Conner took Lin Qi's hand and led him into the villa. He handed the things Lin Qi had brought to his wife. "Excellent wine. Looks like we'll be drinking well tonight!"
His wife spoke as she walked toward the dining room. Generally speaking, when guests brought wine—especially for a family banquet, and specifically one held over dinner—the wine would be opened on the spot.
Other things could also be brought, of course, but a family banquet was special. It was not an ordinary visit, so gifts were expected to be more closely tied to everyday life.
For example, people sometimes cooked dishes at home, packed them up, and brought them along. This was very common, and it did not make them look "embarrassing," nor did it give anyone the impression that they were "stingy" or anything like that.
As a special kind of banquet, gifts that amounted to this sort of "sharing" were the true mainstream.
Giving something overly expensive, with greater symbolic significance, was actually less appropriate.
For example, an oil painting or some collectibles might be worth more, but they would actually be less appreciated.
There was still some time before dinner. Conner's son and daughter both came over to greet them, after which his daughter left, leaving only his son behind.
He opened the Kolef Lin Qi had brought. There were twenty sticks in the box, each individually sealed. He took one for his son and another for Lin Qi.
Then he had his son bring the things to his study. "This is the good stuff. Put it in my bookcase!"
Conner had smoked one of the plain-colored cigarettes Lin Qi had given him. More than half of it was still in his coat pocket, sealed in metallic tubing.
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