Chapter 408 The End

Chapter 408 Main Story Conclusion

◎Happy New Year◎

This was Ji Nanxing’s first time spending New Year's with the Xiao family. Although it wasn’t a formal visit to make their relationship public, the Xiao family still took it seriously. The day before the reunion dinner, Xiao Song and his wife Fang Li made a special trip to join the meal, while Xiao Ye’s mother took two days off to fly over for dinner before returning to work.

Only Xiao Ye’s father couldn’t get leave approved, leaving him alone at his workplace, green with envy as he looked at the family photo his wife sent—one without him.

Xiao Ye’s older brother, sister-in-law, grandfather, and mother all gave Ji Nanxing a generous hongbao. Since Ji Nanxing was a boy, Xiao Ye’s mother skipped gold jewelry and bought him a watch instead.

Their family wasn’t wealthy—they were all civil servants. Regardless of their connections, certain appearances had to be maintained. They couldn’t afford gifts worth millions, but spending a few hundred thousand on a watch with salaries they had little else to spend on was manageable.

She kept pulling Ji Nanxing aside to chat, utterly delighted with her son’s choice of boyfriend.

Fang Li, who’d first noticed Xiao Ye’s budding feelings, watched him grinning from ear to ear amid his family and whispered to her husband, "Looks like this kid finally got his wish."

Seeing his younger brother’s dopey smile—as if they could get married tomorrow—Xiao Song chuckled. "Simple minds, simple joys."

Someone like Ji Nanxing, with his looks, background, and capability, was once in a blue moon. Yet this kid had not only found him but won him over. Truly, simple minds had their joys.

With the rare family gathering, Xiao Ye’s mother insisted on a photo. Xiao Ye said, "Dad’s not here."

His mother waved it off. "We’ll just edit him in later."

Xiao Ye’s father, eating his work meal at the office: "┭┮﹏┭┮"

The grandfather sat center stage, Xiao Ye’s mother behind him. To the left were the eldest son and his wife; to the right, the youngest son and his partner. With the blossoming seaside as their backdrop, they captured Ji Nanxing’s first New Year’s photo with the Xiao family.

At noon, they shared a festive reunion dinner. Xiao Song and Fang Li accompanied their mother to her maternal home, while Xiao Ye went with Ji Nanxing to the Ji family in Yulan City for their celebration.

Only on their return flight did Xiao Ye finally lean against Ji Nanxing and sigh. "Didn’t expect New Year’s to be this exhausting, rushing everywhere."

Ji Nanxing tilted his head. "Still got pep?"

Xiao Ye grinned. "Not tired at all!"

Knowing Ji Nanxing was bringing Xiao Ye, the Ji family kept this year’s gathering intimate. The extended family could wait until the relationship was more settled.

Of the Ji family’s four children, the three eldest were still single while the youngest had a boyfriend first—giving Ji’s mother prime ammunition to lecture the others endlessly.

When Xiao Ye entered carrying gifts behind Ji Nanxing, he noticed the siblings’ odd expressions and whispered, "Think they’ll jump me later?"

Ji Nanxing laughed. "Scared?"

Xiao Ye straightened up. "Not a chance."

Having their relationship out in the open was his dream come true—why would he fear?

The Ji family approved of Xiao Ye. They knew his roots, trusted his character, and could see he was head over heels for their Xiao Bao. Their only wish was their children’s happiness.

After dinner, they let Ji Nanxing show Xiao Ye around. The sprawling Ji home boasted a theater, game room, even an observatory built for hobbies—though with the kids hardly ever home, most rooms gathered dust.

Ji Nanxing smiled. "Now these specialty rooms only get used during gatherings or holidays. My younger mother keeps saying my siblings should hurry up and have kids to put them to use."

Xiao Ye chuckled. "So even tycoons face family pressure."

He couldn’t picture the eldest Ji sibling enduring such nagging.

Ji Nanxing shrugged. "Same as anyone. However impressive outside, at home you listen to the nagging."

Xiao Ye: "I really love your family vibe—it’s nothing like the others I’ve seen."

He’d witnessed too many wealthy households where harmony was just a facade. Half-siblings were one thing, but even full siblings schemed against each other ruthlessly. Childhood affection faded fast; adulthood turned them into rivals.

The Ji family’s harmony stemmed partly from their different career paths, but mostly because they were genuinely good people.

Once it was clear Xiao Ye had no interest in the game rooms, Ji Nanxing led him back to his bedroom. Xiao Ye pulled out the red envelopes from Ji Nanxing’s siblings: "I’m keeping all of these. My first *hongbao* from visiting your home—gotta memorialize this."

There was also the fountain pen from Ji’s father, a stunning blue diamond one, custom-made with his name engraved.

As he admired it, Ji Nanxing said, "When my eldest brother took over the family business, my little dad gave him one too."

