Gifts and laughter
After a satisfying meal, with the plates nearly empty, Zhiwei clapped her hands and stood up, noticing it was almost time for the most exciting part of the day: the prize draw!
Leo immediately responded: "Come on, let me make this a miracle of destiny."
"Didn't you want to draw June?" Xu Qian teased, laughing.
June glared at him: "If he draws the one I gave him, he'll do the dishes tonight."
The coffee table in the living room was cleared out, with a small lottery box placed in the middle. Eight slips of paper were neatly folded, like riddles waiting to be revealed by fate.
Zhiwei cleared her throat and announced the game rules: "We have prepared gifts and messages in advance. Now, everyone will draw a name. Whoever you draw, you will personally give the gift to that person. After giving the gift, the recipient must open it and read the message on the spot!"
"Oh no..." Leo sat on the carpet with his knees drawn up to his chest, and immediately groaned upon hearing this, "Isn't this just confessing your love in public?"
"What are you afraid of?" June chuckled and nudged him. "You weren't really planning anything special, were you?"
"How could that be!" Leo jumped up and volunteered, "I'll go first! Let me start, I can't wait!"
He reached into the box of notes and rummaged around for a moment, then solemnly pulled out a note, unfolded it, glanced at it, and his whole face lit up with a smile: "Oh my, this unlucky friend is actually—Senior Sister Xu Qian!"
"Huh?" Xu Qian was nestled in the corner of the sofa with a thermos of hot water when she heard her name called. "Don't tell me you prepared a prank gift!"
As soon as the wrapping paper was lifted, laughter erupted in the room.
"What is this?!" Xu Qian almost dropped the cushion she was holding. "Snail rice noodles with stinky cheese?! June, aren't you going to do anything about it??"
"Can we eat this combination together...?" Zhiwei laughed while covering her nose, "It's a kind of physiological shock."
Xu Qian laughed so hard she almost fell over, and finally pulled out the note from the bottom of the box, reading: "'May you be 'fragrant' in the New Year, and have a presence wherever you go'... Leo, you're really sick."
"May you become more and more flavorful!" Leo raised his glass. "Now it's your turn to leave a psychological scar. Next one!"
In the second round, it was June's turn to draw lots. She stepped forward, carefully pulled a slip of paper from the wooden box, unfolded it, and smiled slightly.
“Oh—” she said mysteriously, drawing out her words, “My friend, it seems it’s time to improve your sleep quality.”
She walked to the other end of the sofa and handed a small box wrapped with a purple ribbon to Chen Yan.
"It feels like you're helping your wife receive a package," June said, laughing at herself, and everyone else joined in the laughter.
Chen Yan took the box and carefully unwrapped it. He first took out a dark blue eye mask, then a pair of soft earplugs, and a spray bottle with an English label. There was also a card tucked inside, which he read aloud:
May you sleep soundly every night.
Upon hearing this, Liu Dan was the first to burst out laughing, patting her husband's arm: "This gift was practically chosen especially for me."
"I'm just a delivery guy," Chen Yan said seriously. "The package has been delivered."
In the third round, it was Liu Dan's turn to draw lots. She picked up the small basket, casually touched and drew a lot, glanced at it, and immediately smiled: "Wow, not bad luck."
She walked up to Lin Yue and handed him an exquisitely wrapped square box. A glittering sticker was affixed to the deep red wrapping paper: "Let it melt."
Lin Yue took the box, opened it, and found a box of liqueur-filled chocolates inside. They were exquisitely designed, small and delicate, as if specially selected for the holiday, each one coated with a slightly shimmering chocolate shell.
“Oh, this is it,” he chuckled. “Looks like I can’t escape sweets this year.”
He picked up the small card and read the message on it:
More than sweetness, I hope you remember that slightly tipsy, intoxicating feeling.
“Wow—” Leo drawled, “Sister Dan’s hint was really sophisticated.”
"Great job!" June clapped, joining in the fun. "What is 'being immersed'? It's the state of mind you should be in during a festival!"
Lin Yue smiled and put the box away without saying much, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Pan Qiu. Pan Qiu was drinking tea with her head down. She smiled slightly at everyone's laughter, but didn't look at him.
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