Chapter 25: Father Yi Decides to Lay His Cards on the Table with His Children

This question left the man momentarily stumped.

As the saying goes, both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh; no matter who receives a job, it is bound to cause trouble.

"Enough, stop overthinking these irrelevant matters. Hurry out there—don't let the children pry anything they shouldn't know out of Little Sister." Liu Guoxiang pushed him away. "I’m going to see if I can replicate the design of Little Sister’s schoolbag. If I can, we’ll just make our own to use."

As for how outsiders might react if they saw such a bag, that would simply be a matter of their family’s luck. Both husband and wife were content people; they knew their current standing and dared not covet a status that did not belong to them.

Yi Zhongxiang nodded. "Alright. When you’re making the bag, use the lamp Little Sister brought out so you don’t strain your eyes. Once the weather clears, I’ll find a way to take it out and let it soak up some sun; that way, we won’t have to worry about it running out of power."

"Understood."

Liu Guoxiang ignored him further, placing the lamp inside a chest. She made sure to close the lid tightly just as her husband reached for the door.

Stepping from the room that had been as bright as day into the dimness of the outer area, Yi Zhongxiang’s eyes struggled to adjust. He stood in the doorway for a moment until his vision cleared.

Seeing him emerge, Yi Ronghua and the others turned toward him. "Father," they greeted, with the younger ones adding "Grandfather."

"Mm." Yi Zhongxiang responded to his sons' voices and walked forward. "What are you all huddled here for? Aren't you tired after a long day? And you two—you aren't even focusing on your homework. Do you really expect to learn anything like this?!"

Sensing their father’s irritation, Yi Rongying and Yi Rongqi quickly turned back to the table, burying their heads in their schoolwork, though their ears remained pricked to catch the conversation between their father and their two older brothers.

"Father, what were you and Mother talking about earlier?" Yi Rongquan asked, his curiosity gnawing at him. Since he couldn't get anything out of his little sister, he had no choice but to go straight to his father.

Yi Zhongxiang looked at his second son, reached out to take his youngest daughter from him, and said, "Why ask so much? What could you even do if you knew?"

Yi Rongquan chuckled awkwardly. "Father, don't say that. I'm only concerned about you and Mother. Besides, my older brother and I are adults now. If you keep everything from us, we have no way to help share the burden even if we wanted to."

Yi Ronghua, seeing his younger brother had already broached the subject, chimed in. "That's right, Father. We are grown men capable of supporting families; there is no need to keep us in the dark. We aren't trying to control you and Mother, we just want to do what we can to help."

As the brothers spoke, silence fell over the room, broken only by the rhythmic sound of Mu Decong pulling thread through a shoe sole.

*What is that ancestor doing? Her movements are so skilled. That thin thing in her hand must be the legendary needle, and that piece of material… could it be the soles of the shoes our ancestors wore? The sound of this young ancestor pulling the thread is actually quite relaxing.*

The audience in the interstellar livestream was buzzing, but the young woman paused, looking sheepishly toward Yi Zhongxiang. "Father, I’m sorry, I—"

"You're doing important work; there’s nothing to apologize for," Yi Zhongxiang said, looking at his eldest daughter-in-law with satisfaction. "You go ahead with your work; don't mind us."

He hesitated, realizing his sons had a point. Living under the same roof, certain things were bound to be noticed eventually. Rather than letting them guess wildly, it was better to be selective in what he told them, while warning them to keep the secret safe.

Seeing their father deep in thought, the brothers dared not speak, fearing that if they pushed too hard, he might decide to tell them nothing at all.

After a moment, Yi Zhongxiang stood up with his youngest daughter in his arms. "Wait here. I’m going to go ask your mother."

The brothers exchanged a look of delight. Since their father hadn't immediately refused, it meant he was considering the truth. Now, it all depended on their mother’s decision.

"Of course, Father," they nodded eagerly. "Take your time talking to Mother, we're in no rush."

In her father’s arms, Yi Rongkun tilted her head, watching her brothers’ joy and her sister’s expectant gaze. She rested her chin on her father’s shoulder, looking on with an innocent, puzzled expression.

*The ancestor is keeping us in suspense! He looks so serious. Oh, will we finally find out what the little ancestor brought out earlier? I’m so excited to see how he explains this to the younger generations. If the whole family knows, then we in the interstellar era will know too!*

When Yi Zhongxiang reached the bedroom door, he didn't push it open as he usually did. He knocked first, waited a moment, and then entered. The room was dark, with only the faint outline of figures visible under the moonlight filtering through the roof.

Liu Guoxiang saw her husband enter with their youngest daughter and stood up. "What is it?"

Yi Zhongxiang closed the door. He saw Liu Guoxiang bring out the solar lamp from under the quilt. "Is Little Sister sleepy?" he asked, glancing at the child.

"No."

Yi Zhongxiang walked to the bedside, set his daughter down, and helped her off with her shoes and socks so she could play on the bed. He then shared his thoughts with his wife.

"Living under the same roof, it’s clear that Little Sister’s fortune is more than just what we see now," he concluded. "It’s hard for the two of us to cover for her alone. Letting the children in on it—and making the severity of the situation clear—shouldn't be a problem. Besides, they have homework to do every day; it isn't right to make them use kerosene lamps when we have something better."

Liu Guoxiang nodded. "You’re right. Little Sister is our daughter, but she is their sister, too. Protecting and caring for her is their responsibility as well. The benefits she brings are for the whole family to enjoy; we shouldn't be the only ones carrying the anxiety. Should I get ready? I’ll call the children in."

Seeing his wife’s support, Yi Zhongxiang felt a weight lift from his heart. "Go ahead."

Liu Guoxiang covered the lamp with the quilt, pulling her daughter and her own head inside the makeshift tent. Yi Rongkun giggled, thinking they were playing a game. "Mama, hee-hee, so much fun!"

"Did you finish your homework today, Little Sister?"

Hearing their lighthearted conversation, Yi Zhongxiang turned and opened the door. "Come in, all of you. Let’s have a look, so you’ll know how to keep your mouths shut."