"Come, let us juniors toast the elders and wish them a Happy New Year…"
Ouyang Zhixin raised his wine glass and stood up in the main hall.
Earlier, due to Ouyang Liqun's matter, Old Master Ouyang Shen's face was gloomy, and everyone dared not make a sound. Seeing Ouyang Zhixin, the eldest son, breaking the somber atmosphere, Ouyang Weizhi quickly reminded Ouyang Liqun, who was sitting beside him, to rise and toast…
Wan Yunting, Ouyang Xiuxian, and other juniors also raised their wine glasses and stood up, toasting Ouyang Shen He, Ouyang Xing Teng, and another elder named Ouyang Longqing: "Wishing our elders good health and longevity in the New Year…"
"Good, good, good…"
Seeing Wan Yunting toasting beside him, Ouyang Shen He's old face finally relaxed into a smile. He, Ouyang Xing Teng, and Ouyang Longqing also raised their wine glasses and gestured to everyone. After everyone finished their drinks, they sat down.
"Come, Little Wan, try this dish…"
Ouyang Shen He picked up his chopsticks and personally served a dish to Wan Yunting. This surprised the clan members present, showing that the old master truly liked this eldest grandson.
Ouyang Weizhi, sitting to the left of Ouyang Zhixin, saw this scene. A cold light flickered in his eyes, and his heart sank to the extreme. Only Ouyang Liqun, sitting beside him, remained calm, without any ripple of emotion. Even when the old master rejected his marriage to Ji Ruxue earlier, he showed no discomfort.
The New Year's Eve dinner lasted a long time. Wan Yunting, who could hold his liquor, managed to get many of the elder clan members drunk.
Originally, his cousin Ouyang Xiuxian had confidently declared he would out-drink Wan Yunting, but after a few bottles of white wine, he was completely incapacitated.
"Haha, Little Wan truly has a great capacity for alcohol."
Ouyang Shen He couldn't help but praise Wan Yunting repeatedly, seeing him appear as if nothing had happened after drinking for so long.
The banquet outside had long since ended, but the important family members in the reception hall were still drinking…
Since they were staying at the Ouyang residence that night, Mother Xia Xiangyun first arranged for Wan Dongming and his wife to take Wan'er to rest. Zhang Xian'er and Duan Yingying also followed and were arranged in the guest rooms for the night.
Ouyang Fanmeng stayed in the reception hall with her brother Wan Yunting. At the same time, many female family members and children were also present. Ouyang Zhihui, with a flushed face from drinking, suddenly remembered something and stood up, calling out, "Oh dear, I'm getting muddled from drinking. I haven't given the younger generation their red envelopes yet. Xinyuan, quickly bring the red envelopes…"
"I also need to give out red envelopes…"
The elders at the wine table had been too focused on drinking and almost forgot to give out red envelopes to the younger generation.
In the reception hall, the younger generation of the clan were gathered, playing around, waiting for the elders to give them their red envelopes.
"Fanmeng, quickly go and get our red envelopes too…"
Wan Yunting also asked his sister to get the red envelopes, as he also had red envelopes to give to his nephews in the family.
Suddenly, they saw families bringing in large boxes filled with red envelopes. Each red envelope was thick, containing about ten thousand yuan. If the paper could hold more, this family would certainly not be short of money.
Of course, not everyone could afford to give out so much. For example, relatives from outside the family, who were only connected by the Ouyang family, were naturally not as generous as the Ouyang family members.
The ones who toasted Wan Yunting the most tonight were those unfamiliar family relatives, perhaps people who were not highly regarded by the family. They simply wanted to curry favor with Wan Yunting and leave a good impression.
"Come, Little Wan, you're not married yet and are considered a junior. Uncle will give you a big red envelope."
A senior relative took out a large red envelope. He knew that Wan Yunting didn't lack this little bit of money, but it was a gesture of goodwill, symbolizing a smooth year.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Wan Yunting accepted the red envelope, smiled, and congratulated, "Wishing Uncle a happy new year and family happiness."
"Good, good, good…"
The uncle was very pleased. Immediately, others also came forward to give him red envelopes. Just as he and his sister Ouyang Fanmeng finished distributing that box of red envelopes, they were now receiving another box.
"Come, Little Wan, Fanmeng, Grandpa is giving you red envelopes."
Ouyang Shen He also took out two red envelopes and handed them to them. Wan Yunting and Ouyang Fanmeng accepted them and smiled, "Thank you, Grandpa."
"By the way, where are Dongming and his wife?" Ouyang Shen He asked, remembering something.
Wan Yunting looked around and saw Duan Yingying entering with his second brother, Wan Dongming. He called out, and Wan Dongming came over, smiling at Ouyang Shen He, "Hello, Grandpa. My wife took Wan'er to rest first."
Ouyang Shen He smiled and nodded, then took out four large red envelopes for him, saying with a smile, "Dongming, from now on, we are one family. There are no strangers between us. These red envelopes are from Grandpa for you and your wife, and for your eldest sister and her child."
Wan Dongming looked at the four large red envelopes the old man handed him and was stunned for a moment. Wan Yunting beside him hadn't expected the old master to still remember his eldest sister, and he couldn't help but be moved.
