Adult Gift
In the living room, Lin Xian and her friends became a bit tired from playing games, and their stomachs started singing the empty city strategy, so they stopped to take a rest. As they were leisurely chatting and leaning on the sofa, Xia Zhijin’s clear and pleasant voice finally came: “Everyone, wash your hands and come in for dinner.”
Several just-turned-adult kids jumped up excitedly, like kindergarten children, obediently following Teacher Lin, lining up one by one to wash their hands in the bathroom. Then, chattering, they ran towards the dining hall. They were truly hungry, and even before seeing the dishes, they couldn’t help but sincerely praise the fragrance: “So delicious…”
In the dining hall, the snow-white table was filled with dishes—colorful and meticulously arranged on white plates. On the silver-gray table mat were delicate round bead redwood chopsticks, spoons, two white and delicate small bowls, and a transparent cup. The scene was so beautiful that it could serve as an advertisement for a high-end restaurant.
Shi Man, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo took their seats at the dining table one after another. Despite their hunger, they held their bowls close to their chests and dared not touch the chopsticks.
Xiao Wanqing sat down last and, seeing everyone in a daze, wondered, “Why aren’t you eating? Does the food not look appetizing?” As she spoke, she stood up, took the cup closest to her, filled it with coconut juice for Chen Zhi, and teased, “Is it because this old auntie here makes you feel uncomfortable?”
Chen Zhi took the cup with both hands and said apologetically, “No, no, thank you, Auntie Xiao. I can handle it myself.”
Lin Xian also opened a bottle of coconut juice and poured it for her friend Tang Mo, teasing her, “Weren’t you just saying you were hungry? Now the food is right in front of you. Why do you all look so uninterested?”
Tang Mo didn’t mince words with Lin Xian, took the cup, and took a sip of the coconut juice. It was both a compliment and the truth. She candidly said, “It’s because Auntie Xiao arranged everything so beautifully, it looks like a piece of art. We suddenly can’t bear to disturb it.”
Shi Man peach blossom eyes sparkled, and she smiled at Xiao Wanqing, “I’m different from them. It’s not about how Auntie Xiao arranged it. I just wanted to wait until Auntie Xiao arrived before eating together.”
Lin Xian, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo simultaneously cast a displeased look at Shi Man. Ah, this flatterer! Only she would say something like that!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wanqing smiled and gently replied, “Then I’ll reward you by letting you eat first, alright?” With no hesitation, she unabashedly used the chopsticks to turn over the beautifully decorated plate of large lobster in front of her, picked up a large piece of shrimp meat, and placed it in Shi Man’s bowl.
Shi Man happily thanked her, confidently picking up the shrimp meat, savoring it slowly and attracting the attention of others, saying, “Look, doesn’t this meat look incredibly delicious?” After finishing her sentence, she devoured it in one bite under the envious and jealous gazes of others.
Xiao Wanqing, using the chopsticks, also picked up a piece for Xia Zhijin, explaining, “This dish is actually made by Zhijin, our head chef. Little chef, taste your own craftsmanship.”
Xia Zhijin’s cool eyebrows softened with a hint of a smile as she said softly, “Thanks to Aunt Xiao’s generous sharing of her tips.”
Lin Xian raised her chopsticks, picked up a piece of shrimp for Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, then finally picked up a piece for herself, teasingly saying, “Hey, those of us who can neither talk nor do anything can only reward ourselves! Come on, raise your chopsticks, let’s eat! Hmph! Don’t let them get away with it cheaply!”
Everyone was instantly amused by her tone of exaggerated grievance and burst into laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.
After filling their stomachs a bit, Chen Zhi lowered her head and noticed the bulging bag she had placed on her lap. Suddenly, she remembered an important detail that hadn’t been addressed today. She put down her chopsticks, opened her small purse, and took out a small square gift box. She handed it to Lin Xian, saying, “Here, a birthday gift for you. I searched many places to find it, so don’t be too touched.”
Lin Xian smirked, took the gift with both hands, and couldn’t wait to unwrap it. Inside the gift box was the clay figurine commemorating the third anniversary of the game they often played together, which she had been talking about not being able to get. Lin Xian, momentarily abandoning her usual cheeky tone, expressed gratitude in a somewhat exaggerated and fawning manner, “Thank you, Chen Damei (Big Sister Chen), you’re so good to me.” With a gesture, she was about to hug her.
