Pressing Down Part 2

Looking at the pile of gifts on the table, Lin Yang dazedly said, "I thought you only had me and Kong Xuan as good friends... Where did you get so many friends??"

He covered his mouth and started sobbing, "Don't tell me you've been secretly being a social butterfly behind our backs?"

Tan Xiao: "..."

It's the good relationships built from a year of part-time work...

Those like Mu Fei were very thoughtful in their packaging. Many of the gifts from other demons and ghosts didn't use boxes, either directly having a courier bring them or using some magic to deliver them when no one was paying attention.

"I'm telling you," Yu Zhenzhen looked at the form of most of the gifts, "It feels like 80% of the friends you made are no younger than forty years old." There were quite a few strings of prayer beads alone.

Everyone laughed with a "pfft". But what Yu Zhenzhen said was indeed true. It felt like they were all things slightly older people would give. Moreover, "A few of these look quite expensive?"

Everyone gave what they could or what they felt Tan Xiao needed. Due to differences in understanding and species, it inevitably led to some gifts that, while not necessarily priceless, looked to be of rather high quality.

For example, the multi-treasure prayer beads Big Beard Zhong sent, and Fang Zhu's inlaid screen.

The young people couldn't quite understand and couldn't even recognize the specific uses. Tan Chunying rubbed the inlaid screen and narrowed her eyes, "Hmm, this gift of yours..."

Tan Xiao quickly took the inlaid screen, "It should be a handicraft bought from Pinduoduo."

Could the quality of things bought from Pinduoduo be this good?

Inlaid screens were a combination of lacquer art, carving, painting, and inlay techniques. Every step of the process had to be flawless. In ancient times, only extravagantly wealthy families could afford the materials. Nowadays, ordinary people could all afford it, but there were still differences in quality.

She only took a glance, but it didn't seem like ordinary goods no matter what.

Tan Chunying suspiciously swept a glance at Tan Xiao and pointed at him, "You still say they're friends?"

Tan Xiao's heart jumped. Tan Chunying was still suspicious.

Tan Chunying said in exasperation, "How many side jobs have you taken outside after all? They're all your clients, right? I knew you insisted on establishing your own altar to take on jobs, but you took on this many? Are you in a hurry to usurp the position?"

She knew her son, he couldn't even recognize their faces, so there must be some kind of business dealing for him to get to know so many people.

Tan Xiao: "..."

If Xiong Hui heard this, he would definitely take issue. What usurping the position, this was called the orthodox spirit shaman lineage resting with Tan Xiao.

But with Tan Chunying saying this, everyone understood. Why did Tan Xiao, who didn't have many friends at school, have so many "friends in society"? Turned out they were all clients.

Especially Lin Yang, he had a sudden realization of what kind of friends they were. He quickly let go, lest he bump the gifts.

"But do you understand how dangerous this is?" Tan Chunying's expression was rarely a bit stern.

Tan Xiao also reflected on it, "Mm, I will restrain myself in senior year."

"No," Tan Chunying frowned and said in a low voice, "I mean, have you paid taxes? You didn't go through the company accounts."

Tan Xiao: "..."

"Uh, let's go eat something." The others, seeing Tan Xiao and Tan Chunying's expressions, felt they shouldn't stay here and listen to his mom lecture him, lest Tan Xiao feel embarrassed.

"Let's go, Kong Xuan, you go too." Lin Yang called to Kong Xuan who still didn't want to leave. "Don't worry, it's Tan Xiao's birthday, Auntie definitely won't do anything to him."

What do you know, what's my status now? Kong Xuan was reluctant and resentful. He glared at Lin Yang and walked away, looking back every three steps.

"I don't have tax issues." Tan Xiao swore, the subsidies from the Bureau 404 all went through official channels, how could they violate regulations? He hadn't reached an income level requiring additional taxes either.

"Sigh, anyone can tell you're my son, so good at making money." Tan Chunying sighed, "But you didn't use to have such independent ideas. Be honest, is it because of puppy love?"

Choose the reason, puppy love or demon slaying?

Tan Xiao nodded reluctantly: "Earning some dating funds."

"I knew it." But Tan Chunying thought about the timing. This means Tan Xiao started dating earlier than she thought, and his grades weren't affected. In fact, she couldn't even tell if he hadn't mentioned it.

After pondering for a while, Tan Chunying said, "Then I suppose these few days apart haven't changed your mind either?"

Tan Xiao: "...No."

