The car drove for a long time before stopping in front of a multi-story standalone villa. Several luxury vehicles were already parked in the spacious parking lot around it. Yin Xian got out of the car and chivalrously walked to the passenger seat to open the door for Li Si.
Li Si followed Yin Xian into the villa. As soon as they stepped into the lobby, the people who had been chatting stopped talking and laughing. Everyone turned their gaze toward Li Si, unfamiliar faces all around.
Mrs. Han warmly approached and held Li Si's hand. "Child, you've come! Auntie is so happy! Look at you, why are you still being so polite? What's the point of bringing things? We don't lack anything here!"
She lightly reproached as she noticed the items in Li Si's hands.
"Auntie, I know you don't lack anything. This is just a small token from me. Happy birthday, may you always stay healthy and joyful!"
Mrs. Han pulled Li Si over to sit on the sofa, accepted the scarf box, and opened it on the spot. Her eyes showed a hint of surprise. "Li Si, you have such great taste. Auntie really likes it!"
"Wow, Auntie, this color matches your complexion wonderfully!"
A fashionable lady next to them said with a smile on her face.
"This is the child from my sister's family. You can call her Sister Jing."
Mrs. Han introduced from the side.
"Hello, Sister Jing! Auntie, these fruits are specially brought for you. Please try them when you have time, and if you like them, I can get you more!"
Li Si said as she handed the fruits to the housekeeper next to Mrs. Han.
Mrs. Han then introduced a few other relatives. Li Si roughly gathered that the people present included Mrs. Han's sister's family, Mr. Han's brother's family, and some distant relatives from side branches.
Mrs. Han had two sons: the eldest, Beibei's father, Han Mingzhe; the other son, Han Mingxue, was studying abroad and hadn't returned to the country. Many years ago, Mrs. Han's husband passed away, leaving behind the Han family's corporate empire. Under Han Mingzhe's leadership and growth, the business had now secured a prominent place in Beijing.
After a while, more guests came forward to send birthday wishes to Mrs. Han. Li Si, unfamiliar with everyone, stayed by Mrs. Han's side the entire time. She could only offer stiff smiles, her face muscles feeling numb from smiling.
At that moment, a voice came to her rescue. "Auntie, are you missing Beibei?" Beibei ran to Li Si's side, tugged at her clothes in an endearing way, and blinked expectantly, waiting for her reply.
"Of course I missed you! Auntie was just looking everywhere for you!"
Li Si picked up Beibei and planted a big kiss on his rosy cheeks, then greeted Beibei's parents warmly.
It seemed that finding Beibei had lifted their spirits—both parents appeared impeccable, elegantly dressed for the occasion. Their naturally striking looks made them even more noticeable today.
A middle-aged woman in a soft purple dress, standing with them, enthusiastically came over and warmly grasped Li Si's hand.
"You must be the Auntie Li Si that Beibei has been talking about. Thank you so much, dear child. I'm Beibei's grandmother. Just looking at you, I can tell you are kindhearted. When you have time, come to Auntie's place to visit. Beibei was so lucky to meet someone like you. Otherwise, how would Qi Jie and her family have coped?!" Saying this, her eyes were faintly moist.
"Auntie, I only did what anyone should. Don't keep thanking me, or I'll feel embarrassed. Beibei is so adorable; I believe anyone else would have done the same!"
Li Si couldn't bear to see someone cry and quickly consoled her.
Yin Qi lightly patted her mother on the back, signaling her to rein in her emotions. Mrs. Yin nodded and then said, "Li Si, how old are you? You're still in school, aren't you?"
"I'm 20 and currently in my second year of college."
"Oh, then you're the same age as our Xiao Xuan. But she's studying abroad. If she were here, you two would certainly get along well!"
"Really? Auntie, does your family have three children?"
Li Si asked curiously. Judging by how well-maintained Mrs. Yin looked, she wouldn't have guessed three children.
Mrs. Yin smiled confidently and said with some pride, "Yes, my three kids are all outstanding. Your Sister Qi graduated from Beijing University, Xiao Xian from Qinghua University, and the youngest, Xiao Xuan, is studying finance in the United States!"
"Li Si, why don't we walk around the backyard garden?"
