"Second brother, second sister-in-law, thank you for your hard work."
Taking the things from sister-in-law Wang Chulin's hand, he looked at her slightly bulging, but not very obvious, stomach and smiled, "You'll be giving birth around April or May when spring arrives."
"Yes."
Wang Chulin nodded with a smile, greeted Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun with Wan Dongming, and then smiled and said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, come in quickly and eat."
"Okay, Uncle..."
Wan Dongming entered with his wife, and Wan Yunting also asked if everything was arranged at home...
"Let's go, Little Wan, it's time to go to your grandfather's."
Seeing that it was already noon, Ouyang Zhixin got up and said, "There will be a lot to do at your grandfather's house, let's go earlier to make arrangements."
"Okay, Dad, let's go then."
Wan Yunting turned to his second brother and sister-in-law. Tonight's New Year's Eve dinner will be held at their grandfather's place.
Today is also the day for all members of the Ouyang family to gather for their New Year's Eve dinner, which will be very grand and lively.
Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun, Wan Yunting and Ouyang Fanmeng, Wan Dongming and Wang Chulin with Wan'er, Duan Yingying and Zhang Xian'er followed. The group left home by car and headed directly towards Huaiyuan in the capital.
The ancestral residence of the Ouyang family is located in Huaiyuan. It covers an area of one hundred mu and is situated by a small lake. The lake is now frozen, with withered lotus and broken branches. A solitary pavilion in the lake offers a unique poetic charm.
This mansion, if placed in ancient times, would be equivalent to a prince's residence. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the mansion changed hands several times among officials and dignitaries before finally being acquired by the Ouyang family's ancestor, Ouyang Shenhe's father.
The mansion was renovated by the previous generation and is now a national protected cultural relic. Of course, the Ouyang family can live in it, as long as they do not redecorate or damage the mansion.
The Ouyang mansion is exceptionally lively today. All members of the Ouyang family, young and old, have returned. Even relatives who are distantly connected have actively sought to join. The entire family, numbering over a hundred people, creates a very festive atmosphere.
In a large square within the Ouyang family's estate, preparations for the New Year's Eve banquet have already begun. A group of children are playing nearby, while in a spacious reception hall, Ouyang Shenhe, dressed in a white Tang suit, and several elders like Ouyang Xing Teng are chatting and laughing while drinking tea.
Ouyang Zhihui, Ouyang Zhiguo, and Ouyang Weizhi are also sitting around the elders, all talking and laughing, completely devoid of their usual confrontational demeanor.
After all, the younger generation in every large family inevitably has some private conflicts and disagreements. However, today is New Year's Eve, and the elder, Ouyang Shenhe, has explicitly stated that on New Year's Eve, the family should gather together happily and refrain from engaging in any unpleasant matters.
"Great-Grandfather, look at the couplets I wrote..."
A little boy runs over, showing off his written couplets to Ouyang Shenhe...
Ouyang Shenhe takes the couplets, a benevolent smile on his face, "You wrote this? Very good. Here, Great-Grandfather will give you a big red envelope."
Saying that, Ouyang Shenhe takes a large red envelope from a delicate wooden chest nearby and gives it to this great-grandson...
With so many people, the prepared red envelopes are naturally packed in sacks. Then, a group of children also bring their calligraphy to ask for red envelopes, and soon the red envelopes in the chest are depleted.
"It's already this late, why haven't Zhixin and his family arrived yet?"
Ouyang Xing Teng checks the time, it's already 12:30 PM, but Ouyang Zhixin's family still hasn't shown up.
"They should still be busy at home."
Ouyang Shenhe nods with a smile, gets up and says, "Let's a few old folks go write some couplets."
"Okay, let's go..."
Ouyang Xing Teng and several other family elders get up and move to a large study in the back. On a long rosewood desk are writing brushes, ink, and red paper for couplets. A group of children are inside holding brushes, writing crooked characters, all wanting to write well and receive praise from their great-grandfathers.
Ouyang Zhihui, Ouyang Weizhi, and the younger generation Ouyang Xiuxian and Ouyang Xinyuan also arrive in the study. Seeing their grandfathers writing couplets, Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun, with their son Wan Yunting and daughter Ouyang Fanmeng, appear shortly after. They first greet the clansmen outside before entering the study.
