Seeing she had calmed down, Ming Zhi Tian immediately released her hands. "Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean you have to give expensive gifts, does it?"
Yan Li Xue shook her head. "You don't know, you don't understand, because you're not a woman."
Indeed, Ming Zhi Tian was not a woman, and he didn't understand women's hearts.
Ming Zhi Tian rummaged through items collected from other people's storage bags during previous missions and took out a fist manual titled "Bai Yi Quan" (Hundred Arts Fist), handing it to her. "This is for you."
Yan Li Xue took the manual and, surprised, covered her mouth. "Imperial level cultivation technique, 'Bai Yi Quan'!"
Ming Zhi Tian was startled. "Imperial level? I didn't know."
Yan Li Xue said, "Although it's not as good as the Cold Iron Gauntlets artifact, this fist manual is indeed equivalent to it."
Ming Zhi Tian looked at her exposed, delicate shoulder and choked for a moment. "That... you should put your clothes on first."
Yan Li Xue's face flushed, and she shyly lowered her head to tie her clothes. "How much do you want?"
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand. "It's not for money; it's a gift for you."
Yan Li Xue looked puzzled, then took a step back. "As expected, all men in this world are the same."
Ming Zhi Tian said, "You've misunderstood. I'm giving it to you unconditionally. Alright, I need to go."
Yan Li Xue said, "Why? Why are you giving it to me unconditionally?"
Ming Zhi Tian replied, "We're friends, it's just a small favor. I happen to have it, and I don't lack cultivation techniques."
Yan Li Xue gladly accepted. "I always feel that one should not accept rewards without merit. Tell me, as a friend, make a request. As long as it's not excessive, I'll agree to it."
Seeing her stroke her long, flowing hair, it seemed she still thought Ming Zhi Tian had ulterior motives.
Ming Zhi Tian said, "No need."
Yan Li Xue stopped him again. "What do you want? Or what do you need? Tell me, perhaps I can help you?"
Ming Zhi Tian turned back and saw her full of anticipation. He found it hard to refuse. "My Cold Iron Gauntlets are missing a concealment talisman. Do you know where I can get one?"
Yan Li Xue thought of something and looked at her storage bag. "I happen to have one."
She then took it out and handed it to Ming Zhi Tian. "Generally, talisman masters are unwilling to craft this kind of talisman. The cost is high, the profit is low, and no one wants it because its effect is not significant."
Taking the concealment talisman from Yan Li Xue's hand, he affixed it to the Cold Iron Gauntlets and murmured, "This way, I won't have to worry about some bandit sect leaders coveting them."
Ming Zhi Tian smiled slightly. "Thank you so much, Li Xue. I've made a friend in you."
Yan Li Xue's pretty face blushed. "It's me who should be thanking you. We are friends already. By the way, to thank you for the fist manual, I'd like to invite you to my cousin's birthday banquet. It's tonight. Can you come?"
Ming Zhi Tian thought for a moment and said, "Yes."
Yan Li Xue wrote down a few words and gave him the slip of paper. "This is the address. You must come."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "I will."
After Yan Li Xue left, Ming Zhi Tian watched her retreating figure and recalled the past. "When will I ever have such a foolish woman?"
Returning to Guo Qiang's side, Guo Qiang smiled faintly and teased him, "Yo, quite the ladies' man. What, have you decided to be a gentleman now?"
Ming Zhi Tian was taken aback and retorted, "Brother Guo, since when did you become so gossipy? This is not like you."
Guo Qiang coughed twice. "No, where are we going now?"
Ming Zhi Tian said, "The important business is done. I'm very happy. I'll treat you to a big meal. Let's go."
...
Yan Li Xue returned to the agreed-upon restaurant, where Hai Bu Bu and the other three had been waiting for a long time. Xue Ming Yuan was the first to greet her.
Seeing his lecherous expression, Yan Li Xue felt some repulsion. "Xue Ming Yuan, stay away from me."
Xue Ming Yuan said, "Xue... ahem, Li Xue, are you still angry with me? How about I negotiate with that guy? I bet he wouldn't dare refuse to give you the Cold Iron Gauntlets."
Yan Li Xue waved her hand and supported her forehead. "No need."
After she sat down, Xue Ming Yuan also sat down, his gaze never leaving her. Yan Li Xue was long accustomed to this and didn't pay much attention.
Dong Cheng said, "What? What conditions did that kid set?"
Chen Qi said, "I bet he'll ask for the moon. Eighty thousand?"
Hai Bu Bu also looked at Yan Li Xue. "You really agreed?"