A Graduation Gift

Cassandra's eyes became glassy and the helplessness they depicted made her look like a lost child. Dylon detected her sadness and was quite worried about her.

She was able to comfort and encourage others so that they saw things in a positive way. In spite of this, she had failed to convince herself to embrace life. In a word, standers-by see more than gamesters. When one was in trouble, they found it hard to think with a clear mind.

"You know, you don't have to always be in control of your life. Sometimes things won't go according to your plan, no matter how hard you try. Besides, you are still young and you have a long way to go. There are a lot of things waiting for you. For example, you haven't experienced the beauty of motherhood yet," he said encouragingly. "You will cross the bridge when you get to it. Don't worry, just cheer up!" he added.

Despite his effort to straighten her out, Cassandra was frowning. Clearly, his words couldn't encourage her to see the brighter side.

"What do you want to eat? It's my treat today,"

Dylon suggested with an intention of changing the topic. Few people could resist the temptation of delicious food, and he believed that Cassandra was no exception. Deep down he hoped good food might put her into a better mood.

"The stinky tofu then..." Cassandra replied without paying him any attention.

This answer made Dylon's jaw drop and he looked at her in disbelief.

"Did I hear it right?" he asked after a few seconds. "Did you just say stinky tofu? Only stinky tofu?"

He was now torn between laughing and crying, but Cassandra ignored the surprised expression on his face. Still lost in her thoughts, she nodded her head vigorously.

"Yes, you heard me. And not just any stinky tofu, I will name the place,"

she announced, pointing ahead and directing him to turn the wheel with an air of seriousness. By now Dylon had figured out she wasn't joking.

'Alright, ' he thought, driving in the direction provided by Cassandra, all the way to a snack street.

It was not easy to find a place to park his car around the area. And when he finally found a spot, Dylon found it difficult to swing a cat in the street.

It was really crowded with people and all kinds of food stands that kept producing swathes of smoke. Dylon was stunned by what he saw and still found it hard to believe he had agreed to come to such a place. 'What a sacrifice, well...what an honor it is to repay her!' he thought with a smile.

Cassandra, on the other hand, felt quite at ease over here. She seemed to know this place very well and seemed in control. Looking behind, she gestured him to follow her.

The way she waved at him was cute and it filled Dylon with relief. At least for the time being she wasn't worried or sad. He felt a victorious feeling surge in his heart for being successful in cheering her up. 'Alright, alright, I have finally done it, ' he thought secretly. As long as his friend was happy, he was willing to do anything. He realized he was willing to like this place for her.

Cassandra seemed to be in a good mood now. As she kept walking, she watched out for the crowd yet it was unavoidable to bump into others in this bustling street. After several close calls, Dylon thought it was necessary to look out for her. In order to protect her, he reached out and put his hands on her shoulders.

Feeling his hands on her shoulders, Cassandra turned back and gave him a grateful smile. It was so bright that it looked like a streak of sunshine on a cold winter morning. It twinkled like stars as she looked into Dylon's eyes.

'Well, it's not that bad since she is still able to smile like that, ' he breathed a sigh of relief.

However, this smile and the way Dylon treated Cassandra were truly eyesores for Rufus, who had been following them. His face darkened and started manifesting a murderous look.

'How could she smile so sweetly at that man? A few moments ago, she was depressed. How did he manage to change her mood so easily?' Rufus wondered with jealousy reeking from his body.

to beat that man up and take Cassandra in his own arms. Cassandra

and Dylon wound their way through the

two bowls of stinky tofu, please? With extra

with her sweet voice had caught the attention of more

tiny stool beside the stall. He tried to smile but somehow his smile came out looking awkward. He was over six feet and it just looked so funny to see him using those relatively undersized

I came here often when I studied in a nearby school,"

of less-than-sanitary stalls since he studied medicine. She thought he would be a bit of a neat freak. But at the same time she hoped he would be able to handle it. After all, she was aware that he had experienced the terrible environment of

upon hearing her

around the corner. So you were a student there?" he then asked.

watched Cassandra take two bowls of stinky tofu over from the granny. Slowly, she placed one on her

to this, I came to this snack street quite often," she replied with a nod.

her mind. Stella was her classmate then, and they still became besties after so many years. It must be fate. What a magical

student there,

a very excited voice, his eyes

"Really? What a coincidence!"

eyes, which was glittering with excitement.

nice chat about the school, the teachers and the gossips about the mysterious librarian. Now it seemed like they had a

This had magnified his irritation. Standing right beside a barbecue stall, he was covered in chocking clouds of smoke. But he

with himself as he watched them relish and talk. 'Should I rush up and take Cassandra away from that man? Standing here and watching them

tofu slowly and carefully. He saw the sauce that got on the corner of her lips. Without thinking, Dylon stretched out his hand and tried to wipe it off for her.

have four roasted

nearby barbecue stall, who was reeking of booze.

and then froze all of a

a black coat, wearing a big hat and a scarf which covered nearly half of

Joel!' her mind screamed.

but he couldn't figure out

Cassandra?" he turned back and stared

conversation, Joel, while still drunk, looked up at them. And the moment he saw Cassandra,

Cassandra realized she had to act quickly. She got up from her seat right away, but Joel took to his heels.

anxiously. "Catch

before Cassandra had finished speaking, Dylon

Joel to run without bumping into people. Within seconds, Dylon caught up with him, and was about to

ground immediately, and rolled over to the side of the road before hitting on a cart. He then lay there

made her seem out of breath. Another surprise look crossed her face when

his suit, without looking at the man wailing on the ground. She knew immediately that it was Rufus who brought Joel

What... What brings you

look on her face. She blinked her eyes like she couldn't believe it was actually