Chapter 51: New Year Celebrations

At the start of the winter break, the sudden halt of her routine of commuting between home and school left Zhu Jia feeling a bit out of place. Her days were now mostly spent either with Xiao Wen or studying the business plans Mo Yichen had given her.

She had set a small goal for herself—to officially begin planning her entrepreneurial project after the New Year.

Before the New Year, Zhu Jia and Liang Sisi took Xiao Wen and Yuan Yuan to the mall for New Year shopping. The mall was packed with people, so crowded it was hard to move. Xiao Wen and Yuan Yuan obediently sat in the shopping cart.

“This year’s crowd is insane. It wasn’t this bad in previous years,” Liang Sisi said, frowning as she tried to squeeze into the section selling couplets and festive decorations.

After waiting for the crowd in front to clear, Zhu Jia and Liang Sisi managed to pick out a couple of couplets, four rotating carved lanterns, and various New Year decorations.

They then headed to the children’s food section, selecting snacks like teething biscuits, yogurt sticks, cod sausages, fruit and veggie puffs, purees, rice crackers, and melt-in-the-mouth treats. Xiao Wen and Yuan Yuan were wide-eyed with excitement.

“You can have a little more snacks during the New Year, but not otherwise,” Zhu Jia said, gently pinching Xiao Wen’s cheek.

Xiao Wen nodded hesitantly, while Yuan Yuan directly opened a yogurt stick and began eating.

Their shopping spree ended with a visit to the nearby flower market, where they ordered several pots of festive flowers. By the end of the day, their car’s trunk was packed to the brim.

Later, Zhu Jia invited Liang Sisi over for tea. While the children played on a mat, Zhu Jia brewed a pot of rose tea for them to enjoy.

“What? You want to open an early childhood education center?” Liang Sisi teased after taking a sip of tea. “Has Mo Da Shao’s allowance run out? If you want to do business, why not ask him to gift you a company?”

Zhu Jia shot her a glare.

“Alright, just kidding,” Liang Sisi said with a chuckle, setting down her green porcelain cup. “To be honest, if I were a working mom, I’d love a place to ease the burden of childcare. Hiring a reliable nanny is harder than finding a good husband these days.”

“I’d be thrilled to leave my child in a trustworthy place, especially one that could provide even better care than I could myself,” she added.

Zhu Jia nodded in agreement. This was the desire of most mothers. They wanted to focus more on their careers but lacked a place they could trust with their children.

“But you know,” Liang Sisi continued, “mothers are incredibly picky about anything related to their kids. Achieving both trust and satisfaction will be tough. Take me, for example—I’m very particular about nutrition, while other moms might prioritize early education programs.”

Zhu Jia silently agreed. Starting an early childhood education center wasn’t easy. The clients were some of the most discerning individuals on earth: mothers. And they’d be responsible for lively, energetic children.

“Well, when you do start it, I’ll send Yuan Yuan there,” Liang Sisi said with a grin.

“Thanks for your support, Boss Liang,” Zhu Jia replied with a laugh.

As evening fell, Liang Sisi left, carrying Yuan Yuan in her arms. The two children had played peacefully all day without fighting over snacks or toys.

“See you after the New Year,” Zhu Jia said, giving them a light hug and watching them leave.

Later, the festive flowers they’d ordered arrived—peach blossoms, kumquats, holly, pussy willows, Australian plums, and cymbidiums. Zhu Jia directed the movers on where to place them. The largest peach tree was placed in the center of the yard.

When Mo Yichen arrived at the courtyard, he saw Zhu Jia standing high on a ladder, holding couplets. Aunt Liu and Xiao Wen were watching from below.

“Move it a little to the left, and then up a bit,” Aunt Liu said.

“I’ll do it,” Mo Yichen offered as he walked over. “Come down first.”

“Alright.” Zhu Jia awkwardly started climbing down, but her left foot slipped.

“Ah!” she exclaimed, falling backward.

She landed in a broad, firm embrace. A strong arm circled her waist tightly.

“Why are you so careless?” Mo Yichen scolded, frowning.

Zhu Jia steadied herself, still shaken. “Here, you hang the couplets,” she said, handing them to him.

Mo Yichen effortlessly climbed the ladder and quickly affixed the horizontal scroll and the side couplets.

Just as he finished, Zhu Jia shouted, “Xiao Wen! You can’t pick the kumquats!”

She hurried over to find Xiao Wen holding two kumquats, one in each hand. He bit into one, only to grimace at the sour juice flooding his mouth. Spitting it out, he threw the kumquats to the ground and began to wail.

Zhu Jia stifled her laughter as she wiped his face and mouth with a wet wipe. “You need to ask an adult before eating something new,” she said gently.

Mo Yichen stepped into the courtyard, noticing the large peach tree in the center, its pink blossoms scattering petals on the ground. Traditional decorations—firecrackers, Chinese knots, and “Fu” characters—adorned the space. Four ornate lanterns spun gently at the entrance.

He had never imagined this place, once so cold and empty, could be transformed into such a warm, lively scene. Nor had he imagined he’d one day celebrate New Year here, in a cozy courtyard, with the person he loved most.

For Mo Yichen, New Year had always been about socializing with family members and securing more influence and power. Yet this year felt different—calmer, warmer, and infinitely more meaningful.

