Holding two autumn coats, Kang Li approached her mother in front of the stunned gazes of her family. As she spoke, she stuffed the women's coat into her mother's hands and then shoved the men's coat into her father's hands. "Dad, this one's for you. You and mom stand up and try them on, see if they fit."
Before Captain Kang and his spouse could react, Kang Li returned to the table and started distributing "gifts" to Big Brother Kang and the others.
A few minutes later, every member of the Kang Family in the hall held the clothes and shoes that Kang Li had "bought" for them, yet no one spoke for a while.
"Dad, mom, what's wrong with you all?"
Kang Li blinked her clear, lively fox eyes, feeling puzzled. "Big Brother, Elder Sister-in-Law, Third Brother, Third Sister-in-Law... won't anyone say something?"
She called out to each family member one by one, but everyone was still recovering from her recent spree of "gift-giving."
With a resigned smile, Kang Li finally said, "The day after tomorrow, I'll be heading to North City, so I thought of giving each of you a gift before leaving. Actually, these things didn't cost much, and as for why, my brother knows. Brother?"
Guoan snapped back to reality and nodded at the family, "Li Bao ran into a lady at the department store. That lady said she felt a connection with Li Bao, and when she heard Li Bao wanted to buy some clothes for her family..."
Kang Li's tall tale, as relayed faithfully by Guoan, managed to hoodwink Captain Kang and the others as well.
"Li Bao, is what your brother said true?"
Gently stroking the high-quality, pure-colored blue and black check coat in her hands, Cai Xiufen turned her gaze to Kang Li.
"Of course, it's true! Mom, you don't know, Auntie Tang is such a nice person. Since I bought a lot, she even let her daughter knock a dollar off the total!"
Kang Li said without a hint of guilt.
"This deal sounds too good to be true. Based on the prices you mentioned, that's incredibly cheap! Also, this Auntie Tang, even if she found you appealing, wouldn't have..."
Before Cai Xiufen could finish her sentence, Kang Li interrupted with a laugh, "Mom, I know what you're going to say, but my brother's telling the truth.
I felt the same doubts as you when I left the department store, thinking that Auntie Tang was overly kind to me. But after much pondering, I realized the reason — it's because your daughter has a beauty that charms everyone. People love me wherever I go, flowers bloom in my presence, everyone just adores me!"
"Mom, maybe it's just as Li Bao described."
The unwitting endorsement from Guoan was like divine assistance.
"Mom, Li Bao has always been loved since she was young, I believe what she and my young uncle said."
This was Elder Sister-in-Law Kang's voice.
"Mom, I believe what Li Bao said too. In my view, anyone who has ever dealt with our Li Bao couldn't help but like her."
Third Sister-in-Law Kang followed up after Elder Sister-in-Law Kang's support.
Before long, other family members were also chiming in one after another to back Kang Li, eventually dispelling any doubts Cai Xiufen had.
"As long as they weren't stolen or acquired through deception, we shouldn't overthink it. After all, these are gifts from Li Bao to our family."
Glancing at the coat in his hands, Captain Kang added.
"That's right! I assure you I didn't resort to any deceit or theft, so everyone can feel at ease accepting the gifts I brought!"
The sparkle in Kang Li's fox eyes was full of mirth. She spoke, pausing for a moment, then her expression turned serious and solemn as she addressed Captain Kang and his spouse:
"Dad, mom, thank you for all your kindness to me over these past years, and thanks to my brother and sisters-in-law, and my nephews as well, for spoiling and loving me. I know I can be a bit willful and delicate,