While Carlos was returning to the dormitory, Su Qingjia went to the audience to watch a group of young hunks play football.
Back when she was young, her eyesight was really good. She could even count the beads of sweat on the collarbone of the handsome man dribbling in front of her. Unfortunately, the era of smart phones hasn't arrived yet. It's not convenient to take photos at all.
However, in the next second, she was blown away by Carlos's cuteness.
He had changed into a white tracksuit that was soft in texture. His exposed calves couldn't be any straighter. His blond hair had been combed properly, and with his blue-gray eyes, he looked like a comic character who had come out of a 2D world.
"Bella, can I go with you now?”Carlos secretly rolled up the corner of his clothes and lowered his head shyly.
Su Qingjia stood up from the stands and patted the cheongsam on her body. Grandma Su had made it for her. From the choice of materials to the embroidery, it was done by no one else. The word "Fu" on it was sewn using the traditional Su style embroidery method. Every needle and thread was an old woman's concern for her children and grandchildren.
"Yes, Lord Longevity Star, you're the most important today.”Su Qingjia nodded and took a deep breath. Oh, so this child even took some time to take a shower? "If we don't need to turn back and run, let's set off.”
Carlos was speechless.
Su Qingjia brought him back to the orphanage. Yesterday, Su Qingjia had left some things in the kitchen.
Because it was almost a semi-finished product, Su Qingjia took it out of the refrigerator and processed it briefly. The hot noodles and red eggs were out of the oven.
Carlos's brain had been short-circuited since Su Qingjia started to attack. He sat there in a daze and did not say anything. He just stared at Su Qingjia with his gem-like eyes.
"Hey, Carlos, why are you still in a daze? Hurry up and eat while it's hot.”Su Qingjia knocked his head with a fork." The chicken soup is fragrant."”
Carlos finally recovered from his daze. He licked his dry upper lips and said,""What is this?"
The mellow chicken soup seduced the taste buds of the customers. The thin noodles were sprinkled with green onions. However, as a native Spanish boy, Carlos was at a loss when he saw such strange noodles.
" This is longevity noodles. When you eat it…" Su Qingjia lowered his head to look for the bottom of the noodles." Here, start eating from here. Don't bite it off. You have to eat it in one go. This means that your life will be as long as this noodle."”
"Is this also a birthday custom in your country?”Carlos asked with a fork.
Su Qingjia smiled sweetly at him, her eyes curved."Of course, Carlos. This is my second gift to you. I wish you good health and peace.”
Carlos lowered his head and ate the noodles silently. It was his first time eating such strange but delicious noodles. He was very careful not to break it.
Carlos didn't dare to look up until he finished the soup. His eyes were red, and he didn't want Bella to see it.
There weren't many noodles. Su Qingjia placed the red egg in front of Carlos again."Carlos, this is the third gift for you. It means to peel off the shell and be reborn. Young man, you will succeed ~"
Carlos nodded and took the red egg from Su Qingjia.
Carlos opened the red shell and started eating. His eyes were filled with tears. Every day, La Masia would let the players eat eggs to replenish their energy, but this was the first time he felt that eggs could be so delicious.
After two o'clock in the afternoon, the two of them set off for Rambla Avenue. Carlos always liked this street full of good memories.
The scorching sun did not disturb the enthusiasm of the wandering artists. The tall sycamore tree did not hesitate to show its broad chest, and the dazzling array of fruits was arranged in various patterns by the shopkeeper.
Su Qingjia spent 1.5 euros to buy a large box of fresh cream fruit salad. The two of them were full, and the sweet strawberry and cherry juice still lingered in their mouths.
Near the Plaza Catalan was the magical Canaretes fountain. Legend had it that anyone who drank the water from the fountain would one day return to Barcelona.
This time, they strolled aimlessly on the streets, greeted street performers, listened to the singing from the theater, and appreciated the art of architecture. People of different skin colors gathered here, and the fun of life was vividly expressed here.
Unknowingly, the sun had already set.
The Spanish poet, Frederick, once said,"La Rambla is the only street in the world that I hope will never end."”
Although Carlos didn't know this famous saying, he, like this romantic and legendary poet, didn't want to walk to the end of the street. He felt a little disappointed as he looked at the gradually darkening sky.
The day was almost over.
When he was young, he had heard Cinderella's fairy tale. At midnight, all of Cinderella's fine clothes would be returned to their original state.
Now he was just like Cinderella. The beautiful days could not even wait until midnight.
The night slowly deepened.
At the mouth of the sea where Colombus was sailing, the lights on the Sailboat Lania lit up. Su Qingjia brought Carlos to the dock. (Note: The "Lania" was the sailboat that Colombus took on his voyage to America. It is now a replica anchored at the port.)
"Now close your eyes. I'm going to give you a fourth gift.”
Carlos obediently closed his eyes, and the obedient little golden retriever frowned.
Su Qingjia smiled." You don't have to be so tight. Just close it as you like. Just don't peek."”She waved her hand in front of Carlos. There was no reaction, so she closed it.
