Chapter 827: Chapter 828: Keeping Watch
Nobody opposed the idea; after all, it wasnât like they were alone with Song Xiaodong anymore. So even if they were all together, there was nothing to be shy about.
Besides, staying up to welcome the new year didnât necessarily mean they had to do anything. They could just chat, envision the future, and if they got tired, just go to sleep.
Luckily, the bed in Song Xiaodongâs room was big enough. It had been specially modified recently. Sleeping eight would be a squeeze, but it wouldnât be impossible, and right now, nobody felt like sleeping anyway.
Song Xiaodong sat at the foot of the bed, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Miao Qingqing said with a smile, "What are you looking at? Donât tell me you have some ideas? With so many people here, if you dare to mess around, youâll be in deep trouble."
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, "I just feel extremely blessed. Last Spring Festival, I was struggling outside. This Spring Festival, I am fortunate to have all of you with me. Heaven has really bestowed a lot of favor upon me."
Miao Qingqing chuckled and said, "It really feels like New Yearâs Day. Youâre getting mushy just lying on the bed."
Song Xiaodong took Song Xiaoruâs hand beside him and said, "Sister, youâve taken care of me for so many years, now itâs my turn to take care of you."
Song Xiaoru looked at Song Xiaodong with tender eyes, chuckled, and joked, "That means Iâve finally made it through."
Song Xiaodong chuckled and took Li Sijieâs hand, "Sijie, thank you for your hard work, the first to bear a child for me."
Li Sijie gripped Song Xiaodongâs hand in return, "Iâm very happy to become a mother."
Song Xiaodong then looked towards Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan, "Qingqing, Xuanxuan, the ones I really should thank are you two. If it werenât for your tolerance, none of us would be able to be together."
Everyone turned their gaze to Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan, feelings of gratitude welling up inside them. Without the breadth of heart from Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan, the others really wouldnât have been able to be with Song Xiaodong.
Miao Qingqing said, "Now weâre all one family, why mention these things? We should all think with one heart, and work together."
Miao Xuanxuan chuckled and declared, "Then Iâll be the boss. Anyone disagree?"
"We agree!" Everyone knew Miao Xuanxuan was joking and played along with her, laughing merrily together.
Song Xiaodong turned to Lin Suâer and said, "Suâer, thank you for your unwavering support. No matter if I was amidst the wind and rain, you have always silently backed me up."
Lin Suâer felt a bit shy and softly said, "Brother Dongzi has been good to me, so I ought to be good to Brother Dongzi."
Song Xiaodong addressed Shui Qingyue, "Qingyue, I took you by force, and I hope you will never regret it for the rest of your life."
Shui Qingyue met Song Xiaodongâs gaze with a slight smile, "Iâm very happy."
After everyone had spoken, Xiao Yingying anxiously said, "What about me, what about me?"
Song Xiaodong chuckled, "You little Angel, you are the joy of our household, the harmonizer of our family. Without you, our home wouldnât have so much happiness."
"Oh yeah, Iâm so important!" Xiao Yingying burst into a happy smile and threw herself into Song Xiaodongâs arms, "Husband, I want to make love to you."
Song Xiaodong laughed heartily, "Who was it that mentioned there were too many people just now? Today Iâm going to show off and let you all see just how awesome your husband is."
"Yeah! Great!" Xiao Yingying immediately screamed with excitement, then kissed Song Xiaodong directly. With such good sisterly relations among them, Xiao Yingying didnât have to hold back as she used to, and occasionally taking the initiative wasnât met with any objections.
That night was both sensuous and cozy. As they bid farewell to the old and welcomed the new, a fresh year dawned.
On the next morning, everyone got up early. It was the first day of the New Year, and everyone was certain to visit. As the Family Head and the madams, it naturally wouldnât do to rise too late and keep others waiting.
While last night was lively, it wasnât intense because everyone knew they had to get up early, so naturally, they couldnât afford to get too rowdy.
That morning, members of the Su Family came to pay New Yearâs visits to Song Xiaodong, who handed out prepared red packets, a total of seventy million, a testament to the substantial amount in each packet.
From the first to the third day, it was all very busy with endless New Yearâs visits and receiving guests. Of course, those who had the status to pay New Yearâs visits to Song Xiaodong or to be visited by him were naturally no ordinary figures.
On the afternoon of the third day, several city leaders also visited the Su Family. Although the Family Head of the Su Family was not an official, the familyâs influence over the entire Minghe was so significant that even the city leaders had to pay attention and foster good relations; otherwise, if the Su Family withheld support, it would be very difficult to carry out any work, demonstrating the clout of the major families.
While Song Xiaodong was chatting with them, someone came to report, "Family Head, Jiang Xueliang has come to visit."
Song Xiaodong hastily said, "Quick, have Madam Li go greet them."
Jiang Xueliang and Cui Ying stood at the gate of the Su Family manor, along with their son, Jiang Jinyu, who was attending high school.
"Damn, my cousin lives here?" Jiang Jinyu gazed at the long courtyard that seemed never-ending and widened his eyes in surprise.
Cui Ying quickly advised, "Jinyu, donât speak carelessly when you go inside. There are a lot of rules in a big family home."
"Got it." Jiang Jinyu stuck out his tongue and obediently agreed, feeling the pressure of such an imposing place.
Jiang Xueliang worriedly remarked, "Wife, do you think weâre being presumptuous by visiting to pay New Yearâs respects like this?"
Cui Ying responded, "Iâm having second thoughts now. We should have called Sijie first. Just showing up like this, if they are busy and itâs not convenient to see us, it could be quite awkward."
Jiang Xueliang expressed his concerns, "The main thing is, it feels like weâre trying to climb the social ladder. If we cause any trouble for Sijie, it wouldnât be good."
Cui Ying added, "But... weâre already here; we canât just leave immediately. If we get to go in, letâs just pay our respects and then leave."
While the three of them were feeling anxious, Li Sijie quickly came out to greet them with an excited smile, "Uncle, Auntie, why have you come? You are my elders; we should be the ones visiting your home to pay New Yearâs respects."
Seeing Li Sijie say this, Cui Ying and Jiang Xueliang finally felt somewhat relieved. Cui Ying said, "Isnât your boyfriendâs identity extraordinary? If we made you come to pay respects, we would feel too intrusive. Besides, he has helped your uncle, and we ought to come and express our gratitude."
"Youâre overthinking it. Come inside," Li Sijie said as she led her uncleâs family inside, feeling a sudden surge of pride as the lady of the houseâa feeling she was experiencing for the first time at that moment.