After receiving Shen Yue's order, No. 14 went directly to Building No.3. Using his gossip skills honed from his time as a prison guard, he successfully coerced Aipulier, who was doing her nightly skincare routine in preparation for her beauty sleep on the 36th floor of Building No.3, from Building No.3 to the visitation room to "kindly" purchase the information Shen Yue wanted.
Shen Yue brought Aisi and Mo Aman back to Building No.7. The three of them didn't speak a word along the way.
Shen Yue was lost in thought, while the other two were intimidated by the dangerous aura Shen Yue had emitted earlier.
Both have had close brushes with death before, so their survival instincts told them that the boss was very dangerous now and they'd better not get too close. Hence they quietly followed behind, making the atmosphere rather oppressive.
This oppressive atmosphere persisted until they returned to Building No.7.
As soon as they reached the entrance of Building No.7, Aisi caught sight of the mattress, unfinished sweater and scarf that belonged to him placed at the entrance of Building No.7!!
Aisi was overjoyed!!
In that instant, he couldn't care less about the boss' bad mood. He slid to his knees in front of Shen Yue and loudly declared his loyalty, "Boss! I pledge my eternal allegiance to you!"
The other residents of Building No.7 who passed by remarked...see, this is what happens when you only train your muscles and not your brain - you become someone like Aisi.
Shen Yue glanced at the whispering people around them, and they instantly quietened down.
Only then did she look at Aisi and say seriously, "I really like the sweater you gave me. These are my gifts in return."
Si Chengyou said that the phrase "social reciprocity" is often misinterpreted as merely transactional reciprocation.
But in actual fact, it refers to the courtesy of mutual give-and-take in social relationships and etiquette. As is said in the Book of Rites, "In courtesy, reciprocity is valued. If one receives without returning, it is not courtesy. If one gives without receiving in return, that is also not courtesy."
In interpersonal interactions, people should help and support each other with courtesy and respect. The essence of courtesy lies in being humble towards oneself and respectful towards others. When you offer blessings to others and they reciprocate with gratitude, it is not merely superficial etiquette, but sincere deference that comes from the bottom of one's heart.
Shen Yue wondered, when Aisi chose the white sweater over his reluctance earlier, what was she feeling in that moment?
It was probably the same feeling that Aisi has in his heart now.
So this is the true meaning of social reciprocity.
You treat me the way I treat you.
"Aisi, Aman, let's go back."
"Coming, boss!!"
"Alright."
Just like that, the atmosphere reverted to how it normally was.
No. 14 quickly compiled the information and gave Shen Yue what she wanted.
Before long, it was Christmas again.
While most people in the prison were enjoying the Christmas atmosphere, Shen Yue was on Si Chengyou's floor learning how to write Spring Festival couplets from him.
Si Chengyou was skilled in many script styles - regular, running, seal and cursive scripts - and no matter which style it was, he could imbue his unique flair into the writing.
Shen Yue stood beside Si Chengyou grinding ink for him while also observing at close range how he put brush to paper, watching how he handled the brush tip, observing his brushwork momentum and exertion of force.
Si Chengyou stood at the desk and lifted the writing brush. In one continuous sweep, his strokes flowed fluidly like wisps of smoke.
His hands were extraordinarily beautiful - slender and elegant with distinct joints. When exerting force, it was as if a consummate work of art had come alive.
Shen Yue enjoyed observing other people's physicality so she could memorize the muscular and skeletal changes and mimic them later on.
Absorbed in her thoughts, Shen Yue didn't notice Si Chengyou's writing-brush-wielding hand moving closer towards the inkstone. In a flash, their skin made momentary contact. Si Chengyou's hand was cold to the touch, as though devoid of warmth, making one's heart tremble.
Shen Yue didn't flinch. She simply looked up matter-of-factly and asked, "Si Chengyou, are you a snake? Why is your hand so cold?"
A flicker of expression passed Si Chengyou's face. Shen Yue was certain it was a look that said "are you kidding me". Though it only surfaced briefly, Shen Yue was sure of what she saw.
So she asked again, "Did you just curse me in your head?"
Si Chengyou silently moved his hand away, re-inked the writing brush after completing the character on the couplet, then replied, "I didn't curse you, just feeling a little surprised. The old you wouldn't have cared about things like this."
Shen Yue went over and closed the window behind Si Chengyou, then signaled for him to lower his head.
Without asking why, the lofty ruler of Building No.5 obediently bowed his precious neck towards Shen Yue.
Shen Yue took off the scarf she was wearing and wrapped it around Si Chengyou's neck. "This was knitted by Aisi. I'm lending it to you to wear for now. Return it to me after you finish writing the couplet."
Si Chengyou lowered his head. The scarf still held traces of Shen Yue's warmth. He placed his hand over it, as though he could be warmed by it too.
A familiar fragrance teased his senses - sweet, cool and floral, with hints of milkiness.
Si Chengyou understood at once. "You're still using the agarwood I gave you previously. Do you like this scent?"
Shen Yue didn't say whether she liked it or not. She simply stuffed the writing brush back into Si Chengyou's hand and said, "Aman and Aisi like playing with it a lot. They said it's their first time seeing smoke that sinks downwards and light it everyday. Si Chengyou, you haven't written the fortune character yet."
Si Chengyou removed his hand from the still-warm scarf wrapped around his neck. He picked up another square sheet of paper and started writing the fortune character.
After finishing writing, Si Chengyou placed the fortune character to one side and instructed, "When pasting the blessings during Chinese New Year, paste them upside down. This signifies blessings descending upon you."
Shen Yue nodded, finding this very meaningful.
In the past, when she was still living at home, she would also see the housekeeper busy preparing the usual new year goods. But she didn't feel the actual atmosphere back then.
Hanging couplets, purchasing festive goodies, getting new clothes - the housekeeper handled all of these.
The only activity she was required to participate in was reunion dinner, when her family would sit around the table wearing facades over their estrangement, while she bore the brunt of her brothers' resentment.
To her, Chinese New Year was an annual torment.
"Shen Yue, what are you spacing out for? You said you wanted a Chinese zodiac stuff toy. I've made one for you already. Remember to take it later."
Following Si Chengyou's pointed direction, she saw an adorably silly tiger wearing a little red outfit, looking out of place on the otherwise antique and dignified sandalwood shelf.
Glancing between Si Chengyou with the pink scarf around his neck and the little tiger, a peculiar idea struck Shen Yue. "Si Chengyou, this little tiger wants a pink scarf too."
Si Chengyou looked over, his expression complicated. "You can just say if you want it."
Shen Yue said, "I want it."
"Noted."
A day later, Shen Yue successfully obtained a little tiger stuffed toy with a pink scarf wound around its neck, along with the return of the scarf around Si Chengyou's neck.
The scent lingering on the scarf had changed from agarwood to sandalwood.
