After a flurry of chickens scattering, dogs barking, and cats climbing trees, Long Ting caught a hen and carried it over.
“Master, is this one okay?”
The old divine doctor took the chicken from him, weighed it in his hands, and said, “This one will do. Come on, let’s sort it out, just the two of us.”
Long Ting cheerfully followed his master, eagerly running back to the kitchen to boil water.
While Long Ting and his master were preparing to kill and cook the chicken, Yangyang took his phone and went to find his parents.
His parents were sitting under a tree in the yard, talking about something. He saw Uncle Lu gently touch his mum’s face, and then she leaned on Uncle Lu’s shoulder.
Soon, Uncle Lu started kissing his mum’s mouth. Why was Uncle Lu biting her mouth? Was it tasty? Could you eat it?
“Uncle Lu!”
Yangyang rushed over, shouting loudly.
His shout startled the couple, and they quickly pulled apart.
Hai Ling’s face turned red, looking a bit flustered.
Caught up in the moment, the couple had done something not suitable for children, only to be seen by their son.
Hai Ling lightly scolded Lu Dongming a couple of times.
Yangyang ran to his parents and questioned Lu Dongming, “Uncle Lu, why were you biting my mum’s mouth?”
Lu Dongming was speechless.
Even with his thick skin, he didn’t know how to respond to his stepson’s innocent words.
“Yangyang.”
Hai Ling pulled her son over and took the phone from his hand.
“Finished talking with Long Ting? You don’t get to talk often, so why not chat a bit longer?”
She changed the subject to ease the couple’s embarrassment and avoid her son’s persistent questions.
Yangyang replied, “We talked for a long time. The phone got hot.”
“Oh, Mum, Long Ting said he wants a few little sisters too. He said one isn’t enough and wants more. My auntie said little sisters are still swinging in some park.”
“Long Ting told me to ask Auntie which park the sisters are swinging in. Let’s go get them. Bring back a few, as long as they’re as cute and well-behaved as Yanyan. I want ten or eight, no problem.”
“I’ve got money too. I can buy milk powder, toys, and lots of pretty dresses for my sisters.”
The little guy already knew raising kids cost money.
Hai Ling burst out laughing.
Lu Dongming couldn’t help but chuckle too.
Their laughter made Yangyang forget about asking why his stepdad was biting his mum’s mouth. He looked at his parents, puzzled, as they laughed uncontrollably.
As he watched, he started giggling too, which made Hai Ling laugh even harder.
She clutched her stomach, laughing, “Yangyang, are you trying to make Mum laugh to death?”
She pulled her son close, stifling her laughter, and said, “Your auntie was just talking. Those are words for grown-ups to understand. Don’t take it seriously.”
“There aren’t sisters to pick up from parks. Sisters are born, like your little cousin, who was born from your auntie.”
Yangyang argued, “Auntie said sisters are swinging in a park. She also said some are sitting on clouds looking for their mum. If sisters are looking for a mum, we should go get them and let them call you Mum.”
Hai Ling didn’t know how to explain to her stubborn son.
“Auntie wouldn’t lie to me. She’s not a big liar.”
Yangyang couldn’t accept that his favourite auntie was teasing him. In fact, sisters weren’t picked up from park swings; his mum said they were born.
How were they born?
When would Auntie and Mum have a sister?
“Your auntie, never mind. When you grow up, you’ll understand what she meant.”
“Right now, Mum doesn’t know how to explain it clearly to you.”
Yangyang pouted, “Mum, you’re picking on me for being young again. I’m not a three-year-old anymore.”
