When he was little, whenever relatives came over during the New Year, new year's money was always an unavoidable hurdle.
The children would feign reluctance, wanting to tuck those bright red bills into their pockets while also feeling that accepting them directly would leave a bad impression; the adults, meanwhile, would clutch their Red Envelopes and tirelessly try to stuff them into the children's arms. The two sides would go back and forth, pushing and offering like they were practicing Tai Chi, enjoying themselves immensely.
Zheng Qing felt as though he had found that childhood feeling again.
Crystal Grandma's gift was somewhat troublesome. The young wizards looked at that beautiful Crystal Ball, wanting it yet not daring to accept it. Crystal Grandma, however, insisted on giving them the gift, completely ignoring the little wooden box the publicly funded student held out to her, as though she had not seen it at all.
Thus, Zheng Qing held the little wooden box aloft, unable to advance or retreat, an awkward smile on his face.
Old Daoist Mu Mingzi spoke up at just the right moment.
"Since she gave it to you, accept it without worry." Though Old Daoist Mu's expression was stiff, his mind was quick, and he easily guessed the young wizards' concerns. "Don't think you're taking advantage of her. For diviners, it has always been them taking advantage of others, never others taking advantage of them..."
That's exactly why we don't dare accept this Crystal Ball!
Zheng Qing roared inwardly. He knew exactly what he was worth. Even counting his credits and the odds and ends on him, gathering a hundred jade coins would already be his limit. Yet now, someone had casually thrown him a gift worth a third of his entire fortune.
Anyone would feel uneasy about that.