TSWRLM -Chapter 279 New Year’s Eve

After another heavy snowfall, New Year’s Eve arrived.

All the officials had three days off, and Shen Qingyuan also paused his work, focusing entirely on spending the holiday at home with Chun Xi.

It was the first New Year they spent together. Excitement overcame Chun Xi’s sleepiness, and early in the morning, she dragged Shen Qingyuan into the courtyard to build snowmen.

Shen Qingyuan had never done this before, so his snowmen looked ugly, while Chun Xi was experienced—wielding a shovel and patting the snow until a cute, chubby snowman took shape.

“Husband, although you excel at everything, in building snowmen, you’re far behind me. Our children in the future will definitely like me more,” Chun Xi said proudly, admiring her creation.

Shen Qingyuan didn’t argue and nodded in agreement. “You’ve carried our child for ten months, so it’s natural the child will be closer to you. I just hope that after the child is born, you won’t neglect me.”

Raising an eyebrow, Chun Xi teased, “After giving birth, my figure may change, and I might even have lingering health issues. I should be the one hoping you won’t drift away from me.”

“I won’t drift away,” Shen Qingyuan replied without hesitation. “No matter how you change, in my eyes, you are always the best.”

Reassured, Chun Xi’s lips curved into a smile. “As long as you remain constant, I will always put you first. Even after having a child, you will still be the most important person in my world.”

Chun Xi gave the household servants time off to return to their families. At noon, she prepared a hot pot for Uncle Hu, Uncle Bao, and the estate guards.

While eating, snow fell again. The bubbling pot of meat filled the air with a rich aroma, warming everyone. Though they couldn’t go home, their double monthly pay made their faces glow with happiness.

After a couple of drinks, Uncle Bao sighed in contentment, “Eating hot pot in the snow like this… I feel like all the years I’ve lived before were wasted.”

Chun Xi added more lamb to the pot and softly said, “Hot pot is easy to prepare. If you want it in the future, Uncle Bao, you can have the kitchen make it or do it yourself. I’ll even write down the dipping sauce recipe for you.”

After some time of peaceful days, Uncle Bao felt the past years of scraping by were like a dream. Looking at Chun Xi now, it no longer felt like looking at an employer—it was like looking at family.

He picked up a piece of lamb, the steam stinging his eyes, and said with some emotion, “I, Lin Bao, never owe anyone. You gave me your secret dipping sauce, so I’ll teach you my unique knife skills. Once you learn them, you can show them off, and those noble ladies won’t dare look down on you again.”

“Wonderful!” Chun Xi’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly began discussing his secret knife techniques.

Uncle Hu didn’t join the discussion; he quietly poured Shen Qingyuan a drink and asked softly, “Sir, you said you would help us find someone. Do we have any leads?”

“They changed their name and identity years ago. Finding them now is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I haven’t found a lead yet, but I discovered something: when you were attacked years ago, it wasn’t mountain bandits—it was a deliberate attempt to kill you.”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Hu’s expression changed. Not wanting Lin Bao to know, he made an excuse to fetch a drink and left. Shen Qingyuan followed shortly after.

With no one around, Uncle Hu pressed, “Sir, do you know who was behind it?”

“Not yet,” Shen Qingyuan shook his head. Uncle Hu frowned, suspecting he hadn’t investigated thoroughly. Then Shen Qingyuan added, “Among the escorts who took you away back then, one was my father-in-law. If not for him risking his life to protect you, you probably wouldn’t have survived. Even if it weren’t for you, I would continue investigating.”

Uncle Hu was stunned, thinking of Chun Xi’s always bright and warm face, his chest tightening. After a moment, he asked, “May I ask the name of your father-in-law?”

“My father-in-law is Cao Renfeng, deputy head of the world’s escort bureaus.”

After lunch, Chun Xi, full from eating, couldn’t resist sleepiness and napped soundly until evening. She changed clothes and went with Shen Qingyuan to the Hou Mansion for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Having slept all afternoon, she wasn’t very hungry and mainly went to enjoy the festivities.

With Shen Qingyuan present, the Shen family treated her politely. They even asked her help to arrange the upcoming wedding. The Qingyuan Hou didn’t scold her, only expressed mild disappointment about Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu’s academic regression.

Trying to please Chun Xi, the younger Shen family echoed the comments, leaving Shen Qingyue and Shen Qingyu looking pale.

After the meal, the younger generation lined up for New Year’s money.

Although Old Madam Wu and Qingyuan Hou didn’t give much, they were prepared. When it was Chun Xi’s turn, the Shen family subtly indicated she should be generous, hinting at her elevated status.

Before Chun Xi could speak, Shen Qingyuan interjected, “I’ve never received New Year’s money from my uncles before. Now that Chun Xi is pregnant and our family is together, shouldn’t my unborn child get a little too?”

Everyone froze.

They had only wanted a small gain; now he was asking for a fortune. Not daring to argue, they awkwardly sidestepped the topic, murmuring complaints about his stinginess.

Shen Qingyuan, uninterested in their grumbling, pulled Chun Xi up. “Chun Xi is pregnant; she shouldn’t sit too long. Let’s go home and rest.”

He didn’t consult; no one dared stop him. After they left, the Shen family’s second son muttered, “Look at him now… he has no respect for elders.”

Old Madam Wu didn’t manage even her granddaughter-in-law, so she stayed silent. Qingyuan Hou, used to Shen Qingyuan’s attitude, rolled his eyes and said, “If you can teach him respect, I’ll let him call you father.”

Second son: “…I might as well let Shen Qingyuan kill me.”

At home, Chun Xi had prepared fireworks. They spent hours playing before lying in bed, chatting and staying up to welcome the New Year.

That night, the Xiao family was lively. To celebrate Xiao Qinghe’s return, they set off many fireworks, drawing locals. The women of the Xiao family surrounded Qinghe, offering comfort, and Qinghe responded with gentle smiles, her heart soft.

By contrast, the Wei family’s New Year’s Eve dinner felt restrained.

Because Wei Lingze repeatedly caused trouble, the reputations of the Wei sons were affected. Sitting together, minor complaints and blame inevitably arose.

Before the dinner ended, Wei Lingze stood and left.

With a dark expression, he returned briefly to Lingfeng Courtyard before heading to the Wuyou Pavilion.

Lanshu was surprised. “Young Master Wei, today is New Year’s Eve. Why have you come?”

Wei Lingze didn’t even glance at him, throwing a stack of silver notes in his face. “No nonsense. Bring Xiao Yechen to see me.”