It made her uncomfortable to admit that this set of four snow globes showing different tourist scenes from Country B was right up her alley. Just looking at the first two globes, she could tell the tourist spots they were inspired by.
It would be too hypocritical of her to say she didn't like the gift, but she didn't want to flatter her either. For a moment, she was in a dilemma.
She could feel the gazes of her parents on her, so she finally swallowed the bitterness in her mouth after a few minutes and said, "Thank you."
Li Junmo chose that moment to pour salt into her wounds, "Lianmo, what did you say? I don't think Sister-in-law heard you clearly."
Li Lianmo shot him a murderous glare and gritted her teeth before saying louder, "Thank you Sister-in-law, I like it."
Pei Yueran smiled faintly at her before saying, "You're welcome." She found it after hours going through a site for collectibles, so knowing that the receiver liked it was a welcome result.
It probably wasn't going to make the young lady magically like her, but she hoped it would be enough to call a truce.
"Sister-in-law, I heard that I have another nephew. Yichen right? What is he like? Everyone in the family has high praises for him." Li Junmo asked jovially.
Pei Yueran nodded as she lifted the corners of her lips, "Yes, his name is Han Yichen. He's twelve now, and a little gentleman, if I do say so myself. He's very quiet. He's currently in boarding school."
"Twelve? So he's the same age as Yuchen then."
"Yeah, they're birthday mates too."
Li Junmo nodded before asking another question. "I asked Big brother to tell me about his preferences so that I could get him a gift, but he only said he likes books. What else does he like?"
"Well, books are really his favorite thing. He can spend the whole day cooped up in his room, just reading. He's a writer too, writing for his blog and several literary competitions."
"Wow, that's amazing. I'd love to read his works sometime. Does he like going out?"
"Mostly to museums and historical sites."
Li Junmo did a double take. "Really? A twelve year old that likes museums? That's new."
Pei Yueran smiled. "I know right? Its hard to see what's so fascinating about them, but he finds them really entertaining and educational."
Li Lianmo, who could not understand the reason for the excitement muttered, 'What's the fuss for? Isn't it just a boy with a different surname?'
Fortunately, no one heard her because they were all listening to Pei Yueran speak.
"The last time we went to Country F together, he made us visit museums and listen to historical lectures. We were all so bored, including Yuchen. Yichen is a typical introvert."
"I see. I can just imagine the look on Yuchen's face at the time. That boy can't listen to an historical lecture to save his life." Li Junmo joked.
"True." Pei Yueran said with a smile dancing at the corner of her lips. "Seeing the way they get along so harmoniously would make you think they had similar personalities."
"But they must be very different. I can use a thousand words to describe Yuchen, but "introvert" is not one of them."
Pei Yueran laughed and nodded as she pictured Li Yuchen in her mind, "uh-uhn, definitely not. Yuchen is one of the most adorable extroverts I've ever met."
Li Junmo gave a mock grimace, "That brat is only adorable when he stands still. Once he moves, he'd almost always cause trouble."
He saw his mother move a moment too late, so he was unable to dodge the hand aiming for the back of his head.
"Mom! I was only saying the truth." He whined, holding the back of his head.
"You're good, calling my cute grandson a brat. You deserve more than a light slap." Zhang Heying scolded jokingly.
"But I'm your son. Shouldn't I be more loved than your grandson?" Li Junmo persisted.
"Ha, It's a pity that you are non-refundable." Zhang Heying tossed back in a gentle voice.
Li Junmo: "...."
"To make matters worse, you were a buy one, get one free. Both you and your sister never stop causing trouble."
Li Junmo: "..."
The "Innocent" Li Lianmo: "..."
Pei Yueran: "..."
Only Pei Yueran widened her eyes in surprise. The other family members were used to the Madam's sharp way of speaking. Li Qianye said neutrally, "Cut him some slack." while Li Chuanmo added, "He's not wrong though. Xiao Chen can be a handful sometimes."
He ignored Pei Yueran's soft, "don't say that about my favorite rascal."
"Why don't you beat Big brother now?" Li Junmo gloated while his mother stared daggers at him. Pretending to be scared, he said, "Dad, you need to speak for me."
But Li Qianye did not help matters, "Seriously though, why do I remember that a certain someone went on a class trip to the museum and fell asleep behind a statue?"
"Dad!" Li Junmo shouted.
"What are you shouting for? Don't mind him Ran'er. I heard his teacher was so angry with him that day that she scolded him fiercely. But guess what happened?" Zhang Heying continued humorously.
Pei Yueran was curious, "What?"
"His sister stood out to berate the teacher, saying she was the only one that had the right to scold her brother that way. Can you imagine?"
Pei Yueran grinned, while Li Junmo and Li Lianmo groaned on cue, "Mom!" Their parents really loved telling this story.
"Needless to say, they were both punished properly by the school and by us when they got home."
"But Mom, that was then. I'm changed now." Li Junmo managed an argument.
"Yeah right. Then why did I see you dozing off while we were watching that archaeology program yesterday?"
Li Junmo spluttered but couldn't find any words to refute except, "Yesterday was an exception."
A beat later, they all dissolved into laughter, even Li Lianmo that hadn't spoken much since. Pei Yueran was genuinely enjoying her time with them. Theirs was a warm, big family, at least bigger than what she was normally used to.
It was what she envisioned for her future family.
Just then, Li Qianye's cell phone rang, notifying him of an incoming call. He gave his wife a look and they both stood up.