Future's First Marriage, Later Love - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The intense light made his eyes uncomfortable, and it took a long time for them to adjust. After wandering the streets for a while longer, he suddenly remembered that something was still cooking at home. However, when he returned, he discovered that the heat under the stewing jellyfish and ribs had long since turned off. Mai Hai realized then that everything at home was high-tech now, so there was no need to worry about such problems at all.

Relieved, Mai Hai began to reconsider Spinai’s suggestion. He was just afraid that if he actually did it, Pollack would throw him straight out. But looking at Pollack’s stern demeanor, he wondered if he should give it a try…

Up until the moment Pollack returned, Mai Hai still hadn’t figured out what to give as a birthday gift. Generally, gifts should either have a special meaning or be something the other person needs. Normally, giving chocolate or something similar for a birthday would be appropriate, but just the thought of the awkwardness of two grown men giving each other chocolate was unbearable. As for “needs,” that was even less helpful; Pollack didn’t seem to have any particular needs. Even if he did, Mai Hai didn’t know them—after all, his understanding of Pollack was pitifully small.

However, while he didn’t understand Pollack, someone else surely did. Among the people who came to dinner that day, the man sitting next to him named Chris seemed to know Pollack quite well. It would be better to call and ask if there was anything Pollack had always wanted.

Mai Hai pulled a notebook out of the cabinet. Despite living in this high-tech era, he still maintained the habit of using a physical notebook. He found the small slip of paper with Chris’s contact information and used his communicator to dial the number.

…

Birthday Gift (Part II)

After the call connected, Chris seemed a bit surprised that Mai Hai was calling to ask: “Is something the matter?”

Mai Hai said, “I wanted to ask what Pollack usually likes.”

After thinking for a moment, Chris said, “He usually likes raising small things.”

“Like what?” Mai Hai was somewhat startled; he hadn’t expected Pollack to enjoy raising small creatures.

He said, “Well, for example, small jellyfish.”

“Uh…” Mai Hai was once again shocked by the answer. He never imagined Pollack would like that kind of thing; it was quite bizarre. “Thank you…”

“You’re welcome.” Chris also kindly told Mai Hai, “If you want to buy small jellyfish, there’s a market not far from your house that sells them.”

“Yes, I see. Thank you.” Mai Hai expressed his thanks and hung up.

After preparing some of Pollack’s favorite dishes, Mai Hai went out to buy the jellyfish. He finally understood why Pollack had bought a house here; the transportation vehicles in this area all looked very much like jellyfish…

When he reached the destination and got off, he was immediately drawn to a massive sign: Ocean World. Inside were many shops selling all sorts of marine life from every planet.

Multicolor fish, strangely shaped coral, blue jellyfish… Mai Hai walked into a shop specializing in jellyfish. The owner was a young man who looked to be in his thirties.

Mai Hai asked, “Excuse me, do you have any jellyfish suitable for a gift?”

The man looked at Mai Hai and asked, “Who is it for?”

Mai Hai smiled and said, “A partner, of sorts.”

“Then take this kind.” The owner pointed inside a glass tank at some small jellyfish that looked like tiny, transparent daisies.

Mai Hai leaned in and asked curiously, “Are these easy to raise?”

The owner nodded and said, “Very easy. You just need to control the water temperature; there’s nothing else special to watch out for. Furthermore, this kind of jellyfish can increase your luck in love and ensure that the relationship between you remains harmonious.”

Mai Hai thought to himself: Is there even any ‘affection’ to speak of between me and Pollack? But he still smiled and told the owner, “I’ll take this kind, then.”

The owner asked Mai Hai, “You haven’t raised jellyfish before, have you?”

Mai Hai shook his head.

The owner pointed to a small tank at the bottom and said, “Then take this tank for them. Disassembly and assembly are very convenient.”

Mai Hai looked it over and nodded. “Alright. Also give me some colored stones and some hardy aquatic plants.”

The owner helped Mai Hai pack everything, taught him how to assemble it, and gave him a jellyfish care manual. After paying, Mai Hai left. He didn’t know why he had suddenly decided to put so much effort into preparing a birthday gift for Pollack, but when he heard Pollack say his birthday was coming with a regretful, lonely expression, Mai Hai felt he had to give him a surprise.

