Chapter 10#
Chapter 10#
Tan Xiao also realized it and understood why Zhang Xingchuan told such a small white lie.
He rarely gave gifts himself. Tracing back the reason, it was something that happened when he was in middle school.
At that time, a female classmate in his class was having a birthday. She was a very cute and cheerful girl.
Earlier, for Tan Xiao’s birthday, he had brought cake for his classmates, and this girl had given him a small handmade birthday gift.
Out of gratitude for that kindness and a budding adolescent crush on the cute girl, Tan Xiao also wanted to give her a birthday gift in return.
He attended an international school, and his classmates’ families were all middle-class or above. Based on this consideration, he went to a mall counter and selected a moderately priced bracelet. The material wasn’t jewelry, just imitation crystal suitable for a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl.
Unexpectedly, when the girl opened it, she turned pale with fright and returned the bracelet to him on the spot as if it were a predatory beast.
It left Tan Xiao completely confused.
Tan Xiao asked other classmates indirectly and finally figured out that with the prices and environment in 2014, a middle-school girl from a middle-class family might use a four-thousand-yuan phone, but she wouldn’t wear a four-thousand-yuan bracelet.
Later, the girl also sent Tan Xiao a few hundred words of text. The first half was a sincere suggestion for him to consume rationally.
At the end, she wrote tactfully: “Tan Xiao, maybe I accidentally did something that made you misunderstand, but I really only think of you as an ordinary classmate. Our current task is to study hard. I wish you a smooth sailing for the rest of your life.”
Tan Xiao was extremely embarrassed at the time. Looking back now, he thinks she was a very good and upright little classmate.
He can’t remember the girl’s face or exact name anymore, but after that incident, he never dared to give gifts to people randomly.
When he got older, he gained a more specific understanding of his family’s industry and wealth, and became more self-aware. He consciously kept his distance from female classmates to avoid accidentally developing feelings that couldn’t have a result, which would only harm others and himself in the end.
That’s an aside. He now understood why Zhang Xingchuan used the pretext of a “minimum order” for the gift—he wanted to give him something good but was afraid he’d be bothered by the price.
Tan Xiao’s family situation was too unique to easily disclose to others.
Moreover, being friends with Zhang Xingchuan was entirely because their personalities clicked, and it had nothing to do with family background in the first place.
If he didn’t mention it, it remained Tan Xiao’s secret; if he did, it could very well become a burden for Zhang Xingchuan.
“This must be very expensive,” Tan Xiao still said what a student should say. After so many years, he was used to the separation of his two identities. He said to Zhang Xingchuan, “Don’t buy me such expensive things anymore.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Zhang Xingchuan said.
He was a sensible person. Choosing and giving a gift to Tan Xiao first and foremost satisfied his own emotional needs.
If Tan Xiao was also happy upon receiving the gift, that would be a win-win situation, nothing could be better.
Zhang Xingchuan joked casually, “Do you know how rich I am? I couldn’t spend it all.”
His joke was meant to dispel Tan Xiao’s concerns, and it was also the truth.
Normally speaking, the wealth he currently possessed was indeed enough to last several lifetimes, not to mention he was only in his thirties and would continue to produce and possess more.
Tan Xiao’s feelings were a bit complex. If he continued this topic, he’d be acting too much, and it wouldn’t be very respectful to Zhang Xingchuan.
“Stop your bragging,” Tan Xiao said. “Can I wear my new clothes now?”
Zhang Xingchuan said, “Of course.”
Tan Xiao took off his jacket and changed into the new shirt in the car.
Earlier when he looked at the product catalog, he thought this piece was quite ordinary and even a bit tacky.
Now that it was given to him by Zhang Xingchuan, he felt it was actually okay, and he even truly liked it.
“Does it look good?” Tan Xiao leaned slightly, inviting Zhang Xingchuan’s comment.
“It looks very good,” Zhang Xingchuan said truthfully.
“I really like it.” Tan Xiao’s sweet-talking skill activated instantly. “Our Brother Xingchuan sure has good taste.”
The jacket suited him well, giving off a refreshing spring vibe.
Zhang Xingchuan looked for a moment and also felt his taste was indeed very good.
