Free Web NovelChapter 504: Chapter 504: Gift-Giving
It was evening by the time Li Xu and Song Sisi returned to the clinic.
"You’ve had a long day. You should go home and get some rest."
Li Xu said gently, looking at Song Sisi’s weary face.
"Okay. You get some sleep soon, too."
Song Sisi nodded sweetly, straightened Li Xu’s collar, and then left.
After seeing Song Sisi off, Li Xu closed the main door. Instead of immediately washing up, he went to the storage room.
He opened the safe. A large block of Ten Thousand Year Agarwood lay quietly inside, emitting a rich fragrance.
Although he had scraped off more than a hundred grams to save someone, compared to a piece that weighed over ten pounds, it was a mere drop in the bucket.
Li Xu stroked the surface of the Agarwood, feeling the smooth warmth at his fingertips.
Besides being used as medicine to save lives, Ten Thousand Year Agarwood had another extremely important purpose: to be worn as an accessory.
As the ancients said, "Wearing it on your person can ward off evil and ensure your safety."
This wasn’t mere superstition.
The unique aura emitted by the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood could form a miniature Energy Shield. Wearing it for a long time could not only nourish one’s meridians and spirit but also subtly regulate the body’s bio-magnetic field, rendering a person immune to illness and leaving them feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
’Ever since Sisi and I got together, I don’t think I’ve ever given her a proper gift,’
Li Xu muttered to himself.
In the past, he had only given her little trinkets or taken her out for a nice meal.
Although Song Sisi never minded, as a man, he always felt like he owed her something.
"Then I’ll give her this."
Li Xu picked up a small handsaw and aimed it at a corner of the Agarwood.
GRIND—
With a faint grinding sound, an irregular piece about five centimeters long and three centimeters wide was sawn off.
Li Xu had no intention of doing any complex carving.
For one, the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood was far too precious. Even the scraped-off powder sold for an astronomical price per gram; the waste generated during carving would be nothing short of criminal.
For another, the greatest works of art require no artificial embellishment.
The natural grain of the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood was as fluid as moving clouds and flowing water, its color like black jade with a soft, glowing halo. It was already nature’s most perfect work of art.
Any artificial carving would only destroy its natural, spiritual essence.
Li Xu simply polished the cut edges, making them smooth and rounded so they wouldn’t be sharp, then drilled a tiny hole and threaded a red silk cord through it.
Done.
Looking at the pendant in his hand—seemingly unremarkable but actually priceless—Li Xu thought, ’Girls these days like gold and silver jewelry or diamond-studded watches. But this... this is probably more valuable than a room full of Hermès bags combined.’
Just as he was about to put everything away and go wash up, his phone started vibrating on the table.
’Who could be calling so late?’
Li Xu picked it up and saw two words on the screen: Elder Li.
"Hello, Elder Li. You’re still up this late?"
Li Xu answered the phone.
"Haha, Doctor Li, you’re not in bed yet, are you?"
Elder Li invited with a chuckle, "Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Come to Li Garden for a meal. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to get together."
Li Xu was slightly taken aback.
He had just been to Li Garden for a meal not long ago.
How much time had passed since then?
For Elder Li to call and invite him personally, it surely wasn’t just for a meal.
Considering the day’s events, the purpose was obvious: the Ten Thousand Year Agarwood.
Knowing Elder Li’s character, he would never ask for something like this himself.
He wouldn’t impose on others, even if he were gravely ill himself.
The only explanation, then, was that someone he couldn’t refuse had asked him for a favor.
In this world, some obligations were simply unavoidable.
"Of course, Elder Li. I was just getting a bit peckish, anyway."
Li Xu didn’t mention his suspicions and readily agreed. "I’ll be there on time tomorrow afternoon."
After hanging up, Li Xu looked at his phone and sighed softly.
"Sigh. I guess I can’t escape these worldly affairs after all."
He could refuse the rich and powerful, he could refuse that old Japanese bastard, and he could even refuse Dean Song.
But he couldn’t be so heartless toward a senior like Elder Li, who had helped him in the past.
’Since I’ve made one exception, I might as well cover all my bases.’
Li Xu picked up the handsaw again.
"If I’m going to give some away, I might as well give a few more."
He sawed off three more pieces.
They were a bit smaller than the one he’d made for Song Sisi.
One was for Elder Li.
This was not only to repay a favor but also to help the old man live a longer, healthier life.
Another was for Ding Kaifang.
After getting to know each other for over a year,
Ding Kaifang had become more than just a business partner; they were now good friends.
It was only natural to give him one.
The last piece was for Gao Guanghui.
Although they had barely been in touch recently, he would never forget the kindness his mentor had shown him.
Only after doing all this did Li Xu seal up the main block of Agarwood, wash up, and go to bed.
...
「The next morning」
Song Sisi arrived at the clinic as usual. Just as she finished changing into her white coat, Li Xu called her into his office.
"Hold out your hand."
Li Xu said mysteriously.
Song Sisi held out her hand, confused. "Why? Are you going to take my pulse? I’m perfectly healthy."
Li Xu didn’t say a word. He just took the dark-colored pendant from his pocket and placed it gently in her palm.
It felt smooth and warm in her palm, yet carried a trace of coolness.
Then, a familiar and intoxicating fragrance drifted into her nostrils.
Song Sisi trembled, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the object in her hand. "This... This is..."
Of course she recognized this scent.
It was this scent that had pulled Zhao Qingya back from death’s door in the ICU yesterday.
This was the very thing that the professor from Japan had frantically offered a hundred million for—just for one hundred grams—only to be rejected by Li Xu.
And now, the piece in her hand felt heavy—it had to be at least fifty or sixty grams.
This wasn’t just a pendant.
This was worth tens of millions, maybe even several lives.
"Li Xu, this is too valuable. I... I can’t accept this."
Song Sisi instinctively tried to push it back. "You should keep it to save people. It’s a finite resource; every bit used is a bit gone forever..."
"Take it."
Li Xu pressed her hand down, his gaze gentle. "Saving people is important, but the people I care about are more important."
"Wearing this won’t just ward off evil; it will also constantly nourish your meridians and internal organs. You’re always so busy with work, and this will help you preserve your energy. And in a critical moment, it could even save your life."
"To me, your well-being is worth much more than this piece of wood."
Hearing this, Song Sisi’s eyes instantly grew red.
She wasn’t a materialistic girl and had never asked Li Xu for designer bags or jewelry.
But this simple, dark-looking piece of wood moved her more than any diamond in the world could.
Because it meant that Li Xu cherished her above all else.
"Thank you, Li Xu..."
Song Sisi was so emotional she was nearly incoherent. She threw herself into Li Xu’s arms.
She hugged him tightly, then stood on her tiptoes and gave him a passionate kiss.
Li Xu held the lovely woman in his arms, feeling her trembling and her passion, and couldn’t help but think with a sigh, ’Sure enough, gifts really are the best catalyst for a relationship.’
Even the most rational girl couldn’t resist being cherished in a way that spoke directly to her heart.
