Although Song Jiayu didn’t believe that it was they who had punctured the delicate barrier between him and the Miao family, both Wen Nian and Lili knew in their hearts.
Perhaps living a lifetime in confusion might be better, like now, when Song Jiayu understood everything, it only invited more trouble.
"Now, seeing you and Lili with your own children, my heart is truly filled, and from the bottom of my heart, I’m happy for you."
"If you want to see the little troublemaker, just come over often or call me, and I’ll bring Lili and the little troublemaker to you."
Despite being troubled by Miu Lerong’s refusal to divorce, it was nothing compared to the satisfaction that Lili and Wen Nian gave him.
After finishing his tea, Song Jiayu stood up to leave, and Wen Nian smiled,
"Dad, it’s New Year’s today, so you should at least stay for dinner before going back."
Song Jiayu paused, then slapped his head,
"If you hadn’t said anything, I really would have forgotten... New Year’s, yes, it’s New Year’s..."
"Stay for dinner, the only regular New Year’s dinner I get to have is with Xiao Xun, it’s quite lonely."
"But Tianyou is still at home."
"I’ll have someone pick up Xiao You,"
Song Jiayu thought it over; that sounded good, to avoid facing Miu Lerong after returning.
While Song Jiayu rested in the residential area, Wen Nian spent some time recording a New Year’s greeting.
After Lili posted a message of her and her daughter’s safety in her private friends group, Lu Xiaoer, who was originally busy with her own New Year’s dinner, rushed to the President Mansion; after all, this was her goddaughter!
The same went for Zhongli Wuzhi, as he and Lu Xiaoer met unexpectedly at the entrance of the President Mansion.
"Why did you come empty-handed?"
Lu Xiaoer scanned Zhongli Wuzhi, who was not carrying anything.
"What should I buy? It’s too formal, as if Wen Nian would let Song Lili lack anything..."
Zhongli Wuzhi chuckled and draped his arm around Lu Xiaoer’s shoulder, walking inside. She unceremoniously knocked his hand off,
"We haven’t settled things between us yet! Keep some distance!"
"Little Ear, how have you become so petty?"
Lu Xiaoer forced a grin, then mouthed the word "Get lost" and proceeded to walk ahead rapidly.
Zhongli Wuzhi followed behind.
With these two arriving, any chance of peaceful rest was basically impossible.
Upon seeing the little troublemaker, one kept calling out "my precious daughter, my precious daughter, I am your godmother!"
The other muttered under his breath,
"I’m your godmother’s boyfriend. Almost your goddad."
You can imagine how uncomfortable that statement made Lu Xiaoer; she immediately drove Zhongli Wuzhi out.
Wen Nian leisurely followed them out, and Zhongli Wuzhi pulled him aside to complain,
"Ah Nian, you have to judge this for me. I was at an alumni gathering, and she acted like she was catching a cheater. If you really have to convict me, shouldn’t there at least be a bed involved? That junior’s high heels broke in front of me, and I just helped her, but just then she saw it and has been mad at me for half a month."
Wen Nian handed him a bottle of purified water, which Zhongli Wuzhi took,
Then Wen Nian simply walked away.
Zhongli Wuzhi blinked, "Ah Nian!"
"Keep it down, my wife just gave birth!"
"Hey! Is my voice really that loud?"
"My father-in-law is here too."
Zhongli Wuzhi went silent, his narrow, fox-like eyes immediately searching around, but to no avail.
"He’s resting in the guest room."
Zhongli Wuzhi glanced at him, "Ah Nian, is Ali always ? Always jealous, and irrationally so?"
"Ah Zhi, do you think it’s an overkill to always consult me, the President, about your personal emotional issues?"
Zhongli Wuzhi arched his eyebrows, showing displeasure,
"Do you really mean that? Weren’t I the one who gave you advice when you were pursuing Lili back then? Now that you’re married and have a child, you’re just leaving me to fend for myself?"
Wen Nian stopped, looked at Zhongli Wuzhi’s casual demeanor, took a deep breath, and seriously said,
"Do you really have no feelings for that junior at all?"
"I already have Little Ear, how could I..."
"Tell me truthfully, do you really have no thoughts at all? Isn’t there even a moment when you find your junior irresistibly charming?"
Wen Nian narrowed his amber eyes as if interrogating Zhongli Wuzhi’s soul.
This made Zhongli Wuzhi hesitant...
"To say not at all, that would indeed be..."
"It’s enough, you deserve the consequences."
Wen Nian smiled, giving his verdict.
Zhongli Wuzhi’s expression stiffened.
"Staying for dinner tonight?"
"I don’t know if Little Ear will stay..." Zhongli Wuzhi muttered.
"Anyway, Lili will definitely invite her to stay."
"...Yeah, then let’s have dinner together. I couldn’t even have a meal with Little Ear last New Year’s Eve... Jeez, you think she’d notice just that little bit of thought? It was just a thought, how could I actually do something to betray her?"
"You’ve had a past, and she knows it."
"What do you mean ’a past’? I was single before we were together, single and mingling—"
Zhongli Wuzhi’s muttering abruptly stopped as the reflection of Lu Xiaoer’s shadow appeared on the polished tiles behind him.
"Seems like you miss your single and mingling days, huh?"
"No! What are you talking about! It wasn’t as happy as now!"
Zhongli Wuzhi, a big guy, turned around and in a second, turned into a puppy dog.
Lu Xiaoer took a deep breath,
"I’m telling you, I’m going to another city next week for a medical consultation study."
"Which day? Where out of town? I’ll come with you!"
"No need, just letting you know."
Lu Xiaoer said and turned back into the house.
Zhongli Wuzhi stood still, then looked at Wen Nian with a surprised expression,
"Did she... forgive me?"
"At least she’s not planning to break up with you."
Zhongli Wuzhi raised his elbow, making a "Yes" gesture!
A new year always brings boundless hope and motivation.
After dinner, Wen Nian had his people send everyone home gradually.
At nine o’clock, Wen Nian was already curled up in bed, with Lili leaning on him.
"No, I just want to wait with you..."
"Wait? Wait for what?"
Song Lili was puzzled.
Wen Nian pointed toward the skylight, and just in that moment, brilliant fireworks burst forth, perfectly filling the skylight.
"Doesn’t it look like a moving painting?"
Wen Nian asked gently in her ear.
Song Lili’s pupils reflected the brilliant, colorful explosion, rendered speechless by such a sight.