She carefully put the red envelopes, one by one, under her pillow. The amount of money didn't matter to her; it was the sincerity behind each gesture that was precious.
"Yasuiqian," or "lucky money," was given by elders to younger generations to ward off evil spirits and bless them with peace.
Although in the past, Xia Linfeng, Han Wenjuan, and her paternal grandparents in the countryside used to give her money.
However, their gifts were not given with genuine intent, but rather felt like charity.
These red envelopes were plump, as if all the love and blessings had been stuffed inside until they could hold no more.
After Ling Yucheng finished his morning routine, they went to the front courtyard together.
The front courtyard was bustling with activity. As Xia Wantang walked in, she realized that Qiao Xinyue, Xia Wanfu, Jiang Zexi, Li Bowen, and others were all there. She felt as though she had woken up late.
Everyone exchanged New Year's greetings, shared some candy, and chatted about everyday life.
Soon, they all had to leave to visit the next family. Ling Yucheng was also to accompany them.
Xia Wantang, being heavily pregnant and with the weather so cold, made Old Mrs. Ling reluctant to let her go out.
Fortunately, Qiao Xinyue would stay with her.
This year's New Year celebration was particularly lively. Xia Wantang thought it would be a good idea to video call Wen Xuanyuan.
Wen Xuanyuan waved a sparkler in her hand, her face radiant with a bright smile.
"Hi, Xuanyuan, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year! Look, I'm playing with a sparkler. Isn't it childish? Hahaha..."
Xia Wantang was infected by her smile and couldn't help but laugh along.
Hearing her voice, Qiao Xinyue quickly leaned in to greet her.
"Xuanyuan, Happy New Year."
"Hi, Xinyue, Happy New Year. Are you celebrating with Tangtang? I wish I could be with you guys too. Have you seen my Li Bowen? He said he went to the Ling family to pay his New Year's respects."
Before Qiao Xinyue and Xia Wantang could reply, a warm and magnetic male voice came from the other end.
"What do you mean 'my' Li Bowen? You're a girl, aren't you embarrassed?"
They saw Wen Xuanyuan get flicked on the forehead.
Wen Xuanyuan immediately cried out, "Brother, what are you doing! That hurt!"
Qiao Xinyue's eyes lit up, and she pushed Xia Wantang out of the frame.
"Brother Wen Yan, Happy New Year!"
Wen Yan poked his head out and waved, "Hello, Happy New Year."
Qiao Xinyue gazed at the person on her phone with excitement, her eyes shining brighter than the stars. Yet, at this moment, facing the person she longed to see, she didn't know what to say.
"Hmph, you're not this happy to see me. You're prioritizing your lover over your friend," Wen Xuanyuan pouted playfully.
Qiao Xinyue blushed but couldn't bear to move the camera away.
In the frame, Wen Yan was wearing a black plush coat and a white scarf, a warm smile on his face.
But he soon left the camera's view.
Qiao Xinyue looked disappointed, secretly regretting her shyness and the fact that she hadn't managed to say a word.
"Stop looking, he's already gone."
Wen Xuanyuan rolled her eyes, then smiled brightly, "I'll bring him over to play in a couple of days. I have to go now, my parents are calling me for dinner. Bye!"
After the video call ended, Qiao Xinyue realized it was Xia Wantang's phone.
She looked at Xia Wantang beside her with embarrassment, her face flushed. "Um, your phone... I'm sorry, I got too excited when I saw Wen Yan."
Xia Wantang pretended to be angry and huffed, taking back her phone. "Xuanyuan was right, you do prioritize lovers over friends."
Zhu Yunfei glanced at the time and said, "What are you two whispering about? What do you want for breakfast? We still have to go offer ancestral sacrifices after eating!"
Xia Wantang replied, "It's so cold, anything hot will do."
As a pregnant woman, she definitely couldn't participate in the ancestral rites.
Qiao Xinyue's hometown was far away, so the two of them could keep each other company.
As they were talking, Han Xiao entered with his wife, offering New Year's greetings as soon as they came in.
His wife's pregnancy wasn't obvious yet, but she was likely three or four months along.
Han Xiao carefully helped her sit down. The couple spoke in gentle tones, their eyes full of tenderness, indicating a good relationship.
Throughout the entire visit, Han Xiao only glanced at Qiao Xinyue, nodded in greeting, his gaze calm and devoid of any lingering emotion.
However, Qiao Xinyue felt a little awkward.
Fortunately, Han Xiao had only come to pay his respects and left after a short while.
The couple walked away hand in hand, showing great affection.
Zhu Yunfei couldn't help but sigh, "Newlyweds are so affectionate. Time flies by so fast; the children are all married now."
And Han Xiao was someone they had watched grow up.
Old Mrs. Ling smiled, "Yes, the children have grown up, and I'm getting old."
Xia Wantang and Qiao Xinyue didn't feel much from their感慨.
Although they might say they were a year older, they didn't really feel the shift in their age.
Zhu Yunfei looked at Qiao Xinyue with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "You're the only one left. Have you found a boyfriend at university?"
"Aunt Ling, I haven't," Qiao Xinyue replied shyly, not daring to look up.
Seeing this, Zhu Yunfei didn't tease her further.
Time ticked by, and Ling Yucheng, who had gone out to pay New Year's visits, returned. It was almost time for breakfast.
But Xia Wantang's gaze was distractedly fixed on the doorway.
He had said last night that he would come today.
She was waiting for Gong Ye.
Although she hadn't said it aloud, she had been eagerly anticipating his arrival.
Ling Yucheng squeezed her hand, knowing what she was thinking but unsure how to comfort her.
Others had also guessed her thoughts.
Old Mrs. Ling said helplessly, "Let's eat first. Perhaps the in-laws were delayed by something."
It was getting late, and they couldn't delay the ancestral sacrifices.
Xia Wantang smiled and replied, "Okay."
Then, she lowered her eyelids, concealing the sadness in her eyes.
With Ling Yucheng's support, Xia Wantang slowly rose and walked towards the dining room.
Just then, footsteps were heard at the door, and everyone turned to look.
Gong Ye strode in, wearing a black trench coat.
Xia Wantang's eyes lit up, and all her gloom vanished.
He had come.
However, his complexion seemed much worse than it had been last night.
Xia Wantang furrowed her brow, wondering if it had been the lighting last night and she had been mistaken.
Qiao Xinyue didn't know who Gong Ye was but was startled by the scar on his face.
Gong Ye stopped in front of Xia Wantang, his expression gentle.
"Zhijing, Happy New Year."
Seeing him again, Xia Wantang's emotions were completely different from last night.
Last night had been filled with overwhelming excitement and disbelief; now, she had accepted the reality.
Her eyes welled up, and she said, "Dad, Happy New Year."
Gong Ye let out a genuine, brilliant smile.
The father-daughter relationship suddenly became much closer.
Even the slow-witted Qiao Xinyue could guess his identity.
She knew that Xia Wantang was not the biological daughter of the Xia family and that her adoptive father was in prison.
Therefore, the person standing before them was her biological father.