Chapter 674: Chapter 674: I Like Aunt Li
Evening.
Rong Ling took Junjun back home.
Li Yufei had gotten off work early and was waiting for Junjun to return so they could have dinner together.
Seeing Rong Ling return with Junjun and Xiaoyi, Li Yufei said, “Rong Ling, stay and have dinner with us.”
Rong Ling: “No need, I want to take Xiaoyi home early.”
Li Yufei said, “About what I mentioned to you before, have you thought it over?”
Rong Ling was momentarily confused: “What is it?”
Li Yufei said, “Aren’t you preparing to study abroad? Who do you plan to leave your sister with? Or are you planning to take her abroad with you?”
Upon hearing this, Rong Ling paused for a moment.
These past few days, he had been considering how to properly arrange Xiaoyi’s care.
He had thought about taking Xiaoyi abroad with him, but she was too young, and he would be busy with his studies and part-time work, making it difficult to care for her adequately.
The environment overseas was different from that at home.
Resources were limited.
If he took Xiaoyi with him, he wouldn’t be able to live with a host family, which also meant he would need to find an additional job and rent an apartment. Given his current situation, he couldn’t afford a good location, and he wouldn’t feel secure about Xiaoyi.
Moreover, the visa might be a problem.
Therefore, if he studied abroad, he could only leave Xiaoyi in the country.
Although Doctor Fan had promised him and even offered to take care of Xiaoyi until he returned from his studies abroad.
But, firstly, Doctor Fan was getting older, and secondly, he feared his troublesome father might show up to cause problems, or continue to accrue high-interest debts, causing those creditors to trouble Doctor Fan.
Rong Ling looked at Li Yufei.
He hesitated in his heart.
Of course, he trusted Li Yufei’s goodwill towards him and believed she had the capability and willingness to take care of Xiaoyi, but… why was she helping him so much?
After all, they were not family.
Li Yufei could clearly see his hesitation.
She knew what he was hesitating about.
Li Yufei: “I know you’re wondering why I’m helping you so much when we’re not related.”
Rong Ling: “You’re not going to tell me it’s because I saved your life, so you’re doing all this for me?”
Li Yufei smiled warmly, “Is there a chance it’s because I like you?”
Rong Ling’s expression stiffened slightly.
Xiaoyi covered her mouth in surprise.
Li Yufei laughed softly, “You also think this reason isn’t convincing enough, don’t you?”
Junjun, standing by, said, “Mom, don’t joke around, Uncle Rong’s ears are turning red.”
Due to his short stature, from his angle, he could easily see Rong Ling’s right ear, hidden under his black hair, had turned an irrational shade of red.
Li Yufei said, “What if I told you I really like Xiaoyi, would you believe it?”
From the first time she saw Xiaoyi, Li Yufei really liked her.
She actually preferred girls, not because she valued girls over boys, but there was something healing about seeing Xiaoyi so well-behaved and sensible.
Moreover, she felt truly sympathetic towards Xiaoyi, such an obedient little girl, suffering so much with her biological father.
Seeing that Xiaoyi and Junjun got along well, she didn’t mind helping Rong Ling take care of Xiaoyi for a while.
Rong Ling: “I’ll think about it.”
Li Yufei smiled: “Alright.”
She saw Rong Ling and Xiaoyi to the door.
Rong Ling patted Xiaoyi’s head gently and said, “Say goodbye to Auntie and Brother.”
Xiaoyi obediently waved her hand to Li Yufei and Junjun: “Goodbye, Auntie!”
After speaking, she looked at Junjun and gave a sweet smile: “Brother Junjun, I really like playing with you, can we be good friends in the future?”
Junjun: “Sure.”
Xiaoyi was so happy her little face was flushed, and she skipped away holding Rong Ling’s hand.
After they closed the door.
Junjun looked at Li Yufei and suddenly said, “Mom, do you like daughters?”
Li Yufei: “…”
Should she tell the truth?
She really did like daughters.
Li Yufei: “Though mommy prefers daughters, mommy doesn’t favor girls over boys.”
Junjun said, “Oh! I thought mommy only liked girls, not boys.”
Li Yufei seemed to discover a new continent, crouching down to stare into Junjun’s eyes for a long time.
Junjun felt uneasy being stared at so intently, awkwardly asking, “Why?”
Li Yufei: “Are you jealous?”
Junjun: “No way. Why would I be jealous?”
Li Yufei: “You say you’re not jealous, are you afraid mommy likes Xiaoyi more and won’t like you anymore?”
Junjun: “No. I like Xiaoyi too, I wouldn’t be jealous like that.”
Though he said that, he had already grabbed her sleeve, his tone still carrying a hint of childish pride: “I know, mommy likes me the most, right?”
Li Yufei laughed softly, secretly thinking: She thought Junjun, being such a mature child, wouldn’t get jealous!
But no matter how mature, he’s still a child.
At the beginning, when Junjun just returned to her, perhaps he didn’t have deep feelings for her, but as they spent more time together, Junjun grew closer and more dependent on her, and less attached to his dad.
After all, he lived with her, not with his dad, so it was natural for him to be closer to her.
…
On the way home.
Xiaoyi leaned against the car window, watching the scenery pass by outside, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if she were pondering something.
Rong Ling noticed her contemplative profile and asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Xiaoyi said, “I’m thinking about Momo and Han.”
Rong Ling said, “Do you like that Han?”
Xiaoyi blushed and immediately corrected, “No, I don’t!”
She looked at Rong Ling and pouted, “I’m just a bit envious, just a little bit!”
Rong Ling: “What are you envious of?”
Xiaoyi: “I’m envious that… they have such good parents.”
After pausing, she said with slight sadness, “I also wish for such gentle parents…”
Even though for her, these wishes were a luxury.
Rong Ling said, “Do you think your brother is good?”
Xiaoyi said naively, “Brother is the best brother in the world!”
Rong Ling: “That’s right, you have the best brother in the world. They don’t have that. Xiaoyi, do you remember what brother told you? When one door closes, another opens for you. What others have you might not, but what you have, others might not have either.”
Even though she had very little.
Rong Ling gently pulled her into his embrace: “Don’t yearn for a past that can’t be returned to. We don’t have a past anymore, only a future. Xiaoyi, brother is going to study abroad, and he’ll work hard to give you a beautiful future.”
Xiaoyi asked eagerly, “Then will brother take me abroad with him?”
She didn’t want to be separated from her brother.
Rong Ling said, “I want to, but it’s not as good abroad as it is here.”