Chen Zhi immediately dodged, shaking off imaginary chicken feathers, and said with disdain, “Cut it out…”
Everyone paused with their chopsticks, laughing and watching the scene unfold.
Tang Mo casually stirred the grilled eel in her bowl and nonchalantly said to Lin Xian, “I didn’t bring a gift. As for gifts, just check your in-game mail. It’s just a small accessory.”
Her words were light, but Lin Xian heard them with great delight. She eagerly asked Tang Mo in a rapid succession, “Did you get me the Sword Intent Wind accessory? Ahhh, is it true, is it true?” She had been craving this accessory for a long time, but her character’s dark attribute made it difficult to obtain. She had complained to Tang Mo a few times before, and Tang Mo had discouraged her, saying that with her dark attribute, she shouldn’t harbor such fantasies.
But after a week of not logging in, did Tang Mo manage to get it for her? That would require so much grinding and resetting…
She pretended to get up, but Tang Mo immediately coolly stopped her, saying, “You can be touched, but don’t hug me. I’m delicate.”
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Lin Xian’s initially joyous expression instantly turned dark. She turned to Xiao Wanqing, crying and seeking comfort, “Auntie Xiao, what does she mean? Is she saying I’m fat? She actually finds me fat?”
Xiao Wanqing indulgently peeled a shrimp for Lin Xian and calmly comforted her, “Think about the small accessory she gave you, and then take a look at the dark circles under her eyes from staying up late to grind levels…”
Tang Mo, hit right in the heart!
“Auntie Xiao, you, you, you…” Tang Mo immediately nervously pulled out a small mirror from her bag. Dark circles? Where are the dark circles? Did she really have dark circles?
Everyone couldn’t help but hold back their laughter. Lin Xian, with a smug expression, raised her eyebrows at the plaintive Tang Mo, “See! Don’t bully me just because I’m cute. I have my backer, you know?!”
Shi Man, leaning close to Xia Zhijin, lowered her voice and teased, “Zhijin, is she being too arrogant?”
Xia Zhijin glanced at Shi Man, and a shallow, indulgent look flashed in her eyes. She took out a beautifully wrapped box from the large bag Shi Man had brought. The size of the box was similar to that of a book. She handed it to Lin Xian and smiled, “Mine is more practical. I hope you like it.”
Lin Xian took it with both hands, carefully weighing it and looking around, unable to guess what it was. However, based on the weight and size, it seemed like a book? As she unwrapped the gift, she asked with anticipation and curiosity, “What is it, Zhijin-jie?”
Xia Zhijin didn’t keep her in suspense and calmly stated, “It’s two sets of fully solved homework. One is for calculus, and the other is for macroeconomics. Next time, when you and Manman need to copy answers together, you won’t have to argue about who should compromise when the deadline is approaching, causing disagreements over progress. With one book each, copying will be much more convenient.”
Xiao Wanqing’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Lin Xian. She lowered her voice and asked, “Copying answers?”
Lin Xian immediately panicked and explained, “I didn’t! Manman, when did I ever copy answers with you?” Seeing Shi Man just smiling without saying a word, she gave up on this unreliable friend, changed the subject, and sought support from Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, “Chen Zhi, Mo Mo, can you believe that I always finish my assignments early? When did I ever copy answers?”
Chen Zhi and Tang Mo exchanged a knowing smile with Shi Man, instantly understanding each other’s intentions. Tang Mo cleared her throat, lowered her gaze, and said in a deep voice, “Xian Xian, you know, I’ve always been unable to lie…”
Lin Xian saw it from the corner of her eye, and it seemed that Xiao Wanqing’s eyebrows furrowed even tighter.
Unable to argue against the implication, she even forgot to unwrap the gift in her hands and earnestly explained to Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, I really didn’t do it. Normally, we finish our assignments together in the study at night. How could I wait until the last minute to start copying answers and rush through the homework?” She was afraid that Xiao Wanqing might misunderstand her as an ignorant and unambitious child who deceives and tricks people.
Seeing that Lin Xian was genuinely anxious, Chen Zhi couldn’t help but be surprised. Auntie Xiao seemed warm and easygoing, very approachable, but why did Lin Xian seem so afraid of her?
