Chapter 26 - Gift
“....happy birthday to you~ happy birthday to you~”
As several people sang around him, Huo YeRui blew out the candles on his cake. After he did so, they all said their well-wishes:
“Huo YeRui, Happy Birthday!”
“Happy Birthday!”
“Congratulations! I hope you stay as happy and healthy for the rest of the year!”
Huo YeRui, who had been overshadowed the entire night, finally felt like a protagonist. His mood lifted.
Tang WanQi came up to him with a big box wrapped in exquisite paper. She handed it to Huo YeRui and said: “YeRui, this is a birthday gift from our entire class.”
Huo YeRui invited every single student in his class, so they all decided to pitch in to give him a better gift than what they could normally afford.
Huo YeRui received the box with a smile. The other students from different classes soon heard that it was a gift from an entire class, so they grew curious. Someone couldn’t help but ask: “What’s the gift?”
Huo YeRui asked Tang WanQi: “Can I open it now?”
Tang WanQi replied: “I have no problem with that. What about you guys?”
Their fellow classmates said that they didn’t mind, so Huo YeRui started unwrapping the present as everyone looked on. As the wrapping tore, it revealed a box of sports shoes from a famous brand.
A lot of boys exclaimed: “Wooow.”
For many young students, this brand of shoes was legendary. It had a strong advertising campaign, with many famous stars advocating the brand. Many boys would talk and discuss the various products of this brand in their spare time. But as even their cheapest products were worth a white-collar’s monthly salary, their contact with this brand could only be during discussion. Most students don’t have that kind of spending power.
So the brand’s high price and popularity became a sort of weapon between many students. Even the worst basketball player could have a spotlight if he owned shoes from this brand. Of course, an easy way one could destroy this crummy player was to simply say: “Your shoes are fake.”
Therefore, when Huo YeRui exposed the logo on the box, many of the surrounding boys were green with envy.
Meanwhile, Huo YeRui couldn’t stop the smile rising from his lips. He opened the box and inside were a new pair of shoes.
At this, some knowledgeable person shouted: “Wow, it’s a limited edition!”
This person’s words cause another wave of exclamations. The girls didn’t understand the power of these shoes, but nevertheless, they were swept along when the boys around them started to endorse the shoes.
Not to mention how hard it was to even find a pair of these limited edition shoes, just its price would make it absolutely valuable.
Even a rich second generation student that was amongst the crowd had bright eyes. “Your classmates are quite tasteful.”
Huo YeRui had a smile on his face, but he made sure he didn’t seem too overjoyed. After all, there were a lot of students around him that had superior family backgrounds. His father, Huo PingChuan, had emphasized that he should always behave appropriately, no matter the situation. He should never reveal too much emotion, lest it made him look unsophisticated.
Huo YeRui said: “I was already delighted with the fact that you all attended my party. How can I accept such a precious gift?”
Tang WanQi waved a hand. “Don’t say that it’s too expensive. This is our last year of high school, and we don’t know the next time we can all get together like this, so we decided to give you something special in the hopes that you can remember us after graduation.”
Huo YeRui replied with a smile: “Then I thank you all.”
This pair of shoes undoubtedly caused a lot of discussions. Huo YeRui got a lot of envious eyes from the many students around him.
There were plenty of students in the crowd that had extraordinary family backgrounds and were quite generous. Gifting someone the latest mobile phone wouldn’t be too big of a deal for them. But while the shoes were just a little more expensive than a new phone, it definitely wasn’t affordable to most students with ordinary families.
As the crowd gasped, a table that soon became piled with gifts showed the gap between the rich and poor. It also showed just how extraordinary the attendees of Huo YeRui’s party was.
As many students wallowed in their jealousies, Huo YeRui finally managed to cast away the foul miasma that followed him all night. At the final hour, he finally had the spotlight back on himself. He can expect to be the center of discussion and gossip for a long time. Because of his birthday party, Huo YeRui expected to now be considered as high-class in many social circles. He definitely got some extra points for his future development.