In fact, they weren't even apart and were arranged to stay in the same room, quite the assist.

If anything changed, it was that things progressed.

"I understand then." Tan Chunying straightened his clothes, "I said before, if after careful consideration, this is still your decision, I won't stop you."

Tan Xiao said sincerely, "Thank you, Mom." He even felt a bit guilty for deceiving his mom, but Kong Xuan's identity was different, and Tan Chunying was a soulless person. He didn't dare suddenly reveal Kong Xuan to her.

"But I have a condition - you can't do poorly on exams." Tan Chunying's expression had softened. "Senior year starts early. I'll be busy with work after this. Manage the money you earn well. Use it if you want, and let me know if it's not enough. The Mid-Autumn Festival gala in September has a sub-venue in our Nanchu. I need to prepare a dance drama with the troupe, so I won't bring you along this time."

Tan Chunying had always been dedicated to adapting Nuo dance into various forms. So far, she had successfully promoted it among square dance teams, adapted it into children's dances, and recently collaborated with Nanchu's dance troupe to adapt it into a dance drama.

In the past, for such activities, she would arrange a suitable role for Tan Xiao to train his stage skills whenever possible. But Tan Xiao was about to be a senior, and school would start before that. Not only could he not participate, she might also have less time to take care of him.

But the mother and son had been taking care of each other for many years. How could Tan Xiao not understand the implication? He nodded obediently, "Okay."

......

After the other classmates finished celebrating Tan Xiao's birthday, they left. Only Kong Xuan stayed at the vacation farm under the pretext that his parents weren't around.

Tan Chunying also asked Kong Xuan where his parents went. Kong Xuan said he had no father, which made Tan Chunying regret not asking more. She thought no wonder Tan Xiao and Kong Xuan had such a good relationship.

She even showed some concern for Tan Xiao, "You didn't bring your spare phone either. You study with Kong Xuan every day. How will you contact your little partner?"

"...It's fine, I added them on this phone too." Tan Xiao glanced back at Kong Xuan, hoping Tan Chunying wouldn't beat him up in the future when she learned the truth.

"Alright." Seeing that he didn't play on his phone often, she thought, my son is indeed sensible, making me worry about his relationship instead, which felt a bit strange to even think about. "Then continue studying. I won't disturb you two."

Tan Xiao returned to the desk and continued working on problems with Kong Xuan.

As soon as he sat down, Kong Xuan sighed, "Auntie is so nice."

She even said she wouldn't disturb them.

Tan Xiao looked at him with a half-smile, "Then in the future, will Auntie still be able to eat your offerings?"

Kong Xuan also said sincerely, "Yes, it's not like she could stop it anyway."

Tan Xiao almost laughed and poked Kong Xuan, "You explain it to her yourself then, that you're not human."

This is a hint!

Kong Xuan swiftly caught Tan Xiao's hand and held it in his palm, examining it from left to right, learning quickly to interlock their fingers.

"Back to studying." Tan Xiao pulled his right hand out and, after some thought, offered his left hand to Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan: "Then you owe me one hand."

Tan Xiao: "..."

Tan Xiao continued working on problems with amusement. Time always passed quickly when focused on studying. The afternoon sun shone fiercely on the rural vegetation. A few duck calls came from the lotus pond in the distance. The grass-scented breeze poured into the room through the open glass door, easing the slight frustration of solving difficult problems.

Kong Xuan felt dizzy from the practice problems. He felt Tan Xiao's fingers slowly massaging his, and he calmed down to continue tackling the problems.

After finishing a difficult question, Kong Xuan took a deep breath and turned to watch Tan Xiao solve problems. He moved his head a little closer and gently rested it on Tan Xiao's shoulder.

Discovering that Tan Xiao didn't resist, he leaned forward more. There was an inexplicable sense of unease, as his mindset had not yet fully adjusted.

He glanced at Tan Xiao's lips unintentionally while looking at the questions. His cheek also pressed against Tan Xiao's cheek imperceptibly, and only then did he feel a more definite sense of reality in his heart. This was indeed much happier than before.

He felt energized again.

Let me lean in a bit more.

Kong Xuan thought, accidentally turning his face a little, his lips brushing against Tan Xiao's cheek.

That's enough. Tan Xiao's pen-holding motion paused for a moment. "...Focus."

"Huh?" Kong Xuan was slightly stunned, his ears turning red. His eyes flickered, then he gently cupped Tan Xiao's cheek and pressed down attentively with force.

Tan Xiao: "..."