TSWRLM -Chapter 375 I Also Prepared a Gift for You

This year, the Xiao family’s New Year’s Eve dinner was exceptionally lavish, with over ten full tables as all the branches gathered together.

After the meal, the children went out to play while the young men of the Xiao family began competing in a pitch-pot game. Chun Xi and Xiao Qinghe stayed with the matriarch around the stove, sipping tea, chatting, and keeping watch through the night. Outside, firecrackers occasionally sounded, adding to the festive and peaceful atmosphere.

Soon, the servants set off fireworks.

Everyone went out to the courtyard to watch. Shen Qingyuan came over to Chun Xi, holding the winnings he had earned, and whispered, “Madam, Happy New Year.”

Chun Xi took the winnings and shot him a glance: “Husband, you’re an adult. You didn’t dominate the game again, did you?”

“No, I only won once and then stepped aside to be the judge. That brooding Xiao Yechen didn’t give anyone else a chance.”

Seeing the couple absorbed in their conversation, An’an and Ning’er protested by hugging their legs and trying to climb up.

Shen Qingyuan bent down to lift them, tossing Ning’er to Chun Xi, then stretched his arms to gather both mother and children into his embrace.

An’an hugged his neck proudly: “Daddy likes me!”

Ning’er, not to be outdone, planted a kiss on Chun Xi’s cheek: “Ning’er doesn’t like Daddy. Ning’er has Mommy.”

Their playful rivalry soon spread to the other children, and before long, all were boasting about their parents, making everyone laugh at the children’s words.

Xiao Qingyue, exhausted after a day of wild play, snuggled against Xiao Qinghe and sighed: “I used to think kids were annoying, but now they’re quite cute. Sister, how many do you plan to have? Let’s do it together, or I’ll be scared.”

Xiao Qinghe tapped her forehead gently: “This is not something anyone can control. You can’t just decide to do it together. Besides, your wedding hasn’t even happened yet, and you’re already thinking about children—aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”

Xiao Qingyue didn’t mind and clung to Xiao Qinghe’s arm, asking persistently: “It’s true that it’s a bit early to think about children. Sister, just set the wedding date first. Xiao Yechen really knows how to hide things—I never realized he liked you…”

She kept yawning as she spoke, and fearing she would catch a cold, Xiao Qinghe had a maid take her back to rest in her quarters.

Soon, the other children grew sleepy as well, and the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Xiao Qinghe and Madam Xiao.

“He’er, it’s late. You should go to bed too.”

At midnight, Father Xiao would take the young men of the family to the ancestral hall to offer sacrifices, and Madam Xiao needed to stay with them.

Xiao Qinghe shook her head: “I’m not sleepy. I’ll stay with you, Mother.”

“You’ve always been considerate.”

Madam Xiao ruffled her daughter’s hair, her face full of both pride and concern. Xiao Qinghe hugged her: “What are you talking about, Mother? I’m your daughter. Of course, my heart is with yours.”

Soon, midnight arrived, and the New Year came as scheduled.

Father Xiao led the young men to the ancestral hall, and after enjoying a steaming late-night meal, everyone dispersed. Xiao Qinghe returned to the courtyard at this time.

She gave her maids, Quezhi and the others, a holiday, letting them return home to reunite with their families. She now walked alone, carrying a lantern, stepping through the intermittent firecracker sounds.

Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she heard Xiao Yechen’s voice: “He’er, you’re back.”

Startled, Xiao Qinghe raised her lantern to confirm he was really there and quickly pulled him into the courtyard: “This is the back courtyard. If my father or brothers see you, you’ll get in trouble. It’s so cold tonight—you could have notified me earlier if you had something to say. What if I hadn’t come back tonight and went straight to Yue’er’s place? What would you have done?”

Her tone was serious, but full of concern.

Xiao Yechen’s lips curved into a smile, his gaze fixed firmly on her: “I just really wanted to see you again, to talk to you. If I can’t, I’ll go back on my own. No one will notice.”

Then he pulled out a pile of things and handed them to Xiao Qinghe: “These are my winnings tonight. They’re all for you.”

Having drunk a fair amount at dinner, Xiao Yechen now carried the obvious scent of alcohol. His tone wasn’t his usual cold, quiet self—it carried a proud, almost playful energy, like a child showing off a treasure seeking praise.

Xiao Qinghe accepted the items gently: “You were amazing tonight, Brother. I saw it all.”

As she took them, her fingers brushed his slightly cool ones.

Worried he might have been standing in the cold wind for an hour or two, she guided him to sit under the corridor and went inside to fetch a hot water bottle.

“I’m not cold.”

Xiao Yechen instinctively refused, frowning as though it embarrassed him as a grown man to accept such help.

Xiao Qinghe ignored him and handed the hot water bottle into his hands.

After midnight, the firecrackers had gradually died down, and the Xiao household, lively all day, settled into quiet.

Xiao Qinghe studied Xiao Yechen for a moment and asked: “Why did you come to find me?”

Rubbing the silk wrapping around the hot water bottle, Xiao Yechen said gently: “I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year. Actually, besides what I won tonight, I also prepared a gift for you, but I never dared to give it to you.”

“Never dared?” That meant he had prepared it a long time ago.

Xiao Qinghe grasped the key point and asked: “What gift? If it’s ready, why haven’t you given it to me?”

Xiao Yechen hesitated for a moment, then said: “It’s a wooden carving, the same height as you. I started it after moving to the General’s Mansion, and it was just completed before the New Year.”

“A wooden carving that big? Why didn’t I see it last time?”

Since it was completed before the New Year, she must have only seen the finishing touches on her last visit.

Xiao Yechen smiled slyly: “I hid it.”

The carving was made with a sharp chisel, yet it contained the softest, most passionate love from his heart. Afraid of startling the eldest daughter, he hadn’t dared to show it.

But since she hadn’t found his previous bold dreams disgusting, and he frequently came and went at the Xiao household without her avoiding him, he wanted her to know.

Realizing that a slightly drunk Xiao Yechen answered every question, Xiao Qinghe asked: “What does the carving look like? Is it just me?”

“No,” he replied quickly. After a pause, he looked conflicted but soon decided and admitted truthfully: “It also includes me. I’m holding the eldest miss. Every time you got drunk at the Princess’s Mansion, I carried you to the carriage. I made the servants keep it secret, so you probably don’t know yet.”

“….”

Well, he admitted it himself.

Xiao Qinghe raised an eyebrow, feigning seriousness: “Alright, Xiao Yechen. Not only do you take advantage of me, you even carved the evidence. I’m going to the General’s Mansion right now to check.”

She turned as if to leave, but just as she took a step, her wrist was caught. Xiao Yechen’s broad, firm chest, carrying the scent of alcohol, pressed against her.