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Chapter 605: Chapter 595: A Gift that Hits the Spot
On New Year’s Eve, Li Hongjun, with his bag on his back, made his way home against the wind and snow.
The two children were extremely happy to see their father again, just like Taxue, hovering around him, following him like two little tails.
Li Hongjun had missed the children too, and as soon as he entered the house, he threw down his bag and picked up his daughter with great affection. Looking down at his son, who was also eagerly looking up at him, he bent down and scooped up his son as well, one in each arm, perfectly balanced.
Manman looked at her father, able to lift her and her brother at once, and giggled, her mouth filled with flattery, a true little flatterer. Pangpang, with an adoring look on his face, idolized his father anew, silently vowing to model himself after his father, to eat well and grow tall so he could have the same strength one day.
Shen Yunfang arranged all the dishes on the table coming out of the kitchen, and this was the scene she encountered.
"That’s enough, you two. How many days has it been since you last saw each other to be so clingy? Hurry up and wash your hands for dinner. Taxue, stop crowding around, come here and eat, you get extra food today too." Shen Yunfang, seeing Li Hongjun holding one child in each arm, and Taxue with a pitiful look, hurriedly called it over for its meal. This dog couldn’t tell the situation at all; didn’t it see this was a family reunion? There’s nothing it could do as an adopted father following around; could it think it would be hugged?
Taxue looked back at its stepmom, then turned to look at its stepdad, and finally, with a whimper, ran to the kitchen and carried out its food bowl.
Forget it, I’m grown up now. Being without a mom or dad isn’t a problem; eating is most important.
"Let’s go wash our hands and eat too, or mom will get mad." Li Hongjun also knew how to read the room. Seeing his wife’s somewhat angry expression, he quickly led the children to wash their hands and rushed to dinner. During the New Year’s, upsetting the wife was definitely out of the question; maintaining peace and unity was most important.
Shen Yunfang saw that the father and sons were sensible and snorted through her nose, then turned to fetch the meal from the kitchen.
Today was New Year’s Eve. Since both Wang Dama and Li Dajie’s families from the courtyard houses were around, it was agreed that they would have dinner together in the evening; so, her family would have lunch on their own.
By the time she had brought out the food, Li Hongjun and the others were already seated and ready.
"Alright, let’s eat."
After the family of four exchanged several auspicious sayings, Li Hongjun, the head of the household, declared it was time to start the meal.
"Here, my dear, you’ve worked the hardest today. Have a chicken leg to replenish yourself," Li Hongjun offered earnestly.
Shen Yunfang glanced at him and casually tossed him a chicken wing, "Don’t sweet-talk me now. Hurry up and eat more." She then picked out some meaty pieces for her two children; the whole family should nourish themselves well.
Manman tried hard to finish the vegetables in her small bowl, but before she knew it, her mother had filled it with more. She was a bit worried; some kids at the nursery had started calling her chubby. She couldn’t keep eating so much; otherwise, she wouldn’t be pretty if she got any chubbier.
"Mommy, I can’t eat anymore," Manman said softly, looking at the meat in her bowl.
Shen Yunfang and her husband were puzzled by their daughter’s conflicted expression; their little girl was always a good eater, often competing with her brother when it came to meat. Why was it that today, after just a few bites, she was saying she was full?
Li Hongjun quickly reached out to touch his daughter’s forehead, worried that she had lost her appetite due to illness, but her temperature was normal.
Shen Yunfang knew her children well and didn’t need to guess. She asked directly why Manman couldn’t eat anymore. Sure enough, upon seeing her mother add another piece of meat to her plate, Manman couldn’t resist, slurped her saliva, stuffed the meat into her mouth, and chewed blissfully with her eyes squinted.
It was Pangpang who spilled the beans about his sister, and only then did Shen Yunfang and her husband realize why Manman had put on such a show. The couple burst into a mix of tears and laughter.
At this time, there really weren’t many children who were as plump and rosy-cheeked as their own. Sometimes, Shen Yunfang would feel quite proud seeing her two kids; she never expected them to already start having these worries. Had it been someone else’s child, she would’ve shooed them off with a broom long ago, but with her own, she just indulged them.
After all, both Shen Yunfang and Li Hongjun were the ones who looked after the children. And Li Hongjun, eager to please his little princess, even brought out the gifts he had for the children at the dinner table to cheer them up.
Shen Yunfang watched as Li Hongjun took out the gifts for his daughter from his bag, then the gift for his son, and then just kept gazing straight at Li Hongjun.
Li Hongjun, amused by his wife’s petty look, stopped teasing her. He took out something from his bag and handed it to her, "Wife, take a look. Do you like it?"
Shen Yunfang pouted slightly but still carefully opened the small bundle that Li Hongjun had passed to her. Inside was a brand new set of military attire.
Shen Yunfang eagerly unfolded the uniform to inspect it. It was a set of women’s military uniform, and it seemed to fit perfectly.
"Where did you get this?" Shen Yunfang asked. In all the years she had been married to Li Hongjun, she had never worn a piece of military clothing.
Li Hongjun received a few sets of military uniforms every year, but he wore them out quickly during training, and besides, what they issued him were all men’s styles, so there were none to spare at home. Even on the rare occasion when there was an extra piece, Li Hongjun would mail it back to his family—it was well-remembered that the old man at home had a military uniform.
"I was issued military supplies when I went to the base, and I heard they had women’s sizes this time. So, I got a set for you. Try it on and see if it fits," Li Hongjun said, visibly happy that his wife was so pleased, feeling assured that his decision had been the right one. 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Initially, he hadn’t thought to get a set for his wife, as he hadn’t noticed any particular affection she had for military clothing. But during his time at the base, noticing that several battalion commanders had switched to women’s military uniforms, and after discreetly inquiring, found out they were for their wives or daughters. This gave him the idea to do the same for his wife. Mostly, he had never seen his wife in military attire and was curious. And now, it seemed his flattery had hit the right spot, seeing how delighted she was with the gift.
Shen Yunfang did like it very much, but she didn’t try it on right there. She hadn’t forgotten they were in the middle of a family dinner. "No rush, I’ll try it on after we’ve eaten."
And so, the family continued their meal, each with a broad smile on their face.
After dinner, Li Hongjun took over cleaning the table and washing the dishes, while Shen Yunfang was in charge of tucking the children into bed.
They needed to stay up late that night, so it was best to take a nap that afternoon.
Once Shen Yunfang had put the children to sleep, she took the military uniform to try it on. To match the uniform, she even braided her hair into two big plaits, which made her look even more innocent.
Li Hongjun quickly finished the dishes, then stealthily pushed open the bedroom door. His eyes glued to his wife, he couldn’t look away.
There was a click as Li Hongjun locked the bedroom door.
"Wife, you look really good in the uniform."
"Really?" Shen Yunfang, admiring herself in the mirror, was full of herself.
"Really. You don’t believe me? Let me tell you what I find most beautiful about you." Li Hongjun, the sly wolf, once again successfully pinned down his little lamb.
