Tonight, Fu Sinian read through all the information about Yu Manxi carefully. With a cigarette between his fingers, he tilted his head and took a puff. He let out a turbid breath and frowned deeply.

The information Fu Chen could find was limited, and it was mostly about her after she went overseas.

She had wandered through four different countries. When she had no money, she could only hide in the kitchen at the back of a restaurant to help wash dishes because she was underage and it was child labor.

He flipped to the last page. Fu Sinian raised his hand and extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray, which was already full of cigarette butts.

Yu Manxi had no idea that Fu Sinian was investigating her. After adjusting her mood, she cooked a bowl of spaghetti at home and hugged a snack while bingeing on an American drama all night. She only fell asleep with the little kitten in her arms when she couldn’t stay awake anymore.

**

Lunar New Year’s Eve…

Yuncheng, Qiao residence…

Early in the morning, Qiao Aiyun was busy preparing for the Lunar New Year’s Eve family dinner. Song Fengwan and Yan Wangchuan went to the bird and flower market to buy some memorable flower pots. She also bought a few small goldfish, put them in a beautiful fish tank, hugged them in her arms, and refused to let go.

In the afternoon, there were few people on the streets. Song Fengwan and Yan Shaochen were juniors, so the job of pasting the spring couplets was naturally handed over to them.

Then Fu Chen received some messages on his phone.

Miss Song has gotten down to business with Yan Shaochen.

The two of them are talking and laughing.

Fu Chen frowned slightly. Is Yan Shaochen such an insensible person? Immediately afterward, he received another message.

Yan Shaochen touched Miss Song’s hand. Do you need me to rush in and beat this brat up?

Fu Chen’s lips twitched. Song Fengwan had sent him a message just now saying that they were putting up couplets and that she would contact him later. The two of them were helping each other, so it was inevitable that they would have some physical contact. Why did this kind of situation change into something strange when it came out of his mouth?

***

During the dinner, Old Madam Yan was overjoyed.

“In the past, if Shaochen didn’t come to accompany me, it was just me and Wangchuan having a meal together. It’s really lively this year. I hope it’ll be like this every year from now on.” While speaking, Old Madam Yan took out two red packets from her pocket. One of them was distinctly substantial, and she passed it to Song Fengwan.

“Grandma Yan.” Song Fengwan hurriedly put down her chopsticks.

“It’s Grandma’s New Year’s money. You can’t reject this.” Old Madam Yan stuffed the red packet into Song Fengwan’s hands.

It was said that New Year’s money could suppress and exorcise evil spirits. When juniors received New Year’s money, they could pass the year peacefully.

“This is Shaochen’s.”

“Thank you, Grandma.” Yan Shaochen received it with both hands.

“Aiyun, this is for you.” Old Madam Yan took out a box and handed it to Qiao Aiyun.

“Auntie, I’m not a child anymore. I really don’t need it.”

“Just take what I give you.” Old Madam Yan’s attitude was firm.

Qiao Aiyun could only thank her and accept it.

“Open it and see if you like it.”

Qiao Aiyun opened the box. Inside was a small jade Buddha. The jade was warm and translucent. She could recognize jade since she was young, so she could tell at a glance that this jade was very expensive. “Auntie, this is too valuable…”

“I asked for this in the temple. It can bless you to be safe and sound, and it can help you and Wangchuan achieve your goals as soon as possible. At the same time, may you both have a child soon.”

Have a child soon? Song Fengwan almost choked.

Qiao Aiyun’s face was slightly red. After all, there were juniors around, and it was inevitable that she would feel embarrassed about this kind of thing.

“Aiyun, let me tell you something from the depths of my heart. When Wangchuan came to Yuncheng to look for you, I wasn’t willing. You know the reason too. But as someone with one foot in the grave, I’ve long accepted many things. As long as the two of you can be well together, I’m content with anything.

“If you and Wangchuan can be together in the future, I will also dote on Wanwan like my biological granddaughter. I’m also a woman. I know that it’s risky for you to have a child at your age, so you have your concerns. I won’t force you on this matter. You two can discuss it.

“I just hope the two of you will be fine. Nothing else matters.”

…

Qiao Aiyun lowered her head, her eyes slightly red.

Yan Wangchuan suddenly grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

After the Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner, Qiao Aiyun simply cleaned up the dining table simply and made some meat stuffing in the kitchen, preparing to make dumplings tomorrow morning. Yan Wangchuan and Yan Shaochen sat on the sofa with Old Madam Yan and waited for the Spring Festival Gala’s broadcast.

Song Fengwan secretly went upstairs to call Fu Chen and, at the same time, took a look at the red packet Old Madam Yan gave her.

Aside from the 5,000 yuan in cash, there was also a bank card with her birthday set as the password stuck on it. It was obvious that there was a lot of money in this card.

There was too much New Year’s money. There was even a card here. Song Fengwan didn’t dare to take it and carried the red packet on her. She was about to ask Qiao Aiyun for her opinion, but the latter had already come out of the kitchen and kept accompanying Old Madam Yan, so she couldn’t open her mouth.

During dinner just now, apart from Song Fengwan and Old Madam Yan, everyone had drunk a lot.