After a rustling sound, Carlos heard the sound of a lighter being ignited. He was a little nervous and excited, and his right ear kept moving. The cool sea breeze caressed his face, and there was a faint salty taste.
The long wait finally came to an end. Carlos heard Bella say to him," stretch out your hand." Something was placed on his hand." Don't move. Now, you can open your eyes."”
The warm candlelight danced in his hand, and the protective shield made it resistant to the sea breeze. It was a beautiful river lantern with exquisite workmanship. Su Qingjia had selected it from his collection. The craftsman had folded the paper into the shape of a lotus flower, with nine petals and nine turns. Then, he dyed and processed it deeply to ensure that it could float far on the water.
Carlos felt that his hand holding the river lantern was about to get wet. The warm candlelight made Su Qingjia's face look especially beautiful. Her long eyelashes were like butterfly wings, her amber eyes were filled with joy, her nose was small and beautiful, and her lips were like plum blossom petals.
Her red dress and loose hair made her look like a legendary female siren.
"Student Carlos, I will now give you the fourth gift, the Heavenly River Lantern. I wish you a bright future and smooth sailing.”Su Qingjia pulled him to squat down." Although this is the sea, it's nothing. Hurry up and put down the river lantern."”
"Can I bring it back?" Carlos asked," I can't bear to let go. Can I not?”
Su Qingjia could tell that he liked this gift very much. After thinking for a while, he said,"It's a gift for you. It's in your hands now. I can do anything."
Looking at the river lanterns and Su Qingjia's smooth and delicate face, Carlos said,""Then let it go." Su Qingjia smiled and nodded. Carlos dipped his hands into the water and slowly released the river lantern.
Su Qingjia took advantage of the fact that he hadn't come back to his senses and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Carlos turned around, and his left cheek heated up. Fortunately, the night was hazy, and his face was not visible. He was so excited that he wanted to jump into the sea to cool down. He rubbed the corner of his shirt." Why, why did you kiss me?”
Su Qingjia deeply felt that she had just forcefully kissed a good wife. She felt a little guilty."The one just now was my fifth birthday present. I wish our friendship will last forever. How was it? Do you like it?" Only God knew that the fifth gift was actually a knee pad, which was still in her bag.
Of course, Carlos liked it. He nodded. He couldn't say the wrong thing this time. After pondering for a moment, he said,""I like it, I like it very much, Bella. This is my favorite birthday present today.”He smiled, his dimples filled with honey." We are best friends!”
Su Qingjia was relieved to see that Carlos didn't have any adverse reactions. He looked at the river lantern that hadn't drifted far and said,""Carlos, I should go. My father is waiting for me at the square. Today, I wish you a happy birthday.”
"Thank you, Bella. Thank you.”Carlos was a little incoherent." Bella, this is the best birthday I've ever had. These are the best birthday gifts I've ever received. Goodbye. You should go quickly. Uncle will be worried later.”
After Su Qingjia's figure disappeared into the night, Carlos quickly ran to the dock. If the coach was measuring the speed, it would be Carlos 'best time.
The lotus-shaped river lantern hadn't drifted far. It was still in the shallow water of the dock. Carlos waded into the water and approached the river lantern little by little.
The seawater slowly rose from his ankles to his calves, then to his thighs. When the seawater reached his belly button, he finally got the burning river lantern.
Before the staff on duty noticed him, he quickly returned to the shore. The temperature of the sea was not low, but it was still a little cold in the night.
The young people were still chatting with each other while drinking. The bar was singing and dancing non-stop. The sax floated into every corner. Carlos listened to the cicadas chirping from the sycamore tree and blew out the river lantern.
He wanted to keep such a good gift.
When he returned to La Masia, it was already nine o'clock. His dormitory was filled with players below U12. There were not many people during the summer vacation, and the corridors were dark. Carlos went upstairs in the dark and pushed open the dormitory door. When he turned on the lights, he felt that there was someone else in the room. Out of habit, he held his breath and clenched his fists.
" Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." The candlelight flickered. Coach Benajes pushed the birthday cake, followed by a group of teenagers around U16. "Happy eleventh birthday, Carlos.”
Oleg stepped forward and handed a box to Carlos.""Happy birthday, little golden retriever. Your little girlfriend asked me to give this to you. Take it well." She took out a rainbow-flavored lollipop and said," This is for you. Remember to finish it."”Oleg waved his fist," Don't waste it." Be careful or I'll beat you up."
Su Qingjia asked Benajes to bring the cake. She asked every teenager who was still training in La Masia to sing a birthday song for this lonely boy.
After eating the big cake, the teenagers left one after another.
Carlos opened the box. Inside was a pair of sneakers and a card.
The sixth gift was sneakers. May it score goals for you again and again. I wish you better and better football skills.
The seventh present, birthday cake, and everyone's blessings. I wish you happiness forever.
May the seven gifts make up for the short emptiness in your life.
It was signed Bella.
As he entered dreamland, Carlos thought that he was not poor Cinderella. He still had Bella. He did not need to worry that the bell would take away his happiness.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。