Stealing Your Heart

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!”

try it.” Tawan gave

the fruit and thanked

welcome! We’re a family,” Sorn said casually and waving her hand

lowered her head and

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

talk while you eat.” Tawan carried

to his ear, “Her leg has recovered, and she’s going to leave soon. This is your very last

how

“Stop it.”

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

dare do anything funny, Sorn.” Tawan had a premonition that she

Zong Yanxi. “What wish did

could come up

Yanxi was at a loss for

So was Tawan.

is this kid

talking like

quite knowledgeable for

Yanxi pinched her cheek. “You’re a child, so stop trying to act

and continued, “What do you

He immediately

Yanxi knew what was on Sorn’s mind. She wanted to find

I’m not the best mom candidate for you either.” Zong Yanxi

why?” Sorn pushed away Tawan’s

did not explain further but stuffed another Chinese

to frown and pout

smiles on people’s faces. Such beauty was the best representation of what Chiang Mai

walked past a stall

hesitation, Tawan bought the toy

Yanxi grinned. How lucky Sorn is to have Tawan as

across a bachelor

that sold silk. A signboard erected outside the premises showed that the

Yanxi walked into the store, and a light grey scarf caught her attention. It

100% Thai silk. You won’t be able to find one that is

she had learned a thing or two from Lin Xinyan, who was an expert on

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

don’t you put it on?” Sorn

Yanxi grinned. “All

expected, the fabric was smooth to the

on you.”

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