Watching the two childish men bicker, I saw the two little ones had already changed into another set of clothes.
Ye Siyan ran to Xinyan: "Aunt Yan, do you think I’m the coolest kid you mentioned before?"
Xinyan burst into laughter: "Yes, you really are the coolest kid in the neighborhood."
The little guy beamed with joy upon hearing this, and even glanced at his brother: "Yeah, my brother and I are both the coolest kids."
After speaking, both little fellows laughed together.
Ye Siyan glanced into the yard: "Aunt Yan, we’ll just go out to play for a little while and come back."
How could Xinyan not know what they were up to? She didn’t stop them: "Go ahead, just don’t wander too far."
With Xinyan’s permission, the two little ones shouted into the yard: "Dad, Uncle, we’re going out to find friends to play with for a bit." Then they ran off.
Ye Liyan poked his head out of the kitchen and called after their retreating figures: "Come back early."
The two little ones didn’t even turn back: "Got it."
With that, they disappeared in a flash.
Ye Liyan turned back to He Jinxuan and said: "Sigh, they’re still so young, yet they’re already off showing off again."
He Jinxuan glanced at him: "My Jiahui never had this problem when she was little."
Ye Liyan was speechless, thinking to himself that they must take after him. Can’t we chat happily like this?
Xinyan was just about to go out when she saw someone walk into the yard: "Brother Ye, are you there?"
Upon hearing this form of address, Xinyan couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Just as Lin Kaixin finished speaking, she saw Han Xinyan standing in the yard and greeted her with a smile: "Hello, I’m Lin Kaixin, the daughter of the Lin Family next door."
Xinyan, seeing her clear and upright gaze, smiled and replied: "Hello."
She had just suspected another one of Ye Liyan’s admirers, but upon seeing the other walk in, she called towards the kitchen: "Liyan, someone’s looking for you."
By then, Ye Liyan and the others had tidied up the kitchen. Hearing the commotion outside, Ye Liyan wiped his hands and was the first to come out. Seeing Lin Kaixin in the yard, he asked: "Kaixin, is there something you came for?"
Lin Kaixin smiled at him: "Brother Ye, I’m not here for you, I’m here for this comrade."
She gestured towards Xinyan as she spoke.
Everyone in the yard was a bit surprised, and Xinyan asked perplexedly: "Here for me?"
Lin Kaixin nodded with a friendly smile: "Yes, can we talk for a bit?"
Xinyan looked at Ye Liyan standing to the side. Ye Liyan, puzzled about Lin Kaixin’s intentions, asked: "Kaixin, what do you need from her?"
Seeing the man behind Ye Liyan quickly position himself behind Xinyan as she spoke, and with Ye Liyan’s guarded expression, Lin Kaixin realized they misunderstood her.
She hastily explained: "Don’t misunderstand, I’m not here to cause trouble. I saw Sili and Siyan’s clothes and wanted to see if this comrade is interested in collaborating."
Only then did Ye Liyan recall that Lin Kaixin worked at the largest clothing factory in Beijing, apparently in the design department.
He understood her intention and explained to Xinyan and the others: "She’s the daughter of the Lin Family next door, Lin Kaixin, and works at the city’s clothing factory."
Then he addressed Lin Kaixin: "This is my cousin He Jinxuan and his partner Han Xinyan."
After speaking, he glanced outside the door: "Why don’t you come inside and sit? I’ll go check on those two little ones."
He felt it might be inconvenient to stay while they talked. Since his brother-in-law was around, he thought it was a good excuse to leave.
The three of them entered the living room, and Xinyan pointed to the solo sofa beside her: "Comrade Lin, have a seat."
He Jinxuan poured two cups of water, placing one in front of Lin Kaixin: "Have some water."
Then he carried the other cup to Xinyan before sitting next to her and picking up a newspaper from the table to read.
Seeing that he had no intention of leaving and knowing he was cautious of her, Lin Kaixin smiled faintly: "May I call you Xinyan?"
Xinyan smiled faintly and nodded: "Sure, feel free to say what you want. We should leave soon, too."
Lin Kaixin cleared her throat: "Here’s the thing, I oversee design and pattern making at the clothing factory. I saw the clothes Sili and Siyan were wearing outside, and I found the style quite innovative. So, I wanted to see if you’re interested in collaborating."