Chapter 401: First Birthday Banquet

Chapter 401: Chapter 401: First Birthday Banquet

After some time of taking care of himself, Yang Zhigang’s mental state was much better now.

Yang Shunshun was now one year old, and Yang Lili was also fair-skinned and tender, utterly adorable, especially with her dark eyes that looked just like black grapes.

The people of Jinshan Bay often lamented how Yang Jianming sired children but didn’t raise them. Still, they had to admit that his four girls were growing up beautifully; every single one of them was pretty.

Today was Yang Shunshun’s birthday.

Wu Cuicui sent Yang Jianguo to the best cake shop in Shencheng to buy a birthday cake for Yang Shunshun—a two-tiered one, no less.

Wu Lingling, who ran a clothing trading company, brought clothes for the children that were both stylish and comfortable.

Wu Cuicui invited Han Xiaorui and her family. "Xiao Rui, don’t bring any gifts. We already have everything we need."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "What you have is yours. What I prepare is a token of my own good wishes. And what Pingping and An’an prepared for their little sister is from their hearts."

"Besides, when it comes to presents, it’s the thought that counts. Our little girls are going to grow up together, so it’s only right that they exchange gifts. We should teach them from a young age that sisters should love and cherish one another."

Wu Cuicui beamed. "Xiao Rui, you have a point. Well, thank you then! Make sure you come over later."

"Of course!" Han Xiaorui promised.

Han Xiaorui called her grandmother and grandfather to tell them she couldn’t visit in the morning but would come see them that evening.

"Pingping, An’an, what gifts did you two get for Shunshun?" Han Xiaorui asked.

Yang Pingping pulled a sparkly hair clip from her pocket. "A little bear barrette. My auntie bought it. It’s a gift for our little sister."

Yang An’an took out her own little duck. "A little ducky Mommy bought. For bathtime."

"Wonderful!" Han Xiaorui said with a smile. No matter the gift, it was the thought that counted, coming from her older sisters.

Han Xiaorui’s gift was simple: a pair of Ruyi Gold Bracelets, perfect for a child.

"Are you ready?" Ye Feng asked. "It’s a little hot out. I can drive you."

Han Xiaorui waved him off. "No, that’s okay. Go pick a few big lotus leaves for us. We can wear them on our heads for shade."

"Wouldn’t a parasol be better? It would provide full coverage," Ye Feng countered, thinking the lotus leaves wouldn’t be enough.

"How could that be the same?" Han Xiaorui chuckled. "Don’t you think it’d be fun, the four of us wearing lotus leaves as hats?"

Ye Feng considered it for a moment, then laughed. "You know, now that you mention it, that does sound fun! Wait here!"

Ye Feng grabbed a sickle and headed for the village pond.

The lotus pond near the elementary school was already thick with a dense carpet of leaves.

Since he was already there, Ye Feng picked out the biggest, roundest leaves and cut a whole stack of them.

When Han Xiaorui saw Ye Feng return with so many lotus leaves, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Isn’t that a bit much?"

"It’s not too many! One for each of us to wear as a hat, and we can use the rest to make Beggar’s Chicken!" Ye Feng said with a grin. "We can bring it with us when we go to your grandfather’s tonight!"

Han Xiaorui laughed in spite of herself. "Alright! The subtle sweetness of the lotus leaves makes for delicious lotus leaf chicken or Beggar’s Chicken."

Ye Feng picked up a large lotus leaf and placed it on Han Xiaorui’s head. Then he gave one to Pingping and one to An’an. "Cool, right?"

"Yes, Daddy, it’s very cool," Pingping and An’an nodded again and again. They picked up a large leaf from the ground and placed it on Ye Feng’s head.

The family of four, holding hands, got ready to leave.

But when they opened the door, they were surprised to find a car parked outside.

"Bro! Sis!" Ye Chen and Ye Ling called out as they opened the car doors and stepped out. Their aide, Xiao Zheng, followed with their luggage.