While Xiao Wanqing furrowed her brows, Shi Man observed the situation with a smile in her eyes. In her heart, she shook her head secretly. Lin Xian’s current position might require some smoothing over if she wanted to pursue Auntie Xiao.
Xiao Wanqing saw the sincere and anxious expression on the usually clever girl’s face. Lin Xian, who was usually quick-witted, now appeared a bit silly and slow… but cute. She couldn’t hold back her laughter and chuckled, ruffling Lin Xian’s small face to comfort her, “I was teasing you. How could I not believe you?” Her features softened, and she spoke gently, “We were just teasing you, why are you so silly? Quickly open it and see what gift Zhijin gave you.”
Lin Xian was momentarily taken aback, then turned to see Shi Man barely able to contain her laughter and Xia Zhijin with an unusually restrained expression. Suddenly, it dawned on her. Annoyed, she swiftly opened the gift. There was no set of fully solved homework; instead, it was an original biography of the Danish poet J.S.
She had a genuine fondness for this poet, but after being played like this, she had no intention of saying thank you! She wished she could reach out and pinch Xia Zhijin’s deceivingly solemn face. She glared at Xia Zhijin with a look of embarrassment, conveying, “You deceiver!”
Holding an innocent expression, Xia Zhijin knowingly asked, “I heard from Manman that you really like this poet, but it seems like you don’t like it?”
Shi Man quickly interjected, “Don’t worry, I have the ultimate gift package here. I guarantee that when Lin Xian sees it, she’ll be overjoyed and won’t be angry anymore!”
Xiao Wanqing, hearing her confident declaration, couldn’t help but become intrigued as well, eagerly watching Shi Man bring up a large bag from beside the chair. “What is it?”
Lin Xian looked at Shi Man with a mixture of trust and doubt. As their eyes met, and Shi Man’s mischievous peach blossom eyes immediately revealed a cunning smile, Lin Xian’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly reached out and snatched the bag from Shi Man, hugging it tightly. She urgently refused, “I’ll look at this by myself when I’m alone.”
Chen Zhi and Tang Mo immediately expressed dissatisfaction, “No, what’s so good that you have to look at it alone? Let’s see it together.”
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Lin Xian, still holding onto the bag, shook her head repeatedly, unmoved.
Chen Zhi turned her eyes, pouted, changed her tone, and sighed, “It seems that Miss Shi’s gift must be extraordinarily valuable, something us commoners can’t afford. That’s why Lin Xian is afraid to show it to us, feeling embarrassed that our gifts are inferior. Mo Mo, you know, we poor folks must have the self-awareness of being poor. People are considerate of us, so how can we be so clueless?”
Lin Xian furrowed her brows and retorted, “Why are you talking nonsense? I didn’t mean that.”
Shi Man added to the chaos, saying, “Lin Xian, you’re not being considerate enough. I give you a gift, and now you’re going to be resented by Chen Zhi and Tang Mo for no reason?”
Xiao Wanqing watched these kids create a scene, teasing Lin Xian, and found it quite entertaining. These kids were quite clever…
Lin Xian knew they were intentionally provoking her, but she didn’t want to give them any real grounds for dissatisfaction later. She steeled herself, thinking, what’s there to be afraid of? “Fine, I’ll open it. I’ll let you all see.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the bag on her chest was swiftly taken away by Chen Zhi, who leaned over.
“I’ll help you unwrap it.”
All eyes were now focused on the bag in Chen Zhi’s hands. Under the scrutiny of everyone, Chen Zhi pulled out a massive box from the large bag.
“Is it clothes?” Tang Mo asked Shi Man with a puzzled look.
Shi Man smirked, teasing, “Sort of…”
She slowly removed the outer packaging, revealing a pink box underneath. On the packaging box, a provocative illustration depicted a bunny girl in a three-point outfit, stepping on red stiletto heels.
Lin Xian, with sharp eyes, was the first to notice, and alarm bells rang in her mind. She rushed over, shouting, “Don’t open it!”
However, it was too late. Chen Zhi, at the same time as Lin Xian’s exclamation, had already opened the box. Afraid of being snatched by Lin Xian, she quickly pulled the entire box out, pretending to look puzzled and asked, “What’s this?” At the same time, she swiftly picked up a strange triangular strap and a gauzy, nearly transparent skirt.
