Whether those words were true or not, Old Lady Li could see it as plain as day in Kang Li’s eyes; knowing that Kang Li was speaking from the bottom of her heart, a kindly smile spread over her face. "That’s how you should look at things. In your auntie’s opinion, blood ties are important, yes, but a child you’ve personally raised— even without blood relations— as long as you raise them well and they grow up well, they’re in no way inferior to your own flesh and blood."
"Mm."
Kang Li nodded and said, "People in this world come in all kinds. There are plenty of children who don’t want to support their birth parents. I’ve never thought about whether they’re my biological kids or not.
I just think, since Ruirui and the others call me ’Mom,’ then I must raise them well and fulfill my responsibilities as their mother. Besides, now that Ruirui and the others have grown to this age, each and every one of them is truly wonderful!
What’s more, I never planned to add to the kids’ burdens. Later, when Luo Yanqing and I are old, we’ll just support each other and live our own days. When we’re no longer able to move, we’ll also make all the arrangements for ourselves so the children don’t have to worry too much."
Old Lady Li was surprised. "Aren’t you thinking a bit too far ahead?"
...
"Mom, whose call was that?"
Ming Han walked in from outside the living room just in time to see Kang Li hang up and couldn’t help asking.
"Your grandpa called, asking what time we’re going over to the old house tonight." As she spoke, Kang Li stood up. "Where are your brothers?"
"They’re at the courtyard gate, watching Bun, Tangyuan, and Guoguo play with the other kids. Luo Mingwei is there too." Hearing Ming Han’s words, Kang Li opened her mouth, about to say something, when right then Ming Wei’s voice came from the yard: "Mom! My dad’s back!"
Kang Li was stunned for a moment, then the fine arch of her brows lifted slightly. She saw Ming Wei run into the living room, and before Kang Li could speak, Ming Han said, "So Dad’s on vacation now?"
"Mm-hmm-hmm! Dad’s on vacation, for a full five days!" Ming Wei’s face was full of smiles. She nodded happily again and again. Hearing this, though Ming Han was clearly happy himself, he still said, "Look how excited you are."
"Mommy, Mommy! My dad is back!"
This was Guoguo’s voice.
"Xiao Li..."
Luo Yanqing walked into the living room holding Guoguo.
Min Rui followed right behind, leading Bun and Tangyuan by the hand.
"You’re back."
Kang Li stood in the middle of the living room, her bright eyes locked on the man’s incomparable handsome face. "I was just about to take the kids over to my parents’ place. Now that you’re back, let’s go together."
"Okay."
Luo Yanqing’s phoenix eyes were filled with gentle warmth. He nodded lightly, the corners of his lips curving in a faint arc. "Let’s buy some things for your parents first, then head over. What do you think?"
Kang Li’s lips held a hint of a smile. "It’s all ready. Do you want to take a shower and change clothes?"
"No need." Luo Yanqing shook his head. "I already showered and changed at the station before coming back."
Kang Li: "Then do you want to rest a bit?"
Luo Yanqing: "No."
"I see. Then shall we head out now?" Kang Li raised a brow. "That okay?"
"No problem."
From the moment Luo Yanqing walked in and saw Kang Li, his gaze hadn’t left her. His eyes were as soft as could be, and a faint smile had been resting on his lips the whole time.
"Dad, you’re only talking to Mom. Did you forget you’re still holding Guoguo and that your sisters and brothers are here too?"
Guoguo’s milky little voice suddenly sounded, pulling her parents, who had been locked in a gaze with eyes only for each other, back to reality. She blinked her big grape-like black eyes, tilted her head to look at Luo Yanqing, then at Kang Li, and then said, "Mom, why does Guoguo feel like Guoguo and Sister and the brothers are all extra?"
Before Min Rui and his five siblings could react, Kang Li was already smiling gently as she said, "You’re all good children. How much Mom and Dad love you— I think you all know it yourselves, right?"
Led by their eldest brother Min Rui, the six siblings all nodded in unison.
"I asked you first."
Kang Li pretended to be angry.
"The wife sings and the husband follows. If you’re laughing, of course I have to laugh with you." Luo Yanqing stepped forward and clasped Kang Li’s hand. "We haven’t spent New Year together in years."
Kang Li made a soft "mm."
Luo Yanqing said, "From now on, every year, we’ll spend it together."
Kang Li: "Okay."
As soon as Kang Li responded, Luo Yanqing’s long arm swept around her, pulling her into his embrace.
"What are you doing?" Kang Li lowered her voice. "The kids will come out in a bit and see us."
"It’s fine."
Luo Yanqing tightened his arm. "I really want to stay like this." Holding her in his arms, listening to her heartbeat, feeling the peace of time flowing by.
"Alright, go carry the things I prepared for my parents out to the car. Let’s get ready to head out!" Kang Li patted his back lightly and slipped out of his arms. "Need me to help?"
Glancing at the few gift boxes on the coffee table, Luo Yanqing shook his head. "I’ve got it."
"Dad, there’s something I want to ask you." Before Luo Yanqing could go grab the gift boxes, Ming Han walked out of his room, with Min Rui right behind him. The two brothers came up to Luo Yanqing, and Ming Han said, "Mom, you should listen in on what I ask Dad too."
Ming Wei stayed in Min Rui and Ming Han’s room with Guoguo, not letting Bun, Tangyuan, and Guoguo follow them out to the living room.
After all, the conversation in the living room wasn’t really suitable for little kids’ ears.
"What do you want to ask?"

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