She guessed her parents had subconsciously set five places, then realized it was wrong and removed one.
However, in the process of removing it, they didn't pay attention, and forgot to take away one water cup.
She actually knew her parents had never given up on Ye Qin Ya, and were always waiting for her to come back, but for some reason, she felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart.
Soon, she arrived at Tao Xun and worked overtime with the employees.
The Spring Festival Gala went smoothly, and Tao Xun took this opportunity to comprehensively promote Tao Xun Chat, Tao Xun Shopping, Tao Xun Maps, and Tao Xun Games.
The website backend showed that the download volume of Tao Xun's various apps was skyrocketing. This promotion was surprisingly effective.
After the Spring Festival Gala ended, the tense nerves of everyone were finally relaxed.
Ye Zhi saw off the employees and returned directly to the Half Mountain Villa. It was already two in the morning when she arrived.
Although it was very late, she could still hear the scattered sounds of fireworks in the villa area.
She returned to her bedroom, feeling somewhat tired, and walked to the balcony, habitually looking across.
The window opposite was dark. Ye Zhi was slightly stunned, then remembered that when she went to eat at the opposite house last night, Qi Xuan had said he would return to the Qi family tonight.
The servants in the opposite house had all gone home for the New Year, and even the housekeeper had returned to his hometown today.
It was the first time she hadn't seen the lights on opposite, and Ye Zhi felt unaccustomed to it.
Suddenly, the sound of a familiar car rang out. Ye Zhi was startled and looked towards the source of the sound.
Qi Xuan's car slowly drove over.
Ye Zhi was very surprised. Why did Qi Xuan return at this time?
The car stopped at the entrance of the villa, and Qi Xuan got out of the car.
He looked at the brightly lit villa next door with some surprise. Qi Xuan hesitated for a moment, then turned to the neighboring house and rang the doorbell.
Ye Zhi went downstairs and opened the main door, asking suspiciously, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the Qi family, celebrating the festival with your parents?"
"Aren't you too?" Qi Xuan asked faintly. "Why aren't you at the Ye family, celebrating the festival with your parents?"
Ye Zhi was speechless. "I, I had to work overtime today, and it's so late, it's not appropriate to disturb my parents..."
Qi Xuan looked at her lingeringly and said with certainty, "You have something on your mind."
"I, I don't..." Ye Zhi suddenly realized that she, who was so good at fooling... cough, convincing others, could also be rendered speechless.
"If you're willing to confide in someone, I'd be happy to be your confidant," Qi Xuan said gently.
This simple sentence seemed to strike Ye Zhi's heart, and she suddenly didn't want to find any more excuses to argue.
"When I had dinner with my parents today, I saw they had prepared an extra cup. It was for Ye Qin Ya. I don't know why, but after knowing this, I felt a little uncomfortable..."
Ye Zhi looked at him blankly. "Qi Xuan, I know my parents have always been worried about her and have always been concerned about her, hoping she would come back. I also know that they have over twenty years of feelings for each other. I know all of this, but why... do I still feel a little sad?"
Qi Xuan's gaze towards her held a hint of pity. He said in a low voice, "Because your parents are more partial to your sister."
Ye Zhi was stunned. She felt a little lost in her heart. Could it really be this reason? Was she angry because of her parents' favoritism?
Qi Xuan continued, "They say that sensible children are more pitiful, but for parents, their attention is more focused on the unruly children, because they subconsciously believe that sensible children will understand them and won't need them to worry.
As for your parents, all their attention is on your sister. They worry about her, care about her, and give her unconditional favoritism. And you are the sensible child they have overlooked."
Ye Zhi slowly came back to her senses. She subconsciously denied it, "It shouldn't be like this. I'm an adult, not a child fighting for candy. I'm very strong..."
"You are very strong," Qi Xuan said with pity. "But that doesn't conflict with your need for parental care and love.
Because you are strong, your parents don't have to worry about you, so their love and care are given more to your sister. You are overlooked, and it's normal for you to feel unbalanced and unhappy. You don't need to feel like you've done something wrong."
Is it really like this?
Ye Zhi suddenly realized. She had always known that her parents were more partial to Ye Qin Ya. In fact, she had always envied their affection for each other.
"Thank you, Qi Xuan," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "After talking with you, I feel much more relaxed."
"Do you still feel unhappy?" he asked.
"A little," Ye Zhi nodded frankly. "But I'll adjust."
Qi Xuan's eyes flickered. "Then let's do something happy."
"Uh... ah?" Ye Zhi looked at him in astonishment.
"Follow me," he said with a low laugh.
Ye Zhi followed him blankly to his villa. He opened the warehouse downstairs and carried out box after box of fireworks.
Ye Zhi's eyes suddenly lit up. She asked happily, "How do you have so many fireworks here?!"
"The housekeeper bought them," Qi Xuan smiled slightly. "He originally planned to set them off during the Lantern Festival. Let's set them off in advance."
"Then what should we tell Uncle housekeeper?" Ye Zhi asked with amusement.
"We'll buy some more in a couple of days and put them back. It'll be foolproof," Qi Xuan smiled faintly.
"That's a great idea!" Ye Zhi gave him a thumbs up.
The two carried the fireworks to an open space outside the villa. Ye Zhi asked Qi Xuan for a lighter and took the initiative to ignite the fireworks.
Clusters of brilliant fireworks bloomed in the air. Ye Zhi looked up at the sky, as if those bad feelings also exploded with the fireworks and then scattered with the wind.
Qi Xuan's gentle gaze followed her. Seeing her as happy as an elf, the corners of his lips also curled into a faint smile.
"Can setting off fireworks really make you this happy?" he asked curiously.
"Of course!" Ye Zhi happily lit another cluster of fireworks. Accompanying the sound of the fireworks, she said loudly, "Cherish the moment! Maybe fireworks will be banned in the future!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Zhi was stunned. Should she also find time to research electronic fireworks?
Suddenly, with the sound of fireworks, their neighbors also started setting off fireworks.
Looking at the overlapping fireworks in the sky, Ye Zhi put her hands on her hips. "Yo! Are these neighbors going to compete with us in fireworks?"
"Is there a possibility," Qi Xuan said with a chuckle, "that we woke them up, so they're setting off fireworks in protest?"