"Damn thief!" Outside a villa in the Tianhe Villa District, Liu Qing touched his pocket and muttered a curse.

Liu Qing was a first-year student at Yangcheng University. Today was the birthday of the class beauty, and one of the school beauties of Yangcheng University, Feng Lingxi, who invited all the classmates to her house.

Feng Lingxi was not only beautiful but also very personable. She was kind-hearted, making her the goddess in the hearts of most male students at Yangcheng University. Of course, Liu Qing was no exception.

After receiving the invitation, Liu Qing naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity to get closer to the goddess. However, since it was Feng Lingxi's birthday, he couldn't come without a gift. So, reluctantly, he spent his last remaining living expenses for this month and brought a pendant intended as a birthday gift for Feng Lingxi.

Unexpectedly, just when he got to Feng Lingxi's villa and reached into his pocket, he found that his trouser pocket had been sliced open, and the wallet and pendant that were in the pocket were missing.

Without the gift, Liu Qing naturally felt embarrassed to go in and was about to turn around and leave.

But just at this moment, a few people from a distance were approaching, who were his classmates.

"Wow, Liu Qing, you're here so early. Let's go in together." A skinny student who looked like a monkey walked over, it was Xiahou, a good friend of Ye Yi.

Liu Qing reluctantly nodded, seen in this state, he could hardly leave now.

Just then, a sudden voice came: "Oh, Liu Qing, you're here so early, why haven't you gone in?"

The speaker was a very tall and handsome boy who was dressed formally in a neat suit and looked dignified.

This guy's name was Liu Gang. He came from a very wealthy family and was one of Feng Lingxi's pursuers. He always acted like Feng Lingxi's boyfriend.

He and Liu Qing had never gotten along, mainly because Liu Qing had confessed his feelings to Feng Lingxi before but had been rejected. Liu Gang naturally took the role of the protector and regarded Liu Qing as untouchable. Every time he saw Liu Qing, he ridiculed him.

"What's it to you?" Liu Qing retorted, curling his lips.

Liu Gang didn't get angry; instead, he walked over, saw that Liu Qing's hands were empty, glanced at the small gift bags in other people's hands, and suddenly understood. He laughed and said, "You couldn't be feeling too embarrassed to go in because you didn't bring a gift, could you?"

"Liú Qing, not to be harsh, but when Ling Xi invited everyone over, there was no need to bring a gift. Today, after all, is Ling Xi’s birthday. Even if you're financially tight, you're supposed to bring something just for formality's sake. As the saying goes, 'The gift is light, but the sentiment is heavy.'"

Liu Gang said solemnly, but there was a hint of mockery and scorn in his eyes.

It was as if he was saying, "How can someone like you dare to pursue Feng Ling Xi?"

Others walked over at this time. Hearing Liu Gang's words and seeing Liu Qing's empty-handed appearance, they all started talking, "That's too impolite."

"Exactly, we're not asking for anything precious, but you could've prepared something as a gesture."

"No wonder Feng Ling Xi rejected him back then. Although he's not bad-looking, he is too stingy."

The classmates who just walked over all cast disdainful looks at Liu Qing.

Xia Hou couldn't stand it anymore and immediately stood up and said, "Liu Gang, how can you be so sure Liu Qing didn't bring a gift? Does he need to hold it in his hands for it to count as a gift?"

"Oh?" Liu Gang was taken aback and said, "Well then, Liu Qing, why don't you show us what you have brought?"

"I..." Liu Qing was about to speak.

Before he could finish, Xia Hou immediately interrupted, "The gift Liu Qing brought is for Feng Ling Xi, what does it have to do with you? Why should he show it to you?"

Liu Gang's face darkened in slight anger. Xia Hou dared to talk to him like this - it was just asking for humiliation. Liu Gang was just about to retort when voices from inside the villa carried over, Feng Ling Xi came out. She was wearing a white dress that seemed to be tailor-made for her, immediately stunning everyone.

"Everyone's here, please come in!" she quickly invited everyone.

Seeing Feng Ling Xi, Liu Gang naturally couldn’t vent his anger in front of her. His anger was concealed, and he gracefully walked towards Feng Ling Xi.

At the same time, he reached out to pick up a very exquisite gift box. Inside the box was a very attractive crystal necklace. He handed it to Feng Lingxi and said, "Lingxi, this is for you."

"Thank you." Feng Lingxi took the box and nodded politely in thanks.

"There's no need for thanks between us," Liu Gang laughed. "By the way, this necklace matches your dress very well today. Let me help you put it on."

As he said this, he was about to take out the necklace to help Feng Lingxi wear it.

"No need." Feng Lingxi slightly moved away, shaking her head.

Liu Gang also didn't force it, just laughed and stepped aside.

Next, others also began to present their gifts, all different. There were things like bracelets, dolls, and lipsticks.

In the end, only Liu Qing was left standing there, not moving.

"Liu Qing, it's your turn. Hurry up and bring out your gift, otherwise Liu Gang will make fun of you again later." Xiahou reminded him.

"I..." Liu Qing was bitter inside.

"You didn't really forget to buy a gift, did you?" Xiahou was a bit stunned, Liu Qing was not usually this unreliable.

At this point, Liu Gang spoke up, "Liu Qing, where's your gift? Hurry up and show it, let us see what rare treasure it is."

As he said this, he looked at Liu Qing with a face full of anticipation for his embarrassment.

Even if Liu Qing brings out his gift, it's just some cheap trinket, nothing significant.

And once Liu Qing really did forget to bring a gift, then he would lose face big time today.

Liu Qing was helpless and could only speak the truth: "I originally bought a gift, but unfortunately it was stolen on the bus along with my wallet."

"Hahaha, Liu Qing, why is it that everyone else's gifts weren't stolen, but yours were?" Liu Gang laughed, a look of disbelief on his face.

A hint of contempt showed on the faces of the others. Although they did not speak up, their expressions mirrored Liu Gang's.

"Whether you believe it or not is your business." Liu Qing simply didn't want to indulge him further. Initially, he wanted to show them the cut in his pocket, but now he didn't feel like explaining anymore.

Feng Lingxi's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a hint of annoyance blooming with Liu Gang's taunting. He quickly turned to Liu Qing and said, "It's fine, I invited you all here to have fun and share in my birthday celebration. The matter of the gift really isn't important."

Before Liu Qing could speak, Liu Gang intercepted Feng Lingxi's words: "That's true, with the small gift you prepared, Lingxi would probably not even consider it valuable."

"Liu Gang!" Feng Lingxi finally snapped, causing Liu Gang to hush.

Upon hearing Feng Lingxi's words, Liu Qing felt rather embarrassed, and said, "How about this, I know how to paint. I'll draw a picture for you on the spot as your birthday gift."

"Great, I also quite like painting." Whether it was to comfort Liu Qing or not, Feng Lingxi immediately agreed with a light laugh.

With that, everyone entered the house and quickly fetched the brushes and ink.

Holding the brush, Liu Qing was musing what kind of painting to draw for Feng Lingxi, when suddenly, a strange voice rung in his mind: "Doutu System recognizing master... Doutu System initializing... Doutu System start-up successful!"