Chapter 31: To Accept or Not to Accept the Gift

When everyone withdrew their hands, a wave of joy swept over the group; everyone was in high spirits. Wei Xiaofan’s bowl was soon piled high with food, as the Wei Xiaoping family members took turns adding dishes for him. In return, Wei Xiaofan busied himself, offering dishes to every member of the Wei Xiaoping family.

Yet, his efforts did not go unnoticed by Wei Nipin, who kept “scolding” him with a smile: “You silly child, don’t be so polite! If you keep this up, I’ll think you’re treating us like strangers—understand?” As she spoke, a happiness even deeper than before welled up inside her. The feeling came from Wei Xiaofan’s promise to become sworn brothers with Wei Xiaoping today; it was as if she had gained another outstanding son.

Wei Yongqiang kept dodging the dishes Wei Xiaofan tried to serve him, but when he could no longer avoid it, he had to accept the offerings with his bowl, saying, “You rascal, if I’d known you’d be this polite, I would have shown you some real temper! Maybe then you wouldn’t dare give me so much food! Remember this—on weekends, just come home with Wei Xiaoping for meals. And don’t you dare bring gifts! If you bring them even once, I’ll scold you every time!”

As he said this, a smile of contentment spread across Wei Yongqiang’s face, just like Wei Nipin’s.

Wei Xiaoxiang and Wei Xiaofang, whenever given food by Wei Xiaofan, would beam and present their bowls to him. Sometimes, Wei Xiaoxiang would complain with a laugh, “Brother Xiaofan, you’re playing favorites! So much for my sister, and only a little for me!” Or Wei Xiaofang would jest, “Brother Xiaofan, you always pick the best food for Xiaoxiang and give me the leftovers! You’re even more biased!”

Watching the siblings’ banter, Wei Xiaofan only smiled and, the more they teased, the more he pretended to be biased.

He took turns serving Wei Yongqiang, Wei Nipin, Wei Xiaofang, and Wei Xiaoxiang, but not once did he give any dish to Wei Xiaoping.

Feigning a miserable face, Wei Xiaoping protested, “Hey, hey, hey! Wei Xiaofan, are you here to become sworn brothers with my parents and siblings, or with me? Why haven’t you served me even once?”

Wei Xiaofan burst out laughing, “Wei Xiaoping, don’t you feel ashamed? You’re young and already expect others to wait on you?”

And once again, laughter bubbled around the table.

Because the conversation was so lively, breakfast stretched on for ages, nearly until noon.

Now that Wei Xiaofan had agreed to become sworn brothers with Wei Xiaoping, only his own parents’ opinion remained. It was decided that the following week, the entire Wei Xiaoping family would accompany Wei Xiaofan back to his hometown to consult his parents. For now, they set that matter aside and chatted about family affairs.

At noon, during the rest period, Wei Xiaofan and Wei Xiaoping retired to the bedroom, where they relaxed and discussed the week’s events.

When they brought up the incident where Wei Xiaofan had been falsely accused by Li Bufan of reading indecent books, the two reflected on everything that had happened that semester. Sifting through each event, they could not find a single moment when they had offended Li Bufan. The false accusation remained a mystery to them.

“Li Bufan is absolutely insane!” Wei Xiaofan exclaimed in frustration.

“A hundred percent mad! Otherwise, why would his father keep transferring him to new schools? Look, he hasn’t been here long, and he’s already befriended some of the worst students. I wonder if, after we left Teacher Wu Wenbin’s office, Wu managed to get the truth out of Li Bufan? Why did he do it?” Wei Xiaoping said.

“No matter what Teacher Wu found out, we’d better keep our distance from Li Bufan from now on,” Wei Xiaofan replied.

“Of course! People like him are more harmful than the plague—everyone avoids them,” Wei Xiaoping agreed.

“Wei Xiaoping, there’s a saying: There is no love or hate without reason. I can’t shake the feeling that Li Bufan must have some motive—either his own, or someone else’s,” Wei Xiaofan mused.

“Someone else’s motive? You mean Li Bufan was put up to this by someone else? Did you think of anyone?” Wei Xiaoping asked.

“Nothing specific. I just can’t believe he’d do this for no reason at all.”

“Maybe he’s just causing trouble for fun, trying to amuse himself.”

“I hope that’s all it is.”

In the afternoon, it was time for Wei Xiaofan to return to school.

Wei Xiaoping’s parents had wanted him to stay the night, since it was his first visit, and with the upcoming brotherhood ceremony, and considering the poor food at school, they thought he should stay a little longer to enjoy more good meals and nourishment.

But Wei Xiaofan’s pride was too strong, and he had his quirks: he wasn’t used to sharing a bed with others, and Wei Xiaoping’s home was almost too luxurious for him. Having grown up in simpler surroundings, he found it hard to adjust to such comfort—the old saying rang true: a golden nest, a silver nest, neither compares to one’s own.

So he insisted on going back to his dormitory to rest.

Left with no choice, Wei Xiaoping and his parents agreed.

The bus route from school to Wei Xiaoping’s house stopped running at six-thirty in the evening, so to give Wei Xiaofan enough time to catch the bus, Wei Nipin started preparing dinner around five.

After the meal, just before Wei Xiaofan left, Wei Nipin brought out a large bundle for him to take back.

When Wei Xiaofan opened it, he was taken aback. Inside were two pounds of peanut oil, a ten-pound bag of rice, some leftover lean cooked meat from lunch, and a selection of ready-to-eat foods like chili sauce, all freshly bought from the supermarket.

Wei Xiaofan felt awkward. He thought to himself: I came here with Wei Xiaoping to discuss becoming sworn brothers with his family. This is only what a close friend should do. But I can’t accept gifts because of this. If I do, what kind of friend does that make me? What will people say if they find out I accepted these gifts just for becoming sworn brothers? They’ll say I sold our friendship for presents. What would I do then?

Besides, I’m used to my routine at school. My dorm mates know my eating habits. If I suddenly show up with all this food, what will I say when they ask?

And my father always taught me: even if we’re poor, we must have dignity. We cannot accept gifts casually. If I take these things, what will he say? I’ve already decided on this brotherhood business on my own; he might blame me for that, too.

With all this in mind, Wei Xiaofan decided not to accept the parcel.

“Uncle, Auntie, thank you for your hospitality, but I can’t take these things. You’ve already gone to so much trouble for me just by having me here,” he said.

“What trouble? You’re a good friend to Xiaoping, you share a dorm, you help each other out—of course I should give you these things! And soon you’ll be sworn brothers, which makes you half a son to me. Take them, quickly, you silly child!” Wei Nipin insisted.

Wei Yongqiang chimed in, “Wei Xiaofan, your aunt is right. As either a friend or a sworn brother, it’s only natural for us to give you these things. Once you and Xiaoping are brothers, you’ll be family—like a son to us. Just accept them.”

Wei Nipin immediately added, “Exactly! Take them, quickly! If you don’t, it’ll look like you’re not sincere about becoming sworn brothers with Xiaoping!”

Hearing this, Wei Xiaofan felt even more uncomfortable. He looked helplessly at Wei Xiaoping.

Standing aside with a grin, Wei Xiaoping said, “Just accept it! Even just for being good friends you should take it, let alone becoming sworn brothers!”