Lantian had already seen Li Mei's greed, and he cast a look at Liu Tingting, indicating that she should help Li Mei put on the chain. Liu Tingting understood and immediately took Li Mei's right hand.
Li Mei subconsciously wanted to retract her hand, but was too embarrassed to refuse. So, with some push and pull, Liu Tingting successfully put the crystal chain on Li Mei's slender wrist.
After putting it on, Li Mei raised her arm and carefully examined the bracelet, her eyes filled with joy and emotion. She glanced at Lan Tian with gratitude, then turned to Liu Tingting and smiled, saying softly, "Thank you, this is so precious... Uncle Lan, I... I don't have anything good to give you, but as long as you need me, I will do my best."
Lantian was in a very good mood after hearing what Li Mei said, so he picked up the chopsticks on the table, picked up a big chicken leg and put it into Li Mei's bowl, and then he picked up a chicken leg for Liu Tingting as well.
Then, he called the waiter, brought a bottle of wine, and poured a glass of wine for each of them. After a few glasses, Li Mei felt dizzy.
Li Mei and Liu Tingting supported them as they walked out of the hotel. Lan Tian winked at Liu Tingting, who nodded knowingly.
…
The next day, at the National Security Bureau’s family compound.
It was Sunday, but it wasn't a relaxing Sunday for Zeng Qiang and Zeng Cheng. An urgent matter suddenly arose at work, forcing them to give up their rest time and rush to the office.
Wang Xiaolan was reviewing her homework in her room.
To ensure Wang Xiaolan's review wasn't disturbed, Yu Wenlin took Dabao and Xiaobao to the yard. The yard was shaded by green trees, blossoming flowers, and the air was fresh and pleasant. Yu Wenlin found a shady spot and sat down, letting the two children play freely on the grass with the other children in the yard.
Dabao and other children his age excitedly chased a butterfly, while Xiaobao squatted on the ground, observing a group of busy ants. Yu Wenlin smiled at the children's innocent expressions, his heart filled with warmth and happiness. Occasionally, he would remind the children to be careful and not to run too far or fall and get hurt.
At this time, Aunt Tian came over with two apples and gave them to the two little babies.
Dabao and Xiaobao took the apples and said in unison, "Thank you, grandma."
Auntie Tian's face was filled with joy, her eyes narrowed into slits, revealing a row of uneven but very friendly teeth. She said in a bright voice, "Oh, you're welcome!"
After saying that, she stretched out her slightly rough but incredibly warm hands and gently stroked the two little ones' heads a few times. Then, she smiled and instructed the children, "Go, have fun! Be careful. I'm going to chat with your grandma."
After saying that, he walked briskly towards where Yu Wenlin was sitting.
As she walked, she said, "Wenlin, your two little treasures are so sweet."
When Yu Wenlin heard her say this, he couldn't stop smiling and said, "Oh! You are good to these two children, and they like you too!"
As she spoke, she gently patted the empty stone bench beside her, and then said in a gentle and kind tone: "Auntie Tian, sit here."
Aunt Tian walked straight to the stool with a smile on her face and sat down steadily without any hesitation.
As soon as she sat down, she placed a cloth bag tucked under her arm on her thigh, then took out an unfinished sole from the bag and gently untied the fine threads wrapped around it.
Then, she carefully pulled out a thin needle, the tip of which shone a faint light. Aunt Tian narrowed her eyes slightly and began to sew the sole of the shoe with great concentration, the needle and thread in her hand flying up and down.
Occasionally, she would stop what she was doing and move the needle back and forth on her shiny black hair, as if this would make the needle tip sharper and smoother so that it could better penetrate the thick soles of her shoes.
Yu Wenlin said, "Auntie Tian, you are really capable. You never forget to do needlework wherever you go."
Auntie Tian said as she was sewing shoe soles: "I have no choice. There are many children in the family, and I have to make some for my nephews and nieces. I have no choice but to make them. I am the eldest child in the family. Before I got married, I made all the shoes in the family."
Yu Wenlin smiled and said, "Auntie Tian, you are so capable. I can't even begin to catch up with you."
Auntie Tian said, "There's nothing I can do. I'm destined to be a hard worker."
At this time, Dabao led Xiaobao to Yu Wenlin, holding up an apple, and said, "Grandma's apple. Yes, it was given to me by Grandma Tian."
Yu Wenlin said, "Have you thanked Grandma Tian?"
Dabao and Xiaobao said, "Thank you, Grandma Tian."
Auntie Tian said, "You have already thanked me, my child. I feel embarrassed to thank you again."
Yu Wenlin said, "Auntie Tian, I'm sorry to have cost you money again."
Aunt Tian said cheerfully, "Sister, you're so polite! I really love these two children. I envy how well your daughter has raised them."
Yu Wenlin, upon hearing this, was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. She said, "Yes! My daughter is better than me as a mother!"
Auntie Tian's weather-beaten face was filled with envy. She narrowed her eyes slightly, gestured with her hands, and sighed, "Oh, Yu Wenlin, if my daughter-in-law could be half as good as your daughter, I wouldn't have to worry so much all day long! Look at your daughter, she's beautiful, capable, and filial to her elders. There's no one like you in our family compound. It's really hard to find someone like you even with a lantern!"
After hearing what Auntie Tian said, Yu Wenlin quickly responded with a smile, "Auntie Tian, please don't say that. Your wife is actually quite nice! Take every time we meet, for example. When she sees me, she always smiles and greets me politely and respectfully. She's very courteous! And she must be very filial to you, right? So, just be happy!"
When Auntie Tian heard Yu Wenlin praising her daughter-in-law, a smile as bright as a spring flower immediately blossomed on her face. She said happily, "Oh, that's right! This child, apart from anything else, has a mouth as sweet as honey! Look, these big, red apples were all brought back by her specially. And before she left, she repeatedly told me to leave two of the biggest, reddest apples for your two little darlings to taste!"
Yu Wenlin said with a smile: "Thank your daughter-in-law for me."
Auntie Tian said, "Sister, you're being too polite. I really like your two children. My grandchildren often eat your food."
Just as the two of them were chatting animatedly, a figure suddenly hurried past them. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Mrs. Zhang, the divorced woman who had returned to her hometown. She lowered her head, hurried her steps, and tried to avoid them.
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