Chapter 64: Ring

Chapter 64: Ring

New Year's Eve.

At this point, the members of the Ji family had all returned to the old mansion, and they were now gathered together, discussing ways to make the festivities more vibrant.

Over the past two years, various regions across the country had gradually lifted restrictions on fireworks and firecrackers, but it was limited to certain areas. The Ji family’s old mansion, located in the suburbs, was difficult to regulate and adjacent to a green belt, so it remained strictly prohibited.

Although they couldn’t set off fireworks, they were rich!

Other things were a bit troublesome to arrange, but creating a projection of fireworks in the night sky was not difficult.

Once the projection equipment was activated, the group had a great time.

Especially Ji Linze, who single-handedly shared batch after batch of fireworks videos in the group chat. Projected onto the night sky, they looked quite beautiful.

Ji Mingxiu and Shi Ling didn’t join in the festivities. The two stood on the balcony, watching everyone create the fireworks projection in the open space in the backyard.

Though it was just a virtual fireworks display, watching it together was quite enjoyable.

Ji Mingxiu secretly took Shi Ling’s hand, their fingers intertwined.

Chairman Ji joined the fun briefly but soon lost interest. He returned to the balcony with Mrs. Ji and sat down on a lounge chair. “While these fireworks videos are quite nice and seem very realistic, they are still virtual. After a while, it just doesn’t feel right.”

Mrs. Ji nodded as well. “Compared to real fireworks, it still falls short. It’s too late for this year, but we can apply again next year.”

For them, applying for a real fireworks show wasn’t particularly difficult. It was just that they couldn’t set it off at the old mansion; they’d have to find a place where fireworks were permitted.

Shi Ling seemed to recall something. “I came across some news earlier today about a fireworks show at Jinshitan. They’re setting them off for three nights starting from New Year’s Eve. We might not make it tonight, but if we really want to see it, we can catch it tomorrow night.”

Mrs. Ji had just brought out a fruit tray and overheard Shi Ling’s words. She smiled and placed the fruit tray on the small table on the balcony. “Did you plan to watch the fireworks with Mingxiu, Xiao Ling?”

Ji Mingxiu looked over as well. “Really?”

Shi Ling, looking serious, gazed at the fireworks projection in the sky. “I just happened to come across the news earlier.”

“If you want to go, it’s not impossible,” Shi Ling added.

Ji Mingxiu wasn't really interested in the fireworks show, but after Shi Ling suggested it, he suddenly thought that watching a fireworks display with Shi Ling seemed like quite a romantic experience.

He leaned closer to Shi Ling. "So, *Xiao Ling*, do you want to go?"

From the tone of Ji Mingxiu's voice, it sounded like if Shi Ling expressed any desire to go, Ji Mingxiu would drop everything and go with him.

Chairman Ji glanced at his younger son and coughed, reminding him in a pointed tone, "Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year. During the first few days of the new year, various people will certainly drop by under the pretense of New Year’s greetings. Son, you won't be able to leave!"

Ji Mingxiu fell silent.

He turned away, no longer paying attention to his father.

Shi Ling asked, "Do these New Year's visitors come on the first day? I thought they would at least wait until the second day to visit."

Ji Mingxiu explained, "Yes, people who know proper etiquette do indeed come on the second day, but there are always some who are impatient. They are eager to make an appearance at the Ji family or some other influential families. Since it's the New Year, we can’t really turn them away entirely. As long as they don't do anything too outrageous, we just let them be."

"Anyway, we spend the New Year at the old mansion. They won’t really bother us there; they're just a nuisance."

Upon hearing Ji Mingxiu's explanation, Chairman Ji couldn't help but laugh. "Ji Mingxiu, this time last year, you said that these early New Year's visits were a recognition of your influence. How come you find them annoying now?"

Ji Mingxiu didn't feel the least bit embarrassed about his earlier statement being pointed out. "That's because back then, I had just started my role and hadn't fully seen through those people's true intentions yet."

"Besides, engaging in mutual flattery with them is really quite meaningless. And those who come on the first day aren’t worth flattering."

After saying that, he negotiated with Chairman Ji, "Dad, let my brother handle things tomorrow. It's a rare opportunity, and I want to go on a date with Xiao Ling. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper date."

Shi Ling was just about to object, thinking that since they officially became a couple, they had indeed spent a lot of time together.

But then he realized that because of the studio's game launch, although they had spent a lot of time together, most of their time had been spent in the study. One was handling Ji Family affairs, the other dealing with game bugs.

As for going out on proper dates, it had indeed been a long time. The last time they had a proper date was at the Central Restaurant.

And even then, they had been interrupted.

Chairman Ji, after all, had a soft spot for his younger son and waved his hand. "Alright, alright, you two can go and have fun tomorrow. But you both need to be here the day after tomorrow, understand? It wouldn’t be appropriate if you’re not here."

Ji Mingxiu made an "OK" gesture. "Got it!"

Shi Ling had no objections but still asked, "Is there anything special planned for the day after tomorrow?"

