Time flew by, and it was already New Year's Eve.
“Xiao Xi, have you picked up your Grandma Li and the others?”
Mother Qiu started urging early in the morning.
As Qiu Xi came downstairs, she heard the call.
“……”
“Mom, I just got down here. I’m leaving right away!”
“Hmm, hurry up!”
“Got it~”
Saying that, Qiu Xi grabbed a piece of bread from the table and headed out with her car keys.
Originally, the gathering was scheduled for dinner, to be held in the evening. However, since preparations needed to be done during the day, such as making dumplings, Qiu Xi was asked to pick up the guests early in the morning.
More people meant more liveliness, a chance to celebrate together.
“Little Pigeon, go ask your aunt if she’s coming or if she’ll come tomorrow.”
“Okay……” Qiu Ge responded loudly.
“Xiao Xin, you just sit there, or your clothes will get wet later!”
“Sit there and rest for a while. Once I’m done, you can come help.”
Qiu Xin had offered to help early in the morning, but it was clear that Mother Qiu, who was efficient, didn’t need her help yet.
“Okay……”
However, the person didn’t stay quiet for more than a couple of seconds before moving again.
“……”
“Why don’t I go help Dad and Uncle outside……”
“Go ahead, go ahead.”
“Alright!”
With that, the person immediately ran out.
“Dad, Uncle……”
“Huh? Why are you out here too?”
“Auntie is busy. I can’t help much right now, so I’ll come in later.”
“That’s fine too.” The two nodded.
“Then you can come over here and stick these, and these……”
They were all character ‘Fu’ stickers, window decorations, and some small lanterns.
The larger decorations were already done; only these smaller ones were left, perfect for the children to handle.
“After you finish sticking them outside, take the extras inside and put them wherever you think is suitable.”
As for decorations, as long as they looked good and conveyed the right sentiment, that was enough.
“Got it~”
……
Qiu Xi went out to pick up the guests and returned very quickly.
Just as Mother Qiu had finished tidying up, she brought the two elders back.
“Grandma Li, Master, please go inside first. I’ll go see what’s happening over there.”
Upon returning, Qiu Xi saw Qiu Ge and Qiu Xin busy at work.
“Okay, go ahead with your business.”
With that, Li Minglan and Du Bin walked in on their own.
“Aunt Li, you’re here! Come over quickly~”
“Okay~”
“Aunt Li, have you and Uncle Du had breakfast? There’s still some warm food here. Would you like to eat a bit more?”
The children woke up late, so the breakfast items were still warm.
“Sure, we’ll eat a little then.”
Li Minglan and the others were early risers and had eaten a bit, but it wasn’t much.
Especially since they had received Qiu Xi’s message last night saying not to prepare anything, the early risers had only had a bit of congee.
Several hours had passed since then, so they could eat a little now.
“Are these already prepared?”
Looking at the large basins covered with white muslin, Li Minglan asked.
Mother Qiu nodded, “Yes, they are.”
“We’ll be ready to start soon. We’ll have dumplings for lunch today, and then start preparing for the afternoon meal.”
“Sounds good!”
“I’ll help out later.”
“Great~ Aunt Li’s dumpling-making skills are excellent; this will be perfect.”
“Hahahaha~”
……
Since the Xu family was busy with their own affairs, they didn’t come over this year.
With Qiu Xi’s large family plus the Du Bin couple, this New Year’s Eve was spent quite comfortably.
Simplicity is bliss~
……
Nan Family—
Despite the family’s significant wealth, the relationships within the Nan family were quite straightforward.
Nan Hua, who was supposed to return to his room after finishing dinner early, was stopped by his family.
That is, his grandfather, his father, and his mother.
“……”
Nan Hua sat steadily opposite the three, holding his composure without saying a word.
“……”
I’m staring! I’m staring! I’m staring again!
The three were staring intently, especially Ms. Chu, who had been looking at her son without blinking for quite some time.
The most relaxed among the three was Father Nan.
He was merely present as a supporting character, pulled in by his father and wife to lead the charge.
What a shame…… Father Nan, who was a domineering CEO outside, had little authority at home.
Not only was he ordered around, but even his son barely paid attention to him, rendering his presence here…
Completely ineffective!
After waiting for a while longer, Nan Hua glanced at the phone in his hand.
It was getting late, and if this continued, he would lose time to chat with Xi Xi.
“Grandfather!”
“Dad, Mom, if you have something to say, please say it quickly. Staring at me here, aren’t you tired!”
Reluctantly, he had to be the first to speak.
“This……”
“Ahem~”
“Alright, you guys talk to him.”
“……” Nan Hua glanced at his father.
Did he dare to speak without authority?
Father Nan, “……”
Why did he lack authority?
He was standing with the majority; that was authority!
However, Nan Hua only gave him a glance and ignored his father, then looked towards Chu Sheng.
“Ms. Chu, you say it then.”
“Ahem~”
“This… How have you been getting along with Xiao Xi recently?”
“???”
Nan Hua looked confused.
“You guys are still concerned about this?”
“Look at what you’re saying!” Chu Sheng rolled her eyes, then said enthusiastically, “You’re my son, and she’s my future daughter-in-law. Naturally, I care about your relationship!”
Nan Hua rubbed his arm, unable to quite withstand the force of his mother’s words.
What was this?
What were they trying to do?
“Mom, you… be normal.”
“We’re doing great. If you can let me go and connect with your dear daughter-in-law more now, that would be even better,” Nan Hua said with a smile at his mother.
“This… it’s not impossible.”
“However!”
“Let’s finish the important matter first, and then you can connect. You can connect for as long as you want; we definitely won’t disturb you.”
“……”
“Alright… Then hurry up and say what you need to say.”
Since it had come to this, Nan Hua didn’t dwell on it anymore. He leaned back lazily, waiting for his mother to speak.
“Hehe~”
“After the New Year, you’ll be graduating, won’t you?”
Nan Hua nodded, “Yes.”
“Why are you guys concerned about this?”
It was truly strange!
In the past twenty-odd years, these people had even mistaken his grade level!
He didn’t think that going to the junior high section for the high school parent-teacher meeting meant they cared about his studies.
“……”
This son!
For the sake of his future daughter-in-law, she would endure!
“It’s just that after the New Year, I’ve become sentimental~”
“Mm…” Nan Hua stared at the three opposite him, “Looking at it this way, it does seem so.”
“……”
“Isn’t that right~”
She was practically grinding her teeth…
This troublesome son!
“By the way, what are your plans with Xiao Xi after graduation?”
“Xiao Xi is such an excellent child…”
“Plans? We do have them!” Nan Hua nodded.
“What plans?”
“Both she and I plan to continue our studies at the university. Does that count as plans?”
“……”
“It counts!”
“Then that’s settled. You both know that we’ve already been accepted, so why are you asking again?”
“Just concerned…”
“Can I go upstairs now?”
“Go ahead, go ahead.” Chu Sheng waved her hand impatiently.
This son… the matter of urging marriage would have to wait.
Looking at him now, he seemed unreliable…
She felt embarrassed, afraid of making Xiao Xi feel wronged.
……