Reborn with My Genius Husband

Chapter 160: Let’s Kiss Until Next Year

On the other end of the line, Mortimer Quincy’s smile froze. The word "Wifey" died on his lips, half-spoken, and he choked out, "D-...Dad."

"..."

He recovered quickly, saying calmly, "Dad, I don’t want any grapes. You guys go ahead and eat them."

Then, he added politely, "Uncle Winslow."

"Holly’s in the shower. Call back in ten minutes."

Wyatt Winslow didn’t comment on him calling him "Dad." He simply hung up after speaking.

When Holly Winslow came out of the shower, there were still about forty minutes until midnight. She had just sat down on the sofa when Wyatt Winslow suddenly said, "He called."

’He?’

Holly Winslow was momentarily confused by the nameless, faceless statement, but it only took her a few seconds to realize who he meant—Mortimer Quincy.

"..."

’Dad won’t even say his name. What kind of cringey, flirty thing did he say this time?’

Under the watchful eyes of Wyatt Winslow and her grandparents, she picked up her phone, went into her bedroom to make the call, and said, "Hello?"

"Wifey, get dressed and come out," came Mortimer Quincy’s deep, magnetic voice from the other end of the line.

Holly Winslow froze for a moment, then hurried to the window to look. Fireworks lit up the night sky, and the streetlights cast a faint yellow glow, but the courtyard wall blocked her view of Mortimer Quincy. "You’re downstairs?"

An "Mm-hmm" came from the other end, accompanied by the sound of fireworks.

Holly Winslow quickly threw on her red padded jacket, wrapped a black scarf around her neck, and left her bedroom in a pair of bunny slippers. "Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, I’m going out to set off fireworks with them."

It was too late for her to be out alone. Wyatt Winslow, concerned, stood up. "I’ll go with you."

Holly Winslow: "..."

’The mental image is too horrifying to contemplate.’

She weakly confessed the truth. "Dad... it’s Mortimer Quincy."

Without realizing it, she had just blown Mortimer Quincy’s cover.

Wyatt Winslow paused for a brief moment, then sat back down on the sofa. "Be back soon," he said in a low voice. "Don’t go too far."

When Joan Sawyer heard that Mortimer Quincy had arrived, a loving smile spread across her face. "Holly, have Miles stay the night later. It’s not safe for him to go home so late."

Holly Winslow nodded. "Okay."

The moment she stepped outside, she spotted the young man under the streetlight. He was wearing a black, hooded, mid-length parka, black jeans, and white shoes, and he was carrying a large bag.

A smile immediately lit up her face, and she skipped and bounced as she threw herself at him. "Hubby!"

Mortimer Quincy opened his arms to catch her, letting out a low chuckle. "Hm? Miss your hubby?" As he spoke, he bent down and gave her rosy lips a quick kiss.

Since no one was around, Holly Winslow wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. "I did."

Then she felt his hands. They were a bit cold. She started rubbing them to warm them up, pouting. "You should have told me you were coming. You’re going to freeze to death."

Mortimer Quincy laughed dotingly at his wife, who never said what she truly meant. The next second, he took her hand and tucked it into his pocket. "If I told you, how could I have my big ’gotcha’ moment?"

Holly Winslow: "..."

She lifted her small face and, with a beaming smile, playfully "scolded" him, "Gotcha, my foot."

Mortimer Quincy laughed so hard his shoulders shook. "Where should we go to set off the fireworks?"

Then he added pointedly, "I bought every color except green."

"Green is actually quite pretty."

Holly Winslow opened her big eyes innocently and added, "A lush, vibrant green."

Mortimer Quincy raised an eyebrow, mimicking her. "Red is pretty too."

"A fiery, passionate red."

As a married woman, Holly Winslow understood instantly. "..."

’When it came to telling dirty jokes, if this rascal claimed to be number two, no one would dare claim to be number one.’

’Hmph. He’s all talk, anyway.’

They arrived at an empty lot in the village. No one else was around. Holly Winslow took out some long-stemmed sparklers and had Mortimer Quincy light them. Then she handed one to him. "Hubby, let’s take a picture to commemorate the new year." As she spoke, she pulled out her phone.

