HLM -Chapter 1197 Everyone Go to Sleep

The optimistic results of Eva’s checkup became Wang Bo’s best New Year gift.

Amid the sweltering heat, the annual Spring Festival had arrived.

In Wang Bo’s hometown, it was customary to visit ancestors’ graves on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. Father Bo called his cousins and asked them to help set off a string of firecrackers and burn some paper money at the graves.

Because Wang Bo was earning well and had a promising future in New Zealand, his family’s status in the village had risen. His uncles and cousins readily agreed, and one cousin even sent a video of the grave visit.

Father Bo sighed, “Does this make us a little disrespectful?”

Mother Bo replied, “Stop being sentimental. It’s not like we have no reason to visit our ancestors. Your daughter-in-law is pregnant; she can’t travel long distances.”

Eva cooperatively simulated a morning sickness reaction. Father Bo nodded repeatedly: “Right, right, the ancestors will surely understand. Come, Xiao Bo, let’s hang up the ancestral chart.”

The “ancestral chart” was a large family genealogy, with ancestors’ names listed in order of generation.

Wang Bo asked, “You brought this too?”

Father Bo smiled proudly, “Of course. I was ready in case we couldn’t go home for the New Year.”

Wang Bo could only give a thumbs-up—his father was truly foresighted; the old really are wise.

The ancestral chart covered three or four square meters. It used to hang on a wall in their old house and seemed large, but once hung on the castle hall wall, it looked almost like a picture and appeared small.

Seeing it, the little girl immediately went weak in the knees and knelt down.

Father Bo was stunned: “Dale, what are you doing?”

Dale said, “Didn’t you say if I kneel when I see it, I get money? A red envelope?”

Wang Bo laughed, “Nice try! You’ll get your red envelope tomorrow morning!”

Father Bo said, “According to our time, it should be given tonight, right?”

Wang Bo said, “We’re in New Zealand; we should follow local customs. The Chinese here also celebrate the New Year.”

Without the obligation to visit ancestors’ graves, they had more free time.

Wang Bo’s parents began making dumplings—beef, lamb, pork, chives and eggs, celery, zucchini, even fish—an incredible variety. They were very quick, and when Wang Bo returned from walking the dogs, the kitchen was already filled with dumplings.

Dale was helping too. Despite her small size, she worked quickly, and her dumplings looked very neat.

“Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! Look at my dumplings! Uncle and Aunt say they’re beautiful. They said yours are ugly,” the little girl proudly offered.

Wang Bo sneered, “Heh, they look nice, but that doesn’t mean they taste good.”

Dale said with pride, “That’s not my problem. I didn’t make the filling. Whether it tastes good is the filling’s business.”

Looking at the many dumplings, Wang Bo asked, “Mom, Dad, why make so many? Are we eating dumplings every day in the first month?”

Father Bo said, “You have so many subordinates; invite them all for dumplings. More people make the first day of the year lively.”

Wang Bo called Atulu, asking him to bring people over for dumplings tomorrow morning—ideally as many as possible, including government employees.

New Zealand is in the UTC+12 time zone. Compared to Beijing (UTC+8), it’s four hours ahead in standard time. From December to February, during daylight saving, it’s five hours ahead.

When China broadcasts its Spring Festival Gala, it’s late at night in New Zealand.

Wang Bo’s parents decided to celebrate according to the domestic schedule. They prepared a table of dishes and stayed up until midnight to watch the Gala.

“Watching the Gala while eating meat and drinking—this is the style of Chinese New Year,” Father Bo yawned.

Mother Bo, half-asleep, nodded: “Yes.”

Father Bo laughed, “Why do you always say yes to whatever I say?”

Mother Bo replied, “I don’t care what you say. Xiao Bo, isn’t coffee supposed to keep me awake? How come I’m still sleepy after drinking so much?”

The fat cats were sleeping on their backs beside Mother Bo. When she moved, they pressed her legs with their paws and continued sleeping comfortably.

Finally, the Gala began, and Wang Bo’s parents were alert. After half an hour, Father Bo fumed: “What the hell is this? Didn’t they say this year Six Little Liungs would be performing?”

Wang Bo explained, “Sun Wukong was removed from these programs. Apparently, the line-up is decided by public opinion.”

Father Bo angrily said, “Unless all Chinese are blind, how could these shows replace Six Little Liungs? Forget it, let’s go to sleep. How can anyone celebrate like this?”

Eva, groggily waking, said, “There’s also the overseas Gala. Should we watch that instead?”

Father Bo shook his head: “No. Everyone go to sleep. Baby, you don’t have to stay up with us.”

Eva yawned and said it was fine. Seeing everyone actually preparing to sleep, she was relieved and laid down on the sofa.

Wang Bo carefully picked her up in a princess carry, and Eva rested her head on his chest, sleeping soundly.

“Pregnancy is really tough; you need proper rest,” Mother Bo said.

Wang Bo nodded in agreement. As the belly grows, expectant mothers’ rest becomes harder. Pressure on the bladder can cause frequent urination.

But Eva didn’t seem to have these issues. During the day, she had morning sickness, but once asleep, she could sleep through the night.

In the morning, Wang Bo got up early, quietly leaving the bed. Eva half-opened her eyes: “Happy New Year, my dear.”

Wang Bo smiled and kissed her forehead: “Happy New Year. Sleeping so lightly now? Go back to sleep.”

Eva used to sleep deeply, unawakened even when Wang Bo played with Atulu on the carpet.

She pouted: “I’ve been waking up several times already, but it’s okay. I can still sleep a little longer.”

Wang Bo: “….”

Dale was also up early, wearing the pink cheongsam Eva bought for her, backpack on, standing eagerly at the castle door.

Seeing Wang Bo, she exclaimed repeatedly: “Brother-in-law, Happy New Year! Brother-in-law, Happy New Year! Brother-in-law, Happy New Year!”

Wang Bo nodded: “Happy New Year.”

As he walked toward the kitchen, the little girl followed, holding her backpack: “Brother-in-law, Happy New Year!”

She emphasized her tone.

Wang Bo said, “I heard you. Thank you for the greeting, Dale.”

Dale opened her backpack: “Brother-in-law, look what I have here!”

Wang Bo glanced casually: “Oh, a red envelope.”

She nodded vigorously.

Wang Bo kept walking. Dale, anxious, handed him the backpack.

Seeing this, Wang Bo laughed and quickly took the red envelope out: “Ah, Dale, you’re so polite, even preparing a red envelope for brother-in-law.”

So shameless!

Dale almost burst into tears!