“Heh.”
The two returned to the room. Huo Jingyuan’s room had one bedroom, one living room, and one study, but the space was large, and it had an independent bathroom.
His computer was in the study. The bookshelf was filled with a wide array of books. Wen Ci walked to the computer desk and looked at the big, bulky monitor in front of her.
She was very curious. Looking up, she asked, “Where do you turn it on?”
Huo Jingyuan smiled fondly, reached out, and pressed the power button on the computer tower. The thick LCD screen gradually lit up with an image.
“How about we video call Auntie now?”
“No.” Wen Ci shook her head vigorously. “No.”
She had already met the two elders and didn’t want to have a video call with the aunt who was abroad just yet. She couldn’t imagine how awkward the scene would be.
“Afraid it’ll be awkward?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Wen Ci pursed her lips and sighed. “I’m shy about meeting online. Let’s wait for an opportunity to meet Auntie in person.”
Huo Jingyuan didn’t press further. He opened the computer, logged into the web browser, and said slowly, “If you want to look anything up, you can search for it here.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Wen Ci nodded.
In the 1980s, most business owners involved in international trade would buy a computer to check price differences in international markets.
“Jingyuan, do you think Wen Yaozu is up to it?”
The computer was too valuable. She was worried that Wen Yaozu wouldn’t take his studies seriously and would instead use the computer to play some single-player games.
Huo Jingyuan brought over a chair and sat down seriously. “I think Yaozu can do it. He loves to have fun, but when he’s serious, he’s very determined.”
“Since he promised to study hard, we should believe him.”
“That’s all we can do.”
Huo Jingyuan thought carefully. Since he was back at West Lake, he should call his aunt abroad to report that he was safe and sound.
She would eventually find out about his injury through her own channels.
Rather than hiding it, it was better to be upfront.
“A’Ci, I’m planning to video call Auntie to let her know I’m safe. If you don’t want to be on camera, you can sit beside me.”
“We should let her know we’re safe.”
Then, Huo Jingyuan took a webcam from the drawer and placed it on top of the bulky monitor. It was evening time in the US.
After ringing twice, a young and beautiful face appeared on the screen. Huo Jingyuan called out obediently, “Auntie, good evening.”
The aunt in the video was very surprised and said with a smile, “Jingyuan, why are you back at the old residence?”
Huo Jingyuan told the truth. “I got slightly injured and was recuperating in Beijing. I took the chance to bring A’Ci back to see Grandpa and Grandma.”
“Injured? Is it serious?”
“Don’t I look perfectly fine now?”
Then, remembering what Huo Jingyuan had said about bringing A’Ci to see the grandparents, the aunt looked around and asked, “Why don’t I see Xiao Ci?”
Huo Jingyuan smiled. “She’s sitting right next to me.”
Wen Ci: “!”
She pinched the back of Huo Jingyuan’s hand hard, mouthing silently, “Huo Jingyuan, you did that on purpose.”
Huo Jingyuan sucked in a sharp breath from the pain and explained, “A’Ci is a bit shy and feels too embarrassed to see you. She said she’ll wait to see you at Chinese New Year.”
Watching the couple interact, the aunt couldn’t help but show a relieved smile and teased, “When are you and Xiao Ci planning to have a baby?”
“We’re working on it.”
Huo Jingyuan didn’t avoid the topic of children at all. Grinning, he said, “Striving for a little cotton-padded jacket next year.”
(little cotton-padded jacket=Girl)
“A little cotton-padded jacket is good.”
Wen Ci, listening nearby, was extremely shy. She reached out and touched her lower abdomen. Despite their efforts for so long, there was still no movement in her belly.
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