Alix was one of the loudest and most excited parents in the stadium. If one didn't know better, they would assume that she was Xiaobo's mother and not his aunt.
Not to be left aside, her spirit of enthusiasm infected the Zhang's, Yura and surprisingly Zhang An who joined her.
The elders were probably too old to cheer so recklessly for the children so they just looked on with smiles.
When Xiaobo's team came second in the relay race, Alix even jumped once in the air, really high.
She almost crushed Yura's foot when her feet touched the ground again and she apologized profusely, extremely embarrassed.
"It's okay, I am sure Zhang Bo will be happy to see that the whole family is out here supporting his son. He will also be happy to see how much Xiaobo is slow budding under your care." Yura touched Alix's arm and assured her.
Alix blushed and laughed in a silly way. "I am just helping out Caishen." she said.
She would not be doing all this if Xiaobo was not living with them. But he was, and he needed caring for. Alix never had a younger sibling, to her Xiaobo was the little brother she never got.
In all this as Alix explained, Zhang An was not impressed. To her, Alix was doing a little too much. Certainly a lot more than them, his true family were doing.
"Tch, does she think the elders will praise her?" She muttered.
Grandma Zhang gave An An a side glance. It was a happy day for everyone here, why make it a bad one unnecessarily?
Activities involving the children ended in two hours and the school director suggested a race between teachers and willing parents.
Alix excused herself briefly and paid a visit to the bathroom. In there, she gave herself a pep talk, reminding herself to tone it down as Caishen so often reminded her.
When she was leaving the bathroom, she almost bumped into another woman.
"Oh, you are Xiaobo's aunt." The other woman said.
Alix smiled and nodded, "Yes. I recognize you as well, you are Lan Ai's mother. Xiaobo mentions her often at home."
The other woman nodded eagerly, with an equally big smile on her face.
"Ai Ai talks about Xiaobo too. She said that Xiaobo is now more fun to hung out with ever since he got a new aunt.
You are young master Zhang's wife, right?"
Alix nodded, identifying herself quickly. "I am Lin Alix."
She put her right hand forward and said.
The other woman took it and said, "I am Fang Ai."
For about five seconds, they held hands and then let go.
"You should let Xiaobo come over for a sleep over someday. I am sure Ai Ai will be very happy to have him over." Fang Ai suggested.
"I will tell him about it." She replied.
"Are you in the group chat for Shuhaha parents?" Fang Ai asked her.
Alix shook her head. She had no idea that the group existed and she certainly wasn't a member.
"Give me your number, I will get Little Kong's mother to add you. We share a lot of valuable information in the group which is helpful for the children and parents.
You don't have to respond or say anything after you are added. Just as long as you read what's important."
Fang Ai gave her phone to Alix and she added her number gladly. She would talk to Caishen and see if he was interested in joining the group as well.
"Aren't you taking your aunt duties a little too seriously? The boy is not your child, not even a step child. I have hacked into the group thanks to her handing you her phone and Hua Yura is already a member. Isn't that your mother-in-law? Shouldn't one of you be enough in the group?"
Her very much disapproving system made its voice and opinion loud and clear.
"Do you want me to say no? What if something happens at school and no one is available but me?
Besides, Xiaobo doesn't live with Hua Yura, he lives with me. Also you don't need to remind me about my relationship with Xiaobo or Caishen because I know how it is.
It's just nice having a family that does not backstab each other, real or not. Don't worry, playing the game is still my top priority." She assured it.
The gaming system only worried about one thing; the game.
"Alright, Miss Lin, I will see you around." Fang Ai told her.
"En, bye-bye." Alix answered.
As the woman was walking away, it struck Alix that she was not one of the sports wear and sneaker wearing mom's.
She was dressed in a red bandage dress, with a pair of short black heels and she had sun glasses on her head.
She was looking really elegant, Alix thought.
"What have I missed?" she asked her mother-in-law when she returned to the stadium.
It looked like some parents were down in the middle of the field, mostly fathers.
"Aunt, I am here." Xiaobo's voice came from close by.
Alix saw him sitting besides grandma Zhang and she waved at him. "You are quite the speed racer aren't you?"
He giggled and nodded. Even though his team had lost, he did not seem bummed at all.
"I am so proud of you, you were the best runner out there." she told him.
Again, Xiaobo giggled, and covered his shy face with his hands.
Grandma Zhang handed him a bottle of juice and drew his attention away from Alix.
She looked at the field again and repeated her question to Yura.
"It's something they do all the time. Parents can compete in flipping the tire under one minute from one end of the field to another. The winning family get a trip to Soho resort." Yura explained.
"Can I participate?" Alix asked her.
Yura looked at Alix's physique, eyeing her up and down before shaking her head.
"You need strength to play."
"I am strong." Alix uttered confidently.
"It's not necessary, we can afford to visit the resort if we want to." Yura answered.
Alix sort of pouted. It's not the same, she wanted to say. Winning over others was a different kind of thrill. She thought it was a loss that she could not participate despite the strength she had.
Yura chuckled and touched Alix's head. "You look like a child pouting because I have taken away your candy. Go and play, we will support you."
Alix cheered up and jumped up, she was so excited an she was definitely winning this trip.