I kinda like this scene, even though I have a very hard time watching it. I had to rewatch it hiding behind my fingers, anticipating Zhao Yunlan's lie about his grandfather, and basically going, "Zhao Yunlan, what are you doooooiing?" However, your write-up and analysis are excellent, and I enjoyed reading this.

I don't have a lot to add, but, since the scene is in the novel as well, I'll leave an excerpt. I feel like it's a very different scene in the book, but really interesting, especially in light of the questions you've raised regarding gift-giving, obligation, and friendship.

Shen Wei has been avoiding Zhao Yunlan; Zhao Yunlan finally corners him as he's leaving the university one evening. Zhao Yunlan is in his car. Shen Wei is on foot.

Zhao Yunlan rolls down the window, wearing a bright smile of sunshine and rainbows, and stuffs a big wooden box into the professor's arms. "This is for you."

Shen Wei lifts the lid, takes a glance, and returns the box. "No, this is too expensive, how could I possibly..."

"Hey, listen to me first." Zhao Yunlan blocks him with his hand and starts lying, "I have a friend, he's moving out of the country; he has a lot of antiques, and he doesn't want them to go to waste, and I immediately thought of you. You're the only person who knows how valuable this is, so please help my friend out."

This smooth-talking jerk, he doesn't even blink when he lies.

"I…" Shen Wei barely gets out a word before Zhao Yunlan starts firing away. "Stop being so formal, aren't we friends? Aren't friends supposed to help each other? I have somewhere to go, see you next time; help me keep these safe, I'll take you out for dinner this weekend."

He steps on the gas, not giving Shen Wei a chance to say a word, and speeds off.

This is from chapter 21, the edited translation that can be found here (translated by RainbowSe7en; edited by Fangirlishness, Solo, Koi, and fandoestrans).