Chapter 157 The Bun Brigade

Saturday Afternoon

The sun was shining in the sky, there was a gentle breeze that blew through the treetops. It was the perfect day to have a picnic.

Li Xiuying entered through the gates of the Qin family residence.

She drove until she found someone who ushered her into a makeshift parking space in front of the large steps that led to the mansion.

The butler opened her driver-side door. Li Xiuying stepped out and nodded in greeting. The butler closed the door. "This way please Dr. Li."  She then glanced around, looking for Little 4th. She was surprised that the little bun didn't come running to meet her.

The butler led Li Xiuying up the steps, he noticed that Li Xiuying was looking around.

Butler: "The little master has been waiting for your arrival. Madame Qin asked everyone to wait inside for you." The little master had told him to state explicitly that it was his mother that had detained him. The butler was internally thanking God that Li Xiuying had finally arrived, the little master had become a descendant of King Yama since he woke up at 6 am this morning.

Li Xiuying smiled a little.

....

Living room

Little 4th was sitting with his arms crossed on the sofa. His friends were chatting happily about the plans for the day and completely ignoring his foul mood. They were used to Little 4th's mood swings. They wouldn't be able to do or say anything to make him better anyway and their good intentions may instead be met with venomous words and murderous looks.  They may be young but they knew the importance of self-preservation.

Madam Qin gently said: "Little 4th she'll be here in a moment. Have some patience." She had told Little 4th that he should wait in the living room because she knew that if he went then his friends would follow, then she would also have to go and Li Xiuying may be overwhelmed by being met with a bun army.

Little 4th pouted as he swung his legs on the sofa. 'I didn't even collect Big sister from the door, what will she think of me? Probably question my upbringing and manners. All these years of etiquette classes are wasted. That uncle Mu better have told big sister it was mommy who held me back.'

The living room door was opened everyone turned and little 4th gave a blinding smile until he saw it wasn't Li Xiuying. Everyone in the room looked away and continued what they were doing when they realized it was one of the maids here to deliver snacks.

The maid felt an arrow straight through her chest when she was dismissed so easily by the adorable group of buns.

....

The butler was talking to Li Xiuying: "Thank you Dr Li, I will have it checked at the doctors. I didn't realize it would be anything significant."

Li Xiuying nodded. She had seen a suspicious skin lesion on the butler's ears that looked like a basal cell carcinoma. If allowed to grow it can extend not only in width but depth.

The butler thought to himself 'Dr Li is so kind. I don't know why the eldest master would say that he became allergic to her. It must be because of the generation gap. These days everyone is allergic to something. Pollen, peanuts, pomegranates why not people? This generation has a weak immune system because they're wrapped in cotton wool, they don't like to get their hands dirty. Back in my day you wouldn't have such weaklings crying all day about wanting to eat superfoods. They would be crying just to have a bowl of plain white rice and pickled vegetables. '

The butler stepped into the living room.

Li Xiuying followed behind him.

Madam Qin was amused to find that little 4th was so busy sulking and looking at his shoes that he didn't even notice Li Xiuying entering the door. She motioned for the butler not to speak.

Madam Qin stood up and greeted Li Xiuying warmly: "Welcome dear."

Little 4th finally looked up and as did the trio and Rui Rui.

Qin Jie was sitting to the side with a book in his hand.

Little 4th's frown morphed into a dazzling smile and he jumped off the sofa: "Big Sister YingYing. How was your journey?"

He ran over to Li Xiuying and stopped in front of her.

Li Xuiying smiled and patted Little 4th's head. She then offered a gloved hand for him to hold which he immediately grasped with his chubby hand.

Madame Qin: "Come and sit down. How was your drive?"

Li Xiuying: "Smooth."

Li Xiuying sat down and little 4th sat next to her.

Little 4th: "Mommy she just got here. Uncle Mu, Tea please for my big sister and some fresh snacks. She's had a long drive."

Madam Qin's mouth twitched. She had just asking Li Xiuying to sit down, not to do anything strenuous and her little one was reprimanding her. She felt that little 4th was acting like a little wife trying to look after her husband who came from a long business trip away.

Little 4th's friend stood up. Rui Rui followed behind them.

Little Xiuying looked at the Bun brigade in front of her.

Jun Wen: "Zhen." He then blatantly used his chubby finger to gesture to all of them.

Little 4th reluctantly introduced everyone: "These are my friends. That's my cousin."

Madam Qin smiled at Little 4th's lackluster introduction: "Boys why don't you each take turns to introduce yourselves?"

Gou Sheng: "My name is Gou Sheng I am the youngest member of the oldest son of the prestigious Gou family. We are known for producing accurate diviners, soothsayers, and predictors of fate. For centuries my family's gifts have been sought after and revered. We have even served many emperors."

Jun Wen: "My name is Jun Wen. I am the youngest son of the youngest son of the Jun family. We are known for our textiles, in particular, Our range dubbed imperial textiles have been coveted by royalty across the world."

Lee HuiQing tugged Jun Wen sleeve, then tipped his head towards Li Xiuying.

Jun Wen: "This is Lee HuiQing. He is the 2nd son of the only son of the Lee family.  They are famous for their production of tea. Most importantly the new Guānghuá tea is currently rare and in high demand. There is currently a waiting list of 5 years to just get half a gram. The list includes foreign dignitaries, world-renowned scientists, chefs etc. "

Madame Qin cleared her throat. She didn't expect that they would all come with CVs prepared: "Okay dears. How about you RuiRui?"

Rui Rui looked at Li Xiuying pouted and sternly said: "No." This was the woman who was always taking mommy away from daddy and me.

Madame Qin tutted gently at  RuiRui: "This is our family's Rui Rui she is Qin Jingfei's little girl."

Li Xiuying looked at the little masters and little miss in front of her. 'Rui Rui's reaction seems the most normal. Was it the norm to detail one's background in the first introduction?'

Li Xiuying returned the greeting in kind: "Li Xiuying. Surgeon. The only daughter of my parents."

Madame Qin giggled, she didn't think there was such a humorous side to Li Xiuying's personality.

The 3 little masters stood perplexed. They looked at Li Xiuying as if she was a foreign entity.

Gou Sheng: "You have no background?"

Jun Wen: "You aren't from a renowned family?"

Lee HuiQing pulled on Gou Sheng's sleeve this time and whispered something.

Gou Sheng looked at him and shook his head: "I don't think her clothes belong to any brand we would know."

Lee HuiQing nodded solemnly.

Li Xiuying quirked a brow as she listened to the children before her. She had chosen a casual outfit of a blue jumper, some jeans and a pair of trainers. Although they weren't from a fashion house they were all good quality items and comfortable.

Little 4th was about to explode, he glared at his friends and was about to speak.

Li Xiuying gently squeezed his little hand.

Little 4th looked up.

Li Xiuying gently shook her head side to side. They had clearly been taught by adults who placed importance on background, prestige, and lineage. These little children couldn't be expected to know any better.

Li Xiuying: "First meeting gifts in car."