“Today’s my treat,” Tan Xiao said. “I just received a payment for a paper, more than three thousand yuan.”
Zhang Xingchuan smiled slightly and said, “No need, just save it as pocket money.”
Wasn’t there a ready-made reference? Tan Xiao copied it on the spot and said, “Do you know how much pocket money I have? I can’t spend it all.”
“Stop your bragging.” Zhang Xingchuan picked up the line and added, “There’s no reason for me to ask you out for a meal and then have you pay.”
“You gave me a jacket,” Tan Xiao insisted. “Of course I should treat you to dinner.”
“Fine, go ahead.” Zhang Xingchuan gave up this meaningless fight for the bill; he could just find an excuse to send Tan Xiao a red envelope later. He said, “Let me know when you’re out of money.”
Tan Xiao thought to himself, Wait a minute, Brother. Even if I were truly a poor student, what kind of ‘sugar daddy’ literature line is that?
Zhang Xingchuan also realized the words were a bit strange.
Since Tan Xiao hadn’t “come out,” and Zhang Xingchuan didn’t like labeling people, he unconsciously ignored the potential situation that Tan Xiao might be gay during their interactions.
He certainly didn’t mean it that way. He saw Tan Xiao as a younger brother. What’s wrong with an older brother “dropping some coins” if his student brother runs out of pocket money?
Tan Xiao never questioned Zhang Xingchuan’s orientation; it was clear Zhang Xingchuan was a gentle straight man, not to mention that “white moonlight” lady far away in America.
Therefore, the thought only flashed in his mind for a second before passing.
Zhang Xingchuan added a patch: “You’re busy graduating this semester and have no time for side jobs. I’m afraid you won’t have enough money to spend.”
Tan Xiao let out a: “Ha???”
Zhang Xingchuan knew he’d occasionally be “abstract” but still asked curiously, “What’s that weird sound?”
Tan Xiao said, “I’m the Wudaokou Usagi (rabbit), how could I not have money to spend?”
Often experiencing the life of a corporate slave, his family background and properties unknown, yet his certificates could cover a whole wall.
Tan Xiao, truly deserving of the name, the Wudaokou Usagi.
Zhang Xingchuan’s work relied on the internet, and his spare time was often used for surfing to keep an eye on young people’s travel needs and Wencheng’s public opinion trends. His “internet speed” (awareness of trends) had always been fast.
But it’s inevitable to have areas he hasn’t explored. For example, too young “2D” (ACG) IPs were part of his blind spot.
He now guessed that this person surnamed “Wu” might be a new celebrity in the entertainment industry?
He did believe Tan Xiao wasn’t short of money.
Tan Xiao didn’t have much desire for consumption and had a very peaceful temperament. It was likely that his mother did a good job with his education and personality development, and the family’s financial condition was quite comfortable for the child to grow up like this.
But that’s how people are—once you care about someone, you always find every possible way to be a little better to them.
Zhang Xingchuan now just wanted to be good to Tan Xiao, but he was struggling to pinpoint Tan Xiao’s precise needs.
For now, he could only spend some money on him like this.
After lunch, Zhang Xingchuan drove Tan Xiao back to school. Tan Xiao got out, waved, and the driver drove the business car away.
Before they had gone far, Zhang Xingchuan saw the jacket Tan Xiao had taken off; he had forgotten to take it.
Just as he entered the school gate, Tan Xiao also realized this and messaged Zhang Xingchuan: I left my jacket in your car.
Soon, he received a reply from Zhang Xingchuan: It’s hard to turn around. I’ll return it to you next time we meet.
Beneath the surface meaning of these words lay a pleasant agreement for the next meeting.
Tan Xiao received this implication and replied with an emoji of a puppy tilting its head and smiling.
Before the next meeting, he wanted to give Zhang Xingchuan a gift in return.
A week later, at the Wencheng office building.
The administrative staff responsible for receiving and sending mail received a special delivery for the CEO’s office. After carefully conducting a security check, they brought it upstairs to the CEO’s office.
The administrator in the CEO’s office checked the information again and handed the item to Zhang Xingchuan’s assistant.
