[The way that San Lang reacted to praise made Xie Lian want to lavish it on him extravagantly, especially since he deserved it. Were people not telling him he was talented? If so, it felt like a crime that needed to be rectified immediately, but before Xie Lian could do so, San Lang was smiling at him so sweetly it took his breath away. It was unfair how kind and generous and generally faultless that San Lang was, and sometimes Xie Lian wasn’t sure how to handle being in his vicinity, let alone his friend. But as difficult as it was to be around people, Xie Lian had never felt that way with San Lang.

He only shook his head slightly at that proclamation, adjusting his backpack a bit self consciously as he watched some of the other students file out.]

I would never take something so valuable for free. San Lang already is far too kind.

[With his point only made a few moments later, Xie Lian laughing despite himself.]

If you have something to celebrate, shouldn’t I treat you? What’s the occasion?

[While he didn’t have much financially anymore, he could always scrounge up enough change to buy a meat bun at least. San Lang never seemed to complain about sharing one.]