Yin Qi, noticing Li Si's subtle unease, invited her to take a stroll.
Li Si gladly agreed, feeling as though someone had handed her a pillow when she was desperate for rest. She quickly said goodbye to the others and followed Yin Qi, carrying Beibei, to the backyard.
Walking along, Li Si marveled at the beauty of the surrounding scenery, while chatting idly with Yin Qi. Though her descriptive abilities were lacking, the backyard's landscaping was far grander than what she'd seen in any other villa area. Artificial hills, fountains, lush green grass, and a gentle breeze—it was incredibly refreshing.
Beibei, in a treasure-presenting manner, said to Li Si, "Auntie, let me take you to a fun place. There's a swing chair there. I play there all the time. Just follow me!"
"Sure, Beibei, lead the way and we'll follow!"
After crossing a small bridge over flowing water, they came to an open area with an elegant white swing set and a European-style park bench.
Beibei eagerly invited Li Si to sit on the swing. Seeing his little grown-up demeanor, Li Si couldn't help but smile and walked over to sit with him, swaying gently together.
Yin Qi sat on the nearby park bench, amusedly watching her son. "Beibei, you're doing a great job as a little host!"
Beibei tilted his head proudly, and Li Si smiled as she lightly stroked his soft black hair, finding his behavior equally endearing—this was truly a child who loved being praised.
"Sister Yin, there are so many guests in the front, you should go back to attend to them. Beibei and I will be fine here!"
Li Si knew how busy Yin Qi must be today with all the guests at the banquet. Noticing Li Si's discomfort earlier, Yin Qi had taken time to accompany her, which moved her deeply.
"Alright, Li Si. Don't feel constrained—just treat this like your own home. Our family sees you as one of us now. Beibei, make sure to take good care of Auntie, okay?"
Yin Qi's impression of Li Si grew even more favorable.
Beibei immediately raised his right hand in a precise salute. "I promise to complete the mission Mama has given Beibei!"
"Haha, you little rascal!"
Yin Qi chuckled and said her goodbyes to Li Si before heading back to the front.
Li Si couldn't help but smile at Beibei's antics. What a lively and adorable little one. "Beibei, do you want some fruit?"
"Auntie, I do! What kind of fruit is it?"
Beibei looked curiously at Li Si as she pulled out a handful of cherries from her small bag. Vibrant red, plump, and fresh, they looked just like they had been picked moments ago.
"Mmm, delicious, so delicious! Auntie, where did you buy these amazing cherries? I'll ask Mama to get me some too."
"If you love them, Auntie has plenty more at home. I'll bring you some next time!"
The more Li Si looked at Beibei, the more she liked him. Maybe it was fate—ever since the first time she saw him, she couldn't explain why, but she just liked him.
After finishing the cherries, Beibei carefully wrapped the pits in tissue and found a garbage bin to throw them into. Li Si couldn't help but reassess him. Despite his privileged family background, he wasn't spoiled—well-mannered and thoughtful, a testament to good upbringing.
The pair continued along the path toward a greenhouse, with Beibei saying there was a large flower house ahead filled with all kinds of flowers that he wanted Li Si to see.
As they passed a dense grove, voices of two women talking caught their attention.
A sharp female voice said, "Look at your aunt—who knows what's gotten into her, treating the woman who found Beibei like a distinguished guest. Did you see the gift she brought? Absolutely pathetic. That scarf—anyone can tell it's cheap right away. And here you are speaking on her behalf—it just makes my blood boil."
"Mom, how come you don't see the big picture? Auntie only has Beibei as her precious gem now. The child was lost and found, so whoever brought him back is bound to be treated as a benefactor! I'm saying nice things to leave a good impression with Auntie—it'll help Wei Peng's chances of moving up later."
Li Si immediately recognized the voice—it was that of Sister Jing. While eavesdropping wasn't right, stepping forward now would only make the scene even more awkward.
"You've got a point. Even though your brother technically runs the family, everyone knows your aunt still calls the shots in many ways. By the way, daughter, don't you think that girl has ulterior motives? Showing up at a gathering like this—if she's not after something, I don't believe it. And what's with the fruits at a birthday banquet? Considering the Han family's status, this move is ridiculously low-class."