Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tao Jingyuan is also a foodie. She usually didnât indulge herself too much, but after tasting the cake made by Xia MO and Lin Wan on the showâs last episode, all other desserts had become flavorless.
When the guests took a walk around the village, no cameras followed them. The livestream ended early that day.
After walking for about two hours, everyone was tired. They went to their own houses to rest.
Li Zexuan sat in front of the stove. As the night grew quiet, he began to think about what he had seen in Lanwai Village.
âMs. Lin, letâs help those people,â said Li Zexuan as he saw Lin Wan walk to the kitchen to get some water.
Lin Wan carried a small stool and sat down near Li Zexuan. âMr. Li is going to take care of it.â
Li Zexuan smiled. âWell⦠I guess Mr. Li is quite efficient.â
Li Yanchen was sitting nearby. He pursed his lips when he heard that. Did his son think he was some heartless brute until now?
âBrother Xuanxuan, donât celebrities like you have foundations? Donât you have one?â Li Zexin asked as he sat beside Li Zexuan.
âMs. Lin, give me your account number. From now on, you can have all my appearance fees for this show. You can spend it however you like. Just leave me a little for living expenses.â Li Zexuan had wanted to give his card to Lin Wan, but he needed to be present to authorize a withdrawal if a huge amount was being withdrawn at an ATM. He thought it would be better to just transfer money into her account.
Li Yanchen felt that something was amiss. He thought about it carefully.
When his son started making money, he thought that his son was still young and unable to handle his income. So, he volunteered to help him. However, his son had refused and gotten his own card!
Li Yanchen regretted not having tried to have an honest conversation with his son. And Li Zexuan felt that he should have given some money to his father as a sign of respect. They both didnât lack money, but they could have done things better.
Li Yanchen didnât know how much money and assets his son had. Now, Li Zexuan suggested giving his income to Lin Wan. He didnât know how to feel about it. He didnât mind, but he was the father!
Lin Wan, on the other hand, was reluctant. She wanted to earn her own money and achieve her own freedom. Her stepson was willing to give her his earnings. Wasnât that too much?
âIsnât he afraid that I, as his stepmother, might squander his money?â
âFascinating⦠Back then, when I offered to help you with managing your finances, you refused.â Li Yanchen wasnât jealous, but he wanted Lin Wan to know what importance she held in his eldest sonâs life.
He was the guardian and offered to manage his sonâs income, but Li Zexuan refused, but he was willing to let Lin Wan do it.
âMs. Lin is good with money. She spends money very responsibly,â said Li Zexuan. âI went shopping with her. She even bargained at the mall.â
Lin Wan felt as though her stepson was complimenting and mocking her at the same time.
âBargaining at the mall?â
âAuntie Lin, arenât the prices all fixed at the mall?â asked Li Zekai.
âI was just giving it a try to see if it worked. Money should always be spent wisely. Iâm not stingy, but clothes costing about a hundred thousand yuan are just too much.â
When Lin Wan went to the grocery store or fruit store, she didnât fuss about the price. Even while making a donation, she was very generous. But some things being exorbitantly priced didnât make sense to her.
She rarely used the black card that Li Yanchen had given her.
âMs. Lin only spends money where itâs needed,â said Li Zexin. âWhen I begin earning money, Iâll also let Ms. Lin manage my finances.â
âIn that case, Iâll do it too! What about you, Dad? Will you do the same?â
Lin Wan sighed inwardly. She knew they meant well, but she couldnât accept something like that. She wasnât even their biological mother. She didnât want to create any misunderstandings.
Li Yanchen pursed his lips. He was willing to give her everything. He had even thought of transferring the company to her name, but Lin Wan had refused. She didnât even use the card he gave her. She would occasionally buy a few clothes for him and the children but hadnât spent a penny on herself.
âOh, come on! Assistant Qin is there to manage those kinds of things. There is Secretary Han too! Why bother a housewife like me? Are you all jealous of my free time?â said Lin Wan jokingly. âI donât want your cards or your money. Itâs just too much responsibility for me. If I keep them, I will feel stressed constantly. Just keep them to yourselves.â
âMs. Linâ¦â Li Zexuan wanted to say something sweet like Li Zexin would. âXinxin and Jiejie are young and donât earn right now. Iâm also young and stupid. Although I am careful with my money, I feel like I am naive enough to be tricked into losing it. You are smart and good with finances. My money will be safe with you. Besides, I donât earn as much as my father. Donât accept his money. Itâll be a headache for you. My money is not even enough to fix the gaps between my teeth.â
âBrother Xuanxuan, how can you call yourself naive? When we went out to hang out last time, we saw the old lady kneeling in front of the mall and trying to ask for a donation for her sick baby. You immediately realized that she was a scammer. We even found the exact same poster.â Li Zekai remembered the incident very clearly. He had been about to donate his pocket money, but his elder brother had stopped him.
âReally?â said Li Zexuan sheepishly. âI was about to give her my money. I only heard someone shout that it was a scam.â
Lin Wan sighed. âNo. Iâm going to go in now. I have to reply to Mama Bao. She texted me in the afternoon, but I couldnât write back to her. You guys should sleep soon, too.â
Lin Wan hurried back to her room.
Seeing his wife go back to the room, Li Yanchen couldnât sit still. âI should rest too. Tomorrow, who knows what tasks weâll have to complete? You kids go to your rooms too. Donât stay up too late. Otherwise, youâll end up with dark circles under your eyes.â
âHuh?â Li Zexuan looked at the time. It was already 9 p.m.
Giving his income to Lin Wan was a big deal. He had scared Lin Wan away. Li Zexuan decided to give her some time to think about it. âLetâs go and sleep,â said Li Zexin
Li Zekai picked up his hot water bottle. âTime to sleep.â
At Doudouâs home, the little girl couldnât fall asleep.
Li Meng tried telling her stories to help her sleep, but the moment she finished narrating them, Doudou would open her eyes.
âMommy, I canât sleep.â Doudou tossed and turned.
Doudou was unfamiliar with the new bed and the new environment. Li Meng had brought along Doudouâs blankets and pillows that she always used, but her daughter still couldnât sleep.
Li Meng added an extra mattress. âIs this more comfortable?â
âUm⦠Mommy, you go to sleep first, â said Doudou. âIâll close my eyes and wait.
Maybe Iâll fall asleep soon.â
Li Meng lay down beside her daughter. âMommy will stay right here, baby. Go to sleep..â