Chronicle of the 70s-Chapter 387 - 362: Preparing for the New Year
As the days went on, it was time to prepare for the New Year, Lu Anna had completed her confinement period, and upon learning about Li Xianglu’s leg fracture, she brought Minmin to visit.
After entering the door, Minmin sat unhappily on a small stool, playing with her doll and even when Ba’er called her several times, she didn’t want to join in the fun.
Li Xianglu, seeing this, asked with concern: "Anna, what’s wrong with Minmin?"
Lu Anna sighed and answered: "She thinks that we and the family don’t love her anymore; we are always holding Xinxin, which makes her unhappy."
Li Xianglu frowned and said: "Haven’t you had a proper talk with the child?"
Lu Anna was taken aback and then said with a laugh: "Talk? With Minmin? She’s still so young." Lu Anna found Li Xianglu’s suggestion quite amusing.
Li Xianglu knew that this was the prevailing mindset at the time, where people generally believed that children, being young, don’t understand anything, reluctant to talk more with them, merely giving orders or arranging what they think is right. However, this is not what children want. Without explaining, how would children know your thoughts? Misunderstandings could arise over time, and even cause issues in a child’s mind.
Li Xianglu shared her thoughts with Lu Anna, but Lu Anna felt that Li Xianglu was making a big deal out of a small issue; things would be better when Minmin grew up.
Li Xianglu sighed and didn’t say any more; after all, this was someone else’s family matter. How they chose to educate their child was their concern and as a sister-in-law, she could only kindly mention it, more than that might lead to misunderstanding.
After lunch, Old Geng drove Lu Anna and Minmin back home. Li Xianglu’s cast needed to be fixed for another three or four days, so she was confined to the bed watching cartoons with the two children.
The room was cozy and warm at the moment, with just the three of them. Li Xianglu pretended to reach under the bed for something, then took out her laptop and played Garfield cartoons for the children.
Although the cartoon had little dialogue, the expressive actions were very clear, and the children, having watched many times, still enjoyed it immensely, laughing from time to time.
After an hour of watching, there was knocking at the door. Li Xianglu quickly turned off the computer, pretending to put it under the bed, and then called out, "Come in!"
When the door opened, Ba’er, who was nestled in Li Xianglu’s arms, made a fuss because he still wanted to watch the cartoon, insisting, "Mommy, kitty!"
The person who walked in heard this and smiled, asking, "What’s the matter, Ba’er wants a kitty?"
It was Xu Wu, wearing a brown long coat and a red checked scarf. He came in, took off his coat first, and placed a leather bag he was carrying on the bed before going off to pour water.
Li Xianglu wasn’t surprised at all by Xu Wu’s visit, as he had been coming every day since her injury.
Li Xianglu crawled over, picked up the leather bag, and then lay back in her spot. Ba Yi and Ba’er had already forgotten about the cartoon and were eagerly staring at the bag.
Li Xianglu looked at the two children and chuckled, then pulled out a greasy paper bag that was hot to the touch and filled the room with a fragrant scent. She exclaimed in surprise, "Sesame oil chicken, wow!"
Xu Wu came over with the water, setting it aside to help Li Xianglu take out the contents of the bag—sesame oil chicken, a big bag of White Rabbit Creamy Candies, and spicy beef.
Although the children had just eaten, they couldn’t take their eyes off the sesame oil chicken. Li Xianglu, with some resignation, wiped both children’s hands and then the four of them shared half a chicken together.
Xu Wu asked Li Xianglu about her day before standing up, taking the leftovers to the front yard and having his meal.
After having some food, the two children contentedly leaned against Li Xianglu, smacking their lips happily.
Li Xianglu gazed at the two faces that increasingly resembled their father Qin Xi and instantly felt a warm glow in her heart.
Meanwhile, Xu Wu had finished his meal in the front yard and was called over by Su Yan and Mr. Li to sit down. The three of them talked for over an hour, and it happened that they received a call from Qin Xi. They took turns on the phone, chatting for another half an hour before leaving.
Li Xianglu, satisfied, continued to play and enjoy snacks with the two children, oblivious to the happenings in the front yard.
Time flew by, and ten days later, Li Xianglu went to the hospital to have her cast removed. However, she still needed recuperation and therefore was forcibly wheeled back home in a wheelchair by Mr. Li and Su Yan.
This year, Sister Xing would return to Beihai for the New Year, taking her entire family, so she left early on the twenty-fifth. Su Yan, in turn, had the chefs from the faraway Hong Kong residence come over nice and early.
