This is Shi Lian wanting to be careful so she would not say the wrong words.

Mr. Chang put his fork down for a while and pointed at himself.

"My opinion?"

"Yes," Shi Lian nodded, "Since you're a man, why not we hear from you instead?"

"Oh, you do have a point," Shu Xian mumbled, making Shi Lian playfully roll her eyes at her as the girls continued eating their pasta.

"Before I answer, is the person you want to give a present to someone you want to thank? If yes, what did he do?"

"Yes, you're right, Mr. Chang," Shu Xian confirmed, adding more information. "He helped me land on a scholarship in the university and I want to give him something to show my appreciation. Is it too much?"

"Oh!" Mr. Chang exclaimed, shaking his head with a smile plastered on his face. "It's not too much! It's actually a very sweet gesture! Is it also to make him notice you?"

Shu Xian blinked her eyes a few times, "Wh-what?"

Hearing this, Shi Lian couldn't help but laugh out loud. She was tipping her head up as she clapped in sheer joy, getting some attention of the customers around.

Embarrassed, Shu Xian's face slowly turned red, crossing her arms in front of her chest after she threw a balled tissue to Shi Lian.

"You're exaggerating. Shut up and just eat your pasta, piggy."

Even though she was called with the nickname that she hated, Shi Lian stifled her laughter as she bit her bottom lip, Mr. Chang, apologizing as he understood that what he said was something uncomfortable to Shu Xian.

"I'm sorry, Miss Shu Xian! I—I assumed that you were doing this for someone you like!"

Shu Xian opened her eyes wide in shock when she heard Mr. Chang's assumption. This made Shi Lian laugh once more, shaking her head as she now spoke for Shu Xian, really sad that she has to explain so this would end, when Shi Lian wanted this to go on so she could tease her best friend.

"Mr. Chang, the guy who helped Shu Xian is an acquaintance even though they live together. Shu Xian actually made a bargain with the man and is also our professor in school. That's the situation."

Mr. Chang found the information surprising! His jaw almost dropped to the ground, Shu Xian, knitting her brows together in panic.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax," Shi Lian replied, "Mr. Chang has been loyal to our family since I was in my diapers! He won't dare say a word."

With Shi Lian picking up her fork from her plate, she twirled it around her pasta again and let out a chuckle, what she said surprising Mr. Chang.

"You, sir, are funny! I'll make sure my family gives you a bonus on your next salary day for giving me a good laugh!"