"What kind of reward, Auntie?" Beibei blinked his big, furry eyes and asked.
"Uh..." Li Si was trying hard to think about what kids his age usually liked.
Next to her, Yin Xian chimed in, "Your aunt is taking you skiing!"
Beibei jumped up excitedly and asked, "Really, Auntie? When will you take me? I really want to go!"
Mrs. Han chuckled as she looked at the younger generation, "Li Si, taking Beibei out is a handful. This little rascal is never calm. Your Sister Yin is always worried about taking him to crowded places; he runs around everywhere and can't be caught!"
"Exactly. Beibei, did you hear that? If you keep disobeying adults and running around, your Aunt Li Si won't take you skiing!" Yin Qi joined in, pointing out how Beibei was the rowdiest kid to take out—he even got lost once.
Beibei noticed everyone targeting him, and his eyes darted around. "Auntie, don't worry, I promise I'll stick by your side all the time and never run around, okay, okay?"
"Alright, but you have to keep your promise! Then we'll go together!" Li Si agreed with a smile.
"Li Si, you young folks should go. I'm too old for this stuff. Have fun!"
Mrs. Han shook her hand weakly, her tired face showing a faint smile, signaling them to go play.
Yin Qi helped her to her bed, tucked her in, and covered her with a blanket. The rest gradually left and gathered in the living room, where Yin Xian softly asked, "What's wrong with Mrs. Han?"
"Sigh, her heart condition flared up—she was upset by Beibei's second granduncle. There were some mishaps during the grave relocation. Let's not talk about this now. Li Si, last time, you left in such a hurry. Beibei even went over to your place several times looking for you. We forgot to leave a phone number, so he couldn't find you. Luckily this time, Yin Xian ran into you. How have you been recently? Is school keeping you busy?" Yin Qi chose her words carefully, avoiding deeper discussion of her family affairs.
"I rushed back last time because school was starting. I've been doing well recently—school's on winter break now, so I'm pretty free!" Li Si held Beibei in her arms, gently stroking his soft little chubby hand, feeling how smooth and comforting it was to touch a child's small hand.
"Auntie, when are we going skiing? Beibei can't wait! We're heading back to Beijing in a few days!" Beibei was anxious—he wouldn't be happy if they didn't get to go.
"Sister Yin, why don't we go tomorrow? Do you guys have time?" Li Si thought that handling such a big kid on her own might be challenging—it would be better with the mom tagging along.
"We're free! Let's go tomorrow. Xiao Xian, why don't you take Li Si and Beibei later to pick out some ski clothes? I doubt the ski resort has sizes that will fit him. We'll need Doctor Zhang to look after Mrs. Han for now, but he'll come tomorrow," Yin Qi said while picking out a coat for Beibei to wear outside.
"Yay! Auntie, I'll hold your hand the whole time—don't worry!" Beibei leaned close to Li Si's ear to say quietly.
Li Si smiled at the little guy, unable to resist planting a kiss on his cheek. "Auntie believes you! You're so adorable—it makes me want to bite you!"
Beibei's eyes narrowed slightly in delight as he lowered his head shyly. Then, with utmost seriousness, he looked at Li Si and said, "Auntie, now that you've kissed me, you need to be responsible. When I grow up, I'm going to marry you!"
"Haha, haha," the group of adults laughed so hard they could hardly stand upright. Li Si's face turned red as she laughed, unable to believe how amusing this kid could be.
"Then Auntie will wait for you to marry me!" Beibei nodded firmly and then, a bit bashfully, began rubbing his hands together. "I'm going to grow taller very soon. Oh, Auntie, in that case, I can't call you Auntie anymore; I have to call you... uh... wife!"
Li Si's eyes widened—these truly were unfiltered words of a child. Yin Xian chimed in from the side, "You can't just call someone your wife, Beibei. First, you have to grow as tall as your little uncle!"
Beibei dismissed him with a look. "What's the point of being tall now? Auntie's still my wife!"
Yin Xian: "..."
Li Si: "..."
The two of them took Beibei to a ski gear store in North City, where they bought a yellow ski suit, a blue knit ski hat, ski gloves, ski boots, skis, poles, and bindings. Finally, at the staff's recommendation, they picked out a pair of ski goggles suitable for Beibei.
Beibei happily carried the small bag containing the goggles. "Auntie, did I look handsome in that ski outfit just now?"
"Handsome! Truly a little gentleman!" Li Si playfully pinched Beibei's nose—what a vain little rascal.
Yin Xian observed their interaction and could tell Li Si really adored Beibei. Checking the time and seeing it was nearly dinner, he suggested, "Why don't we skip going back to the hotel and eat out? We can pack some food for the others afterward."
Li Si quickly shook her head—the seafood from lunch still hadn't digested, and the thought of dinner was just too much for her. Noticing this, Yin Xian secretly shot Beibei a look of encouragement.
"Auntie, let's go, let's go! You haven't had a meal together with Beibei!" Beibei pouted and tugged at her arm.
Unable to resist Beibei's adorable pleading, Li Si could only nod and agree.
Yin Xian drove them straight to Uncle Bo's Home Cooking. Well, after coming here two days in a row, Li Si was somewhat resigned.
Entering the hall, Li Si noticed Uncle Cui chatting with a middle-aged man. Cui Hao spotted her immediately and gave her a meaningful look.
At this hour, the private rooms were all booked, so the trio could only sit in the main dining area. A waiter led them to a table on the right-hand side. Yin Xian grabbed a menu and ordered several dishes suitable for a child and Li Si, along with some crab. Li Si gave him a helpless glare—couldn't he go just one meal without ordering seafood?
"Auntie, why are you looking at my little uncle like that?" Sharp-eyed Beibei was the first to notice her subtle gesture and even mimicked it.
"Uh... I..." Li Si clearly had done it discreetly—but this kid had incredible observation skills.
"Your Auntie is showing friendliness towards me, Beibei. Have you decided what time we should head out tomorrow?" Yin Xian tried to shift the child's focus, helping Li Si out of her predicament.
"No way! At home, Mama always looks at Papa like that. Papa said it's called a look of affection—yes, that's what he said!" Beibei thought for a moment then nodded decisively, affirming his recollection.
Li Si felt an urge to explode—Beibei hadn't been this much of a handful last time she saw him.
Yin Xian couldn't hold back his laughter, but when he noticed Li Si's embarrassed, flushed face, he quickly composed himself and said, "Beibei, do you still want to go skiing tomorrow?"
"Of course! We're going tomorrow, aren't we?" Beibei asked with some suspicion.
"Then listen carefully to your little uncle. No talking while eating, no chatting while resting. When the food comes, eat properly without being picky. Later when we get back to the hotel, go to bed early so you can wake up in time tomorrow. Deal?"
"Got it!" Beibei nodded seriously, then turned to Li Si and said, "Auntie, you're not allowed to be picky either!"
Li Si couldn't resist pinching his cheeks with both hands. "What a good boy!"