Qiuqiu felt utterly miserable every day. Fortunately, Chen Cong was preparing to return home for the New Year, giving Qiuqiu a moment of respite.
Qiuqiu's suffering during this period was not in vain. He had indeed lost a lot of weight, his neck had become more defined, his body was stronger, and he was growing rapidly. At first glance, he looked quite imposing.
This year, thanks to Nuannuan, the Ye family's New Year's Eve dinner was a lively affair.
In previous years, there were always reasons, big or small, that prevented the family from gathering. This year, everyone returned to the old house early.
Even Ye Jingxing, who was filming in the mountains, worked overtime with the director for several consecutive nights to have more days at home. In the end, the director collapsed, Ye Jingxing got a few days off, and happily went home.
On New Year's Eve, the family gathered around a table, happily eating the reunion dinner.
Qiuqiu was also honored with a small table placed on the floor, sitting beside everyone.
"Oh, darling! How long has it been since I've seen our sons all together like this?" Liu Ruhua's opening was classic sarcasm.
As Ye Jianming was raising his glass to speak, Ye Jingzhi interjected.
"Exactly, Mom. The brothers are too unruly," Ye Jingzhi said gleefully.
Since he was the youngest and still studying, he was home every year. Today, he finally had the chance to witness his brothers' predicaments.
"Mom, we just didn't come home occasionally. Look at how you put it," Ye Jingshen said with some helplessness.
"I remember someone was planning to go on vacation last year for the New Year, but ended up returning in a huff halfway because of a conflict," Ye Jianming said with a drawn-out tone.
"Uh oh~"
Nuannuan provided a fitting sound effect from the side, her sparkling little eyes exactly like people "gossiping" online.
"At least I was here in the end. Why is Third Brother not busy with work this year?" Ye Jingzhi retorted, unconvinced.
Ye Jianming: "Why aren't you mentioning Fourth Brother? He's absent the most, isn't he?"
"What about me? My profession is special, okay?" Ye Jingxing immediately protested when the spotlight turned to him.
"Besides, didn't Eldest Brother also miss a year? He's the eldest, he should set the best example."
"I was invited to perform at the national TV gala, which I had to attend. And doesn't Jing Huai guard Ye Corporation in the capital every day, yet he was also absent twice?" Ye Jingshen retorted, displeased. He hadn't intended to be absent those times.
"Heh~ If you have the guts, take over! Don't you know why I'm not there?" Ye Jinghuai delivered a killer blow.
Ye Jingshen awkwardly said, "I was just giving an example!"
Ye Jianming: "Second Brother, I wasn't talking about you. Don't shift the responsibility to me."
Ye Jingzhi: "Right, right, right. Second Brother, you're busy, you've worked hard."
Ye Jingxing: "Yes, yes, yes. I don't have a talent for business."
"Yay! Daddy is so amazing!" Nuannuan suddenly exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands.
"Nuannuan, what are you so happy about?" Ye Jingzhi asked, confused.
"Daddy won!" Nuannuan scratched her little head.
"......"
"Cough~ It's rare for our family to be so complete this year. Let's all have a drink together!" Ye Jianming awkwardly raised his glass.
He had intended to respond to his wife's words, but the brothers had spoken one after another, leaving him no chance. Now, he had to smooth things over.
"Cheers~" Nuannuan was the first to respond, extending her small hand, holding a small bottle of milk, and mimicking her grandfather's toast.
"Oh my, Nuannuan is so supportive of Grandpa!" Ye Jianming said, smiling so broadly his eyes disappeared.
"Mm-hmm~" Nuannuan nodded with a smile.
Nuannuan was dressed like a little red envelope today, her little red Tang suit particularly festive, with a furry trim around the collar and cuffs.
Her hair was styled by Ye Jinghuai into two small braids, one on each side, hanging down her chest, tied with red hair ties. Ye Jinghuai was now quite adept at styling Nuannuan's hair.
"Our dear child is so thoughtful," Liu Ruhua said, smiling.
"Grandma is also thoughtful," Nuannuan said, retracting her hand and looking at Liu Ruhua with blinking eyes.
"Good, good, good, we are all thoughtful," Liu Ruhua's face bloomed with a smile.
Then, the family raised their glasses together and enjoyed a warm New Year's Eve dinner.
After the meal, it was time for the most anticipated part for the children: receiving red envelopes. Nuannuan received many thick red envelopes.
If a single red envelope could hold more money, Nuannuan believed they could have been even thicker.
"Daddy~ Here!"
Nuannuan, carrying a pile of red envelopes, "patter-patter" walked towards Ye Jinghuai.
"Nuannuan wants to give them to Daddy?" Ye Jinghuai asked, amused.
"Mm-hmm! Daddy, please keep them for Nuannuan. Nuannuan's pockets are small," Nuannuan said innocently.
"Okay, Daddy will keep them for you. Daddy will give them back to you when we get back, and then Nuannuan can keep them herself," Ye Jinghuai said, accepting them with a smile.
"Okay~ Thank you, Daddy~" Nuannuan was extremely happy.
"Sister, based on my experience, once they're put away, they're gone," Ye Siqi couldn't help but chime in from the side.
"Mm-hmm," Ye Sizhe nodded empathetically from the side.
"You rascal, what nonsense are you talking about?" Ye Jingshen playfully flicked his two sons on the head.
"Ow, Daddy, I'm just stating facts! After you collected my red envelopes before, there were no more," Ye Siqi mumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Big Brother is right. I don't even know where all those red envelopes went," Ye Sizhe pouted.
"How old are you? Why do you need so much money? Sons should be raised tough, and daughters should be pampered, do you understand? I've kept them all for you. If you need money, just ask me. Would I take your money?" Ye Jingshen said irritably.
The Ye family had always followed the philosophy of Old Master Ye. If it weren't for the reputable teaching staff at their current aristocratic school, the Ye Jinghuai twins would have, like Ye Jinghuai and his brothers before them, concealed their identities and gone to study elsewhere.
"It's really unfair. Why am I not a girl!" Ye Sizhe pouted.
"Brother, Nuannuan will give hers to you!"
Seeing the unhappy twins, Nuannuan walked over to comfort them.
"No need, Sister. Brothers are hiding them well. You keep your own safe," Ye Siqi said with a look of "I have a lot of experience."
Ye Sizhe: "Right, right, right. Sister, Brother can teach you a few tricks."
"Tomorrow, when we get back, hand over all your red envelopes. Your mothers will keep them this year. I've noted down how much you received today," Ye Jingshen added immediately.
The two brothers looked pitifully at Lin Anran, their eyes full of pleading.
"Don't look at me. You know I agree with this."
Lin Anran looked tenderly at her two "filial sons," still holding a grudge.
The two brothers exchanged a bitter look, thinking [Don't easily provoke women in the future!]