Chapter 98: New Year

The family rarely gathered together for a meal, and they were all happy.

“Little Xue, after you finish your exams, let Little Yun take you out to play. When Mom settles things, I’ll take you to Grandpa’s house.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Muxue was momentarily touched and her expression fell silent.

“Mm.”

Another ten days passed, and the New Year was approaching.

Lin Beixiu’s family’s steamed bun shop never closed, so the tradition of pasting couplets was left to Lin Beixiu. The two of them just casually ate a little.

“Little Bei, have you pasted the couplets?”

Lin Beixiu, while making dumplings, casually replied, “They’re pasted.”

“Alright.”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll prepare some dishes to go with the alcohol. I’m not picky.”

While Lin Beixiu worked, his thoughts had long flown beyond the clouds.

At this moment, what was Qin Muxue doing?

“Little Bei, hurry up and cook. I’ll go rest first; I’m exhausted.”

“Okay.”

Before cooking, Lin Beixiu wrote a short essay, wishing Qin Muxue a happy New Year’s Eve, then went to cook.

On Qin Muxue’s side, she had already arrived at her grandfather’s house, where the old man still enjoyed peace and quiet, living in a large farmhouse courtyard.

Qin Muxue held a steamed bun in her arms, standing in the yard, facing the vast mountains and lush forests.

At her feet was the big yellow dog raised by her grandfather, named Dahuang.

On her shoulder, the vigilant cat, Mantou, meowed, while Dahuang curiously stared at the little creature in her arms, showing no hostility.

Qin Muxue smiled and rubbed Dahuang’s head, making his tail wag even more happily.

“Dahuang, you scared Mantou.”

“Little Xue.”

A kind voice came from behind, and Qin Muxue turned her head, a smile forming on her lips.

“Grandma.”

The person was Qin Muxue’s grandmother, also her father Qin Hongyue’s mother, Wang Ya.

“My good granddaughter, it’s cold outside, come in quickly.”

Qin Muxue put Mantou into her hat behind her, smiling as she took her grandmother’s hand.

“Grandma, I’m fine, not cold.”

“Look at your little face, red like an apple. Come in and warm up by the fire.”

Wang Ya’s smile was increasingly kind, feeling deeply the great changes in her granddaughter, who was no longer as cold as before.

Qin Muxue stuck out her tongue, obediently walked in, sat on a stool, and saw the message sent by Lin Beixiu, unable to stop the smile on her lips.

Qin Muxue: Happy New Year’s Eve, enjoy your meal.

Then she sent several photos of Mantou and Dahuang.

“Little Xue, why are you so happy about something?”

At the staircase, a sturdy figure descended, looking like he was in his sixties or seventies, with steady steps and a graceful posture.

In fact, this old man was almost eighty years old, Qin Muxue’s grandfather, Qin Haotian.

“It’s nothing, Grandpa, just a message from a classmate.”

Qin Haotian chuckled, feeling the same significant change in Qin Muxue as Grandma Wang did since he returned these days.

“Go wash your hands quickly; it’s time to eat.”

Qin Muxue looked towards the kitchen, where her mother and Sister Yun were busy. Since they didn’t let Qin Muxue help, she could only wait.

“Okay.”

……

On the other side, Lin Beixiu prepared a sumptuous meal, saw Qin Muxue’s message, smiled, and replied with a “good.”

“Little Bei, have a drink with me.”

“Sure, coming.”

Lin Beixiu brought a pitcher of beer, and old Zhang also brought a large bowl.

“Cheers, Happy New Year, another year has passed.”

For many years, the two of them had been through this routine, a meal together, not too lively, but peaceful and healthy, free from disasters and illnesses.

At night, old Zhang went to bed early due to work, and fortunately, fireworks were banned in An Province; otherwise, the old man would have trouble sleeping.

In Qin Muxue’s rural area, there were no such restrictions; fireworks could be seen everywhere, from the afternoon to the evening firecrackers.

Qin Muxue had already taken many videos and finally asked Lin Beixiu.

Qin Muxue: Are you asleep?

Of course, Lin Beixiu was not asleep, watching videos. When he saw her message, he replied.

Lin Beixiu: Not yet, if I sleep late, I’ll turn into an old witch.

Qin Muxue was almost infuriated when she saw this and angrily punched her pillow.

“You brat, you make me so mad.”

Qin Muxue shared the video and then looked at Mantou on the floor, lying on its back, unable to sleep.

At first, it was scared, but after realizing there was no danger, it stayed in the room but couldn’t sleep.

Qin Muxue couldn’t help but chuckle at its human-like expression.

“Be good, you still have about twenty minutes.”

It would at least be until dawn before it calmed down.

Qin Muxue glanced at her phone,

Lin Beixiu: It’s interesting; I haven’t seen anything like this before, and I can’t watch it here.

Qin Muxue smiled and replied: I’ll take you to see it sometime.

……

In the class group, a group of night owls became active.

Hu Feng: Happy New Year, everyone.

“Same to you.”

“Happy New Year, it’s almost midnight.”

……

Hu Feng: Happy New Year [Red Envelope]

Liu Jin: Oh my, a big spender.

Classmate 1: Thank you, boss.

Classmate 2: Boss is generous.

Lin Beixiu was in high spirits, clicking frantically. Wow, a few dollars, his luck was unmatched.

Later, other classmates also sent red envelopes one after another, but none could compare to Hu Feng, who sent hundreds each time. The people in the group went crazy, and Lin Beixiu had already grabbed more than eighty or ninety.

As the class president, Lin Beixiu naturally sent his own little gift.

Qin Muxue privately messaged herself: I have the best luck, feeling happy.

Lin Beixiu smiled, thinking she was acting like a child even though she was an adult.

Lin Beixiu privately sent her a red envelope, with the note “Happy New Year’s Eve.”

When Qin Muxue received it and saw the one hundred yuan inside, she was stunned for a moment.

“Isn’t this too much?”

Lin Beixiu replied: It’s not too much.

Qin Muxue: Then thank you, Little Bei.

Afterward, she also sent a red envelope, with a small amount but a big heart.

……

Qin Muxue didn’t chat with him anymore, telling him to sleep early as she was going to bed too. Of course, those people in the group were still excited.

But after midnight, the New Year arrived.

She sent the message she had edited.

Lin Beixiu had already fallen asleep, not checking the group chat. Before midnight, his phone lit up by his pillow, showing a notification from Qin Muxue, a voice message.

……

The next day, Lin Beixiu rarely slept in. When he came over to help, old Zhang also happily handed him a big red envelope.

“Little Bei, Happy New Year.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Lin Beixiu accepted it; every year, he would save the money his grandfather gave him and not spend it recklessly. He would give it back to his grandfather later.

Of course, the sense of ceremony was important.

“Little Bei, Happy New Year.”

“Uncle Li, Happy New Year.”

The person was a neighbor, Uncle Li. Lin Beixiu greeted him with a smile and accepted the red envelope.

The people around were all so familiar, and their relationships were very good. They would give Lin Beixiu a red envelope every New Year. Living alone with his grandfather was indeed very hard; making money was not easy, especially in the catering industry, which was really tough.

———-
Support the Translation! 🌐✨

Your donations not only show appreciation but also keep the translator motivated! Every contribution helps continue bringing you more of what you love. Thank you for being a part of this journey! 💖

https://www.ko-fi.com/maxoofie