Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Auntie Huang hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lin Wan.
âItâs the end of the year. Mr. Li is going to give out bonuses. Auntie Huang, you should go. This is a good thing,â Lin Wan said.
âI actually wanted to ask Auntie Huang why she always took Lin Wanâs side, but now that Lin Wan mentioned the bonus, I feel stupid to bring it up. Auntie Huang has worked all year long and deserves a bonus.â
Auntie Huang didnât think that was the case. Did she misunderstand him?
âMr. Li, no need to be polite. The salary you give me is enough. You even take me out to eat sometimes. Itâs enough for me,â said Auntie Huang.
Lin Wan gave her a thumbs-up.
âMr. Li, although Auntie Huang says so, you should still be considerate. Even between close brothers, we settle accounts. Auntie Huang is like a member of our family and has contributed so much. Rewarding her is only fair,â Lin Wan said.
âYes, it must be rewarded. Iâll inform the finance department,â Li Yanchen said, but he felt something was off. He wanted to ask Auntie Huang why she treated Lin Wan more favorably than him, but before he could ask, Lin Wan had already led him into a trap.
âAuntie Huang, can you come with me? I have something private to ask you.â
âSure.â
Auntie Huang followed Li Yanchen to the sunroom, and Lin Wan stood by the window. She was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation, but their voices were barely audible.
Li Yanchen looked anxious.
âMr. 1.41, just say wnatâs on your mina.â Auntie Huang couldnât Dear tne awkward silence.
âDo you all think Iâm not good enough for Wanwan? Do you all prefer her over me?â asked Li Yanchen. âIf Wanwan and I fell into a river at the same time, who would you save first?â
âHuh?â Auntie Huang was surprised.
A deadly combination of three questions. She didnât know how to proceed.
Auntie Huang gulped nervously. Truth be told, she really liked Lin Wan. The young masters also preferred Lin Wan. Everyone knew that Lin Wanâs arrival had turned this house into a home. She was the source of light and happiness.
However, she was also a person with a conscience. Li Yanchen paid her salary. He had never treated her unfairly as her employer, even before Lin Wan joined the family.
Compared to other housekeepers in Royal Water Bay, her salary was higher, and she was treated better. According to other housekeepers, Li Yanchen was an ideal employer. They often asked her to recommend them if the Li family ever needed an extra housekeeper.
âMr. Li, I can only speak for myself. Both I and Lin Wan are women, and women prefer women. The young masters prefer you,â Auntie Huang said.
âWhat do I need to improve?â Li Yanchen asked.
âHuh? You donât need to improve. Youâre good. Itâs just that⦠Lin Wan is better,â Auntie Huang said.
Li Yanchen was speechless.
Although they all feel that his status is lower than Lin Wanâs, he wanted to make an effort to improve. However, it seemed his efforts would be in vain.
âIs there a possibility that I can be just as important as Wanwan? Li Yanchen hoped that Auntie Huang would say something comforting.
âMr. Li, in our hometown, thereâs a saying⦠No two bowls of water are the same. It means that itâs impossible to treat everyone in exactly the same way.â Li Yanchen was at a loss for words.
âI understand. You can go about your business.â Li Yanchen sighed and got up.
He was deep in thought.
When Auntie Huang came out of the sunroom, Lin Wan was waiting outside. âIs he jealous again?â
âMadam, you really understand Mr. Li. Lately, heâs been acting more and more like a child. I think Mr. Li is someone who lacks love and constantly feels like he will lose it,â Auntie Huang said and glanced at the sunroom where Li Yanchen sat alone.
âIâll go talk to him.â Lin Wan thought Li Yanchen was just joking about everything, but it seemed he was just seeking a bit of attention from his family. He was sincerely seeking more love.
Back in the living room, Auntie Huang continued to tidy up, while Lin Wan sat with her husband in the sunroom.
âHoney, we all love you very much.â
Li Yanchen leaned on Lin Wanâs shoulder. âI know, but Iâm afraid that one day you all will stop loving me. After all, Iâm not a person with the best personality.â
Lin Wan patted his chest. âDo you want me to beat you to death with my little fists? Why are you saying such things?â
âYou see, Xinxin already calls you âmom.â He even has a group of friends fighting to do the same. But they call me Mr. Li.â
Lin Wan shrugged. âIs it such a great thing to be called âMomâ? It makes me feel like I have aged ten years more. I prefer being called an older sister.â âHoney, youâre showing off again.â
âNo, I think itâs just a form of address. Just say whatever comes to mind. Whether they call me Ms. Lin, Sister Lin, or Auntie Lin, I like them all. Itâs like how I call you âHubby,â or sometimes Mr. Li. It doesnât mean anything. Itâs just a habit. â
âThat⦠makes sense.â
âDonât overthink it. The kids love you, and Auntie Huang loves you too.â
Li Yanchen felt more at ease. âOkay, letâs go for a walk.â âSure.â
The two walked hand in hand.
At Yun Xi Junior High School, the boys who had just finished eating were in a good mood.
Chubby Jiang hooked his arm around Li Zexinâs shoulder. âXinxin, Iâm going to come to your place for a few days during winter vacation.â
Preserved Egg was shocked. âWhat?! Why? In the past, Xinxin always came to our place. Why is Xinxinâs house so attractive all of a sudden?â
Li Zexin was speechless.
Big Mouth nodded in agreement.
âNo,â said Li Zexin.
âYou heartless guy! Just think about how we accommodated you in the two previous winter vacations! â said Chubby Jiang.
âWe wonât be freeloading. Iâll bring some snacks and food,â said Preserved Egg.
âIâll bring money.â
âIâll just bring my mom. My mom always heard me praise Sister Lin a lot. She has been wanting to meet her.â
Li Zexin was stunned. Werenât his roommates already bothersome? Now, they wanted to bring their family into it too!
âDonât be so stingy. We know the way to your place. Itâs better for everyone to be happy.â
âFine! Iâll think about it and confirm with you later.â
At Yun Xi Elementary School, Li Zekai was sucking on a lollipop while watching âWhat If History Was a Cat?â
âJiejie, we have a roller coaster ride next week. Will you come during the winter vacation?â a roommate asked.
Li Zekai didnât even lift his head. âWeâre going on a trip. We may only be back on New Yearâs Eve.â
âWhat about after the Spring Festival?â
âProbably not. We have to go to the countryside to stay with Grandma for a while. â
âOkay.â The roommate sighed despondently.
âIf I have time, Iâll call you. Donât be sad,â Li Zekai said with a smile as he pinched his friendâs cheek.
At Yun Xi High School, during the evening self-study class, the teacher made an announcement.
âClass, tomorrow afternoon, weâll finish at three in the afternoon. Take the letters for your parents that are on your respective tables back home.â
Everyone looked at the papers on the table. They were about high school application forms and a voluntary meeting..