174 The Gift 8 (2/2)

”Again, still so close.” Xiu Ling took another token from the pile that Lin Kang left on the panel and bent down to prepare to slip another one into the machine. ”We'll only need to jiggle the crane once and I believe it'll be done.”

However, before she could do so, Lin Kang raised his leg and launched a kick at the side of the crane machine. It created a resounding boom and made Xiu Ling jump. Thankfully, the arcade was unmanned or else the owner definitely would have called the police on Lin Kang.

”Lin Kang, what are you doing?!” Xiu Ling gasped.

The machine rocked from the force of his kick and so did the stuff inside it. The crane titled from one side to another and the plushy fell off before making its way down the chute. Lin Kang bent down to claim the prize and he handed it over to the still-dumbfounded Xiu Ling.

”Th-thank you.” Although she was not quite sure she should be thanking him for vandalizing the place. ”You should not have done that, we could have just put in another token and it'll still be fine...”

Lin Kang cut her off, ”There shall be no waiting for you. If I cannot win you the prize that you want at the first try, then I would have been greatly disappointed in myself. If I cannot be my best, then how can I allow myself to be with you?”

Xiu Ling was both stumped and touched. She thought about it and realized there could have been worse reason for the man to commit to violence and in that moment, she'd figured why not. She deserved to be pampered once in a while and if that was Lin Kang's intention, she would choose to accept it.

She held the prize to her heart and she told Lin Kang, ”In any case, thank you. I will definitely appreciate this gift. I love it.” Xiu Ling was not telling that just to make Lin Kang feel better. She did like the present, more than the stuff with higher price tags that Lin Kang bought for her at the upscale mall. He worked hard, using his own effort and not by throwing money around, to win this for her and that was why she was going to cherish it.

Lin Kang was happy to hear that and to see that sincere smile on his wife's face. It more than made up for the apparently lackluster performance at the mall.

Eager to bring more joy to his wife, Lin Kang urged her forward, ”What shall we play next? Or should we stick with the crane machine?”

”Let's try something else,” Xiu Ling said as she looked around the room. Eventually her eyes landed on something. ”How about we try that next?”