Chapter 124 Mao Mao's Invitation
When Mao Mao and Nie Zhengyun returned after playing around, Lou Yansui's fountain pen was almost poking a hole in the manuscript paper.
She wobbled ashore, too tired from playing to slide any further. She sat on the bank, panting heavily, her little face flushed, exhaling puffs of white mist.
Mao Mao patted her round little belly: "Brother, I'm hungry."
The exercise was so strenuous that Mao Mao got hungry faster than usual.
Fortunately, they had brought a whole basket of food with them before they left.
There were food stalls at the park entrance, and the delicious smells made Mao Mao swallow hard.
Lou Yansui had her hold onto her shoulders, helped her lift her little feet, and took off her ice skates. She then used a handkerchief to wipe her little face and hands before placing the food in her hands.
After doing all that, he thought for a moment and then handed one of the sandwiches to Nie Zhengyun.
Nie Zhengyun took it, slightly surprised: "Mine?"
"You've been playing with my sister for so long, you must be tired and hungry," Lou Yansui said considerately. "I didn't know you were coming today, so I didn't prepare anything in advance. I hope you don't mind the snacks I made at home."
Nie Zhengyun raised an eyebrow.
Sure enough, Mao Mao, holding the sandwich, looked up and asked, "Brother, aren't you going to eat some?"
"There's another one, it's for Third Brother," Lou Yansui said. "I haven't exercised, I've just been watching here, so I haven't burned any calories and I'm not hungry. I don't need to eat it."
That won't do.
Mao Mao lowered her head, her little hands clumsily breaking the sandwich in her hand in half, and holding one half up to hand to her brother: "Brother, eat this."
Lou Yansui was taken aback, then immediately moved: "Mao Mao, no need, you eat it."
“Brother, eat.” Mao Mao looked at him with her big, bright eyes and said, “Brother, Mao Mao still has half a roasted sweet potato in her belly.”
The roasted sweet potatoes were sold at a small stall at the entrance of Haicheng Park, with an iron stove sitting there.
Lou Yansui then took the sandwich, and his little sister leaned closer. The three of them finished the sandwich together and shared the hot cocoa. Nie Zhengyun then went to buy two roasted sweet potatoes and handed one to the brother and sister.
He watched as the little girl across from him happily shared the roasted sweet potato with her brother, leaving the remaining one uneaten, its scalding heat radiating from her palm.
Watching the little girl's adorable eating, Nie Zhengyun slowly asked, "Mao Mao, would I have the honor of inviting you to my home as a guest?"
"hold head high?"
Mao Mao looked up from the roasted sweet potato and agreed without hesitation: "Okay!"
Lou Yansui: "..."
Nie Zhengyun, however, was not in a hurry to be happy. He said slowly, "However, the day I wanted to invite you to my home is a bit special, as it is New Year's Day."
"new year?"
It's already the coldest time of January, but we're about to enter the twelfth lunar month, and after that, it will be the New Year.
This winter has been unusually cold, so people are eagerly anticipating the changing of the seasons.
At the turn of winter and spring, at the beginning of the new year, is a time for family reunions.
"You know, I live alone." Nie Zhengyun stood up straight and said slowly, "I have no parents, no wife, no children, no other family. I have no family to spend every year with. On this special day, I would like to invite you to my home as a guest. I wonder if that would be alright?"
Lou Yansui: "..."
On days when the whole family is reunited, even visiting someone else's home is considered visiting relatives. This Mr. Nie is absolutely determined to be Mao Mao's godfather.
Besides, the Green Gang has so many members, do you really think they'd let their leader spend the New Year alone?
Lou Yansui immediately said, "There are many people in our family, and there will be a lot of things to do during the New Year. I'm sorry, Mr. Nie, Mao Mao probably won't have time to visit your home."
Seemingly noticing the wariness in his eyes, Nie Zhengyun's expression remained unchanged, still gentle, though a hint of melancholy appeared on his face: "Of course, it doesn't matter if Mao Mao can't come. I'll celebrate as usual this year."
Lou Yansui breathed a sigh of relief.
Just give up, otherwise... wait!
wrong!
He immediately looked down.
The little girl next to me was holding a roasted sweet potato, completely mesmerized by what she heard.
How could Mao Mao not understand?
Mao Mao understands!
Last New Year, Mao Mao spent it with her mother alone. Although her mother was very kind, other families had many guests.
For the families living around Mao Mao, the New Year is a time for family reunion. She sat on her doorstep, watching one family member after another come out of other people's homes, and it was incredibly lively.
How could Mao Mao bear to let her best friend spend the New Year alone!
She said hurriedly, "Uncle, you can come to my house for the New Year!"
Nie Zhengyun was stunned.
Lou Yansui was also stunned for a moment, "Wait, Mao Mao..."
Mao Mao's little brain quickly darted around, and she came up with a brilliant idea: "Uncle, come to my house for the New Year! There are so many people in my family! Mao Mao has five mothers, four older brothers, and also Grandma, Dad, and Cat. Our house is so lively!"
Nie Zhengyun: "...Go to your house for the New Year?"
Mao Mao: "Yes!"
Nie Zhengyun gave a soft "Oh," drawing out the sound, as if responding, sighing, or marveling.
After a moment, the smile on his face softened further: "Since it is Miss Mao Mao's invitation, of course I am willing. At that time, I will prepare New Year's gifts and visit her."
"Wait, wait!" Lou Yansui hurriedly interrupted, "Mao Mao, Mr. Nie cannot spend the New Year with us."
Why?
“He’s not part of our family. Only a family celebrates the New Year together.”
"oh……"
Mao Mao lowered her little head in disappointment.
Nie Zhengyun reminded him, "I can be Mao Mao's godfather, that way, I'll be a relative of the Fourth Young Master."
Mao Mao raised her little head again upon hearing the sound, looking at her brother expectantly.
Despite it being the dead of winter, the coldest time of the year, Lou Yansui felt a lot of sweat on her back.
“Dad won’t agree.” He said calmly, “Dad refused last time. If Mr. Nie becomes your godfather, Dad will be angry.”
Of course, this anger would definitely not be directed at Mao Mao.
Mao Mao was disappointed again.
"But, but Uncle is so pitiful." Mao Mao's eyes were wet. "Brother, he spends the New Year alone. It's so pitiful. Maomao has a cat, but Uncle has no family."
Nie Zhengyun chimed in, "Oh, yes."
Mao Mao looked at her poor uncle, and her little heart swayed completely towards him.
"Can't Uncle come to our house?" Mao Mao asked, her head hanging low. She looked disappointed. "None of Mao Mao's friends have ever come to our house."
Nie Zhengyun smiled and said, "Yes, I would also like to visit Miss Mao Mao's house."
Mao Mao's big, dark eyes became even more watery: "Brother..."
Lou Yansui: "..."
He has never been able to refuse his sister.
Especially when his younger sister looked at him so pitifully, Lou Yansui turned his head away, but that cute little face with pleading eyes still lingered in front of him.
How...how could he possibly refuse?
—Third brother, where are you?!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com