"Your voice is so soft, are you feeling shy?" Kang Li’s voice was gentle and filled with laughter. "Let guess, it’s not just my dad sitting in the living room right now, is it?"
Luo Yanqing’s face got warr, and his ears turned a noticeable shade of red. He whispered, "No."
"I don’t believe you."
Kang Li chuckled, "From what I know about you, saying ’I miss you’ in front of my dad, my elder brother, younger brother, and Yangyang... Ruirui, you would definitely feel a hundred percent embarrassed."
"You knew and you still asked." Luo Yanqing’s tone was filled with helplessness. He said, "Except for Mom and elder sister-in-law who are busy in the kitchen preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner, everyone else is sitting in the living room."
Kang Li let out an "oh" and then said, "You’re not hoping I’ll apologize to you, are you? It’s my fault for teasing you, but I can’t help it; I just love teasing my dear Professor Luo. Why don’t you fly over here and settle the score, hmm?"
Having lived with Kang Li for several years, Luo Yanqing easily picked up on Kang Li’s teasing tone. For a mont, he was filled with helplessness, which seeped into his voice mixed with a trace of affection, "I’ll try to be there with you before you give birth."
"Actually, there’s no need." Kang Li said softly, "I know you’re busy with work and don’t have ti to co over. Besides, given your status, it might not be convenient to travel internationally."
Luo Yanqing: "You don’t need to worry about these things. I have a plan."
"...Alright then!" Hearing Luo Yanqing’s determination, Kang Li didn’t press further. She said, "Luo Yanqing, rember what you promised , okay?"
"Mm. I’ll take care of myself, so you don’t have to worry."
"Keep your word."
"Mm."
"Today is New Year’s Eve. I’m wishing you a Happy New Year in advance! Good health and all the best!"
"Sa to you!"
"You’re so concise." Kang Li teased with a laugh, and then continued, "Alright, press the speaker button, and then go call Mom and elder sister-in-law to the living room. I want to talk to everyone and wish Dad, Mom, and elder and younger brothers a Happy New Year too."
"Okay."
Pressing the speaker button, Luo Yanqing placed the handset next to the landline. Before he could get up to go to the kitchen, Ming Han was already standing at the living room doorway, shouting towards the kitchen, "Grandma! Auntie, my mom called!"
"Eldest daughter’s family, co on, let’s go to the living room. Li Bao called; she’s probably calling to wish us a Happy New Year!"
Cai Xiufen said, calling Elder sister-in-law Kang to the living room.
"It’s probably just after eight in the morning over there for Li Bao. I wonder if she’s had breakfast, hopefully she doesn’t go hungry."
Following behind Cai Xiufen, Elder sister-in-law Kang said, "It’s hard to help out from such a distance, even if I wanted to as her elder sister-in-law."
"Oh, you’re worrying unnecessarily." Cai Xiufen chuckled, shaking her head, "Li Bao isn’t a child; she won’t let herself go hungry."
...
Just hearing her darling daughter’s voice, Cai Xiufen’s eyes turned red.
"Li Bao, are you doing well?"
"Mom, I’m doing great!"
"Have you eaten?"
"I just did."
"You’re heavy now, so whatever you do, make sure you stay safe, understand?"
"I understand. Mom, I can eat, drink, and sleep well. Plus, soone is always with wherever I go, so there’s no safety issue. I’ll keep everything you said in mind."
"That’s good."
"Mom, you’ve worked hard these past few months. Now that Ruirui is becoming a little man, if you need help at ho, don’t hesitate to ask him."
"What do I need a child to help with?! Your dad’s here! Besides, there’s no heavy work at ho; I can manage everything by myself just fine."
"Kids need practice as they grow. Mom, just treat it as training for Ruirui. Simple chores like tidying up dishes or sweeping the floor, not only can Ruirui do them, but Hanhan and Vivi can do them too. This is sothing I discussed with them long ago."
Ming Rui, upon hearing Kang Li’s words, looked earnestly at Cai Xiufen, "Grandma, what my mom said is right. Besides, before my mom went abroad, we used to do simple chores, and you know that. But in recent months, with my mom not around, you haven’t let us do anything, and that will spoil us."
Ming Wei: "Grandma, I want to be a good child!"
Ming Han: "A good child should do chores within their ability to lighten the burden on the elders."
"You are all very well-behaved already."
Cai Xiufen’s eyes were full of affection.
Outsiders might not know this, but the family was well aware that her cherished daughter raised the three stepchildren exceptionally well. The three children were not only sensible but also considerate and often volunteered to do simple chores at ho whenever they were around.
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