Too many things had happened in the past year. When Qiao Aiyun thought about it, she still felt as if she was dreaming. She was happy to be able to get rid of her former life from the bottom of her heart, so she had drunk quite a lot all at once. At this moment, the after-effect surged within her, and she leaned against the sofa in a drowsy daze.

“Aiyun, if you’re sleepy, go upstairs and sleep.” Old Madam Yan was in a cheerful mood tonight, so she stayed close to Song Fengwan to prepare to usher in Lunar New Year.

“I’m fine.” Qiao Aiyun’s face unnaturally flushed again.

“Wangchuan, help her to her room to rest.” Old Madam Yan kept winking at him.

Yan Wangchuan nodded and reached out to help her up. “I’ll send you back to your room.”

Qiao Aiyun had drunk a lot, but she wasn’t so drunk that she had lost consciousness. When the two of them went upstairs, Yan Wangchuan helped her to the bedside and laid her down. He stood at the head of the bed and didn’t leave.

He stood there like a block of wood.

“Wangchuan…” Qiao Aiyun leaned against the head of the bed and tilted her head to look at him.

He wanted to say something, so he said, “Rest well.”

He immediately left.

Qiao Aiyun was dumbfounded.

It’s rare for me to take such initiative, yet he actually gave up and escaped?

What’s going on?

***

At this moment, the Spring Festival Gala program was putting on a skit performance. Old Madam Yan was overjoyed. Song Fengwan was holding a jar of candied plums and watching it with relish. Only Yan Shaochen was sitting by the side, playing with his phone the whole time, seeming to be snatching red packets in group chats.

Upon seeing Yan Wangchuan come downstairs, Old Madam Yan frowned. “Why did you come down?”

“Didn’t you keep signaling me to come down earlier?” Yan Wangchuan said earnestly.

Old Madam Yan was cracking melon seeds and wished she could spit the shell on him. “You brat, not only are you inarticulate, but you’re also so dense! Your father didn’t behave like you back then. I’m creating an opportunity for you! Do you know that?!”

Yan Wangchuan didn’t say anything.

“Hurry up and get up there. Aiyun has drunk so much and needs someone to take care of her. Why did you come down?!” Old Madam Yan lambasted him and told him to get lost quickly.

When Yan Wangchuan went upstairs again, Qiao Aiyun had already turned off the lights and was lying under the blanket in bed. Because the door wasn’t closed, he pushed it open easily and entered. Seeing that she was already asleep, he hesitated for a moment before turning around to leave.

“Yan Wangchuan!” Qiao Aiyun suddenly called out to him.

I’m already very proactive tonight. Why is this person still acting like a block of wood? It’s simply infuriating.

“Come in here.”

Yan Wangchuan walked in stiffly. The two of them had only shared a bed in the old Fu residence once.

This time…

… was the second time.

Yan Wangchuan’s greatest wish in his life was fulfilled at last.

No matter how lively and noisy it was outside, it didn’t seem to be able to disturb the two of them.

***

Beijing, old Fu residence…

Fu Chen was holding his phone, waiting for Song Fengwan’s reply.

The TV in the living room of the Fu residence was also broadcasting the Spring Festival Gala. Some people were playing mahjong, while others were playing chess.

Fu Sinian put on his clothes and said that he was going out for a while.

“Why are you going out at this time? It’s almost midnight.” Old Madam Fu was playing mahjong and squinted at the mahjong tiles.

“I have a little something to do.”

“Is there still someone in your company who hasn’t returned home yet?” Fu Wan asked at the side. Fu Sinian didn’t say anything.

His social circle was very small, and he usually only interacted with those few people in the studio.

“Why didn’t he go back during Lunar New Year? He probably didn’t even eat much for the New Year’s Eve dinner. I’ll get you something to eat. Bring it over.” The person speaking was Fu Sinian’s mother.

The Fu family’s Lunar New Year’s Eve meal was very sumptuous. Everyone didn’t eat much, and almost no one touched the table of shark’s fin soup with abalone, sea cucumber, and fish maw. She packed a few dishes and stuffed them into a bag for him.

“Mom?” Fu Sinian frowned.

“We didn’t eat much of it. Tell your friend not to mind either. Just heat it up in the microwave, and it’s ready to eat.”

Fu Sinian hesitated for a moment before eventually taking the bag.

This was all thanks to Shen Jinye mentioning that they had gone to the police station when they were eating. He had also said that Fu Sinian’s neighbor was staying home alone for the new year.

Neighbor?

At that moment, all the Fu family members became interested.

Fu Chen had informed Fu Wan earlier, so all the Fu family members knew about it. Since Fu Sinian didn’t mention this matter, no one pointed it out either, and they pretended not to know.

He was most likely rushing to go out to see that girl right now.

“I’ll get you some dumplings. I wrapped them in the morning and froze them. Just put them in a pot to boil for a while.” His mother prepared another box of dumplings for him.

After he left, Shen Jinye finally asked, “Eldest Aunt, you’ve never seen that girl before. Why are you so concerned about her? Aren’t you afraid that Big Bro will be deceived?”

“I’m just afraid that the young lady won’t deceive him and will run away in anger. It isn’t easy for your brother to get into a relationship, so we can’t be picky. There are so many men in the country who live as bachelors now. It’s already good enough if he can get a wife. I’ll go to the temple on the first day of the new year tomorrow to grant my wish.”

Shen Jinye held back his laughter. Grant her wish? Is there a need for this?