Chapter 98 New Year's Eve

Chen Yuan received a call first thing in the morning.

It was from the human-shaped version of Yu Zi.

So, he answered it.

"Why are you calling me?" Chen Yuan sat up in bed, sounding lazy.

"What's with you? Can't I wish you a Happy New Year during the holidays?"

Yu Zi retorted, full of pride.

"Oh, okay." Since the other party was so polite, Chen Yuan returned the courtesy, "Happy New Year, Happy New Year."

"How are you? Did anything happen when you took Xin Yu back?"

"Everything's great, very smooth."

Chen Yuan was still a little sleepy and didn't want to go into details, so he changed the subject, "How about you? You must be busy these days, right?"

"Busy? Oh, I am."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yu's desire to complain suddenly became strong, and he blurted out, "Basically, it's all about visiting relatives, eating, and seeing people. I don't have much time as it is, and Jiao Jiao insists on dragging me out to accompany her..."

"It's good to be busy, good to be busy."

Chen Yuan said with a sense of loneliness.

"That's right, it's busy, but at least I'm having fun..." Halfway through, Zhou Yu suddenly realized something and said in a serious tone, "That's not right."

*Beep—*

Before the other party could start his Cybertronian voice output, Chen Yuan hung up the phone directly.

A wonderful New Year begins with a victory in the battle of seniority.

No, wait, it's ending.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

And tomorrow at noon, he will take the bus with Xin Yu to Shaoxiang to see his grandfather and sweep the tomb.

Although it's not quite the exact 'Spring Festival' yet, many people have already started to offer New Year greetings.

Thinking that tomorrow would be a bit busy, Chen Yuan decided to take care of things now.

So, he took out his phone and found Shen Xiao Ran.

Chen Yuan: Happy New Year, Xiao Shen, I wish you success in your studies and happiness every day.

He should also send her a red envelope; this girl said she would take care of him in his old age in the future.

Then, he sent Shen Xiao Ran a hundred-yuan red envelope.

Soon, it炸 (zhà, lit. exploded) her out.

Shen Xiao Ran: Why did you say it today? I wanted to send it to you on time at midnight!

Chen Yuan: I'm old, I won't be watching the Spring Festival Gala tonight, I can't stay up until midnight.

By the way, does anyone from the future know how this year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala is? If it's good, I'll stay up late to watch it.

Shen Xiao Ran: Then, then do you want to video chat with me?

Chen Yuan: How can you stutter while typing?

Chen Yuan: Sure.

So, the other party made a video call.

After answering, Chen Yuan understood why she was stuttering while typing.

At this moment, Shen Xiao Ran was wearing a rather auspicious Spring Festival limited qipao, with warm fluff at the neckline, and a pair of round double-bun hairstyle…

Isn't this Xiao Qiao from our Honor of Kings?

Remember to mark the source.

"H-Happy New Year."

Shen Xiao Ran, her face red, had just started to speak in a shy manner when her mother leaned over and said, "Are you with Chen Yuan? Stand further away, I'll take a picture for you."

"No, Mom, you go play..."

"You look prettier with the camera flipped."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay, then you hold it for me."

Chen Yuan: "..."

Just like that, Chen Yuan watched Shen Xiao Ran retreat little by little, standing in the center of the living room.

Then, with her hands clasped, although this outfit was very embarrassing, she said auspicious words as outwardly as possible: "Happy New Year, I wish you good health and all the best. May you have today every year, and may Xiao Ran be with you every year."

This kid actually篡改 (cuàn gǎi, lit. tamper) the auspicious words left by our ancestors!

"Thank you."

Looking at this cute child, Chen Yuan felt quite healed.

"Okay, Mom, give me the phone quickly."

After the New Year's greetings, Shen Xiao Ran eagerly went to her mother to get the phone.

Then, she stumbled. Her legs still weren't very good, and she fell to her knees with a *paji* (sound effect)...

"Oh, no need for such a grand gesture!"

This kneeling almost shook out the BGM of 'If the falling leaves change seasons'...

And Shen Xiao Ran, who had done such an embarrassing thing, quickly said to her mother, "Turn it off, turn it off!"

And so, the video call ended.

Then…

Let's send a message to Sister Tong Tong.

Chen Yuan: Comrade Li Tong, Happy New Year.

Likewise, it wasn't long before the other party replied.

Li Tong: Happy New Year, Chen Yuan. I wish you better and better grades and that you become more and more handsome.

