Kang Li and the other person didn't stand on ceremony and just started drinking the mung bean soup in front of them.
After putting down her empty bowl, Kang Li made small talk with Fourth Sister-in-law Kang, who was sitting next to her. As for Kang Guoan, he was busy playing with his two nephews.
Seeing that the clock was about to strike twelve noon, Fourth Sister-in-law Kang stood up, "Li Bao, you and Guoan just sit here. I'll go cook us some lunch. Your Fourth Brother should be home in another ten minutes or so."
Kang Li: "Fourth Brother didn't drive today?"
Fourth Sister-in-law Kang: "No, just a normal work day. However, your Fourth Brother mentioned that he has to make a long trip the day after tomorrow, and it'll take at least a week for the round trip."
"Traveling far always has its risks, so you'll have to remind Fourth Brother to be extra careful."
Kang Li said casually, then exchanged a glance with Kang Guoan, and the two got up at the same time. Kang Li said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you don't need to cook for me and my little brother; we need to get back to the village by one thirty at the latest. Otherwise, the family will start worrying about us."
"That won't do. You must eat before leaving, besides, your Fourth Brother isn't even back yet!"
Fourth Sister-in-law Kang insisted on Kang Li and Kang Guoan staying.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I really promised our parents that I'd be home by one thirty at the latest. If we're late, they might send Big Brother and Third Brother to the county town to look for me and little brother. That would just be troubling them for nothing."
Two plump cloth bags were placed on a drawer desk against the wall. Without any hesitation, Kang Li pulled out two sets of summer clothes suitable for children—a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved shirt—from one of the bags,
and then took out a men's white dress shirt and a women's white floral short-sleeved blouse. She held these clothes up to Fourth Sister-in-law Kang and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, these are for you, Fourth Brother, and Maomao and Doudou."
Fourth Sister-in-law Kang didn't reach out to take them: "Why did you buy these? Your Fourth Brother and I have clothes to wear, and so do Maomao and Doudou!"
She genuinely liked this little sister-in-law. Even though the young girl had been pampered by the family, never having to lift a finger, in Fourth Sister-in-law Kang's eyes—and indeed, in the eyes of all the sisters-in-law—Kang Li was truly wonderful.
Sweet-talking, beautiful as a Fairy Girl, she looked so lovable at first glance. Most importantly, she never took advantage of their in-laws' affection or her brothers' fondness to give them sisters-in-law a hard time,
and she showed them great respect, treating their children with exceptional affection. She always shared whatever delicious food she had with her nieces and nephews, no matter how little there was.
Because Kang Li was so kind-hearted, their family lived peacefully and harmoniously, unlike other families in the village with little sisters-in-law that fought with their sisters-in-law every other day, turning a good home upside down.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I bought these according to your, Fourth Brother's, and Maomao and Doudou's sizes. Everyone in our family has their share; please just accept it," Kang Li insisted.
Kang Li stuffed the clothes she was holding into Fourth Sister-in-law Kang's arms, "The day after tomorrow, I'm going to North City, and I don't know when we'll see each other again, so I thought that before I leave, I should buy a gift for each family member to express, even just a little, the love and care they have shown me over the years."
"Li Bao..."
Fourth Sister-in-law Kang was visibly moved.
She knew the young girl had been raised spoiled by the entire family, and she knew about her kind-heartedness, but she hadn't expected the young lady to be so thoughtful and caring.
Her mouth quivered, as if wanting to say something, but her throat seemed stuffed with cotton, preventing any sound from coming out.
After giving Fourth Sister-in-law Kang a hug, Kang Li said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, I know you care about me, Li Bao has always known." A moment later, she released Fourth Sister-in-law Kang, stepped back, and ruffled the heads of her nephews Maomao and Doudou. She then knelt on one knee and said to the two boys: