She initially thought it was just some marketing rumors going wild, but upon clicking in, she realized something was off.
Her sister-in-law showing such a tender expression to someone, surely that must be from a past life, right?
"Hey, what's up?" Mu Ran fell out with her brother but stayed in touch with her sister-in-law.
"Did you bring a kid to dinner? Never knew you liked kids; had you told me earlier, I could've had one with your brother for you to take care of," Feng Qikuo laughed.
"No need. What's up, if there's nothing just hang up." Mu Ran was ready to take the young prince who was gracefully wiping his mouth to buy a learning machine.
That way, there'd be an item to tell him:
What is electricity?
What is a car?
What's up with skyscrapers?
How does an elevator work?
She wasn't good at taking care of kids, so naturally, she sought tools to help, and as her sister said, as long as the kid is alive, it's enough.
No need for such immense pressure.
Feng Qikuo quickly asserted her presence: "Wait, hold on, first tell me whose kid is this? Couldn't be a kid from the man you like, right?"
"Am I becoming someone's stepmother? Which man deserves it?!"
"Whose kid is it then?"
"My friend's."
"Your friend's? Yang Yingying?"
"Not her, she's busy with her startup. Anything else? I'm ready to pay!" Mu Ran was gradually losing her patience.
"Let's have lunch together at noon," Feng Qikuo quickly suggested.
With her fiery temper, if you delay her, she'd blacklist you in a heartbeat.
"I…" Mu Ran was about to decline.
Then Feng Qikuo said, "I'll increase your new movie's theatrical distribution by five percent."
"Alright, find a kid-friendly restaurant."
After hanging up the phone, Mu Ran took Chu Xijin to the largest stationery store in the nearby shopping district to buy a learning machine.
Chu Xijin was being led by the hand.
Still somewhat bewildered.
How does Aunt pay?
And that call she just made, how does she use a piece of metal to communicate over such a long distance?
Chu Xijin was utterly puzzled.
Seeing Aunt in thought as well, he didn't dare to ask.
Actually...
Mu Ran felt weak from the stairs, the fatigue hadn't yet fully hit her, she felt exhausted, believing that by tomorrow morning, she'd be like a walking corpse.
Damn this useless body.
Really not to her liking!
Arriving at the largest stationery store in the shopping district, the entrance was lined with two long rows of learning machines on display, while inside were books, pens, notebooks, and other stationery.
Mu Ran told the proactive sales assistant, "My nephew was brought abroad by my sister, isolated from all electronics, living a very simple and rustic life, unaware of many things in the city. I hope to find a learning machine that can answer many of the child's questions."
"Is it this young fellow?" The sales assistant looked at Chu Xijin smiling, her face full of that "aunt smile," impossible to hide.
How could there be such an adorable child in the world?
So cute, so handsome!
Dressed in ancient attire, like a noble young gentleman traversing from ancient times, extraordinary aura.
Makes one's heart flutter.
"It's me, hello." Chu Xijin greeted generously, and then was eagerly introduced by the sales assistant to the use of the learning machine.
Chu Xijin, still young, had not yet formed a worldview, quickly accepted new concepts.
Following the guide, a tap on the tablet could raise questions: "How does everyone pay?"
An answer swiftly appeared.
But there were many characters he didn't recognize.
No worries, just tap with a pen, the learning machine will read the answer aloud.
Chu Xijin's pupils enlarged.
Deep shock!
That's incredible.
He was about to share his amazement with Aunt but saw her coming back with a pile of items.
Mu Ran, skilled at shopping since childhood, quickly selects the expensive ones.
She bought the Four Treasures of Study, notebooks, pens, and a children's smartwatch.
Everything's modern now, the conveniences available should be well-utilized, such as children's smartwatches, perfectly suited for her and Chu Xijin.
Capable of GPS tracking, no fear of losing the child.
Mu Ran called over the sales assistant selling children's watches too: "I'm paying now, can you teach him how to use them?"
"Sure, sure!"
She chose the most expensive smartwatch.
That's all commissions.
Mu Ran nodded, brought a stool to sit beside Chu Xijin, and opened her phone to review her upcoming work schedule, she had new movie release ahead and was busy.
And Chu Xijin closed his mouth, continued learning how to use the tablet and smartwatch with the guidance of two sales assistants.
An hour later.
Mu Ran got a phone card for Chu Xijin.
Using her own ID card.
Mu Ran suddenly recalled, seeing the ID card, Chu Xijin doesn't have household registration!!!
"Aunt, what's wrong?" Chu Xijin asked.
"Nothing, we should head for lunch now. After, if you need anything just call me, alright?" Mu Ran helped Chu Xijin wear the watch.
The black watch clashed with his outfit.
Yet integrated into this society.
"Aunt."
"Hmm?" Mu Ran raised her eyes to look at him.
Chu Xijin pulled her to a hidden corner, took out a gold nugget: "Can you help me exchange this for money, recharge it into my WeChat?"
"Your WeChat…"
Uh—
Though she encouraged the kid to quickly adapt to society.
But having a word like WeChat leap from an ancient person's mouth, she was somewhat uncomfortable.
"You know about WeChat now?"
"I just asked the learning machine, it said if you have a phone number, you can create one. I can't always rely on you to pay."
Aunt is a woman.
Earning money alone is challenging.
If he has money, he should use his own.
His gold was about half a pound, eight ounces, one ounce weighing forty grams, he could exchange it for about one hundred thirty thousand these days, which would suffice for a period of expenses.
As for those two bags, mother said they were meant for Aunt.
One for a dowry.
One to implore Aunt to ensure he survives in the Otherworld, using these silver taels to pave paths.
Even though he spent merely half a day with Aunt, Chu Xijin could tell, just as his mother described, Aunt's temper seemed not so good, but she was undeniably kind.
Otherwise, she wouldn't thoughtfully consider his attire.
Willingly accompany him on stairs.
Buy him the Four Treasures of Study, guide him in understanding societal norms.
Aunt wasn't exceptionally warm, but silently care for him, also made him feel at ease, not as a burden.
In the Eastern Palace for a year alone.
Chu Xijin had seen all sorts of ghosts and monsters, understood who truly cared for him and who wished to eliminate him.
Undoubtedly, Aunt was someone who treated him well.
Therefore, he didn't mind offering his gold nugget.
Mu Ran looking at the gold nugget, her lips slightly parted.
Honestly, when Chu Xijin appeared before her, she wasn't as startled as now.
Currently, she's genuinely amazed by his mental acuity.
Impressive adaptability, understanding social rules, and extremely considerate.
How could a five-year-old think of all that?
At five herself...
Forget it, memories from her five-year-old self are long forgotten somewhere.
"Sure, I'll exchange it."
While Mu Ran was exchanging the money, Chu Xijin also registered on WeChat, added Aunt as a friend.
Sent a smiling emoji.
Mu Ran, seeing that emoji, returned with a smile emoji.
Chu Xijin looked up to her, revealing a smile.