CHAPTER 785: CHAPTER 782: GIFTS

"Don’t crowd, everyone will get one." Taozi said to the children lined up to receive gifts.

Then, without stopping, she handed a wrapped gift box to the child in front of her.

These were prepared before they came to Rainbow House, containing study supplies and toys bundled together. Each gift box is slightly different, like a mystery box.

Besides, everyone also received a red envelope. It wasn’t a lot of money, but for the children, it was quite a surprise.

Taozi had put a lot of thought into these gifts, in part because there aren’t that many children at Rainbow House. Otherwise, just the wrapping would have been a significant workload.

Shen Siyuan stood nearby managing the order, reaching out to pull Tang Tang and Dou Dou out of the queue.

"What are you two doing?"

"Of course, we’re here to get our gifts. Let go of me, otherwise, there won’t be any left." Dou Dou struggled and said.

"Oh~ Oh..." Tang Tang pointed at the queue, looking equally anxious.

"There are none for you two. Don’t join the crowd." Shen Siyuan said.

Dou Dou’s eyes widened in shock. Seeing this, Tang Tang quickly imitated her, even putting her hands on her hips and puffing out her little belly, pushing forward.

Ding Guilan, who was talking to Ruan Hongzhuang nearby, remarked, "Tang Tang has been raised so well by you all. She’s much more lively than before now."

"It’s unfair. Why don’t we have any gifts?" Dou Dou said discontentedly.

"Cake and pie..." Tang Tang added.

"Aren’t there enough gifts at home? These are study materials for the older kids." Shen Siyuan said.

"Wow, it’s a My Little Pony cardholder."

A child who opened one immediately showed it off beside them.

Dou Dou immediately pointed, looking like she caught someone in a lie. Tang Tang quickly joined in, pointing as well, then stamped her little foot.

"It’s almost New Year. Wishing you all a Happy New Year in advance. Study hard after the holiday too." Taozi said as she handed out gifts to the children.

"Aunt Taozi, Happy New Year to you too..."

"Aunt Taozi, wish you great wealth in the New Year..."

"Aunt Taozi, find a tall, rich, and handsome boyfriend..."

"Aunt Taozi, may your blessings be as vast as the ocean and your lifespan as enduring as the mountains..."

...

"Haha, Aunt Taozi isn’t an old grandma."

The Rainbow House was filled with an atmosphere of joy and happiness.

Ruan Hongzhuang asked Ding Guilan to call over all the aunts helping at Rainbow House, and each was given a red envelope. Though not much, it was a gesture of goodwill. The aunts were pleasantly surprised and all very happy.

Dou Dou and Tang Tang, who didn’t receive gifts, queued up at the back and managed to get a red envelope too.

The reason for this was that Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t count the number of aunts, so there were extras, allowing her to easily hand two to them.

"And mine too."

Ding Guilan took the red envelope Ruan Hongzhuang handed her, feeling quite surprised. She wondered whether to return it, but it didn’t seem appropriate.

"The New Year is coming, giving you red envelopes in advance to bring good fortune." Ruan Hongzhuang said with a smile.

"Thank you, Miss Ruan. You really are kind-hearted with a beautiful character. When are you and Mr. Shen holding the wedding? Be sure to send us an invitation." Ding Guilan finally decided to accept it.

"March next year..."

"How much did you get?"

Dou Dou opened her red envelope for a peek, then craned her neck to see Tang Tang’s.

At this time, Mao Sanmei, who had been helping the aunts since entering Rainbow House, suddenly opened the car door, took out her bag, and handed two gift boxes to Dou Dou and Tang Tang.

"Eh?"

Dou Dou was pleasantly surprised that Aunt Mao would prepare gifts for her.

"Haha~"

Tang Tang chuckled widely, dropping her red envelope on the ground and reaching for the gift box her mom handed over.

Shen Siyuan: ...

Shen Siyuan was also quite surprised. He didn’t expect Mao Sanmei to have prepared gifts for the two little ones. It looked like there were two more in her bag, likely for Duoduo and Xiao Yue.

Dou Dou couldn’t wait to open her gift box, taking out a blue owl. The owl’s eyes were big and round, soft and squishy. When squeezed, it squeaked, and its eyes popped out.

"Hehehe..."

Dou Dou grabbed it and squeezed it vigorously, deliberately aiming it at Tang Tang.

Tang Tang also opened her gift box. Inside was a yellow wind-up chicken. When wound up, the yellow hen could patter around on the ground.

"Hahaha~"

Tang Tang circled the hen, clearly liking this gift very much.

"Such a fat chicken."

Xiao Yong came over after finishing his gift unwrapping, holding a small toy gun. Pulling the trigger made a "biubiu" sound and flashed colorful lights.

This was one of the special gifts Shen Siyuan had prepared for him.

Seeing Xiao Yong’s flashing light toy gun, Tang Tang immediately showed a face full of desire.

"Oh~"

She reached out to grab it, and Xiao Yong, not being stingy, naturally handed the toy gun to her.

"Pew pew pew..."

Tang Tang held the toy gun, randomly aiming and shooting at Dou Dou.

"Uncle, thank you." Xiao Xue hugged an electronic sketchpad and thanked Shen Siyuan.

This type of sketchpad was rechargeable, allowing for simple drawing or writing. Pressing the clear button would wipe the screen clean without any waste, making it suitable for a child like Xiao Xue.

"No problem. Do you like it?" Shen Siyuan patted her on the head.

"I like it."

"Good that you like it. Go have fun."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xue, carrying her electronic sketchpad, went off to the side eagerly, eager to try drawing.

Seeing Xiao Xue leave, Dou Dou immediately came over, rubbing her head against Shen Siyuan’s leg.

"What are you doing?" Shen Siyuan asked, surprised.

Dou Dou pointed at her own head, indicating she wanted the same patting.

"You want to compare even with this?"

Shen Siyuan felt a little helpless, but he still reached out and patted her head, which satisfied her.

At noon, they stayed at Rainbow House for lunch, and the meal was quite sumptuous. Tang Tang’s small bowl hadn’t been put aside and was always kept for her.

She squeezed beside Shen Siyuan, almost like a little pig, her face nearly buried in the bowl, eating with a face full of Mili, seeming to enjoy it more that way.

And even while eating, she kept the plush little yellow chicken in her arms, clearly loving it a lot.

"Won’t you let Dou Dou eat some?"

Ding Guilan noticed Dou Dou riding someone else’s bicycle alone in the yard and kindly inquired.

"No need, she’s been having indigestion lately. The doctor said she needs to have less food." Taozi said.

Ding Guilan wanted to persuade more, but Ruan Hongzhuang said, "Leave her be. It’s not like we’ll let her go hungry."

Ding Guilan thought so too. It’s not like they couldn’t afford food, and they certainly wouldn’t let the child starve. Perhaps Dou Dou just disliked the meals at Rainbow House, but she wouldn’t voice that thought.

Watching Dou Dou alone in the yard, Taozi couldn’t help feeling a pang of sadness at the sight of the usual mischievous little one appearing so lonely now. She turned to Shen Siyuan, remembering he said Dou Dou would soon be able to eat like normal.

"Very soon." Shen Siyuan said quietly.

He looked up at the sky, as if seeing through to the Netherworld, where the land had been scorched by Divine Fire.

Almost there...

PS: There’s still more~