"That’s right, you were so angry you could fight with your younger brother, and Zhenzhen just said a few words, so what? In my opinion, Zhenzhen is still too kind for letting those people in your family bully her for so long." This couldn’t be said, as it would be too much for Fan Hongwei to bear; the people of the Mei Family were all too despicable.
Moreover, what Fan Hongwei was most afraid of wasn’t just that; he was afraid that Mei Yinan would see how her younger brother was living these days and go soft at heart, which would spoil everything. He quickly warned, "Don’t get bewitched by your brother and sister’s pitiable looks. You should know that our family, the Yongan family, Yifang’s family, and the children below, couldn’t have made it to where they are now without Tianyu’s help. Don’t you know what your own son is capable of? Frankly, it’s all because of Zhenzhen, so don’t let your sympathy for your own brother end up chilling the heart of the child."
Mei Yinan said, "I won’t do anything rash, really, I won’t. Am I that foolish? You don’t need to remind me like this. It’s just that it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them, so I feel a bit sorry for them, but I still understand the situation. Don’t talk down to me like I’m a child."
Fan Hongwei sighed, knowing that saying too much could backfire, so he immediately shut his mouth. Besides, Mei Yinan had said she wouldn’t act rashly, and since she had said so, she naturally wouldn’t.
The families of Mei Yongfu and Mei Yifan had come over in a hurry for the New Year’s celebration, and within a couple of days, it was New Year’s Eve.
Truth be told, their New Year’s dinner had already been held at Xiyuan just after the lesser New Year, which was before these two families arrived, so this time eating the New Year’s dinner would be considered the second of the year. Since they had already been to Xiyuan last time, there was naturally no need to go again this time.
Of course, the main reason was that these two families were around, and there was some reluctance to bring them to Xiyuan, to avoid trouble.
This time, the New Year’s dinner was still at the restaurant around the corner downstairs. Fan Tianyu had spent more money to reserve a private room, and naturally, Pei Ziyu couldn’t be absent from such a dinner setting, since they had all eaten together on New Year’s Eve for the past two years. There was no reason for her not to come this year.
When Mei Mengzhen directly led the people over, Du Jing, who was seeing Pei Ziyu for the first time, was greatly shocked. One had to admit that Mei Mengzhen had a really good eye.
Once Du Jing and the others were seated, they inquired, "Zhenzhen, is this your boyfriend? He’s quite handsome. Is he still studying, or has he started working?"
Mei Mengzhen said, "He’s already working; his company is near my school."
"Oh, so what do you do?"
Pei Ziyu said, "Lawyer."
"A lawyer, huh? That’s a good job. If you make it in that field, it has a lot of prospects."
Mei Yongfu looked at the two with disdain and said Cooly, "Even the most promising lawyers don’t make much money at the beginning; it takes many years to climb the ranks."
Mei Yongfu always remembered the first time Pei Ziyu had talked about his salary, which was so low it didn’t even catch his interest. But no one had told him that what was said back then were all lies. Moreover, when it came to the profession of a lawyer, Du Jing knows much more than Mei Yongfu because one of her relatives was a lawyer. "If he’s an intern, then indeed the salary is not high, but this profession is a long-term stable one, and it’s all about the future prospects. How many years has Xiaopei been working since graduation?"
"Two and a half years. I graduated the year Zhenzhen started college; we went to the same school."
"Oh, one graduated and one enrolled. The fact that you two have gotten together really shows that you’re meant to be."
After a polite exchange, the dishes were served. Naturally, during the New Year’s dinner, alcohol must be drunk, but everyone knew very well that they couldn’t mention a word about borrowing money. Therefore, this New Year’s dinner was quite harmonious.
After the New Year’s dinner was over, these two families truly couldn’t find any excuse to stay any longer. Upon leaving the restaurant, they said, "Big sister, big brother, second sister, we’ll be heading back directly today. We’ve still got relatives to visit."
Of course, it wasn’t possible to just say goodbye and leave right away; after all, the luggage was still upstairs. But Mei Yinan didn’t reject the suggestion, "That works. You guys don’t need to take a car either. Mengcheng, if you’re not busy, why don’t you drive your little uncle and aunts?"
Mei Mengcheng was naturally fine with this, as he had always been the one to give them a ride in the past. However, it didn’t seem right to have him go alone on New Year’s Day. Fan Tianyu immediately said, "I’ll go with you. We still have stuff to do later tonight anyway."
"Alright, let’s go together."
It was already evening, and the winter in Jiangcheng was gloomy, cold, and damp. The chill wind on the streets hit Zhenzhen’s face, causing her to shiver and tuck in her neck, the cold sensation pelting her face like icy beads. She looked closer and realized that it was snowing.
Zhenzhen smiled. New Year’s and snow really did go well together.
Seeing that everyone was going home, Zhenzhen didn’t follow. Instead, she linked arms with Pei Ziyu, planning to take a stroll on the streets, which were not particularly bustling at this moment.
Zhenzhen said, "Auntie, we won’t be coming up. We’ll visit you tomorrow to give our New Year’s greetings."
Mei Yinan replied, "Alright, you and Xiaopei take a good walk around. Xiaopei is always busy, and it’s only during New Year’s that he’s free. You don’t have to take Chenchen with you. It’s cold outside and he’s still little. We don’t want him to catch a cold."
Mei Mengchen didn’t really care whether he followed his sister or not. He didn’t mind not following her, but he didn’t want to go home with his aunt either, facing all those relatives, even if they were about to leave soon.
Luckily, Fan Tianhua noticed his reluctance and said, "Chenchen, come over to my place. Or I can come to yours. Just have fun your way and don’t worry about Chenchen."
With Fan Tianhua joining in the conversation, Zhenzhen naturally had nothing to worry about. She advised Chenchen, "Send a message or call me if you need anything."
As for telling him to behave, there was no need to say such things at all. In her eyes, there were no kids more well-behaved than her little brother.
Mei Mengchen nodded and walked over to Fan Tianhua, while Zhenzhen, arm in arm with Pei Ziyu, waved goodbye to everyone before leaving the place.
Watching the retreating figures of Zhenzhen and Pei Ziyu, the group couldn’t help but feel sentimental, "Youth is really something, isn’t it? Look at their silhouettes, don’t they look like the perfect couple from a movie?"
"That’s because both of them are good-looking. If you put anyone else there, it wouldn’t have the same effect," Fan Tianyu said flatly, pouting. But after he finished speaking, Mei Yinan glared at him with a lethal look, only to relax soon after, "Well, they are in a stable relationship, while you’re not. And you’re not even worried about it."
"Me, worried? I’m a golden bachelor. There are plenty of people out there eyeing me. I just won’t let those women tarnish me," he retorted.
"If you can’t find anyone, just admit it. Why make excuses? With the way you are, how could anyone possibly be after you?"
Mei Yinan obviously didn’t believe him, but the comment about being a bachelor was apt, "You’re not getting any younger. It’s about time. Don’t end up still single when Zhenzhen gets married. By then, it won’t be something you can brush off with a few words."
At this, Fan Tianyu didn’t want to listen anymore and hurriedly urged Mei Mengcheng to leave with him, managing to evade yet another ordeal.