novelraw Chapter 213 New Year’s Eve Dinner
Chapter 213 New Year’s Eve Dinner
"Big brother, it was only after this hospitalization that I truly understood these things. I really regret the things I did before. How could I have been so obstinate and misguided?" Hearing Lin Yiwen and Zhang Lan say that, Lin Dongchen’s heart was filled with emotion. He had always wanted his company to achieve certain things and even hoped to develop it within Tianhai. Because he had shown that ambition, Liu Nan had set his sights on him, which almost cost him his life.
If I hadn’t been so full of schemes from the start, I wouldn’t have fallen for Liu Nan’s trap. But you only really learn after personally going through these things. From now on, I’ll be content with steady growth for the business. I won’t engage in any more schemes for quick gains. I have to be like my big brother, placing family first. Being with my wife and children is what’s most important.
"Big brother, sister-in-law..." Liu Li truly didn’t know what to say. Ever since her husband was hospitalized, she had been reflecting nonstop on her past and realized that she had often been too ambitious, just like the first time she came here, when she spoke disdainfully of others. She had looked down on this person and that, but in reality, she was nothing special. Look at sister-in-law, always so modest, and yet managing to make such a spectacular comeback with her big company. Still, she puts her family first. That’s what a woman should do.
From now on, I can’t be like I used to be. Once I get back, I’ll buy an apartment near Xiao Jie’s college. I’ll stay there and accompany my daughter to school, cook for her, while my husband can just focus on the business. On weekends, he can come over too, and we can all sit together and enjoy a meal. What a wonderful thing to look forward to...
"Everything is in the past now, don’t dwell on it anymore. Dongchen, how’s everything with your business now?" Lin Yiwen, seeing the change in his brother-in-law and his wife, was very comforted and quickly changed the subject to avoid lingering on the topic.
"It’s going quite well, I have some loyal subordinates holding down the fort, so there shouldn’t be any major problems."
"How old is Lin Jie this year exactly, and when is her birthday?"
...
The four of them started chatting about anything and everything, getting happier and happier as they talked. Laughter could be heard in the living room now and then.
"Uncle, auntie, you’re here." As Lin Feng walked in with two big bags of stuff, he saw his parents and Lin Dongchen along with Liu Li chatting and immediately greeted them. Today was New Year’s Eve, and he wanted to prepare some extra special dishes for everyone, so he had driven to the largest fresh produce wholesale market in Tianhai and bought lots of delicious items before returning home.
"Lin Feng, you’re back. Do you need any help with that? Xiao Jie, come out and help Lin Feng with the bags." Seeing Lin Feng carrying two large bags, Liu Li promptly got up and called for Lin Jie from the kitchen to come out and help Lin Feng with the bags.
"No need, just sit and continue chatting with my parents. I can handle the kitchen by myself." After saying this, Lin Feng headed for the kitchen.
"Brother Lin Feng, let me help you." Hearing her mother say Lin Feng had returned, Lin Jie immediately rushed out of the kitchen, wanting to help Lin Feng carry things.
"Xiao Jie, you don’t need to carry the bags, they’re too heavy. Just go to the car and bring in the couplets," Lin Feng quickly waved his hands, preventing Lin Jie from touching the bags, as the bags, each weighing dozens of pounds, were no problem for him, but Lin Jie definitely wouldn’t be able to lift them.
"Oh." Lin Jie, hearing Lin Feng say this, immediately went out to the car to get the spring couplets.
Lin Feng quickly tidied up the kitchen and, with Lin Jie’s help, put up the spring couplets. The large character for "fortune" symbolized happiness, and the bright red couplets signified prosperity, giving off a feeling of utmost joy to anyone who saw them.
...
In the evening, the two families watched the New Year’s Gala joyously and made dumplings together, full of happiness. Lin Dongchen and his wife finally understood the happiness that Lin Yiwen and his wife had talked about, feeling deeply regretful for the time they had wasted on meaningless work.
Sitting together at the dinner table, cheerfully, they began their New Year’s Eve feast.
"Mom, dad, uncle, auntie, I wish you growing health and happiness in the new year, and may Xiao Jie’s studies improve with each step in the coming year," Lin Feng said, raising his glass on New Year’s Eve, declaring that health and happiness are the most important things in life, everything else is never as significant.
"I wish the same as Brother Lin Feng, that dad, mom, uncle, auntie, and Brother Lin Feng will have new accomplishments in the new year, be joyful, healthy, and happy," Lin Jie also picked up her glass, echoing Lin Feng’s well-wishes to the four elders.
Hearing the younger generation speak such auspicious words at the New Year’s Eve dinner, Lin Yiwen and Lin Dongchen, along with their spouses, couldn’t help but feel their eyes moisten with joy. They were touched by how grown-up the children were, able to say such sensible things—how could they not be gratified and pleased!
