Chapter 231 Chapter 231: The Birthday Gift

Time flew by, and half a month had passed. In the blink of an eye, it was about to be Jack's birthday. On the day before, Martina took a day off from work specifically to buy a gift for him. Considering it was a gift for Jack, she had prepared a decent sum of money. However, having the money was useless without finding a truly satisfying gift. After all, finding the perfect gift wasn't easy. To expedite the selection process, she brought Elena with her and went to various well-known malls in the area. At first, Martina thought about picking out a set of clothes, but upon further reflection, it didn't seem quite suitable. Giving clothes as a gift might come off as too casual, especially for a birthday present. Moreover, it might invite criticism and potentially make Jack unhappy. She didn't have any other particular thoughts. She simply hoped that on this day, Jack could have a happy time, and nothing else mattered. Elena also suggested, "Martina, I know you and Jack have a good relationship, but giving clothes on his birthday might not be the best idea. Maybe you should consider something else." Now that Elena had expressed her opinion, it seemed that Martina's previous idea wasn't quite feasible. The challenge was to find a more suitable gift, which was proving to be quite difficult. It felt like solving the world's greatest puzzle. Buying a gift was often easier when compared to the current situation, but she couldn't simply take the easy way out. she asked Elena for her thoughts, "So, what do you think I should get him? If it's too expensive, I might not be able to afford it." Even though Martina had prepared a significant amount of money, it was still a far cry from what was available at Jack's disposal. The key was that Jack valued thoughtful gifts more than their price. She had been thinking for a long time but couldn't come up with a good choice. Her mind was still tangled. Elena also struggled with what to give and was always the most uncertain one at such times. Martina wasn't the only one wrestling with this decision. In order to make a decision quickly, Elena had to keep asking about more helpful topics. "So, what does Jack like the most? Haven't you prepared some gifts over the years? I remember he seemed quite satisfied with them every time." Talking about this, Martina fell into a certain reminiscence. The truth was, each time she had prepared a gift, they were not particularly expensive. After all, she didn't have much money, and even if she did, she would have to spend Benjamin's. At first, Martina had given very expensive gifts, funded by Benjamin. During that time, Jack had expressed his strong liking for them. However, she gradually realized that her way of giving gifts felt somewhat amiss. She started making gifts within her abilities, all sorts of them. Regardless of whether they were expensive or not, Jack cherished them. He always beamed with joy and couldn't stop smiling. Martina remembered one time when she personally made a necktie. When a younger person gives an elder a necktie, it's a gesture to wish them happiness, health, and well-being. There weren't any other underlying intentions. Jack was very pleased at the time and even wore the necktie, although it wasn't exceptionally well-made, for a long time. It was evident how much he liked Martina. Now, on his birthday this year, Martina suddenly found herself at a loss for ideas. Could it be because her mindset had changed? Upon reflection, she realized that Jack cherished her gifts not because of their value, but because they were from her. With this realization, her eyes brightened. "Elena, I think I know what would be the most suitable gift for Jack." Elena immediately got curious and remarked, "Oh, really? What is it? Tell me what you plan to give so I can copy it. This time, I plan to represent my family and my brother to celebrate the birthday, so I need to prepare a thoughtful gift. I can't let Jack feel unhappy. What if the two families need to cooperate in the future, and this incident becomes a thorn in the side? That wouldn't be good." Elena's personality had always been this way – straightforward in her words, with few hidden agendas. She was as open and direct as she sounded, which was why she and Martina had been good friends for so many years. Their personalities complemented each other well. Martina pursed her lips, feeling a bit embarrassed as she looked at Elena. "It's not that I didn't want to tell you, but I've only just realized..." Martina explained. "The reason Jack liked the gifts I gave wasn't because of their value; it was because they came from me, from my heart. So he liked them a lot, but in reality, those gifts weren't expensive at all, and they didn't cost much money. You could also make a handmade gift from the heart, even if it's not expensive. As they say, it's the thought that counts. As long as the sincerity is there, it's good enough." Elena initially contemplated the idea but then decided against it. She thought that Martina could do it because she was favored by Jack. But if she did the same, it might come across as disrespectful to Jack. So, in the next moment, she immediately dismissed the idea, saying, "Forget it, forget it. If I were to copy this, that would be a problem." Elena, frustrated, held Martina's wrist, and the two walked down the street. Their stunning appearance attracted attention from many passersby. As they walked, they unknowingly drew countless gazes and whispers from onlookers. Some couldn't help but stop and discuss the pair, showing a keen interest in Martina and Elena. Even if they didn't voice their thoughts, their actions and expressions already revealed everything. Elena slightly quickened her pace and spoke earnestly, "It seems I should have a good chat with my brother and figure out what gift to get." Martina, no longer dwelling on the gift, admitted her lack of expertise in these matters. She couldn't make decisions for others, and she certainly couldn't bear the responsibility in case something went wrong. "Alright then, just go with your instincts," Martina replied.