"Okay. Auntie." Shen Xi smiled slightly, then glanced at the three children, seeing them eagerly holding their chopsticks, "You three be mindful of your manners while eating."
Shen Xi knew the three children must be hungry, but she still reminded them, as they were out, not in their own home.
"What manners or no manners, as long as you enjoy your meal." Xie Han looked at them with a gentle expression, "Eat up, don't worry about anything."
"Exactly. I heard from your mommy that you love Chinese food the most, so I specially chose this renowned local Chinese restaurant. Eat to your heart's content!" Xie Yifei said with a beaming smile.
"Thank you, Grandma! Thank you, Auntie Yifei!" The three adorable children harmonized, their faces lit up with sweet smiles as they nodded their thanks.
Afterward, they began eating without any hesitation.
The three adults in the room were amused by their behavior, unable to help but laugh.
"How can they be so adorable!" Xie Han's eyes were filled with tenderness as she spoke from the heart.
"Mom, Shen Xi's parents are no longer around. You've always liked her, why not officially adopt her as your goddaughter? That way, I'll have a sister too," Xie Yi suddenly suggested.
"I've had this idea for a long time, I just don't know if Xi Xi is willing?" Upon hearing this, Xie Han's eyes sparkled with brightness.
When Yifei was in college, she had mentioned Shen Xi many times, no, she was called Yin Xi back then.
Xie Han was aware of all the hardships Shen Xi had gone through and had always felt sympathy and affection for her.
"Auntie, as long as you don't mind, of course, I'm willing," Shen Xi's eyes turned a little red. "I haven't called anyone 'Mom' in so many years."
"Good, good child. From today onwards, I have gained another daughter." Xie Han stood up excitedly from her chair, walked towards Shen Xi, and with trembling hands, pulled her into a hug.
Shen Xi's tears welled up in her eyes, and she affectionately called out, "Godmother."
"Yes!" Xie Han's voice was tinged with a hint of emotion.
After the two acknowledged their relationship, Shen Xi specially toasted Xie Han with two cups of wine.
Then, she had the three children bow to Xie Han one by one, changing their address from "Grandma" to "Grandmother."
"Xi Xi, from now on, if you're busy and can't take care of the children, you can bring them to my place. My mom is a teacher, so you can rest assured about her taking care of them," Xie Yifei said with a chuckle.
"Okay. Then I'll have to trouble you, Godmother," Shen Xi raised her wine glass to Xie Han once more.
Seeing that Shen Xi had drunk a bit too much today, Xie Yifei asked with concern, "Xi Xi, did you drive here, or..."
"I drove. It's fine, I'm just too happy today. When we leave, I can call for a designated driver.
Yifei, even though I'm a few months older than you, let's still address each other as we used to. Come, let's have two drinks."
She hadn't planned to drink, but having acknowledged her godmother, offering tea instead of wine wouldn't properly express her feelings of respect.
Since she had already had some wine, she might as well continue. After all, her alcohol tolerance was never poor.
Just then, the second child, Shuo Shuo, suddenly stood up and said, "Mommy, I need to go to the restroom."
"Shuo precious, I'll accompany you." Xie Yifei was about to stand up when Xie Han said, "You and Yifei haven't seen each other in years, chat properly. I'll accompany Shuo Shuo."
"Grandmother, I'm already over four years old. I can do things myself and don't need anyone to accompany me. Besides, I'm a boy." To everyone's surprise, Shuo Shuo stood up and walked towards the door on his own.
Everyone in the room couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Godmother, don't worry about him, let him go by himself. It's good for him to learn independence." Shen Xi also felt that such a small matter didn't really require someone to follow him.
"Turn right out the door, and it's at the end," Xie Yifei called out loudly.
"Okay. I understand, Auntie Yifei." Shuo Shuo glanced back, opened the door, and walked out.