Chapter 1812: Welcoming the New Year

It was a rare occasion that Xia Fangs entire family was gathered together this year. Xiang Chen had already made a name for himself in Qiao Mei’s factory. Qian’e was full of praises for Xiang Chen for doing a good job!

“Mei Mei, does Xiang Chen cause you any trouble? He’s a careless person and is not a good accountant at all. If you hadn’t hired him, other companies definitely wouldn’t even want to look at him!” Xiang Jin said with some annoyance.

“It’s nothing like that. Uncle-in-law, ever since Xiang Chen started work at my place, our accounts are finally in order. I’m thinking about giving Xiang Chen a raise! I want him to continue working at my place,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.

“You always want to put me down. You should be able to believe what my cousin-in-law says! I’m a rare talent! They can’t do without me! Don’t keep thinking that I’m useless!” Xiang Chen said smugly.

Xiang Jin always felt that it was a pity Xiang Chen did not go into the same line as him or Xia Fang. In his eyes, so long as one did not join the military or the government services, it was not a good job and was a waste of one’s youth.

This pair of father and son always argued and insisted on comparing whose life had more value between them. Everyone just let them be. Were there any father and son who did not argue?

“Back then, Xia Wen also always argued with Xia Mao like this. After he left the military, he insisted on becoming a teacher. Xia Mao even punished him and made him stand at the door for one day and one night. Xia Wen was in poor health then, so he fainted and had to be sent to the hospital after standing for so long. I was so angry that I made Xia Mao stand at the door for one day and one night, so that he could experience how his son felt,” Xu Lan said.

“Hahaha! What a thing to happen! Then did my father really do what you say?” Xia He asked excitedly.

“Of course! If your father doesn’t do as I say! I’ll make sure he can never enter this door again!” Xu Lan said proudly.

“All the men in the Xia family dote on their wives. It’s the same for your second uncle. Some time ago, I quarreled with the children for some reason. Anyway, he scolded my son for being a good-for-nothing, making the kid unmotivated to do anything. In the end, I punished him by not allowing him to go home. Only then did father and son reconcile,” Liu Fen said.

Everyone started talking about those embarrassing incidents in the past and Qiao Mei and Xia He listened to the stories gleefully. Suddenly, there was a series of quick knocks on the door.

“Why is there someone knocking on the door during the new year? Can it be…” Xia He turned and whispered to Qiao Mei, “Can it be that Third Uncle’s family is here?”

Just as Xia He had guessed, Xia Guang and Xia Xing were standing at the door and bearing gifts. The two of them stood awkwardly at the door and said, “Eldest Brother… We’re just here to visit Father and wish him well for the new year. If that’s awkward for everyone, we can leave now…”

Xia Mao stared at them for a while before he sighed and said, “It’s alright. Father has been waiting for you. Come in.”

Although Xia Jun said that he did not care if Xia Guang and the rest came home, he kept walking past the main door, looking out from time to time to see if there was anyone passing by.

“Father… Happy New Year…” Xia Guang stood in front of Xia Jun and said nervously.

“Mmm… Happy New Year. Everyone is waiting for the two of you. Take a seat. Let’s eat,” Xia Jun said kindly.

“Aye! Sure!” Xia Guang looked at Xia Jun emotionally.

Everyone sat down at their usual seats. Xia Jun stood up with a glass of wine and said, “Our Xia family has experienced many things in the past year. We’ve gone through thick and thin and faced adversity together. I’m very happy to see that and I hope that in the future, the Xia family members can be united and stop undermining one another. I also hope that next year will be smooth sailing for our family!’

Everyone raised their glasses and shouted in unison, “Niay everything go well!”

Qiao Mei looked at all the family members present with tears in her eyes. Last year, Xia Zhe had even given her a gift for the new year. This year, she was on her own at the family’s new year gathering. She felt a little empty inside. She must study hard and strive to have a chance to go overseas so that she could reunite with Xia Zhe earlier.

“Come on! It’s time for Grandfather to give out red packets! I’ll go first!” Xia He hurriedly ran in front of Xia Jun and knelt down. She yelled out happily, “l wish Grandfather all the best next year and to have a healthy and long life!”

Xia Jun took out a stack of red packets from his pocket and handed one to Xia

He.. “Good, good, good! You can get up now!”