Although Qi Shaobai secretly defined Cheng Xin as "Wish Granting Pool 2.0" in his heart, he did not explicitly show his delight on his face.
It was like when an elder gives you red pockets during Chinese New Year. Even if you really want to accept them, you still have to politely and tactfully say something like "Oh I couldn't possibly impose".
He quickly glanced towards his dad Qi Mo and Sheng Mumu.
Then he put on a polite and docile expression, and gave a standard response:
"No need to give me a gift, Uncle Cheng. I don't lack anything."
Cheng Xin laughed softly. His bangs lightly fluttered as he chuckled. He looked at his younger nephew whom he was meeting for the first time with great interest.
Ever since his parents passed away, Cheng Xin had raised Cheng Zhao. Among the three adults at the table, he understood teenagers the best.
He saw right through Qi Shaobai's desire to accept a gift but not wanting to vocalize it.
Not giving Qi Shaobai a chance to refuse again, Cheng Xin revealed his CEO personality and directly asked a series of questions:
"Qi Shaobai, do you like sports?"
"Soccer, basketball, tennis, horse riding, golf?"
"Or are you more interested in reading, musical instruments or model building?"
Cheng Xin quickly searched through the common interests and hobbies a high school boy might have.
Qi Shaobai leaned back into his chair.
He had an expression like "If you insist on giving me a gift, it would be impolite for me to continue refusing."
He smiled widely, showing his teeth:
"Hehe, I usually play more basketball. Occasionally I'll build some Lego sets at home too."
After he spoke, it was as if he suddenly recalled something. He hurriedly added:
"But I haven't had time recently since I've been preparing for the college entrance exam. I plan to splurge on Lego again after the exam."
"I see," Cheng Xin nodded his head.
He placed his hand on his crossed legs and tapped the back of his other hand with his fingertips.
After pondering for a few seconds, he finally said:
"I have quite a lot of Lego sets in my overseas residence that you might like. Unfortunately I've gifted some of the rare vintage sets to others recently. But the remaining ones should still have stuff you'll enjoy."
Cheng Xin's tone was slightly regretful. He didn't notice Qi Shaobai perk up after hearing what he said.
"Really, Uncle?" Qi Shaobai's eyes were wide open. "You collect Lego???"
He couldn't believe it. His uncle seemed just as carefree and indifferent as his dad.
To think that he actually had a hobby of collecting Lego sets, and they were rare vintage ones too!
Cheng Xin smiled lightly. Rare mischievous dimples appeared as he said:
"Yes, we have the same hobby. Looks like we'll get along very well in the future."
"Yeah!" Qi Shaobai nodded enthusiastically like pounding garlic.
Afterwards...
The uncle with no blood ties and the nephew started an encrypted conversation that only the two of them understood.
"Uncle, I recently built an old vintage X-Wing Starfighter from Star Wars! Isn't it cool?"
"Cool. I used to have that set too but gifted it away recently."
"What a pity. You can't buy that set anywhere nowadays."
"It's not that much of a pity. I still have an unopened Hoth Imperial Probe Droid from Star Wars in mint condition."
"OMG OMG!!!" Qi Shaobai was so envious that his eyes went straight. In his excitement he momentarily forgot proper language and blurted out, "That was released 20 years ago! Uncle you're so awesome!"
After he spoke, Qi Mo and Sheng Mumu's gazes suddenly shot over from the other side of the round table.
Qi Mo's brow slightly contracted, vaguely showing displeasure.
One corner of Sheng Mumu's lips dropped. If they weren't separated by an empty seat, she might have already flicked his forehead.
However, Qi Shaobai was completely absorbed in the conversation.
He hadn't noticed their warning looks at all.
Because his Uncle had agreed to gift him that rare vintage Imperial Star Destroyer set.
The fact that he didn't cheer out loud already demonstrated admirable restraint.
As Sheng Mumu listened to their conversation, she felt it increasingly familiar.
The Old Series X-Wing Starfighter from Star Wars. The Millennium Falcon. 14K Gold C-3PO...
Hiss~
Why did the models her brother gifted away happen to be the same ones she asked the "Dream Granting Master" to help her find???
What a coincidence.
She remembered the IP address of "Dream Granting Master" seemed to be overseas.
Could it be...
A thought silently emerged in her mind.
Sheng Mumu took out her phone and placed it under the table.
She opened WeChat and entered the chat with "Dream Granting Master".
Below the anime avatar, the profile showed:
Region: North America
Sheng Mumu: "!!!"
Her pupils quaked violently.
She gasped in surprise and covered her almost dropping jaw.
"What's wrong?"
A gentle voice asked.
Qi Mo noticed her abnormal behavior and asked caringly.
Sheng Mumu raised her eyes. With the phone under the table, she pointed at it, then pointed at her brother.
Her bright eyes grew wider and wider.
She used expressions to replace words.
Qi Mo's tailing brow slightly quirked up. He looked back and forth between her finger and phone several times.
He roughly understood her meaning but still had some doubts.
He leaned closer to her side.
The distance between them narrowed.
The large hand grasping her shoulder slowly caressed it a few times.
Qi Mo had an amused smile as he asked in a volume only the two of them could hear:
"Are you saying...the person in your phone, this...Dream Granting Master, is your brother?"
His tone was gentle and lingering.
The lowered voice was magnetically husky, warming Sheng Mumu's eardrum.
In the spacious private room, the two had their heads together, huddled close whispering.
Thump Thump —
An inexplicable quickening heartbeat.
Sheng Mumu pressed her lips together and lightly breathed to steady her heart rate.
Under the table, she moved her phone onto Qi Mo's lap. Her hand brushed against his trousers.
In a small voice she said:
"Why don't...you take a look at my chat with Dream Granting Master first..."
She decided to come clean with Qi Mo.
Including how she had lied to "Dream Granting Master" previously.
Qi Mo's long lashes lowered. His Adam's apple lightly rolled.
He slowly scrolled through with his other empty hand.
The emotions in his eyes gradually changed from "indifference" to "shock".
After a long while, an amused smile played about his lips. He slowly tilted his head, with doting starlight shimmering in his eyes.
Suddenly, he lightly flicked her cute pert nose.
"You little rascal."
Sheng Mumu: "......"
She seemed to be immobilized by his sudden action.
Sheng Mumu's earlobes blushed red. She blinked blankly a few times.
As if trying unsuccessfully to cover something up, she hastily lowered her head and touched her burning ears.
Her long curled lashes lightly fluttered as she stammered:
"Help...help me figure something out first."
Qi Mo's voice was rich and smiling: "Alright."
Over the next few minutes, the two continued scheming together as if nothing had happened.
