The gala had been held for decades, and the television was switched on just for some liveliness. It was as though this year would not be complete if one did not watch it. It had already become a kind of ceremony.
When Huo Ci appeared, Xiaoqi was even holding a light stick and swaying it from side to side. He was singing cheerfully and seriously with Huo Ci, making the duo beside him laugh.
Xiaoqi could also match the words to Ling Sheng’s skit. During the rehearsals, he had watched from the side. The little fella was smart, so he remembered everything. He followed his mother’s lines excitedly, his expression mimicking hers too.
Nangong Lengyu smiled lovingly. This darling was too adorable. It was impossible not to love him. She really wanted to keep him by her side and watch him every day.
Xiaoqi watched the rest of the show with great interest too. However, since no one he knew had appeared again, he was not that excited anymore.
When Ling Sheng rushed back, she saw the three people sitting on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala. The scene looked very harmonious and warm. She had initially wanted to play a trick by popping up suddenly and running over to scare them.
Jun Shiyan sensed her the moment she arrived. He got up and greeted her. Upon seeing the young lady’s tiny red face from the cold, he grabbed her icy hands with his big hands and brought them into his embrace to warm her up. His brows were furrowed slightly, carrying a few notes of heartache. “Why didn’t you wear more clothes? It’s still snowing outside.”
The snow on the young lady’s body had yet to melt fully, and she was a little breathless. Clearly, she had run all the way here. When she looked up, her long eyelashes, which were like butterfly wings, fluttered slightly. They were covered in fine water droplets, making her eyes look misty and moist.
“I thought you weren’t coming!” Ling Sheng looked at the man, her eyes full of unconcealable surprise. She pushed him into the room while laughing and asked, “Have you and Auntie Yu eaten?”
Nangong Lengyu smiled and said, “What would we eat? We’re all waiting for you. What do you intend to eat?”
Ling Sheng beamed. As she spoke, she got hungry. “Hotpot and barbecue meat. Auntie Yu, my uncle wants you to eat with us.”
Nangong Lengyu was taken aback. There was obvious doubt in her eyes and coldness even flashed across them. Her mood worsened when he was mentioned. “Would he be that nice?”
Sheng Sheng might have acted on her own accord. If they really went over, it would be light if he showed them a disagreeable face. Perhaps, he would get angry and kick them out! It would not look good then.
“Yes, to thank you for watching Xiaoqi,” Ling Sheng smiled till her eyes curved. Although her father had not said that, he had not objected when she had said that Auntie Yu had watched Xiaoqi for the whole afternoon and she wanted to treat Auntie Yu to a meal.
Her father’s personality was too tsundere[1]. When he had gotten her to bring Xiaoqi over, he had definitely had this idea–to stay behind and celebrate the Spring Festival with Auntie Yu so that she would not be left alone.
“What about me?” Jun Shiyan asked.
Ling Sheng hesitated for a moment, her expression conflicted. “I didn’t know you came. I’ll have to ask.”
She did not dare. If she brought the Third Master over without consent, her father would kill her straight away!
Jun Shiyan pulled her to sit down and even draped a blanket over her. He stood aside and watched the young lady send a message.
Ling Sheng sent a message: Jun Shiyan is here too. Sister Yu said that if he doesn’t go, she won’t either.
Afterward…
She waited for two minutes, but there was no reply. Ling Sheng regarded it as his tacit consent and stood up excitedly. “Let’s go eat our New Year’s Eve dinner!”
Jun Shiyan carried Xiaoqi while Ling Sheng pushed Nangong Lengyu. The whole family went to the pediatric ward to find Huo Ci.
[1] Tsundere is a Japanese term for a character who is outwardly cold or temperamental, but warm and passionate within.