Inside the box, there were also strange items resembling bunny ears, cat ears, sailor uniforms, feathers, and more…
Lin Xian, looking at Chen Zhi holding a thong in front of her with a suppressed smile, blushed instantly… Ah, don’t ask her how she knew it was a thong. She grabbed the unconventional underwear and pajamas, stuffed them into her arms, widened her eyes, bared her teeth, and through gritted teeth said, “Shi Man! I’m going to kill you!”
Shi Man collapsed in laughter onto Xia Zhi Jin’s shoulder, confidently stating, “A coming-of-age gift; isn’t it appropriate to give something for adults?” She showed no sense of wrongdoing or guilt and, instead, turned her head towards Xiao Wanqing for confirmation. “Auntie Xiao, you be the judge. Do you think I’m right or not?”
This gift was actually a bit unconventional, and her original intention was to quietly give it to Lin Xian, just to tease her. However, after the lecture, she changed her mind.
Having interacted with Xiao Wanqing during the sports meeting and considering the details Lin Xian often shared about Xiao Wanqing’s temperament and their interactions, Shi Man was confident that Xiao Wanqing was not the type to be overly traditional or unable to take a joke while maintaining an elder’s demeanor. Although the gift was unconventional, it was ultimately just a joke between friends. Moreover, today was Lin Xian’s birthday, and they were Lin Xian’s friends. Xiao Wanqing wouldn’t really mind and risk embarrassing Lin Xian. So, Shi Man was fearless.
As expected, as she anticipated, Xiao Wanqing did not scold or fuss about it.
Xiao Wanqing glanced at the props in the box and… in Lin Xian’s arms. She inexplicably blushed, feeling a bit awkward. She coughed twice and tactfully said, “However, Xian Xian… is still young after all…”
Shi Man sat up straight, giving Lin Xian a thorough look. Her gaze lingered on Lin Xian’s chest, and suddenly, she expressed agreement, saying, “Yes, Xian Xian is still young, not just young, but very small…” The last word was drawn out, carrying a profound meaning.
Everyone’s gaze, following Shi Man’s line of sight, landed on Lin Xian’s seemingly flat chest, and suddenly, they all realized…
“Hahahahahaha…”
Laughter and Lin Xian’s embarrassed squeal echoed in the dining hall, persisting for a long time. Even Xiao Wanqing, usually elegant and composed, couldn’t help but laugh, bending slightly and moistening her eyes.
The lively atmosphere and vibrant energy filling the room were all unexpected surprises gifted to Lin Xian. Perhaps Lin Xian herself was a surprise that life bestowed upon her—a temporary, fleeting delight?
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Lin Xian and Shi Man, like children, performed a playful chase in the dining hall. Instead of being scared, Shi Man became more cheerful, running past the spot where Lin Xian had just stood. She grabbed the sheer nightgown that Lin Xian had left on the chair while chasing her, unfolding it as she ran. When she reached Xiao Wanqing again, she deliberately shook the gown in front of her, casually saying, “Auntie Xiao, Lin Xian has come of age…”
She seemed tired from running, speaking with heavy breaths. After catching her breath, she continued, “Lin Xian has come of age, and hope seems quite bleak. Auntie Xiao, please comfort her. There’s still hope in life.”
The dining hall wasn’t large, and Lin Xian didn’t really intend to chase Shi Man to give her a playful beating. Both of them ran with a sense of moderation. When Lin Xian saw that Shi Man wasn’t planning to give her a chance to playfully hit her, she decided not to chase anymore. When she circled back to Xiao Wanqing, she directly collapsed into Xiao Wanqing’s arms, tired and slightly out of breath.
Xiao Wanqing gently held the distressed Lin Xian, who had thrown herself into her arms, comforting her by softly rubbing the girl’s head against her jaw. Her peripheral vision accidentally caught sight of the sheer nightgown still clutched in Shi Man’s hand, and the words “Lin Xian, coming of age…” echoed inexplicably in her mind.
The author has something to say:
Shi Man: Auntie Xiao, Lin Xian has come of age, ready to eat.
On a later day, Lin Xian rediscovered this gift, as if she had found a treasure.
LP: Sorry for not updating yesterday!
One more thing… is the site really filled with ads? I’m using auto ads for adsense so I don’t really know if the ads are much more aggressive to your side than mine, which I only see at least 2-4 ads. Please tell me if this is the case and I’ll adjust it!