Gift

Two large boxes stood open. Ye Mian began to unpack them bit by bit.

On top were seven or eight packs of jasmine-scented cigarettes, five bottles of premium national-brand liquor, over a dozen small tins of tea, and two jars each of ginseng and lingzhi—evidently intended for her father.

There were also two large boxes of lingzhi spore powder, donkey-hide gelatin, and other health supplements, along with a gold bracelet, likely gifts prepared for her grandmother, knowing she would be visiting her for the holidays.

The gifts intended for Ye Mian herself were packed in a separate box containing two sets of high-end skincare products, a bright red jewelry box holding a gold rose pendant, two lipstick gift sets, and a red envelope so thick that Ye Mian couldn't even begin to count the cash inside.

Ye Mian took a deep breath and checked the shipping slip again.

Is this a New Year's gift, or some kind of betrothal offering? Isn't this a bit too extravagant?

She exhaled slowly to calm herself down. While her father was out buying groceries, she exerted all her strength to push the two boxes into her bedroom and hide them.

She pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Jiang Chen.

[Hao Mian: Big Boss, isn't this a bit too much? How am I supposed to explain this to my father?]

While waiting, she clutched her phone, glancing at the screen every few moments. After a long while, he finally replied in his unhurried manner.

[Jiang Chen: Just tell him you bought them, and that I reimbursed you.]

Ye Mian took another deep breath, trying to regain her composure.

[Hao Mian: !!!]
[Hao Mian: I can't take credit for your kindness.]
[Jiang Chen: You can.]
[Jiang Chen: Don't feel burdened. It's just a New Year's gift. I hope you and your family have a happy New Year.]

Looking at these words, Ye Mian’s heart softened completely. It wasn't about the worldly value of the items, but the thought behind them.

He had been visibly exhausted lately. The tea he drank to stay alert was frighteningly strong. Yet, it was clear he had put a great deal of thought into these gifts. Not only were the lipstick shades the most popular ones currently, but he had even remembered her grandmother. It was incredibly thoughtful.

...

He had no family of his own to care for him this New Year, yet he was using his own way to care for hers.

Ye Mian bit her lip, feeling that text couldn't express her inner feelings. She pressed the voice recording button and said softly, "Thank you, Jiang Chen. I wish you a happy New Year as well!"

Jiang Chen sent back a two-second voice message. The short words carried the breeze of Wencheng, a hundred miles away.

"Thank you, Little Ye Mian. I will."

Ye Mian put down her phone and looked at the two full boxes again. It had to be said, Jiang Chen’s gift was so sudden that the red envelope she had secretly tucked into his suitcase felt insignificant in comparison.

After thinking for a long time, the only remedy she could come up with was to buy whatever delicious or fun things she found during the break and bring them to him when she returned to Wencheng.

Suddenly, there was movement outside; Ye Haisheng had returned. He put the groceries in the kitchen before happily coming to tell Ye Mian what he had bought. "Mianmian, how about we have braised shrimp, fried chicken wings, and steamed sea fish today?"

It was their tradition; whenever father and daughter reunited, Ye Haisheng always insisted on cooking personally. As he put it, he didn't want his daughter to forget the taste of home.

Ye Mian blinked. "Okay."

"Is there anything else you want to eat—" Ye Haisheng laughed, but just as he reached the door to her room, he saw the large boxes behind her. "You shipped so much stuff back this year? Aren't you only graduating next year?"

Ye Mian blinked again, stepping aside to reveal the boxes. "These aren't luggage; they're... New Year's goods," she said honestly.

"You bought these?" Ye Haisheng couldn't believe it. Before she could answer, he praised her, "My daughter has grown up; you’re even buying New Year's goods for the family. Let me see what you got."

Upon closer inspection, the dazzling array of items was laid out before him. Surprised, he paused. "You bought so much. Mianmian, why did you buy cigarettes and liquor for Dad? You know I don't smoke."

Ye Mian almost blurted out Jiang Chen's name, but after a moment, she decided against it. Her father’s impression of Jiang Chen was still stuck in that summer of her senior year of high school; in his eyes, Jiang Chen was miserable, impoverished, and came from a broken home... In short, he would never meet a traditional father's standards for a son-in-law. She didn't want her father to hold any negative feelings toward their relationship.

She thought, if Jiang Chen returned to Jiangcheng next time, she would find an opportunity for her father to see him as he was now. After all, seeing is believing.

Facing her father's questioning gaze, Ye Mian carefully replied, "I saw that you usually keep a pack of cigarettes around, so I prepared some for you."

Ye Haisheng picked out the cigarettes, his face beaming. "Mianmian, don't buy so many next time. I only keep those to give to others; I don't need that many."

Ye Mian nodded. "Okay, I'll know for next time."

"Alright, I'll go cook a few more dishes. I really like what you bought for me, but don't buy such expensive things in the future. Dad has a decent salary and can buy them myself. Keep your money for your own needs."

Ye Haisheng clapped his hands and walked toward the kitchen, humming a tune, his face filled with pride. Knowing his daughter was earning her own money, he didn't suspect the true cost of the items.

The gifts themselves didn't really matter. What made him happy was that his daughter was thinking of him, and that she was doing well for herself. That was enough to make any father proud.

Watching her father's happy retreating figure, Ye Mian couldn't help but smile. She thought that buying her father a car should be moved up on her agenda.

That evening, to keep her promise to Jiang Yuan, she met up with her immediately after dinner. Because it was snowing outside and the roads were slick, Jiang Yuan suggested they stay at Ye Mian’s place to play games and watch movies. Ye Mian agreed, as there were plenty of snacks and New Year's treats to keep the little foodie happy.

With only two days left until the New Year, someone in the neighborhood began setting off firecrackers. The crackling sounds echoed through the snowy night, instantly heightening the festive atmosphere.

Ye Mian sat cross-legged on the electric blanket, playing games with Jiang Yuan. During one match, someone insulted them for being bad, which infuriated Jiang Yuan so much that she turned on her mic and scolded the other person for over ten minutes. Her vocabulary was so exquisite, utilizing every bit of "national essence" without repeating a single phrase.

As a result, she was muted for over two hundred hours—about ten days. It left Ye Mian between laughter and tears.