Xiao Ye’s eyes lit up: "That’s an awesome sign—means I’ll be a legendary CEO like him someday!"

Ji Nanxing grinned: "Frizz-top CEO."

Xiao Ye lunged at him: "It’s genetic! You can’t write off my CEO cred just because I’ve got curls!"

He scooted closer, lacing their fingers. "I’ve already picked a name for *our* company."

Ji Nanxing: "What?"

Xiao Ye: "*Xingye*. Like a spark igniting wildfires, or grass regrowing after burning—unstoppable and unbreakable!"

Ji Nanxing poked his cheek: "Who said you could use my name?"

Xiao Ye rolled them both onto the sofa: "Too bad! It’s happening! What’s mine is yours—*I’m* yours. Some little company’s nothing."

The heated room made their light clothes feel thinner. Ji Nanxing’s shirt collar slipped open in the tussle, revealing the dip of his collarbones. Under the bright lights, his eyes crinkled with laughter, making Xiao Ye cover them hastily.

"Don’t look at me like that. Your family’s here."

Ji Nanxing tugged his hand free, amused by Xiao Ye’s flushed ears: "What’s *in* that head of yours?"

Xiao Ye blurted: "You. Always you."

Ji Nanxing dissolved into giggles.

Their laughter spilled into the hallway where Ji Yuanting stood with a fruit platter. He tutted at the ajar door, making a face like he was about to storm in—until his sister yanked his ear.

Ji Yuanting whirled: "The hell, sis?!"

Ji Yanting: "*You’re* the one eavesdropping! Forever-alone over here can’t stand the lovebirds, huh?"

Ji Yuanting: "What’s so special about that total dork? What’s Xiao Bao even see—"

Ji Yanting: "Uh, his face, for starters. Now quit lurking like a creep. Go bother Mom."

Ji Yuanting pivoted toward his room: "No shot. She’ll grill me about my love life in seconds."

Ji Yanting didn’t let him flee. With their little brother off the market, only three singles remained. Their eldest brother had dodged by "discussing business" with Dad—if Ji Yuanting escaped too, she’d be left as Mom’s sole target.

This meat shield *wasn’t* getting away.

Ji Yuanting whined but let himself be hauled off.

The Jis kept their New Year’s vigil tradition, and this year, Xiao Ye was officially part of the family, scoring two *hongbao*—one for visiting, one for the celebration. Giddy, he whispered to Ji Nanxing: "Jackpot. Best. New Year’s. Ever."

Ji Nanxing: "Hopeless."

The screen behind them was counting down, fireworks blooming outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Xiao Ye held Ji Nanxing's hand and said, "Three, two, one! Happy New Year, Ji Naonao! In the new year, I want you to be healthy and carefree, and I want us to be together forever!"

Then, like a magician, he pulled out a round wooden display from behind him. Inside was a hand-pasted flower scene against a cosmic backdrop, with a sea of flowers dominated by a single fiery red rose at the center—the largest and most vibrant of them all.

Xiao Ye placed the display in Ji Nanxing's hands and said, "I made it myself. It's a bit rough up close, but it looks good from a distance. Today marks our one-year anniversary, and this gift has meaning too."

Ji Nanxing examined the bright dried flowers inside and asked, "What's the meaning?"

Xiao Ye pointed to the rose at the center. "You are the only rose in my life."

He stared intently at Ji Nanxing for three seconds before shuddering at his own cheesiness and bursting into laughter. "No, no, I can't handle cheesy lines. Anyway, you get what I mean. Every single flower here was dried by me—handpicked, each one perfect."

Ji Nanxing smirked. "You spend every day with me, yet you still managed to sneak around and make this. Seems like you've got some real time-management genius."

Xiao Ye widened his eyes in fake outrage. "Ji Naonao! Are you doubting me? How could you doubt me, huh? I just wanted to surprise you, and now you're questioning me? Huh?"

As he whined, he poked at Ji Nanxing's ticklish spots. Though Ji Nanxing wasn't ticklish, the two still ended up playfully wrestling.

Dad Ji wrapped an arm around Mom Ji, watching their children with a satisfied smile. "The kids are growing up. Soon, this house will be even fuller. This year, we have Xiao Ye—who knows if we'll have another one joining us next year?"

Mom Ji chuckled. "One more isn't enough. I'd love enough to fill the house with kids running around—that'd be lively!"

Fireworks continued to light up the sky as people, weary from a year of work, paused to celebrate. In this bustling night, every lit lamp symbolized reunion.

Author's Note:

Isn't a New Year's reunion finale just perfect? Finally finished, hahahaha!

Extra chapters will come as they please—little daily snippets of ghost-hunting and romance. Next up is that dual-worlds story, so if you're interested, feel free to check it out~