Ye Feng was taken aback. "Is it summer vacation already?"

"Yep!" Ye Chen chuckled. He was talking to his older brother, but his eyes were fixed on his sister-in-law’s belly. "Sis, are you about to give me a new nephew or niece?"

"Bro, Sis, you guys were so secretive about it!" Ye Ling said, just as surprised. "You didn’t tell us anything! We only brought presents for Pingping and An’an, not for the new baby."

"Just the two of you came?" Ye Feng asked, lines of frustration forming on his forehead.

"Yep. Dad’s busy with work, and Mom is too, so they had Xiao Zheng bring us," Ye Ling replied. "Bro, Sis, we’ll behave. Please don’t send us away."

Xiao Zheng smiled. "Ye Feng, Comrade Xiao Han, your father said he’ll be coming for a business trip in a while and will visit you then. As for Ye Chen and Ye Ling, I’ll have to ask you to look after them."

With her father-in-law having spoken, Han Xiaorui welcomed them. "Wu Yao, please go tidy up the guest rooms. Let the two brothers share one, and Xiao Zheng can have the other."

"Of course, I’ll get right on it," Wu Yao said with a smile. The guest rooms were usually kept very clean, so they only needed a quick tidying up.

"Ye Chen, Ye Ling, hurry and put your luggage away. We’re about to go to a first-birthday party in the village, and we’ll take you with us," Han Xiaorui said with a smile. After all, she couldn’t just leave two young guests who had traveled so far all alone at home.

Ye Chen seemed a bit bashful. "Sis, can we really go?"

"Of course!" Han Xiaorui laughed. "You’re not outsiders. You’re family."

"Then wait for us!" Ye Chen and Ye Ling were thrilled. After putting their luggage away, Ye Chen asked his brother, "Second Bro, what should we bring as a gift?"

Ye Ling opened his suitcase and took out three small pinwheels from their hometown. "Since it’s for a child, let’s give a children’s gift."

"Great!" Ye Chen agreed, thinking it was a perfect gift.

When they got to the courtyard, they saw the lotus leaves. His sister-in-law, brother, and nieces had all been wearing them just a moment ago. Ye Chen picked up two, placing one on his own head and the other on his second brother’s.

Pingping and An’an’s eyes were glued to the pinwheels in their young uncles’ hands. "Second Uncle... Third Uncle..." they cooed.

Who could possibly resist such sweet, childish voices?

Ye Chen handed one to Pingping and one to An’an. "Here, one for each of you. The last one is for the little birthday girl."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Great. Shunshun will definitely love this gift."

’Not bad,’ she thought. ’They know to bring a gift when they’re a guest.’

Ye Feng remained silent. He wasn’t exactly happy, but he wasn’t annoyed either. He just felt that his father was pushing his luck.

’Xiao Rui is pregnant now, and he still sends the boys over.’

Wu Cuicui and Yang Jianguo knew Ye Ling and Ye Chen as well, and they warmly welcomed the two brothers to Jinshan Bay.

"Wishing little Yang Shunshun a safe, healthy, and happy birthday," Ye Ling said, handing the pinwheel to her.

Yang Shunshun, standing in her baby walker, took the pinwheel and grinned happily, showing off the four little white teeth that had just come in.

Yang Minmin busied herself entertaining the guests who had traveled from afar—Ye Chen and Ye Ling—as well as Pingping and An’an.

She got ice cream from the refrigerator for them to eat under the shade of a tree.

Yang Zhigang was in high spirits, greeting all the guests.

’The house hasn’t been this lively in a long time.’

When the party was over, their close friends from the village stayed behind to help clean up.

Yang Shunshun was a smiley baby, but she wasn’t much of a talker.

Even now, she could only say "Mama" and nothing else.

Wu Cuicui was starting to get anxious, worried it was a situation similar to when Pingping and An’an were young. She decided to ask Han Xiaorui for advice in private.