Huo YeRui’s gaze swept past Lin Qian. He inwardly sneered. What good grades? Who can truly tell which person will be the most successful in the future? Just look at Lin Qian’s useless father.
After eating some cake, the delivery of gifts ended. Restaurant staff began to clear the venue, and they all started leaving. Suddenly, a staff member ran to them with a bag, shouting: “Wait a minute! Someone forgot to give their gift.”
The staff member made a lot of noise, which immediately attracted everyone’s attention. He was holding a tasteful bag in his hands.
“Wow!” A classmate screamed the brand name when they saw the bag.
The logo looked quite strange to the students. After this classmate shouted the brand name, most of them were still at a loss. But some of the attendees with affluent families were already expressing their admiration.
“Woah, who sent it? Too generous.”
“So true. I wanted a watch from that brand for the longest time, but my dad said he wouldn’t buy it for me until I graduate high-school.”
“Even I can’t afford to be that generous. Huo YeRui’s friend is really awesome.”
“Which friend gave that? I also want to make friends with you.”
......
Needless to say, in a very short amount of time, everyone learned that this item was from a high-end luxury brand. The brand had stopped supplying products for the general public a long time ago, and that their items averaged at 10,000 yuan.
Even Huo YeRui, who had been brought up by Huo PingChuan to have the standards of a rich man, had never been exposed by such a high-end product. He was so excited he could hardly maintain his classy demeanor. Taking the bag from the staff member, he raised his voice and asked: “Who is this gift from?”
“Oh, that’s mine.” Zheng PingQing’s indifferent voice sounded from the fringes of the crowd.
The students subconsciously started to separate, giving Zheng PingQing way as he walked towards Huo YeRui.
Huo YeRui was surprised. “This gift was prepared by classmate Zheng?”
Even the other No.12 students were surprised. Zheng PingQing’s family had never been talked about, but many of his friends were from ordinary families. It wasn’t like Zheng PingQing looked like he had outstanding origins either. Huo YeRui only invited him because of his power to move Class 8 in any way he saw fit.
No one expected Zheng PingQing to give such a legendary gift. Even the limited edition shoes an entire class pitched in to get couldn’t compare.
However, no one was upset by this. This brand was a rarity and couldn’t be considered something a student could even touch. So instead of getting bothered, all they felt was envy as they waited to get a glimpse of this genuine luxury item.
Huo YeRui’s earlier anger after being teased by Zheng PingQing melted away. While Zheng PingQing was unruly, he was still worth talking to. Huo YeRui secretly cursed at Zheng PingQing in his heart as he smiled. “Classmate Zheng is too polite...”
“Thanks. I almost forgot to take it.” After saying this, Zheng PingQing stretched out a hand and took the bag. Looking inside, he commented: “Fortunately, I didn’t lose it.”
Huo YeRui looked at his suddenly empty hand. “?????”
All the students surrounding them who were excitedly waiting for the gift to be opened: “??????”
Huo YeRui was stunned for a solid minute before saying: “Classmate Zheng, you....” He couldn’t ask what he wanted to ask while he was the focus of the entire audience.
Fortunately, someone else helped him: “Eh, this isn’t a gift for Huo YeRui?”
Zheng PingQing looked baffled as he replied: “No. I was just afraid to lose it, so I asked a staff member to keep it safe.”
Huo YeRui: “....”
Everyone: “.....”
Oh, this is awkward.
A friend of Huo YeRui hurriedly came out to relieve the atmosphere. “Haha, you packed it so well that we all thought it was a gift for someone.”
Zheng PingQing looked at this person, then turned to Huo YeRui. Zheng PingQing suddenly realized that with so many people looking at the bag he was holding, he couldn’t conceal his intentions. So in the end, he openly said: “You’re not wrong. It really is a gift.”
