Chapter 70: Chen Shian's Gift

The next day was Saturday—the last day of classes for the week.

Early in the morning, when Chen Shian met Wen Zhixia at the street corner, the girl was already laden with bags, as if she were going on a long trip.

“Oh, so heavy! Taoist, you’re strong, help me carry some!”

Now that the two of them were familiar, Wen Zhixia no longer stood on ceremony. Seeing Chen Shian with empty hands, she stuffed the things she could barely carry herself into his arms.

If it had been the boundary-keeping Lin Mengqiu, she would have rather broken her arms than utter a word asking for help.

“What’s with all this stuff?” Chen Shian took part of the load from her, finding not only the breakfast she usually bought for classmates, but also bags containing books and clothes.

“Aren’t you going home after school this afternoon? Why are you bringing so much?”

“Because I’m going home, that’s why I have so much.”

“Are you staying home for several days? I see you’ve packed one, two, three sets of clothes…”

From the open mouth of the bag, Chen Shian could see at least three changes of clothes inside.

Wen Zhixia had tucked her more intimate things at the bottom, so she wasn’t too worried about him seeing them. Still, when she noticed the curious Taoist peering inside, she shyly took the clothing bag back and swapped it for a box-shaped bag for him to carry instead.

“Since I’m going home, I might as well bring a couple of extra outfits, just in case I need them.”

Even as she said it, Wen Zhixia didn’t sound convinced herself. In truth, whenever she brought luggage home, it would come back exactly as it went. She’d even hauled a suitcase home before, only for it to sit unopened the entire time…

Girls, after all, like to be thorough about everything, as if it were a kind of ritual that must be observed. Going home empty-handed always felt like something was missing.

“What’s this big box?”

“My mom’s birthday. I bought her a pair of shoes.”

“How thoughtful.”

“Of course! I even ordered her a cake!”

“Is the cake good? I’ve never tried it.”

Wen Zhixia blinked, then casually invited, “Do you want to come to my house for cake tomorrow? My mom loves a lively house—if I bring a classmate to celebrate with her, she’ll definitely welcome you!”

“I have to go gather herbs tomorrow. Maybe another time.”

“Oh.” Wen Zhixia pouted, disgruntled.

Stupid Taoist! He said yes right away when it was dinner at Lin Mengqiu’s house, but now he has something else to do when it comes to mine!

“Here, you carry these for a second.”

Chen Shian said, passing the bags back into Wen Zhixia’s hands.

Her cheeks puffed up. Stupid Taoist! Not only won’t he come to her house for dinner, now he won’t even help carry her things!

Just as Wen Zhixia was about to dock all his future soy milk privileges, she saw Chen Shian free up his hands, take off his backpack, unzip it, and start rummaging for something…

Curious, she peeked over.

She saw him pull out a small piece of wood, about three or four centimeters wide, five or six long, and one thick.

“What’s that…?” Wen Zhixia blinked.

Before she could get a good look, Chen Shian took the bundles from her and placed the wooden piece in her hand.

“I carved this out of boxwood—a plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum motif. I already have plans and can’t celebrate your mom’s birthday, but since you invited me, I’d like to send her this little carving as a token.”

“Huh?” Wen Zhixia was stunned. “For my mom?”

“Yes, I don’t know if she’ll like it, but it’s a little something.”

“You’re so thoughtful!”

Wen Zhixia was amazed. Her earlier gloom was blown away. She’d only invited him on a whim, fully expecting him to decline, but she never imagined he’d be so attentive—sending a gift through her!

She turned the little boxwood plaque over in her hands. She knew nothing about woodcarving, but she had an instinctive appreciation for beauty. On the front, the ‘plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum’ scene was rendered in high relief—on such a tiny surface, each flower and stem was vivid and interwoven, competing in bloom. Even the details of bamboo leaves and flower petals were clear, and when she ran her fingertip over the surface, it felt subtly raised, intricate yet delicate.

Beyond the carving itself, the composition spoke of artistic skill, and the natural grain of the boxwood complemented the subject perfectly.

To most young people, “plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum” might seem old-fashioned, but Wen Zhixia found herself mesmerized—the more she looked, the more she was drawn in by the detail.

On the back were two characters, “Graceful Elegance,” beautifully inscribed and carved with equal mastery.

If even she, a young person, liked this wooden plaque, then her mother—who even used an orchid as her profile picture—would certainly love it.

Oh no! Now her mother’s going to get spoiled with such a refined gift!

After a long moment of admiration, Wen Zhixia finally remembered what he’d said before—

“Taoist… you said you carved this yourself?”

“Yes, just something I did for fun in my spare time.”

Chen Shian smiled. “I didn’t have much time to prepare, it’s just a casual piece—I hope your mom doesn’t mind. If there’s another opportunity, I’ll make something more carefully.”

Wen Zhixia was nearly speechless. Such a flawless carving—a casual piece? Something he did for fun?! When he claimed he “knew a little about woodcarving,” this is what he meant?!

She had no idea what level Chen Shian’s skills would be considered in the woodcarving world, but he was definitely a craftsman!

She compared herself—never mind carving something so intricate on a hard little plaque; just carving a word, she’d worry about stabbing her own hand…

Wen Zhixia wondered if it was her imagination, but holding the plaque in her hand, gazing at the flowers, she felt a unique sensation, just like the “Graceful Elegance” written on the back.