"Take them."
Ouyang Shen He stuffed the four red envelopes into Wan Dongming's hands and said with a smile, "You child, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come home. Your Wan family has a kindness towards our Ouyang family, and we Ouyang family will always remember this favor!"
This statement made all the Ouyang family members present nod, especially Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun. If it weren't for the Wan family, they might have lost their son Wan Yunting.
The old master's words deeply touched Wan Yunting and Wan Dongming. Then, Ouyang Zhixin and his wife also prepared red envelopes for Wan Dongming and his wife, and for their eldest sister who was in prison. Tomorrow, when Wan'er woke up, she would also receive a red envelope…
This New Year's Eve dinner lasted until past eleven o'clock at night. The happy old masters were reluctant to go to sleep because this year was the most complete family reunion for their Ouyang family.
But the clan members knew why the family head, Ouyang Shen He, was so happy!
It was because the Ouyang family had found their eldest grandson, Wan Yunting. There were even rumors outside that the Ouyang family had made a great profit…
Wan Yunting and his father, Ouyang Zhixin, personally helped the old master back to his residence. Ouyang Shen He then said with a smile, "Alright, you father and son, go back and rest early too."
"Okay, Dad. You get some rest quickly."
Ouyang Zhixin nodded, then said to a dedicated caregiver inside the room, "Take good care of the old master."
After speaking, Ouyang Zhixin led Wan Yunting away and returned to their courtyard. On the way, they chatted, "Grandpa didn't announce tonight who will inherit the position of family head!"
Ouyang Zhixin smiled and looked at him, saying, "Your grandpa is a man of great depth. He will never reveal his intentions until the last moment!"
Wan Yunting nodded, then narrowed his eyes and said, "I didn't expect Ouyang Liqun to bring that woman!"
Ouyang Zhixin raised an eyebrow and said, "That woman indeed gives off a strange feeling, just as you said before!"
Wan Yunting's eyes flashed with a fierce glint, and he said, "Her appearance tonight should not be so simple!"
Ouyang Zhixin stopped and looked at him in surprise, "You think she might be hostile towards you?"
Wan Yunting shook his head and said, "No, I'm just worried that her presence in our home might lead to unexpected events!"
Ouyang Zhixin nodded and said, "Little Wan, you go back first. I'll instruct someone to keep a close watch on Weizhi's family's courtyard tonight, to prevent that woman from doing anything dangerous tonight."
"Okay, Dad. Go and come back quickly."
Wan Yunting nodded. The father and son parted ways. He went back directly, while Ouyang Zhixin went to find the housekeeper and instruct him to have people guard the courtyard where Ouyang Weizhi and his family were staying…
At this moment, in the living room of that courtyard, Ouyang Weizhi's face was filled with gloom. His wife, Fang Wenli, also sat on the side with a worried expression, saying, "So, does this mean the old master really intends to pass the position of family head to Ouyang Zhixin?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Ouyang Weizhi slammed the table, saying angrily, "Look at your grandfather's performance tonight. Although he hasn't announced it yet, it's as good as announcing that the position of family head will be passed to my elder brother's lineage."
"Son, you need to think of a solution quickly."
Fang Wenli anxiously said to Ouyang Liqun, who was sitting beside them with a calm expression, "We absolutely cannot let the old master pass the position of family head to Ouyang Zhixin."
Ouyang Weizhi also glared and stared directly at his son, saying, "Liqun, do you have any way to make the old master change his mind?"
Ouyang Liqun was twirling a teacup in his hand. He slightly curved his lips and said with a light laugh, "Dad, Mom, Ruxue will make the old master change his mind. You don't need to worry!"
This statement made Ouyang Weizhi and Fang Wenli pause, exchanging glances. They immediately said, "So, you brought her here?"
"That's enough."
Ouyang Liqun stood up and walked outside, "Dad, Mom, you should rest early…"
Watching his son leave, Ouyang Weizhi raised an eyebrow, wondering how he would get that Ji Ruxue to act.
"Brother, you're back."
At this moment, in another large courtyard, there were six rooms, basically enough for their large family to live in. Wan Yunting entered the living room and saw his mother, sister, and second brother were still there. He smiled, "You're still not asleep."
"We're waiting for you and Dad." Ouyang Fanmeng said, but she didn't see her father return: "Where's Dad?"
"Oh, Dad is discussing something with Grandpa, he'll be back shortly," Wan Yunting made an excuse.
Xia Xiangyun's expression faltered. She mistakenly thought the old master might have sought out her husband to discuss the position of family head.
"Brother, where are we going to play tomorrow?"
Ouyang Fanmeng didn't think much of it and pulled Wan Yunting's arm to sit down. He smiled, "Didn't we agree to visit the Great Wall tomorrow?"
"Are we bringing Sister-in-law and Miaomiao?"
While they were chatting, Ouyang Zhixin returned. Wan Yunting exchanged a glance with him, knowing that arrangements had been made. He then stood up with a smile, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's go to bed early and play together tomorrow."
"Okay…"
Ouyang Fanmeng was still a little reluctant to go to sleep, but in the end, her elder brother Wan Yunting nudged her, urging her to go back to bed…