Chapter 24: Charity Event

"Should I give you some ideas? I know what Grandma and the others like." Li Shenxing had a look that said, "You have to beg me."

Hyo-ri immediately wrapped her arms around him, shaking him while speaking in a sweet, high-pitched voice, "Honey~~ tell me~~ okay~~ tell me quickly~~" Her voice made Li Shenxing feel boneless.

"Alright! Alright! Stop shaking! I'll tell you everything I know." Li Shenxing raised his hands in surrender.

"The conditions at home are good, no worries about food and drink. Anything they want can usually be bought, so... cough, cough, my throat is a bit dry..." Li Shenxing put on an air of importance.

"Oppa, have an apple." Hyo-ri stuffed several pieces of apple into his mouth.

"Mmm~ full~ full~" His mouth was so full he could hardly speak.

"Hmph!" Hyo-ri gave him a glare, thinking, "Do you think I can't handle you? Let's see how you act now."

"Grandma is a bit cold-sensitive but likes to go out for walks to exercise her legs. So, get her a set of light and warm down clothing, a hat, gloves, cotton shoes, and a scarf. A box of good ginseng and a few boxes of delicious Korean sweets will do."

"For the next ones, Dad, Uncle, and my brother-in-law, get them ties, wallets, and belts. For Mom, Aunt, and my sister and sister-in-law, get them a set of high-end cosmetics and silk scarves. For the kids, a few sets of clothes and some toys will be fine." Li Shenxing explained the situation of his family.

"Alright, I'll make time. When the time comes, you and I will go for a big, big shopping spree." After hearing this, Li Shenxing's legs started to tremble. Oh~ I'm digging my own grave~! Shopping with women is the scariest thing::>_<::

After watching TV for a while, they washed up and went to bed.

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February 1st, sunny with wind.

The café was closed today, with a sign indicating that there was a charity event from 16:00 to 22:30, and customers needed to show an invitation text to enter.

Before the event, invitation texts were sent to customers and members who had applied to participate. Showing the text message on their phone allowed them to enter.

Because there were many people today, to avoid accidentally stepping on the cats, all the cats were placed in a small yard at the back. To create more space in the middle, the tables and chairs were arranged in rows. Food and drinks were served as a buffet on the side tables, and guests could help themselves.

Li Shenxing and Hyo-ri arrived around 5 PM. When they pushed the door open, not many people had arrived yet, but more would come after work hours. The early arrivals were surprised to see Hyo-ri and quickly approached her for autographs. Although they knew she was the owner, her busy schedule meant she didn't often visit, making this an unexpected pleasure.

Seeing Hyo-ri busy with autographs, Li Shenxing went to chat with Sister Min-ya about the event.

After a while, when Hyo-ri finished, they caught up on recent events and some women's topics.

Around 6 PM, more people started to arrive. As the manager, Park Min-ya had to greet the guests, so Li Shenxing and Hyo-ri took two glasses of juice and some snacks to the backyard to see the cats.

Turning a corner into the backyard, a few cats were playing on the grass in the sunset, while others were sleeping in the pavilion, basking in the warmth of the setting sun. After playing with the cats she hadn't seen in a while, they went into the lounge, turned on the record player, and snuggled on the sofa. Hyo-ri held a cat named Jazz in her arms, whispering sweet nothings to Li Shenxing. The scene felt like a warm and cozy painting.

They embraced and chatted intimately until the auction began, and Sister Min-ya came to call them.

"Oh~ I shouldn't have seen that, what should I do to avoid getting eye strain~" Park Min-ya teased.

"If you're afraid of eye strain, why are you staring? Sister Min-ya." Hyo-ri said with a huff.

"Sister Min-ya, the auction is about to start, let's go out." Ignoring their banter, he pulled Hyo-ri and they walked out together.

They found a spot to sit, and Park Min-ya walked to the center of the stage with a microphone, "Good evening, everyone. Before the charity auction, I need to explain the rules. There are paper and pens on the tables. If you like a piece, write your name and the price on the paper and place it in the box in front of the piece. If you are not satisfied with the previous bid on the same piece, you can bid again, with the highest bid winning. Now that the rules are clear, the charity auction bidding begins and will end in half an hour. You can now move around freely."

After Park Min-ya finished speaking, the music controller, Mi-young, played a song by Keith Urban, "Tonight I Wanna Cry." With the beautiful music, some people started dancing with their companions, others went to bid on their favorite items, and some gathered to chat.

Li Shenxing stood up, bowed, and with a smile, extended his right hand, "Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance?"

Hyo-ri placed her hand in his, "Of course, sir."

Li Shenxing smiled and slowly twirled Hyo-ri. She gave him a glare, thinking, "This guy can only be serious for a moment before becoming silly again." She rested her head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Although he was always silly and didn't do much serious work, being with him made her feel very secure, free from worries. Even if they did nothing and said nothing, she wouldn't feel bored or annoyed; instead, she felt this was the life she had always wanted.

Half an hour quickly passed, and it was time to announce the results. Park Min-ya and Mi-young started counting the votes. Those who won the bids took their stamped tickets to the counter to pay and collect their items.

Hyo-ri also participated in the auction and won an African-style mask, which was quite nice and could be used as a decoration at home.

After the auction, a total of 20 million won was raised. Li Shenxing and Hyo-ri, along with the café, donated an additional 30 million won, bringing the total to 50 million won. This money would be used to buy food and oil to be sent to a poor village, so everyone could have a good New Year.

Because the event ran late, the café would be closed the next day. Li Shenxing and Hyo-ri stayed until the event ended before going home.

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The Korean New Year is a three-day holiday. It is customary to return home to visit relatives before the New Year's Eve. Even the usually bustling restaurants hung signs saying "Closed for the holiday" or "Open on the first day of the New Year."

Since Hyo-ri was still working late last night and couldn't go to Jeju Island in advance, she prepared the New Year's gifts early in the morning on the 6th and drove to the airport to fly to her grandmother's house in Jeju Island for the New Year. She could leave her car at the airport.

When they got off the plane, they saw her cousin waiting, "Shenxing, over here~!" He waved to call them.

"Cousin." Shenxing waved back.

The two brothers hugged, and the cousin greeted Hyo-ri. "Sister-in-law, let's go home and chat. The elders are waiting." He helped carry the luggage and walked ahead, with the two of them following behind.

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