Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

"You! Come with me!"

Without saying a word, he grabbed Xie Jing, who hadn't fully stood up yet, rushed into his bedroom, locked the door behind him, and did it all in one swift motion.

He leaned against the door, the gift box so heavy he could only hold it with both hands, his eyes wide, and questioned in a low voice:

"What...is...this?!"

Xie Jing was pulled in by him. After standing still, his gaze first swept over the small room, which was clearly decorated with care, before finally settling on Shang Song's face. He replied:

"bullion."

"I know these are gold bars!" Shang Song felt like he was suffocating. The box was practically shoved in Xie Jing's face, and he was so angry he almost wanted to punch him. "I'm asking why this thing is in my house?! This... this is what you call Lin Zhou having a sense of propriety?!"

Ginseng and bird's nest are one thing, but giving away gold bars?! What kind of sense is that?!

If his parents, or any of the neighbors, had seen this thing in the living room just now… the thought of that scene made him faint.

Good heavens! The old merchant's son brought home a box of gold bars on his first visit!

Is this...is this even acceptable?!

Xie Jing looked at him, his eyes practically spitting fire with anger, and remained silent for a moment.

He didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it.

He tried to explain: "Lin Zhou considered that this item is more convenient to give than real estate such as houses and shops that require legal procedures. It is a common gift during festivals, has a good meaning, and also suits the preferences of elders."

Shang Song: "..."

He was completely unable to speak.

No wonder! No wonder Xie Jing was so calm before saying "Lin Zhou knows what he's doing"! Compared to giving away houses and shops, gold bars are indeed very measured! So measured that they almost sent his family of three away!

Xie Jing looked at Shang Song, who was speechless with anger, and asked, "You... don't like gold?"

Shang Songsheng looked at him with utter despair: "...This isn't a matter of liking or disliking!"

"Then," Xie Jing asked earnestly, "is it because the price is too high, causing psychological burden?"

"Yes! Not entirely!" Shang Song was practically going crazy. "Who gives a box of this as a gift these days?! This, this... are you here to visit or to propose marriage... ugh! No! What I mean is, what am I supposed to think?! What will my parents do if the neighbors find out?!"

Xie Jing listened calmly, and only after Shang Song finished speaking did he slowly begin to speak: "But as far as I know, in some cultural customs, it is common and acceptable to give precious metals as gifts on important occasions. This is my first visit to your parents, and it is an important occasion, so I think it is appropriate."

Shang Song: "..."

He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples and decided to give up on communicating.

He strode to his wardrobe, yanked open the creaking door, stuffed the box of gold bars into the bottom shelf, covered it with a few old clothes, pressed it down, and then carefully closed the door.

After doing all this, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, glared at Xie Jing, and warned him, word by word:

"This thing! Absolutely! Cannot! Be! Let my parents! See! Not even a single glimpse! Do you hear me?!"

Xie Jing shifted his gaze from the wardrobe to Shang Song's wide, bulging eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded: "Okay."

"And another thing!" Shang Song continued through gritted teeth, announcing the rules: "Not just gold! Houses and shops are out of the question! Jewelry and paintings too! From now on, any high-value items like these are strictly forbidden from appearing on my family's gift list! Did you hear me?!"

Xie Jing listened quietly. After Shang Song finished speaking, he remained silent for a few seconds, then tilted his head slightly and asked earnestly:

"Then, what happens when it comes to the betrothal?"

Shang Song: "...!!!"

Is the offer of a betrothal gift being made?

Who is making the betrothal? To whom is the betrothal offered? What kind of betrothal is being offered?!

He was completely stunned, his mouth agape, his mind buzzing, unable to utter a single word.

"You, you, you, you..."

He pointed at Xie Jing, his finger trembling, "What nonsense are you spouting?! What do you mean by betrothal?! Who's going to betroth someone?!"

Xie Jing explained earnestly: "According to traditional customs, when establishing a secular marriage relationship, precious metals, real estate, jewelry, etc., are often included in the betrothal gift list because of their value preservation and symbolism of wealth and status."

He paused, then calmly delivered the final blow:

"If none of these can be on your gift list, then what should I prepare?"

Shang Song: "………………"

He felt like his brain had completely shut down.

He almost wanted to rush up and cover Xie Jing's mouth, or find a block of tofu and smash his head against it to die.

"Xie, Jing!" Shang Song finally found his voice, "What... what are you thinking?! We've only just begun! What do you mean by betrothal?!"

He was panting heavily, feeling that communicating with Xie Jing was harder than climbing to heaven. "I'm telling you! There's no 'when'! At least not now, and not for a long time to come! You, you erase all those worldly connections and dowry lists from your mind! Immediately! Right now!"

He spoke urgently and angrily, his face flushed and his neck thickened, half from anger and half from embarrassment.

Xie Jing listened quietly as he finished speaking, and the thin corners of his usually expressionless face drooped straight down.

Those eyes, which were always cool and calm, gradually lost their light.

He didn't speak; he just pursed his lips and looked at Shang Song quietly with his dark eyes.

Shang Song's anger and embarrassment froze the moment he met that gaze.

"You..." Shang Song opened his mouth, but his imposing manner inexplicably weakened, and the finger pointing at Xie Jing unconsciously withdrew. "Why...why are you making that face?"

He's the one who's clearly furious, okay?! Why is Xie Jing still unhappy?

"Do you think," Xie Jing seemed to choose his words carefully, "that there is no possibility of us entering into a conventional marriage?"

He asked a very formal question, but Shang Song understood it.

Xie Jing was asking—do you think our relationship won't last? And that there's no future for us?

Therefore, those considerations regarding "betrothal" seem ridiculous and superfluous.

Shang Song was completely dumbfounded.

This is a huge misunderstanding!