"Dad, Uncle, we're here."
Ouyang Zhixin goes up to greet them. Ouyang Shenhe stops writing and nods to his son, then joyfully calls out to Wan Yunting, "Come, Little Wan, today's couplets for our main gate must be written by you."
"Yes, Little Wan is now a great calligrapher in the literary world. Many people want his calligraphy, and we haven't even seen his handwriting yet," a middle-aged man named Ouyang Linbao says loudly, it's unclear if he's trying to flatter or is being sincere.
Of course, everyone in the Ouyang family knows that Wan Yunting is appreciated by the elder, Ouyang Shenhe!
As expected, Wan Yunting picks up a brush and writes a couplet for the main gate of the Ouyang residence. His bold strokes immediately shock the surrounding clansmen, earning him all sorts of praise.
Especially those clansmen who were not close to Ouyang Zhixin before, now show enthusiasm, while directly neglecting Ouyang Weizhi and his wife Fang Wenli, which makes the couple feel uncomfortable!
It is now circulating among the clan that Wan Yunting's appearance might change the candidate for the next family head!
Before Wan Yunting appeared, everyone unanimously believed that Ouyang Shenhe would pass the position of family head to his son Ouyang Weizhi because of Ouyang Liqun!
But now that Wan Yunting and Ouyang Zhixin have reconciled, and his reputation is even higher than Ouyang Liqun's, if Ouyang Shenhe truly considers the future of the Ouyang family, he will definitely choose Ouyang Zhixin's lineage to inherit the position of family head.
Wan Yunting personally affixed the valuable couplet to the main gate of the Ouyang residence, earning applause from the entire clan. At the same time, his parents, Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun, beamed with pride.
Lunch is a simple affair; everyone is waiting for the New Year's Eve dinner. Ouyang Shenhe personally takes Wan Yunting around the family estate, introducing him to the scenery. He even specially prepares a private courtyard for Wan Yunting to stay overnight.
This move makes everyone in the Ouyang family completely certain that Ouyang Shenhe truly intends to pass the position of family head to Ouyang Zhixin's lineage!
This makes Ouyang Weizhi, who is following behind, look slightly displeased, but his heart is even more gloomy. He simply cannot stand his father's kindness towards Wan Yunting!
"Why hasn't Liqun arrived yet?" Ouyang Weizhi quietly asks his wife Fang Wenli.
Up until now, Ouyang Liqun has not appeared. Fang Wenli says, "Qun'er said he would come during the New Year's Eve dinner."
Ouyang Weizhi nods, looking at Wan Yunting and his father Ouyang Shenhe, as well as Ouyang Zhixin and Ouyang Zhihui in front of him, a fierce glint flashes in his eyes!
At seven o'clock in the evening, the New Year's Eve dinner officially begins.
Ouyang Shenhe and elders like Ouyang Xing Teng, who have changed into red Tang suits, naturally sit at the main table in the living room. The oversized round main table can seat thirty people, all of whom are male members of the Ouyang family. Women and relatives from outside the family can only eat at the side tables.
Ouyang Zhixin naturally sits to the right of Ouyang Shenhe, followed by Wan Yunting, and then Ouyang Weizhi and others...
Ouyang Xing Teng is on Ouyang Shenhe's left, followed by Ouyang Xiuxian and his father Ouyang Zhiguo, and Ouyang Zhihui and others. At this moment, Ouyang Shenhe sees that the seat next to Zhiwei is still empty and asks, "Where is Liqun? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"
Suddenly, everyone present looks at Ouyang Weizhi. If the elder hadn't mentioned it, everyone would have almost forgotten about Ouyang Liqun.
After all, today everyone has been revolving around Wan Yunting, whereas in previous years, it was Ouyang Liqun.
"Grandfather, we're here."
Just then, Ouyang Liqun appears, dressed in a suit and wearing a jacket. He is also holding Ji Ruxue, who is wearing a gorgeous long dress and a jacket. Her long, curly hair cascades elegantly. Her stunning beauty and pair of strangely enchanting light green fox eyes, coupled with her fiery red lips, exude a queen-like powerful aura. The moment she appears, all eyes in the room are drawn to Ji Ruxue.
