Lin Xiao led the two children, with Li Jiaxian trailing behind them.
"Lin Xiao, about what just happened, I sincerely apologize. My way of speaking was wrong and inappropriate," Li Jiaxian said in a low voice from behind.
"Uncle, nothing happened just now, did it?" Lin Xiao said, holding Xun'er's hand without looking back. After saying this, he mysteriously whispered to Xun'er and Luo Bing, "You two can buy whatever snacks you want later, understand? But remember, absolutely don't let Mom see when we get back."
"Okay!"
Xun'er's eyes lit up; she was thrilled!
Luo Bing was also excited. He was already counting his fingers, seemingly contemplating what delicious treats to buy.
"Later, Uncle, I'll trouble you to pay for it," Lin Xiao said.
"Of course. By the way, I've specifically prepared red envelopes for this visit. I was too busy before and didn't return when Xun'er was born, nor could I make it to your wedding. Now I can give Xun'er a red envelope to let her buy whatever snacks she wants in the future," Li Jiaxian said, taking out two red envelopes. Judging by their thickness, if they were all hundred-yuan bills, each would contain at least fifty thousand.
"Daddy, what's this?"
Xun'er looked at the red envelope being handed to her. Puzzled, she took it from Li Jiaxian's hand and looked up. She only remembered receiving red envelopes during Chinese New Year. Why was her great-uncle giving her one now?
Luo Bing didn't reach out. He looked at Li Jiaxian, and for some reason, he didn't quite like this uncle. It was as if this uncle had something particularly unpleasant about him.
Seeing him not reach out, Li Jiaxian felt a bit foolish holding his hand out.
"Just take it. You can buy whatever toys you want later," Lin Xiao encouraged.
Giving red envelopes to the younger generation showed he had a sliver of conscience.
But more likely, it was a diversionary tactic.
He wanted to build a good relationship with the children as a roundabout way to get closer to him.
"Okay."
Luo Bing took the red envelope and put it inside his clothes. His outer pockets were too small to hold it.
Xun'er followed suit, quickly tucking the large red envelope into her clothes.
"By the way, Uncle, are these red envelopes prepared according to the customs in Huadu, or according to our customs here in Shashi?"
If they were prepared according to Huadu customs, each red envelope might only contain a few hundred yuan for a child, perhaps even just dozens, despite their thickness, with a lot of small change.
But if they were prepared according to Shashi customs, each red envelope would contain fifty or eighty thousand, a significant difference.
"Of course, they're according to Shashi customs. I am from Shashi, and I am in Shashi now, so naturally, I'll follow Shashi customs..." he quickly said.
"Conforming to local customs is not bad," Lin Xiao nodded. What he cared about wasn't the money, but whether the person had any sincerity.
"This is probably what you'd call returning home in glory, isn't it? Conforming to local customs doesn't quite feel right," Li Jiaxian said.
"So, are you also hoping for the fallen leaves to return to their roots?"
Lin Xiao smiled. "Therefore, are you making preparations for your fallen leaves to return to their roots?"