Han Yu shrugged helplessly, "My mom and dad are playing mahjong with Big Brother's parents. They don't need us to keep them company."
"Yes, to get an early start on mahjong, both our families celebrated the New Year at noon," Lu Yanming said.
A bitter smile flickered across Tang Si's face, "Mm, my parents too. They took Zhao Wuyan to the Zhao family's to play cards."
Qing Muyew stood up and beckoned to the servants, signaling them to add chairs and cutlery, "Why didn't you say anything when you arrived?"
"What's wrong, isn't this table full of delicacies enough to eat?" Lu Yanming teased.
His remark made everyone burst into laughter.
The servants added seats and cutlery, and everyone sat down. The dining room was just the right size, not crowded.
"Alright, hurry up and start eating. The food will get cold and won't taste good," Old Mrs. Qing said cheerfully.
Shen Liannuo waved her hand to stop them, "How can we do that? Today is New Year's Day, and we must say a New Year's greeting before eating. Otherwise, no one eats."
Song Jun: "Good idea."
Lu Yanming: "You're always full of schemes."
Han Yu: "I think it's quite good."
Song Ci: "Let us young people go first. Aunts, uncles, and Old Madam can be exempted."
Shen Liannuo stood up, "Since I initiated it, I'll go first." She tossed her long hair back, cleared her throat, "We bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. I wish everyone continuous promotion, overflowing wealth, fulfilled wishes, health, and joy in the coming year..."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Lu Yanming quickly waved his hand to interrupt her, "If you say all the good things, do you plan on not letting us eat?"
The dining room erupted in another burst of laughter.
Shen Liannuo glanced at her, "I clearly want to send the best blessings to everyone. You're judging a noble person's heart with a mean person's mind."
"Tsk," Lu Yanming clicked his tongue and adjusted his glasses, "You haven't been in Lan Cheng for long, but your Mandarin is getting more and more fluent."
Seeing the two bickering, Old Mrs. Qing couldn't help but say, "Yanming, it's not good for you to bully the girl all the time. She..."
"Pfft..."
Before she could finish, Han Yu burst into laughter, and the others stifled their giggles.
Seeing them all laughing, Old Mrs. Qing was bewildered, "What's wrong?"
Tang Si said with a smile, "Grandma, don't you know that Big Brother was sent to the hospital by Shen Liannuo?"
"Oh my, there's such a thing?" Old Mrs. Qing frowned, looking incredulous.
"Hahaha..."
"I can testify, it's true."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know too."
"Mm, it did happen."
"Hahahaha..."
The dining room was filled with joy.
The New Year's atmosphere permeated the air, and everyone was immersed in happiness and joy, with smiles on their faces.
It seemed that with everyone gathered together, those unhappy, sad, and desolate emotions were dispelled, even forgotten.
Old Mrs. Qing specially asked Aunt Chen to prepare red envelopes. After everyone finished their New Year's greetings, she gave a red envelope to each person. She also specifically gave two extra red envelopes to Meng Jingwei, saying they were for the two little ones, Yi Yi and Yi Hang.
Of course, Lin Meng's children also received an extra red envelope.
After the meal, everyone went to the courtyard. Qing Muyew had prepared fireworks. They stood or sat in the courtyard, enjoying a fireworks display.
By the time the fireworks were finished, it was already ten o'clock in the evening.
Old Mrs. Qing and Mr. and Mrs. Meng Tianhua were used to sleeping early and, being older, they went to bed early.
The others gathered to play mahjong or Bullfight, having a great time.
At midnight, they began the New Year again.
Firecrackers crackled in the courtyard, and the popping sound didn't seem noisy at all. The scent of fireworks filled the air, creating a wonderful enjoyment.