Yang Hao could understand a child’s affection and obsession for their mother.
But the key to what Xixi said lay in the word “new”.
What she wanted was not a mother, but a new mother!
In other words, the little girl had completely given up on her original mother, or she wouldn’t have spoken about wanting a new mother.
Yang Hao, of course, understood Xixi’s thoughts, but the expression on the driver’s face, who was a substitute at the wheel, was quite amusing. He kept glancing at the back seat through the rearview mirror.
He probably hadn’t expected to catch such juicy gossip while picking up a driving gig.
So, if the little girl said she wanted a new mother, how many mothers had she had before??
The substitute driver glanced at Yang Hao out of the corner of his eye, thinking to himself: Rich folks really know how to live it up, changing mothers for their kids willy-nilly.
He also wanted to swap out mothers for his child, but alas, the child’s current mother would probably murder him!
“So, what kind of mother does Xixi want?”
Yang Hao followed the little girl’s topic and asked.
“The best would be an aunt like Wenqian!”
It was clear Xixi had her target in mind, and Yang Hao remembered this little girl had mentioned more than once that she wanted Wenqian to be her mother.
If he remembered correctly, Xixi’s second choice was Jiang Yuqi.
“And besides aunt Wenqian?” Yang Hao asked.
“Mrs. Qiqi!”
Sure enough, the ranking in the little girl’s heart hadn’t changed.
“Anyone else?”
Yang Hao asked again.
“Wenqian would be okay too,” replied Xixi after thinking for a bit.
Xu Wenqian was lively and cheerful, a real foodie at heart, which made her quite compatible with Xixi. Xixi often spent her weekends with Li Manni, and a lot of the time, she was actually frolicking around with Xu Wenqian.
Yang Hao nodded, then gently touched his precious daughter’s forehead, “Daddy understands.”
Xixi blinked her big eyes, not quite grasping what daddy meant.
She had thought her father would pick one, but he just said he understood.
The substitute driver, who had been all ears for gossip, managed to withhold his inner rant: Understood?
You understand jack shit!
At least give your kid a definitive answer!
Wait, that’s not right!
This guy is off!
He seemed like he had no intention of making a choice, just kept asking his daughter if she liked anyone else.
In the end, she mentioned three people.
And then, he said he understood.
What is he planning, to take all three??
Damn it!
You dastardly rich folks!
Can’t you share one with me!
The substitute driver originally tuned in for the gossip, but as he listened, he imploded.
He couldn’t even figure out one wife.
Yet there this guy was, scouting in bulk!
The sense of disparity was just too much…
Xianglan Residence.
Li Manni’s birthday gathering was set here.
It was a restaurant with Southern style decor, nice ambiance, and affordable prices.
When Yang Hao arrived, there were already eight people in the private room.
Apart from Li Manni and her five roommates, there were also two young men in their twenties, who were the boyfriends of Li Manni’s roommates.
It had been agreed that family members were allowed at today’s birthday gathering, so two of Li Manni’s roommates brought along their boyfriends.
And in fact, Yang Hao was also in attendance as a family member…
“Xixi, did you miss your sister?”
Xu Wenqian was already quite familiar with Xixi, and greeted her with a beaming smile as soon as she saw her.
“Wenqian Auntie, didn’t we just see each other this morning?” Xixi retorted with her small mouth pouted.
“Uh, seems like it.”
Xu Wenqian was slightly startled, then she remembered that Xixi was picked up from their place that morning.
Wait a minute!
That’s not the point!
The point is that this little girl is using the term “Auntie” again.
During their time together yesterday, Xu Wenqian corrected her many times, insisting on being called “Wenqian Sister”!
But when the little girl spoke again, it was still Auntie…
Li Manni made introductions for both sides.
Out of her five roommates, Yang Hao knew Xu Wenqian and Wang Weiwei.
The other three were Liu Meiyu, Cao Yanyan, and Wang Yan.
Among them, Cao Yanyan and Wang Yan came with their boyfriends, one named Zhu Ze and the other named Zheng Shuqi.
Yang Hao greeted everyone and then sat down next to Li Manni.
“Auntie, happy birthday!”
“This is your gift…”
Xixi handed over the prepared card to Li Manni.
“Wow, there’s a gift too!”
“Thank you, Xixi!”
Receiving the gift from Xixi pleasantly surprised Li Manni, who kissed the little girl on the cheek as she took the card.
“Yang, where’s your gift?”
Seeing that Xixi had given a gift while Yang Hao remained indifferent, Xu Wenqian couldn’t help but ask, knowing Yang well enough to be sure that he must have prepared a gift.
And with her inquiry, all eyes naturally turned to Yang Hao.
In fact, everyone was quite surprised to learn that Li Manni had invited her former brother-in-law to the birthday gathering.
After all, he is the former brother-in-law, a thing of the past.
Besides, there is also quite a big age difference, which should mean they wouldn’t have much in common.
But Li Manni still invited this former brother-in-law and even reserved the seat beside her for him, clearly placing special importance on his presence.
Before Yang Hao arrived, Wang Yan teased Li Manni, wondering if she had fallen for her former brother-in-law…
“Of course I’ve prepared a gift, but, it’s still on its way!”
Yang Hao replied with an air of mystery.
“Still on its way?”
Xu Wenqian grew more curious, “Yang, did you hire a courier to deliver it?”
“Uh, you could say that!”
Yang Hao nodded, considering the same-city delivery service somewhat akin to a courier task.
“Auntie, Daddy’s gift for you is really big!”
At this moment, Xixi said with a giggly smile; she didn’t know what her daddy had gotten for her auntie, but Yang Hao had mentioned on the way over that the gift was really big.
“A really big gift??”
Xixi had provided a hint, and Xu Wenqian’s mind began to wander again. Not satisfied with guessing alone, she mobilized her other roommates: “Come on, let’s all guess what Yang’s gift is, let’s make it a fun guessing game!”
“Yang, you be the NPC for once! Each of us can ask you one question about the gift, and you only need to answer yes or no!”
Xu Wenqian was also roping Yang Hao into this childish guessing game.
And Yang Hao felt a bit sensitive to the word “NPC,” because his NPCs were the kind you could delve into.
“I’ll ask first.”
Wang Yan seemed quite interested in this guessing game, and she asked Yang Hao, “Yang, is the gift you’re giving valuable?”
Her question was very pragmatic, potentially putting someone on the spot, quite bluntly so.
However, Yang Hao just smiled carelessly, “I don’t know how to answer your question because everyone’s definition of valuable is different.”
“Like the phone in your hand, some might find it valuable, while others see it merely as a communication tool!”
“So, what’s your definition of valuable?”
“Uh…”
Wang Yan was stumped by the question, and after thinking a moment, she said, “A gift over fifty thousand yuan would be considered valuable, right!”
Yang Hao nodded slightly, “Then my answer is yes.”