A Necktie

Shu Xian was still sulking, seeing that she was being teased by her best friend, Shi Lian. Since she has told their driver, Mr. Chang, about Shu Xian's relationship with Pan An, he was quiet for a while, still feeling bad that he commented about Shu Xian's intent, his assumption wrong.

It was merely just showing her appreciation to the man who helped her land on a scholarship.

"I—I'm sorry, Miss Shu Xian," Mr. Chang apologized again, Shu Xian, shaking her head as she gave the man a small smile.

"Oh, don't worry. It's alright," she said, letting out a small, awkward laugh.

Sighing, Shi Lian already finished her pasta, thinking that she wanted more because the serving seemed small for her. However, if she ordered one more serving, it would make them wait and they might be late for classes.

"Anyway, Mr. Chang? About Shu Xian's plan?"

"Well…" Mr. Chang trailed off after he cleared his throat. "My opinion is still the same—giving him a gift is okay to show appreciation to the man."

"Ooh!" Shi Lian then became excited, immediately looking at Shu Xian with an idea. "I think it'd be best if you give him something that he can use so he remembers you every time he uses it?"

"Oh?" Shu Xian narrowed her eyes at Shi Lian, no longer feeling awkward. "You think the idea is not that bad?"

"Pfft! No!" Shi Lian scoffed, "Besides, the meaning behind the gift is to show your thanks. Nothing more, nothing less. You're not going to be like the others who would do it just for the sake of being noticed."

"True," Shu Xian agreed, taking her iced tea at the side and took a sip. "Hmm… if you say that I should give him something that he would use every day, what do you think should I give him?"

"Hmm…" Shi Lian contemplated for a while, shrugging her shoulders after being quiet for five seconds. "To be honest, I don't know much about him. Shall we ask our brother what his interests are?"

"No!" Shu Xian immediately declined, shaking her head profusely at the same time. "I don't want him to know. I'm shy, and knowing that both of you are good at teasing people…"

Even without Shu Xian finishing her sentence, Shi Lian laughed, already getting it.

And yes, she agrees to it!

Knowing the siblings, they would tease Shu Xian about it even though they're not always together. If there will come a time that they would be together and Shu Xian is around, Wang Lei would probably remember it and ask her about it.

Sighing and shaking herself from her own thoughts, Shu Xian looked at Mr. Chang, already asking for his opinion.

"How about you, Mr. Chang? What do you think should I give to him that he could use? Something not too much, but not too useless, either."

"Hmm…" Mr. Chang twirled his fork as he thought for a while, remembering what was told to him a moment ago. "The man is a professor, no?"

"Yes," Shu Xian nodded, confirming him. "He's a professor."

"Then we have various suggestions in mind as to what a professor will use. A fancy pen, perhaps?"

"No… once the ink is gone, he won't use it." Shu Xian shook her head, thinking that it is too simple. "Any other ideas?"

"Hmm… a bag?"

Shu Xian shook her head again and said, "No. I see the professor has a splendid bag. What can something I afford be any better?"

"Come on, Shu Xian," Shi Lian spoke, rolling her eyes at the same time then she took a sip of her iced tea before speaking again. "It's the thought that counts! What does it matter if you give him something expensive or cheap? Remember why you're doing this—to show appreciation!"

"Miss Shi Lian is right," Mr. Chang chimed in, smiling at Shu Xian as well. "Don't think much into it and just think of something that you're giving him to show gratitude."

"Hmm… alright."

Shu Xian then rested her back on the cushion behind her, an idea passing her mind.

"Can I necktie be a good present?"

"Oh!" Mr. Chang widened his eyes, approving the idea. "A necktie is actually pretty good! He can use it frequently for work!"

Shi Lian nodded in agreement, grinning ear to ear as well as a thought passed her mind.

"It's rather sexy seeing him wear the necktie you give him and he wears it to work, you see him during our class and then the memory of you two would—"

"Ahem!" Shu Xian cleared her throat, giving Shi Lian a warning glare. "You dare finish that sentence, I will not let you copy the notes that I took while you were away on a vacation."

"Hey!" Shi Lian pouted, "I'm not going to tease you for this day, I swear!"

Shu Xian playfully rolled her eyes at her. Hearing her say "this day" meant that Shi Lian meant not to tease her today, but instead, will still tease her the following days!

This girl and her spunky personality… Shu Xian may annoy her at times because of it, but she loves her dearly.

"Anyway," Shu Xian started after she let out a sigh, "Do you think I can afford a good one? You know… considering his job and background, he may get something better."

"Oh, Shu Xian… how many times will Mr. Chang and I say it? It's alright for you to buy something for him—it's the thought that matters, alright!? If it worries you so much , why not give a sincere, heartfelt letter, too?"

"That's good, too, Miss Shi Lian!" This time, Mr. Chang finished eating his pasta. "Miss Shu Xian can give a small note saying thanks—the letter doesn't need to be long."

"This is actually not a bad idea," Shu Xian commented, Shi Lian already nodding as she called the waiter and gave him her card to pay the bill.

"That's settled, then," she said, smiling at the two. "Take this as a treat from me—our first meal together in college."

"Miss Shi Lian, I can't possibly…"

"Oh, Shi Lian… I can pay you and—"

"Oh, stop it, you two," Shi Lian said with a laugh, standing up from her seat at the same time. "Just take it. What's the point of being rich if I can't be generous, yeah?"

Shu Xian and Mr. Chang looked at each other then back at Shi Lian, giving her an appreciative smile as they thanked her in unison.

"Thank you."

With that, once the waiter had given back her card, Mr. Chang drove them back to the university for their afternoon classes.