After sending the blessing, a transfer of 1000 yuan with the note 'New Year's red envelope' shot over.

Damn it! Is this the power of a working adult who pays into public funds and social security medical insurance?

She's actually ten times more豪横 (háohèng, extravagant) than me.

Chen Yuan: Are you bribing the people?

Li Tong: How can public servants bribe the people?

Chen Yuan: It's still too much. Send me a red envelope of 200 yuan, Sister Tong.

Two hundred is enough; a thousand is a bit too much like being a kept man.

And if I really want to be a kept man, I'd definitely be looking for the younger and prettier Fu Fu.

Just as he was waiting for a reply, a WeChat voice message came.

So, Chen Yuan opened it.

Then, he heard Tong Tong's rarely gentle voice, "Good boy, accept it."

"..." Chen Yuan had to admit that he was blushing.

His cheeks were slightly flushed.

No, I can't do anything to betray Xin Yu.

So, Chen Yuan's trembling finger clicked the word 'Receive'.

I'll accept your money, but skip the intention.

That feels good.

Chen Yuan: Thank you, boss, you're so generous.

Li Tong: Don't call me boss; civil servants can't do business.

Chen Yuan: "..."

Hehe, you son of a b*tch.

Are you the kind of person in TV dramas who sees the male lead riding a bicycle with his sister and calls him out for violating traffic laws?

Li Tong: What are your plans for today?

Chen Yuan: Resting at home, eating New Year's dinner, and then playing mahjong in the afternoon.

Li Tong: Okay, have fun.

Li Tong: Don't gamble when you play mahjong.

What's the point of playing mahjong without money?

Chen Yuan: Understood, I guarantee not to participate in gambling or drugs.

Li Tong: ?

This yellow is really not something I can guarantee.

After all, I can control myself, but there's no way to control Yu Zi.

That girl is simply a pervert.

I can already imagine how I'll be exploited after marriage; sad.

Chen Yuan: What are your plans for tonight?

Li Tong: Working [doge emoji]

Chen Yuan: You've worked hard, thank you for guarding my Xia Hai.

After talking to Li Tong, only the group chat for the three of them, and Tang Siwen and Zhou Fu were left.

I'll leave those people for tomorrow's main event.

After all, Mother Fu is great, so I can't be careless.

After finishing, Chen Yuan got up, put on his clothes, and went outside.

Just then, Xia Xin Yu also finished brushing her teeth and was about to call him.

The two of them met in the hallway of the house.

At this time, his mother suddenly shouted, "Xin Yu, come here, I'll show you something."

Xia Xin Yu was a little confused, and then dragged Chen Yuan over as well.

Then, they saw a low brazier table with a blanket on it in the living room...

"Wow, a roasting fire box!" Xia Xin Yu recognized the thing and said happily.

"What thing?" Chen Yuan didn't quite understand.

"I heard that Jingnan has this every year during the New Year, so I got one. Look, does it feel like the New Year?" Yang Jun Lian said.

"Yes, yes, it feels like I'm home." Xia Xin Yu nodded, very happy.

"So, how do you use this thing?" Chen Yuan asked.

"Come, I'll teach you."

Xia Xin Yu directly took Chen Yuan's hand and led him to the sofa.

Then, she opened the roasting fire box.

Then, the two put their feet on it.

Xia Xin Yu also skillfully put the blanket over their legs.

Chen Yuan didn't feel anything at first, but gradually, he felt warmth all over his body, and exclaimed, "Oh, it's like a kotatsu (Japanese heated table) ..."

"Yes, it's similar. In Jingnan, almost every household has one." Xia Xin Yu said.

"It's not every household, surely some families don't have it, you can't generalize."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing, I'm stacking armor (Internet slang for defending oneself)."

"Well, you two can use this to get through the winter," Yang Jun Lian said with a smile.

"Then, M... then Auntie, you and Uncle, won't you try it?" Xia Xin Yu asked.

"We're going out to play mahjong." Yang Jun Lian explained embarrassedly.

"Okay, go ahead," Chen Yuan gestured ok and said, "We'll be fine at home."

"Don't you have any activities?" Chen Jian Ye asked in confusion.

"No activities, just resting. We're catching the bus tomorrow." After Chen Yuan finished speaking, he added, "If Yang Qi Qi asks me to play mahjong, then I'll go."

"Okay, we'll come back to cook lunch," Yang Jun Lian said.

