"What about washing clothes? It's all well and fine in the summer, but what about the rest of the year? Especially in the dead of winter, are you trying to break your mother's heart?"
As she spoke, concern deepened in Cai Xiufen's eyes.
"What's the big deal?!"
Kang Li didn't take it seriously at all, a dimple playing at the corner of her mouth, her fox-like eyes twinkling brightly: "I've heard on the radio that department stores in big cities sell washing machines. Once I get to North City, I'll find time to buy one and put it at home. That way, whether it's bulky clothes or sheets and quilt covers, just stuff them into the washing machine and it's done."
"A washing machine? What's that thing? They sell them in department stores?"
Looking skeptical, Cai Xiufen didn't really believe what Kang Li was saying.
To one side, Captain Kang and Big Brother Kang, Second Brother Kang all believed what Kang Li said, trusting their precious daughter (or sister) wasn't making empty promises.
With a smile playing around her eyes, Kang Li slowly explained to her family what a washing machine was, even gesturing with her hands to show the size of the machine and explaining how it worked, leaving her mother and three brothers looking utterly bewildered.
"Tsk tsk tsk, to think there's such an amazing thing!"
Cai Xiufen was astounded, slapping her thigh and saying, "Let's buy it! How about this, once you're in North City, have your dad and your big brother, along with your little brother go with you. You all can head to that what's-it-called department store and bring the washing machine home. That way I can rest easy!"
There's a coal stove for cooking, a washing machine for laundry, the house supplied with tap water… Cai Xiufen's mind repeatedly went through the daily life her daughter would face after moving to North City, and bit by bit, her worries eased.
Kang Li smiled, "Alright, I'll listen to Mom. Let's buy it!"
After a brief pause, Kang Li blinked her fox-like eyes and said, "Dad, Mom, I want to go to the county town tomorrow."
Before heading to North City, she wanted to give each family member a piece of clothing, and going to the county town was just an excuse she found convenient to take out the clothes and socks she had gotten from the System.
"To the county town? By yourself? No way, absolutely not!"
Cai Xiufen's head shook like a bobblehead doll.
Her daughter was so beautiful, just like a Fairy Girl, and absolutely couldn't go out alone. Besides, her daughter, despite having been to the county town, had never gone there by herself.
"Mom, calm down."
Kang Li was somewhat amused inside, yet also moved by her mother's protective nature. She said, "I didn't plan to go alone. How about tomorrow morning, having Second Brother accompany me?"
Once Kang Guoan was sure that his sister had really passed her job on to him, he sat quietly to the side the entire time Kang Li, dad, mom, and the brothers had been talking, never interrupting.
He did this on purpose, so as not to be perceived as showy by the others. In other words, Kang Guoan knew how to keep things proper; and with his good looks, fair skin, sunny personality, and genuine nature, he was a much-loved figure in the family.
Alright, one more thing – Kang Guoan was also a hardworking youngster.
His parents saw this and were quite pleased with their son.
His brothers saw this and took great care of him.
His sisters-in-law saw this and never gossiped about him.
And his nephews and nieces, aside from their aunt Kang Li, liked their Uncle Guoan the second best.
"Mom, I promise you and dad, I'll definitely protect Li Bao. However we go, we'll come back just the same, completely intact, not a single hair missing," Kang Guoan asserted, thumping his chest in guarantee to his parents.
His words made Kang Li laugh uncontrollably, "Dad, Mom, I trust Second Brother to protect me."
…