Perhaps he could really consider finding a new mother for Tong Tong. Not all stepmothers in this world are bad for their children.
As long as he found someone who genuinely cared for Tong Tong, wouldn't that be better than Yun Du'er, his biological mother?
"Uncle, can I talk to Tong Tong for a while?" Yaoyao's voice reached Liu Yifeng's ears.
Liu Yifeng snapped back to attention and smiled, "Of course, but don't chat too late, you should rest early."
Saying that, he handed the phone to Tong Tong, who was watching Tom and Jerry in the room.
Tong Tong was extremely excited to receive Yaoyao's call. They seemed to have endless things to talk about.
Liu Yifeng knew Tong Tong wouldn't fall asleep anytime soon, so he didn't rush him.
It wasn't until they had been chatting for half an hour with no sign of hanging up that he said, "Tong Tong, it's getting late, and Yaoyao needs to sleep. You can tell her anything you want when you go to kindergarten."
Tong Tong reluctantly hung up the phone, but he lost interest in watching TV.
Seeing Tong Tong like this, Liu Yifeng couldn't help but think that they had liked each other so much since they were young. When they grew up, they would be childhood sweethearts. Perhaps they would end up together.
To be honest, he quite liked Yaoyao. Unlike other little girls, she didn't cry easily and was very sensible.
If they were to get together, he wouldn't object.
However, one could never be sure about such things. Playing well together as children didn't guarantee they would still be close when they grew up.
Especially after attending different schools, their contact would become even less frequent.
The next morning, Liu Yifeng drove to the wet market. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions.
At noon, his paternal aunts and uncles would come to his house for a meal.
When his grandparents were still alive, the aunts would visit and have meals at one of the four brothers' houses in rotation. This custom had not been abandoned even after their passing.
They couldn't let the siblings drift apart just because the elders were gone.
And it was his turn to host guests today, so Liu Yifeng woke up at six o'clock to go to the market early, otherwise, he wouldn't have enough time.
However, even arriving early, the market was still crowded. There were people who had arrived even earlier. Almost every shopper had their bags full, which truly gave a sense of the festive atmosphere.
He bought enough ingredients for three tables, with sixteen dishes per table. Since they already had vegetables at home, he only needed to buy meat dishes.
He spent over a thousand yuan on meat dishes like beef, lamb, pork, fish, and crabs.
Because it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, the prices of vegetables had increased significantly since two days ago.
After all, the vendors were counting on these few days to make a profit. Liu Yifeng could have bought seafood from Du Ziheng's stall, but he knew that if he went, Du Ziheng would refuse to take his money.
Since he didn't want Du Ziheng to give him a discount, he didn't go to his market.
Besides, he was no longer someone earning only 1,800 yuan a month, so he didn't need to be so penny-pinching when buying groceries.
After buying the groceries, he also purchased some seasonings and drinks. By the time he returned home, it was already eight o'clock.
He couldn't possibly handle so many dishes by himself, so he had already asked his third uncle to come over and help him.
Unexpectedly, before his third uncle arrived, his eldest aunt came on her electric scooter.
"Knowing you're hosting today and will be busy, I came over to help!" Liu Mei parked her scooter and walked into the living room.
"Aunt, you're a guest today, how can you help!" Liu Yifeng quickly took the items his aunt handed him.
Although they weren't expensive, they were still a token of his aunt's thoughtfulness.
Liu Mei smiled, "We're family, what guests? Have you bought the groceries? I'll wash them for you."
"I've bought them. Aunt, have you had breakfast?" Liu Yifeng was about to eat his breakfast.
"I've eaten. You haven't, have you? Then hurry and eat. Don't mind me!" Liu Mei rolled up her sleeves and walked towards the kitchen.
Tong Tong, who was drinking congee in the living room, saw the newcomer and immediately called out, "Greetings, Grandma Aunt!" (Note: Previously, I wrote 'Aunt', but many people corrected me. Although I can call her 'Aunt' here, I will follow everyone's suggestion and call her 'Grandma Aunt' from now on.)
After resting all night, Tong Tong's complexion had improved considerably.
Liu Mei couldn't even tell that he had been sick the day before. Hearing Tong Tong call her, she beamed, "Tong Tong, you're so good. Grandma Aunt will show you something special at noon."
"Sister, you're here to help!" Liu Chunsheng came out of the kitchen and knew why she was here so early upon seeing her.
Liu Mei nodded, "There's nothing much to do at home, so I came over early. Your uncle might be a little later!"
Looking at his aunt busy in the kitchen, Liu Yifeng also quickly ate his breakfast and went to the kitchen to help.
Fortunately, they used a stove to cook, which made stir-frying faster. Otherwise, managing sixteen dishes for three tables would have been truly challenging.
At this moment, Liu Chasheng also arrived to help. One person was in charge of lighting the fire, another of washing and preparing the vegetables, and a third of stir-frying. Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
At ten o'clock in the morning, guests began to arrive one after another. Liu Shengsheng was in charge of welcoming them, placing snacks, nuts, and fruits on the tables for everyone to enjoy while chatting.
"Second Uncle, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!" At this moment, Liu Kaichen walked in with large bags and packages. It was clear he had bought a lot of things.
The eldest son, Liu Qiusheng, looking at his nephew carrying so many things, jokingly said, "Kaichen, you've bought a lot of things this year, but I wonder if we elders will get any of it?"
Before Liu Kaichen could speak, Li Rongfang's voice rang out, "My son is not married yet and hasn't started his own family. Is he supposed to send gifts to every household for the festival?
The reason he bought so many things for the third family is that this child, Yifeng, helped him a lot recently, allowing Kaichen to establish himself in the company. Isn't it only right that he buys some gifts?
Are you, an elder, envious? On the other hand, your son Shunyang has been married for ten years, and I, as his third aunt, haven't seen him buy even a single bite to eat!"
Liu Qiusheng felt a bit embarrassed, "Look at you, I was just speaking casually, and you're making such a big deal out of it.
You know Shunyang's situation. He has three children to raise and a mortgage to pay off. The pressure is immense. Even I, his father, have to subsidize him quite a bit regularly.
When he becomes successful in the future, you elders will naturally be able to enjoy the benefits!"
"Hmph, you talk a better game than you play!" Li Rongfang said with disbelief.
"Uncle, our company gave out a lot of Mid-Autumn Festival cakes this year, each box costing two to three hundred yuan. As the general manager of the branch, I received quite a lot. I've brought them all. After dinner, Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Aunt and Second Aunt can each take a box back to try!" Liu Kaichen said with a smile.
Upon hearing about Mid-Autumn Festival cakes costing two to three hundred yuan a box, the fourth son, Liu Shuisheng, chuckled, "I've never eaten such expensive mooncakes before. I'll have to try them carefully then. What's the difference between expensive mooncakes and cheap ones!"
"By the way, why don't I see Aunt and Second Aunt?" Liu Kaichen asked, looking around the living room.