Chapter 7 Yue’er, Happy New Year!

Jiang Qingzhou returned to the room after washing up and saw Fang Yingyue curled up in the blanket like a little silkworm, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the watch placed on the pillow. He walked over to the bed and gently stroked her head. “Tired?”

Fang Yingyue yawned. “I was tired earlier, but you can’t just give up halfway when staying up for New Year’s.”

Jiang Qingzhou sat down at the edge of the bed. Fang Yingyue glanced at him, shivering, and muttered, “It’s freezing. You should get under the covers.” She lifted a corner of the blanket, and a rush of cold air made her shiver.

“Want to lie down and wait?” he asked.

She shook her head. “If I lie down, I’ll fall asleep right away. We’ll only have ten minutes left, so I’ll hold out a bit longer.”

Seeing this, Jiang Qingzhou pulled her into his arms, and the two quietly waited for the New Year to arrive.

At midnight, the chimes rang, and firecrackers outside erupted in deafening bursts.

“Happy New Year!”

“Yue’er, Happy New Year!” Jiang Qingzhou responded, his voice full of love.

They lay down, preparing to rest. The winter night in Yancheng was bitterly cold, but wrapped in each other’s arms, they felt warm and cozy.

“Going to grandpa’s tomorrow?” Jiang Qingzhou asked.

“Mm,” she replied.

Sleepiness soon overcame them, and the room was filled only with the sound of their even breathing, accompanied by occasional firecrackers outside.

On New Year’s morning, Jiang Qingzhou had already prepared a red envelope for Fang Yingyue. She held it joyfully, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

After breakfast, the family began packing gifts for New Year’s visits, setting off for the research institute to start the year’s greetings. Although the institute wasn’t far from Yandu, the winding mountain roads made the journey rough.

Fang Yingyue sat in the car, her face gradually paling with the bumps along the way. Her brows furrowed, stomach churning, and head dizzy. Jiang’s mother, noticing her discomfort, held her hand. “Xiao Yueyue, are you okay?”

Fang Yingyue forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. I’ll feel better once we arrive. Qingzhou, how much longer?”

“About half an hour, almost there.”

She nodded slightly, turning her gaze back to the winding mountain road outside, trying to distract herself. Jiang Qingzhou, seeing her discomfort, hugged her shoulders tightly, steadying her to ease the motion sickness.

Finally, they arrived at the institute’s gates. Jiang’s father sat in the passenger seat, looking authoritative. As the car stopped, the guards at the gate quickly approached, first scanning the passengers. Seeing it was Director Jiang Ting, they straightened and saluted.

“Greetings, Director Jiang!” Their eyes then moved to the back seat where Jiang Qingzhou sat, offering another salute. “Greetings, Deputy Regiment Commander Jiang!”

“Hello, today’s New Year. Our family is here to visit Directors Jiang and Qin and pay our respects,” Jiang Qingzhou said.

The guards acknowledged the order, reporting clearly via walkie-talkie. About two minutes later, a response came through, and the gate opened with a “please come in” gesture.

Grandpa and Grandma Jiang were already waiting downstairs. Seeing Jiang Qingzhou and Fang Yingyue arrive together, their faces lit up with smiles and joy. Jiang’s grandmother, with her kindly, wrinkled face, hurried forward and held Fang Yingyue’s hands.

“Oh, Xiao Yueyue, you came too! This mountain road isn’t easy—are you tired?”

“I’m fine, Grandma.”

After exchanging pleasantries, they carried their bags upstairs. On the way, they ran into one of Grandpa Jiang’s colleagues, who called out from afar, “Old Jiang, guests at your home! Looks like this year’s New Year will be lively!”

The colleague’s eyes landed on Fang Yingyue, then he asked Grandpa Jiang, “Old Jiang, is this young lady your granddaughter-in-law?”

Grandpa Jiang smiled, eyes crinkling. “Yes.”

The elder, known to everyone as Dai, examined Fang Yingyue carefully and praised, “Good, really good! Qingzhou is lucky to have found such a beautiful and well-behaved girl.”

“Greetings, Elder Dai! This is my wife, Fang Yingyue,” Jiang Qingzhou introduced.

Fang Yingyue smiled sweetly and greeted, “Hello, Elder Dai!” Her clear, pleasant voice warmed everyone’s heart.

“All’s well, all’s well! Seeing you two so affectionate makes one truly happy.” Grandpa Jiang patted Dai’s shoulder. “Old Dai, don’t eat at the cafeteria for lunch. Come to my place. I’ve prepared extra dishes. Invite Old Xu and Old Lin too—more people make it lively, celebrating the New Year together.”

“No, no, your family reunion is rare—I shouldn’t intrude,” Dai declined politely.

But Grandpa Jiang insisted, pulling Dai’s arm. “Nonsense, the more the merrier! You must invite them, come for lunch. I’ve prepared all the dishes, just waiting for everyone to gather.”

Seeing Grandpa Jiang’s enthusiasm, Dai hesitated briefly and agreed. “Alright, I’ll find Old Xu and tell them to come at noon for a gathering.”

Inside, the space was simple and cozy, free from excessive decoration but full of warmth. Jiang Qingzhou first went to the table, gently setting down the bags and taking out items.

“Grandpa, Grandma, these are the new clothes Yueyue specially picked for you. They’ve been washed and are comfortable to wear. And these snacks and fruits are also from her heart. I hope you like them and enjoy eating.”

Grandma Jiang, her wrinkled hands shaking slightly, examined the clothes with delight in her eyes. “Oh, wonderful! Look at the colors and material. So thoughtful—our little Yueyue really has an eye for things.”

Fang Yingyue stood nearby, eyes crescent-shaped, smiling sweetly at her grandmother. “Of course! When picking for Grandpa and Grandma, naturally only the best will do. As long as you like it, I’m happy.”

After the greetings, Fang Yingyue smartly followed Jiang’s mother to the kitchen, ready to showcase her skills for the reunion lunch.

The kitchen was stocked full of ingredients, the aroma of cooking immediately filling the air. Fang Yingyue efficiently helped Jiang’s mother wash vegetables and organize the prep work, then rolled up her sleeves to cook some of her signature dishes. Her movements were skilled and smooth—pouring oil, stirring, seasoning—the enticing fragrance quickly spreading. Each dish was made with care and heart.

In the living room, people sat together, cracking sunflower seeds, sipping tea, chatting casually, laughter filling the air. Jiang Qingzhou’s gaze often drifted to the kitchen. Through the half-open door, he watched her delicate figure moving gracefully among the steam and aromas, and his heart overflowed with warmth and love. He knew that this New Year was especially wonderful because Fang Yingyue was there.