Christmas arrived right on schedule. That day, Jiang Siming was no different from usual. He stayed home in his pajamas, watching TV, feeding the cats, and playing with the foxes.
It was as if he had forgotten all about the presents.
It wasn't until after dinner that evening that the wives suddenly realized Jiang Siming had disappeared.
"Huh? Where did that rascal go? He promised he'd play cards with us tonight."
Reba searched around the house and said in confusion.
"He probably went out to look for some young woman. You know him—when has he ever been able to sit still?" Sakura said, wearing a facial mask and holding Zhao Xiaoxiao.
Both mother and daughter had facial masks on. No one knew why little Zhao Xiaoxiao liked wearing this sort of thing too.
Zhao Xiaoxiao cut in, "My dad probably wishes there were eighty or a hundred stepmothers living in the house, so he could change to a different one every day and never repeat one for all 365 days of the year."
The women in the house all burst out laughing. It seemed even Xiaoxiao knew what her father was like.
"I say, who's secretly badmouthing me at home? Whoever did it won't be getting a present today."
Jiang Siming's voice came from outside.
Reba asked in surprise, "Where did you go?"
Jiang Siming leaned against the doorway, grinning as he looked at all the women inside.
"Do you want to see a surprise?"
"A surprise? What surprise?" the women asked, puzzled.
Jiang Siming gestured for them to come out. "Come out and see. Don't blame me for not warning you—if you're too late, there won't be anything left."
Reba was closest to the door, so she immediately took a couple of steps over.
Since winter had arrived and