After pondering for a long time, Dad Shen finally spoke up, "Haven't I already taught you?"
"I complimented Yingying on looking very pretty today, but she asked me if she didn't look good before? Why did I only say she looks good today."
"Did you say anything else?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Yingying wasn't wearing makeup and wasn't wearing a dress, so there was nothing to compliment."
With a troubled frown, Dad Shen asked, "What about complexion and smile?"
"If I said that, wouldn't I be asked the same thing, that she wasn't good before? Why did I only say she's good today?"
"Right, right, you're thinking right, it's good you didn't compliment," dad Shen said, nodding his head in approval as he looked at his son.
"So how can I coax her further?"
"Give me a moment to think," Dad Shen thought long and hard, remembering how his wife always nagged about gifts and quickly suggested, "How about giving gifts?"
"Yingying won't let me give any."