The assistant verified the receiving information, confirming it was intended for the CEO, but… the young assistant didn’t know what to make of it and first went to find Jiaxin, the special assistant.
Finally, Jiaxin made the decision. Carrying that small pot of butterfly orchids in both hands, she brought it to Zhang Xingchuan.
Zhang Xingchuan had just returned from outside and was preparing for lunch, taking the opportunity to watch an anime episode.
Seeing Jiaxin coming in with a pot of flowers, he asked in confusion, “New flowers from the property management? They’re quite nice, but I don’t have room for them here.”
He didn’t like having plants in his office. Others couldn’t enter his office, and if he were to take care of them himself, they’d be dead in two days.
Even so, he took a careful look at that small pot of butterfly orchids. They were truly beautiful flowers—elegant single stems. Light blue flowers are relatively rare, and looking closely, the petals had a blue gradient. They were stunningly beautiful.
The property management used to send anthuriums or money trees, which took up space and weren’t very nice. Why did they suddenly send such a beautiful pot of butterfly orchids?
“They’re not from property management,” the special assistant said, also a bit confused. “I don’t know who sent them to you personally. They’ve been checked and there’s no problem. There’s a card, but no signature.”
The CEO took and looked at the card, which had a line written on it.
“To Mr. Zhang Xingchuan: Water less, expose to sun less. Remember the seven-word secret well, and it will live.”
Zhang Xingchuan guessed who sent it in a second.
Dr. Tan’s thesis had been sent for blind review. While waiting for the results, he had quite a bit of leisure time.
The library was quiet. He sat by the window, half-heartedly preparing his defense PPT. His mind was wandering, and he occasionally picked up his phone to play.
Did Zhang Xingchuan receive the flowers?
Why is there no reply?
Whether you like them or not, say something. The CEO is really impolite.
Buzz. Zhang Xingchuan’s message finally arrived.
He sent Tan Xiao a photo of the butterfly orchids on his desk.
The CEO’s desk had always been very simple. Besides the computer, the only fixed object was a custom jade ornament of Wencheng’s mascot. Now, in the space next to the mascot, this pot of flowers was placed.
On one hand, Tan Xiao thought, What virtue does this flower have to stand in the ‘center’ of the CEO’s desk alongside the mascot? On the other hand, he couldn’t help being smug.
He just felt that Zhang Xingchuan would like these flowers.
Zhang Xingchuan was a plant-killer, but this “killer brother” specifically renovated a small garden at home, which meant he really liked plants.
After Tan Xiao decided to give Zhang Xingchuan a pot of flowers, he spent several hours on flower forums until he found this kind of butterfly orchid and knew at a glance it was the one.
Butterfly orchids themselves have excellent symbolism, and this variety has a serene and gentle blue color like the sea, matching Zhang Xingchuan in all aspects. It couldn’t be more suitable for him.
And the flower Tan Xiao chose was no ordinary one.
There are blue butterfly orchids on the market cultivated through LED dyeing or genetic engineering, but the next bloom would revert to the original white.
The light blue butterfly orchid Tan Xiao sent wasn’t that kind of artificial variety, but a natural mutant. It naturally bloomed with a blue gradient. It was a precious and rare variety that isn’t commonly circulated on the market and hadn’t appeared in auctions recently.
He contacted the professional collector who owned the flower and sincerely asked them to part with it. Only then did the collector transfer this pot to him.
Tan Xiao, of course, wouldn’t brag to Zhang Xingchuan about how difficult it was to get this flower.
He was also a sensible person. In choosing a gift for someone important, the happiest person was certainly himself.
He replied to Zhang Xingchuan: Do you like them? Aren’t they beautiful?
Zhang Xingchuan: Stunningly beautiful, I like them very much.
Tan Xiao was about to send a smug emoji, still choosing which one was the most smug.
Another message from the CEO came.
Zhang Xingchuan: Ulla yahha yahha ulla.
“…”
Tan Xiao collapsed laughing on the table, struggling to keep from making a sound. He almost became the first prospective PhD in finance in Tsinghua’s history to suffer from oxygen deficiency in the library because he was holding back laughter.