In the camera’s view, her eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her lips were turned up in a smile.

Mortimer Quincy put an arm around her shoulder, tilted his head slightly, and smiled for the camera.

Holly Winslow zoomed in on the photo on her phone. Looking at the young man’s features, she couldn’t help but marvel at how handsome he was.

The two of them setting off fireworks soon attracted a crowd of village children. Holly Winslow gave each of them a sparkler, and the empty lot gradually grew lively, filled with the sight and smell of fireworks.

It was the scent of the new year.

Mortimer Quincy stood to the side, taking pictures of Holly Winslow—some of her covering her ears, some of her grinning, some of her looking at him...

With ten minutes left until midnight, he waved to the girl who had become the center of the children’s attention. "Holly, come here."

Holly Winslow ran over, her face flushed and her smile bright. "Are we going home?"

"We’re done playing with these. I’m taking you somewhere."

Mortimer Quincy gave the remaining fireworks to the children, then pulled Holly Winslow away.

"Where are we going?" Holly Winslow asked as they walked. "It’s so late."

They got into the car. Just as Holly Winslow was about to fasten her seatbelt, Mortimer Quincy reached out and stopped her. "No need to buckle up. It’s very safe."

Holly Winslow realized what was happening. ’This rascal... he’s not about to kiss me, is he?’

"..."

’A married couple’s intuition really is spot-on.’

The next second, Mortimer Quincy lifted her chin. "Wifey, let’s kiss until next year." With that, his lips met hers.

Holly Winslow: "..."

’Only he could come up with a cheesy move like ’kissing until next year’.’

Mortimer Quincy was a normal young man, and he was starting to lose control, but he forced himself to pull away.

Seeing his wife’s dazed eyes, his throat tightened, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Wifey, I’m about to burst from holding back."

"..."

Holly Winslow shot him a sidelong glance. "I think you can hold out for a few more years."

Mortimer Quincy: "..."

He let out a breath, then raised his wrist to look at his watch. It was already 12:01 AM. He leaned over and grabbed a bag from the back seat, handing it to her. "Happy New Year, Your Majesty, my wife."

Holly Winslow giggled. Inside were a red envelope and a bracelet. The red envelope was quite thick, and her grin widened. "Thanks, Hubby!"

She leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek and added, "Hubby, I got you a present too. It’s at home."

"Do you want to come back with me?"

Mortimer Quincy was pleased with her response but shook his head. "No, I have to head back soon. I have to go offer incense first thing tomorrow morning."

’Technically, he and Holly Winslow weren’t married yet, so spending the New Year at the Winslow family’s home would be a breach of etiquette.’

’Ahem, his father-in-law was very particular about these things.’

’You could judge a man’s character by his conduct.’

"Oh," Holly Winslow said, pushing the car door open. "Then wait for me for a bit."

A short while later, she got back into the car, panting, and handed him a large bag. "Happy New Year, my genius hubby."

Hearing the words "my genius hubby," Mortimer Quincy raised an eyebrow. He then looked down at her gift and raised an eyebrow again. From a pile of clothes, he pulled out a pair of men’s red underwear and looked at her with amusement. "Hm?"

This certainly wasn’t the first time Holly Winslow had bought him something like this, but she was still a little embarrassed that he had singled it out.

She shot him a glare and quickly stuffed it back into the bag. "You’re so lewd! It’s for a fresh start in the new year. That’s why I bought you... ahem... red underwear."

"Ooh~"

A smirk played on Mortimer Quincy’s lips. After a few seconds’ pause, he said, "Wifey, they’re too small."

Holly Winslow: "..."

’She had bought them two sizes smaller than what he wore after they got married; logically, high school boys were supposed to be on the thinner side.’

’The saleslady said they would definitely fit.’

She suspected Mortimer Quincy was teasing her. "Are you sure?"

Mortimer Quincy raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

Holly Winslow: "..."

’She suspected he was being a pervert.’