Liang Chen glanced at Jing Haohao. As if on cue, Jing Haohao lifted her glass with an understanding smile, clinking it lightly with Qian Hua's.
The trio then emptied their glasses in one gulp.
Afterwards, Liang Chen took the empty glass from Jing Haohao's hand, placed it together with his on a nearby waiter's tray, then delved into his pocket and drew out a delicate little gift box, handing it to Qian Hua.
The grip Qian Hua had on her drinking glass tightened slightly. With a smile brilliant as starlight, she asked, "Is this my birthday present? What's inside?"
"Open it and see."
Qian Hua giggled again, taking the box. She feigned surprise as she opened it to reveal a gemstone necklace that was astronomically more expensive than the Buddha Beads bracelet on Jing Haohao's wrist, yet she felt hollow, joy utterly absent.
A gift given without any heart, no matter how priceless, was tantamount to a hollow gesture.
