Nodus Tollens|| Haowoongbin

26

Xie wiped her hands and got out of the kitchen after doing her dishes. She walked to the sitting room and saw Zhanghao seated on the couch with a notebook in his hands.

"What are you writing?" She asked, hugging his neck from behind as she looked at the notebook.

"Just things I need for your birthday. I plan on making it special. My little baby's all grown up. I need to make tomorrow memorable for you"
Zhanghao said and Xie hugged him tighter, kissing his cheek.

"Thanks Daddy" She muttered. Zhanghao smiled, rubbing her hair.

Ding Dong

Xie turned her head to the door. "I'll get it. Are you expecting uncle Chenle?" She asked and Zhanghao looked at the wall clock. "Yes but not now. It must be him" Zhanghao said and Xie nodded.

She walked to the door and opened the door. She paused where she was.

"Xie.." Hanbin called. Xie still stood, staring at him.
Hanbin dropped his bags as he pulled her in for a hug. "My baby... I'm sorry, I should have come earlier"

Zhanghao stood up from the couch, walking to the door. He froze when he saw Hanbin hugging Xie.
"Hanbin.." Zhanghao called and Hanbin looked at him.

He leaned out of the hug, laying a gentle peck on Xie's forehead as he smiled at her. "Let's go in"

-

"You didn't tell me you were coming back. You never even spoke about coming back now" Zhanghao said.
Hanbin sighed, brushing his hair backwards.

"I know. I wanted to surprise you two. And I can't afford to miss her birthday" Hanbin said and looked at Xie who kept quiet.

He reached his hand to rub her head but she flinched  moving away. Zhanghao saw that and looked at Hanbin who was already looking at him.

Hanbin folded his hand and dropped it back on the table as his guilt ate him. He still couldn't forgive himself for what he did to her. He had never raised his hand on her but he did that day.

Ever since then he's been embarrassed of himself.
The words Xie and Zhanghao told him constantly ate him up. He was so guilty and embarrassed that he couldn't bring himself to even visit them.

"What are your plans for tomorrow Princess? Are we having a party for you or..?" Hanbin asked and Xie looked at Zhanghao.

"It's not been official actually. Just a little something for her" Zhanghao said and Hanbin nodded. He looked back to Xie. "Did you get your gift?"

Xie who was looking elsewhere nodded.
"Do you like it? I took my time preparing it for you"
Hanbin asked with a smile.

"No. I'll check it out tomorrow" Xie mumbled, still not looking at him making his smile slowly fade.
Zhanghao looked at them and cleared his throat.

"Why don't you go unpack Hanbin?" Zhanghao said and Hanbin hummed standing up.

Zhanghao waited for Hanbin to leave before he turned to Xie. "Is something wrong baby?" He asked, rubbing her hand. Xie sighed and smiled at him.

"Yeah. I'm just still surprised he's back. I didn't expect it" She said and Zhanghao rubbed her hand.
"I know baby. It's okay, he's here for you. Let's enjoy his time here okay?"

Xie folded her lips as she nodded.

-

"Take off your hoodie Xie, it's hot" Zhanghao said but Xie groaned. "No, I want to wear it and I'm late for school Daddy" Xie said wearing her bag.

Hanbin walked in with his coffee in his hand.
"Have a good day at school" He said smiling. Xie just nodded, giving him a small smile as she turned and walked out.

-

"Done" Ji Han said and Xie let down her hair. She looked down to her neck looking at the necklace.
"Wait, Look at it better now" Ji Han said as he took out his phone for her to see herself.

"So uhm.. do you like it?" He asked nervously when Xie touched it not saying anything.

"Yeah.. it's so.. beautiful" She muttered in awe looking at it. Ji Han sighed in relief. "You don't know how nervous I was. I've been thinking of getting it for you two months ago when I came across it. It was so beautiful I immediately—

Ji Han stopped talking when Xie suddenly hugged him. His hands were in the air as he looked down at Xie whose head was on his chest.

"Thank you Ji Han" She said. Ji Han immediately felt his face heat up as his heart began to beat rapidly. Xie looked up at him, giving him a smile.

"I really like it" She said and Ji Han immediately looked away so she would not see his face. Xie saw his face and leaned out of the hug as a blush crept on her face.

Ji Han sighed as he fisted his hands. He turned and looked at Xie. "Xie.. actually I've been meaning to tell you something.." He said, rubbing his hands together. Xie turned to him. "What's that?"

He gulped and rubbed his hands against his pants.
"I uhm...I..I like you"

Xie's eyes slowly widened. "H-Huh?"

"I like you. I like like you" Ji Han said, his heartbeat clouding his ears. "You...like me?" Xie asked in shock as she pointed at herself.

"Yes. I mean, I'm telling you not to force you into liking me back. I just...wanted to let you know"
He said as he rubbed his neck shyly.

Xie felt her face heat up at his confession.
"No...I..I actually...I like you too" She said and Ji Han immediately looked at her with his eyes widened.

"Wah really?!" He yelled making Xie flinch. He cleared his throat. "Sorry. I just didn't expect it"
He said and Xie softly laughed making him smile.

"So uh.." he started, rubbing his neck blushing.

"What happens now that..we like each other"
He said, blushing harder at his words. Xie chuckled looking at his face. "Nothing. I guess.. we enjoy each other's company now"

Ji Han slowly nodded. "I don't know what you mean by that but whatever you say" he said holding Xie's hand as she laughed.

"Come on, let's go have lunch"

-

Xie and Ji Han's steps slowed down as they stepped into the cafeteria. "Happy birthday Xie" Xie read the large sign hung in the cafeteria. She looked at the decorations in confusion.

"The birthday girl is here!!" Chaeun shouted, walking towards Xie. "Everyone, One two three!!!"
She yelled and all the students began to sing for her the birthday song.

Xie held Ji Han's hand tighter as her eyes panned over everyone. Ji Han looked at Xie in confusion and looked back.

Chaeun clapped as she grinned. "Happy birthday Xie, you've been a great friend to us all. We just wanted to do a little something for you" Chaeun said as she pinched Xie's cheek.

"And what's a birthday without presents" Chaeun said smirking. "Release the presents!" She yelled and looked at Xie smirking.

Xie's eyes went over to he students as they stood up, throwing pictures in the air. Ji Han's eyes furrowed in confusion. Xie's eyes followed one of the pictures as it fell to her feet.

She bent down and picked it up, looking at the picture, only to see Zhanghao and Ji Woong.

"Once again, Happy birthday Xie"