The gifts were easy to identify: fine liquor for Ye Qianzhi, and limited edition toys for the children.
The butler brought the items over, holding the gifts suspended in the air for display.
Little Ran recognized the contents from the packaging, exclaiming excitedly, "Limited edition Transformers!"
These were hard to come by, and judging by the packaging, it was a set.
Gu Xiuyu exaggerated his praise, "Good eye. It seems you're quite pleased with my choice of gift."
Children, naturally, enjoyed being praised. Little Ran was no exception. Forgetting Gu Xiuyu's status for a moment, he enthusiastically explained his knowledge of Transformers, "This is a series, with three figures. They can be disassembled and reassembled into new characters. They're so hard to get! How did you manage to buy them, Uncle?"
He had wanted them when he was abroad, but Mu Liangchen hadn't been able to find them.
Little Ran gazed at the gifts in the butler's hands, his own hands twitching with eagerness to open them and see what was inside.
Gu Xiuyu, seeing through his unspoken desire, smiled and took the gifts from the butler, placing them in front of him. "A friend of mine enjoys collecting. Considering that most boys would like them, I asked him to help me find them."
Just by looking at the packaging, Little Ran's eyes were already shining. He reached out to take them, but Yu Ze tugged his arm.
His joy suddenly dissipated. Remembering Gu Xiuyu's status, Little Ran, afraid he might lose control, quickly put his hands in his pockets. "Thank you, Uncle. But these are too valuable; I can't accept them."
Di Mingjue, who had been slightly annoyed, immediately shed his dark mood. Satisfied, he placed a hand on Little Ran's shoulder. "Mr. Gu, you've been thoughtful, but these are too valuable. We cannot accept them."
Little Ran bit his lip, his eyes avoiding the gifts. He kept trying to quell the longing in his heart.
"They are very valuable to him, but to me, they are just ordinary toys. If Mr. Di does not allow the children to accept them, I might misunderstand and think you are looking down on what I've brought," Gu Xiuyu said with a serious tone.
This put Di Mingjue in a difficult position.
Di Mingjue stared at Gu Xiuyu's earnest face with a cold smile, understanding dawning on him in an instant.
What if he was trying to win over the children? Would familial ties truly be unable to withstand these toys?
Di Mingjue could see how much Little Ran wanted them, and how rare they were. To refuse them would be to benefit Gu Xiuyu.
"Little Ran, thank Uncle," Di Mingjue said, pushing Little Ran's shoulder and gesturing for him to reach out and accept the gift.
The abrupt change left even Ye Ziyu bewildered as to Di Mingjue's intentions.
Gu Xiuyu paused for a moment, then placed the gifts into Little Ran's hands as he reached out.
"Mr. Gu, did you only prepare a gift for one child?" Di Mingjue inquired.
There were still two more waiting eagerly.
With the butler's assistance, Gu Xiuyu presented the other two gifts to Qianqian and Yu Ze respectively.
Putting aside everything else, Gu Xiuyu seemed to possess foresight; the gifts he chose for the children were exactly what they loved most.
Qianqian received a set of dancing Barbie dolls, and Yu Ze got limited edition books by his favorite author.
As their father, Di Mingjue had no idea how Gu Xiuyu knew this.
Did Ye Ziyu tell him?
Di Mingjue looked at Ye Ziyu with a questioning gaze.
Ye Ziyu shrugged, indicating her ignorance. She had never mentioned the children's preferences to Gu Xiuyu. The only time she had spoken of the children was to reject his advances.
"I'm not very good at picking gifts. I wonder if you like them?" Gu Xiuyu asked, feigning ignorance.
The children, clutching their gifts, nodded vigorously like they were shaking rattles.
"It's good that you like them," Gu Xiuyu said with a pleased smile.
Di Mingjue, who had been in a position of advantage, was now completely outmatched. He deeply regretted letting the children accept the gifts Gu Xiuyu had brought.