Yuko, did you see the news about the girl in Hangzhou returning the wedding gift money? Many people said it was very heartwarming.

I saw it! She returned the gift money her friend gave for the wedding, right? I think it’s quite special.

Yes. Nowadays many people feel pressured when giving gifts, as if it’s a kind of social debt.

Mm, I feel that in Japan too. Sometimes it’s not that you want to give, but that you feel embarrassed if you don’t.

By returning the money, she was telling her friend: our friendship doesn’t depend on money.

I think that’s real thoughtfulness. She knew her friend wasn’t married yet and didn’t want to cause any pressure.

Right. What many people envy isn’t the money, but the understanding and trust.

I want to learn from this too—to make relationships lighter and more natural. Friendship should feel comfortable, right?

Exactly. Sincerity matters more than gift money; it’s best when ‘renqing’ goes back to true ‘qing’—to genuine feelings.