"No, no need." Xia Xin Yu quickly said, "There are still a lot of dishes from yesterday, Chen Yuan and I will cook our own meals."

"Yes, don't worry about us, go and enjoy your time together."

Since Xin Yu said so, the Jian Ye couple had no choice but to agree.

Then, they went out.

"Although this is good for lounging, don't you think it's too comfortable and easy to get sleepy?" Chen Yuan asked.

"The New Year is for being lazy."

After Xia Xin Yu finished speaking, she stretched out one hand, looked at Chen Yuan, and indicated with some 'domineering' style: Come, let me hug you.

Good lord, has this roasting fire box liberated Yu Zi's nature?

Alright.

Just like that, Chen Yuan leaned on Xia Xin Yu's outstretched hand.

But after a while, her hand went numb, so she looked at him expectantly.

Then, it turned into Chen Yuan hugging Xia Xin Yu.

She leaned on him.

The two of them roasted by the fire, ate Guangc-produced sugar oranges, and watched the latest TV series.

"What show is it? Is it good?" Chen Yuan asked.

"It's a period drama. It's pretty good. Bai Jing Ting and Jin Chen are acting in it," Xia Xin Yu said.

"Bai Jing Ting is a good kid, indeed."

"Yeah... but I think you're better-looking than him."

"You're exaggerating."

"I didn't expect our Yuan Bao to be so humble."

"No, I mean I exceed him by a lot."

"... Our Yuan Bao is so humorous."

The two of them spent this New Year's Eve very easily and leisurely.

Roasting by the fire, eating oranges, watching TV series, browsing Douyin (TikTok), and napping while embracing.

Then, there was the New Year's dinner in the afternoon.

After the New Year's dinner, Yang Qi Qi really opened a mahjong room.

So, Chen Yuan took Xin Yu to play mahjong for a while.

How should I put it? She deserves to be a Xiang girl.

It only took her three rounds to adapt to the rules.

After three rounds, she started to乱鲨 (luàn shā, messily slaughter, slang for dominating).

They played until eleven o'clock in the evening. After exchanging the chips for money, Xia Xin Yu, who had won more than 200 yuan, happily offered to pay for the mahjong room.

Thus, the two spent a satisfactory New Year's Eve.

But unfortunately, when they got home, it was already half-past eleven. They had missed most of the Spring Festival Gala, and it was already nearing its end...

………

In their respective rooms, the two were playing on their phones, chatting on QQ.

At this time, firecrackers sounded outside, crackling and popping.

Xia Hai prohibits firecrackers, but Heshiang (county level city) is not so arrogant. During the New Year, there is an endless stream of firecrackers.

Just as Chen Yuan was about to type something to Xia Xin Yu, his door was suddenly pushed open.

After Xia Xin Yu came in, she locked the door and then burrowed directly into his quilt, saying as she burrowed, "The nian (year) monster is coming, the nian monster is coming..."

"Don't be afraid, Xin Bao, I'll set off firecrackers to scare it away."

So, Chen Yuan *paji paji* (onomatopoeia for clapping), clapped his butt with his hands, making a crisp sound.

Then, a head popped out of the quilt, staring at him with a frown: "Can't you slap your own?"

"Mine isn't as Q as yours..."

Xia Xin Yu covered Chen Yuan's mouth, interrupting his spellcasting.

Then, she shrank to his side, leaning against him like a little娇妻 (jiāo qī, doting wife).

"Aren't you afraid of being discovered by my parents?" Chen Yuan asked with a smile.

"Of course, I'm afraid..." Xia Xin Yu said softly, "But I saw that they had all returned to their rooms before I snuck over. As long as I go back at five o'clock tomorrow morning, it will be a secret."

After speaking, she set an alarm.

"You're really bold, Xin Yu." Chen Yuan shook his head and sighed.

"..." Leaning on Chen Yuan, Xia Xin Yu whispered, "I wanted to be with you."

Chen Yuan was stunned, and said nervously, "Crap, Xin Yu is 起 (qǐ, rising, also slang for aroused)."

"What does '起心语' mean? Why is my name in it..."

"It's nothing, Happy New Year."

"Yeah, Happy New Year."

Just like that, Xia Xin Yu snuggled in Chen Yuan's arms. In the room where Chen Yuan grew up, the two of them shed one year in the sound of explosions...

Tomorrow, Xiao Xia returns home.

(End of chapter)