Chapter 469: New Year’s Eve Dinner

Chapter 469: Lunar New Year's Eve Feast

Kong Xuelan thought these people really didn’t mind the hassle.

Despite the many excellent hospitals in big cities, they were willing to come to this remote little island—there had to be a good reason.

Kong Xuelan had pretty much guessed it was because of Xiao Xiao.

Ever since the sanatorium in the compound was built, Xiao Xiao had stopped going to the clinic, which meant she had other work arrangements.

"Anyway, you should still be careful with your work. Come back and take it easy once you’re further along," Kong Xuelan said, also concerned about Xiao Xiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Of course. I can take care of myself."

After chatting with Kong Xuelan, Ye Xiaoxiao saw she and Xu Li still had more to say, so she didn’t linger.

She had work waiting—the sanatorium was still being renovated and expanded. What was once just a small courtyard had now been merged with another, with equipment continuously being added.

They’d even installed a backup generator to prevent blackouts.

Ye Xiaoxiao spent the day at the sanatorium, and Lu Hanchuan swung by to pick her up that evening.

Qu Miao said, "Get going early—don’t wait till it’s dark out."

So Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan went home together.

"Do you get any time off for the New Year?" Ye Xiaoxiao asked Lu Hanchuan after returning home.

Lu Hanchuan replied, "I’m on duty, but I’ll make sure to come back for you."

Xiao Xiao was on the island, so unless there were other assignments, they could see each other every day.

The real struggle was for the soldiers who couldn’t see their loved ones.

Lu Hanchuan did his best to rotate leave for everyone.

Ye Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around Lu Hanchuan’s neck. "Then I’ll be waiting for you on New Year’s Eve."

Lu Hanchuan cupped Xiao Xiao’s face and kissed her.

He replied fondly, "Yeah, I’ll get back as soon as I can."

Time flew, and before they knew it, New Year’s Eve was here.

But Lu Hanchuan’s promise to return early turned out to be empty words—there were activities and performances in the military unit that day, so he couldn’t come home early.

Although family members were allowed to attend, the place was too rowdy, so Ye Xiaoxiao declined.

Instead of trekking all the way to the barracks for the celebration, she preferred staying home and chatting with friends.

That day, Aunt Zhao prepared a whole spread of delicious food. Even without a TV, the place was buzzing.

It wasn’t like Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t afford a TV—she hadn’t bought one only because the island’s signal was poor.

But they had a radio, and listening to the radio wasn’t so bad either.

Though the signal still crackled when the wind picked up.

On New Year’s Eve, Ye Xiaoxiao had all her closest friends over. She’d meant to invite Kong Xuelan over too, since her place was empty anyway.

But Teacher Kong said she'd been having nausea from pregnancy lately and couldn't eat much, so she wanted some time alone.

If Li Linghui returned late, she'd come over to visit.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't press the invitation.

The wind was strong at night, so they couldn't set off fireworks. Ye Xiaoxiao and her friends sat inside making dumplings.

"I see Sister Xuelan knitting sweaters and such. I want to learn too."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't have this skill herself, so she admired anyone who did.

Lin Xining knew many ways to knit.

"I can teach you. It's quite simple."

Qu Miao cut in bluntly, interrupting Ye Xiaoxiao's fantasy.

"Do you even have time for that?"

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head. "No."

Qu Miao: "I think you should just stick to buying clothes. Hand-knitted ones might not turn out well."

Qu Miao's words were biting.

Ye Xiaoxiao knew she had a point, but she still disagreed.

"Says who? I've knitted a scarf before."

Not that scarves were hard.

Qu Miao raised an eyebrow, a little impressed.

"Really?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Just you wait. I'll knit a sweater successfully."

Aunt Zhao boiled some of the wrapped dumplings and called everyone to eat.

"Enough squabbling, kids. I can knit—I'll make you whatever you want. But honestly, Mr. Ye keeps you stocked in clothes, so there's no need to knit your own."

Other families might get one or two new outfits for the New Year, but Ye Xiaoxiao had new clothes all year round.

Ye Changning never skimped on keeping his little sister stylish.

Ye Xiaoxiao had to admit he had a point.

There really wasn't any point in making extra work.

By the time they finished eating, it was already past six in the evening, and the sky outside had darkened.

A few fireworks went off on the island, sounding like the beach.

The residential area stayed quiet—they'd banned fireworks because the sea winds could spread fires.

During the New Year, nobody wanted any hassle. Getting through it peacefully was the main thing.

However, it wasn't entirely peaceful either, as there were always some mischievous kids sneaking around lighting firecrackers.

Not to mention other places, but right as Ye Xiaoxiao and the others were eating, the compound alarm sounded.

"What's going on?"

Ye Xiaoxiao still had a dumpling in her mouth.

Qu Miao stood up. "I'll go take a look."

He returned shortly after. "Looks like a small fire somewhere, but it's not serious."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

She had to hand it to those kids—playing outside in this freezing weather.

Lin Xining added, "Just some firecrackers set the firewood ablaze, but it was spotted in time. I saw people already handling it."

Aunt Zhao didn’t go out to look, nor did she let Xiao Xiao go.

Who knows how crazy it was out there? No point risking getting knocked over.

She only relaxed after hearing it was nothing serious.

"I’ve said it before—no setting off firecrackers in the residential area. They just won’t listen. The beach is so spacious—why not go there?"

Aunt Zhao grumbled, waving everyone back to their seats. "Hurry and eat before the food gets cold."

Lin Xining chuckled. "The beach is pitch-black, windy, and the waves are rough—not exactly safe either. The kids probably just wanted to have some fun close to home. Didn't think they'd start a fire."

Since nothing serious happened outside, the meal continued. Just then, Lu Hanchuan returned.

"Back already—was it because of the fire?"

Xiao Xiao tilted her head, giving Lu Hanchuan a surprised look.

She had assumed such events wouldn’t end till after ten.

"It's still going on. Lao Li and I came back early."

Apart from the opening speeches, these things are really just about eating, drinking, and watching shows.

With no big shots around, there was no need to stay the whole time.

Lu Hanchuan wasn’t interested in the performances, so he headed back early.

Deputy Regimental Commander Li stayed a little longer but ducked out early too.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Perfect timing—sit down and eat with us."

Aunt Zhao had already grabbed a bowl and chopsticks for Lu Hanchuan.

Lu Hanchuan rarely ate with Qu Miao and Lin Xining. In fact, since they arrived on the island, you could count the times on one hand.

At first, Lin Xining thought Lu Hanchuan might be the serious type—with his sharp looks and stone-faced expression could be intimidating.

But he turned out to be pretty down-to-earth, just not much of a talker. He was, however, very attentive to Xiao Xiao.

Dinner went on till after eight, talking and eating made the time fly.

After dinner, Qu Miao and Lin Xining headed out together.

Not until bedtime did Lu Hanchuan finally get to really hold Xiao Xiao.