Seeing the eldest, second, and youngest babies all rush into their parents' arms, the third baby also tried to make a break for it, but Wang Lu simply picked her up and brought her back.
"Daddy and Mommy will be here in a little bit."
The third baby looked at Wang Lu with an innocent expression.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng finished preparing the pork knuckle, rinsing the seasoning off with boiling water. After several rinses, he tore the meat into small strips along the grain.
"Here I am, Daddy's here!"
He fed a mouthful to the youngest first, then picked him up. Zhang Yuxi and Zhou Cuilan settled the second and eldest babies in the play area, and Lin Feng began feeding them as well.
This was pork knuckle that had been simmered gently over a low flame for hours. No matter how much Lin Feng rinsed it, it was still packed with savory flavor. As the four babies ate, it was as if they had discovered a new continent, all of them scrambling to get a bite. However, they couldn't eat too much, lest they get indigestion.
"It's all gone. No more."
The youngest didn't believe him, and neither did the second and eldest. Even the third baby toddled over to investigate.
Lin Feng showed them the empty bowl and waved his hand. "No more. The meat is all gone!"
The youngest leaned in close to inspect the bowl, even reaching in with his hand, but he found nothing.
"See? Daddy said it's all gone," Lin Jiajun said, laughing from the side. "The youngest is such a little foodie!"
The youngest had eaten the most and was also prone to drowsiness, which was why he looked so chubby.
"The eldest isn't far behind him."
After much coaxing, the babies more or less understood that the food was gone. With the fuss over, everyone sat back down to continue their meal. Just as Lin Feng returned to his seat, Zhang Yuxi's voice came from the living room.
"Honey, the youngest is peeking at you!"
"He's coming over!"
What in the world? Can he still smell the meat on me?
Lin Feng hurriedly finished his meal, rinsed his mouth, and then went over. The youngest was already halfway across the room.
Zhang Yuxi was bent over, trying to hold him back. "He's running so fast I can't keep up with him! It's like he's about to fly."
Lin Feng took the youngest from Zhang Yuxi's arms. "You haven't even learned to walk, and you're already trying to run!"
Following the scent, the youngest reached out and grabbed at Lin Feng's mouth.
Lin Feng winced. "Don't grab, that hurts Daddy. Here, let me show you…" He opened his mouth wide. "Ah… see? Nothing there, right?"
It was a good thing he had the foresight to rinse his mouth. Finally, the youngest gave up and stopped insisting.
Lin Feng shook his head with an amused smile. "This little guy is getting harder and harder to handle."
The third and second aunts were washing the dishes while the others, except for Wang Lu, were moving things to clear out the living room. Just then, the groceries Lin Feng had ordered from the online supermarket arrived. Since there were no handymen, they had to install the protective edge sealing themselves. Lin Jiajun worked alongside Lin Feng, and the two of them got busy.
In the kitchen, Third Aunt asked Second Aunt, "Why didn't your Lin Rui and Xiao Lan come today?"
Second Aunt glanced back at the three Lin brothers, who were drinking together. She sighed in resignation and whispered, "Lin Rui and Du Yan are in the middle of a divorce. They've been giving each other the cold shoulder for a long time now."
Third Aunt was shocked. "Don't tell me Lin Rui is still in contact with that other woman?"
Second Aunt sighed. "We've told him so many times to leave her and live a good life with Du Yan. But he refuses, saying that woman has introduced him to a lot of money-making opportunities. You know his temper. Our words go in one ear and out the other."
"I heard that the other day, Du Yan was on her way home from work when she got a call from the school. The teacher said their son wasn't feeling well and a parent should take him to the hospital. But halfway there, the boy felt better, so she took him home, and then…"
Third Aunt's eyes widened. "He wouldn't be foolish enough to bring that woman home, would he?"
Second Aunt nodded grimly.
Third Aunt was speechless. "Du Yan is such a nice girl. I really like her… sigh…"
Second Aunt was in agony. "And these past few days, Xiao Lan has also been preparing to move back from Feng Yong's place."
"..."
Third Aunt didn't even have the energy to criticize the two siblings anymore.
"Now, Lin Daan has given up on them," Second Aunt continued. "We can't control them, and we don't want to anymore. Let them mess around however they want. We don't have any money to give them, so they can do as they please. Look at all of you, enjoying your lives, while we're still worrying about our children. We're tired. We're not going to meddle anymore."
