CHAPTER 460: CHAPTER 460: COMPLETELY GONE

"Ah! This is a recorder! It’s a valuable item, little sister! You’ve really splurged, huh!" Xu Fangfang, who had been awkwardly standing by for a long time, immediately stepped forward, smiling in an overly ingratiating way, not at all affected by Xu Jingjing’s years of disregard, unabashedly speaking as if her warm face had been met with a cold butt: "I’ve been thinking about buying Doudou a recorder, what with the school teaching English and all! They say it helps with learning, but these things aren’t cheap, so I hesitated. I never expected you to just go and buy one for Doudou, thank you so much!" Xu Fangfang said excitedly, taking the recorder from Xu Jingjing’s hands and confidently examining it.

"Doudou, look, this recorder is top-quality! Be careful with it and set it aside for now, and take it home later," Xu Fangfang, after inspecting the recorder, realized it was the same model she had wanted to buy in the county but had passed on because it was too expensive, felt incredibly pleased, and without any politeness said to Doudou, "This should solve your learning issues, how wonderful!"

"..." However, Xu Fangfang’s joyous demeanor left Xu Jingjing wordlessly twitching her lips.

Xu Xiuxiu also glanced at Xu Fangfang with a feeling of embarrassment, finding the lack of dignity profoundly deep, and the coerced Doudou’s face looked particularly upset as he tightly pursed his lips, reluctantly taking the recorder but intending to return it to Xu Jingjing: "Auntie, this item is too expensive, I can’t accept it."

"It really didn’t cost much, you can keep it! You’re grown up, and your aunt hasn’t really bought you much before. It’s just this once, no big deal," seeing this, Xu Jingjing reassured Doudou, feeling more comfortable seeing his reaction, glad that her money and goodwill weren’t wasted, appreciating that her nephew wasn’t as annoying as Xu Fangfang.

"Um! Just accept what your aunt has given you! It will help you with your studies," Xu Xiuxiu also added a word.

The previous standoff between Xu Fangfang and Doudou let Xu Xiuxiu understand that Xu Jingjing’s kindness toward Doudou was genuine, which somewhat relieved her, knowing that if Doudou and his mother Xu Fangfang were typical, she would have intervened despite the money, as it was really unnecessary to waste money on ungrateful people.

"Then give it to Grandpa! Keep it for Grandpa to listen to music so he isn’t bored when he’s alone," Doudou still felt hesitant to accept it and thought of giving it to Mr. Xu.

"Hey, you child, why can’t you see the obvious? Your aunt said she bought it for you, why are you hesitating so much? It’s a recorder, not a radio, mom already asked, and this recorder plays cassette tapes. If your grandpa gets bored, your aunt will buy him a radio, that has all sorts of news on it, much better than a recorder, just listen and keep it properly, and stop making a fuss like your dad," Xu Fangfang was unhappy when Doudou suggested keeping the recorder for Mr. Xu. Recorders weren’t cheap, she knew, costing several hundred! How could he think of pushing it away, this infuriating child!

Xu Fangfang’s brazen words were typical, giving her an inch and she would take a mile. She initially felt very guilty, thinking Xu Xiuxiu or Xu Jingjing might have heard her and Doudou’s conversation and expected trouble, but seeing the two sisters act like nothing happened, she guessed it was just coincidental, possibly they didn’t hear anything, letting her fears subside and beginning to act up.

"Mom!" Doudou angrily called out to Xu Fangfang, clearly disapproving.

Yet, Xu Fangfang simply ignored Doudou, turning to smile at Xu Xiuxiu and Xu Jingjing, "He’s just a child who doesn’t understand, I’ll keep it for him. Thanks, little sister!" After saying that, she seriously picked up the recorder and placed it on the hall table, ready to take it with her back to Song Family Village after lunch.

Xu Fangfang’s actions and display were painfully obvious, even Mr. Xu frowned deeply, but it seemed like no one really said anything, many things, although disgusting, also couldn’t be straightforwardly pointed out.

"Dad, do you like listening to the radio? After the New Year, I’ll go to the county and buy one for you," Xu Xiuxiu spoke up to break the awkward silence.

"No need to spend that money. Doesn’t Xu Mutou in the village already have a radio? He usually places it under the big banyan tree at the village entrance. We old folks listen to it while playing chess, no need to buy another," Mr. Xu waved his hand, decisively rejecting Xu Xiuxiu’s suggestion.

"Alright then, Dad, whenever you want to listen to the radio, just let me know, and I’ll buy you one," Xu Xiuxiu didn’t insist anymore, then quickly changed the topic, "I brought quite a bit of seafood today. Our place here, surrounded by mountains from all sides, makes it hard to get seafood. So, while I was in the Imperial City, I specially had Yuanhuan prepare these sea delicacies. They are still alive! I brought some over today too. I’ll steam some crabs for you later and pair them with millet wine, I guarantee you’ll like it." Xu Xiuxiu said as she took out the bag of seafood.

"Wow! Auntie, these crabs are huge! Did you bring them from the Imperial City?" suddenly, a curious voice piped up.

Everyone turned in surprise and saw Cai Tou poking his head out from among the children. The little guy had grown quite a bit and was as cheerful as ever. Although it wasn’t his first time seeing a crab, the size of these crabs had excited him.

"Yes!" Xu Xiuxiu laughed upon seeing Cai Tou, "Cai Tou, why are you here alone? Where are your parents?" After all, if Cai Tou had come, Xu Qingqing should have been here as well.

"They’re outside!" Cai Tou waved and laughed.

Sure enough, the next moment Xu Qingqing came in with her husband Cai Senlin, holding their younger son in her arms, a little boy nicknamed Cai Bao.

"Dudu..." With a baby voice and a chubby face, the little boy looked adorable. His eyes were bright, and upon seeing so many people at home, he appeared quite puzzled, but he didn’t cry or fuss. It wasn’t until he caught sight of Cai Tou that he burst into a small grin, calling him "brother."

"It’s ’brother,’ dummy." Cai Tou covered his little face with his hand, looking helplessly exasperated. He adored his little brother immensely, but the little guy always called him "Dudu," which really annoyed him!

"Yo! Big crabs, eh! Xiuxiu, did you bring these fantastic things from the Imperial City?" Xu Qingqing walked into the Xu family living room, laughing as she saw her son, Cai Tou, brazenly holding a large crab, thus she asked in jest.

"Yes!"

"That’s wonderful, we’re lucky today, we don’t have this stuff around here." Xu Qingqing seemed very practical and opportunistic, seemingly in the right place at the right time. Her arrival brought the atmosphere in the house alive again, and the awkwardness that Xu Fangfang had caused was now completely gone.