When the topic of gifts came up, almost everyone present recalled the classic scene of Chi Li giving them gifts back then.
That was truly... unforgettable.
Jiang Lele shuddered involuntarily. "Am I not going to receive another packet of green tea?"
Chi Li glanced at him and said with amusement, "I don't think so... because you've already lost your 'green tea' persona."
"Really?" Jiang Lele was delighted. "Then what kind of gift is appropriate for me now, given my current status?"
"If it were me," Chi Li thought for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, "I'd probably give you a clap-making artifact."
"What does it mean? What does it mean?" Jiang Lele asked excitedly. He didn't care about the value of the gift, only its meaning.
Is this an insinuation that he lacks professional skills and can only act as a spectator applauding from the sidelines?
That's possible...
But I always feel like the attack power isn't quite enough.
Chi Li smiled and said, "From now on, you can use that to slap people. You won't have to worry about your hand hurting."
"Cough cough..." Shen Qiang, who was drinking water and his mouth was dry from talking about gossip, almost spat it out.
Jiang Lele covered her mouth and blinked, "So thoughtful!"
Aside from Xie Weishui, who had been slapped twice, everyone else couldn't help but smile.
This includes Chen Anyan, who just joined today, and his sycophant Wei Xuan.
They didn't want to laugh, but they just couldn't help it.
Xie Weishui was so angry that her face turned blue, but she couldn't lose her temper because of her magnanimous persona.
And even if he gets angry, he'll most likely only get a response like, "What's your rush? It's not like it's meant to hit you."
... Just thinking about it makes me angry.
Most importantly, he's been behaving himself these past two days, and he didn't even say anything when he didn't get the apology from Jiang Lele that Shen Qiang promised. Why is Chi Li suddenly targeting him?!
[ Xie Weishui: Did I offend you?]
[Of course I just insult you without thinking. Do I have to pick a day to insult you? [winking]]
My wife's sharp tongue is as formidable as ever. [Starry-eyed]
I thought my wife was going to turn over a new leaf, but I didn't expect her to still be so hot. [Hot]
[I'm starting to worry that my wife will get a good scolding from Xie Weishui.]
[Actually, you can come and criticize me.]
My dream is to one day hear my wife call me a bastard in bed...[drooling]
"Mine might not be as thoughtful," Chen Anyan said, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere. He placed the bag on the coffee table and laid out its contents. "... It's not exactly original, just fresh, but the sentiment is there—these are some side dishes and snacks my mother made herself."
"It seems to have both heart and originality." Wei Xuan praised his future ally, then casually unscrewed one of the jars, which contained pickled radishes.
He forked a small piece with a toothpick and put it in his mouth, then exclaimed, "Wow, it's so delicious! I really have to thank Auntie for her hard work!"
"Actually..." Chen Anyan lowered his head, looking somewhat embarrassed, "I was worried you'd find the gift too meager and didn't really want to bring it, but my mother insisted..."
"How can you say Mom's gesture is stingy?" Jiang Lele disagreed, opening another jar. "A gift from Mom is the best gift in the world!"
He forked a piece of pickled cucumber and put it in his mouth, chewing it with great effort. "It's delicious... I love pickled cucumbers the most."
However... after chewing a few more bites, a faint look of doubt appeared on Jiang Lele's face.
... This smell... it smells like the pickled cucumbers from the shop he usually buys from...?
I don't understand... Maybe all good pickled cucumbers taste the same.
"Yes." Xie Weishui's complexion returned to normal, and a smile appeared on her face. "The sweaters my mom knitted for me when I was little, I still have them... By the way, what gifts did your moms give you?"
Almost the instant he heard those words, Shen Xunye raised his head, his gaze piercing through the crowd and landing precisely on Xie Weishui's face.
He didn't speak, nor did he make any threatening expressions or gestures; he just stared at him coldly.
Everyone present knew that Chi Li had never experienced maternal love, yet he insisted on bringing up the gifts his mother had given him, claiming it wasn't intentional. Who could believe that?
Chi Li probably wouldn't care about his subtle provocation, and he believed that Chi Li could handle this ill-intentioned question well, but he was still annoyed.
Extremely unhappy.
"My mom is so funny..."
When Wei Xuan, who seemed oblivious, began to share his experiences, Xie Weishui, who was trying to observe Chi Li's expression, was frozen by Shen Xunye's gaze. A strange chill instantly crept up his spine and spread throughout his body, causing him to involuntarily shiver.
That cold gaze didn't linger for long.
A few seconds later, Shen Xunye looked away, as if he had only glanced at an insignificant corner casually.
He turned his gaze back to Chi Li, who was idly cracking sunflower seeds beside him, picked up the glass of water that hadn't been touched, and took a very slow sip.
His Adam's apple bobbed. Then he placed the cup back on the coffee table, the surface making a soft but clear 'click'.
The voice went unnoticed by the group of people who were engaged in lively conversation, but it was clearly heard by Xie Weishui.
He was certain this was a warning.
Xie Weishui looked away abruptly, as if she had been burned.
After the initial fear, anger followed.
Shen Xunye, a newcomer with no background, dared to look at Chi Li with that kind of gaze, relying on his connection with Chi Li to gain some popularity.
... What a loyal and devoted dog!
" Shen Xunye, what about you?" Jiang Lele, turning to the other side after sharing the unusual gift her mother had given her. "I feel like your mother must really love cooking for you to have grown so tall, right?"
"I think his mother is probably similar to mine, someone who never lifts a finger," Shen Qiang added deliberately.
Shen Xunye placed his hand on the upper back of the sofa where Chi Li was sitting.
His hands were large and his fingers were long and slender, casually resting on his palms, with his fingertips even slightly suspended in the air.
This seemingly casual, even somewhat lazy, movement instantly altered the spatial arrangement and atmosphere between the two.
It's like a declaration, a silent enclosing of territory.
"If I had to pick the best gift my mom ever gave me," Shen Xunye said, a slight smile playing on his lips, but his eyes held no mirth. "It would definitely be... the principles of being a good person."
Shen Qiang: "?"
How could he not know that their mother taught them principles of conduct? Did she only teach these principles to Shen Xunye?
"The most important thing in life is to be honest, upright, and have a clear conscience," Shen Xunye continued, ignoring Shen Qiang's questioning gaze. "Otherwise, you'll easily have nightmares when you sleep."