Back home, Mai Hai set up the tank by the living room window. He filled it with water, plugged it in, and set the jellyfish system to automatically adjust the temperature. He laid down the colored stones and planted the greens first before finally releasing the small, transparent jellyfish. As soon as the little fellows entered the water, they began to swim happily. Mai Hai tapped the glass with a smile, thinking that Pollack would be very happy when he saw this.

He prepared a table full of food and a birthday cake. Mai Hai also specifically poured two glasses of red wine and lit candles, calculating that Pollack should be home any minute.

Just as he was thinking it, Pollack actually returned. Mai Hai went out to help him take his coat and said to him, “You must be tired. Quickly wash your hands and get ready to eat.”

Pollack nodded, and then his gaze fell upon the tank in the corner of the living room. Mai Hai noticed his stare and asked, “What is it?”

“You bought that?” Pollack walked closer, crouched down, and asked as he watched the little jellyfish swimming freely through the glass.

Mai Hai hung up the coat and walked over to him. “Yeah. Isn’t it your birthday today?”

“For me?” Pollack turned to look at Mai Hai with some surprise.

Mai Hai nodded. “Mm. Do you like it?”

Pollack gave Mai Hai a smile: “I like it.”

Mai Hai secretly pinched his own thigh and muttered softly, “Guess I’m not dreaming; this guy actually has a smiling nerve.”

“What?” Pollack didn’t hear clearly and asked.

Mai Hai laughed awkwardly and changed the subject: “Let’s go eat.”

Only then did Pollack stand up to wash his hands. Mai Hai brought out the cake and lit the candles. When Pollack came over, he saw that the dining room was lit only by the candlelight on the table. He asked Mai Hai, “What is this for?”

Mai Hai said, “Make a wish, then blow out the candles.”

“Make a wish?” Pollack looked at Mai Hai strangely.

Mai Hai asked curiously, “Don’t you usually eat cake on your birthday?”

“I’ve never celebrated a birthday,” Pollack said in a calm tone.

Through the candlelight, Mai Hai felt that Pollack’s expression was extremely lonely. Realizing he had asked something he shouldn’t have, he hurried to apologize: “I’m sorry…”

“It’s nothing, I’m used to it.” Pollack gave a slight smile. “So, I make a wish and then blow out the candles?”

Mai Hai nodded. “Yes.”

Pollack asked again, “Do I need to say the wish out loud?”

“You make three wishes. Say the first two out loud, and keep the last one to yourself,” Mai Hai said.

Hearing this, Pollack closed his eyes and then blew out the candles. Mai Hai used the button on the chair to turn on the lights and asked, “What wishes did you make?”

Pollack said, “It’s a secret.”

Since he didn’t want to say anything, Mai Hai didn’t press further. Pollack looked at the table full of his favorite foods; while he appeared calm on the surface, he was deeply moved inside. No one had ever cared about his birthday or stayed to celebrate with him. Mai Hai’s appearance had given him a sense of “home”—at least now, every day when he returned, someone was waiting for him.

Originally, he thought making wishes was impractical and childish behavior, but for some reason, he had inexplicably made that wish today.

Mai Hai raised the goblet in front of him toward Pollack and said with a smile, “Happy Birthday.”

Pollack also raised his glass. The two clinked glasses and each took a sip.

The atmosphere was warmer than it had ever been, and both of them could feel it. Perhaps because of this, Mai Hai couldn’t help but drink a bit more. His tolerance for alcohol wasn’t high, and his behavior while drunk was even worse.

Pollack looked at Mai Hai across from him. A flush had appeared on his originally fair face, making him look very sexy. Pollack cursed himself inwardly; just because he had spent a long time with Mai Hai, he was starting to find him pleasing to the eye—and the more he looked, the better he looked…

Mai Hai looked at Pollack, stood up unsteadily, walked over to his side, and forcefully pulled Pollack’s chair back a bit. He then sat down boldly on Pollack’s lap, wrapped both arms around Pollack’s neck, and breathed into his ear. Narrowing his eyes at Pollack, he said, “Hey beauty, give me a kiss.”

Pollack looked at Mai Hai, somewhat speechless. He hadn’t expected that the usually easygoing and serious Mai Hai would be so full of charm and flirtatiousness after getting drunk. It caused a reaction in a certain part of his body. Regardless, they were legally married now—it would be a waste not to eat the snack that had delivered itself to his door…