This time, her heart was truly broken. Lin Rui had earned a little money and had gotten full of himself. Compared to Lin Feng, he was nothing, yet he had no self-awareness.
"I've finally realized I can't rely on those two. I guess this is just how it is."
Third Aunt sighed. She wanted to curse them out, but she thought better of it and instead comforted Second Aunt. "Don't worry so much. Just take care of yourself. Third Brother has some savings. From now on, you two just focus on living a good life."
Second Aunt said with relief, "His temper has improved a lot lately."
"Jiajun has also become much more mature since he partnered with Lin Feng," Third Aunt added, pleased.
Second Aunt said with envy, "He knows his limits. When it comes to being rich, who can possibly compare to Lin Feng now?"
"Exactly."
As they chatted, the dishes were done. Zhou Cuilan came over, smiling. "I feel so bad having you two wash the dishes when you're here as guests."
"Don't be so formal. It's just washing some dishes," Second Aunt said, then asked, "Where's Xiao Jie?"
Zhou Cuilan's heart ached a little. "That boy is at his tutor's for a lesson."
"Have his scores improved?"
"They've gone up by more than twenty points."
"That's great," Second Aunt said with a smile. "Your family's situation is different now. With Lin Feng's money, even if Xiao Jie doesn't get into a top university, he can still study abroad. Top universities offer more choices, but you can still make something of yourself at an ordinary one. Those two brothers have the best relationship. Lin Feng will definitely help him out."
Zhou Cuilan smiled. "Xiao Jie says he doesn't want to rely on his brother. He wants to succeed through his own hard work!"
Third Aunt was full of admiration. "The kid has ambition."
After more than two hours of work, they finally finished installing the protective padding on all the corners in the living and dining rooms. The coffee table was moved against the wall in a corner, and all the fragile vases, ornaments, and potted plants were put away. Now, apart from the sofa, the entire living room was a play area for the babies. Everyone stayed and chatted until after eight o'clock before heading home one by one.
"Your second uncle has been drinking. You should drive him home," Zhou Cuilan told Lin Jiajun.
"Okay."
Lin Jiajun drove Lin Daan home. In the car, Third Aunt started talking about the troubles at the second uncle's house.
Wang Lu scoffed. "Rui has really gotten too big for his britches, thinking he's so incredible just for earning a few million. When he and Du Yan first got together, he was flat broke. Now he callously turns his back on her. With a character like that, just you wait and see where he ends up in a few years."
Third Aunt sighed. "And Xiao Lan… really. Feng Yong might not earn a lot of money, but he's good to her and responsible. That's not easy to find."
Lin Jiajun chuckled dryly. "That's precisely what she looks down on him for. If that's the case, she should just marry a rich man. But she's not much to look at, so it's doubtful any rich man would take an interest in her."
Sensing the invisible tension flaring between her son and daughter-in-law, Third Aunt's expression immediately darkened. "I don't meddle in other people's business, so just make sure you manage your own family well. Jiajun, let me be clear. You and Wang Lu are already expecting your second child, so don't you dare cause any trouble for me.
"Look at Lin Feng. He's more handsome than you and earns more than you, and he treats his wife and children incredibly well! You should learn from him! Do you hear me?"
Lin Jiajun nodded. "Mom, I know!"
"It's good that you know. Don't think you're all that just because you've made a little money from the hotpot restaurant. How can your piddling amount compare to Lin Feng's?"
Lin Jiajun was speechless. "Mom, what did I do to upset you?"
Third Aunt ignored him and turned to Wang Lu. "Wang Lu, I know it's hard on you being pregnant. Jiajun has opened the hotpot restaurant, so he has less time to spend with you. Try to be more understanding. He's busy at the store all day. As long as he isn't fooling around, you have nothing to worry about. He's doing all this for you and the kids. See? Whenever he's free, he spends his time with you and Xiaowen. He's even cut ties with all those bad influences and is focused entirely on his career!"
Wang Lu nodded. "I… I understand…"
Third Aunt sighed again.
"Child, don't keep your thoughts bottled up. Jiajun can be a blockhead; if you don't say it, he won't get it."
"Mm."
Lin Jiajun drove on without a word.
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