Chapter 4.2 - Gifts (Part 2)

Li XinWen's eyes narrowed and his gaze moved to the box before him. Now that he paid attention to it, he could sense how the spiritual energy around the room seem to gather around the box as if whatever was inside was absorbing them. "Rui-ge, what is inside this box?" Li XinWen asked in a curious tone.

"Why don't you open it and see for yourself," Xue Rui said with a smile and waited for Li XinWen to open the box. But Li XinWen hesitated.

Even back in his own world, only high grade heavenly treasures had the ability to absorb spiritual energy. Such treasures were very rare and are sought after by many. Whenever such treasures are found, a bloodbath was sure to follow. Recalling the heavenly treasure he had before - it was of low grade quality and yet it was enough to make his fellow sect members betray him. If this very item that Xue Rui was giving him were to appear in his previous world, Li XinWen did not even dare imagine what will happen.

"This... XinWen thinks that he does not deserve such a treasure," because he had unexpectedly came into contact with such a treasure, Li XinWen felt overwhelmed that he didn't realize he reverted to his original way of speaking.

"So humble," Xue Rui let out a small chuckle. He didn't find Li XinWen's way of speaking strange.

"XinWen, don't be polite. Here, take it," Xue Rui pushed the box towards Li XinWen. Li XinWen once again stared at the box before he reluctantly accepted it.

"Then XinWen offers his thanks to Rui-ge," he said as he took the box into his hands. When he did, he felt the cool, gentle strands of spiritual energy spread over his hands and into his meridians. Immediately, Li XinWen's heart raced. 'This treasure will be very beneficial for cultivators! To actually come across something like this. Is this heaven's way of repaying their debt to me?'

Li XinWen's excitement did not escape Xue Rui and the latter couldn't help but feel happy. "I am glad that XinWen likes his gift. Are you not going to open it?"

"No. I will open it later," Li XinWen went back to how the original would speak. "Thank you, Rui-ge," he sincerely thanked Xue Rui with a warm smile on his face.

Li XinWen's warm smile took Xue Rui by surprise. It was disarming to say the least. In spite of his condition he smiled radiantly. 'What was with that smile?' Xue Rui thought. Caught by surprise, he failed to maintain his composure and ended up looking nervous and he felt himself blushing.

"Don't mention it XinWen." he responded and managed to change the subject saying "And I also have something for xiao Xiao." as he took another box from the bag he set beside the foot of the table.

This box was a bit larger than the one Li XinWen received. More than the size, what caught his attention was the small trace of spiritual energy emanating from the box and he once again became curious. He started to wonder where Xue Rui got the gifts. 'I'll ask him later so I can make a visit in the future...' he thought to himself.

Sun Xiao looked at the box and quietly thanked Xue Rui. But unlike Li XinWen, he opened the box to take a look out of curiosity. Li XinWen stared at the item set inside the box. It was an egg-shaped stone with an ember color. Though he sensed some spiritual energy from the stone, he couldn't help but be disappointed at the level of impurity disrupting the spiritual energy.

"Rui-dage... This looks expensive..." Sun Xiao timidly tried to reject the gift.

"No, you should accept it. After all, we will become family in the future," Xue Rui smiled.

Sun Xiao felt a warmth in his heart at the mention of family. Shyly, he nodded his head and accepted the gift. "Thank you, Rui-dage..." expressing his thanks before turning to Li XinWen."Xin-gege, I'm going to put away my gift... Do you want me to put away yours as well? That way, it won't bother you while we eat later..." Sun Xiao said as he looked at the box in Li XinWen's hand.

"En. Then Ge will trouble Ah'Xiao. Thank you," Li XinWen smiled as he handed the box to Sun Xiao.

Li XinWen's gaze followed Sun Xiao as he held both boxes carefully. While Sun Xiao placed the two boxes on top of the cabinet nearby, Li JingHua and Li mother finally came out of the kitchen carrying various dishes and laying them on the dining table.

"Ah'Xiao, there is a big serving bowl in the kitchen, can you help mom bring it over to the table?" Li mother asked Sun Xiao who went to the kitchen obediently.

Li XinWen's attention was captured by the competing aroma of the various dishes as they wafted to the living room. Turning his head towards the source of the tempting aroma, Li XinWen failed to notice the anomalous behavior exhibited by Xue Rui's gifts. To the naked eye they looked like mere boxes but to an immortal's keen sense the boxes glowed. Emitting various shades of green and ember as both stones absorbed spiritual energy from its surroundings.

Xue Rui couldn't help but notice this child-like behavior from Li XinWen. 'Getting excited because of food…how precious. I want to hold him and just keep him in my arms,' Xue Rui thought before reprimanding himself: 'Now now Xue Rui…'

He made his way to the opposite sofa where Li XinWen sat and placed his hand on Li XinWen's shoulder. "Allow me to help you to the dining table XinWen."

He took XinWen's arm and placed it on his shoulder while Xue Rui's left arm snaked around XinWen's waist to support his weight. XinWen was about to make a protest but it was too late. When it came down to it, Xue Rui was considerably strong. He could feel Xue Rui's well-defined arm muscles with his arm wrapped around his waist.

"Am I impressing you yet XinWen?" Xue Rui teased with a mischievous smile on his face. This did not escape Li JingHua's scrutiny.

All the while watching Xue Rui's flirtatious behavior towards Li XinWen. 'I guess he's no longer hiding his intentions. I wonder why I even fell in love with this man,' she thought with exasperation.

They reached the dining table and Xue Rui helped Li XinWen sit comfortably. He made his way around and sat beside JingHua and addressed mother Li with a charming smile. "These all look delicious Madam Li. I can't wait to dig in!"

"Ah'Rui there is no need to be polite. Since we will be a family in the future, just call me mother!" because she did not know that Li JingHua and Xue Rui had already dissolved their engagement, she still thought that the two will soon get married.

"Alright, thank you for the food, mother!" Xue Rui replied, his smile became wider as he felt that he had just gotten mother Li's approval. "In the future, I will make sure to take good care of your child."

Xue Rui was cunning, making sure he used general terms instead of daughter or son. This way, other than Li JingHua who is in the know, the rest would assume he was referring to Li JingHua and not Li XinWen.

On the other hand, Li XinWen was cursing Xue Rui in his heart. 'If you want to take good care of my sister, please do it properly! Why try to eat tofu with me when you two are engaged?!'