He had grown up seeing the concept of “home” as a heavy burden, a responsibility he had to shoulder with effort.

But now, his understanding of family had deepened. It wasn’t just a responsibility; it was also a place of solace, a corner where he could rest freely, and a home for his wandering soul.

Looking at Zhu Jia, who wore a face full of smiles, and Xiao Wen, who was crying angrily, the frost that had accumulated in Mo Yichen’s eyes for years slowly melted into a warm spring.

….
Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Mo family residence wasn’t particularly unique.

Every year, the three brothers of the Mo family, along with some relatives from the extended family, gathered together. However, this year felt livelier, thanks to the presence of Xiao Wen and Domi.

Zhu Jia sat to one side, feeling bored, and whispered to Mo Yichen, “Why don’t Third Uncle and Third Aunt have any children?”

Mo Ronghua had three children: Mo Yichen, Mo Chengxin, and Mo Qingqing. Second Uncle also had a son, Linlin’s husband and Domi’s father.

But Third Uncle, despite being younger than the other two and nearing forty, still didn’t have a child with his wife.

“I think they’re DINK (Dual Income, No Kids),” Mo Yichen replied casually, showing no interest in the topic.

Zhu Jia nodded. After all, it was their private matter, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to pry further.

Unlike before, Xiao Wen had learned to walk and was now exploring the old residence freely. Even with several servants trailing him, they couldn’t stop him from “redecorating” the pretty plants in the garden.

Meanwhile, Zhu Jia’s mother-in-law invited her for tea. “Jiajia, have Chengxin and Qingqing been causing you any trouble recently? I heard they often visit you.”

“Not at all. They’re well-behaved and even help take care of Xiao Wen,” Zhu Jia replied with a smile.

“That’s good to hear. I was worried they might be a bit inconsiderate,” Mo Madam said with a gentle laugh.

From the age of eighteen, Madam Mo had followed Mo Ronghua, dedicating herself to the family. She eventually had a son and a daughter, both of whom were innocent and pure in nature.

Now, she no longer sought power or influence and only hoped Mo Yichen would accept his siblings, ensuring their future happiness.

Fortunately, Zhu Jia genuinely treated them well, and Madam Mo was deeply grateful.

Zhu Jia, on the other hand, was silently observing Madam Mo. While her beauty was striking, it was her youthful charm, even when smiling behind her hand, that stood out the most.

Both of Mo Ronghua’s wives were stunningly beautiful, not to mention the lovers who never managed to secure a position.

Zhu Jia shook her head and silently clicked her tongue. Mo Ronghua was truly a playboy. She just hoped Mo Yichen hadn’t inherited his father’s philandering tendencies.

The thought made her uneasy. She decided she would keep a close eye on him, ready to divorce him immediately if there were any signs of trouble!

However, her most pressing priority was to establish her own career. Once she had financial independence, she could leave him and still find a younger, obedient boyfriend. Life would be just fine.

“Jiajia, I heard you’re still studying?”

“Yes, just as a small hobby.”

“Your family might need some extra help then. I have a nanny, Aunt Pan, who raised Qingqing. She’s experienced. How about I ask her to help you with Xiao Wen?”

Zhu Jia nodded; it was a thoughtful suggestion. She had been considering something similar. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Mom.”

Madam Mo smiled warmly. Zhu Jia’s kindness toward her children deserved gratitude in return.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Xiao Wen was taken to bed by Aunt Liu, leaving Zhu Jia to join the family’s female elders for a round of mahjong.

Zhu Jia wasn’t particularly interested in playing but participated out of politeness. To her surprise, no matter how poor her hand or skills, she kept winning, accumulating a small fortune in just a few hours.

Realizing they were intentionally letting her win to curry favor, Zhu Jia sighed internally.

Feigning exhaustion, she yawned and excused herself. “You all continue; I’m feeling unusually sleepy tonight. Next time, I’ll host, and you can come to my house to play.”

After a chorus of agreement, Zhu Jia finally escaped the dull socializing.

She returned to the room she had stayed in previously—Mo Yichen’s. The room was dimly lit, with a few warm, yellow ambiance lights casting a cozy glow.

The faint scent of an unfamiliar cologne mixed with shower gel wafted from the bathroom, accompanied by the sound of running water. The atmosphere was tinged with an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

Mo Yichen was already back?

Zhu Jia sat on the sofa and closed her eyes to rest. She had drunk a bit of red wine earlier and felt slightly light-headed.

Soon, the water stopped, and the bathroom door opened. Footsteps approached. Zhu Jia opened her eyes slightly and froze at the sight before her.

Bathed in the dim, warm light, Mo Yichen stepped out in a loose white bathrobe. The deep V-neck revealed most of his sculpted, porcelain-like chest.

Steam rose around him, his skin flushed with a faint, attractive pink. He held a white towel, gently drying his damp hair, his chiseled profile radiating an otherworldly charm.

Zhu Jia felt like she was in a VR otome game, with Mo Yichen as the male lead ready to “serve” her tonight.

“I didn’t expect you back so early,” he said, his deep, sultry voice a perfect blend of warmth and allure.

The faint scent of cologne teased her senses, and Zhu Jia felt a rush of heat to her cheeks.

Great, she thought, I must be tipsy.