"Very good, very good!"
"And may everyone be well!"
"Let’s all raise a toast together!"
"To a better year ahead for all of us!"
...
The festive atmosphere of the New Year’s Eve dinner reached its peak as the two families cared for and encouraged each other. They chatted while eating, feeling extremely happy. They talked about everything from family to business, and didn’t forget to tease Lin Jie occasionally. Watching Lin Jie’s blushing face, the adults from both families couldn’t stop smiling.
Before they knew it, dinner was over. It wasn’t until then that everyone realized that they had spent more than two hours on the New Year’s Eve feast; time really flew!
"Big brother, I haven’t felt this happy in so long and don’t feel sleepy at all." Lin Dongchen was brimming with energy, probably because he was just too happy from spending the New Year’s together in such a joyous atmosphere. It had been a long time since he felt this way.
"Yeah, same here." Lin Yiwen too felt no sleepiness at all and was very energetic, which was quite rare for someone his age.
"Then let’s go shopping on Nanning Road. The Tianhai Department Store there is having a promotion that’s open all day without break. Let’s join in the fun, what do you think?" Liu Li noticed that nobody felt tired and began to think about how to spend the rest of the evening. Suddenly, she remembered an advertisement she saw a few days ago and shared her idea with everyone.
"That’s a great idea. I haven’t been to a mall in a long time."
"I agree."
"It’s really nice to walk around where it’s bustling."
"Then what are we waiting for? Get dressed and let’s go."
Everyone liked the idea and quickly got ready to head out.
"Xiao Jie, you and Lin Feng can take one car, and us four old folks will take another," Zhang Lan said meaningfully as she glanced at Lin Jie before addressing her directly. She thought to herself how slow this girl was, not taking the initiative to spend time with her son and making Zhang Lan worry about it.
"Yeah, Lin Jie, we need to discuss something, so you go with Lin Feng in one car." Liu Li immediately understood Zhang Lan’s intentions after hearing her. She chided herself for being so careless; it was such a great opportunity for the two young people to be alone.
"Oh, got it." Lin Jie caught their drift from the conversation, her cheeks flushing as she quietly agreed. She was happy about spending time with Brother Lin Feng, especially on the first day of the New Year.
The four elders got into the car that Lin Yiwen usually drove to work, jesting and laughing, while Lin Jie, with her face bright red, got into Lin Feng’s car, feeling as if she were a little rabbit, nervous and flustered.
Lin Feng started chatting with Lin Jie as he drove.
"Lin Jie, I heard you were working during the winter break?"
"Yeah, I was working the register at the fast-food place across from the school."
"Is it tiring?"
"Not too bad. It’s not very busy; I just have to stand for long periods."
"Did you learn anything?"
"Of course, talking with the other staff taught me a lot, like how to guess a person’s job and whether or not they are wealthy, amongst other things."
"Hmm, that’s not bad. By the way, what made you think of doing this?"
...
Lin Feng struck up a conversation with Lin Jie mainly to keep her from being bored in the car and to allow her to speak freely without feeling awkward. He was very aware of his parents’ and Uncle Lin’s intentions. However, he felt that things should take their course naturally; there was no need for rejection, nor for force.
Lin Jie found she was having a great time talking with Brother Lin Feng, and before she knew it, time flew by.
...
Before Lin Feng and the others even arrived, Lin Feng had everyone park in another lot, as the radio had reported severe traffic near their destination. Realizing the situation, they had no choice but to get off early; otherwise, they might have been stuck in traffic for who knows how long.
"Lin Jie, Lin Feng, you two go off on your own. The places you want to go aren’t the same as where we old-timers want to, so don’t feel obliged to accompany us. Lin Jie, take this card with you, and just swipe it for anything that catches your eye." As soon as Liu Li got out of the car, she spoke up swiftly. She had been a bit slow to respond when getting in the vehicle, but now she wasn’t going to let Zhang Lan speak first again. She wanted to look out for her own girl by encouraging Lin Jie to join Lin Feng. She even handed over a card, fearing Lin Jie might not have enough money to pay when shopping.
"Lin Feng, it’s the first day of the New Year. Make sure to keep Lin Jie company and show her around. It’s been half a year since you came to Tianhai and you haven’t had a proper chance to enjoy yourself. While you’re at it, help Lin Jie pick some clothes or something." Zhang Lan also instructed her son to take care of Lin Jie. She liked the bashful and shy Lin Jie very much, not only for her beauty but also for her pleasant demeanor, which she felt was really well-suited for Lin Feng. She then secretly prepared to give Lin Feng a card, worrying that he might not have enough money on hand.