In truth, it was no illusion—Chen Shian really had imbued the plaque with a touch of graceful intent. He’d practiced this skill for years: conveying meaning through objects. Though limited by his cultivation, he couldn’t yet imbue objects at will; only by carving, writing, or painting could he pour his intent into them. When others held such an object, they would naturally feel the mood he’d had while working.

“My mom will love it!”

After a while, Wen Zhixia finally managed to say something.

Compared to Chen Shian’s plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum carving, the new shoes she’d bought for over three hundred yuan suddenly seemed insignificant!

Whose mom is it, anyway? This wretched Taoist is even more considerate than her own daughter!

If she hadn’t invited him on a whim, Wen Zhixia would have suspected he’d spent ages preparing this birthday gift…

Suddenly, she felt a little jealous.

She’d never received such a thoughtful present in her life!

“My mom’s not sophisticated, she probably won’t appreciate it. Taoist, do you have any others? I’ll reluctantly keep this one, just find any old piece of wood for my mom.”

“There are plenty at the temple—I could give you a box full if you wanted. But this is the only one I have with me now. If you want one, I’ll carve one for you next time.”

“You promise?” Her eyes lit up.

“Of course. I always keep my word. When do you want it?”

So it wasn’t just a polite brush-off! Most people would say “next time” and never mention it again, but he was really asking for a date.

“Well, then… on my next birthday, okay?”

“Sure. When’s your birthday?”

“It’s already passed this year—next June… June sixteenth!”

“Alright.” Chen Shian nodded. “What would you like carved?”

“Anything?”

“As long as I’ve seen it, or can imagine it.”

“Hehe, I haven’t decided yet… I’ll let you know when I figure it out!”

“Alright.”

Wen Zhixia opened her bag and put the carving away carefully.

As for keeping the gift for herself… she was only joking. She’d never hide something meant for her mother. On the contrary, she couldn’t wait to show it off—to tell her mom that the person who’d given such a thoughtful and exquisite gift was her good friend, Chen Shian.

She was even more eager to see her mother’s surprised and admiring reaction.

June… June…

It was only September now, still so long until June. By then, would she and Chen Shian still be such good friends?

As a child, she thought friendships were forever. Now, grown up, she knew that no one could stay by your side forever… But—

“You promised! You have to remember to give me my birthday present next year!”

“Alright, alright, I know.”

“After school today I won’t wait for you—I’m going straight home.”

“Okay, be careful on the way.”

“Got it. I’ll be back Sunday afternoon—you know we have evening study on Sunday, right?”

“I know.”

“See you at school then!”

“Alright.”

“Here—your soy milk!”

…

With the soy milk in hand, Chen Shian entered the classroom, pulled out his chair, and sat down.

Lin Mengqiu was already in her seat.

The two of them seemed to have developed an unspoken routine—

While Chen Shian bent down to hang his bag, Lin Mengqiu would glance at him out of the corner of her eye; and as he straightened up, she’d immediately withdraw her gaze, just in time for him to curiously observe what the ever-early class monitor was doing.

On Saturdays, when uniforms weren’t strictly required, Lin Mengqiu still wore her unchanging school uniform. It was no use trying to read her mood from her clothes.

But Chen Shian could tell that she was in a good mood today—her pen spun half a circle around her slender thumb when she paused in her writing.

Sitting next to the class monitor was a kind of training.

Chen Shian figured it wouldn’t be long before his skills at reading people would improve greatly.

And… his ability to pay compliments would improve too.

“Monitor, is this bottle of milk for me?” he asked, picking up the bottle on the desk.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

“You buy soy milk every day?” Lin Mengqiu couldn’t help asking.

Yet again she saw him bring the same brand of soy milk into the classroom. Even though she’d told him yesterday he could have her milk, he still bought soy milk. Did he really like it that much?

“I don’t buy it—Zhixia gives it to me.”

“...You walk to school together?”

“Yes, we just happen to be on the same route.”

“...”

Ha.

Meal buddy, walking buddy, study buddy…

Lin Mengqiu stopped spinning her pen.

She quietly went back to her exercises.

Her handwriting was elegant and neat.

Every stroke pressed deeply into the page.

…

Pop—the sound of something being punctured echoed softly.

Lin Mengqiu paused, then couldn’t help but sneak a glance out of the corner of her eye.

She saw Chen Shian pick up her milk, cheeks caving in as he took a big sip…

“So good. When I was in the mountains, I never imagined I’d have milk every day. Thanks to you, Monitor, I can enjoy such a good life now.”

“~~~”

No! Stop!

“Chen Shian!”

Almost fell for it!

Gluttonous Taoist, trying to butter her up?

Up to no good! Minus one point!

After eyeing Zhixia’s soy milk, now he’s after her milk too?

Greedy! Minus another point!

No more letting him have her milk! Tomorrow, she’d dock all his milk privileges!

…

She looked like she hadn’t heard a word, face blank as she continued working.

Chen Shian took another sip, blinking.

Uh-oh…

Wasn’t she supposed to be easy to cheer up, though quick to anger? That’s what Uncle Lin’s “manual” said—why wasn’t it working?

“Monitor, about today—”

“Don’t. Talk.”

“….”

Chen Shian fell silent, obediently taking out his English book for morning reading.

“...Saturdays are for Chinese.”

“Oh, right.”

“Chen Shian!”