Chapter 392 New Year’s Eve

Chapter 392: Lunar New Year's Eve

The Ye family's attitude strengthened Ye Xiaoxiao's sense of security.

It also reassured her that her efforts hadn't been wasted.

If the people she'd worked so hard to save ended up siding with the "main female character," it would've given her a heart attack.

She and Hao Yanyan simply couldn't get along peacefully.

Back in the courtyard, Miao Cuifang and Zhang Xue headed to the kitchen to prep cooking ingredients.

"Xiaoxiao's place has everything we need, except for a proper country-style wok."

Miao Cuifang fumbled with the dinky kitchen tools.

"Mom, if you really want one, I can set up a proper wok in the backyard and even build a heated brick bed (kang). You never did adjust to sleeping on regular beds."

Ye Xiaoxiao genuinely preferred sleeping on a kang during winter.

If she could buy the neighboring courtyard, she could convert it to have kang sleeping areas.

This wasn't just a passing thought—the old neighbor had actually approached her about buying his property.

He planned to move overseas to live with his son, making his Chinese home unnecessary.

While most elders clung to the idea of dying where they were born, some had nothing tying them down.

Ye Xiaoxiao was ready to buy, but the old man was still deciding.

If he sold, she'd be his first choice.

Miao Cuifang: "Nothing beats winter chats on a warm kang! But let's not mess up this nice courtyard with firewood smoke."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Right. We'd need a better way to build it—soon they might ban firewood burning altogether."

Miao Cuifang exclaimed, "That'd be downright inconvenient!"

As she started chopping veggies, she shooed Xiaoxiao out of her domain. "Go relax in the front room."

Ye Xiaoxiao retreated to the house, finding the living room nearly empty.

Her grandparents and maternal grandfather were chatting in the tea room, Second Brother and his wife were checking on the children, while Third and Fourth Brothers had gone home to grab some stuff.

She turned on the TV and joined Ye Baocheng and Ye Baoyuan watching *Journey to the West*.

For her, it was nostalgia; for the kids, it was brand new—they hadn't even watched the whole series yet.

Lu Hanchuan came downstairs and settled beside her.

After their unexpected run-in with Hao Yanyan and Xu Jianwen earlier, he'd expected her to be in a funk.

But she didn't seem bothered at all.

"What's up?"

Ye Xiaoxiao felt him edging closer.

"Let’s check if our Xiao Xiao is feeling down."

"Me?" Ye Xiaoxiao tilted her head, nearly brushing lips with Lu Hanchuan—he was standing way too close.

"Nope. I’m totally over the past."

After all, she wasn’t the original host.

If anything, she was just annoyed.

Hao Yanyan didn’t even deserve her tears.

Lu Hanchuan affectionately pulled Xiao Xiao into his arms. "Our Xiao Xiao’s tough as nails."

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced at the two children—thankfully, the kids were glued to the TV and didn’t notice their aunt and uncle being affectionate.

"I really wasn’t upset. Actually, I saw Hao Yanyan once at the ski resort last time. Seeing how she is now… I kinda pity her."

Ye Xiaoxiao told Lu Hanchuan about Hao Yanyan’s miscarriage.

Lu Hanchuan had zero sympathy for her.

Back when Xiao Xiao almost got run over, who could say Hao Yanyan wasn’t behind it?

Sure, they’d ruined Hao Yanyan financially, but he still remembered the grudge.

Since he was in the military, Lu Hanchuan hadn’t been monitoring Hao Yanyan’s actions. Her miscarriage? Probably karma biting back.

"Serves her right. She asked for it."

Ye Xiaoxiao pinched Lu Hanchuan’s ear. "Okay, enough about her. Let’s focus on something happy."

The happy thing was that Xiao Xiao’s career had reached new heights. By the end of the year, she would receive a huge bonus—enough to live like royalty these days.

"Damn, my wife’s killing it."

Lu Hanchuan felt like he might really have to rely on his wife in the future.

…

In the afternoon, the guards swung by to pick up the grandparents.

They’d be back after the New Year’s show.

So, the New Year’s Eve dinner was just Lu Hanchuan and the Ye family.

Song Guangjing showed up with a few folks. He hadn’t had a New Year’s this lively in ages, and it took him a minute to warm up.

But once he got into the swing of things, he was genuinely happy.

Beijing’s weather this year was surprisingly mild.

At night, the gala played indoors while fireworks exploded across the sky outside.

Fireworks boomed nonstop all night, much to the dogs’ dismay.

Lightning took it in stride, barely flinching indoors.

Fluffy and Ermo, newbies to New Year’s, hid under the sofa, shaking like leaves at every *boom* outside.

Ye Xiaoxiao picked up the two dogs and cradled them in her arms.

She even shoved one into Lu Hanchuan’s arms.

"You’re their dad, yet you don’t even care about them."

Pets are family too.

Lu Hanchuan looked at Fluffy in his arms—this little thing was pretty fussy.

...

Late into the night, those who couldn’t stay awake had already gone to bed.

Only Ye Changning was still egging the brothers on to play mahjong. Though he kept losing, he was still fired up.

Fluffy and Ermo were settling in just fine.

Ye Xiaoxiao was exhausted and dumped her cards. "You guys play, I’m going to sleep."

Playing *Landlords* with her two sisters-in-law was boring too—she kept winning.

Zhang Xue collected the cards. "I’ll take Baocheng and Baoyuan to bed. It’s almost two, and we won’t get much sleep."

Though they had nothing scheduled the next morning, they still had to get up early for New Year visits.

This was Zhang Xue’s first time celebrating away from her hometown. She didn’t know anyone here, but the kids’ red envelopes had to be handed out early.

Ye Changning shook his head—these folks tapping out early were lame.

He glanced at the other Ye brothers and Lu Hanchuan. "We’re not done yet."

Lu Hanchuan stood to leave with Xiao Xiao.

"I’m out. Let Changsheng take my spot—I’ve had enough wins today."

Lu Hanchuan had been on a winning streak all night.

"You two are the worst—winning and bailing!"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "We weren’t even playing for money. Can’t we call it a night?"

Ye Changning goaded her, "Sit down. Third Brother will play you for cash."

Ye Xiaoxiao made a face at him. "Nice try, Officer."

With that, she dragged Lu Hanchuan away.

Ye Changning had no choice but to let Ye Changsheng take Lu Hanchuan’s seat.

Ye Changsheng was the brainiac of the family, but his mahjong skills had to suck. Ye Changning would’ve bet money he could beat the fourth brother.

An hour later, Ye Changsheng had racked up his sixth win.

Ye Changning: "Did you sneak off to practice mahjong?"

Ye Changsheng replied coolly, "Since when does this take skill? You just need hands."

Ye Changning trailed off...

...

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't know when others had gone to bed, but she was still half-asleep when she got up that morning.

Others didn't need to make New Year's visits, but Ye Xiaoxiao had to.

Many elders and old friends in the neighborhood required in-person visits.

Though each stop wouldn't take long, the rounds would still take the entire day.

Breakfast centered around dumplings, accompanied by a whole spread of dishes.

Some dumplings had coins hidden inside - finding one meant good luck for the coming year.