Chapter 388 The Family

Chapter 388 Family Reunion

On Lunar December 29th, the Ye family finally arrived in the capital.

Ye Xiaoxiao had already given Duan Hong the day off, and Song Xiaoguang came over to help Xiao Xiao put up the New Year’s couplets around the yard.

With so many doors, it was a big job.

Meanwhile, Lu Hanchuan, who was supposed to be on leave, hadn’t returned yet—likely stuck on duty until the last minute.

Ye Xiaoxiao had no choice but to ask Song Guangjing for help.

When she got the call, the Ye family had already arrived at Ye Changning’s villa.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You all coming over for dinner later? I’ll ask my master to join us too, along with Grandpa and Grandma from the Lu family. Let’s all eat together."

Lu Hanchuan’s grandparents had an event tomorrow, but they were free today.

Ye Xiaoxiao had originally planned to visit them as well.

Ye Changning thought for a moment. "Is your place set up for cooking? I’ll send a couple chefs over to prepare the meal so Mom and Dad can rest. I’ll bring everyone over in the afternoon."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sure, my place is spacious enough. They’re welcome to stay over too."

All the courtyard rooms had heating—even if it was a little wasteful, it made hosting relatives much easier.

Ye Changning: "That works. You’re by yourself anyway."

Normally, the Ye family wouldn’t stay at Xiao Xiao’s place.

Though the Ye family was simple and practical, they still held some traditional beliefs—that caring for parents was the sons’ responsibility.

Staying at a married daughter’s home might make her in-laws look down on her.

To keep from causing her trouble, Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang would never stay in Xiao Xiao’s courtyard.

But with it being New Year’s and Lu Hanchuan still away in the military, the family naturally wanted to spend more time with Xiao Xiao.

After hanging up, Ye Xiaoxiao started straightening up the house.

"Xiaoguang, could you bring Master and Uncle Guoxian over for dinner later? My parents and the others are coming too."

Song Xiaoguang was quite familiar with the Ye family and nodded. "Sure. Do you need anything else? One table won’t cut it."

"The tea room’s table is free—we can set up one table there, and there’s a big table in the dining room. We’ll have plenty of space."

When Xiao Xiao had designed the dining area, she’d considered the size of the Ye family and had a custom expandable wooden round table made—one that could even change shape.

But with only two or three people eating together normally, they’d never needed to extend it. Now, it would finally serve its purpose.

Song Xiaoguang nodded. "I’ll go back and let the master know."

"Mm."

After Song Xiaoguang left, Ye Xiaoxiao checked the ingredients at home.

The housekeeper had stocked the fridge before leaving, but with so many people coming for dinner, it looked like they might run short.

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

You could probably still find them if you go to the market now.

Just as Ye Xiaoxiao was considering whether to go out for groceries, the chefs Ye Changning had arranged showed up.

Now Xiaoxiao didn't need to worry, as they brought plenty of ingredients.

"You guys don't even take a break during the New Year?"

One of the younger cooks said, "We take shifts, and it's just cooking. Boss Ye is paying triple wages, so everyone was eager to stay."

Ye Xiaoxiao thought to herself that her third brother wasn't such a bad boss after all—the perks were pretty decent.

These chefs weren't very old, but they all had professional culinary certificates or had worked in high-end restaurants.

She had no idea where Changning had dug them up.

Xiaoxiao didn't have to do anything. The chefs were busy prepping ingredients and getting the burners going.

"Some stews need to be prepared in advance. The rest we'll stir-fry an hour before the meal," one of the cooks explained.

Not that Xiaoxiao needed the explanation—she wasn't a professional anyway.

Xiaoxiao went to the Lu family to pick up Grandma Lu and Grandpa Lu, telling the staff in the courtyard to close the gate properly so the dogs wouldn't run out.

Over at the Lu house.

What surprised her was that besides Grandpa Lu and Grandma Lu, Lu Xingzhou and Yun Chengxiu were also there.

"We were just going to call you, and here you are."

"Mom, Dad, why don't you come over for dinner later?"

Xiaoxiao told them her own parents were back in Beijing.

"That sounds great. Xiao Xiao's place has such a lovely vibe. After dinner, we can sit and chat over tea."

Yun Chengxiu wasn't big on traditions, like having to eat at home during the New Year.

Besides, since the Ye family was there, they really ought to meet them.

"Mom, Dad, how long are you staying home?" Xiaoxiao asked.

Yun Chengxiu replied, "We still have some work tomorrow, but we'll definitely take a few days off during the New Year."

Yun Chengxiu felt kind of bad—during such an important holiday, no one was around to keep Xiao Xiao company. Probably no other family would leave their new daughter-in-law like this.

But there was no other way—they all had work to do.

If anything, work got busier right before New Year's.

Lu Xingzhou also said, "We'll have a real get-together at home during the New Year. There's just no time these two days."

Xiaoxiao didn't mind at all. She wouldn't feel bored with so many people around her.

"Grandma, Grandpa, if you're done with your work, you can stay at my little courtyard for a couple of days. I think you'd really like it."

Grandma Lu played along. "Then I'll have to bring my pajamas." With Xiao Xiao being a doctor herself and familiar with the elderly couple's health, they'd be in good hands if they stayed there.

Better than leaving the two elders home by themselves.

Yun Chengxiu said directly, "Mom and Dad, you can stay at Xiaoxiao's place for a few days. We'll come get you once Xingzhou and I are free."

"It's just for tomorrow's show. Just bring the outfits you want to wear, and we'll have the guards pick you up from there tomorrow."

Old Man Lu said, "That works. I'll get to play chess with Xiao Ye too. I need to bring my chess set."

This "Xiao Ye" refers to Ye Jianguo.

Lu Xingzhou didn't object either, though he felt bad about inconveniencing Xiao Xiao.

When Yun Chengxiu went out, she was still choosing gifts. There wasn't much prepared in advance, so she just grabbed extra snacks and food from home.

Normally, Xiao Xiao doesn't eat a lot, but now that the Ye family is here, there's no need to worry about waste.

When Ye Xiaoxiao brought everyone over, Ye Changning was getting ready to head over with his family.

Not everyone had been to this courtyard before. Zhang Xue was worried before leaving, "If we all go to Xiao Xiao's place, won't we be in the way?"

Ye Changqing put his arm around his wife, knowing she was concerned about causing trouble for Xiao Xiao, and reassured her, "Xiao Xiao invited us over, so she must have everything figured out."

When they arrived at the courtyard, those from the Ye family who hadn't been there before were taken aback.

"So this is the 'small courtyard' Xiao Xiao mentioned? It's pretty big."

Ye Changning laughed, "This is just the front yard. She also has a backyard where she grows vegetables."

What Xiao Xiao actually grew were medicinal herbs, but Ye Changning didn't recognize them.

Ye Changsheng also said, "Her place is indeed big. Besides the rooms on the second floor of the main house, there's also a row of guest rooms on the east side. Our whole family can stay here."

As soon as the Ye family arrived at the gate, the little dogs in the courtyard started barking.

Ye Changning looked curiously at the two little golden pups, "When did she get dogs?"

At the sound of the barking, Ye Xiaoxiao ran out to greet them. Shen Qiuyu was still holding a child in her arms, so Xiao Xiao quickly ushered everyone inside.