Ji Mingxiu gently squeezed Shi Ling's hand and explained, "Most of the people coming tomorrow are just here to make a brief appearance. It's fine if we're not home. But the people coming the day after tomorrow are mostly family elders and their children. In those cases, we should be present. It would be considered rude if we were not there."

Shi Ling understood.

He suddenly thought of another question, "So, when is the Jiang family likely to arrive?"

Ji Mingxiu immediately understood what Shi Ling was hinting at. "Actually, the Jiang family doesn't interact with us very often. Based on past experience, they probably don’t visit us, and we don’t visit them. But if they do come, it would probably be the day after tomorrow."

Although Ji Mingxiu wasn't very impressed with Jiang Yulin, the Jiang family still held some status in Beijing and wouldn't visit on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Shi Ling sighed with regret.

Ji Mingxiu found it amusing and reached out to pinch his cheek. "So, you really don't want to see Zhou Su?"

Shi Ling said gloomily, "If he could just act like a stranger, it wouldn't matter."

Given the current situation of the Zhou family, Zhou Su would likely try to tag along with Jiang Yulin to the Ji family and wouldn't be so quiet.

Ji Mingxiu comforted him, "If you really don't want to see him, leave it to me."

"Dealing with things you don't want to handle is my responsibility as your boyfriend."

Shi Ling thought for a moment. "We'll see how it goes then!"

The fireworks display in the night sky gradually faded, with no new ones appearing.

The group had had enough fun.

Ji Mingxiu took Shi Ling's hand as they headed back inside. "Let's go back. It'll be cold if we stand on the balcony for too long."

Shi Ling nodded and waved to Uncle and Auntie Ji. "We're heading in. You should go inside soon too."

Mr. Ji said, "Go on inside, don’t get in the way of us old folks having our fun."

Shi Ling smiled and followed Ji Mingxiu back to the living room with a light step.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Ji Linze still hadn't calmed down from his excitement. "Ah, that one was really good too. If we projected it, it would have been great. Too bad we didn't set it off earlier."

Ji Mingyuan, holding his daughter with one arm, pulled out a chair with his other hand. "If you really feel it’s a shame, we can still launch it right now. The equipment is still out there."

Ji Linze clicked his tongue and put down his phone. "In that case, forget it. It’s not much fun if I’m the only one watching."

Being a tech enthusiast, Ji Linze sometimes came up with unique ideas that others wouldn’t think of.

Flopped on the sofa, he suddenly said, "Actually, digital fireworks aren’t that great. They’re just video footage, not real fireworks after all. How about we organize a drone show on New Year's Day instead?"

At this, his father gave him a slap on the back of the head. "Drones aren’t something you can just arrange to watch whenever you want. Even if we start contacting a team now, it would still be too late to arrange it for tomorrow."

Ji Mingyuan nodded in agreement. "Besides, it’s the first day of the Lunar New Year. Don’t they get to celebrate the New Year too?"

Ji Linze scratched his head, realizing he had been a bit too optimistic. "You’re probably right."

Ji Mingyuan continued, "If you really want to see them, we can arrange it for Mingxiu and Shi Ling’s wedding."

Yu Ting gently pushed him. "Don’t be ridiculous. It’s still too early for them to get married. Shi Ling hasn’t even reached the legal marriage age yet!"

Ji Mingyuan suddenly realized, "You’re right. It’s still too early to talk about marriage, but an engagement is possible. We can have a celebration just as grand as a wedding. We can have the drones form a pattern in the sky, maybe spell out 'Happily Ever After'."

Just as Shi Ling returned, he happened to overhear the conversation and wasn’t sure whether to enter.

But Ji Mingxiu, who was less easily flustered, calmly led Shi Ling to sit down on the sofa. He handed Shi Ling a strawberry and said, "Our engagement celebration is actually closer to your and your wife’s wedding anniversary. Normally, you two celebrate it on your own, but this year marks your fifth anniversary. Shouldn’t you celebrate it properly? A drone show wouldn’t be too much, would it?"

"As for me and Shi Ling, you don’t need to worry. We’ll design our own drone formation when the time comes."

Ji Linze, who had brought up the topic, looked at Ji Mingyuan and then at Ji Mingxiu, feeling a bit confused. "Why are Big Brother and Second Brother suddenly competing over this?"

Yu Ting answered, "Probably because they’re being childish."

Shi Ling stuffed a smaller strawberry into Ji Mingxiu's mouth. "If you really want to see a drone show, you can contact a team anytime. It’s just a matter of choosing between a more expensive or a cheaper option. There’s no need to wait for a special occasion."

"Let’s not argue about this anymore. These strawberries are delicious. Have some."

Ji Mingxiu swallowed the strawberry and took the opportunity to hold Shi Ling's hand, slipping a silver ring onto his middle finger. "Whether we see a drone show or not isn’t important. What matters is, when we get engaged, will you design the formation?"

Shi Ling was momentarily stunned. He looked at the simple ring on his finger. "When did you prepare this?"

Ji Mingxiu, rarely feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "A long time ago, actually. I had it ready on the day I confessed to you. I was supposed to give it to you that day, but you were too tired, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Anyway, it’s been delayed until now."