As Xing Yuan approached the house, she suddenly realized something: she was going to meet her girlfriend's parents.
"Should I buy some gifts for Uncle and Aunt? What do they like?" Xing Yuan nervously clutched Yan Xi Yue's hand.
Yan Xi Yue was amused by Xing Yuan's expression. "Relax, relax! Just think of it as visiting a classmate whose parents aren't home. They're very easygoing."
Xing Yuan shook her head resolutely. Although she hadn't met many parents before, she knew that first impressions were crucial.
"Driver, please stop at Century Plaza up ahead. I need to buy something," Xing Yuan called out to the rideshare driver.
"Sure, no problem," the driver replied.
Meeting Yan Xi Yue's puzzled gaze, Xing Yuan explained, "I should still buy something! It's my first time officially visiting your home, and our relationship is now... Anyway, first impressions are important. I hope to gain Uncle and Aunt's approval."
"Alright! Just get something small. They aren't particular about these things." Yan Xi Yue considered it and found it reasonable. If it were just a friend staying over for a few days, it wouldn't matter, but Xing Yuan was her girlfriend now. It was normal for a girlfriend to buy a gift for her future parents-in-law.
Upon arrival, Xing Yuan said to the driver, "Driver, could you wait here for a bit? I can pay by the hour."
The driver hesitated, then said, "Okay, but be quick! I have another fare to catch."
"Understood," Xing Yuan replied, then looked at Yan Xi Yue, who was about to accompany her.
"Sister~ Please wait here obediently. Let me pick out the gifts myself, okay? Otherwise, if you know beforehand, there'll be no surprise." Xing Yuan pouted.
Yan Xi Yue couldn't resist Xing Yuan when she acted like this, so she nodded. "Fine, just get something simple. My dad likes to drink, so get a little for him!"
"Got it, got it!" Xing Yuan replied verbally, but her actions were swift as she dashed towards the mall. Time was tight, and the mission was important; she had to hurry.
Although Xing Yuan wasn't a connoisseur, she understood one principle: good quality doesn't come cheap.
So, after entering the mall, she found a sales assistant and specifically chose the most expensive items. It had to be said, this was quite efficient. In about ten minutes, Xing Yuan returned, laden with bags.
"What did you buy?" Looking at Xing Yuan's numerous bags, Yan Xi Yue put her hand to her forehead in exasperation. She shouldn't have stayed in the car just because Xing Yuan pouted; she should have kept an eye on her.
"Just... just some useful things. It's already bought, let's go!" Xing Yuan tried to gloss over it.
Yan Xi Yue stared at Xing Yuan for a moment before relenting. Fine, they could deal with it at home. If the gifts weren't suitable, she could always return them later.
"You're back!" Father Yan and Mother Yan opened the door to see their daughter, who had been away for a long time. Their eyes welled up slightly.
"And who is this...?" Mother Yan looked at Xing Yuan inquiringly.
"My... friend. The one I told you about, from school. Her family is busy, and no one accompanied her for New Year's. I thought she could spend it with us." Yan Xi Yue, nervous, blurted out the story they had agreed upon.
"This classmate looks familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?" Father Yan scrutinized Xing Yuan, his eyes full of curiosity.
"I've been classmates with Xi Yue for a while, so I came to find her once before. Uncle must have seen me then!" Xing Yuan explained with a smile.
"Forgive my intrusion on my first visit. This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it." Xing Yuan said, handing over the bags in her hands.
Yan Xi Yue had wanted to help her carry some of them more than once, but Xing Yuan firmly refused. If she helped, how could she show her "politeness"?
Father Yan and Mother Yan accepted the gifts, bewildered. They had merely asked about their daughter's new friend, and of course, they respected their child's opinion on such matters. But they hadn't expected this child to prepare gifts; how polite!
"You didn't have to bring anything, just coming is enough," Father Yan said cheerfully, leading them into the house.
Although they weren't particularly concerned about such things, receiving a gift from a young stranger made them feel quite happy.
Xing Yuan pursed her lips and continued politely, "I wasn't sure what Uncle and Aunt liked, so I bought some daily necessities. I hope you don't mind."
"Look at this child, saying such things. A small gift carries great meaning!" Mother Yan immediately waved her hand, then sternly said to Yan Xi Yue, "Look at this child. She knows to buy a gift when visiting, why didn't you buy anything?"
"I... I sent some before, didn't I?" Yan Xi Yue looked a little wronged. Before she could say more, Xing Yuan changed the subject.
"Uncle and Aunt, please open them quickly and see if you like them. If they're not suitable, we can go to the mall and exchange them now." Even for Yan Xi Yue's parents, Xing Yuan didn't want to see her embarrassed.
"That's right, let's see what you bought," Mother Yan said with a smile, opening a gift box and forgetting her intention to scold Yan Xi Yue.
"Tea, and several varieties! Auntie doesn't know much about tea, but I've seen many advertisements online for Longjing, Biluochun, Dahongpao, and the like. I never thought I'd actually get to drink them." Mother Yan's eyes were full of admiration.
"The quantity is small. Since it was a last-minute visit, this is all the mall had," Xing Yuan said, scratching her head sheepishly.
"Oh my, is this Maotai? That's not cheap," Father Yan exclaimed.
"Yes, I heard Uncle likes to drink, so I bought two bottles," Xing Yuan replied humbly.
"Haha, then I'm in for a treat today! I've never tasted such expensive liquor before!" Father Yan said with emotion, carefully placing the bottles back.
Mother Yan smiled, engrossed in the joy of unwrapping gifts. The items Xing Yuan bought were all valuable, including many health supplements and even a jade bangle.
Yan Xi Yue looked at all of this in surprise. She had always known there was a significant gap between their families, but she felt that dating had little to do with family background. However, while dating, there were no major conflicts, but if they were to live together, their values might differ greatly.
Yan Xi Yue felt she could overcome these differences through effort, but now she was uncertain. Starting from an unequal position, could they truly live in harmony in the end?
Father Yan and Mother Yan looked at the extremely expensive gifts. Although they liked them, they still refused, "We cannot accept unearned rewards. These items are too precious; please take them back."