Everyday Volunteer Work (2)

"Hello?" Xiao Ling answered the phone, "Who is this?"

"Fine, you've forgotten even your second aunt after just a short time apart?" A clear, capable female voice rang out from the other end of the phone.

"Oh, oh, no, no, what wind blew you here?" Xiao Ling said with a forced smile.

"I'd like to ask you something, though. It's only been six months, and you've already amassed a harem of three thousand beauties," the woman sneered. "You'd better watch out. Don't forget, one of the reasons why emperors throughout history died young was due to kidney deficiency."

"I don't think I've indulged to that extent," Xiao Ling said righteously.

You'd better be.

"Alright, let's stop beating around the bush. Sister Xiao Ji, you couldn't have come to me for no reason, could you?"

"To be honest, I prefer you to call me Sister Xiao Ji in private, rather than Second Aunt," Xiao Ji chuckled. "That way, I feel like I'm still young and can still work hard for you younger generations for a few more years."

"Aren't you still in your prime?"

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually already thinking about retiring," Xiao Ji said calmly. "Alright, stop interrupting. How's the dress I made for that girl? Does she like it?"

"Hey? So that Hanfu was your creation, Auntie?" Xiao Ling exclaimed in surprise. "I knew it was extraordinary!"

"Oh ho ho, you little rascal, I left you to study alone in the south, and you haven't learned many skills, but you've certainly mastered the art of flattery." Xiao Ji feigned anger. "Stop joking around, I need customer feedback; it's very important to me."

"The customer was very satisfied; she loved the Hanfu so much that she wanted to treasure it as a family heirloom."

"Clothes aren't just for decoration; they're meaningless if you don't wear them out. Even if this one's broken, I'll just make her a new one another day."

"You don't understand, Sister Xiao Ji. That Hanfu was a birthday gift for her, and it means a lot to her. She wouldn't wear it out casually."

"I don't understand what you young people are thinking..." Xiao Ji muttered. "I heard from your mother that you're going on a trip at the end of July?"

"That's planned."

"Then remember to come home. Your eldest and third uncles have been saying they want to see all the girls in your family."

"Okay, I'll see how to arrange it."

"Then it's settled. Bring those girls over sometime; I happen to need a few decent clothes hangers."

So this is your real purpose, isn't it, Auntie...?

The call was disconnected from Xiao Ji's end. Xiao Ling put down her phone and found Dania quietly standing next to her, playing on her phone.

"Whose call was that?" Dania asked casually.

"My second aunt, she made that Hanfu that you like the most by hand," Xiao Ling said with a smile.

What kind of person is she?

"He's a good person."

"Be serious," Dania scolded playfully. "I know for sure she's a good person!"

"Want to know? Just meet me in person."

"Um?"

"I'll take you home to meet my relatives then," Xiao Ling said, tapping Dania's delicate nose.

"Do you need me to bring a gift or something?"

Dania was quite self-aware, after all, she and Xiao Ling had already consummated their marriage, and she could be said to have progressed from girlfriend to prospective wife.

She had learned a lot about the local etiquette and customs, and in situations like this, she should bring some gifts to please the elders.

"We don't have that many rules in our family. Just bring the person over," Xiao Ling said with a light laugh. "If you really feel bad about it, then you can prepare a gift yourself to show your appreciation."

Dania nodded obediently, seemingly already having made a plan in her mind.

When Dania and Xiao Ling returned to the bedroom, the old man and Aemeath were chatting animatedly, the wrinkles around his eyes smoothing out with genuine joy.

"Alright, you must have other things to do, right?" the old man said gently. "I won't keep you any longer."

"Cart, keep this."

The old man handed Cartethyia a red plastic bag containing something. She took the bag, opened it, and found a scarf and a sweater inside. They seemed to have been handmade by the old man, with different yarns used to knit a cute cartoon version of Cart. Although they were a bit rough, the sentiment was there.

"I know it's not really appropriate to give scarves and sweaters this season, but this is the only skill I've learned. Please don't mind," the old man said, clearly a little embarrassed.

"How could that be, Grandpa? I think I'll feel very warm wearing these clothes in winter!" Cart smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Grandpa, I love this gift!"

"I'm glad you like it, I'm glad you like it..." The old man nodded contentedly. "Alright, I won't see you off any further. Go and do what you need to do."

"Okay, Grandpa, please take good care of yourself!" Cart instructed.

"Grandpa, I hope you're happy every day!" Little Ai said with a bright smile.

"Grandpa, remember to eat well!" Lynae said cheerfully.

"Grandpa, you... stay alive." Dania scratched her face for a while before awkwardly uttering a word of concern. This wasn't surprising, since being able to stay alive was indeed a great blessing for Dania.

"Good, good, you're all lovely young ladies, haha," the old man said kindly. "I hope to see you again next time."

"Grandpa, let's go!"

Cartethyia and the others solemnly bid farewell to the old man and then left his bedroom.

Xiao Ling watched the girls walk away chatting and laughing, but didn't rush to leave.

"What about the other homeless people who were with you?" he asked.

"They all have their own families. After hearing that their elders were wandering outside, they took them in one by one," the old man chuckled. "Some of them have mental issues and can't remember things, while others are seriously ill and don't want to burden their families. But in the end, it all turned out well."

"And who are you?"

"Me? I'm doing fine now. Since my husband passed away, I haven't had any family in this world. I thought I might just drift through the rest of my life aimlessly, but I never expected to meet such a wonderful girl like Cart, and I even got your help thanks to her. Thank you so much."

"It was nothing, no need to thank me." Xiao Ling shook her head.

"It's quite unexpected to hear such words from someone like you, a young master from such a prominent family."

"Helping others is a traditional virtue, I was just following my heart," Xiao Ling said with a smile. "Since you were willing to take in Cartethyia and provide her with food and clothing, I'm willing to believe that you are a kind-hearted person, and naturally I'm not afraid that my good intentions will be in vain."

"And besides..."

Before leaving, Xiao Ling chuckled and said to the old man sitting by the bedside:

"I actually quite enjoy helping others, don't I?"