novelraw Chapter 1063: Never Touch Another’s Secrets
Chapter 1063: Never Touch Another’s Secrets
Richard Shaw returned after accompanying his superior on a twenty-day overseas visit.
In a week, it would be Chinese New Year’s Eve, and everyone at Shaw Mansion was busy with the preparations.
In previous years, the Shaw Family didn’t interact much with their extended branches, but this year was different. With Richard Shaw’s return to the Imperial City, the Shaw Family had truly emerged from its period of low profile.
Crystal Landon pondered that the extended branches of the Shaw Family shared the same roots, and based on their performance over the past decade, they were trustworthy. Now seemed the right time to unite this force.
Crystal shared her thoughts with the old lady, who was somewhat surprised and said, "Your thinking is indeed far-reaching. There’s nothing wrong with such ideas, but it’s now a time of peace, and being the foremost family in prominence, the Shaw Family doesn’t have such concerns. Your concept might be useful in turbulent times or regions instead."
"But more people make for a lively occasion. They’ve been quite stifled over the years, so let’s call them, and celebrate the New Year together," the old lady replied.
"Then I’ll set up four tables at the Chinese New Year’s Eve banquet in Longqing Hall, with one table per household. Any more people would be too ostentatious," Crystal said with a smile. Even when hosting the extended branches, there were distinctions; this arrangement not only elevated the old lady’s esteemed status but also encouraged the extended branches to strive. Only the finest members of the Shaw Family could celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve with the old lady.
"You clever girl," the old lady laughed. "From whom did you learn all these things?"
"I learned them all from Grandma," Crystal laughed, although her many ideas were influenced by Uncle Hao. But she felt there might be someone behind Uncle Hao. Over the years, he never assumed the role of an elder, always treating her with great respect and care, almost as if he was entrusted by someone else.
As Crystal grew older, she began to understand that there seemed to be a voice in her heart warning her not to touch other people’s secrets. It felt as if once she did, she might never return to her current life.
When Richard Shaw returned, Crystal was with the old lady, looking over the guest list for the banquet and deciding on New Year’s gifts.
The old lady had taken over a decade to decide to celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve with everyone, making the younger members of the three extended branches very excited. The elders intended to cultivate them and let them get acquainted with Richard Shaw.
As he entered the living room, Richard saw many red envelopes, various gifts, and beautifully embroidered fortune bags placed on the small coffee table in the living room.
Aunt Zhao was beside him, embroidering names on the fortune bags with silk thread.
"This is Calliope Shaw from the second house; she and Lana Shaw are cousins. The sisters have great personalities and are very smart, so it’s best to prepare the same gift for them. Last time, I sent a pair of jade bracelets; this time, the old lady can choose." Crystal laughed.
The old lady, noticing the charming hand warmer in her hands, was surprised and said, "Isn’t there a pair of these hand warmers in our house as well? I remember having them."
Aunt Zhao chuckled from the side, "Yes, there’s a pair. They were a gift from the Howard Family’s old lady, but no one uses them, so they’ve been stored in the warehouse."
"Mine was also a gift from Qingqing," Crystal laughed, "Using it this winter keeps the cold away."
"Aunt Zhao, go fetch them from the warehouse and give them to those two girls. It’s rare to find someone who can get along with our Crystal so well; those two girls are quite nice," the old lady laughed.
Because of her beauty and status, Crystal found it difficult to form friendships, yet the old lady suddenly felt a fondness for Lana Shaw and Calliope Shaw.
"They’ll be overjoyed," Crystal laughed, raising her eyes as Richard Shaw entered, at which point her smile instantly faded.