"So, should I repay the boat fare to you later?" Xia Dabao said.
My mother said that I couldn't let Long Aixi pay for everything, as it would seem like I had no self-respect.
"No need, Abao. You're a guest at my home, it wouldn't be right, in any sense, to have you pay everywhere. If I let you pay, my parents would surely blame me, saying I don't know how to treat guests properly. You wouldn't want me to be scolded by my parents, would you?" Long Aixi said with a smile.
"But my mother said…"
"Your mother is just worried I would look down on you, that's why she asked you to pay. It's all out of politeness. But just think about it, I stayed at your house for over a month, eating and drinking, have I ever given your parents any money? If I had, wouldn't that have been distant? Likewise, I can't take your money. Let's call it even," Long Aixi continued, "Besides, I've already paid the boat fare. If you give me the money now, it would make me look stingy."