Immediately, the important members of the Ouyang family look at Ji Ruxue with confusion, not knowing who she is.
"Liqun, why are you only arriving now?"
Ouyang Weizhi, who has reacted, gets up from his seat and reprimands Ouyang Liqun, "Aren't you going to apologize to your grandfather and the others?"
Ouyang Liqun then approaches the elders, Ouyang Shenhe and Ouyang Xing Teng, bows, and apologizes, "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I was delayed by something today. I apologize for my lateness."
Ouyang Shenhe looks at Ji Ruxue standing at the door, frowns slightly, and asks, "Who is she?"
Ouyang Liqun maintains a respectful posture and says, "Grandfather, this is my girlfriend, Ji Ruxue. I brought her to meet you!"
Ouyang Xing Teng says, "Liqun, are you determined to marry her?"
Ouyang Liqun nods, "Yes, I plan to find a date after the new year to get married to Ji Ruxue..."
"I disagree!"
As a result, Ouyang Shenhe's face stiffens, and he directly refuses.
Ouyang Liqun's expression trembles slightly, and he looks up at his grandfather with confusion.
Everyone present is also surprised, not understanding why the elder would refuse.
"Dad, why?"
Ouyang Weizhi quickly asks. Ouyang Shenhe glares at Ji Ruxue at the door, snorts, and says, "She gives me a very uncomfortable feeling at first sight, so I disagree with your marriage."
"But Grandpa..."
Ouyang Liqun tries to say something, but Ouyang Shenhe interrupts him by raising his hand and saying, "Liqun, it's fine for you to date, but you absolutely cannot marry her. Also, your marriage has already been arranged by me. It's the daughter of the Xia family. After the new year, I'll find time to take you to visit the Xia family."
Ouyang Liqun tries to say something again, but Ouyang Shenhe interrupts him again, sternly saying, "As a member of our Ouyang family, how can you casually marry an outsider? So you don't need to say anything more. Just listen to me. Let's start the feast."
Ouyang Shenhe no longer pays attention to Ouyang Liqun beside him. The maids begin to pour wine for them...
Ouyang Liqun's expression is calm, showing no outward emotion, but his heart is extremely dark. He turns to Ji Ruxue and says, "You go find a seat outside."
Ji Ruxue smiles, seemingly unfazed by Ouyang Shenhe's disapproval of her marriage to Ouyang Liqun. She turns and walks outside. Her strangely enchanting light green eyes scan the room. Ji Ruxue sees Zhang Xian'er and Duan Yingying, second brother Wan Dongming and Wang Chulin, Ouyang Fanmeng, and other female relatives of the Ouyang family at a table.
So, Ji Ruxue walks over with her alluring figure and sits directly in an empty seat, causing the people at the table to freeze. Their eyes look at Ji Ruxue with confusion, not knowing who she is.
"Ladies, do you mind if I sit here?"
Ji Ruxue is stunningly beautiful, with a devilish figure and enchanting fox eyes. Carrying her red dress, she sits down next to Wan Dongming, causing her second brother to stare at her with a stunned expression...
Wang Chulin, sitting beside him, can't help but raise her eyebrows slightly. Seeing her husband staring at this woman, she can't help but pinch Wan Dongming's thigh under the table, which brings her second brother back to his senses. He glances at Wang Chulin, sees his wife's gentle gaze, and Wan Dongming smiles awkwardly...
"Come, ladies, I'll toast everyone."
Ji Ruxue, unconcerned by the confused and strange expressions of Xia Xiangyun, Wan Dongming, Wang Chulin, and others at the table, picks up her wine glass and familiarly toasts them.
"Okay..."
This makes everyone at the table a little embarrassed as they each raise their glasses and nod to this strange woman, Ji Ruxue, with a sense of formality.
However, Zhang Xian'er's peach blossom eyes narrow, and she watches Ji Ruxue vigilantly. Her intuition tells her that this woman is not normal!