After saying this, Zheng PingQing turned and leisurely walked back to the edge of the crowd. Under numerous curious eyes, Zheng PingQing stopped in front of the most-watched person of that night. With a faint smile, he said: “Lin Qian, this is for you.”
A collective clamor of wows erupted.
“It turned out to be for Lin Qian?”
“Wait a minute, did something happen during summer vacation that I didn’t know about? Why can’t I understand this plot?”
“I wonder if there’s something wrong with my comprehension skills. Do I need to get checked out? Can I still do well in the college entrance exams?”
“We can get checked out together. We’ll go to the doctor next weekend.”
“I didn’t expect those two to really have reconciled. I’m a little moved! I guess No.12 is a school with great drama.”
Xu Yao and Jiang TingJun looked at each other. A trembling Xu Yao said: “Ah Qian and Zheng PingQing...”
Jiang TingJun shuddered. “Too shocking, I didn’t expect Zheng PingQing to be the one who takes the position of best friend.”
But Xu Yao refused to admit defeat. “I think I can still make a comeback.”
Jiang TingJun patted this dog’s head. “I believe in Ah Qian. He’s not the type of person who can be moved by money.”
......
Lin Qian looked at the bag Zheng PingQing was holding. He didn’t need to open it to know what it contained.
After they got together in their last life, the first gift Lin Qian ever gave Zheng PingQing was a couple’s wristwatch bought with his own savings.
This brand had a catchphrase with these pair of watches that left a very deep impression with Lin Qian: Recover lost time.
In this lifetime, it had changed to Zheng PingQing buying it for him.
Lin Qian took the bag, and with intense eyes, replied: “I accept.”
Zheng PingQing then started to casually explain: “When I was buying clothes this afternoon, I just happened to see the store.”
Lin Qian replied: “I know.” Zheng PingQing had always deeply regretted their past. Whenever he recalled their turbulent times, he would end up trying to find ways to make up for it. Even when time literally reversed for the both of them, Zheng PingQing still continued to do this.
The two of them looked like they were in their own little world, shielded from the outside world.
Jiang TingJin regretfully informed Xu Yao: “I regret to inform you, but you’re probably dead.”
Xu Yao calmly replied: “Since ancient times, well-off friends would always have the advantage.”
While they couldn’t bear to break this invisible barrier, some students couldn’t help but ask Zheng PingQing: “Classmate Zheng, why would you give Ah Qian a gift?”
Zheng PingQing gently replied: “Oh, to thank him for tutoring me.”
Everyone in their hearts: WTF!!! Repaying favors with such an expensive gift, too generous!!!
Xu Yao: !!!
Students then asked the question Xu Yao was dying to voice: “Hey, does Xu Yao have a gift too? He also helped with remedial classes, right?”
With a straight face, Zheng PingQing replied: “He helped Dong MingEn, so he’ll be the one giving Xu Yao a gift.”
Other people tried to get the record straight and asked: “Well, today is Huo YeRui’s birthday. Do you have a gift for him?”
“Oh, yeah.” Reminded of this, Zheng PingQing nodded.
At his confirmation, everyone immediately wanted to know what it was. Zheng PingQing’s gift for his tutor was so expensive; his birthday gift must be just as good. Huo YeRui was relieved to the extreme.
Zheng PingQing went towards the pile of presents, picked up a bag, then casually threw it towards Huo YeRui. “Classmate Huo, happy birthday.”
Feeling its heavy weight, Huo YeRui could tell that it wasn’t something ordinary. The crowd around them yelled: “YeRui, open it quick!”
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Huo YeRui, opened the bag.
The words ‘National College Entrance Exam Questions For The Decade’ slowly appeared. It was thick, heavy, and had beautiful printing. It looked very authentic.
Without any change in his expression, Zheng PingQing politely said: “I believe this is the most practical gift Huo YeRui will ever receive tonight.”
OMFG ZPQ GIVES NO FUCKS. Also, Dong MingEn is now his excuse for everything ha.
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